Columbia Union News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

We Don't Want 'Normal'

Story by Michele Joseph

Driving on a Sabbath afternoon to escape the house she’d been in all week, Ruth-Ann Thompson had a moment of inspiration. The Columbus, Ohio, resident realized she wasn’t far from the home of fellow church members. She pulled over and sent them a text.

“I’m going to be pulling up in your driveway in about two minutes,” she texted. “I’m going to pray for you and your family, and be gone.”

When she pulled into the driveway, the family turned on their porch light, acknowledging her arrival.

Graduates Honored With Caring Heart Award

Reina and Maria Cardona, graduates of Potomac Conference’s Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Md., are among the Columbia Union Conference students who received the Caring Heart Award from the Columbia Union Conference Office of Education for demonstrating a commitment to service and witnessing.

Visitor Now Offering Online Classified Ads

The Visitor is now offering exclusively online classified ads on our website at columbiaunionvisitor.com/bulletin-board/online-classified. Previously, classified ads were only available for purchase in the print magazine.

The details are as follows:

Timeline

Once the ad and payment are submitted, the ads will be posted within five business days. Ads will remain online for a minimum of 30 days.

Rates

Rates are the same as in the printed Visitor:
$60 for 50 words or less; .75¢ for each additional word over 50.

Columbia Union Executive Secretary Announces Retirement Plans

Story by the Visitor Staff

Rob Vandeman, an administrator and pastor who has ministered for the Seventh-day Adventist Church for almost 50 years, announced his plans to step down from his role as Columbia Union Conference’s executive secretary at the end of the year.

Vandeman, who served in his current position since 2011, plans to continue working at the Columbia Union in some capacity until the union’s constituency session in July 2021.

“Rob has always been a champion for the grace of Christ and the mission of the Adventist Church in so many ways as pastor and administrator,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president.

First 75 Students to Sign Up for Virtual Race Get Free Registration

Story by Visitor Staff

To help students start the year on a healthy note, the Office of Education at the Columbia Union Conference is offering to pay for the first 75 K-12 students who register for the Virtual Visitor 5K/1 Mile race, September 20—26.

Students and others signing up for the 1 mile option will receive a bib and special medal. Those participating in the 5K option will receive a bib, special medal, T-shirt and face mask.

A portion of the registration will be donated to the participants’ local Adventist Community Services Department.

Register here.