Story by Donna Bigler
Washington Adventist University (WAU) is mourning the death of James William Burns III, an alumnus, former coach of the gymnastics team and head of Physical Education. He passed away last week on April 19 at the age of 84, surrounded by his family. He will long be remembered for his love of life and his positive attitude, as well as his penchant for doing handstands on the roof and his passion for running.
Eight teams from the Columbia Union Conference placed first at the recent North American Division Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) in Chicago. Six teams placed second. To achieve first place, a team must score 90 percent of the top scoring team's score. Second place teams must earn 80 percent of the top scoring team's score.
See the results below:
Allegheny East Conference
Genesis (NJ) Jaguars: Second Place
Liberty (Md.) Light Bearers Gold: First Place
Story by Donna Bigler
Maryland Comptroller and Honorary Alumnus Peter Franchot will be the commencement speaker for Washington Adventist University’s 2017 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, April 30. Franchot is one of four state-wide elected officials in Maryland, and is the state’s 33rd comptroller, currently serving his third term in that office. Commencement will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Show Place Arena, located at 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
The Bethel French church in Trenton, N.J., recently graduated 17 students in a church-sponsored Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. Recognizing the need to equip members with skills for acquiring employment, Luckson Innocent, church treasurer, birthed the idea.
The Bethel church partnered with Yves Annie Ervilus, dean of the Broadway Vocational Technical School, LLC, in Camden, N.J., to conduct a five-week program. At the completion of the program, participants were certified to seek employment as a CNA.
Editorial by Seán Robinson
Some years ago, I picked up a travel book titled 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. This best-seller describes a myriad of amazing places to visit around the globe far beyond the Seven Wonders of the World. While I had already been to some places, others beckoned me with the lure of the exotic and the unknown. As my “bucket list” expanded, I found myself looking forward to new adventures.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Kristiana Hoffman, a 12-year-old from Charleston, W.Va., wants to be a missionary when she grows up. In January she started practicing.
After reading that 10 people die each day from drowning, Hoffman came up with a plan to help teach children to swim while introducing them to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Hoffman, a member of the Mountain View Conference’s Charleston (W.Va.) church, started taking swimming lessons at age three, and recently hosted swim classes for the community at a local pool.
Story by Sylvia Garcia Urrutia
The Columbia Union Conference’s Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries (CUASI) recently held their annual Missional Business Conference at the Doubletree Hotel in Columbia, Md.
About 150 attendees from across the union gathered to share their ministry passions and gain knowledge to help in their businesses and ministries. Emanuel Pelote, CUASI president, says they choose the theme for the meeting, “Minding the Father’s Business,” because “the Bible is clear that included in following Christ, is a call to full-time ministry.”
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
August 1–5, the Chesapeake Conference is hosting “Courageous,” an invitational camporee, at the Highland View Campgrounds in Hagerstown, Md.
Pathfinder clubs from all conferences are welcome. “The goal of the event is to create a spiritual, social and educational environment for all, as we grow together in Christ and learn from the Word of God what it means to be courageous Pathfinders for Jesus in the 21st century,” says Carl Rodriguez, Youth Ministries director for the Chesapeake Conference.
Planned activities include a 300-foot waterslide, archery, mountain biking, soccer and 36 activities in which you can earn honors.
For more information, and to register, visit https://www.cicamporee.org.
Story by Elizabeth Long
Great Place to Work® and Fortune have named Kettering Adventist HealthCare one of the Best Workplaces in Health Care in the United States.
Kettering Adventist HealthCare ranked 23 on the list, which is based on surveys from nearly 88,000 employees across the healthcare industry. Employees completed an anonymous Trust Index© survey, answering questions about how frequently they experience the building blocks of a great workplace. Employees rate leadership strength and integrity, pride in their work and organization, and the quality of relationships with co-workers, among other factors.
Story by Elizabeth Long
The following Kettering Health Network hospitals are among 823 hospitals in the U.S. to receive an “A” in the Spring 2017 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade:
· Fort Hamilton Hospital
· Grandview Medical Center (includes Southview Medical Center)
· Greene Memorial Hospital
· Sycamore Medical Center (includes Kettering Behavioral Medicine Center)
Kettering Medical Center and Soin Medical Center each received a “B.”