Columbia Union News

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Today Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee members met Tiffany Brown, the new director of the REACH Columbia Union Conference Urban Evangelism School, based in Philadelphia.

“We are very excited about Brown assuming leadership of our school,” says Frank Bondurant, vice president for Ministries Development. “She possesses the combination of pastoral, canvassing and teaching skills that we need in a director. In addition she has a degree in Urban Community Development and is able to relate to and engage young adults.”

Story by Tiffany Doss

“We are here, because talking saves lives,” said Jose Rojas at the opening of We Stand For All, a forum at Potomac Conference’s Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., designed to discuss if the church should have a role in social justice—a question that has become more prevalent following a rally on the National Mall where nearly 1,000 Adventists stood together for prayer and peace. 

Young adults from across the Columbia Union Conference will gather next spring with the purpose of empowering young adult leaders to engage in life-changing ministry. Plan now to attend.

Date: March 31 – April 2, 2017
Location: Hilton in Arlington, Va.
Website: youngadultsummit.org

Story by Ricardo Bacchus

Two teachers recently received the Columbia Union Conference Office of Education Outstanding Educator Award: Carla Thrower, the principal of Potomac Conference’s Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Md.; and Vail Bigelow Mason, 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Chesapeake Conference’s Mt. Aetna Adventist School in Hagerstown, Md.

By presenting this award, the union’s education officials “seek to promote the recognition and appreciation of outstanding educators who have demonstrated consistent excellence,” they say.

Story by Mountain View Conference and Columbia Union Staff

Diana, a Beckley, W.Va., resident, joined the line at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center in Beckley at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, waiting for dental service. “I’m not afraid of the drill; I’m afraid of the bill,” she says, adding that she hadn’t been to a dentist in six years. "I can't afford dental care."

More than 1,100 patients, many with similar stories to Diana, have been treated at the Your Best Pathway to Health pop-up clinic since it opened Wednesday. As of publishing time, dental volunteers treated 165 people, other volunteer volunteers performed 18 surgeries, 131 HIV tests, performed 420 eye exams, fitted 299 pair of glasses, and provided 117 haircuts and provided 2,205 lunches to volunteers and patients.