News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Columbia Union to Host Virtual Pathfinder Bible Experience

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This Sabbath 12 of the 23 eligible teams from around the Columbia Union Conference will participate in a virtual union-level Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE), testing participants on the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Hosea, Amos, Jonah and Micah. The event, originally scheduled for March 21 at New Jersey Conference’s Tranquility Valley Retreat Center in Tranquility, was temporarily postponed due to safety concerns relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

The online event will now take place on Zoom. The results will be broadcast Sunday, April 12, (time to be announced) on the Columbia Union Visitor Facebook page: facebook.com/columbiaunionvisitor.

New Jersey Conference Member With Coronavirus Recovering

The family of a New Jersy Conference member battling the coronavirus recently shared this encouraging answer to prayer.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Former Washington Adventist Hospital to be Used for Non-COVID-19 Patients

Story by Adventist HealthCare

Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center has been working closely with the State of Maryland to coordinate surge capacity to care for COVID-19 patients. This plan includes expanding capacity at both the hospital in White Oak and at the Takoma Park campus of the former Washington Adventist Hospital. The State of Maryland has approved the following interim plan for the Takoma Park facility:

$1.42 Million Awarded to Adventist Schools, $165,000 to Columbia Union Schools

Versacare Foundation awarded $1,420,000 in grant funding to 189 Adventist primary and secondary schools across the United States and Canada in support of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Versacare awarded $165,000 to 21 schools in the Columbia Union Conference.

Beltsville Parking Lot Becomes Distribution Site During Pandemic

Story by Alisi Potauaine / Originally Published by the Potomac Conference

Sifa Potauaine, associate pastor of Potomac Conference’s Beltsville (Md.) church, believes innovation is an essential key to life. “We have to adjust to circumstances that are outside of our control—like this pandemic,” he says. “When we cannot actively participate in an act of service, we have to think differently. The Beltsville church is committed to help people in whatever way we can can in whatever circumstances we face.”

Ohio Welcomes New Conference President

By Heidi Shoemaker

Despite several delays due to travel and social distancing restrictions amidst the Covid-19 crisis, members of the Ohio Conference Presidential Selection Committee voted overwhelmingly to extend a call to Bob Cundiff to be president of the Ohio Conference.

“I’m excited for Ohio in calling Bob Cundiff. He brings a deep passion for soul-winning and engaging young adults in the mission of the church,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president and chairman of the Selection Committee.

Andreasen Center for Wellness at Andrews University Releases Virtual Membership

Story by Hannah Gallant

The Andreasen Center for Wellness at Andrews University recently released a virtual group fitness membership plan in response to closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WGTS 91.9 Launches “Hope-Filled Fridays Campaign”

1. The “Hope Never Gets Cancelled” billboard lighting up U.S. Route 1 in Laurel, MD.

Story by WGTS Staff

‘Daughters Arise’ at Capital Memorial Church

Listening to a group of middle- to high school-aged girls talking in the potluck line, Jeanene Medley, a member of Potomac Conference's Capital Memorial church in Washington, D.C., heard a small voice ask, “Who is taking these girls under their wing?” It was in this moment that Medley felt called to develop a mentorship program built on the pillars of faith, empowerment, love and sisterhood.

Visitor Team to Host Conversation Series on Impact of Covid-19

Story by the Visitor Staff

How is the coronavirus impacting life, mission and ministry? How are Seventh-day Adventist members, pastors and leaders in the Columbia Union Conference coping with the disruption and uncertainty? And, despite this crisis, how many are continuing to experience the mission of sharing Christ’s message of hope and wholeness around the union?

These questions will be the subject of a new series of conversations themed “Coping in the Time of Covid-19,” beginning Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m., and can be viewed at facebook.com/columbiaunionvisitor.