News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Morikone Retires After 20 Years of Local Ministry

Story by Valerie Morikone

Graduating from Pacific Union College (Calif.) in 1974, Daniel Morikone worked as a registered nurse in California, Kentucky and Michigan prior to becoming a literature evangelist (LE) for the Michigan Conference.

During that time, he received a call to be the assistant manager of an Adventist Home Health in Kentucky in 1982. This brought about the purchase of six acres across the Kentucky border in the state of West Virginia, where he and his wife, Valerie, built a house and raised their son, Greg, and daughter, Janelle.

Members of the Williamson (W.Va.) church, it wasn’t until 1997 that Morikone returned to the LE work with the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, having a territory of 17 counties. On September 1, 2000, he was asked to pastor the Williamson and Logan churches.

New Jersey Churches Serve as COVID-19 Testing Sites

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Three churches in New Jersey: First church in Teaneck; Metropolitan church in Plainfield; and Mt. Calvary church in Salem, recently served as hosting sites for COVID-19 and antibody testing. This was done in partnership with the initiative by Phil Murphy, New Jersey governor.

“We recognize the need for people of color to be tested, but there is a lot of fear in those communities. Churches are typically viewed as safe places, so we put the call out for churches, and they responded,” says Derrick Greene, senior advisor to the governor for diversity, faith, urban and regional growth.

Testing sites were set up in the parking lots of the churches where social distancing and masks were required. Testing was free and open to the public as long as they provided a photo ID and insurance card. Workers at First church administered COVID-19 and antibody testing to 75 people. “The testing was a great success,” says Robert Smith, pastor. “Our community was able to view us as an asset, and we saw it as a great witnessing opportunity.”

Conference Gives Cox Farewell Celebration

Story by Benia Jennings

Close family members, friends and colleagues recently gathered as the Allegheny West Conference (AWC) family hosted a farewell celebration honoring William T. Cox Sr. A small number of guests attended the in-person gathering, while others joined via Zoom. Well-wishers expressed their appreciation to Cox, his wife, LaTanya, and their family for 22 years of service to the conference.

“I served Pastor Cox as his first elder for about 10 years,” said Shirley Benton, AWC Women’s Ministries director. “He’s been more than a pastor or president; he’s been my friend.”.

Publication d’un Manuel de Communication par l’Union

Historia de Jenevieve Lettsome

Plus tôt cette année, le Bureau de la Communication Stratégique et des Relations Publiques se sont associées à AdventSource pour publier le manuel de communication. Plus de 20 experts en communication à travers l’union ont rédigé des articles sur droit d'auteur, droit, médias sociaux, relations avec les médias, production vidéo, marketing, photographie, image de marque,

ROB VANDEMAN SE JUBILARÁ

Rob Vandeman is pictured with his wife, Judy

Rob Vandeman, un administrador y pastor que ha ministrado para la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día durante casi 50 años ha anunciado que a fin de año planea renunciar a su papel como secretario ejecutivo de la Unión de Columbia. Vandeman, quien se ha desempeñado en su puesto actual desde el 2011, de alguna u otra manera, planea continuar trabajando en la Unión de Columbia hasta la reunión de electores de la unión en julio del 2021.

Bendiciones Disfrazadas: Los Esfuerzos de Evangelización Prosperan a Través de la Pandemia

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard y Jenevieve Lettsome

Debido a la pandemia del coronavirus muchas iglesias de la Unión de Columbia todavía están cerradas para los cultos en persona, incluidas todas las iglesias de las conferencias de Allegheny East y West. Las iglesias en la Conferencia de Nueva Jersey han experimentado 38 muertes como resultado del COVID-19. El ochenta por ciento de estas iglesias están ahora abiertas al 25 por ciento de su capacidad, informó el presidente Dave Weigley el 17 de septiembre en la reunión del Comité Ejecutivo de la Unión de Columbia.

Carrera Virtual Visitor 5K/1 milla recauda $6,000 para Servicios Comunitarios Adventistas

Derel and Douglas Jr. Reyes run in the Virtual 5k

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

Embrace Your Life With a Thankful Heart

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18).

Gratitude is good for you! When you’re grateful, it lowers stress and depression, reduces feelings of envy and resentment, decreases aches and pains, increases resilience, improves your relationships and helps you sleep better.

Here are some articles to help you delve deeper:

7 Surprising Benefits of Gratitude (Time Magazine)

Give Thanks (Vibrant Life)

How to Give Back This Holiday Season

Story by Sylvia Urutia

Looking for a way to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Adventist Community Services leaders encourage members to participate in their local church Christmas outreach programs. If your church doesn’t have a program, why not pioneer one? Here are some ideas:

Elden Ramirez Named North American Division Undersecretary

Story by Kimberly Luste Maran / North American Division Communication

On October 29, 2020, the North American Division Executive Committee met virtually during the 2020 NAD Year-End Meeting (YEM) to receive the name of Elden Ramirez, the recommendation for division undersecretary, from the North American Division’s standing nominating committee. Ramirez was confirmed in a vote of 209 to 19.