Story by Oksana Wetmore

With long and distinguished histories of their own, two Takoma Park, Md., Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools are merging to become one. John Nevins Andrews School (JNA), established in 1907, and Sligo Adventist School, established in 1917, will merge to become the newly named Takoma Academy Preparatory School. The merger will take two exceptionally diverse entities and form an institution that upholds the vision to prepare graduates to be scholars, thinkers, achievers and servant leaders. 

Story by Tiffany Doss

The Columbia Union Conference Office of Education recently recognized juniors and seniors at each of the union’s eight academies. The Caring Heart Award winners were nominated for demonstrating a personal commitment to service and witnessing:

Ashley Hunte from Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, Pa.

Bree Hurst from Highland View Academy in Hagerstown, Md.

Michael Williams from Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa.

Chrizette Sullano from Richmond Academy in Richmond, Va.

Brenda Ngetich from Shenandoah Valley Academy in New Market, Va.

Story by Visitor Staff/ Illustration by Kylie Kajiura

Seeking more ways to engage members on social media, the Columbia Union Visitor staff recently created a Snapchat filter that will be available the first or only Sabbath at the remaining summer 2017 camp meetings in the Columbia Union Conference.

Blog by Rob Vandeman

For centuries, throngs of people sung Psalm 133 on the road as they made the ascent to Jerusalem for festival worship. Our imaginations readily reconstruct those scenes. How great to have everyone sharing a common purpose, traveling a common path, arriving toward a common goal, that path and purpose and goal being God. How much better than making the long trip alone: “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” (Ps 133:1 NLT)