Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden, Columbia Union Visitor; Photos by Brian Patrick Tagalog
Columbia Union News
Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden, Columbia Union Visitor
Today Nathaniel Drew, pastor of Allegheny West Conference’s Bethany church in Charlottesville, Va., and the Calvary church in Gordonsville, Va., attended the memorial service for Heather Heyer, the woman killed last Saturday when a car plowed into a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. As an active member of the local Clergy Collective, he and other spiritual leaders joined more than 1,000 people who came to support and comfort Heyer's family, friends and the community.
William T. Cox Sr., President of the Allegheny West Conference; William Miller, President of the Potomac Conference; and Dave Weigley, President of the Columbia Union Conference, release the following joint statement regarding the unrest in Charlottesville, Va.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Heather Heyer and Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M. M. Bates of the Virginia State Police, who lost their lives on Saturday, August 12, during the violent uprising in Charlottesville, Va. We’re also praying for healing for all who were injured and impacted.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
The Columbia Union Conference Office of Education recently recognized juniors and seniors at each of the union’s eight academies. The Caring Heart Award winners were nominated for demonstrating a personal commitment to service and witnessing:
Ashley Hunte from Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, Pa.
Bree Hurst from Highland View Academy in Hagerstown, Md.
Michael Williams from Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa.
Chrizette Sullano from Richmond Academy in Richmond, Va.
Brenda Ngetich from Shenandoah Valley Academy in New Market, Va.