News

Potomac Conference Welcomes New Youth Director

Story by Debra Anderson

The Potomac Conference is pleased to introduce Williams Ovalle—a dedicated and passionate leader with a heart for young people—as its new youth director. With a decade of experience within the Potomac Conference, his journey to this role has been nothing short of inspiring.

Born in Guatemala, Ovalle’s story is about determination and faith. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 16, seeking a better future. In June 2013, Ovalle answered the call to become a part of the Potomac Conference family as pastor of the Manassas (Va.) Battlefield Spanish church. Since then, he has tirelessly dedicated himself to nurturing the spiritual growth of young individuals.

The Unknown Giver

Editorial by Carlos Portanova

The Bible tells us the story of a woman whose name is not known. She is famous for giving everything she had, even though she was a widow, and widows were among the poorest of the land during that time. Her testimony tells us the meaning of true giving.

This widow had in her possession only two mites. If we translate that into today’s currency, two mites equals about a penny.

Ellen White expounds on the story:

Emotional Abuse: What Is the Church's Role?

By Michelle Perez and Jennifer Jill Schwirzer

Emotional abuse, also known as the "hidden abuse" since it leaves no physical mark and is so difficult to identify, is more common than you think—even within Seventh-day Adventist homes and churches. As a pastor, leader or church member, it is important to distinguish what the church's role is and isn't when faced with this situation.

The church's role isn’t

• A substitute for law enforcement involvement

• A substitute for mental health services

• A substitute for legal support or advice

• A judge

The church's role is

Treasury Staff Focuses on Well-Being at Fall Meeting

The Pennsylvania Conference Treasury Team at the Columbia Union 2023 Fall Treasury Meetings

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This week, some 80 finance and treasury professionals gathered in Columbia, Md., for the Columbia Union Conference’s Fall Treasury Meeting, themed, “Leading in Wellbeing.”

Support for Abuse Victims: How Can I Help?

The church community can be a great support in cases of abuse, but pastors and lay leaders are often not professionally trained in this area. Michelle Perez, a domestic abuse prevention educator, shares some tips on what not to say or do when approached by an abused survivor. For ideas on best practices, read the feature here.

What NOT to Say to Someone Experiencing Abuse

Cosas que Deberías Saber

Historias de V. Michelle Bernard

• ¡Marque su calendario ya! Visite columbiaunionvisitor.com para encontrar una lista de conciertos navideños en todo el territorio de la unión, incluidos los muy esperados conciertos anuales del departamento de música de la Universidad Adventista de Washington.

• En la reunión del Comité Ejecutivo de la unión de Columbia de septiembre, los miembros votaron enviar $20,000 para las iniciativas de ayuda en Hawái luego de los incendios forestales en Maui que dejaron al menos 97 muertos. Los líderes de la unión animaron a los líderes de las conferencias a donar también.

• ¿Busca un buen recurso sobre salud mental? La iglesia adventista del séptimo día Emanuel presentó recientemente una serie en español sobre concientización de la salud mental. Mire la serie en columbiaunionvisitor.com o en YouTube.

Líderes de Academias en SALT

Ashley Agustin y Judith Montes de Oca de la Escuela Adventista Waldwick de la conferencia de Nueva Jersey ir a SALT. Photo by Ruth Nino

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

Más de 150 estudiantes líderes de muchas de las academias de la unión de Columbia, Ashley Agustin y Judith Montes de Oca de la Escuela Adventista Waldwick de la conferencia de Nueva Jersey, se reunieron este otoño en el campamento Blue Ridge de la conferencia de Potomac en Montebello, Virginia, para la capacitación espiritual para líderes de academias (SALT, por sus siglas en inglés) de la unión de Columbia.