Columbia Union News

Story by Visitor Staff

On November 11, members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee elected Celeste Ryan Blyden as the new executive secretary, effective January 2022. She will be the first woman to fill the role in the union's 114-year history.

Blyden has served in her current role as vice president for Strategic Communication and Public Relations since 2014, when she made history as the first female vice president for the Columbia Union. She was re-elected at constituency sessions in 2016, and again in May 2021.

Story by Visitor Staff

On November 11, members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee voted to promote four Columbia Union employees to new roles: two in the Information Technology (IT) Services Department and two in the Communication Department.

Greg Iverson, associate director of IT, was voted to serve as director, following the retirement of Harold Greene, current IT director, in February 2022.

Iverson has worked at the union since 2001, serving as both an assistant and associate director, with a portfolio that includes network administrator/system administrator.

Columbia Union Conference President, Dave Weigley, shared the following report about evangelism happening all around the union.

"As we emerge from the pandemic, we are more determined than ever to embrace traditional, creative and innovative evangelism opportunities. And we are inviting every member—men, women, boys and girls—to experience the mission of sharing our love for Jesus," says Weigley.

“Una de las cosas más importantes que hacemos en la unión es ayudar a promover la evangelización”, dijo Dave Weigley, presidente de la unión, en la reciente reunión del Comité Ejecutivo de la Unión de Columbia. Los presidentes de las ocho conferencias de la unión destacaron las muchas formas en que los miembros están trabajando para compartir el amor de Dios a través de métodos tradicionales e innovadores.

Conferencia Oeste de Allegheny

Durante la pandemia, la Conferencia Oeste de Allegheny equipó a sus iglesias con las herramientas necesarias para garantizar que, cuando adorar en persona no era una opción, todas las iglesias pudieran transmitir sus servicios.

Today, Rick Remmers, executive secretary of the Columbia Union Conference, accepted a call to the North American Division (NAD) to serve with President G. Alexander Bryant as assistant to the president.

“Following weeks of prayerful consideration, I have sensed the Lord’s leading,” says Remmers. “I will finish up the round of fall meetings taking place and make the transition at the end of the year.”

Columbia Union President Dave Weigley, says, “It’s been a pleasure working with Rick. He has been a real blessing to our union, and though he will be missed, I think the division has made a wise choice.”