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Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee Sets Priorities

During the March 12 Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting in Hershey, Pa., committee members voted to approve the following:

Our Priorities

During the 2016-2021 quinquennium, the Columbia Union Conference seeks to further the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church by prioritizing the following:

Spiritual Renewal – Promote healthy churches by uniting members through personal and corporate spiritual revival and active engagement in ministry

Evangelism – Support initiatives that impact our communities by revealing the love of Christ, inviting people to accept Christ as their Savior and sharing the distinct Seventh-day Adventist message of hope and wholeness

Ray Hartwell Recognized for Service

Columbia Union Executive officers recognize Jeanne and Ray Hartwell. Photo by Ricardo Bacchus

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

During the March 12 Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, Dave Weigley, union president, recognized Ray Hartwell’s 13 years on the committee and his 21 years serving in the Pennsylvania Conference.

“I just want to say you’ve been a great leader for Pennsylvania,” said Weigley. “You’ve been a leader in this union, in some of the very important discussions we’ve had. We pray God will bless you in your new position.”

Hartwell, and his wife, Jeanne, have moved to the Georgia-Cumberland Conference where he now serves as the Stewardship and Trust Services director and Association secretary.

 

Mountain View Conference Hispanic Membership Surpasses 100 Members

Members of the Moorefield Spanish Company Company gather outside their rented facility.

Story by Walter Cardenas

On a Sabbath morning in July 2005, an Adventist Spanish-speaking gentleman walked through the doors of the Moorefield (W.Va.) church. Communicating with him was limited because of the language barrier, but that day the members of this small church “realiaized that we may have other brothers and sisters from Spanish-speaking countries that would want to join us,” says Phyllis Jeffers, Moore eld church treasurer. “The next week we ordered four Spanish Adult Sabbath School quarterlies.”

Homeless Teen Gets Second Chance

Michelle “Shelby” Muyango (center), joined by Pastor John Kent and Karen Schneider, shares her testimony.

 

How does Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) make Jesus real to its students? While on a recent mission trip to Pittsburgh, the BMA seniors befriended a young homeless girl. Pastor John Kent, from the Carnegie Simple (Pa.) church, shared that the girl, Michelle “Shelby” Muyango, had been coming to church intermittently due to a difficult living environment. A bright and insightful young lady, Muyango struggled to be visible to the outside world. During the trip, BMA students took notice of her, and rather than shun her, talked with her, got to know her, ate with her and played volleyball with her.

Barizo Named Environmental Educator of the Year

Daniel Barizo

Story by Samantha Young

Ophelia Barizo, vice president for advancement at Highland View Academy (HVA) and coordinator of Chesapeake Conference STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), was named 2017 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit grant-making organization that has funded environmental education at HVA since 1999.

“Being nominated was a total surprise,” says Barizo. She accepted her award at a banquet held at the Miller Senate Building in Annapolis, Md. With the award comes $2,500 for environmental projects at HVA.

Longtime CURF Employee Passes Away

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

We are deeply saddened to share that Goldie Louis passed away last evening from complications following a stroke she suffered on February 21.

Goldie, a cheerful, caring, dedicated Christian, served in the Columbia Union Conference office for 16 years. Prior to that she worked at ADRA and earlier for the Columbia Federal Credit Union.

“Goldie was one of the most friendly people – always interested in knowing how we are doing, always affirming, always initiating prayer for someone who was hurting or in need,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president. “She will be terribly missed in our office family.”

Pennsylvania Elige Nuevo Presidente

Historia de Tamyra Horst

Gary Gibbs, actualmente director de Desarrollo de Ministerios en la Conferencia de Chesapeake, ha aceptado la invitación para servir como presidente de la Conferencia de Pensilvania después de la partida del ex presidente, Ray Hartwell.

"Gary es un excelente líder tanto para pastores como para laicos con pasión por las almas", afirma Dave Weigley, presidente de la Unión Columbia y presidente del comité de selección que eligió a Gibbs. Comenzará su nueva posición el 1ero de mayo.

"Estoy feliz de unirme a los pastores, educadores y miembros de la Conferencia de Pensilvania en el adelanto del evangelio y para prepararnos para el pronto regreso de Jesús", comparte Gibbs.

Columbia Union Education Administrators Gather

Dave Morgan participates in a crisis boot camp presentation

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This week teachers and education administrators gathered at the Columbia Union Conference headquarters in Columbia, Md., for training and planning. On Monday and Tuesday the Curriculum Committee members participated in training for the Encounter Bible Curriculum that will be implemented in all elementary and high schools across the union by the 2018/2019 school year.

Video: How do You Enounter Jesus?

We asked students at Spencerville Adventist Academy about their relationships with Jesus. We'll add more videos throughout the month.