Columbia Union Visitor--December 2005

Table of Contents

In Every Issue Editorial

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Newsline

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School Profile

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News & Features Still in the Baptizing Business

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Healing Ministry

p13 Newsletters 17 Allegheny East

Tanisha Greenidge

19 Allegheny West

There were over 2,500 baptisms throughout the Columbia Union Conference during the first three quarters of 2005.

This means that union members take seriously the gospel commission and that they are still in the baptizing business.

Read inspiring baptismal stories from various conferences.

21 Chesapeake 23 Columbia Union College 25 Mountain View 27 Mt. Vernon Academy

Airwaves of Hope: Radio Ministry Blesses Hispanics

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35 Potomac

Pastor Fausto Salazar takes his ministry to Hispanics outside of his Rockville and Aspen Hill, Md., pulpits and on to the airwaves. His live radio program, called Ondas de Esperanza, offers “Waves of Hope” to people throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Discover how Salazar’s outreach has led to hundreds of baptisms within the Potomac Conference.

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Sheila Jones Desmond T. Doss Junior Academy (DTDJA) is named after a Seventh-day Adventist army private who became known as a “conscientious objector” during WWII. Read about Doss’ connection to the school and how it is upholding his legacy.

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31 Ohio 33 Pennsylvania

Iris Argueta-Sibrian

Desmond T. Doss Junior Academy: Honoring the Legacy of a Conscientious Objector

29 New Jersey

37 Spencerville Adventist Academy 39 Takoma Academy

Bulletin Board

p 44 About the Cover: Photographed on an icy branch, this cardinal reminds us that the real reason for the Christmas season, often proclaimed in song, is: “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing. ...”

—”Joy to the World,” written by Isaac Watts in 1719

Editorial Monte Sahlin Celeste Ryan ■ Editor LaVerne Henderson ■ Associate Editor for News & Features Kelly Butler Coe ■ Art Director Sandra Jones ■ Copy Editor Monte Sahlin

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Publisher

PUBLISHING BOARD: Harold L. Lee (chair), Celeste Ryan (secretary), Raj Attiken, Charles Cheatham, LeRoy Finck, J. Neville Harcombe, Ray Hartwell, James L. Lewis, Edward Motschiedler, Monte Sahlin, Dave Weigley, Kingsley Whitsett MISSION STATEMENT The Visitor provides news and information, resources for effective ministry, and insight on issues with a spiritual focus to help people celebrate God's transforming grace in preparation for His return.

COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS 5427 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045 (301) 596-0800 or (888) 4-VISITOR http://www.columbiaunion.org Free to Columbia Union members. All others—$15 per year.

COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE President Harold L. Lee Edward Motschiedler Executive Secretary Treasurer Vice President/Education Hamlet Canosa Vice President/General Counsel Monte Sahlin Vice President/Creative Ministries Asst. to the President/Communication Celeste Ryan Harold Greene Information Technology Curtis Boore Plant Services Trust Services/PARL Peggy Lee Revolving Fund Carol Wright Undertreasurer CONFERENCES ALLEGHENY EAST: Charles L. Cheatham, President; Robert Booker, Visitor Correspondent; P.O. Box 266, Pine Forge, PA 19548.

Tel. (610) 326-4610 ■ www.myalleghenyeast.com ALLEGHENY WEST: James L. Lewis, President; Robert C. Lewis, Visitor Correspondent; 1339 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205.

Tel. (614) 252-5271 ■ www.awconf.org CHESAPEAKE: Neville Harcombe, President; Rob Vandeman, Visitor Correspondent; 6600 Martin Rd., Columbia, MD 21044.

Tel. (410) 995-1910 MOUNTAIN VIEW: Kingsley Whitsett, President; Brian Jones, Visitor Correspondent; 1400 Liberty St., Parkersburg, WV 26101.

Tel. (304) 422-4581 ■ www.mtviewconf.org NEW JERSEY: LeRoy Finck, President; Aura Garcia, Visitor Correspondent; 2160 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, NJ 08648.

Tel. (609) 392-7131 ■ www.njcsda.org OHIO: Raj Attiken, President; Bette Toscano, Visitor Correspondent; P.O. Box 1230, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.

Tel. (740) 397-4665 ■ www.ohioadventist.org PENNSYLVANIA: Ray Hartwell, President; Tamyra Horst, Visitor Correspondent; 720 Museum Rd., Reading, PA 19611.

Tel. (610) 374-8331 ■ www.paconference.org POTOMAC: Dave Weigley, President; Garrett Caldwell, Visitor Correspondent; 606 Greenville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401.

Tel. (540) 886-0771 ■ www.pcsda.org COLLEGES COLUMBIA UNION COLLEGE: Randal Wisbey, President; Scott Stewart, Visitor Correspondent; 7600 Flower Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912. Tel. (301) 891-4000 ■ www.cuc.edu KETTERING COLLEGE OF MEDICAL ARTS: Charles Scriven, President; 3737 Southern Blvd., Kettering, OH 45429.

Tel. (937) 395-8601 ■ www.kcma.edu HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE: William G. “Bill” Robertson, President & CEO; Ray Tetz, Visitor Correspondent; 1801 Research Blvd., Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel. (301) 315-3030 www.adventisthealthcare.com KETTERING ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE: Frank Perez, President & CEO; Kenneth Chaij, Visitor Correspondent; 3965 Southern Blvd., Kettering, OH 45429. Tel. (937) 395-8167 www.kmcnetwork.org Published by the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Printed at the Review & Herald Publishing Association.

Volume 110 ■ Issue 13

Kingdom Math—Baptisms and Dropouts

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Thousands of people have been baptized into our congregations during 2005.

We rejoice with them, their pastors, and new brothers and sisters in Christ!

Surveys tells us that most of these new members have had conThe major tacts with the Adventist Church for years before they decided to reason congregations join. About one in five are young people growing up in churchstop growing is because related families. Many more are immigrants who used to be a part most of the members don’t of an Adventist congregation somewhere in Latin America or make the effort to reach out the Caribbean. Almost all of them will tell you that relationships and make new friends. have been key to their decision.

Relatives, work associates, friends, and neighbors make up the most important avenue of evangelism.

Large numbers make a decision to join during evangelistic meetings, while others come into the church through a wide range of local ministries—community service, small groups, recreation, youth and children’s ministries, music, health, and family-life events, etc.

No matter how they came to join the church, the first year is the most crucial time for new members. The single most important factor in retention of new members is how many personal friends they make in that first year. By “personal friends,” I mean church members they regularly spend time with outside of church activities. If a new member makes six or more personal friends during the first year, they are very likely to stay active in the church. If not, they are much more likely to become inactive.

Got Friends?

In other words, more important than your support for evangelistic meetings is your willingness to make new friends, invite them to your home, and spend time together in recreation or activities in the community. The major reason congregations stop growing is because most of the members don’t make the effort to reach out and make new friends.

If you look at the membership list for your local church, you will find a third to half of the individuals on that list are people you have not seen on Sabbath for months or even years. This is equally true for small congregations and larger congregations. (If you want to do something about these inactive and former members, you can get ideas from the denomination’s official resource center for Reconnecting Ministries at www.creativeministry.org or (800) 272-4664.)

Our evangelists and outreach ministries are as effective as any.

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, our church growth rate is higher than that of the much-publicized Latter-day Saints (LDS) or “Mormons.” Where we are dropping the ball is at the personal level, after the baptism.

Monte Sahlin is vice president for creative ministries in the Columbia Union Conference and a widely published researcher on congregations and contemporary culture.

DECEMBER 2005

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Newsline Columbia Union Secretary to Retire Edward Motschiedler, Columbia Union Conference executive secretary, will retire December 31. Motschiedler joined the Columbia Union family in 1998. His duties included coordinating Missions Abroad projects in El Salvador, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, The Gambia, and India and working with various boards of Adventist HealthCare and Kettering Adventist HealthCare. He also worked with the union’s eight conferences on constitution and bylaws issues. Motschiedler served on Columbia Union College’s Board and Finance Committee, and chaired its Governance Effectiveness Committee. He was a member of the North American Division Committee and many of its sub-committees. He was instrumental in starting the union’s Christian Leadership Center, an executive training program, and worked with officers on other special projects.

“I enjoyed meeting the wonderful people of the Columbia Union at camp meetings, constituency meetings, and when visiting their churches,” he says.

“It was also a blessing to travel abroad and to help build mission schools and churches and assist Adventist hospitals with needed supplies.”

Columbia Union president Harold Lee had this to say about Motschiedler’s retirement: “For nearly eight years, Ed and I worked very closely together. He is an experienced administrator, a consummate professional, a non-normative and provocative thinker, and a team player. He was very supportive in developing the values and vision of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the mission of our union,” Lee adds.

“Even in his retirement, I look forward to our doing some things together.”

When asked about his retirement plans, Motschiedler says, “Although I’m retiring from my full-time responsibilities, I will continue to work part time as an assistant to the president. My wife and I don’t want to stop working for the Lord. We would just like to do it at a slower pace.” He and his wife Valeetah plan to travel and spend more time with their family.

Prior to joining the Columbia Union, Motschiedler served as president of the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. As a pastor and administrator, he has served the Adventist Church for nearly 40 years.—LaVerne Henderson

NAD to Televise Annual Christmas Program The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America is releasing its fourth Christmas program 4

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entitled All is Bright. This hourlong event will be broadcast during the month of December on many local television stations in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, as well as the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

All is Bright is a heartwarming holiday story for the whole family. The premise surrounds a father, enlisted in the military, who is trying to get home to his family for the Christmas holiday. All is Bright features an all-star cast including Tony and Emmy nominee Joseph Campanella, Latin Grammy nominee Patty Cabrera, and seven-time Grammy winners Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. The musical production will be taped on a closed set at the Adventist Media Center in Simi Valley, Calif. Check your local listings to find out when All is Bright is scheduled to air or visit www.nadadventist.org. Members can also contact local stations to request that the program be televised.—George Johnson Jr.

Adventists Featured in National Geographic Last month’s issue of National Geographic featured an article that listed Seventh-day Adventists as one of three major groups (along with Sardinians and Okinawans) who enjoy longevity. The cover story entitled “The Secrets of Living Longer,” presented photos, stories, and health secrets of each group, who are reputedly some of the longest living, healthiest people in the world. The section on Adventists briefly describes the denomination’s background, the Adventist lifestyle, and the Sabbath.

Also mentioned were the results of Loma Linda University’s 1976 Adventist Health Study. “In the end, the study reached a stunning conclusion,” explained Gary Fraser, MD, of Loma Linda University. “The average Adventist lived four to 10 years longer than the average Californian. That makes Adventists one of the nation’s most convincing cultures of longevity.

There’s evidence—a lot of evidence from many different faiths—that people who are actively involved in their religion, in fact, live longer.” For more information, visit www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0511/.

—LaVerne Henderson

From the Pulpit “Ask the question: ‘What does God want His church to become in this age?’ We are constrained only by the limits of our imagination and the boldness of our action as we move forward to implement our vision.”—Leland Kaiser, speaking at the first National Conference on Innovation sponsored by the Ohio Conference and Kettering Adventist HealthCare.

Newsline

Executive Committee Elects New Officers t last month’s year-end meetings, the Columbia A Union Conference Executive Committee elected a secretary and treasurer to fill vacancies.

J. Neville Harcombe, president of the Chesapeake Conference, was elected to serve as executive secretary, effective January 1, 2006. He will replace Edward Motschiedler, who plans to retire in December (see story on page 4).

President Harold Lee (left) welcomes new officers Neville Harcombe (center) and Seth Bardu.

“It was important to us to find someone who understands the culture of the union,” said Raj Attiken, president of the Ohio Conference and a member of the search committee, speaking about the process they had undertaken.

Harcombe, who has been president of Chesapeake since 1997, has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 35 years as a pastor and administrator in Chesapeake, Potomac, Texas, and Oklahoma. He currently serves on a number of boards and committees, including the Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Board of Trustees. Though he devotes much time to these leadership roles, he has a heart for mission.

While in Chesapeake, Harcombe created a program that enabled pastors, teachers, students, and constituents to become personally active in global missions. Destinations included the Limpopo province of South Africa, Belize, Honduras, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Participants built three churches in South Africa, one in Belize, an orphanage in Honduras, and a school in the Bahamas. He was also instrumental in forming a partnership with the North American Division’s Hope for Humanity initiative that established HIV/AIDS awareness programs in South Africa.

“If we lose our focus on the coming of Jesus, we are merely a business organization,” Harcombe says. “I

want to focus on the spiritual dimension of discipleship, whereby the Second Coming will be a reality in the daily lives of our members, rather than a theory we preach repetitively from the pulpit.”

Harcombe completed undergraduate work at Helderberg College in South Africa and Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn. His graduate degree is from Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas.

Seth T. Bardu, treasurer for Northeastern Conference (part of the Atlantic Union Conference), was elected treasurer, effective December 1. He replaced Dowell Chow, who now serves as vice president for finance at Adventist World Radio.

Though not known by many on the search committee, his track record and personality impressive. “It was obvious that he had done his homework before the interview,” stated search committee member Vimala Abraham.

“You’re getting one of the top treasurers in North America,” testified Roscoe Howard, executive secretary for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. “He has done a yeoman’s job in Northeastern.”

Bardu, who has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala., and an MBA from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., brings nearly 20 years of finance-related denominational service to the Columbia Union.

Before joining the New Yorkbased Northeastern Conference three years ago, Bardu worked at Adventist Health System’s Tennessee Christian Medical Center, the South Central Conference, and the Southern Union Conference.

While in Northeastern, he directed financial planning, accounting practices, and maintained fiscal relationships with churches, schools, church entities, lending institutions, and the financial community. He managed budgeting, audits, taxes, accounting, purchasing, real estate investment, and risk management and served on a number of conference boards and committees. He also served as chief financial advisor to the president and helped him improve the financial health of the conference.

“I want to do whatever I can to help the church accomplish its mission so we can finish the work and go home,” Bardu says.

Columbia Union president Harold L. Lee is pleased with the work of the search committee and vote by the Executive Committee. “Both of these men are mission-minded, godly, and dedicated to building up the kingdom of God,” he said. “I look forward to working with them.”—LaVerne Henderson and Celeste Ryan DECEMBER 2005

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Still in the

Baptizing Tanisha Greenidge

Business

olumbia Union Conference members take seriously the gospel commission of Matthew 28:19 which states: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. … Each of the eight conferences within the union’s eight-state territory are doing just that. With over 2,500 baptisms during the first three quarters of 2005, they are definitely still in the baptizing business! Here are stories from some of the conferences:

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allegheny east conference embers of the Emmanuel Temple Seventh-day M Adventist Church in Alexandria, Va., recently conducted an old-fashioned tent revival. During the five-week crusade, 30 people gave their lives to Christ. Those baptized included an eight-year-old and a Hispanic family. To prepare for the meetings, members received discipleship training and then went door-to-door. “Everyone

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really came together for this,” said Pastor Patrick Graham (pictured lower left). “They started prayer bands and everyone fulfilled their tasks.” Several good things came out of this event. “We conducted health fairs and gave away 20,000 lbs. of food,” he continues. This led to the development of a weekly food bank and a new ministry for Spanish-speaking members.

chesapeake conference pennsylvania conference

smar Ochoa recently relocated O from Central America. He felt lonely, missed his family, and turned towards alcohol. “It’s a very hard life for people who leave their country and come here,” explains Cristina MacConnell, communication director at the Baltimore (Md.) Spanish church. One day, while Ochoa stood outside his home, the church’s youth group came by and invited him to church. Embarrassed by his intoxicated condition he said no— but they persisted—and finally he accepted their invitation. A few months later, when a weeklong evangelism series began, Ochoa attended each night. He gave his life to God and was baptized. Ochoa is now very active in the church and enjoys fellowshipping with other members.

t 84, Ruth Partner (below, A left) was recently baptized into the Lewisburg (Pa.) church.

Carlos Madrigal, a pastor from Cuba, prepares to baptize Osmar Ochoa at the end of a weeklong campaign held at the Baltimore (Md.) Spanish church.

Raised Episcopalian, Partner later switched faiths and became a member of the Pentecostal church. However, after a brief period, she stopped attending altogether. While she never expressed an interest in joining the Adventist Church, she began attending services with her newly baptized granddaughter. Several months later during an evangelistic series, Partner publicly made her decision to get baptized.

“I was really excited about the Seventh-day Adventist Church,”

potomac conference t the beginning of 2005, members attending the Hispanic Festival of the A Laity challenged themselves to win 1,000 people to Christ. Thanks to their efforts, five new Hispanic churches have been planted and 750 people have been baptized. During camp meeting some of these new members shared testimonies about how the Lord has worked in their lives.

“The Hispanic community is growing so fast in the Washington, D.C., area that we now have a huge community to reach with the gospel,” says Ruben Ramos, conference Hispanic Ministries coordinator. He lists three reasons for this growth: the population boom in suburban communities, due to housing costs in the cities; small group ministries; and members sharing a passion for ministry.

Top photo: Every Sabbath for the last three months, José Rigoberto Portillo has been attending church with his grandmother, Felicita Portillo.

The Juarez family (Norma, Misael, and Gabriella) joined the Takoma Park (Md.) Spanish church two years ago.

The congregation, which in just a few years has grown from a small group of eight to a membership of almost 300, provides a good example of Potomac’s rapid Spanish church growth.

she enthused. “The people were friendly and the preaching was easy to understand.” Partner studied the Bible when she was younger, but was never really converted. After eight decades she has found a church home and is satisfied with her decision.

At the other end of the age spectrum is 13-year-old Sarah Goodling (above, right). She attended the 2004 Lewisburg evangelism series and was baptized. The next year, Goodling volunteered to be a presenter for the church’s 2005 lay meetings.

Her presentation, and excellent reading voice, blessed everyone.

Iris Argueta-Sibrian

t is 4 a.m., rainy, dark, and cold. But Pastor Fausto same program that introduced him to Adventism Salazar (pictured) leaves his Rockville, Md., home years before. Salazar’s public affairs format was also without hesitation, as he does every morning at well accepted among secular station managers. dawn. He hops into his car, prays as he drives away, Because they felt it benefited the community at large, and begins to think of the thousands of people he they aired it free of charge. hopes to reach through Ondas de Esperanza (Waves of Hope), his morning radio program. “I wanted to creCHANGING LIVES ate a Spanish-language radio ministry that would Nearly three decades after Salazar’s first radio bring comfort and spiritual nourishment to all kinds broadcast, he is still filling the airwaves with the of listeners,” he says, “whether they have a family cri- Christian message—this time in the Washington, sis, health problems, emotional stress, financial diffiD.C., metropolitan area. Ondas de Esperanza, his live culties, or just need to find a purpose in life.” program, airs Monday through Friday, 6 to 7 a.m., on Salazar knows too well what it means to find hope Radio Continental, 1390 AM. According to Salazar, through the airwaves. He found Christ while listening to more than 200 individuals have been baptized since a Seventh-day Adventist radio program in Quito, the original broadcast in May 2001. “Through the Ecuador, 35 years ago. “I was experiencing family prob- years we have received more than 3,000 calls from lems,” he says. “I turned on the radio people requesting prayer, Bibles, serand God allowed me to hear a program mon tapes, Bible study guides, and To learn called Por Una Vida Mejor (For a Better books on health and family. more about Life). Afterwards, I called the station.

“People call from their cell phones the radio ministry Someone came to my house, brought me praising our message and music,” he visit: a Bible, and gave me Bible studies,” he says. “They want us to air more prowww.ondasdeesperanza.com continues. “It changed my life.” Three grams in the evenings so their families call: months later, Salazar and his wife were can listen.” As Hispanic radio ministry (301) 445-8175 baptized into Quito’s Carolina church. coordinator for the Potomac Salazar quickly developed a passion Conference and pastor of the write: for witnessing through the airwaves.

Rockville and Aspen Hill (Md.) Ondas de Esperanza He began working in radio ministry Spanish churches, Salazar has recruitP.O. Box 7331 and heeded God’s call to become a pased a team of volunteers from area Langley Park, MD 20787 tor. In the mid-70s, he completed paschurches to respond to the hundreds toral studies at the University of La of calls and letters from listeners.

Plata in Argentina. Still, Salazar promised God that he They also promote the ministry within the 46 would continue to use radio as an evangelism tool. He Hispanic congregations in the region. took communication courses in hopes of following in Victor Romero heard Ondas de Esperanza while the footsteps of Pastor Enrique Chiag, founder of an driving his wife to work one morning. “I was empty; Adventist radio program in Latin America. my life had no direction,” he remembers. “Then I Upon his return to Ecuador, Salazar pastored three heard God calling me through Pastor Salazar’s voice. churches and re-launched Por Una Vida Mejor, the It made a difference in our lives. I stopped drinking

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and partying and began to study the Bible.” Today, Romero is a deacon and Sabbath School secretary at the Aspen Hill church. His wife, who grew up in an Adventist home, returned to the church. His brother, sister-in-law, and mother also were baptized this year.

“I have three more brothers and will not rest until all of them are saved,” says Romero.

Juanita Echeverria, originally from Bolivia, found the program three years ago while searching the AM dial. “I was crying and blaming God for everything that was wrong with my marriage and my life,” she states. Pastor Roger Hernandez returned her call and introduced her to the Fairfax (Va.) Spanish Church.

Today, Echeverria’s sons are Adventists and her husband is observing the Sabbath and assisting the family with various church activities.

Maria del Carmen Vallejo also came into the Seventh-day Adventist Church through this program.

“I remember hearing words of hope that day when I was unemployed, lonely, and frustrated,” she says.

Recently Vallejo, a pioneering leader of the Bethesda (Md.) Spanish church, returned to her native Ecuador to build a church on her property. Now, more than 60 members worship there.

BIG DREAMS Hispanic radio ministry within the Potomac Conference has increased since its inception in the mid-80s. Pastor Ruben Ramos, conference Hispanic coordinator, created the ministry to strengthen congregations. It all began with Accion Adventista (Adventist Action), a Saturday morning broadcast, which continues to air from 7 to 9 a.m., on 1030 AM

Radio Poder (Power Radio). Accion Adventista connects newcomers to Washington, D.C., area churches.

“There are many Adventists from Latin America who don’t know where to worship,” says Ramos. “The program has helped them find home churches.”

Ramos serves as a host of Accion Adventista and Ondas de Esperanza.

Both Salazar and Ramos share a dream of broadcasting the Adventist message 24-hours-a-day. There are plans for a fund-raising campaign in 2006 to purchase a station for Hispanic churches in the next five years. “The market is very competitive and it will be a major challenge,” states Ramos.

Radio ministry has become an important evangelism method for Potomac’s Hispanic pastors. More than 50 percent of the 500,000 plus Latinos in the area are foreign-born. They rely on Spanish media for information and entertainment. “Radio plays a crucial role in proclaiming the gospel and bringing sincere souls to Christ,” says Ramos.

Although volunteers run the ministry, the financial challenge is great. Over $15,000 is needed each month to keep both programs on the air and to supply literature. Consequently, Salazar has established the Friends Radio Club to meet the monthly budget.

Currently there are more than 250 Adventist and other subscribers. Salazar’s goal is to increase that number to 500 within the next year. “It costs at least $5 million to own a station,” he says. “We need everyone’s prayer and support.”

Iris Argueta-Sibrian is a freelance journalist who writes from Silver Spring, Md.

DECEMBER 2005

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School Profile Sheila Jones

Desmond T. Doss Junior Academy Honoring the Legacy of a Conscientious Objector

n a city saturated with parochial schools and universities, Desmond T. Doss Junior Academy (DTDJA) is as “conscientiously objective” as was the young army private, who its named after, some 60 years ago.

Desmond T. Doss was at one time a member of the Lynchburg (Va.) Seventh-day Adventist Church, which started the school. The one-room Lynchburg school was established in the church’s basement in 1920. Doss attended, graduated, and, more importantly, retained the Christian values and lessons of his parents and teachers. He went on to join the United States Army. While others engaged in gunfire, Private Doss engaged in prayer for himself and those around him. He stood firmly on his faith and refused to use a weapon. Instead, the conscientious objector chose to remain in the “Army of God.” He aided the wounded and pulled others from impending doom on the battlefield during World War II. Doss’ efforts earned him the Medal of Honor “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty.”

Currently situated next to the Lynchburg church, at 19 George Street, DTDJA is a thriving Potomac Conference institution of Christian education.

Despite a nonexistent marketing campaign, conservative spending, and no exposure to mainstream recognition in sports or fine arts, parents are clamoring to enroll their children. The waiting list continues to

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grow, some classes are the largest they’ve ever been, and would-be staff is anxious to get on board.

SACRIFICING TO SUCCEED In 1981 the church acquired land in a fairly undeveloped section of a neighboring county. But members, wanting to satisfy the growing demand for Christian education, made the decision to leave the city and build the school first, which they re-named after their famous alumnus. From 1981 to 1997, the congregation met in the gymnasium on Sabbath mornings in order to pay off the school’s mortgage before incurring more debt to build the church.

As members struggled to realize their vision, they remained committed to the school, and its mission to provide a quality education to all students who desire to develop a Christ-like character while pursuing excellence in spiritual, mental, social, and physical development.

Enrollment grew, as did the need for additional staff and faculty, but money was short. Volunteering time, talent, and sacrificing their own necessities, early staff members created a business plan for a day care in order to supplement the school’s finances. The Bashful Giraffe Day Care Center, established with less than 10 children, now serves as a feeding channel for the school.

GROWING GOD’S FAMILY In 1989, DTDJA had 12 students, two classes and two teachers—one of whom was the principal. In 2003, there were 90 students, an expanded kindergarten program, separate curriculums for grades K-10, five teachers and four teaching assistants.

Many parents begin their DTDJA experience at the day care, which is located next to the school. They want their children in a loving, nurturing, ChristLeft: The school is named in honor of Desmond T. Doss, an Adventist who refused to bear arms during WWII. Opposite, right: The first- and second-grade students are constantly reminded that they are “super.”

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influenced environment. Due to the influx of children from the day care, the academy has been able to increase and maintain enrollment.

Principal and kindergarten teacher Tammy Tomlin states, “We have tried other forms of advertising. But showing the love of God to children and their family works best. It grows their family, and ours. Isn’t that how Jesus wants us to spread the good news anyway?”

Tomlin asks. This year, nine of the 25 new students came from the day care. “God has grown this school to be a light to the community. We are a vehicle of God’s love, and we need to be here!”

That light permeates entire families: “We get to know the whole family—mother, father, sister, brother, and grandma,” Tomlin explains. “We want to know where each child comes from, so we can express the love and acceptance they need, when they need it. Rather than hinder their success, we want to catapult it.”

How do teachers and students feel about DTDJA? “This school made me realize that I need God,” says one student. “It has brought me closer to God. Unlike public school, I don’t have to dress nice or act mean to have friends. People like me for me.”

“I like the individual help,” says another. “The teachers make us feel so welcome, especially Mr. Doss (no relation to Desmond) who is so funny and likes to joke around. I also like the PE class.”

Jeannie Ramsey, first- and second-grade teacher, states, “Our kindergarten, first-, and second-grade curriculums have been sited as being more advanced than that of public education. The Vowel Oriented Word Association Course, which teaches phonetics, gives our children a solid foundation and a head start. This program has been reviewed throughout the conference and, in some cases, adopted,” she explains. “All children don’t learn the same way; it’s

our goal to teach them by any method that works.

This is not just a job; it’s a vision. We don’t just work here; it’s a part of our lives!”

Students also Desmond T. Doss shares rope-tying participate in secrets with students. the annual science and social studies fairs, outdoor education, Camp Blue Ridge activities, and a skiing trip. Recently seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-graders assisted in community relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina survivors.

The ratio of community students to Adventist students is nearly 3:1 and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1. Administration strives to keep tuition equivalent to the average community daycare cost. Then, when parents are making the decision about Christian education, cost will not be a factor. Future goals include expanding the curriculum to include grades 11 and 12, adding counselors and specialized teachers, building a new gymnasium and diversified sports program, and forming a school band.

“Being a Christian isn’t marked by Sabbath behavior, it’s exhibited by how you live throughout the week … that’s the real battlefield … that’s where you win or lose the war!” says Tomlin. “We understand that in order to get our children where they need to be, we must first love them where they are.”

Sheila Jones, communication director at the Lynchburg church, writes from Lynchburg, Va.

DECEMBER 2005

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NEWSLETTER ABOUT ADVENTIST

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WASHINGTON ADVENTIST HOSPITAL:

Celebrating a Second Century of Service With an Expanded Strategic Vision William G. “Bill” Robertson

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t the turn of the 20th century, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was expanding and growing.

This led to questions about its future. Ellen G. White had been recommending decentralization of its headquarters. So in 1901, reorganization of the General Conference began. John Harvey Kellogg, MD, started consolidating power over Battle Creek Sanitarium, creating an environment of controversy and diminishing mission effectiveness. Then, February 18, 1902, the main sanitarium and hospital at Battle Creek burned down. Months later, on December 30, the nearby Review and Herald publishing house was also destroyed by fire of an unknown origin.

Questions that had been mentioned privately suddenly became public. A consensus was reached; it was time to leave Battle Creek. This difficult decision was tempered by the assurance of God’s blessing through the pen of Ellen G. White. “The Lord has opened this matter to me decidedly,” she wrote. “The publishing work that has been carried on in Battle Creek should for the present be carried on near Washington, D.C.” (Letter 140, 1903) So a group of General Conference leaders went to

Washington, D.C., in search of a new location for the denomination’s headquarters, publishing house, college, and sanitarium.

About a mile north of the District line, in suburban Takoma Park, Md., they found a 34-acre tract that seemed to fit White’s description of the desirable site. The land had been cleared for a medical institution, but the project was abandoned. She approved the purchase and urged immediate fund raising for building the sanitarium. White contributed proceeds from the sale of her book, The Ministry of Healing, to help finance the project.

The 40-bed Washington Sanitarium opened June 13, 1907. Medical doctors D.H. and Lauretta Kress were the first medical director and surgeon, respectively. Lauretta was the first female doctor in Montgomery County. She held regular office hours for female patients.

TEN DECADES OF GROWTH The “San” was a gracious facility with spacious grounds and a variety of gardens. Patients flourished in the homelike, Christian atmosphere, which DECEMBER 2005

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Historical photos courtesy of Washington Adventist Hospital. specialized in diet, rest, exercise, and healthful living.

Guests could work in the gardens, play croquet on the front lawn, or exercise in the well-equipped gymnasium. Physical therapy treatments became one of the sanitarium’s specialties.

Over time, the sanitarium evolved from serving primarily “rest-cure” clients to more seriously ill patients. In 1910 the first class of nurses graduated from the college, after three years of study and training. In 1916 the hospital parlor was turned into a maternity ward and the sewing room was converted to a delivery room. Then, in 1918, the name was changed to Washington Sanitarium and Hospital.

As needs expanded, the facilities were enlarged and developed, with various additions through the years.

A 300-acre dairy farm was acquired to ensure adequate milk supply. In 1940 the Lisner Memorial Wing was built to house two floors of patient rooms and a new hydrotherapy department for gentlemen guests.

A clinic, called the Dispensary, opened on the ground level, providing healthcare to the medically indigent.

Another red brick addition—the six-story wing known as “the ’50s building”—was erected to replace the Annex and maternity areas.

In 1959 a Special Procedures room was developed to study the heart, kidneys, brain, extremities, and other organs. In the ’60s the hospital became the second in the metropolitan area to open an Intensive Care Unit, and a School of X-ray Technology was started. In 1962 Kenneth Cruze, MD, performed the area’s first cardiac surgery; a few years later the Coronary Care Unit opened and the heart program flourished. In 1971 hospital staff performed its first heart catheterization, followed by the first open-heart surgery.

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As the institution grew, so did programs promoting healthful living and healing for the body and soul. In the 1960s, “The Five-Day Plan to Stop Smoking” classes were presented for government and local organizations such as the State Department, the Smithsonian Institution, and GEICO. An Alcoholism Treatment Unit opened in 1969.

In 1973, the name was changed to Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH) and a $14 million expansion program replaced or enlarged all major ancillary services. Montgomery County also gained its first 40bed, inpatient behavioral health unit.

Throughout the ’80s, ’90s, and into the new millennium, WAH continued to grow, build, expand, and provide state-of-the-art procedures with skill and compassion. In fact, the hospital has been the first in the D.C. area to perform numerous cardiac procedures.

FACING CHALLENGES After nearly 100 years of service and growth, the campus that was adequate in 1907 has become woefully inadequate in 2005. For years there have been discussions with the hospital’s immediate neighbors on upgrading the aging facility and adding new facilities and services on its campus. The hospital’s impact on the surrounding residential neighborhoods is a matter of constant discussion and dissention. WAH is located in an established residential community on a space-constrained campus with transportation challenges. Access to the facility has become a significant issue. Traffic (including ambulances and medivac helicopters) is disruptive to our neighbors and community. Leadership has searched their hearts and prayed for God’s guidance in how best to serve.

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Providence, however, anticipated our situation over 100 years ago. White’s same message from 1903 contained special relevance for us today. “If after a time the Lord says, ‘move away from Washington,’ we are to move,” she admonished. “We are pilgrims and strangers in this earth, seeking a better country, even a heavenly. When the Lord tells us to move, we are to obey, however inconvenient and inconsistent such a command may seem to us to be” (Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald, August 11, 1903, par. 2).

That counsel, written over a century ago, shows that our Father anticipated our needs even before WAH was established. And He continues to lead in our efforts today to serve and be living examples of His will.

AN EXPANDED STRATEGIC VISION The Board of Trustees for Adventist HealthCare has approved an expanded, strategic vision for Washington Adventist Hospital. It highlights several elements to improve access to care for residents in lower Montgomery County, parts of Prince George’s County, and parts of Washington, D.C. Included in the vision is a focus on underserved populations and the creation of improved healthcare facilities and community services. It aligns resources and services to ensure that we maximize and extend healthcare services in the best way possible.

The strategic vision approved by the Adventist HealthCare Board of Trustees directs: ■ Development of a healthcare center, in the Long Branch community, to reach underserved populations. The proposed location is near the intersection of Flower Avenue and Piney Branch Road, in Silver Spring, Md.

Initiation of the process to move WAH to a new campus, within the current service area, to reduce its impact on residential communities. This transition requires regulatory approval.

■ Development of a Center for Health Disparities that combines clinical care, research, and health careers’ training for historically underserved populations. WAH will commission a distinguished, diverse array of representatives from the AfricanAmerican, Asian, Latino, and other communities to serve on a blue ribbon task force to advise on the development and operations of the center.

■ Contribution to the completion of the health center/gymnasium that is part of the Takoma Park Municipal Building re-development.

■ Working with CASA de Maryland, and other organizations, on a multiyear commitment to expand healthcare resources to the immigrant community in lower Montgomery County.

■ Re-development of the WAH Board of Directors to better reflect the diversity of the community served.

“As discussions about the proposed, limited campus expansion progressed, we realized that our focus needed to be on delivering care to the entire community over the next several decades,” says Jere Stocks, president of Washington Adventist Hospital. “So we took time out from those discussions to focus on an expanded vision of service for this hospital. This will improve access to care and the quality of services and facilities.”

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FOLLOWING THE LIGHT Scripture is filled with accounts of individuals heeding God’s call to leave their comfortable surroundings and follow Him. In Genesis, Abraham was called to leave his home and comfortable life and go to a new place. God took Abraham outside and asked him, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars” (Gen. 15:5, NIV). Abraham never forgot that celestial object lesson. As his life unfolded, the promise hidden in those stars was a great solace to him as it foretold his purpose and destiny.

The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of how the Magi saw a star in the east and believed it to be a sign of the coming of a new King. “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed” (Matt. 2:10, NIV). They had to leave their comfortable, stable lives and venture into new lands to find and worship the Christ child. The journey itself was an act of service.

The Psalmist reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Ps. 19:1, NIV). And Job points out that, despite our feeble attempts to organize and give names to the clusters of stars, “He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the south” (Job 9:9, NIV).

I don’t remember the first time I looked up at the constellations or if I saw the Big Dipper, Orion, or Cassiopeia first. But I do remember how exciting it was to catch a glimpse of the shining glory of His design.

I also believe that God’s purpose is at work in the expanded strategic vision for Washington Adventist Hospital. The elements of the proposed endeavor form a “Constellation of Care” in the way we minister to those in the Washington metro area, while providing a focal point for God’s grace.

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A CONSTELLATION OF SERVICE The dominant light within this constellation is the relocation of Washington Adventist Hospital to a new campus within its primary service area. This will reduce the impact on surrounding residential communities, while enhancing the hospital’s ability to meet community needs. Another of the stars will be a health center in Long Branch to provide primary and specialty healthcare to underserved populations.

The new Center on Health Disparity will be another great source of illumination and guidance.

Through innovative research initiatives we will discover the most effective ways to address healthcare issues, while ministering in new and extended ways.

Our renewed commitment to work with CASA de Maryland will extend healthcare resources to the immigrant community in lower Montgomery County.

If there is a North Star in this constellation, it will be the re-development of the WAH Board to better reflect the diversity of our community. We are eager for the board to be a “guiding light” of dialogue, participation, engagement, and growth.

The entire process will take several years to accomplish. In the interim we will continue to provide excellent service and care at our current location.

The Christmas season provides an opportunity to reflect upon the coming of Jesus into the world. Each day we should search for the star that marks His calling to us to share in His life and ministry of healing and service to the human family.

William G. “Bill” Robertson is president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare.

DECEMBER 2005

34 Teams Compete in BAYDA Bible Bowl articipants of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association’s (BAYDA) National Bible Bowl XXIII Games, were greeted with a chilly reception as they arrived in Cleveland. Though the weather was cold and the city’s ordinance restricted heating of buildings during their visit, it did not inhibit the camaraderie that bubbled over between players and officials. Thirty-four teams, including one from Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) Breath of Life church in Fort Washington, Md., came from across the North American Division (NAD) to participate. On Sabbath, the teams, coaches, coordinators, moderators, and judges, crowded into Cleveland’s Westside church to register, receive game instructions, and participate in the lively competition that tests Bible knowledge.

Claude Harris (left), AEC Youth Director and chairperson of the BAYDA and the National Bible Bowl Coordinators Black Adventist Youth Directors Association, meets with an adult Association handled the ministry, administration, and Bible Bowl team. logistics. These two organizations, comprised of youth directors and lay people, work tirelessly to ensure that these games maintain a level of spiritually that enables a growing relationship between participants and the Lord.

“Our youth and young adults look forward to these annual National Bible Bowl games, not merely to display their recall ability, but to rekindle friendships and bond with each other,” explains Claude Harris, AEC youth director and chairperson of BAYDA. According to Harris, participants are also empowered—through their study of God’s Word—to answer questions that are hurled at them in rapid succession. They also use this Bible knowledge at home, school, in the community, and even when making personal choices.

Next year AEC will host BAYDA’S National Bible Bowl XXIIII games. “I want to personally invite everyone to witness and participate in this wonderful ministry that captures the energy and drive of our youth in a positive way,” said Harris.

For updates, rules, and other information, visit www.bayda.org or www.Bible-Bowl.org. Or contact the AEC Youth Department at (610) 326-4610.—D. Wayne Davidson

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NEWS Pine Forge Graduate Wins $40,000 College Scholarship Recent Pine Forge Academy graduate and student of the year, Jessica Johnson (pictured), was recently awarded a scholarship to Syracuse (N.Y.) University. Before she left to pursue her college experience, Johnson was baptized by Emil D. Peeler, senior pastor at the Dupont Park church in Washington, D.C. Dupont Park Member to Lead AEC Drum Corps Calandra Banks was recently appointed drum corps coordinator for Allegheny East Conference. In

this three-year position, she will work with AEC Pathfinder Ministries to organize drum corps performances during parades, walk-a-thons, and rallies.

Her passion for drums began early, and blossomed during her years as a Pathfinder at the Dupont Park church. Banks is a sophomore at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md., where she studies broadcast journalism.

Dupont Park Members Raise $12,000 for Hurricane Relief Dupont Park church members collected and packed 22 large boxes of emergency personal care items for Hurricane Katrina survivors. They also raised more than $12,000.—Jerri McLean

DECEMBER 2005

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Student Colporteurs Honored at Trinity Temple Banquet lthough I embrace the way the Seventh-day Adventist Church has evolved over the last few decades, I am often nostalgic for the church where I grew up. I miss the songs, Saturday night socials, and weeks of prayer. Recently that longing was filled when I attended an awards banquet for student colporteurs at Trinity Temple Adventist School in Newark, N.J. The speaker that night was E. Asya Aquil, a local chiropractor. She bought a Message magazine from one of the students during their two-month colporteur assignment in downtown Newark. She told the audience how impressed she was with the young student’s mission and the leadership of group leader Jean Good.

After the speech, it was time to introduce the student literature evangelists. A week before the event, each student penned a reflective paragraph about their experience. As their certificates were presented, their paragraph was read aloud. All of the students identified practical life lessons they have learned.

“I learned how to socialize with other people and how to be responsible with my money,” wrote seventhgrader Alyssa Collins. Another student—12-year-old Jazmine Rivers—noted that she tried not to focus on the people who said no, but prayed and remained focused on her work.

A major lesson for one sixth-grader was not to judge a book by its cover: “Some of us asked people who dressed nicely [to buy a book] but they [declined.]

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Ninth-grader Arnaldo Hutchinson (left), 15, recently spent two months as a student colporteur in Newark, N.J.

helped me,” remembers Phoebe Jean-Philippe. Ninthgraders Newton Pierre and Arnaldo Hutchinson both kept the theme “never give up” in their minds. It also served as the mantra for their leader and her son Simeon Good.

I was very impressed with the spiritual lessons each student learned. Many discovered the value of prayer and saw how literature evangelism can serve the Lord and spread the gospel. Slowly, words from Ellen G. White came to mind: “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Savior might be carried to the whole world!” (Messages to Young People, p. 196).

I walked away from the awards banquet at Trinity Temple with a sense of pride and satisfaction. As quietly as it’s kept, many of our youth are faithful to God’s call to spread the gospel.—Lolethia Kibble

Allegheny East Conference PO Box 266, Pine Forge, PA 19548 ■ Phone: (610) 326-4610 www.myalleghenyeast.com ■ President, Charles L. Cheatham Communication Director, Robert Booker

Seventh-grader Alyssa Collins (right), 11, found many people who were interested in Message magazine, including this gentleman.

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Pine Forge Academy (800) 390-9529 ■ www.pineforgeacademy.org e-mail: pfa@pineforgeacademy.org Headmaster, Cynthia Poole-Gibson

DECEMBER 2005

37 Baptized After “Happy Family” Bible Seminar t the 58th General Conference Session in St. Louis, Lloydston Burton heard the challenge to support large-city evangelism. Upon his return to Cincinnati, where he pastors the Emmanuel and Maranatha churches, Burton immediately began promoting the concept. With the support of his wife Sheila and a dedicated team of members, he laid plans to conduct a community-based evangelism seminar at a local high school.

The month-long series entitled “Happy Family Bible Seminar,” was inspired by the success of family life evangelism, a new and exciting approach to teaching the gospel. Much like the standard Revelation seminar, which incorporates all crucial Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, Happy Family Bible Seminar is designed to strengthen and repair broken family relationships. It’s also designed to strengthen and restore broken relationships between God and His family—us!

But as church Bible instructors canvassed the community, they discovered that summer heat was a big deterrent to many of the seniors who lived in the area: “I have a heart condition and my doctor said that I should stay out of the heat,” said one invitee. “I’m on medication and it doesn’t mix well with these high temperatures,” commented another. “All this heat makes me sick; I just can’t,” confessed another. “Are you kidding? The news said the heat index is 105!” said yet another. “I will come to the meetings when the temperature drops.”

In reality, it was hot! Cincinnati’s temperatures soared over 90 degrees for many days. And though many of the elderly chose not to endure the heat, the high temperatures could not—and did not—keep away Cincinnati’s young adults! For five nights each week Pastor Burton’s powerful preaching held those in attendance captive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. During the last two Sabbaths of the seminar, 37 young (and young at heart) people were baptized. All seem eager to spread the gospel and become involved in church activities. From this experience, it’s evident that the Holy Spirit Baptismal candidates listen as Pastor reaped a harvest of youth whose hearts were open to the good news of Lloydston Burton appeals for others to Jesus Christ, in spite of the heat.—Debbie Howard accept Christ.

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Multilingual Ministries Grow ultilingual members have been very active in ministry in the Allegheny West Conference (AWC) this year. “This is an exiting time, and we praise the Lord for His blessings,” says Libny H. Dubreuze Sr., conference multilingual ministries coordinator. Here is a summary of activities, as reported by Dubreuze: ■ Hispanic members in Willard, Ohio, planted the first Seventh-day Adventist Church with 40 to 50 charter members. During a summer evangelism series, eight people were baptized and 26 joined by profession of faith.

■ In Charlottesville, Va., at the Bethany church, where English- and Spanish-speaking members worship together, the meetings resulted in eight baptisms.

The church recently celebrated the ordinations of two elders and one deacon into ministry. Dubreuze presented the ordination sermon, while District Pastor Melwyn “Bob” Mounter, gave the prayer of dedication.

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■ The Shekinah French congregation in Roanoke, Va., held meetings presented by Allegheny East Conference Pastor Iveniel St. Luc. As a result, four people were baptized.

■ Two new groups, Brazilian and French/ Haitian, are meeting at Columbus Adventist Academy.

Pastor Melwyn “Bob” Mounter (left) prays for the ordination of two elders and a deacon at the multicultural Bethany church in Charlottesville, Va.

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Cleveland Westside Hosts National Bible Bowl Competition WC served as the host conference for the National Bible Bowl XXIII games, held recently at the Westside church in Cleveland. One of the 34 teams to compete in this year’s event came from the Hillcrest church in Pittsburgh, Pa. Their young adults were named first runners up.

The Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA) and the National Bible Bowl Coordinators Association organized the annual event that educates participants and tests their Bible knowledge. According to BAYDA chairperson Claude Harris, the event “captures the energy and drive of our youth in a positive way.” Next year’s competition will be held in the Allegheny East Conference. For updates, rules, and other information, visit www.bayda.org or www.Bible-Bowl.org.—D. Wayne Davidson

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The first-runner-up young adult team, that came from the Hillcrest church in Pittsburgh, Pa., are proud of their win at the National Bible Bowl XXIII games.

Hilltop Community Worship Center Opens or 38 years the Hilltop Seventh-day Adventist Church has served the west side of Columbus.

Under the leadership of various pastors, Hilltop has made a positive impact in the community through a variety of outreach ministries and evangelistic efforts.

Over the last four years, the church has experienced growth in ministry, finances, and attendance. As a result, the leaders began to explore the possibilities of relocation to a larger facility.

Despite a lot of prayer and searching, no facility was found. Because they didn’t want to leave the Hilltop community, the members voted to renovate and expand their building located at 196 South Highland Avenue. But just one month after renovations began, another church in the community became available.

After church elders and the finance committee toured the facility, they alerted the other members about the possibility. After they experienced prayer meeting and Sabbath worship service there, members voted to purchase the facility and make an offer.

Last August, after the purchase was finalized, Hilltop established the Community Outreach Action Team to reach out to its new neighbors. The team planned several “community connection” Last month, members in Columbus celeactivities, including brated the opening of a newly pura hayride/bonfire, chased worship center where they plan Thanksgiving bas- to welcome and serve the community.

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kets, and a very successful block party. More than 200 people attended the event where games, refreshments, and group activities were free to the community. Upon invitation, 35 young people signed up for Pathfinders and Adventurers. In addition, over 30 residents completed surveys indicating topics they believe Jerome M. Hurst pastors the church could address.

Financial planning, employment the 350-member Hilltop Community Worship training, parenting, and family Center in Columbus. game night topped the list.

Along with the new location came the new name Hilltop Community Worship Center. The motto—“Serving, Empowering, Connecting our Community”—is appropriate because members and leaders want Hilltop to be a place where worship encompasses community-focused Bible study, service, and fellowship activities.

Last month, as they opened the doors of their new church, Hilltop members praised God for their new facility and prayed that He would help them to be faithful to their mission. Church services are available at www.churchpond.com every Sabbath at 11 a.m.

—Jerome M. Hurst Catch the Vision is published in the Visitor by the Allegheny West Conference 1339 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205 Phone: (614) 252-5271 ■ President, James L. Lewis Editor, Robert C. Lewis ■ www.awconf.org

DECEMBER 2005

A Time to Receive here are two sides to a gift—giving and receiving—and both sides are required to complete it. Nothing is more humiliating to the giver than to have his gift ignored or refused. Nothing is more insulting to a giver than this kind of rejection. But a gift cannot be forced, it can only be offered.

John 3:16 tells us “God so loved … that He gave. …” This is the real point of Christmas, the heart of Christianity, the heart of the biblical record. We serve a loving God, a giving God! God gave; mankind is to receive.

Reduced to its simplest terms, the message of the Bible is this loving and giving of God to man, and the supreme tragedy in the biblical record is man’s perennial failure to receive this love gift. This fact is the very root of the human dilemma.

Christmas means little more than a headache, extra bills, and exhaustion to those who have not responded to God’s love and received His gift. As commonly celebrated, Christmas is incomplete, only half a transaction. The incarnation was never intended to be just a historical fact; it is to be a personal experience. Jesus came into this world to save sinners—to save us. And a critical part of that wonderful plan is His offer to dwell within us.

May this Christmas season be a real personal experience for you. Receive in a new and deeper way God’s gift to you. “But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave Neville Harcombe power to become children of God” (John 1:12, RSV).

President

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NEWS Willow Brook Church Hosts Art Show The fellowship hall of the Willow Brook church in Boonsboro, Md., was recently transformed into a highquality art gallery. The exhibit featured 47 original works by four local artists—Willow Brook members Byron and Roy Steele and guest artists Gwen Bergey and Mark O’Connor. During the six hours the exhibit was open for viewing, 73 guests from the community visited the church. Church members also warmly received the artists, who sold 10 paintings. In addition, two landscapes were commissioned. Due to the success, plans are already underway for the next exhibit.

Hispanic Convocations Draw Good Response Sabbath convocations recently held in Columbia and Salisbury, Md., drew nearly 400 Hispanic believers. Good music, teaching, and preaching marked the morning programs, while the afternoons were committed to more music and training seminars in personal evangelism. Pedro Ledezma from the Texico Conference (part of the Southwestern Union Conference) was the featured presenter at the Columbia convocation. Chesapeake’s Juan Sicalo (district pastor for Baltimore/Laurel, Md.) and David Gomez (a leader in the Laurel company) led out in Salisbury where a baptism highlighted the afternoon program. For many years Chesapeake had only one Hispanic congregation—Baltimore Spanish. Now it

has four organized companies in Newark, Del.; Hagerstown and Laurel, Md.; and Parksley, Va. There are also groups meeting in Seaford, Del.; Salisbury and Frederick, Md.; and Charles Town, W.Va. “The ministry to the Hispanic communities within Chesapeake is burgeoning,” reports Hispanic ministries coordinator Ramon Chow. “Alabad al Señor de quien toda benedicion fluye!” (Praise God from whom all blessings flow!)

New Hope Church Hosts Harvest Festival The New Hope church in Burtonsville, Md., hosted its annual Harvest Festival, a safe Halloween alternative, for families living in the community. This outreach event allowed members to witness to their neighbors and celebrate the changing of seasons. “The festival served as a bridge event, so that our church members could invite their unchurched friends,” says Rajkumar Dixit, associate pastor.

Approximately 350 people attended and event organizers believe that more than half were visitors.

There were many fun activities for kids, including moon bounces, carnival games, cow-milking contests, a puppet show, cotton candy, popcorn, and crafts. There were also prizes, including a pair of tickets to an NFL game. For information about future events at New Hope church, visit www.mynewhopechurch.com.

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Chesapeake Ministries Host Spiritual Retreats hree Chesapeake Conference ministries recently sponsored weekend retreats to build momentum for the coming year. The lay advisory and the singles ministries groups held annual retreats at Mt. Aetna Camp near Hagerstown, Md., while the women’s ministries event was moved to a new venue in Ocean City, Md. All of the ministries reported positive results from time spent in spiritual fellowship and reflection, as follows:

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Lay Advisory Council—Evidence of God’s Grace More than two-thirds of the churches in Chesapeake were represented at the annual retreat of the Lay Advisory Council (LAC). Attendees were touched by the grace-oriented preaching of Rudy Torres, a pastor from Garden Grove, Calif.

They also appreciated the music ministry of The Wedgewood Trio (pictured), a popular folk group, also from Southern California.

The weekend’s program also provided opportunity for LAC representatives to share “evidence of God’s grace” in their part of Chesapeake. Those familiar with the LAC retreats know that there is always a unique twist in the program theme. This year it was squash! The lessons one can learn from a zucchini are amazing (and so are the recipes attendees were given to take home). The retreat came to an end with a business meeting where conference administrators updated attendees on current issues and trends affecting Chesapeake. Then, during their closing number, the Trio invited conference president Neville Harcombe to sing with them. This happened because guitarist Don Vollmer overheard Harcombe remark that in heaven he wanted to sing with The Wedgewood Trio. “The Trio would rather get it over with here!” Vollmer jokingly announced.

Singles Ministries—Creation vs. Evolution Chesapeake Singles Ministries’ 12th Annual Conference on Critical Issues focused on the ongoing debate between creation and evolution. Ken Wilson, longtime biology teacher at Takoma Academy (Takoma Park, Md.), made the presentations underscoring the ample evidence for intelligent design. A number of the attendees had studied science under Wilson at the academy and relished the opportunity to sit once again

With the help of his former student, Professor Ken Wilson (right) illustrates how science never “thinks outside the box” when it comes to the theory of evolution.

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in the “classroom” of their beloved professor. The musical ensemble MissionServe, directed by Dirci Marquart, was also on the weekend program. The retreat drew participants from the Chesapeake, Pennsylvania, and Potomac conferences.

Women’s Ministries—Journey Toward God “A Woman’s Journey Toward God!” was the theme of this year’s women’s ministries retreat held at the Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City, Md. Sally Streib, a pastor’s wife and professional scuba diver, was the featured speaker. She presented varied perspectives on the topics “Consider: Your Personal Journey with God”; “Experience: Power for the Journey”; and “Discover: Jesus, Your Companion for the Journey.”

The weekend also included seminars by Denise Badger

Guest speaker Sally Streib shares insights into God’s love from the fascinating world of deep-sea diving.

(“Soul-full Living: Learning to Breathe Deeply with God and Each Other”) and Brenda Black (“Those Dirty Little ‘S’ Words—Sin, Self, Sex, and Submission”). The general meetings began with a spirited song service directed by Carol Barron and Jan Wall. The 90 women in attendance shared opportunities to worship, learn, laugh, and engage in conversations with old and new friends alike. According to Dee Scalzo, director of women’s ministries for the conference, the aim of the retreat was to help women connect—with God and each other.;

The Challenge is published in the Visitor by the Chesapeake Conference ■ 6600 Martin Road, Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: (410) 995-1910 ■ Editor, Rob Vandeman Editorial Assistant, Barbara-Lee Boyd

DECEMBER 2005

etting grubby for God is what scores of Columbia Union College (CUC) students, faculty, and staff did recently during Service Day 2005. They did it to live out the college’s motto “Gateway to Service.”

During the service time, classes were cancelled so participants could perform various service-oriented activities such as landscaping and raking at a local park; sorting and folding clothes at Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington; distributing flyers about pedestrian safety in nearby Langley Park, Md.; and reading to underserved children.

John Gavin, chair of CUC’s Department of Social Work, collaborated with colleagues from the student life and campus ministries offices, and the Center for Metropolitan Ministries to organize the event. “I’m so proud of the students and the good job they did in making a meaningful impact on the community,” he said.

Reference librarian and alumni president Lee Wisel performed her act of service by driving volunteers to and from three different locations in the area. One of her passengers was Joy Dawkins, a junior elementary education major. She went with a group of volunteers to a community park. “I like landscaping and gardening, so I enjoyed myself,” said Dawkins. “I also thought it was

Photo by David Miller

Service Day Volunteers get Grubby for God

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Left to right: Sophomore Randy Flash, junior Andray Anderson, junior Lamon Wilson, and freshman Jerome Edmeade help with the heavy lifting during CUC’s Service Day 2005.

nice to practice our motto as a group.” According to Wisel, the leaders at the park were grateful for the positive effect this service will have on the community.

“Service is an opportunity and responsibility that needs to be part of our way of life as we [exemplify] the compassion of Christ,” said Gavin. In support of Adventist Community Services, the CUC community also participated in hurricane relief efforts by receiving, processing, and shipping nearly three tons of donations to the Gulf region.—Val Bossous

Baseball Fieldtrip Brings Alumni Together ozens of CUC associates, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and their families, recently enjoyed a Washington Nationals baseball game together at RFK stadium in Washington, D.C. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to network with old and new friends and catch the last game of the Nationals’ inaugural season. Unfortunately, the Nationals lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-3, but finished the season with an 81-81 record. This is the first time the District of Columbia has had a baseball team since the Senators left in 1971.

One CUC grad thought the event was a great idea.

However, she was out of town and unable to attend, so she purchased tickets for her husband and sons to “keep them out of trouble” in her absence.

Please watch the alumni page at www.cuc.edu for announcements of future events planned for local alumni and chapters in other parts of the country. For more information on CUC’s alumni association,

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Alumni president Lee Wisel had fun with Washington Nationals’ mascot Screech, the eagle.

contact association president Lee Wisel at (301) 8914222 or e-mail lwisel@cuc.edu.—PR Staff

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Missions Week Inspires Students to Serve Abroad tudents were delighted and energized by the inspirational Student Missions Week recently held at CUC. Representatives from various mission organizations shared testimonies, distributed information, set-up exhibits, and displayed call books in the Wilkinson Hall lobby to help interested students decide where and how to serve. As a result, many students showed interest in serving as overseas missionaries.

“This year, CUC’s Student Missions team spiced it up like never before,” said junior José St. Phard, program director. “The week was filled with festivities, including two special nights of ‘Breakthrough Worship,’ encapsulated in magnificent praise, inspiring music, and God-centered worship.”

Adding inspiring music to the event were Adventist recording artists Duawne Starling and John Stoddart, who performed during the week.

“Their musical contributions were simply phenomenal,” recalls St. Phard. Starling is a former student CALENDAR and Stoddart is a CUC graduate.

Also participating in the evening programs were CUC’s Black December Student Union Gospel Choir; the 1 Christmas Tree Lighting, Black Student Union Chorale; CUC Commons CUC’s String Quartet; Legacy (a 3 Gateway to Christmas contemporary praise group of CUC Banquet and Residence students); poet Kelvin Bailey, a Halls’ Open House senior; and Anthony Hackett, a 4 Student Association sophomore, who led several draShopping Trip, matic presentations.

Arundel Mills “The week was designed to 9 Spring Semester incite in the hearts of students a Early Financial Clearance love for God that can be manifestDeadline ed in service to our world as we 12-14 Final Exams carry out our college motto, 15-Jan. 8 Christmas Holiday At the Sligo church sanctuary in Takoma ‘Gateway to Service,’” explained Park, Md., where many campus services 20-Jan. 2 Adult Evening Program are held, students listen to stories about St. Phard. “It was a great success.”

Winter Break missionaries.

Pastor Ronald Kenneth Pollard 23-26 Offices Closed for was the keynote speaker for the Christmas Holiday school’s weekly chapel service. He serves as youth director for the 30-Jan. 2 Offices Closed for New Southern California Conference in the Los Angeles area.

Year’s Holiday Throughout the week, students, faculty, and staff wrote notes of encouragement to CUC’s current missionaries. Offerings were also collected during the concerts to benefit them. The following is a list of current January student missionaries and where they are serving: 8 Transfer Student ■ Peta-Gaye Benjamin is an elementary school teacher in Guam Orientation through May of 2007.

9 Registration ■ Heather Carnes is a kindergarten teacher in Pohnpei, Marshall 10 Classes Begin Islands, through May 2006.

15 Student Association ■ Heather Kelly is an English language teacher in Spain through Ski Weekend, June 2006.

Seven Springs, W.Va. ■ Maria Marrero is teaching kindergarten through high school in 16 Offices Closed for Martin Costa Rica until March 2006.

Luther King, Jr. Holiday ■ Andrea Martinez is a Big Sister program assistant in El Salvador through June 2006.

■ Edwin Sillie is a math and science teacher in Guam through Gateway is published in the Visitor June 2006. by the Columbia Union College 7600 Flower Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 ■ Dionne Whitehall and Jacqueline Palesa are serving in a public Phone: (800) 835-4212 ■ www.cuc.edu relations capacity for the church in England through August 2006.

Randal Wisbey, President ■ PR Director, —PR Staff Scott Steward

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DECEMBER 2005

Legacy of Love ne afternoon I was looking through some things my mother had when she lived with us before she passed away a year ago. Next to some of her boxes there was an old suitcase that I thought was empty. But when I opened it, I found a treasure of exceeding value! It was full of pictures—many with notes written on the back— along with letters from family and friends. Some of those pictures and correspondence dated back to the 1800s when my great, great grandparents were young!

It seems most of this treasure of memories centers around my mother’s dad, George Huse, whom she adored and whom all the family greatly loved and admired. We looked up to him not just because of his leadership as General Conference Publishing director, but largely for something else. Looking through those pictures and notes verified a theme that flowed throughout his life. It was in the letters he sent to my grandmother when he was working “overseas,” and one could feel it in those notes to my mother and cards to us. He didn’t use the word “I” very much nor incessantly divulge details about his busy life. Instead, he was always interested in what others were doing, and sought to encourage and build them up. His life’s work with the printed page would result in thousands finding Christ and His truth. He gave us his life’s legacy of love, thoughtfulness, and service.

The theme that flowed through the life of Jesus, from the cradle to Calvary, was giving love in seeking to save the lost. During this festive season, we endeavor to give, bringing joy to those around us. Yet, this “spirit of Christmas” should always be the theme of our lives. What legacy will you leave for your family and friends? Looking through these old notes and pictures today, my prayer is, “Lord, please take all selfishness out and put Your Spirit in this heart, that my Kingsley Whitsett life, too, may be one of love and service to others.”

President

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Gospel Seeds Bear Fruit at West Virginia University hen Jonathan Meyer and several fellow Adventist students at West Virginia University in Morgantown started a Friday night study group, they little foresaw the interest it would generate among other students. They soon saw their efforts blossom into a flourishing group of intelligent inquirers who recognize that the Bible is not a collection of mysteriously immortal myths. Instead, they acknowledge it as the “book of divine revelation” regarding history, prophecy, redemption, and principles of life.

The first fruit of this study fellowship is Tabitha Beard (below, center), a committed Christian, who thoroughly studied Adventist beliefs and found them biblical to the core. This summer she was baptized and has been actively sharing her faith with fellow students and family members.

Asked why she—an already committed Christian—became an Adventist, Tabitha responded, “In my personal study of the Scriptures, I came to realize that the

doctrines I grew up with didn’t agree with the things I was learning from the Bible. I felt the need to be a member of a church that upholds pure Scripture doctrine. In studying what different churches believe, I found that the Adventist church holds to the truths I discovered.”

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After she was baptized by Pastor Kent Ruffo, Morgantown, W.Va., members welcomed Tabitha Beard.

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60 Mountain View Women Attend Annual Retreat ecently, during their annual retreat, the women of Mountain View Conference received inspiration and spiritual encouragement in their quest to develop “A Most Holy Friendship” with our Lord and Savior. Speaker Michele Seibel (left), prayer coordinator for the Hawaii Conference, focused on the length to which Jesus will go to woo His children. Seibel combined God’s message of grace and mercy with His call for unconditional obedience, giving practical effect

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to the joy in making Jesus the center of our daily affairs.

During a panel entitled “While the Dew is Still on the Roses,” participants shared tips on how to give priority to personal devotions.

“Taming the Stressors in Your Life,” presented by Sherylin Jackson of Kennesaw, Ga., provided practical insights into Jesus’ instruction to come apart and rest.

Given from the prospective of a single mom—seeking balance in caring for a home, raising three sons, and working two jobs—Jackson also shared thoughts on learning to trust Jesus to provide when needs outweigh assets.

Gayle Clark, RN, presented insights into medical missionary work as the “right arm” of the gospel and how everyone can become involved in this ministry.

Twelve of the 60 participants had never before been to a women’s retreat. Presenters and participants alike sensed the deep, bonding work of the Holy Spirit in the midst of this three-day gathering at the conference-owned campground in Huttonsville, W.Va. Participants donated blankets to Adventist Community Services for distribution to those affected by disaster in the Mountain View Conference territory.—Feryl Harris

Churches Host The Appearing Prophecy Series bout 15 churches in Mountain View Conference recently aired the five-day, It Is Written satellite series, The Appearing, presented by speaker/director Shawn Boonstra.

At these various sites, visitors from the community ranged in number from five to 25. The Adventist church in Grafton, W.Va., which followed up the series with a Biblemarking program, had high atten-

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dance. One seminar attendee had been searching for truth for many years. When she received the handbill for The Appearing in her mailbox, she knew this was God’s answer to her heart’s cry. Boonstra’s five messages on prophecy answered many of her questions and she has been faithfully attending the Grafton church ever since. In Spencer, W.Va., a musician who

Centers Make Room for Seminars anagers of Preston Better Living Center and Rainelle Better Living Center, both in W.Va., have nearly completed the construction of seminar and reading rooms that will be open to the public next month.

“Our primary aim is to minister to people’s eternal interests,” says Gary Mattingly, director of the Rainelle center. “The seminar room is designed to make it possible for anyone to drop by during our hours of operation and watch videos on any health or spiritual topic that we offer as a church, or to read books and magazines from our library. We

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will also conduct health classes and evangelistic meetings in this new room.” Mattingly, a building contractor, retired early from his trade in order to give full-time attention to the Rainelle center, with its everincreasing clientele.

recently moved from New York was deeply stirred by Boonstra’s presenttruth messages and has also been faithfully attending church.

The 35 churches in Mountain View are committed to active, continual evangelism, not as a program, but as a way of life. Pastors and members alike sense the urgency of the hour—for indeed the night comes, wherein no man can work.

Mountain View

EVENTS December 5 Executive Committee 11 Town Hall Meeting, 18

Valley View Board of Education

January 8 Organizing Committee 20-22 Pathfinder Winter Retreat

Greenbrier Better Living Center clients in Rainelle, W.Va., register for future classes.

Mountain Viewpoint is published in the Visitor by the Mountain View Conference 1400 Liberty Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101 ■ Phone: (304) 422-4581 President, Kingsley Whitsett Editor, Brian Jones ■ www.mtviewconf.org

SpiriT MOUNT VERNON ACADEMY DECEMBER 2005

Relationships That Last a Lifetime uring a recent visit to Washington, D.C., I had an opportunity to visit my alma mater, Columbia Union College.

While there, I spent a significant amount of time with James Hammond and Gladstone Gurubathum, two of my former professors. I have always valued the importance of Christian education, but this visit reintroduced the significance of what we do as Adventist educational institutions. We develop spiritually-based relationships that last a lifetime.

When students return to share their experiences and the impact that the school has had on their lives, it makes it all worthwhile. When you walk through the cafeteria and see staff engaging in spiritual conversations with students, you can see that lifelong relationships are forming. For the past five years, Mount Vernon Academy (MVA), has focused on six objectives of which spirituality and relationships are first and second, respectively. This is the strength of our institutions and the calling that is before all of us that are working with young people.

The fact that spiritual relationships with students develop lifelong leaders for Christ is a David Daniels valuable lesson that my professors have shown me. It’s also carried out by our teachers at Principal Mount Vernon Academy.

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“See You at the Pole” n Jeremiah 33:3, God promises that if we call on Him, He will answer and show us great and mighty things, which we do not know. Students of MVA believe in God’s promises, act on them, and go to God believing He will hear them.

September 23 was a special day on America’s public and private school campuses. On that day, students around the country set a time to gather at their school’s flagpole and spend time in prayer. The national movement is called “See You at the Pole.” It is an event calculated to effect a change in the young people of America by having them pray together for each other and the Sophomore Kylee Wilson offers prayer. nation.

Because MVA is a school already committed to spirituality, the students—led by junior Daniel Dettwiler—decided to take this event to the community. Permission was secured

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from the city of Mount Vernon, Ohio (where MVA is located) to use the town square as a venue for prayer.

The public was invited to attend to spend time in prayer for the About 100 MVA students recently leaders of their gathered at the Mount Vernon, Ohio, community and town square to pray for our country country. and leaders.

Public participation was weak at best, but nearly 100 MVA students took part. As the traffic rolled by and bystanders stood and listened, the students prayed.

As is so often the case when Christ’s followers seek to give a blessing to others, the participants gained a blessing from their actions. Many students expressed a newfound respect and joy at letting their light shine for “all the world” to see. If you would like more information concerning the national “See You at the Pole” movement, visit www.syatp.org.—Tim Soper

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SpiriT 30 Students Accept Christ During Week of Prayer t is often said that the only way to truly get to know someone, and love them, is to spend time with them.

MVA believes this is true of the relationship between its students and their Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The purpose of Week of Prayer is to give the students a chance to spend extra time getting to know their Savior.

Tony Middleton, an ophthalmologist from South Carolina and former youth director for the GuamMicronesia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, graciously gave of his time and energy and spent a week discussing his love for Christ with the students of MVA. Middleton encouraged students to look beyond their struggles of sin Week of Prayer speaker Tony Middleton encouraged students to make a decision to the Redeemer,

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who can take care of their sin and worries.

Today’s teenagers face struggles and temptations that adults can only imagine. Efforts are often made to reach students through guilt and emotion, causing a response that is oftentimes shallow and unfruitful.

Instead of using this approach, Middleton asked the students to think logically and clearly about what was being studied. He also encouraged them to make a clear, conscious decision to accept Christ as their Savior. In response, nearly 30 students who accepted the call to baptism are currently studying the Scriptures with zeal to learn more about their wonderful Redeemer.

How true are the words found in Revelation 15:3-4: Great and amazing are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty!

Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages! Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are Holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.

Praise God for His wonderful work in the lives of the students at Mount Vernon Academy. —Tim Soper

to accept Christ as their Savior.

My Story—Canvassing in Pizza Hut’s Parking Lot ne day this past summer—as part of the Magabook program—I was canvassing door-to-door asking for donations for Christian books. I was going from business to business when I came upon a Pizza Hut. For some reason, I felt impressed to skip the Pizza Hut and return later. When I finished canvassing the strip of businesses, I went back to Pizza Hut. While I was waiting to talk with one of the employees, two guys at the end of the counter kept looking at my books. The two guys left before I had the chance to speak with them. The workers Michelle Riley, ’06 weren’t interested in the books, so I left. Once outside, I heard the two guys whispering to each other from across the parking lot: “Hey, do you think she’s selling books?”

“I don’t know man, go ask her!”

I abruptly turned and walked toward them. I introduced myself and told them about the books. They were really interested in the Great Controversy and ended up purchasing one. I know God wanted them to have that book because I have really small ears, and

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there’s no way I could have heard them whispering from so far away without His help. I pray that those guys read the book; hopefully I’ll see them in heaven some day.—Michelle Riley

calendar of

events

December 17 MVA Christmas Concert Home Leave (Begins After Concert)

18-Jan. 3

MVA Christmas Break

January 16

Student Week of Prayer

February 3-12

Winter Break

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Student Association Banquet

Mission Trip

Spirit is published in the Visitor by Mount Vernon Academy 525 Wooster Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 ■ Phone: (740) 397-5411 ■ Principal, David Daniels ■ www.mvacademy.org

DECEMBER 2005

Our True Passion he passion in the hearts of the members in New Jersey is to share the unique and compelling message of Jesus Christ. Every Seventh-day Adventist should have a fervent desire to help others discover how much God has been willing to sacrifice so they can spend eternity with Him. Each of us has a special God-given [calling] to share our testimony of how much Jesus means to us.

The greatest blessings in my life have always been associated with leading someone to Jesus and watching them accept Him as their best friend. In New Jersey we have a wonderful opportunity to touch people from many ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Last year we had the largest baptisms per capita in the history of our ministry for our Lord, and we continue to pray that He will use us to do it again this year. We don’t praise God for new members in New Jersey; we praise Him because by their acceptance, those we love can spend eternity with Him. This is the true passion of those involved in bringing people to a knowledge of the LeRoy Finck President beauty of God’s saving grace.

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Paterson Churches Unite to “Turn on a Light in New Jersey” very Sabbath, a church in New Jersey gets to house the conference torch that was lit at camp meeting earlier this year. It’s now being sent from church to church as a symbol of the conference theme, “Turn on a Light in New Jersey.” The torch’s recent “visit” to Paterson, N.J., coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Hispanic church in that city—Paterson Temple. Under the leadership of district Pastor Jorge Agüero and others, local congregations have initiated a mission strategy to turn on the gospel light in

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Small group leader Juana Ortiz (far right) studies the Bible with friends around the kitchen table. They call their group “United by Faith.”

Fernando Rivero (left, standing) leads a group called “To be Reborn” in the home of fellow church member Irene Rivero (not pictured).

their city. Here’s what they did: First, during a six-week period, 28 leaders were trained to lead small groups. Upon completion, each received a certificate and an Shirley Riqueras engraved pen. Next, they organ(center, dark top) ized 21 small groups. Each group leads the “Jesus’ received Bible study materials and Light” group. a DVD with worship songs.

During the first three weeks, 16 of the small groups began functioning regularly. So far, they have reported an average attendance of 122 members and 34 visitors per week. Therefore, a total of 156 people are meeting to study the Bible and worship in homes each week. “There is great camaraderie between the bretheren and the visitors,” Agüero reports. “We are already beginning to see miracles and blessings from the ministry of these small groups.”

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Mount Holly and Browns Mills Churches Lend Helping Hands embers of the Mount Holly (N.J.) church recently responded to a request from a former elder, who now resides in Shreveport, La., and needed help distributing clothing to Hurricane Katrina survivors.

The church’s active community services program, headed by Martha Phillips, went right to work. Members donated hundreds of items of clothing, personal items, towels, toothbrushes, and soap, etc., to the cause.

After packaging 45 boxes of goods, they gathered before prayer meeting to load them onto Ron Justice’s truck and trailer. Early the next morning, Justice and another member headed for the Shreveport’s Adventist church. They arrived on a Sabbath, and after worshipping with the members, headed home. “It was so gratifying to do something for the hapless hurricane victims in New Orleans,” one member commented.

Under the leadership of district Pastor Bob Hoyt and June Devine, Mount Holly members have also been extremely supportive of the New Jersey Food Bank. Twice monthly, they make trips to the food bank and distribute 15-20 bags of groceries to those in need in their community.

Members are also involved in other service-oriented activities. Recently, a group, led by members Hazen Schultz, Andrew Oswari, and Horace Delisser, fed over 200 people in a Philadelphia neighborhood. Schultz and another member, Steve Simkins, once lived in that community as homeless persons. Because of the memories of their past, the pair—accompanied by 30 other church members—decided to return and conduct a mission fondly called “Project Help.”

After Hurricane Katrina struck, the Browns Mills (N.J.) church, was not to be left out of the service loop. Upon hearing of the damage to Bass Memorial Academy in Horace Delisser (left) does his Mississippi, where Pastor Hoyt’s four chilpart to cook food for “Project dren once attended, members collected Help,” an outreach initiative of and sent funds to help with relief efforts. the Mount Holly, N.J., church.

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Pastor Bob Hoyt (left) stands with a few of the Mount Holly church members who collected and packed 45 boxes of goods for those in need.

This young member (left) enjoyed helping his church prepare a hot meal for homeless people in Philadelphia.

December 4

ABC Open, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

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Leadership Awards Banquet

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K-12 Board of Education

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Finance/ABC Committee

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ABC Open, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Association Board Executive Committee

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Directors Advisory

25-27 Christmas Holiday, Office and ABC Closed

Mount Holly church members filled a truck and trailer with goods to help to Hurricane Katrina survivors in Louisiana.

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New Jersey News is published in the Visitor by the New Jersey Conference 2160 Brunswick Ave., Trenton NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 392-7131 ■ President, LeRoy Finck ■ Editor, Aura Garcia ■ www.njcsda.org

DECEMBER 2005

Conference on Innovation Draws People of Vision eventh-day Adventists are people of the vision.”

These were words spoken by Leland Kaiser, PhD, at the first National Conference on Innovation, held recently in Columbus. Almost 100 persons—healthcare leaders, pastors, educators, denominational administrators, and other professionals—came from across North America to participate in this historic event within Adventism.

Hosted by the Ohio Conference and Kettering Adventist HealthCare, the conference advanced a conversation on the role of innovation in shaping church, school, and healthcare organizations of the future in an increasingly complex and fast-changing society.

The primary teaching faculty for the event included Leland Kaiser, founder and president of Kaiser Consulting; and Leanne Kaiser Carlson and Kevin Kaiser, co-founders of the Kaiser Institute. James Londis of Kettering College of Medical Arts, and Duane Covrig of Andrews University’s School of Education, presented devotionals.

In his keynote presentation, entitled “Visioning the Future of the Adventist Church,” Leland challenged participants to envision possible futures for the

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the Spirit of God. In her presentation on “Learning to Innovate,” Leanne discussed how to make innovation intentional and explicit in Adventist institutions. Using a wide array of case studies and research information, all three presenters very effectively helped participants see potentials, challenge limitations, and experience fresh energy for the mission of the Adventist Church.

The three instructors also engaged participants in “Wisdom Circles,” which provided opportunities to learn through listening. A concluding session in the form of a panel presentation addressed practical approaches to innovation, and included time for questions and answers.

One of the special features of the Conference on Innovation was an hourlong presentation by Ann Left to right: Leanne Kaiser Carlson, Leland Kaiser, and Kevin Kaiser participate in the panel discussion moderated by Ohio Conference president Raj Attiken.

Higdon, director of Improved Solutions to Urban Systems (ISUS) Participants engaged in “Wisdom Circles,” at the Trade and Technology Prep which gave them opportunity to learn Community School in Dayton, Ohio. through listening.

She described the life-transforming impact of ISUS on at-risk youth and how the organization is having success in helping indiSeventh-day viduals become “transenders” or “people who rise Adventist above the odds.”

Church. He While the conference was only a two-day event, its portrayed impact is expected to continue long into the future. The visioning as an Nearly 100 people came from across creation and implementation of innovative projects, innovative North America to participate in the first prototypes, and destination churches and schools are strategy for National Conference on Innovation organpart of the long-term strategy initiated at the event. imagining and ized by Ohio Conference and Kettering Provision has been made in the Partners in Innovation then impleAdventist HealthCare.

Web site—www.sdapartnersininnovation.org—for innomenting a prevators to stay connected, discuss their projects, track ferred future. Kevin explored the power of intuition and progress, and receive coaching and other help. its role in the creation of a preferred future for Adventist The next National Conference on Innovation will be organizations. He described intuition as an act of spiriheld in the fall of 2006. tuality and a natural outgrowth of high connectivity with

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Ebenezer Spanish Hosts Inspiring Youth Preacher elf-proclaimed “ghetto preacher” Willie Ramos recently capped off a week of Youth Evangelism at the Cleveland Ebenezer Spanish church.

From his messages, it’s evident that the Miami-based pastor loves Jesus! Every time he spoke, somebody responded to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and came forward to recommit their life to Christ. “Pastor Willie is so cool!” proclaimed one attendee. “I love to listen to his stories.” This sentiment was echoed many times during the weekend.

Church members from all over Ohio came to the quaint stone building that sits on a wedge-shaped property in the city. The Tudor styling of the church harks back to another era. However, with added audio-visual technology, the transition to a usable space for a growing congregaMike Stevenson, Ohio Conference youth director, happily welcomes his friend and tion makes worship an enjoyable expericolleague in ministry—Pastor Willie Ramos (right)—to Cleveland for Youth ence. Pastor Ramos used this setting to Evangelism Week at the Ebenezer Spanish church. its full advantage, making strong appeals that found their mark in many hearts.

Time will tell as to the lasting effects of this week of visit. Prayers ascend daily that soon two services will evangelistic outreach. One thing is for sure: The neighborbe needed to accommodate those wanting to hear of hood will not be the same after the “ghetto preacher’s” Jesus’ love and soon return.—Mike Stevenson

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Youth Enjoy Spiritual Feast in West Virginia s the saying goes, “There is strength in numbers.”

This is always true when God’s children gather around His Word, feeding hungrily and washing it down with draughts from the Music of Life. The latest youth “feeding frenzy” was held in downtown Wheeling, W.Va., where youth and sponsors from churches in the Mountain View, Ohio, and Pennsylvania conferences gathered. For an entire weekend, they were treated to a white linen experience, complete with all the trimmings.

For the first course, Ohio Conference Youth Ministries director Mike Stevenson served up a large portion of encouragement. He reminded attendees to “continue the incarnation of Jesus Christ by following the wellworn pathways and talking to people while traveling with them.”

Sabbath morning the offerings were no less enticing. Pastor Kevin Sears, interim youth pastor at Sacramento Central in California, served up practical lessons in how to approach those who are hungry for the Bread of Life but just don’t know it. Penny and

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Terry Hainal, directors of North American Division Youth Emergency Services, presented the many challenges that need the help of trained young people.

Opportunity to walk off some of the feast came Sabbath afternoon. Groups of attendees went out door-to-door looking for people who needed prayer.

Others went to a nearby park and presented an impromptu puppet show, much to the delight of the local children. Several moms gave their e-mail addresses to Mountain View Conference Youth Ministries director Abe Rivas for future contact of a spiritual nature.

By Sunday morning the attendees were beginning to long for home and hearth. They left strengthened and invigorated with many ideas of what can happen in their neck of the woods.—Mike Stevenson Mission Ohio is published in the Visitor by the Ohio Conference ■ P. O. Box 1230, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 Phone: (740) 397-4665 ■ President, Raj Attiken Editor, Bette Toscano ■ www.ohioadventist.org

DECEMBER 2005

God’s Work Is Amazing od has done amazing things in Pennsylvania this last year. As I have visited various churches, I have heard about the many ways He is at work through our members. In western Pennsylvania, members have seen scores of children come to know Christ through Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs. One church (New Brighton) held their VBS last Christmas instead of the usual summer time, and then followed up with a Mother’s Day giftmaking event for the same children. The Lewisburg church in the middle of our state recently held their third evangelistic meetings led by lay members. Two of their speakers joined the church at meetings just two years ago. And four years ago, a member in Philadelphia shared her faith with a man who stopped by her home on a business call. While she wondered if her witness had made any difference, he purchased a video series presented by Amazing Facts speaker/director Doug Batchelor. Four years later, he was impressed to watch the videotapes and was led by the Holy Spirit to visit Chestnut Hill, the very church where this lady is a member. Two months ago, he was baptized.

I believe God is going to enlarge these experiences throughout our churches in 2006. As we daily offer Him the opportunity to live, shine, speak, and work through us, we can have conRay Hartwell President fidence in what He is able to do. And we will continue to be amazed by what He is doing.

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Marriage “Tune-Up” Planned for February ad a tune-up for your car lately? Changed the air filters for your heating and air conditioning system recently? Cleaned the leftovers out of your refrigerator (before they climb out on their own) recently? These are necessities for everyday life. Now, what about a tune-up for your marriage? Whether you’ve been married four months or four decades, a “tune-up” is just as necessary for you and the most important person in your life.

A great way to get that tune-up is to attend the conference-wide marriage retreat February 10-12, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Holidome in York, Pa. The hotel (easily accessed from anywhere in the state) features an onsite meeting location, pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and indoor miniature golf. Speakers Marvin and Ingrid Wray will begin presenting Friday at 7:30 p.m. Meals include a simple Sabbath breakfast basket in your room, a hearty boxed lunch, a Saturday evening banquet, and a hot breakfast buffet on Sunday. There will be seminars all day Sabbath with a long lunch break. That evening, there will be a formal “moonlight and roses” banquet with a Victorian theme. Attendees may wear Victorianera masks or costumes. Prizes will be awarded for the most romantic, authentic, and unique costumes. The weekend concludes with seminars on Sunday morning.

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For reservations, contact the Pennsylvania Conference Family Ministries Department at (610) 3748331 or e-mail jeanhartwell@cs.com. Credit card reservations will be accepted online at www.paconference.org. Click on “Ministries” and then “Family Life” for the retreat application. Cost per couple: $215. Sign up soon and receive a gift certificate to share as a Christmas or Valentine’s gift with your parents, friends, or married children, etc.

—Jeanne Hartwell

Couples from Pennsylvania, like Jon and Lisa Larrabee of the Reading (Pa.) Hampden Heights church, are invited to enjoy a weekend at the upcoming conference marriage retreat.

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Pennsylvania Korean Sponsors NEWSTART Program he Pennsylvania Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church in Philadelphia was overwhelmed at the number of people who recently registered for their 11th NEWSTART health program. Their facility can comfortably hold 25 people for a weeklong, live-in health seminar, but more than 40 wanted to attend. So, they scrambled to make another sleeping room available and were able to accommodate 32 participants.

To begin each new program, international speaker Joon Rhee (left), MD, PhD, MPH of Loma Linda, Calif., outlines biblical principles.

Teaching from John 1:14, Rhee shares that truth encompasses the physical laws while grace deals with God’s mercy and salvation.

People need a balance of the two, he says, and Jesus lived this example. Every lecture includes a spiritual application. “As people accept [physical] truths, they begin to open

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Evening song service, which included hand motions and movement, energized participants and prepared them for the evening message.

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up to doctrinal truths and grow toward baptism,” Rhee says.

A team of 34 volunteers, 14 fulltime, conducts the program. Each day, participants rise at 6 a.m. and enjoy walks at a nearby park, health lectures, song services, and three healthy yet simple meals. Before bed at 9:30 p.m., the volunteers visit and pray with each of them.

Though many come with skepticism and doubt, they leave changed.

One of the full-time volunteers knows first hand the difference the NEWSTART program makes. Taek Kim was once diagnosed with diabetes and other health problems.

The NEWSTART program changed his life, not just physically, but spiritually. Kim had no knowledge of God before attending the meetings, but as a result of all he learned, he chose to be baptized. Today he not only volunteers, but has involved seven to 10 friends.

Church member and psychiatrist Sung Park believes that the series is not only a means of providing tools for people to live healthier physical lives, but an evangelistic outreach. “There’s a lot of stress in people’s lives today,” he says.

“Through NEWSTART they learn how to take care of their bodies. It’s almost like a manual on how to live a healthy life. … It’s [also] a good bridge for those who have never heard of our church.”

Another member, Timothy Chung, helps coordinate the program. He wants people to live a healthy life and connect to God. “We’d like to have people see the love of God, not just prophecy or doctrines,” he states. “Everyone can have a healthy life and experience heaven starting now.”

Park believes the program will continue to grow. Already overflowing their large facility, this will mean improving their building and providing more dormitory-style rooms.

But members believe it is worth the

These ladies, who prepare three healthy meals each day, are part of the 34-member team that makes Pennsylvania Korean church’s NEWSTART health program a success.

effort, especially when they listen to testimonies like that of the man who recently sang special music.

Thirteen years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer and went several places looking for treatment. His prognosis wasn’t good. Then he heard about the NEWSTART program and as a result of what he learned, is thankful he is still able to sing for God.

December 3 Shermansdale Youth 10 11

Sabbath Hanover Youth Sabbath ABC Christmas Sale

January 28-29 NCD Phase 2 Coaches Training, Conference Office, Reading, Pa. 29-Feb. 4 North American Division and Inter-American Division Health Ministries Summit, Orlando Pennsylvania Pen is published in the Visitor by the Pennsylvania Conference 720 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611 Phone: (610) 374-8331, ext. 210 President, Ray Hartwell ■ Editor, Tamyra Horst ■ www.paconference.org

DECEMBER 2005

New Executive Committee Engages in Visioning Retreat he newly-elected, 27-member Potomac Conference Executive Committee and their families met last month for a retreat in Staunton, Va. The guest speaker for the weekend was Damein Johnson, senior pastor at the conference’s Pennsylvania Avenue church in Washington, D.C. Developing the weekend theme, “Embrace the Vision,” Johnson challenged attendees to not only believe, but live and practice the principle of Matthew 14:22-36 exemplified by Peter’s water-walking adventure. Johnson encouraged attendees to “step out of the boat of complacency and security into the waters of the unknown, fully trusting in God’s promise.”

Pennsylvania Avenue church Pastor President Dave Damein Johnson challenged Weigley asked comPotomac Conference Executive mittee members and Committee members to “Embrace guests to contemthe Vision.”

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Attendees engaged in activities that helped them get better acquainted.

plate their values. Faith and integrity superseded all others. In conclusion, they pledged to “embrace the vision” through evangelism, education, leadership and discipleship development, youth ministry, and revival.

After Sabbath, conference administrators, committee members, and their families, spent time engaging in fun activities that helped them get better acquainted.

NEWS North Valley Welcomes New Pastors Recently the North Valley church in Roanoke, Va., welcomed two new pastors—Senior Pastor Pete Watts (left) and Associate Pastor Michael Hewitt (right).

They replace the church’s previous pastor, Jeff Taylor, who accepted a call to the Luray and Stanley churches, also in Virginia.

North Valley Saddened by Death of 104-Year-Old Member The North Valley church was saddened by the recent death of Minnie Marie Catron Cregger. The 104-year-old Cregger was a charter member of both the Roanoke (Va.) Memorial church and the North Valley church. During her 50 years as a member at Memorial church, she was a

faithful worker in Adventist Community Services. For the last 11 years of her life, she was a member of North Valley where she focused her interests on the building of the new church. Cregger’s sharp wit and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

North Valley VBS Features “Serengeti Trek” The 2005 Vacation Bible School at the North Valley church attracted 33 children. Under the theme “Serengeti Trek” participants were shown how to talk to God, have Him in their lives, work for Him, and tell others about Him. The teachers used Bible Adventures, including the story of Gideon and Daniel in the lions’ den, as examples of how to stand up for God. Coordinators Beth Hewitt and Judy Mullins, and many helpers and volunteers, made it a very successful program.—Ruth Wyrick

DECEMBER 2005

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Conference Hosts Pastor/Teacher Convention early 280 pastors and teachers attended the Potomac Conference Pastor/Teacher Convention in Richmond, Va., recently. During the two-day convention, there were inspiring speakers, powerful seminars, and plenty of time for fellowship. There was also a teacher’s commissioning service honoring those with many years of services.

The theme for the convention was “Making it Happen Together—Jesus, You, and Me.” Kirk and Carolyn Guidry taught powerful breakout sessions for principals utilizing a technique called “management by walking around.” In this seminar the Guidrys help principals plan their schedule so they are actively involved in their teachers’ classrooms. In addition, Jim Tucker gave

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Ron Halvorsen, Jr., new senior pastor at Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., presents a morning devotional.

President Dave Weigley (center) prays with teachers and staff from the Potomac Conference Education Department.

Larry Marsh, Potomac Conference vice president for education, presents commissioning certificates to teachers Carmen Esposito (left) and Lisa Whitsett.

teachers fresh food for thought with his seminar “Principles of Instruction.”

Five different seminars—presented by pastors Randy Barber, Charles Brown, David Gemmell, Ricardo Norton, and Emil Peeler—challenged and inspired the others. “I want to hear them all!” exclaimed one pastor.

Recording artist Yolanda Innocent-Palmer (pictured, left) shared a moving testimony and beautiful concert that was followed by keynote speaker and author Dale Henry. He inspired listeners to treat people they encounter as their most valued customer.

The seminars and breakout sessions, concert, testimonies, and fellowship were outstanding. But there was more. Spirit-filled worships given by pastors Ron Halvorsen, Jr. and Henry Wright, as well as conference president Dave Weigley, left the attendees changed, inspired, and renewed.

“The speakers were tremendous,” said Kermit Netteburg, associate pastor at Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md. “In addition, the spiritual fellowship renewed my soul, and that was the most important thing.”

“I’ve been to many educational meetings and conventions throughout the years,” commented one school principal. “The information I gained at this pastor/ teacher convention will [stay] with me for the rest of my life.”

Potomac People is published in the Visitor by the Potomac Conference ■ 606 Greenville Ave., Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 886-0771 ■ www.pcsda.org ■ President, Dave Weigley ■ Editor, Janet Olsyne

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DECEMBER 2005

Finding Peace Through Faith am a product of Seventh-day Adventist education. My elementary years were spent in a multigrade classroom with school enrollment ranging from 12 to 20. Our pastor gave us baptismal classes and I sincerely complied.

Before I knew it my eighth-grade graduation was upon me and another phase of my education was soon to begin.

Academy was a wonderful experience with many classes, friends, gymnastics tours, and required spiritual programs. Even though we complained, it was at one of those required spiritual programs that a speaker presented the message of righteousness by faith. It was the first time I had heard that message. I only needed to hear it once. That night I publicly committed my life to Christ.

College came quickly and my world continued to expand. After two years in an Adventist college and a year as a taskforce dean, it was clear that the Lord was calling me into education. I returned to college with a renewed motivation to learn how to be a teacher. Four years later, I had my credentials.

The whirlwind of marriage, children, teaching, and serving as a dean consumed me. Nine years later I found myself in a very distant relationship with the Lord. I was working for Him but did not truly know Him. Once again the Lord presented the message of righteousness by faith. This time it was through reading about His life in Messiah, a contemporary adaptation of Ellen White’s The Desire of Ages.

I moved from Washington State to Maryland this summer. During that transition, the Lord impressed me to dig deeply into the book of Romans. Once again, I found myself being thrilled by the message of righteousness by faith. Of course, Paul took me beyond righteousness by faith and I began to grasp the concept of sanctification and glorification. The more you read, the better it gets.

That simple, yet life-changing message, that thrilled me as a teenager and re-converted me as a teacher, gives me peace as the new principal of Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA). What a wonderful Saviour we serve. As Paul says so simply in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Are you at peace with Brian Kittleson Principal God? You can be.

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Spencerville Student Wins Scholastic Writing Award n the spring of 2005, Ellen Poirier, then a junior at SAA, was awarded the Gold Key in the Region-atLarge and the Silver Award at the national level of The Scholastic Writing Awards of 2005 for her short story “Similar Disimilarity.” Poirier’s short story juxtaposed the thought processes from both a teacher’s and student’s perspective as they encounter each other and learn to respect one another. Her story was published in the May 9 issue of the scholastic magazine Scope, along with other award-winning young artists and writers. In June, Poirier attended a national awards celebration at Carnegie Hall in New York City where she wore the medal she had been presented and mingled with other award recipients. Now engaged in her senior year at SAA, Poirier looks back on her experience of becoming an award-winning and published author as, “an incredibly humbling and honorable experience that I will always remember.”—Carrie Hess

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Senior Ellen Poirier traveled to Carnegie Hall in New York City to accept her writing awards.

DECEMBER 2005

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Retreat Bonds Students Spiritually and Socially ecently, on the cloudless morning, the high school students of SAA arrived at Prince William Forest in Triangle, Va., to embark on a voyage of deeper spiritual understanding, fellowship, and bonding. In an effort to unite the high school spiritually and socially, the administration prepared athletic games that tested not only physical strength but the prowess of the mind.

The weekend was more than just fun and games. Students enjoyed the energetic song services led by Greg Taylor, sophomore and senior Bible teacher. “The song services resulted [for me] in a very spiritfilled connection with the Lord,” exclaimed sophomore Esteban Covarrubias. Students bonded with one another as they harmonized and sang together.

The Friday night hike was filled with jokes and laughter as old friends were reunited and new friends were made. It even included

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Friends Hilary Marquina (left) and Jenny Richards, both freshmen, relax for a few moments between activities.

a spiritual aspect. There was praise singing in the dark, and moments were set apart for quiet and reflective thinking. “I liked the singing and it was fun to walk around and meet new people,” noted freshman Sarah Quimby.

When asked about her experience at the retreat, junior Tori Hudgins responded, “I liked that [the retreat] was very spiritual and that [the students] were able to be uninhibited. I got to meet more people and see them outside of school.”—Grace Shinn ’07

While participating in team building activities, students worked together to solve problems and accomplish difficult tasks.

CA L E N DA R December 11 ACT Testing 15 Christmas Concert 19-Jan. 2 Christmas Break

January 3 13 16 21-22

School Resumes End of Quarter No School Erin Boyer Tournament

Visit www.spencervilleacademy.org for a more extensive listing of dates.

Senior Kelsey Correia and sophomore Heidi Davenport help provide music for song service.

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Sophomore Erin Gibb (left) and freshman Seema Khandagle have fun trying to see how many people can fit on a small square of tarp.

Spotlight is published in the Visitor by the Spencerville Adventist Academy 15930 Good Hope Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20905 ■ Phone: (301) 421-9101 www.spencervilleacademy.org Principal, Brian Kittleson Editor, Heidi Wetmore

05 20 ER MB CE DE

A Time to Acknowledge Christ is the season to be thankful for all that Christ has done. I love the Christmas season and look forward to it each year. (No, not just the gifts, although I love to get those, too!) Christ has done so much for us, and this is the one season where the world acknowledges His existence. Although we know Christ wasn’t born on December 25, that’s the day the world acknowledges Him. Oh, I pray that they would acknowledge Him in their lives everyday. But that acknowledgment first has to start in my own heart.

I pray that I exemplify Christ in a tangible way in my personal life and in my ministry to young people. I also pray that Takoma Academy (TA) will acknowledge Christ by example—in our walk, talk, and by how we live.

Our motto is “With Christ our Diversity Becomes Community.” And while we do look a lot like heaven, our desire is to represent the Christ acknowledged mostly at Christmastime—all through the year.

C. Dunbar Henri Our doors are always open; come by and visit!

Principal

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TA Donates Vehicle to Katrina Survivors hen weathermen began forecasting that Hurricane Katrina would be one of the worst storms in United States history, New Orleans residents Jamal and Carlnetta Rabb realized that they would have to leave their home. But where would they go? Fortunately the Rabbs have good friends living in Maryland who graciously opened their home and hearts to the displaced family of four. They packed up their two children and a few belongings, and joined the multitude of people fleeing Louisiana.

Even in the most difficult of situations, however, blessings can be counted. Unbeknownst to the Rabbs, their hosts are related to a Because of Hurricane Katrina, the Rabb family left most of their possessions, including their car, in New Orleans. Thanks to TA’s auto donation program, they will begin rebuildfaculty member at TA who knew ing their lives with a refurbished Dodge Caravan. Pictured left to right: Richard about the school’s auto donation Benjamin, auto donation program director; principal C. Dunbar Henri; Jamal (holding program. After they were made Rashad) and Carlnetta Rabb; and Jeff Whitsett, auto mechanics teacher. aware of the Rabb’s need for transportation, school administrators decided to donate a vehicle to these new Maryland inspection. “It really warmed my heart to be Maryland residents. able to help this family,” said Richard Benjamin, direcOn a recent Monday, Jamal, Carlnetta, and their tor of the auto donation program. “TA wants to make a younger son, Rashad, were given the keys and title to difference, not just in the lives of our students, but in a 1993 Dodge Caravan. Jeff Whitsett, TA’s auto the community at large.” mechanics instructor, and his students made sure the For information about TA’s auto donation program, Caravan was in great condition and ready to pass call (301) 434-4700, ext. 753.

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DECEMBER 2005

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TA Welcomes 150 Students to Academy Day akoma Academy recently opened its doors to 150 prospective students from Adventist elementary schools in Maryland and Virginia, including Beltsville, Frederick, G.E. Peters, John Nevins Andrews, Olney, Sligo, and Vienna.

They enjoyed a rousing worship service, social mixer, tours of classes in progress, a complimentary lunch, and a co-ed basketball game featuring the visiting eighth-graders versus TA’s freshmen. During the

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midday gathering, guests were pleasantly surprised with an audiovisual presentation of photographs taken by TA students and staff throughout the morning. Two students from Vienna were the winners of scholarships equal to one month’s tuition at TA for the upcoming school year. Each young student left TA with a souvenir gift bag and a small glimpse of what is meant by the saying “With Christ, our Diversity Becomes Community.”

Junior Michael Alami assists a guest student in TA’s computer lab.

TA Events December 5

Parent and Teacher Association Meeting, 7 p.m.

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TA Christmas Concert, Sligo church, 7 p.m.

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Band and Choirs Perform, Sligo church, 11:15 a.m.

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Gospel Choir Concert, Liberty church, Baltimore

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Camerata/Chorale Concert, Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church

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Fine Arts Performance and TA Christmas Assembly, 9:30 a.m.

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School Closes at Noon

Students lead out in song service during joint worship.

Elementary school guests get a taste of high school classes.

Students from Olney (Md.) Adventist Preparatory enjoy worship.

invites you to apply early and save!

19-Jan. 2 Christmas Break

Jeff Whitsett tells guests about TA’s Auto Mechanics program.

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Submit your application for the 2006-07 school year prior to January 1, 2006 and we’ll waive the $50 application fee!

TA Today is published in the Visitor

by Takoma Academy ■ 8120 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 ■ Phone: (301) 434-4700 ■ Principal, C. Dunbar Henri ■ www.ta.edu

Sligo Church Presents:

New Community Fellowship A Different Way to Worship A Different Way to Praise 7700 Carroll Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 Every Sabbath 6-7:15 p.m.

Everyone Welcome!

Call (301) 270-6777, ext.122 www.4fellowship.com Refreshments Served Free Childcare

BULLETIN BOARD Advertising Guidelines and Rates The Columbia Union Visitor accepts classified advertising as a service to its members. Announcements such as church-sponsored events, legal notices, obituaries, and retirements of church workers will be printed without charge on a space-available basis. The Visitor reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or announcement and does not guarantee the integrity of any product or service advertised.

First-time advertisers who are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church must submit a letter of recommendation from their pastor or conference leadership. First-time advertisers who are not members of the Adventist church must submit letters of recommendation from business members of their community or credit bureaus.

Payment must accompany all advertisement(s). We do not bill for classified or display advertising and tear sheets are not provided unless prior arrangements are made. Checks and money orders are accepted. Make checks payable to Columbia Union Visitor and mail together with classified advertisement and recommendations (if applicable) to: Sandra Jones, Columbia Union Visitor, 5427 Twin Knolls Rd., Columbia, MD 21045 and display advertising to Celeste Ryan at the same address.

Rates for classified advertising are calculated on a per insertion basis in our 12 issues. Minimum charge is $40 for 50 words or less for ads originating within the Columbia Union Conference, and $50 for all others. Additional words: 60 cents each. A 15 percent discount is given for 12 insertions, a 10 percent discount for six insertions, and a five percent discount for three insertions. A column ad (classified ad in a box) is $105 inside the union and $125 outside the union, with a maximum word count of 75. Ads must be placed a minimum of four weeks before the issue date, which is the first of every month.

Word count is based upon the spaces between words.

Display Advertising: For rates and information, go to www.columbiaunion.org or call (888) 4-VISITOR and ask for Celeste Ryan at ext. 220.

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMERS JAVA/J2EE DEVELOPERS NEEDED. Exciting growing company seeks J2EE developers and project leaders. Stafford and Reston, Va., and Rockville, Md., locations. You can obtain a secret and/or TS Clearance. To apply: recruiting@platinumsolutions.com or call (703) 471-9793 x 215; www.platinumsolutions.com.

MEDIA/DIRECTOR PRODUCER: Amazing Facts, an international Christian media ministry, is seeking a team player with a degree in media studies, TV production, or equivalent education with 5+ years experience. Need strong supervisory experience and good people skills. Position requires a history of Christian dedication and willingness to relocate to Sacramento area. All applicants must be cleared or approved to work in the United States. Please contact Joe Fields at joef@amazingfacts.org to submit your cover letter and resume, or call (916) 434-3880.

ADVENTIST JOBNET is the source for finding jobs or finding employees. Designed for Adventist businesses and professionals, we offer a hiring bonus of up to $500 to applicants hired through us. Geared for all professionals-teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, etc. New jobs listed daily.

Visit us today at www.AdventistJobNet.com.

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HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS NEEDED Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC), a Seventh-day Adventist community service, has a variety of openings for healthcare professionals interested in immediate placement. SMMC is a 383bed, acute care facility located in beautiful Johnson County, Kansas. This family-friendly community offers a safe and relaxed atmosphere, high quality schools, and easy access to museums, cultural arts, and professional sports teams.

Please contact the job line: (800) 845-6212 or click on Employment: www.shawneemission.org for a listing of open positions.

For more information contact: Brad Hoffman Administrative Director of Human Resources (913) 676-2020 Resumes may be faxed to: (913) 676-2019

MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGER in Laurel, Md., needed for Adventist Christian podiatrist.

Must have billing and collection experience. Call Deborah at (301) 596-9311.

HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST: Amazing Facts, an international Christian media ministry, is looking for a certified human resource specialist to join our team. Need 5+ years experience, a degree in a relevant field, and proven skills in staff development. Position requires a history of Christian dedication and willingness to relocate to Sacramento area. All applicants must be cleared or approved to work in the United States. Please contact Joe Fields at joef@amazingfacts.org to submit your cover letter and resume or call (916) 434-3880.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, an Adventist Health System 63bed acute care facility located in beautiful Southeastern Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forrest, has various openings for missionminded healthcare professionals.

For current postings, visit www.manchestermemorial.org and click on Employment or contact the job line at (800) 872-8616.

Resumes and applications may be faxed to (606) 599-2506. Contact Joe Skula, human resources director, at (606) 598-4510 or joe.skula@ahss.org for further information.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD: New home-based business opportunity is changing ordinary lives into extraordinary lives.

What you earn is up to you.

Call (866) 796-6178, Mannatech Independent Associate.

WEBMASTER/WEB DEVELOPER: Amazing Facts, an international Christian media ministry, is seeking a webmaster with software development skills in ASP and ASP.Net. A minimum of 3 years experience writing Web site applications accessing information from Microsoft SQL database is a must.

Experience with Photoshop and Web site design experience a major plus. Please contact Joe Fields at joef@amazingfacts.org to submit your cover letter and resume or call (916) 434-3880.

ELTERNHAUS INC. ASSISTED LIVING, near Columbia Md., needs a kind, adaptable Adventist personal care giver. Must read, understand, and follow instructions to provide resident assistance with ADL's, cooking, housekeeping, care of plants, and aesthetic decorating.

Position is hourly. Bedroom/bathroom or apartment possible for right person. Call (410) 707-7071 for information.

SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY seeks committed Adventist professors, July 1, 2006, to fill the following openings: ESL, Computer Science, History, and Spanish.

Further information available at www.nadeducation.org/ employment/higher_education.html.

MAJOR GIFT LIAISON: Amazing Facts, an international Christian media ministry, needs a self-starter with at least 5 years in high-end donor relations and gift acquisitions. Must be independently motivated, willing to travel, and have top-notch interpersonal skills.

Position requires a history of Christian dedication and willingness to relocate to Sacramento area. All applicants must be cleared or approved to work in the United States. Please contact Joe Fields at joef@amazingfacts.org to submit your cover letter and resume or call (916) 434-3880.

MISCELLANEOUS DEGREE IN CHAPLAINCY: If you are a working adult wanting to specialize in chaplaincy ministries, a new master’s degree in education with a concentration in Clinical Ministry (Chaplaincy) is now being offered at Atlantic Union College, South Lancaster, Mass. Twice yearly intensives—two weeks each on campus—January and May. Some classes online or as independent study. Upcoming sessions: January 8-12, 2006, and/or 15-20. Threeyear completion possible. Financial aid available. For more information: (978) 368-2430 or clinicalministry@atlanticuc.edu.

COMPARE PRICES! FLORIDA LIVING RETIREMENT, an active senior community near Orlando, rolling hills and stately trees, now accepting names for one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Dining room with vegetarian meals, activities, heated pool, church on grounds, near camp meeting.

Transportation, meals, and housekeeping available. Conference owned. For information call Sharon or Areta (407) 862-2646 or (800) 729-8017.

BECKER SUBARU has special pricing for members on new Subaru vehicles and used cars. Choose from 300 new Subarus or 150 used cars. Drop shipment available on ordered new cars anywhere in the United States. Call Becker Subaru (800) 671-3636. Ask for member sales.

BOOKS—BUY, SELL, OR PUBLISH: We print, buy, and sell Adventist books. Find out-of-print titles fast.

Get your book printed quickly. We do it all. Call (800) 732-2664 for information, or visit our internet site at www.lnfbooks.com.

BULLETIN BOARD CHRISTMAS SALE now in progress! Features big discounts on children’s books, cookbooks, health books, and two new witnessing magazines.

Whispers of His Love presents the sanctuary message in a relationship with Jesus, the Lamb of God and our great High Priest. Messengers of Light features the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14.

Beautifully illustrated, free samples.

Ask about quantity discounts. Call (800) 777-2848.

SOMEONE ON YOUR GIFT LIST needs the Adventist Review.

Only $36.95. (800) 456-3991; www.AdventistReview.org.

FIGHT HIGH GAS PRICES!!

New patented fuel catalyst.

Guaranteed to increase gas mileage up to 35%. Increase power and extend engine life.

Nine years of research and testing. For each $1 you spend on EnviroMax Plus, you'll save $2 in fuel mileage. Visit www.koliadko.myextremeresearch.com, ID: 3309701; or e-mail koliadko@telpage.net; or call Dan Koliadko, (800) 691-4503.

EVANGELISM PRIORITY #1: "If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the Scriptures." (4T, p. 390).

Get equipped for the job! Call PROJECT: Steps to Christ at (800) 728-6872 to learn how. info@projectstc.org / www.projectstc.org.

PREPAID PHONE CARDS: Multiple types and rates for the Continental United States and international countries. Multiple types ranging from one cent to 1.5 cents per minute (no connection fee). Consider using these for your missionary endeavors, gifts for students, or travel. Call LJ PLUS (770) 441-6022 or toll-free (888) 441-7688.

2006 WORKSHOP ON NATURAL REMEDIES AND HYDROTHERAPY: Andrews University Seminary offers this popular workshop from August 6-11. For information and preregistration, call Fran McMullen at (269) 471-3541 or e-mail fran@andrews.edu.

REAL ESTATE PHYLLIS NEWMAN SELLS MARYLAND REAL ESTATE for both buyers and sellers. Call (800) 586-4669 Re/Max Realty Center, Inc. See our Web site at: www.homesdatabase.com/ realestate. This site gives you MLS access by state, county, zip code, price range, bedrooms/ bathrooms, etc. Call me or e-mail phyllisnewman@realtor.com.

LOOKING FOR AN ADVENTIST REALTOR IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY? I am an '82 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) and a 28-year resident of the valley. I will do what I can to make your move here an easy one! I will also donate $250 to SVA if you buy through me or refer a client to me. Call me, Brad Martin, at (540) 476-4503 for any of your real estate needs.

BUYING OR SELLING IN MARYLAND OR D.C.?

A home is your most important financial decision. To obtain the best results in this complex, dynamic market requires a knowledgeable and dependable agent. Clyde and Phyllis Kinder/ Weichert Realtors offer expertise, knowledge, and experience. Free Market Analysis. For information without obligation, call (301) 7763380; e-mail jckinder@mris.com.

SERVICES SINGLE AND OVER 50?

The only interracial group exclusively for all singles over 50. Stay home and meet new friends in the United States with a Pen Pal monthly newsletter of members and album. For information, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ASO50 or EBONY CHOICE ASO50, 2747 Nonpareil, Sutherlin, OR 97479.

THE CARRENO CONNECTION Mel & Lisa Carreno, experienced real estate agents with Keller Williams Realty, would be honored to help you buy or sell a home in Maryland, D.C., or Virginia.

What is your home worth?

Are you ready for a move?

Weighing your options?

Whether you are thinking of selling, buying, or investing, contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

You can also visit our Web site to search properties or to get free home seller or buyer reports at www.carrenoconnection.com

MARYLAND ADVENTIST PODIATRIST: Dr. Scott Nutter, highly trained, experienced, and board certified, is available in several locations to help your foot/ankle problems, including arthritis, heel pain, spurs, diabetes, callouses, ingrown nails, sprains, fractures, warts, bunions, etc. Surgery, if it is needed, at Adventist hospitals. Laurel-(301) 317-6800; Greenbelt-(301) 3455200; or Columbia-(410) 5316350.

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN WHO'S BEING PRICED OUT OF HEALTH INSURANCE? Cut your healthcare expenses in half. Join 55,000+ Christians who share one another's medical bills.

Choose any doctor, any hospital, anywhere in the world. Check out this nonprofit program. For a free guidelines booklet, call (888) 3467895 or visit www.healthcaregodsway.com.

MOVING? Special Adventist rates and guarantees! Air Van northAmerican is a nationwide mover. Whether you're moving a few items or a truckload, don't move before calling Air Van. It will assure peace of mind and a cost-effective move. Please call (800) 525-1177 to speak with a representative.

CONSIDERING HOMESCHOOLING? Home Study International is the only Christian, accredited course provider for preschool through college. All courses can be taken individually or as a total curriculum. Earn a high school diploma or finish a college degree. Home Study International, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; (800) 782-4769; www.hsi.edu.

DOLLY RECORD ASSOCIATE BROKER WITH LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC. Over 13 years of excellence, honesty, and integrity in the real estate market.

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Call for all your real estate needs.

(301) 384-8700 (office)

melandlisa@comcast.net Se habla Español

FOOT AND ANKLE MEDICAL OFFICE: Premier Podiatry Services is eager to help you get "back on your feet." Dr. Rhonda Nelson, an Adventist podiatrist seeks to provide you with exceptional podiatric care while relieving your foot and ankle discomfort.

Flexible office hours are available.

Office location: Largo, Md.; (301) 773-1199.

ARE YOU MOVING SOON? Before you rent a U-Haul and do it yourself, check our price and save yourself the hassle. Plan ahead now and reserve a time slot. Fast, direct, and economical.

Contact Gary Erhard, Erhard Furniture, 6681 U.S. 31, Berrien Springs, MI; phone (269) 4717366 evenings from 8-11 p.m., E.T. CHRISTIANSINGLESDATING. COM Free 14-day trial! Join thousands and thousands of active Adventist singles online. Free chat, search, detailed profiles, and match notifications! Date chat, two-way compatibility match, 10 photos, and confidential online mail.

Witnessing opportunities to the world through articles, friendships, chat, and forums. Since 1993. Adventist owners.

Thousands of successful matches. Top ranked.

MOVE WITH AN AWARDWINNING AGENCY: Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for your relocation needs. Adventist beliefs uncompromised. Call Marcy Danté at (800) 766-1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at www.apexmoving.com/adventist/.

Toll-free:

Successful Computer Dating Exclusively for Adventists Since 1974

(800) 853-3236, ext. 230

ADVENTIST CONTACT

(443) 745-4017 (cell) Mel: (301) 237-1650 Lisa: (410) 905-8282 Office: (800) 757-6199

MARYLAND ADVENTIST DENTIST: David Lee, D.D.S., PA, has a comprehensive dental office in Silver Spring and in Ellicott City, Maryland. He is excellent with children and adults, and is highly trained in Cosmetic Dentistry and Implants. For appointments call: Silver Spring (301) 649-5001; Ellicott City (410) 461-6655.

Mention this ad and receive 10% discount on all services (excludes third party payers). Our office is a participating provider with Adventist Risk Management.

E-mail: dolly.record@longandfoster. com

P.O. Box 5419 Takoma Park, MD 20913 (301) 589-4440

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BULLETIN BOARD SINGLES: Introducing Adventists discreetly and confidentially since 1987.

We have a magazine format with personal ads, plus enlightening and uplifting articles. For information on obtaining friendship, fellowship, or companionship, mail a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: DISCOVER, 15550 Burnt Store Road, #153, Punta Gorda, FL 33955 or e-mail petmoren@cs.com.

ASSISTED LIVING: We have a dedicated and caring staff to provide support for those who require supervision and assistance with activities of daily living and access to necessary healthcare. Two locations: Rolling Knoll Assisted Living, Temple Hills, Md. (301) 316-7016; and Jackson House Assisted Living, Boston, Va. (at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains), (540) 987-8746.

WELCOME TO DENTAL EXCELLENCE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH at 831 University Blvd., East, Suite 36B, Silver Spring, MD 20903. Discount program: 10% for singles; 15% for family.

Telephone: (301) 431-1660.

EARN A GOOD LIVING while being a medical missionary.

Eligibility of 500 hours to take the National Boards. Our unique medical approach to massage provides cutting-edge skills for treating patients referred by physicians, as well as solid training in simple remedies, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle education. Founded by Charles Thomas. www.deserttherapy.org; (866) 886-8867.

TRAVEL/VACATION HERITAGE SINGERS 35-YEAR CELEBRATION CRUISE: March 19-26, 2006. Join us for a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise featuring special “Through the Years” concerts and Christian comedian, former Heritage Singer Pete McLeod. Call Inspiration Cruises today and join the Heritage Singers 35th Anniversary Celebration, (800) 247-1899.

RVs! Adventist owned and operated RV dealership has been helping Adventists for over 30 years.

Huge inventory. Courtesy airport pickup and on-site hookups.

Satisfied Adventist customer list available. Call toll-free (888) 933-9300. Lee's RV City, Oklahoma City. Visit our Web site at www.leesrv.com or e-mail LeesRVs@aol.com.

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VISITOR

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE YOU AN ALUM OF HIGHLAND ACADEMY, PORTLAND, TENN.?

Plan now to attend the 2006 Alumni Weekend from Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2.

The theme is “A Working While We Wait.” Honor classes include 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, and 2001. The fifth annual golf outing will be held Friday morning, March 31. Vespers will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in the Highland church. The class of ‘56 and other honor classes will be featured during vespers.

Members of the honor classes who sang in trios, quartets or duets, are invited to participate in the vespers program by contacting Edwin Shafer, HA Alumni President, at eshafer@mindspring.com. Jim and Jean Ayars (1956) will be providing music during the weekend as well.

UNION COLLEGE HOMECOMING WEEKEND: Alumni, friends, and former faculty are invited to “Celebrating a Century of Service: Golden Cords 1906-2006,” April 6-9, 2006. All Union College alumni who have had a golden cord hung in their honor are invited to this special celebration. Special honor classes: 1936, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1966, 1976, 1981, 1986, and 1996.

For more information, contact the Alumni Office: (402) 486-2503, 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 or alumni@ucollege.edu.

OBITUARIES CALBI, Wayne M., born December 4, 1953, in Bronx, N.Y.; died September 27, 2004, in West Friendship, Md. He was a member of the Beltsville (Md.) church. Wayne began working at the General Conference at age 17 in the mail room. He worked several positions, and was the purchasing manager at the time of his death. He is survived by his parents Anthony and Estelle Calbi of Eldersburg, Md.; his wife Jeanette of West Friendship, Md.; and his sister Wendi Calbi of Los Angeles, Calif.

GILPIN, Ruth Jackson Robinson, born January 2, 1914, in Zanesville, Ohio; died October 13, 2005, in Galion, Ohio. She was a member of the Mansfield (Ohio) church.

Survivors: her daughter Janice (Wilbur) Wineland; her son Frank Robinson, Jr.; her brother Everett (Lucille) Jackson; her sister Fern Peterson; six grandchildren— Heather, John, Matthew, Zachary and Jeffery Robinson and Teresa Murphy; and two great-grandchildren—Kendra and Ethan Murphy.

Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 30 Baltimore

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SUNSET CALENDAR CALENDAR SUNSET VISITOR JOB OPENING The Columbia Union Conference is seeking applicants for a position in Communication Services and the Visitor magazine.

Qualified applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in communication or a related field of study and three to four years’ experience in print communication, public relations, and/or marketing. The applicant must also be able to speak, write, and edit in English and Spanish.

Interested persons should send a resume and two published writing samples to: Columbia Union Conference Human Resources Director 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD 21045

Visitor Subscription Information Would you like to receive the Visitor, or are you on the mailing list but have an address change?

Please e-mail: visitorlist@columbiaunion.net or phone toll-free: (888) 4-VISITOR or mail to: Columbia Union Visitor Subscription Services 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD 21045 Please include the name of the conference where your membership is held and your telephone number. If an address change, also send your previous address as listed on the magazine label.

If you live outside the Columbia Union Conference territory, a year’s subscription (12 issues) is $15.

Please make your check payable to: Columbia Union Visitor and mail to the above address.

BULLETIN BOARD JACKSON, Carleton Glenn, born February 23, 1923, in Toledo, Ohio; died September 10, 2005, in Warsaw, Va. He worked for 38 years in denominational work in Chesapeake, Northern New England, New Jersey, and Upper Columbia conferences. He had the privilege of being a teacher, pastor, and principal of Greater Baltimore Academy and Garden State Academy, and in departmental work—education, M.V., stewardship, and trusts. He is survived by his wife Betty; his son Barry; his daughter Gwynne; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

NIKOLIC, Daniel J., born July 19, 1944, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia; died August 11, 2005, in Cleveland Hgts., Ohio. He was a member of the First Community church in Cleveland, Ohio. He founded NOYA (Northern Ohio Youth Association). For years, he led out in youth activities, including Pathfinders. He also was a church elder. He is survived by his wife Josiane Nikolic; his son Vladimir Nikolic; and his daughter Elysabeth Bell.

TUCKER, Charles E., born December 14, 1915, in Quicksburg, Va.; died September 12, 2005, in Timberville, Ohio. He was a life-time member of the New Market (Va.) church. He was a retired farmer and truck driver.

Charles is survived by his wife Mary Runyon Tucker; daughters Patricia Hold, Connie Wagner, and Donna Read; son Richard Tucker; four step-children—Rue Lam, Clyde Runyon, Apryl Donovan, and Lynn Coble; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

SCHRAM, Clarence Andrew, born June 28, 1923, in Newcastle, Neb.; died June 24, 2005, in Woodbridge, Va.. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1944 he married Navy WAVE Mildred Alise Pleasants. Clarence then studied theology at La Sierra University, graduated in 1950, and was ordained in 1955. He pastored various churches in California and was then called to the Potomac Conference where he pastored in Stanley, Charlottesville, and Arlington, Va. In 1969 he completed an MA in Religion from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. From 1972-1980 he did Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Virginia Hospital and Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington, D.C. He

retired in 1990 from full-time pastoral ministry and started his own home improvement business, BCM Carpentry, which he continued until his death. He also worked three years helping to rebuild Camp Blue Ridge, in Montebello, Va. He conducted 5-Day Plan to Stop Smoking programs, worked with ADRA, worked as a chaplain in different hospitals, and did counselling work, as well as directing Pathfinder clubs for school-aged youth in his pastorates. He helped with the construction of the Woodbridge church, and also worked untiringly on completing a church in Stafford County, Va. He passed away before the task was accomplished. He is survived by his wife Middie; his daughters Alise Schram and Nancyan Chilton of Woodbridge, Va.; his granddaughter Shanna Mei-Chu Lim; and great-grandson Jedaiah Lim of Silver Spring, Md. Also surviving are two brothers, Charles Wesley Schram of Ponca, Neb. and Donald Keith Schram of Phoenix, Ariz; and one sister, Bessie Rowenna Erbach of Lincoln, Neb. STINEHOUR, Frances Sadie (Davidson); born December 10, 1918, in Cleveland, Ohio; died July 3, 2005, in Lucas, Ohio. She was a member of the Fredricktown (Ohio) church for five generations.

Surviving are two daughters, Joyce Amor and Linda Ohl; and two sons, Charles Stinehour Jr. and Jack Stinehour.

ALL IN THE FAMILY We have a section in the Bulletin Board and on our Web site, www.columbiaunionadventists.org, for sharing celebrations of life’s milestones.

Would you like to share yours?

To have a birth or wedding announcement, a 50th or 60th wedding anniversary or 100th birthday celebration* listed in the “All in the Family” section, submit to: Columbia Union Visitor All in the Family 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD 21045 or e-mail: sjones@columbiaunion.net or fax: (410) 997-7420 Attn: Sandra Jones Questions: Call toll-free: (888) 4-VISITOR Milestones will be placed in the order they are received, free of charge, on a space-available basis. Copy will be edited as needed. Photographs will be used only on the Web site, and if you mail us a print—it will not be returned. *Must have some connection to the Columbia Union

WYNNE, Harold Marr, born February 15, 1924, in Colorado Springs, Col.; died July 27, 2005, at Kettering Medical Center, in Dayton, Ohio, of a stroke. He was an active member of the Beavercreek (Ohio), church where he played violin and viola in the band. As one of four brothers who served in WWII, he entered the Army Air Force in 1942. After his discharge in 1945, he attended college and graduated with a BA degree in journalism and education and later an MA from Loma Linda University. He also served the Adventist Church in education and public relations in Chicago, Ill., Loma Linda, Calif., and Portland Ore. During his retirement he published a community newspaper/shopping guide in Welches, Ore. Harold is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sylvia; his sons Kerry, Gregory, and Stephen; his daughter Lynnette; and his brother Albert; four grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

OBITUARY SUBMISSION For information on placing an obituary in the Visitor, please call Sandra Jones at (888) 4-VISITOR or e-mail sjones@columbiaunion.net. Obituaries are placed in the order they are received, on a space-available basis.

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