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Photo by the Flying Enchilada on Flickr

Blog by Rob Vandeman

Psalms 69 is written by a man in crisis. The waters of depression and oppression threaten his very life. He suffers at the hands of his enemies because of his devotion to God. The troubles are not specific, which is in keeping with the purpose of the Psalms to provide templates of prayers for later worshippers who have similar, though not identical, issues.

Spencerville Adventist Academy students study during Religion Class. Photo by Kelly Coe

Editorial by Donovan Ross

I remember the day I walked into my first classroom as a teacher. Within a few hours, I thought I had been afflicted with temporary insanity. By the end of the day, I decided that as soon as “something better” came my way, I would be off to pursue a more lucrative and less stressful career. 

Photo by Andrew Shurtleff/AP

Story by David Pluviose / Photos by Andrew Shurtleff/AP and Kelly Coe

Columbia Union Conference schools are in the process of rolling out the Adventist Encounter Bible curriculum in elementary and high school classes. A key goal of this new curriculum, slated to be implemented in all union schools by Fall 2018, is to foster a deeper relationship with God and each other. The curriculum uses the Bible as the primary textbook, rather than the assortment of textbooks used by the old Bible curriculum, says Ileana Espinosa, associate director of elementary education for Columbia Union schools. 

Story by Donna Bigler

A retrospective art exhibition, “The Old and the New” will open at Washington Adventist University (WAU) on Wednesday, March 1, with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m.  Both the reception and exhibition will be located in the Department of English and Modern Languages, lower level, Wilkinson Hall, 7600 Flower Avenue, Takoma Park, Md. The exhibition, which will remain on display through April 28, is open to the public during office hours on weekdays.

Pine Forge Academy students join academy trustees and Thomas Lynch, CEO of TE Connectivity

Story by Dinah Jordan

TE Connectivity, a global leader in connectivity and sensors, recently awarded Allegheny East Conference's Pine Forge Academy a $50,000 grant for the implementation of a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program. These funds, part of TE’s global program supporting STEM education, will help establish an engineering, robotic and technology program at the school located in Pine Forge, Pa.

Story by WAU Staff

The featured speaker for Washington Adventist University’s Alumni Weekend, April 6-9, is alumnus Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. He will be sharing his thoughts and experiences on April 8 at the 11 a.m. worship service at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church on the school's campus in Takoma Park, Md.

Wilson graduated from Washington Adventist University (WAU) in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree double major in religion and business administration. He began his church career as a pastor in 1974 in the Greater New York Conference. He has been married to physical therapist Nancy Louise Vollmer Wilson since 1975.

Story by Dave Morgan

When one door closes, God opens another! The Adventist Book Center, which was located on the campus of Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) in Hamburg, Pa., recently closed. Many shoppers wondered what could replace this conveniently located store, with its friendly environment and familiar, well-loved products. “It was very disappointing when we drove up Sunday and saw the sign ‘Permanently Closed,’” says customer G. Russel. “We shopped there on a regular basis, and it was one of the ways we supported the school.”

BMA leadership saw an opportunity to remedy this concern. They would open their own store and offer students the ability to gain business experience as part of their vocational education program, while generating revenue for the academy.

James Bingham directs the Columbia Union Choral Festival at Spencerville Adventist church

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

About 140 students participated in Washington Adventist University’s (WAU) Columbia Union Choral Festival last weekend.

Students from Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, Pa., Highland View Academy in Hagerstown, Md., Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa., Richmond Academy in Richmond, Va., Spring Valley Academy in Dayton, Ohio, Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Md., and WAU participated in the event.

Story by Washington Adventist University Staff

Washington Adventist University (WAU) is mourning the recent passing of a former president and alumnus, George Hillry Akers, Ph.D. Akers was president of his class when he graduated from the university in Takoma Park, Md., (then known as Columbia Union College) in 1947. He later returned to serve as president of his alma mater from 1970-1974, a school he credited for being instrumental in his Christian development, and for greatly molding his life.