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How the Visitor Reported the 1918-1920 Pandemic

By Celeste Ryan Blyden

Columbia Union Visitor archives from 1918-1920 provide a snapshot of life and ministry for members of the fledgling Columbia Union Conference, which was only in its 11th year at the onset of the “Spanish Influenza Pandemic.” During a deadly two-year period, some 50 million people perished globally, including 675,000 in the United States. Conference and school reports in the weekly, eight-page Visitor noted its impact on members, ministry, frontline workers and the community at large.

Mission Trip to Mexico Impacts Students

Blue Mountain Academy Bel Canto

Story by Esther Hernandez

Nine different church locations. Three schools. Providing concerts. Interacting with students. Painting walls. Talking with students and church members. Learning to barter at shops. Sharing testimonies with people wanting to know more about God.

On a mission trip to Mexico earlier this year, the Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) Bel Canto members and school administrators, along with Carlos Charnichart, the Pennsylvania Conference treasurer, impacted lives—and were themselves impacted.

Calvary Comforts Police Department Amid Tragedy

Calvary Seventh-day Adventist Church Police

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

After hearing of the tragic loss of Officer Katie Thyne, killed in the line of duty just blocks from their church, members from the Calvary church in Newport News, Va., went into action. Thyne had stopped a vehicle for a drug investigation. When she asked the driver to get out of the vehicle, the driver accelerated, dragging Thyne approximately one block and pinning her between a tree and the car doors. “When I heard about the incident, I just knew we had to do something,” says T. DuWayne Privette, the pastor of Calvary.

Ways to Help Visitors Feel Welcome

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

We want people to visit our churches, but are we helping them feel welcome when they attend? Here are some tips from Columbia Union pastors to help:

Columbia Union Honors Dan Jackson

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division (NAD), shared a worship thought on Ruth during the recent Columbia Union Conference Executive Comittee Meeting. “There is a tempest blowing in our land. There is desolation in many places, but we have the hope, the faith and the promise that we may shelter under the wings of the Almighty with our kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ,’’ he said.

Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president, then presented Jackson with a certificate of appreciation for his 48 years of faithful ministry. Jackson will retire in June.

Keeping Mission Going Strong

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

For the first time in many years, the Columbia Union Conference experienced a drop in tithe, reported Treasurer Emmanuel Asiedu. Tithe was down 5.40 percent (approximately $1.6 million) from January to March, compared to last year.

Despite this drop, Asiedu says he has been impressed with members’ generosity during this hard time. “Their giving was more than my expectation, given the COVID-19 crisis and overall financial crisis we are experiencing,” he added.

Education Extends Accreditations, Contracts

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

During the recent Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, Office of Education Vice President Donovan Ross shared that he has postponed school accreditation visits until next year and received approval to extend current accreditations by one year so that schools that are up for accreditation can continue operating.

Columbia Union Executive Committee Members Urge Caution and Compassion

Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Two committee members representing Allegheny East Conference spoke to the importance of proceeding with caution when making decisions about reopening churches and schools.
 
Gina Brown, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University in Washington, D.C., shared that mental illness is on the rise and urged church members not to ignore it. In addition, she added, “Our senior [citizens] are significantly lonely, and everybody is being hit [by the isolation].”
 

Executive Committee Discusses Coronavirus Impact on Church

Columbia Union Executive Committee members meet on Zoom

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee gathered last week via Zoom to discuss and reflect on the church’s work over the last two months. The main topic? How COVID-19 has impacted the mission and ministry across the eight-state territory.

Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division (NAD), shared a worship thought on Ruth. “There is a tempest blowing in our land. There is desolation in many places, but we have the hope, the faith and the promise that we may shelter under the wings of the Almighty with our kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ,’’ he said.