Story by Benia Jennings
This year the Allegheny West Conference (AWC) has adopted the theme “Worship Through Service & Sacrifice—Giving and Living His Calling.” Conference leaders charged members and churches to join in renewed commitment to the service of others by engaging in acts of sacrificial kindness to impact lives throughout the territory.
Editorial by Gary Gibbs
A few months ago, due to the coronavirus, our churches moved worship and ministry online. Uncharted territory for many, it turned out to be a gold mine for ministry!
When we launched our Reach and Connect online evangelism initiative last year, we had no idea that God was preparing us for this moment. We just knew we had to be online because that’s where the people are.
When the virus hit, our Hispanic pastors streamed a live Easter week evangelism series on Facebook, drawing nearly 200 viewers each night. Many decided to be baptized, including our coordinator’s uncle who watched the meetings 3,500 miles away in Peru!
Editorial by Rick Remmers
As the coronavirus pandemic engulfs our world, I wanted to take a moment to encourage you with the words of Jesus we find in Matthew 28.
He says, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations” (verse 19, NKJV). And then He ends with a prom- ise that is especially relevant to us today: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (verse 20).
Story by Vicki Swetnam
Kelly (Peach) Long (’98) didn’t know she would be designing things for her alma mater when she began her job at Kettering Adventist HealthCare (KAHC) in 2017 as a graphic designer.
Most of her work as the graphic design manager in the KAHC Marketing and Communications Department on the Ohio campus involves designing and overseeing the design of materials for her employer. However, due to the ongoing generosity of KAHC toward Spring Valley Academy (SVA), she soon found herself designing for SVA periodically.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Good-byes are usually sad--yet sometimes they are a celebration. This month the Pennsylvania Conference education team is saying good-bye as Toni Wlasniewski, a teacher at Reading Junior Academy, and Machelle Williams, head teacher for the Pocono Adventist Christian School, Stroudsburg, Pa., are both retiring from education and moving into the next adventure God has planned for them. The team surprised both educators during the end-of-year Zoom teachers meeting with flowers and cake delivered and words of gratitude shared by Jeremy Garlock, education superintendent.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Dan Weber/NAD Communication
Over the weekend, several groups in the Columbia Union met to pray, grieve and call for justice after the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others at the hands of police.
Story by Pine Forge Academy Staff
Pine Forge Academy (PFA) has incorporated life enrichment clubs into their curriculum this year. Students have joined clubs, such as Coding, Genealogy, Media, Chess, Crotchet, Poetry, Art and Debate, that meet for 50 minutes twice a month.
Instructor Lisa Marshall has introduced members of the Art Club to several artistic mediums. The club’s latest work is a fluid art design known as the acrylic painting string technique. This format brings out the creative ingenuity of the students.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
After nine weeks of in-person closure due to coronavirus shelter-in-place orders, Pennsylvania Conference’s Washington church has now been open for several weeks.
Following government regulations, members installed a plexiglass shield around the podium, secured masks for members who may need them, and, in between services, thoroughly clean/disinfect the church.
Story by Salena Fitzgerald
One of Takoma Academy’s (TA) missions is to lead young people to Jesus by helping students maintain a strong spiritual life. While the faculty and staff make a team effort to provide spiritual guidance to the students, the role of a chaplain is to expand on it. This was no challenge for new hire Leah Burgess, affectionally known as “Chaplain B. Leah,” who was welcomed to the Tiger family late last year.
Story by Heidi Wetmore
Charis McRoy, a junior at Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA), learned how to loom knit hats from a family friend. After making hats for each of her family members, McRoy wondered how she could use this newfound hobby to serve others. She needed a reason and purpose for what she was doing; that is how Kinder Knit was born.
After much thought, McRoy decided to make hats for infants in the NICU. This target group was near and dear to her heart, because 17 years ago, she herself was a newborn in the NICU. “To this day, I have handmade blankets that kind individuals gave me when I was in the NICU,” shares McRoy. “Now this is my chance to give back and serve others.”