Columbia Union News

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Stephen Lee and Melvin Donadelle

Hours before the official start of the “Relentless” Columbia Union Camporee at Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, W.Va., a thunderstorm rolled through the campus, threatening the opening of the evening meeting. Chesapeake Conference’s SALT club from Randallstown, Md., was preparing to perform a liturgical dance for the evening program when the storm came through. 

SALT staff member Kim Barrett watched two of her club’s tents fly 40 feet away. And, like most clubs, found their tents soaked all the way through.  

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

A swarm of Pathfinders, including the Cleveland Bobcats club (pictured), descended onto the Summit Bechtel Reserve grounds in Glen Jean, W.Va., today for the 'Relentless' Columbia Union Conference Camporee.

Camporee highlights will include nightly worship gatherings, kayaking, ziplining, biking, earning honors, pin-trading ... and rain.  

Wednesday afternoon, a rainstorm added to the adventure of camp setup—but there is a high chance of fun planned for the week ahead.

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Story by Visitor Staff

Last Sabbath, July 30, Charlotte Pedersen McClure, former director of Communication for the Columbia Union Conference, former managing editor of the Visitor magazine, and retired pastor from the Spencerville church, was ordained to the gospel ministry.

McClure, who retired in 2010 after pastoring for eight years, has longed for this day to become a reality. “I've always felt welcomed by the brotherhood of pastors—always,” she says. “This is something that I wish would have happened earlier and I wish it would happen for more women, but I just encourage them, whether they are ordained or not, to continue working for God and for the mission of the church to spread the gospel, baptize people, comfort them.”

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Shirley Rowley, administrative assistant for the Communication Services Department at the Columbia Union Conference, has worked for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in various positions for nearly 25 years. On Thursday, she will pack up her things in her meticulously decorated office and retire—leaving behind many fond memories.

In less than two months, Pathfinders from across the Columbia Union Conference will gather at Summit Bechtel Reserve (SBR) in Glen Jean, W.Va., for the 'Relentless' Columbia Union Camporee. 

This week several of the planning committee members and event staff visited the grounds again to make final preparations for the event with more than 2,000 registered participants. Frank Bondurant, camporee planning chair and the union’s vice president for ministries development, urges attending clubs to also start preparing for the big event, by doing the following now: