News

Washington Adventist University's MusicFest 2021 "Virtual-oso Final Concert" features participating high school ensembles from around the Columbia Union schools and beyond. It culminates in a remarkable collaboration of Adolphus Hailstork's "He's Got the Whole World In His Hand."

Congrats to all the students who received music scholarships to Washington Adventist University during the event:

WGTS general manager & president Kevin Kruger announces the new station's expansion from the Ocean City boardwalk.

Story by Jerry Woods

Since 1957, WGTS 91.9 has been the message of hope to the nation’s capital. That mission is expanding, as the station just announced it’s in the process of purchasing a new, full-power signal to reach the Delmarva Peninsula of Maryland and Delaware. WGTS has signed an agreement with American University to purchase NPR affiliate 88.3, WRAU. This 50,000-watt, Class B station is licensed in Ocean City, Md.

Xavier Mouton Photographie via Unsplash

Editorial by Renee Humphreys

When my sons, Austin and Jaren, were little, they had two places of comfort and love that they readily chose. Without hesitation, they found rest in the caring and loving arms of their daddy and mommy. I still cherish the days when they would place their heads close to our hearts. It was a special place of rest and peace, initiated
by God’s love.

Burnside's Bridge at Antietam National Park, Sharpsburg, Md. Photo by Peter Chacalos on Pixabay

The weather is getting warmer—making it the perfect time to get out there and enjoy nature!

We’ve compiled a list of great Sabbath walking/hiking spots around the Columbia Union. Email your favorites to visitor@columbiaunion.net so we can add them to the list.

Delaware

Image from iStock

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matt. 6:25, NIV).

“Hakuna Matata” is a Swahili saying that means, “Don’t worry.” For many people, that’s easier said than done, but not for me. My approach to life is found in Matthew 6:25–34. I learned this, not by choice, but by circumstance.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This year, 39 teams from across the Columbia Union Conference participated in the union-level Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE), held online for the second year in a row.

On Sabbath afternoon, the teams gathered virtually to test their knowledge of Hebrews, James, and 1 and 2 Peter, and the introductions from the correlating sections of the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary. Then on Sunday, team representatives again gathered virtually to celebrate their accomplishments and discover who placed first and would be moving on to the North American Division (NAD) level event. (Watch Columbia Union President Dave Weigley’s special message to them here.)

Strings players Joseph Pelote (’24), Ellie Anderson (’23) and Anisa Phillip (’24) perform during the annual Candlelight Concert.

Story by Janel Ware

The Candlelight Concert is a treasured Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) tradition, a gift from the Music Department to the community. This year, programming had to change because of health precautions. “As executive orders tightened in November, God led the way to join the Music Department efforts with the New Market campus church’s annual Journey to Bethlehem production and moving the combined outreach presentation online,” shares Daniel Biaggi, music director.