News

Editorial by Terry Forde
 
The words leapt off the page from the article I was reading as if they were on fire. “We live in the most technologically connected age in the history of civilization, yet rates of loneliness are increasing” (Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Forbes, October 17, 2017).
 
Surgeon General Murthy is so persuaded of the impact of loneliness on our health and work that he describes it as a “Loneliness Epidemic,” strong words from a health officer with a unique perspective on the factors and issues impacting public health.
 
Janice Walker-Cleveland

In February 2016, after undergoing surgery, Janice Walker-Cleveland, a member of the Cincinnati Shiloh church in Ohio, sought God’s plan for her life, expressing the sentiment, “Many people search their entire lives and never find ... God’s purpose and plan.”

The only African-American female attorney at Duke Energy’s predecessor, Cincinnati Gas & Electric, Walker-Cleveland has held the positions of senior counsel and assistant general, and is currently the associate general counsel.

Passionate about the remnant people and the three angels’ messages, Walker-Cleveland spoke with her sister, Thea Walker, a member of Dallas City Temple church (Texas), about the Lord’s soon return and her personal mission to reach others.

image by geralt on Pixabay

Editorial by Gary Gibbs

Our Pennsylvania leadership team and Executive Committee members have been praying for unity across our conference. This fall we saw an example of what happens when God’s people unite for a common mission, as more than 1,820 members met at 23 central Pennsylvania churches to go door-to-door, distributing invitations to the Faith for Family (F4F) evangelistic series, praying with people and inviting them to study the Word of God. Powerful things happen when God’s people come together.

Photo by Cristian Bernal from Flickr

Editorial by Rick Remmers

A new year lies before us full of hope and promise. It is a time of year to reflect and refocus. As we begin afresh, we each have goals and aspirations for the days ahead.

Many things are within our grasp; others are beyond our control. It is easy to look at unsettling global events and feel powerless. Nonetheless, each day we get to make choices that will impact how this year will unfold. We can choose to spend time with Jesus and allow Him to mold and shape our lives after His likeness. God’s Word promises “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17, NKJV).

Story by Tamyra Horst

The Pennsylvania Conference welcomes Michael Gayle, principal of Huntingdon Valley Christian Academy, to the new role of associate superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Already serving the conference in the areas of curriculum and instruction, the Executive Committee recently voted to create this new position, and Gayle accepted it.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Starting April 1, H. Candace Nurse will serve as secretary/treasurer for the Columbia Union Revolving Fund (CURF). Nurse, currently the chief financial officer (CFO) for the Allegheny West Conference (AWC), has worked at AWC since 2008 in various roles, including assistant treasurer and Human Resources coordinator.

“Candace has demonstrated her acumen and abilities at the Allegheny West Conference and has done an excellent job,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union Conference president and chair of the CURF board, who adds her love for people shows in her work.

Photos courtesy Takoma Park church

Story by Tiffany Doss

After 53 years of ministerial service, Pastor Henry Wright recently preached his final sermon before entering into retirement to a standing room only crowd at the historic Takoma Park (Md.) church. Wright accepted his call to the Potomac Conference in 1993, and became the pastor of Community Praise Center (CPC)—a small, struggling church in Alexandria, Va.