Potomac Conference

Story by Salena Fitzgerald

Alumni weekends are traditionally held annually, face to face and in a familiar environment. Last year was very challenging, however, forcing most people to adapt to new realities. Due to the pandemic, Potomac Conference's Takoma Academy (TA) wasn’t able to host their 2020 Alumni Weekend on campus, celebrating years ending in zero and five. For this year’s event, the Alumni Association decided to expand the celebration and honor both last year and this year’s honorary alumni, celebrating classes ending in zero, one, five and six.

Story by Debra Anderson

“But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, KJV).

I find myself worrying about the future, like, “Will I get accepted into the college I want?” In my worries, this verse reminds me that “God supplies all my needs.” He knew our future even before we were born. He has a plan and purpose for everything.

In December 2019, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I had been getting severe back pain since April of that year, but now things started to get real, and I was scared. The doctors ordered X-rays, and they looked dissatisfactory. Then they ordered an MRI to rule out brain tumors, since the X-rays and the curve numbers were unexplainable.

“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you’” (Matt. 17:20, NIV).

Six years ago, when I was preparing to graduate with a master’s degree in Children and Family Ministry at Bethel University (Minn.), I noticed that graduation would be held on a Saturday—my Sabbath. I spoke to one of my classmates about whether the administration would ever consider switching it to a different day. My classmate doubted they’d change the day for just one person.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ... I will fear no evil; for You are with me; ... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Ps. 23:1, 4, 6, NKJV).

These verses mean a lot to me because I know God is always with me and looking out for me.

When one of our teachers resigned in August 2019, we all thought that the school was going to close. So we prayed and prayed, and then Mrs. Smith offered to come out of retirement to teach us. I feel God has really blessed me by having her as my teacher.