Story by Kim Luste Maran / NAD Communication
On June 23, 2020, the North American Division (NAD) Committee voted a stimulus package of $10 million to provide financial assistance to the division’s conferences through its unions. This comes at a time when COVID-19 has impacted many Adventist members and entities.
Editorial by Dottie Jones
My daughter, Tammi Thomas, was baptized into Pennsylvania Conference’s Pocono Grace church in East Stroudsburg on January 4, 2020. Her journey toward God began three years ago as she watched her younger sister lose her battle with cancer. After her death, Tammi left to go home, and I gave her some Bible Studies, and she took them to heart. She completed the Focus on Prophecy and “It Is Written” Bible Studies and has been working on Amazing Facts, while also reaching out to her coworkers.
Story by Benia Jennings
This year the Allegheny West Conference (AWC) has adopted the theme “Worship Through Service & Sacrifice—Giving and Living His Calling.” Conference leaders charged members and churches to join in renewed commitment to the service of others by engaging in acts of sacrificial kindness to impact lives throughout the territory.
Editorial by Gary Gibbs
A few months ago, due to the coronavirus, our churches moved worship and ministry online. Uncharted territory for many, it turned out to be a gold mine for ministry!
When we launched our Reach and Connect online evangelism initiative last year, we had no idea that God was preparing us for this moment. We just knew we had to be online because that’s where the people are.
When the virus hit, our Hispanic pastors streamed a live Easter week evangelism series on Facebook, drawing nearly 200 viewers each night. Many decided to be baptized, including our coordinator’s uncle who watched the meetings 3,500 miles away in Peru!
Editorial by Rick Remmers
As the coronavirus pandemic engulfs our world, I wanted to take a moment to encourage you with the words of Jesus we find in Matthew 28.
He says, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations” (verse 19, NKJV). And then He ends with a prom- ise that is especially relevant to us today: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (verse 20).
Story by Vicki Swetnam
Kelly (Peach) Long (’98) didn’t know she would be designing things for her alma mater when she began her job at Kettering Adventist HealthCare (KAHC) in 2017 as a graphic designer.
Most of her work as the graphic design manager in the KAHC Marketing and Communications Department on the Ohio campus involves designing and overseeing the design of materials for her employer. However, due to the ongoing generosity of KAHC toward Spring Valley Academy (SVA), she soon found herself designing for SVA periodically.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Good-byes are usually sad--yet sometimes they are a celebration. This month the Pennsylvania Conference education team is saying good-bye as Toni Wlasniewski, a teacher at Reading Junior Academy, and Machelle Williams, head teacher for the Pocono Adventist Christian School, Stroudsburg, Pa., are both retiring from education and moving into the next adventure God has planned for them. The team surprised both educators during the end-of-year Zoom teachers meeting with flowers and cake delivered and words of gratitude shared by Jeremy Garlock, education superintendent.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Dan Weber/NAD Communication
Over the weekend, several groups in the Columbia Union met to pray, grieve and call for justice after the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others at the hands of police.
Story by Pine Forge Academy Staff
Pine Forge Academy (PFA) has incorporated life enrichment clubs into their curriculum this year. Students have joined clubs, such as Coding, Genealogy, Media, Chess, Crotchet, Poetry, Art and Debate, that meet for 50 minutes twice a month.
Instructor Lisa Marshall has introduced members of the Art Club to several artistic mediums. The club’s latest work is a fluid art design known as the acrylic painting string technique. This format brings out the creative ingenuity of the students.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
After nine weeks of in-person closure due to coronavirus shelter-in-place orders, Pennsylvania Conference’s Washington church has now been open for several weeks.
Following government regulations, members installed a plexiglass shield around the podium, secured masks for members who may need them, and, in between services, thoroughly clean/disinfect the church.