June 09 by Lindsay Peterson

Table of Contents Mid-America Union June 2009 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Guest Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Teacher Awarded for Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 "Why I Still Teach". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Students with Caring Hearts. . . . . . . . . 6 Juanita's Miracle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 What the Kids are Saying . . . . . . 9 "At the Cross". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Central States News . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Dakota News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Iowa-Missouri News. . . . . . . . . . . 14 Kansas-Nebraska News. . . . . . . 16 Minnesota News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Rocky Mountain News. . . . . . . . . 20 Union College News . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Adventist Health System . . . . . . . . 25 Announcements/Events. . . . . . . 26 Love for a Lifetime. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 What our Bloggers are Saying. . 28 Letters to the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Farewell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Sunset Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Find individual conference reports on the following pages...

Iowa-Missouri Conference

14 Central States 11 Conference

Rocky Mountain Conference

Note: Central States is an ethnically diverse regional conference encompassing the entire Mid-America Union territory.

Union College 22 Kansas-Nebraska 16 Conference

In This Issue . . . What’s more inspiring than kids and teens being mentored in selflessly serving their Savior? I’m delighted to present you our annual special feature on Mid-America’s K-12 schools. You’ll read about Rudy Carlson, selected to receive an "Excellence in Teaching Award" from the annual Alumni Awards Foundation for 2009. You’ll also meet Juanita of Campion Academy, who refused to let the devil deny her a godly education. She got a big assist from Principal who didn’t even know her. One testimony sure to grab your heart is “Why

OUTLOOK, (ISSN 0887-977X) June 2009, Volume 30, Number 6. Outlook is published monthly by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8307 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516; Telephone: 402.484.3000; Fax: 402.483.4453; E-mail: info@maucsda.org. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Outlook, PO Box 6128, Lincoln, NE 68506. E-mail: outlook@maucsda.org. When possible clip name and address from a previous issue. Printed at Pacific Press Publishing Association, Standard postage paid at Nampa, ID. Free for Mid-America church members and $10 per year for non-Mid-America subscribers. ©2009 Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. All Rights Reserved. Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are the registered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

I Still Teach,” by Rayleen Hansen. Making the case for the value and beauty of Christian Adventist education are guest editorials by Mid-America’s education director, John Kriegelstein, and my pastor at College View Church, Ron Halvorsen Jr. One more thing—read what our bloggers are saying on page 28. I promise you won’t be bored as you feast on this report of what God is doing with young people and teachers in Mid-America's schools.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are stock photography.

June 2009

Martin Weber, editor Mid-America Outlook

John Winslow and generous church members—

On the Cover: Joyful learning in a spirit of Christian fellowship thrives in Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools and academies throughout the MidAmerica Union.

Minnesota Conference

Dakota Conference

Outlook Staff Editor: Martin Weber Managing Editor/Ad Manager: Amy Prindle Layout Designer: Amy Prindle Classifieds/Subscriptions: Chris Smith Copy Editor: Chris Smith News Editors Central States: Kymone Hinds Dakota: Heidi Shoemaker Iowa-Missouri: Michelle Miracle Kansas-Nebraska: John Treolo Minnesota: Claudio Consuegra Rocky Mountain: Jim Brauer Union College: Jacque L. Smith

Mid-America Union Conference President: Roscoe J. Howard III VP for Administration: Thomas L. Lemon VP for Finance: Elaine Hagele Associate VP for Finance: Walt Sparks

Local Conferences CENTRAL STATES: 3301 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66104; 913.371.1071 www.central-states.org DAKOTA: P.O. Box 520, 217 North Grand Ave., Pierre, SD 57501; 605.224.8868 www.dakotaadventist.org IOWA-MISSOURI: P.O. Box 65665, 1005 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50265; 515.223.1197 www.imsda.org KANSAS-NEBRASKA: 3440 Urish Road, Topeka, KS 66614-4601; 785.478.4726 www.ks-ne.org MINNESOTA: 7384 Kirkwood Court, Maple Grove, MN 55369; 763.424.8923 www.mnsda.com ROCKY MOUNTAIN: 2520 S. Downing St., Denver, CO 80210; 303.733.3771 www.rmcsda.org

Editorial Kolby Deserves the Best: An Adventist Education

by John Kriegelstein

Teachers in love with Jesus—I want Kolby surrounded with teachers who not only express their spirituality in words but also demonstrate it spontaneously in every interaction with their students, parents and others.

Photo courtesy of John Kriegelstein

’m a proud grandfather of four smart, energetic grandkids. Kolby, the oldest, is excitedly looking forward to entering kindergarten this fall. Of course, I want only the best for him so there is no question where I want him to attend—the local Adventist school. You see, only at the Adventist school can all my requirements for an acceptable school be met. So, what do I look for?

A safe, nurturing environment where kids know they are loved—When teachers and students enjoy a positive relationship, teachers can teach almost anything. Without that positive relationship, kids learn only in spite of the teacher. I am glad that my grandkids are thriving in loving homes, but I Kolby, my first grandchild, needs an Adventist need them in nurturing classroom environments as well. Christian education.

Teachers who settle for nothing less than the student’s individual best—Kolby loves life. I want that enthusiasm to be corralled and focused on learning without quenching his zest for life. Cognitive Genesis research clearly demonstrates that students in Adventist schools perform better than predicted-—a difference that increases the longer they stay in our schools. A learning environment that employs techniques from current research—I want Kolby to benefit from teaching methods that take advantage of current brain research. This research correlates precisely with what Ellen White had to say about the developing mind. Traditional character-building activities integrated into the entire school program—More and more it seems that what was wrong is now right and what was right is now wrong. I want Kolby to experience consistency between his Adventist home values and what he observes in school. A school culture that encourages service—There is a unique joy that comes from serving. In a world totally me-centered, I want Kolby to have opportunity to discover that joy. A place for wholesome friends—Kolby is a normal social kid who quickly makes friends. I want a controlled environment that affords opportunities for him to form positive friendships. An environment that protects innocence—Satan has so polluted our world that it is difficult to protect the innocence of kids. While I do not want Kolby to grow up naïve, neither do I want him pre-maturely exposed to things that would strip him of the innocent joy of being a kid. All the above requirements could be met in any good Christian school. However, my last requirement can only be met within an Adventist school. I simply must have teachers who teach and live Adventist truths. Adventist truths give me a sense of peace, hope and joy. I want that same peace, hope and joy for Kolby and for Katelyn and Meredith and Mallory after him. As their impressionable minds develop their own belief systems, I want my grandkids to experience consistency in what is taught by their parents in the home, their Sabbath school classes and their school teachers. Yes, I know that negative things have happened in individual Adventist schools. However, I shudder at the spiritual risk of placing my most valuable possession—my kids and grandkids—in any environment that will create spiritual confusion. How could I face Jesus with the knowledge that my grandkid had chosen not to be in heaven because of spiritual doubt and confusion introduced by a non-Adventist school?

Photo courtesy of John Kriegelstein

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 1:4 KJV).

Viewing Present Realities – Visioning the Future - Leveraging Resources MAUC Education Summit to develop strategic plan for Adventist Education December 2010

John Kriegelstein is director of the office of education for the Mid-America Union.

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Editorial There Is a Difference by Ron Halvorsen Jr.

here are many good public schools, but there are things public schools cannot do that Christian schools can. The difference is crucial.

A few years ago, I was asked to speak about gangs at a public school assembly program. Some of the teachers in the school knew that my father had been a gang leader in New York City before becoming a Christian. This was a rare opportunity for a minister, and I accepted the invitation. But as I said yes, I realized there would be limits to what I could say.

The day of the big assembly arrived. I had prayed about it, asking for God’s leading and blessing. I felt His presence with me as I spoke. The young people were tuned in and listening with interest to this guest speaker—a preacher in a secular arena. As I concluded my talk, the teacher that was in charge of the assembly came forward and asked me if I would be willing to take some questions. I agreed, and immediately hands flew up in the audience. One by one, those young people started asking questions about my father and his gang.

In Adventist church schools all across this land, Jesus is spoken of fluently, worshipfully and constantly.

But the question that was most on the mind of my audience was: How did dad get out of the gangs? How did he get out of a life that was leading to prison or death? I had shared the tragic ends of some of his fellow gang members. Now the students wanted to know what made the difference in my dad’s story? I hesitated—not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I sensed that I wasn’t supposed to share it in this setting. In public school, you are restricted in what you can say about Jesus. You can use His name in vain on the playground, but you aren’t supposed to lift Him up as the answer to life in an assembly program.

The audience sensed my hesitation, and that only made their curiosity grow. More students began to ask the question aloud without waiting to be recognized by the teacher. They wanted the answer to their question. Students were encouraging me to just tell them. It was amazing, and it only directed the spotlight of full attention toward the answer. The teacher looked over at me and told me to go ahead and answer the question. So I told them about Jesus, and how my father’s life was changed by Him in an amazing way. I told them about how that happened. I told them about the call a pastor had made and how my dad asked his friend Richard to go forward with him and become a Christian. I shared how Richard looked at my dad and shook his head slowly and said, “No, Ron. It costs too much to be a Christian.” I told them that Richard now spends his life in prison for murder while my dad not only lives free, but has traveled the world sharing Jesus with others. Then the audience was applauding. As I left, the teachers all thanked me, but I was never invited back. It’s not that the students or the faculty didn’t want me to come back. It’s that, when it comes to rules about not advocating for Jesus, I’m a law breaker. What am I saying in all of this? I am saying that when it comes to the most important things in this life—or the life to come—public schools are duty bound to be restrictive. However, in Adventist church schools all across this land, Jesus is spoken of fluently, worshipfully and constantly!

Photo courtesy of Ron Halvorsen, Jr.

If you have children, youth or young adults of school age, send them to our schools. If you are a student, come to one of our schools this year. Don’t stay away because you think you can’t afford it. Talk to one of your church leaders to see what can be done to help you get a Christian education next year.

Without Jesus, nothing else in life really adds up.

Pastor Ron Halvorsen Jr. is senior pastor of College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

June 2009

Mid-America Outlook

Minnesota Teacher Wins 2009 Award for Excellence

Photo courtesy of Pamela Consuegra

duced to Jesus as best friend. Rudy Carlson is making an eternal difference in the life of every young person in his classroom. His small school in the North Country is a great example of excellence in Seventhday Adventist education.

Photo courtesy of Pamela Consuegra

udy Carlson, teacher of a one-room school in Duluth, Minnesota, is the 2009 recipient of the Alumni Awards Foundation's Teaching in Excellence Award. The organization annually honors five or more elementary teachers and the same number of secondary teachers in the North American Division. What makes him so outstanding? Carlson motivates his students by infusing fun and life into everyday lessons with creative and innovative techniques and methodologies. This keeps them all happy as northern Minnesota winters drag endlessly on. Carlson also deeply cares about his kids. He testifies: “When my own children were very young, they complained when I referred to my school kids as ‘my kids.’ They said, ‘We are your kids. They are your students.’ I explained they were very special to me and that no one could ever replace them. However, my heart wasn’t only sooo big (I showed them with my hands) and that there was room for both them and my school kids in it. In fact, the more you let people into your heart, the bigger it gets. If I die, hopefully it will be from an enlarged heart.” While being creative and innovative, Carlson always makes the main thing the main thing. Faithful to the primary aim of Adventist education, he tends to the spiritual development of every child, making sure that each is intro-

Rudy Carlson, winner of the national award for teaching excellence

Why I Still Teach

by Rayleen Hansen

e are teachers, each called of God to help build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11). It’s a Rayleen Hansen, with two of hard job, getting harder all the her students at Southview time as our school and church Christian School families become increasingly burdened with the stresses of our world. I want to tell you why I still teach, and why I still teach for the Adventist Church. Many years ago I taught three children who kept my class in an uproar. They lied, cheated, swore, told dirty jokes and bullied other children. I had fought to keep each one at our school— against the wishes of many parents, board members and church members. But at the end of that year, all three left our school. I felt I had wasted every minute spent with each of them.

Ten years later I was going through a rough time and concluded that I no longer had the gift of teaching. I decided to quit. Within one month’s time, each of those three students contacted me. All three had come back to the Lord, and one had returned to the church. Each told me that no matter what they did the past decade, they kept remembering our classroom, especially the words of the songs we sang. One told me that every time he took a drink, he kept hearing “God is so good, He’s so good to me.” It drove him so crazy that he finally had to stop drinking. My time with these students had not been wasted after all. Have I suffered my last moment of discouragement? No, but God promises us our children if we are faithful. That’s why I still teach for the church.

Rayleen Hansen is head teacher at Southview Christian School in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Students

with

The North American Division presents its annual Caring Heart Award to one academy student in award carries a scholarship for mission service or tuition at any Seventh-day Adventist school. The

Midland Academy’s Caring Heart:

Mikey Archibeque Midland Academy’s Mikey Archibeque is an excellent role model in social, spiritual and academic interactions with fellow students and staff. He organized lodging, food and transportation for a group of students to attend an out-of-town youth rally. He also participated in a mission trip to Chile to build a church and present a vacation Bible school. Mikey helps with Friday chapel and is a visible leader in other spiritual events. As student association president, Mikey organizes various school activities while maintaining his place on the honor roll each quarter.

Sunnydale Academy’s Caring Heart:

Brittney Weber

Brittney is a four-year senior who is conscientious, sincere and helpful. Over her lifetime she has volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, the local food bank, Rainbow House and participated with school mission trips. Brittney is a three-year member of the National Honor Society and has willingly fulfilled her responsibilities of assisting others. Brittney is a talented musician who shares this gift with the school, her church and at a local community nursing home.

Campion Academy’s Caring Heart:

Nicole Yoshida Nicole Yoshida is a wonderful young woman. She is active on mission trips as well as on campus. She is a resident assistant in the dorm and truly cares for her girls on her hall. She has participated in multiple mission trips and believes in helping neighbors. With a smile on her face and a contagious laugh, Nicole is a wonderful Christian influence. Anyone around her knows she has deep convictions and a caring heart.

June 2009

Mid-America Outlook

Caring Hearts each academy who demonstrates outstanding commitment to loving service and outreach. The Mid-America Union Conference is proud to present our 2009 winners.*

Mile High Academy’s Caring Heart:

Elsa Garcia Elsa was chosen for the caring heart award because she represents a true servant leader. Her ministry first started with her enthusiasm as a peer counselor her sophomore year. She continued to be involved by taking roles in student week of prayer, an academy prayer team and as a peer mentor to elementary students. Elsa will be Mile High Academy’s Student Association spiritual vice president for the 2009-10 school year as she furthers her pursuit to represent Jesus to others.

Maplewood Academy’s Caring Heart:

Mollie Cummings Four-year Maplewood Academy senior Mollie Cummings has a passion for her God and loves to share Him with everyone. Currently the campus ministries director, Mollie has served as class pastor and vice president, girl’s club secretary/treasurer, vice president of the associated student body, member of National Honor Society and a Sabbath school leader. She also participated on the student/staff council and the volleyball and gymnastics teams. Mollie has served on two mission trips: one to Mexico and one to Belize.

Dakota Adventist Academy’s Caring Heart:

Stephenson James Yow

Stephenson James Yow is a senior who exemplifies the caring heart of Christ in respectful, considerate interaction with a variety of students, staff and family. He is often heard singing his way to class. He has been a dorm resident assistant for two years, going out of his way to help struggling students. Yow has contributed more than 150 hours of community service over the past three years. He also presented an evangelistic sermon at a church outreach series. *Note: These students represent Caring Heart winners from every academy that reported to Outlook magazine.

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Juanita’s Miracle by Ardis Stenbakken

or everyone needing confirmation that any Adven- really want to be here and really pray, it’s not that hard. Evtist teenager can afford an academy education if they eryone supports you here.” When asked what she likes best really want it, Juanita will supply proof. about academy life, Juanita says, “God gave us friends. If Things were not good at home, she confides, and oppor- you fall, someone is there to catch you.” She already plans tunities were limited in her native Alaska. Juanita had at- to return to Campion next year. tended Campion Academy in 2007-08, but a chaotic home Yes, Adventist education is expensive, but education in situation and no finances left her afraid she couldn’t return a non-Adventist school can be even more expensive—in for this school year. Yet she really wanted to. a different way. Who can quantify the value of providing “I feel safe and loved at Campion,” she said, refusing to young people a spiritual academic foundation on which give up. Her mother called Campion Academy Principal to build their faith? So if you or someone you care about John Winslow to see what might be done. But instead of wants to attend an Adventist school, whether elementary, instant solutions materializing, Juanita’s home situation academy or college, let it be known. Work to make it hapworsened. She prayed and contacted relatives who might pen. Pray. God still makes the impossible possible. be able to help. Her Aunt Nancy in particular began looking for sponsors, including support from churches. Several weeks before this school year, Winslow called Juanita again to see if she still wanted to come. She did, but at that point the prospect seemed farfetched. “But I still had hope,” remembers Juanita. Winslow joined the quest to find help for Juanita. She had received a scholarship the previous year, but the filing deadline had passed. Winslow contacted the provider anyway and explained Juanita’s situation. The scholarship was reinstated! Heartened with this success, the Campion principal continued his efforts, keeping in contact with Juanita. “It’s all about the kids,” he says. “We want to see them get a good education in a Christian environment. God is the miracle worker.” Aunt Nancy contacted friends Neil and Sherrie Smith, who had helped Juanita’s older sister, now at Union College. The Smiths presented Juanita’s need to their Sabbath school class, which also pledged substantial help. Soon almost all the money needed was pledged or in hand, and Juanita got the green light: “Get ready for school!” Airfare was arranged, and Juanita was on her way—her dreams and prayers fulfilled. Arriving six weeks into the school year, Juanita faced a challenge to catch up. “School work here is tougher than it was in public school,” she reports. “But if you Juanita triumphs in her difficult circumstances. Photo courtesy of Ardis Stenbakken

June 2009

Mid-America Outlook

Kids Saying

What the

are

Testimonies from Kirk Powell’s students in grades 3 and 4 Helen Hyatt School in Lincoln, Nebraska "I know God, my angel and teachers will always care about me and everyone in the school and the whole wide world." – Natalie "I am 10 years old going on 11. I mean, you can’t learn everything at this young of an age, but you can still have a strong relationship with God." – Eric "You get to learn more than just the usual schoolwork. You get to learn about Jesus. The teachers are nice here, and we have good days (sometimes)." – Madilynn "If there was no Christian education at our school it would be terrible. First of all, I would only know half of what I know about Jesus." – Matthew "Christian education means you get to talk and learn about Jesus. You get to pray out loud whenever you want." – Amber "When I think back to when I wasn’t even in school and now, then I realize that now I help people more than I used to. I’m happier, too." – Jael "My favorite subject is Bible because I love Jesus. I go to church almost every Sabbath and love to listen to the sermon." – Zoe "I feel a big impact on me because of my education in a Christian based school." – Caleb "My family loves me. That is why I’m at a Christian school today." – Chase "God can help us be ready for the bad things that might happen. He can help you make your choices in life." – Julia "If everyone went to a Christian school, think how much better our world would be." – Xavier "At school, most people don’t do bad stuff that make you feel like you’re not cool if you don’t do it." – Alesha "I’m sent to school to know God. Also I need to get into college and get a good job." – Terrel "I think my parents send me here because they want me to have a relationship with God and know I can always trust in Him." – Helena "I like being sent to a Christian school because I can talk about God and know that I will not get in trouble doing it!" – Estelle "The reason I’m here is because I can know more about the Lord. Like how He died on the cross for us and all that." – Jacob "Do you love the Lord? Well, I do." – Gwen

Testimonies From Students at Intermountain Adventist Academy in Grand Junction, Colorado "We see God in every subject—from His beauty and creativity in science, to His imagination in creative writing, His ingenuity in music and art, to His intelligence in mathematics. God is everywhere and should be a part of every decision we make, no matter how small." – Steven Foster, sophomore "After 10 years in the Adventist education system I believe that the years I have spent—not sheltered, but relatively shielded from many evils—gave me the foundation I will need as I take off into the bigger world." – Kathrin Klemm, sophomore

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Cross

A classroom reflection from

At the

Melissa Westmore, who teaches grades 5 and 6 at Minnetonka Christian Academy

"It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. “‘Here is your king,’ Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’” (John 19:14, 15, NIV).

Photo courtesy of Pamela Consuegra

y classroom was quiet, reverent, as we read the crucifixion passage from the Gospel of John. It was the day before Good Friday, and 5th and 6th graders at Minnetonka Christian Academy were reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus. After reading the words “It is finished,” we watched the crucifixion depicted on the DVD movie, The Gospel of John. I sat at my desk, facing the screen with the students in my peripheral vision. I leaned my face into my hand, feeling tears starting. I sensed my students being transfixed as well, trying with me to grasp the depth of our Savior’s love. Our classroom was silent as a tomb after we watched the crucifixion. Not a word was spoken. I asked the class to write a letter to Jesus telling Him anything—asking forgiveness, thanking Him… just expressing their feelings about what we had witnessed and experienced. As students finished writing, they walked up to a small, wooden cross and nailed their letters to it. This physical act symbolized accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, giving their

Luis and Joel at the cross

Photo courtesy of Pamela Consuegra

hearts to Him. We ended our special day with a small agape feast of fruit and crackers. I sensed a spirit of humility, with a quiet peace permeating the room. The students thanked me as they left—I’m not sure why. That day I renewed my own commitment to Jesus. I want to follow through with what we had discussed in class—moving beyond a one-time emotional commitment followed by daily life as if nothing had changed. The challenge, for my students and my own walk with God, is to make surrender to Christ and humility with Him a daily, intentional practice. Teaching at a Christian school is a privilege. It offers us educators the opportunity to introduce students to Christ and experience Him in a real and personal way.

Natalie and Diana at the cross

10 June 2009

Mid-America Outlook

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, ESV).

Mid-America Union News Central States News

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Mid-America Union News Dakota News DAA Floods Red River Valley with Selfless Service When record flooding from the Red River hit North Dakota, a nationwide call went out for disaster assistance. Volunteers were needed to fill and place sandbags in the Fargo area. Dakota Adventist Academy (DAA) came to the rescue. Forty-five students and 15 faculty and staff departed for the Fargodome, joined by other Dakota Adventist youth from Fargo, Dickinson and Grand Forks. They all spent the night at Fargo Church and showed up for work early the next morning. DAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group of 60 joined thousands of volunteers at the Fargodome to shovel, fill, tie and haul more than 500,000 sandbagsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;filled on Tuesday alone. Several academy students went directly to the front lines to protect a house from rising waters. Filling sandbags onsite and placing them five feet high around the house, Dakota youth made a lasting impression on the owners. After a long day Photo by Jon Peoples

12 June 2009

Mid-America Outlook

Photo by Jon Peoples

by Heidi Shoemaker, with contributions from Loren Nelson III, Rachael Boyd, Leonard Quaile

DAA students and staff sandbagging during Dakota flooding in Fargo

of sandbagging and an approaching snowstorm on the way, DAA volunteers left Fargo for home. The storm overtook them near

Jamestown, making travel unsafe. Local Adventists took weary students and staff into their homes, providing hot showers, warm beds and delicious breakfasts. DAA expresses gratitude to Jamestown Church members for their hospitality. Wednesday morning the team gathered at Hillcrest Elementary to head home. Then their bus developed mechanical problems. The students divided into two groups, one of them going to the Bismarck area for sandbagging while the other group remained at Hillcrest until the bus was fixed. Eventually everyone arrived safely at DAA. Flooding continued in North Dakota throughout April. Ron Naasz of Jamestown called DAA Principal Leonard Quaile on April 17 asking if he knew anyone able to help his community. Quaile immediately rallied a team of more than 50 stu-

dents and staff, dispatching them to Jamestown. After a long day placing sandbags, the tired crew returned to their dormsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;only to leave the next day for a regional meeting in Dickinson. A disaster coordinator in Jamestown expressed astonishment that Dakota Adventist teens would work with such enthusiasm and dedication for people who were strangers, while many local Jamestown youth grumbled and angled to get out of working for their own community. After their experiences of helping during a time of disaster, academy students expressed the desire to do

more. Loren Nelson III, Dakota Conference senior youth director, contacted Phyllis Alexander, Adventist Community Services Disaster Response coordinator for the Dakotas. They arranged with DAA to set up a mini-warehouse at the academy for hundreds of cleaning kits, clothing, water and other disaster supplies. Students and staff will unload and distribute the items. Academy and conference personnel are extremely proud of Dakota youth, who have shown a selfless spirit in serving their communities while maintaining schoolwork and studying for exams.

Photo by Jon Peoples

Dakota News

DAA Students in National Honor Society by Gary Way Emily Lindensmith, Leanna Quaile, Cody Schober and James Yow. Five other students were already members: Ashley Boyko, Angelica Miller, Tabitha Schumacher, Michael Stolz and Elliot Way. NHS is an organization promoting

scholarship, service, leadership and character in high school students. Membership requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.5. Gary Way teaches English at Dakota Adventist Academy.

Photo courtesy of Dakota Adventist Academy

Almost one fourth of Dakota Adventist Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student body now belongs to the National Honor Society (NHS), after the induction ceremony that took place January 31. Five new members received pins and certificates: Matthew Boyko,

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Mid-America Union News Iowa-Missouri News Westfield’s Field Trip to 3ABN by Jordan Wolfe

Our school goes on many field trips throughout the school year. Recently we went to the studios of Three Angels Broadcasting Network—a satellite station that can reach the entire world at once. The people at 3ABN were nice enough to show us around the building. The 3ABN workers split us into two groups and showed us the control room, the green screen and some of their recording studios. We got to see a set with a real working kitchen. They also showed us where the kid shows are created.

Photo courtesy of Westwood Junior Academy

A report from Jordan Wolfe, 8th grader at Westwood Junior Academy in Chesterfield, Missouri

Westwood principal and teacher Helen Palmer, seated center, with her students on the set at 3ABN.

Evangelism Through Education by Michelle Miracle for an elementary school through their Aspenwood Learning Center. Instead of starting this first year with the Photo courtesy of Westwood Junior Academy traditional school curriculum, educator James Hunt conducts community learning events to connect with potential students and their families. Hunt has been tutoring kids for free. He also offers special learning events that involve parents, such as a Christmas wreath-making day that attracted 30 families. His latest event was a family science workshop. “Church members led over 70 community members through a variety of simple experiments and audio-visual demonstrations,” said Hunt. “We put out a fire using vinegar and baking soda, made ‘gluep’—silly putty Teacher James Hunt helps visitors make stepstools from borax and white glue, and baked an ‘edible chemical reacat an Aspenwood Learning Center event.

14 June 2009

Mid-America Outlook

Photo courtesy of Westwood Junior Academy

Sioux City Adventist Church takes a unique educational approach to evangelism. They are paving the way

Displaying wreaths made at an Aspenwood Learning Center workshop

tion,’ also known as a loaf of whole wheat bread." Hunt reports success so far. “We’ve put on four different workshops, and families keep coming back.” He suggests that reaching parents through their children is a vital principle. And he mingles evangelism with education by including a spiritual or health nugget for the whole family.

Iowa-Missouri News

Photo by Michelle Miracle

Music Festival

Photo by Michelle Miracle

At the 2009 Music Festival, Daniel (Josh, with the red bandanna) listens as King Darius (Collin) sentences him to the lionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; den.

Guest conductor at the 2009 Music Festival, Mephiboset Herrera (far left), leads the IA-MO elementary school choir.

Conference Calendar June 2-6 Camp Meeting at Sunnydale Adventist Academy For more information visit: www.imsda.org/campmeeting July 1-5 Youth Missionary Camp in Mansfield, MO For more information visit: http://ihlministry.org/YMC Aug. 30 Camp Heritage Work Bee For more information: Josue Feliciano: josue4pr@gmail.com.

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Mid-America Union News Kansas-Nebraska News College View Academy Students Serve Community Needs by John Treolo The entire student body at College View Academy (CVA) ditched class recently. Their teachers not only granted approval but also joined them! The occasion was Project Blitz, in which students and staff spend a day outside of the classroom serving their community by volunteering at charitable organizations such as Good Neighbor Community Center, The Salvation Army, People’s City Mission and Cedars Home for Kids. “Project Blitz is wonderful because we can show our students how we don’t mind getting dirty and

working hard,” noted Yolanda Doering, CVA registrar and academic counselor. For the organizations served, it’s a win-win situation—especially during tough economic times. Paid staff have been reduced, making volunteers even more valuable. Hence this response from People’s City Mission to the academy: “Thank you for your gift of time and hard work! We couldn’t do what we do without people like you. God bless you all, and we pray you know what a difference it makes! Thanks for being the hands and feet Photo by John Treolo

Photo by John Treolo

Thomas Glaser, Josh Marshall and Maucus Valentine do yard work at the Good Neighbor Community Center.

Kurt Farr vacuums a van at the Salvation Army during Project Blitz.

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Mid-America Outlook

of Jesus!” According to Louie Roehl, CVA chaplain and coordinator of community compassion outreach, the students impress him with their enthusiasm. Here is what some of them are saying about Project Blitz: “It never fails to inspire me to help others by offering my time.” “It really opened my eyes...I would love to go back and do some more simple tasks to make their lives better.” “Project Blitz helps you learn to serve others and do unto others what God wants you to do.” During lunch, students and staff met back at the school for pizza, drinks, cookies and snacks courtesy of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference community services department.

Kansas-Nebraska News Midland Student Wins Art Contest Melissa Willer, who just completed her freshman year at Midland Adventist Academy, won an artwork contest sponsored by the Kansas City Music Teachers Association. Photo courtesy of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference Needing an original art design for a multi-piano concert in Lawrence, the association solicited submissions with the theme “Opposites Attract.” Encouraged to enter by her piano teacher, Melissa decided to sketch a couple of grand pianos. For her efforts, Melissa received a $100 reward, and her art Melissa Willer piece appeared on the front of the program for the piano contest, as well as on mugs, t-shirts, notebooks and other merchandise sold to promote the concert. Is a career in art in her future? “When I was younger, I used to love art and I would draw all the time,” she said. “But it’s never been something that I’ve really pursued.”

Photo courtesy of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference

by John Treolo

The cover program Melissa Willer designed for the multi-piano concert in Lawrence

Conference Calendar June 5-7

June 19-20

Camp Meeting Lincoln, Nebraska

June 18-21

Cowboy Camp Meeting—Crawford

Single Moms and Kids Retreat

Conact ckwyatt@bbcwb.net

Contact scarlson@ks-ne.org

For more information, visit w w w.ks-ne.org or call 785 . 478 . 4726

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Mid-America Union News Minnesota News

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference

Maplewood Hosts Elementary Music Festival

More than 100 students throughout Minnesota visited Maplewood Academy April 15-18 for the Elementary Music Festival. Participants attended 13 breakaway sessions and many rehearsals, preparing for the grand finale Sabbath afternoon. Activities included disc golf, gymnastics, spa treatment, origami and flag football. Kim Wooster, music director for Maplewood Academy, directed the choir.

Swannee’s Swan Song by Pamela Consuegra

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Mid-America Outlook

For Minnesota’s hearing-impaired community, March 28 was a high day as thousands visited the Deaf Nation Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Exhibit hall booths featured deaf-owned businesses, deaf art, interpreting services, celebrities and membership associations. Local hearing-impaired Seventh-day Adventists partnered with Adventist Deaf Ministries to spread God’s truth. One hearing woman with a Jewish and Catholic background approached the booth. She knew about the Sabbath from watching Adventist TV. “We told her about our church,” recalls Amanda Colgan, who helped staff the booth. “She plans to visit sometime soon!” Later, three Muslim ladies with headscarves approached the booth. Two seemed hesitant, but the third just took the gospel bags and handed them to the other women. Two million deaf people live in North America, but only five percent at most attend church. This makes hearing-impaired neighbors a huge mission field.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference

Some who have worked with Swanson over the years remember him dreading the time off in the summer that the rest of the teachers longed for! He loves teaching and interacting with students on a daily basis. Swannee’s many friends are not surprised that he now begins his retirement doing exactly what he loves: teaching at Maplewood Academy.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference

Evan Swanson, affectionately known as “Swannee,” is retiring after 46 years of service to Maplewood Academy but will continue teaching U.S. History, World History and Government. Swanson comes from a family of teachers, following in the heritage of his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Born and raised in Iowa, Swanson graduated from Union College with a Bachelor in Biology. He also holds a Master in History from Andrews University. At Union College he met his wife, Evie—a 1958 Maplewood graduate. He started teaching at Maplewood in 1963 and hasn’t stopped since. The Swansons’ four children graduated from Maplewood Academy: Bruce, ‘81; Jill, ‘84; Ann, ‘90; and Sara Beth, ‘93. Evan Swanson loves spending time with his family, traveling and sports—tennis, softball, basketball and bowling. He also enjoys bird watching, leaf collecting and looking for rare and unusual trees.

Sharing Christ at Deaf Expo by Esther M. Doss

Evan "Swannee" Swanson

A Deaf Expo attendee discusses religion with Bruce Buzzell.

Mid-America Union News Rocky Mountain News Elmhaven Church Organized Elmhaven Church was officially recognized and organized March 7, under the direction of Jim Brauer, conference president. Created to be a traditional Adventist church, the group has steadily grown over the past few years as members have discovered the charm, friendliness

and personal attention that is characteristic of Elmhaven. The members are proud of the fact that they are lay led. Their wish is to continue demonstrating the ability to be evangelistic and solidly Adventist while creatively reaching out to their community.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Conference

Art Werner adds his name.

Heather Norris signs the charter.

Campion’s Hankins Hall to be Renovated by John Winslow

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Mid-America Outlook

updated, with new lighting and shades for video projection. Plans call for the top floor to be restored to reflect its original form. The old library will become an alumni center and multipurpose meeting room. There will be room for a study space, a teaching/learning center office, displays, a full kitchen, bathrooms, two classrooms and storage. In addition to the kitchen and cafeteria, the first floor will house a student center with activity areas and storage. Tony Pastrana, a student leader serving on the remodeling committee, says his peers are excited to see Haskins Hall restored and are especially looking forward to the student center and improved chapel. He notes: “Throughout the process Christ has been

Seniors Nathan Loranz (left) and Bowen Morlan save original bricks for reuse in renovation of Hankins Hall.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Conference

Thanks to generous alumnus support and strategic planning, changes are coming to the Campion Academy campus. “Plans are to refurbish and remodel Hankins Hall, the old ad building, from top to bottom,” announced Principal John Winslow. “Our goal is experiencing Christ in a learning environment, and we want that environment to reflect our commitment to Christian education.” Hankins Hall is the oldest building on Campion’s campus. Mimi Gregg Danihel, class of ’63, thought it was time to bring it up to date and enhance its usefulness. To make the best long-term use of her generous gift, a campus master plan is being developed. It will help improve people flow, ease of use for campus visitors and the overall appearance of Campion. The chapel on the second floor of Hankins Hall is the only area used regularly. Even there, windows need upgrading for efficiency. The floor and stage will also be

at the center; we want to use it to serve Christ.” He says it has been good to be able to voice student opinion on the renovations and work one-on-one with the staff. A wonderful addition to Hankins Hall and the boys’ dorm will be an elevator system, making both areas handicap accessible. Campion’s major remodel has already commenced, with the tower and entry areas to be done later.

Rocky Mountain News A New Church Born in Cody by Eric Nelson

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Conference

Adventists from all over Wyoming came to celebrate the organizing of Cody Church. On hand leading worship was Tobin Dodge, who organized the group, along with former pastor Jim Moon and current pastor,

Eric Nelson, Rocky Mountain VP for administration,invites attendees to become charter members of Cody Adventist Church. He represented the conference office along with Rick Roy,VP for finance.

At the organizing celebration, the Kyle family from Montana provided music for worship and an afternoon concert. Approximately 150 attended. Concluding the service, Eric Nelson, Rocky Mountain Conference vice president of administration, invited would-be charter members to come forward and sign the founding document. Twentythree did, with four additional requests coming afterward. Five attendees not currently members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church asked to join. On Sunday, the new Adventist church hosted Wyoming Taskforce and collected donations for outreach ministries in the Cody community. God has opened doors that no one thought possible for Cody Adventist Church, providing both facilities and fellowship with the community.

Reagan Scherence. The Sabbath celebration included an open house of the newly purchased building. Representatives of the Missionary Alliance congregation, who sold the building to Cody Adventists, attended the service to acknowledge God’s providence and praise Him with their Sabbath keeping friends. These brothers in Christ had accepted Cody Church’s counter offer, after prayer, concluding that reducing their asking price would help another Christian group benefit from the building. Missionary Alliance members donated 200 comfortable, padded chairs for the sanctuary worth $40,000. They also left a number of tables for the fellowship hall. Greybull Church, recently closed, donated a concert grand piano, communion table and pulpit.

Ordinary Women of Extraordinary Faith Women of Hope Conference June 12-14, Lander, Wyoming

Featuring Geri Morrison: May I Pray? Only By His Grace Promises, Promises DeeAnn Gragaw: Cheap Chocolate Chick In a Lady Godiva World! The Joy of PMS—Really! Getting Along with Almost Anybody What’s In Your Purse?

Best Western Inn, Lander, WY Retreat registration $85 (not including motel) To register online: www.windowofhopeministry.com Contact Karen Fettig 307.469.2433 or hopeministry@tctwest.net

Also:

Teen Girls Getaway Ages 13 – 19 Connect with Jesus, reconnect and make new friends!

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Conference

Judy Mackie: God Uses Women In Extraordinary Ways Vivian Williams in Concert Testimony and Anointing Service

Signing the register to join the Cody Adventist Church

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Mid-America Union News Union College Student LeadersWelcome Peers for Campus Ministries Convention by Carolyn Scott When campus spiritual leaders get together, the energy is infectious. Union College hosted the annual North American Division (NAD) Campus Ministries convention March 18-21, an opportunity for students and chaplains to network, compare ideas and be inspired for the year to come. Union’s student leaders had the opportunity to brainstorm with nearly 120 chaplains and fellow students from across the continent on topics such as increasing involvement in religious activities, both for students and graduates. Ann Bryant, senior business administration major, and Emily Carlson, junior elementary education major, planned and implemented the majority of the convention. This was the first year the event was student-led, and participants noticed the difference. “I enjoyed seeing young people leading the program rather than the chaplain,” said Reynold Acosta, chaplain for Florida Hospital College. “I thought that was crucial, because it’s their thing and not ours.”

Reaching Across Campus and Country As planning began in September, Carlson and Bryant strategized about the convention through conference calls with other colleges’ chaplains and spiritual leaders. “The chaplains liked the intentional get-to-know-your-Campus-Ministries-team activities,” Bryant said. “Those connections are something that can carry on past the convention.” The excitement at the convention grew with each school’s enthusiastic participation. Colleges mingled in lunchtime mixers, sharing both successes and challenges with counterparts from other schools. These interactions made an impression on both students and chaplains alike. “It’s cool how we can all get together, connect and see that there are others reaching out and going through a lot of the same experiences,” said Justin Huggins, a freshman from Canadian University College. Bryant noted that the communion at the end of the convention was

Photo courtesy of Union College

Campus Ministries teams from across the continent gather to pray and fellowship March 18-21.

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Mid-America Outlook

the highlight. “It brought together what we had been talking about all week,” Bryant said. “I walked away with a feeling that the whole convention was really rewarding.” There were both intra- and interschool connecting and teamwork activities. For Union College, it gave the large and diverse Campus Ministries team a chance to bond more. According to Carlson, Union is unique among Adventist colleges and universities because it has the most student positions in Campus Ministries. “Some of these schools are three times as big as us, but we have four times the workers,” Carlson said. “It was weird to [the chaplains] that we have 25 student workers.” Paddy McCoy, Walla Walla University chaplain said, “I was most impressed with Union’s student leadership in planning the convention, and that the different campuses were involved in the worship experiences. It definitely bonded people together who wouldn’t have connected otherwise.” That fertile connection is what Bryant and Carlson intended. Based on the results of a survey about what participants wanted from the convention, Bryant and Carlson integrated “mixer” activities during mealtimes and breakout sessions designated for different sections of Campus Ministries. The combination of breakout sessions and networking was a hit. “The most valuable portion of the conference was part two of the student religious vice presidents’ session. Part one was about problems, part two about solutions,” said J. Murdock, a junior from La Sierra University. “If we had sat there a little longer, we could have achieved world peace.” Not only were conference participants encouraged by the breakout sessions, the general sessions also inspired participants to take proactive measures in

their personal lives. “Jose Rojas’ message especially inspired me, saying that no matter how cold, iced over, dry and unflavored the world may be, we need to be the salt for Christ so we can finish up the work He put us here to do,” Huggins said.

Getting Productive A major issue both students and chaplains discussed was the spiritual culture shock graduates experience after leaving a college campus and moving to small churches where the level of participation and involvement may be lower. Chris Blake, associate professor of English and communication at Union, spoke to the assembly about the responsibility of colleges to prepare students for life outside college communities. “We set graduates up for failure,” Blake said. “Every year I see my students leave a vibrant campus, and I know what’s going to happen to them.” During Blake’s address to the as-

sembly, he challenged both students and chaplains to determine the factors needed to increase church attendance retention rates for young adults. As the college and university representatives brainstormed how to implement strategies for their specific school, all agreed the movement needed to come from the students. “This is something that has to happen organically,” Carlson said.

Photo courtesy of Union College

Union College

Chris Blake, associate professor of English and communication at Union College, talks about spiritual culture shock and what is needed to prevent it.

The Next Step Since the convention, Union’s Campus Ministries is working on an event for juniors and seniors next spring to address staying active in local churches after graduation, regardless of congregation size. The solution might be as simple as clarifying and defining. “The definition of leadership is different with the generations,” Bryant said. “Can we be more open to what being involved might mean?” With students dedicated to finding a way to maintain spiritual momentum

after a saturated college experience, there is hope for the retention of younger church members. For Bryant, a graduating senior, the issue is personal. “It’s going to be a challenge to go home and stay involved the way I have in college. I have to ask myself, how can I add to what is already there?” Bryant said. “I’m trying to figure out how to adapt what I’ve learned at Union to my home church.”

Campus Calendar

June 22-26 NAD Teachers' Convention Aug. 13-16 New student orientation Aug. 17 Registration Aug. 18 Classes begin Aug. 27 Project Impact

Find more news and events at Union’s new website: www.ucollege.edu or call 800.228.4600

Mid-America Outlook

| June 2009

I came so that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance. John 10:10

Abundant Life Adventist Health System takes a Christ-centered, whole person approach to healthcare, serving more than 4 million patients each year. To do this, we look to the principles of Creation as the blueprint for helping others live an abundant life. Explore these eight principles of CREATION Health at www.creationhealth.com.

. 111 North Orlando Avenue Winter Park, Florida 32789 www.AdventistHealthSystem.com Explore employment at 407-975-3792

Adventist Health System

Crystal

Cares

A v i s ta

A d v e n t i s t

H o s p i ta l

lizabeth Faulhaber well remembers the day. She had just stopped by a patient’s room to see whether Crystal Short, her fellow ultrasound technician, needed help with a procedure. When she arrived, Elizabeth found Crystal at the patient’s bedside chatting with him. Elizabeth could see that something beyond excellent medical care was taking place. She watched as the patient took in Crystal’s kindness and encouragement, his smile growing with the ease of conversation. “I saw that they’d formed a bond,” Elizabeth says as she recounts the story. “I knew Crystal was working her magic—as I’d seen her do so many times before. It was truly amazing and inspiring.” Crystal remembers the patient, too—a 42-year-old man with Stage IV cancer. “When he told me he only had three months to live, I thought my heart would fall out of my chest,” she says. “But you can’t show that. We just started talking—about life and love and loss.” Crystal found it easy to empathize with the man—and to admire his strength in the face of the dark unknowns that now confronted him. A few years earlier, she told him, she’d faced a similar darkness herself. The day after her child was born, Crystal had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Since then, she’d been through radiation, recovery and even a recurrence. “When the double vision came back, I knew it was a bad sign. I remember ask-

Photo courtesy of CM Bell Company

ing, ‘Am I gonna die?’” “You’re faced with those questions, and even though you try not to voice them, they still sit deep inside of you,” Crystal remembers. As she finished the procedure, she and her patient wiped away their tears—of sadness and of laughter. She asked if there was anything else she could do for him. “No,” he answered. “You’ll never know how much you’ve already done.” Over the next several weeks, he needed the procedure many more times. Crystal made sure she was there for each one—continuing their conversation, comforting his family, making him smile. Once when she learned he needed the procedure again, she wasn’t even at the hospital. She dropped what she was doing and raced to Avista. “When I came around the corner, his mother said, ‘You’re here!’” Crystal remembers. “It felt so good to be able to hold his hand and be a shoulder for his mother to cry on. And I got to say my goodbyes.” Crystal continued to pray for his miracle until the day she found out he was gone. “I promised I would,” she says. Losing a patient is all the harder when you’ve grown so close and invested so much. But for Crystal, those connections are what drew her to this career, and even the hard times are precious. “I would do it all over again for another patient,” she says. “It’s my passion.” “You really get to connect with people,” she continues. “SomeCrystal Short, RDMS, comforts patients and inspires co-workers with her empathetic times you get their whole life approach as an ultrasound technician at story, and you want to help in any Avista Adventist Hospital. way you can. If I can make a patient smile, then I’ve done my job.” “What Crystal does at Avista is her calling,” Elizabeth observes. “I am honored to have been trained by her and inspired to strive toward her level of practice.” It’s a level that beautifully reflects Avista’s mission to “Extend the Healing Ministry of Christ.” This article was submitted by Stephen King, senior vice president for mission and ministry for Colorado’s Adventist hospitals, and written by CMBell Company.

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Announcements / Events

26 June 2009

Mid-America Outlook

Love for a Lifetime

Marriages

Trouble

by Claudio Consuegra

arriage researcher and therapist John Gottman1 identifies four ways of interacting that sabotage spousal communication. These patterns so damage a relationship that Gottman adapts frightful imagery from the book of Revelation, calling them the “Four Horsemen of Marriages in Trouble.” This month we examine the first of them: Criticism. Husbands or wives often imagine themselves simply complaining about their spouse's behavior, when actually they attack personality or character with criticism. Blame usually rides the shoulders of criticism. By contrast, a complaint can be remedial, being simply a negative comment about something you wish were otherwise. To oversimplify the difference: complaints often begin with the word “I,” whereas criticism is launched with “you.” Notice the difference, and it becomes obvious how criticism is more likely than a complaint to make your partner defensive. Complaints become criticism when packaged into a long list of grievances. Gottman calls this “kitchen sinking” because spouses throw in every conceivable negative thing about their partner. The effect is to overwhelm rather than to improve the relationship. Unlike complaints, criticisms also tend to be generalizations. One telltale sign that you’ve slipped from complaining into criticizing is the use of global phrases like “you never” or “you always.” Remember, a complaint is a specific statement of anger, displeasure, distress or other negativity. For instance, “I’m very upset that you didn’t ask me about how my day went but just talked about your day throughout dinner.” Criticism, on the other hand, is more general and blame oriented: “You never show any interest in me or my work. You just don’t care about me.” Other examples may be helpful in discerning the destructive horseman of criticism in couple communication. Notice the accusations inherent in criticism, the generalizations, the use of “you.”

Case 1: Complaint: “We don’t go out as much as I’d like to.” Criticism: “You never take me out anywhere.”

Case 2: Complaint: “It upset me when I came home and there were dirty dishes in the sink. This morning we agreed that you would wash them.” Criticism: “You left dirty dishes all over the kitchen again. You promised me you wouldn’t. I just can’t trust you, can I?”

Case 3: Complaint: “I expected you to come home right after work. When you didn’t, it made me feel like you care more about going out with your friends than spending time with me.” Criticism: “I hate that you’re the type of person who never thinks to call me and tell me you’ll be late coming home. You always leave me hanging. You care more about your friends than you do about our marriage.” Do you see the difference between a potentially constructive complaint and inevitably destructive criticism? It’s fine to complain or express feelings, wishes or desires to your spouse. In fact, this involves being assertive, one of the ingredients of healthy communication. It is not helpful, however, to be critical of your spouse. The best way to dismount this first of the fearful Four Horsemen of Marriages in Trouble is to begin your conversations with “I” instead of “you.” Try it and notice the difference when you are specific about the complaint, eliminating accusations and the use of general statements like “always” or “never.”

1John Gottman. Why Marriages Succeed or Fail. . . and How You can Make

Yours Last. Simon & Schuster: New York, 1994.

Claudio Consuegra is vice president for administration for the Minnesota Conference. He also oversees a number of departments, including family life, ministerial, communication and evangelism. His wife, Pamela, is the conference education director. Claudio is one of our bloggers on midamericaadventist.org.

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Kymone Hinds

Chanda Nunes

Buffy Halvorsen

What Our Bloggers are Saying Van Hurst

Steve Bascom, MD

Seth Pierce

Ed Dickerson

Read more on www.midamericaadventist.org Jim Moon

Amy Prindle

Janel Brasuell

Jeff Wines

Nancy Buxton

David and Marquita Klinedinst

Information Correspondence

Letters to the

Editor

"Again I am encouraged by your willingness to address the true issues in the church today. I attended a church where the choir director went into the poor areas and recruited underprivileged, mostly black young people to sing in her choir. Most had no training; none could read music. She taught them to keep rhythm by swaying back and forth as they sang. At their first performance in our mostly white congregation, as these smiling kids began to sway and sing, more that 75 percent of the members got up and walked out. None of the kids, or the choir director, ever came back. The fundamental doctrines of our church are sound— it’s our application of them that needs revising." –Regan Scherencel, e-mailed Editor’s note: To close the book on our earnest and enlightening discussion about “The Church That Said Amen to Rap” (February 2009 Outlook), I publish the following letter from the college student who wrote that controversial article. Please note that she herself does not condone rap music. This whole issue is about love being the highest church standard, overlooking the ignorance of immaturity.

"In my home church, they simply loved me as I grew up. They didn’t condemn me for every little mistake, nor did they condemn the children who danced to rap. I don’t remember the song the children danced to, or how they danced, but I do remember how my church responded. They loved them anyway, and didn’t do anything to drive them away. This impressed me so much I wrote an article on it. It saddens me that people were so focused on the rap in church that they missed the love the church showed. (As a side note—I personally do not like rap and I wouldn’t play it in church.)" –Grace Rodhouse, e-mailed

"I read with interest your article in Outlook and am ready to leave the Adventist Church for a very different reason than your mother. I am sick and tired of being told that it is the Adventist Church’s fault every time somebody decides to leave. Pastors or conference presidents delight in blaming the churches for the loss of membership. In most instances where people have left the church, they want a scapegoat and someone to blame. Most are sick and tired of feeling tied down and being so different

30 June 2009 | Mid-America Outlook 30

than the rest of the world. They make the ones left in the church feeling battered and bruised. The truth is, we had not done anything. They wanted out! And eventually they found enough reasons to leave. When people leave, it is their own choice. I do not mean to sound harsh and unloving, and I hope that is not the tone of this letter." –Anonymous Editor’s note: Dear fellow member, First, I’m sorry you didn’t trust us enough to share your name. You seem to be a thoughtful and responsible member, and I would love to dialogue with you. I sense you are conscientious, and perhaps this explains why you are sensitive to feeling blamed when people leave the church. Please know I’m not trying to blame anyone for my mother leaving the Adventist Church (Editorial, April 2009). I just told Mom’s story. I agree it was her own choice, and I did my best to talk her out of leaving. I tried to make this clear in my editorial. Now as to why people do leave the church. After completing a doctoral study on the subject of attrition of Adventist clergy children (compiling a database of 21,000 cells of information), I must say that the evidence does not support your contention that people generally leave the Adventist Church simply because they want to go out and do their own thing. Some do, of course, but most become discouraged with Adventism after experiencing extreme discouragement from an unloving or oppressive atmosphere that appears to contradict claims of being God’s final remnant. Again, this is no excuse to leave the church, but from Christ’s parables of the lost sheep and prodigal son, I believe He has commissioned us to be gentle with those who go astray. Especially in light of the fact that the older brother in Christ’s prodigal story—who stayed with the church, so to speak—had strayed just as far from his father’s heart of love as his backslidden brother.

We invite your written reflections, both positive and negative. E-mail: martin@midamericaoutlook.org, or write: Editor of Outlook, c/o Mid-America Union Office, P.O. Box 6128, Lincoln, NE 68506

Information Information Farewell Obituaries may be submitted via your conference communication director. To submit directly to Outlook, e-mail outlook@maucsda.org or send to Outlook, PO Box 6128, Lincoln, NE 68506. All obituary submissions must be typewritten to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Barnes, Avon C., b. May 30, 1938, d. Feb. 15, 2009, in Sioux City, IA. Member of Sioux City Church. Survived by husband, Eldon; sons, Gregg and Terry; daughters, Melanie and Valerie (no last names given); three brothers; three sisters; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Bergen, Ella, b. Nov. 1, 1909 in Canova, SD, d. Feb 11, 2009, in Forsyth, MO. Member Branson East Church. Survived by daughters, Barbara Hoskinson, Phyllis Stone Frishman, Patricia Flowers Carlson and Janice Ellstrom; son, James; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; brother, Ed Weisenberger; and sister Selma Mohr.

Birch, Howard, b. June 26, 1917, in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, d. Mar. 25, 2009, in Chanute, KS. Member of the Sedan Church. Alumnus of Union College. Taught in elementary schools and academies in Texas, Missouri, Minnesota and Georgia. Survived by wife, Effie; daughters, Linda Lynch and Beverly Tasche; and two grandchildren.

Bowen, Clella, b.Sept. 12, 1920, in Atlanta, NE, d. Mar. 20, 2009, in Alliance, NE. Member of Alliance Church. Survived by husband, Bob; daughter, Karen; son, Steve; and sister, Elda Rager

Bramblett, Jim Joseph, b. July 7, 1936, in Mildred, CO, d. Apr. 13, 2009, in Valentine, NE. Survived by sons, Kevin, Ron E., and Mark; sisters, Carol Baker and Roberta Chezick; brothers, Wayne and Ron C.; and five grandchildren. Conquest, Donna LaVonne, b. Nov. 25, 1934, in Lidgerwood, ND, d. Jan. 21, 2009, in White Bear Lake, MN. Member of St. Paul First Church. Survived by husband Cecil; children, Douglas Lanz Sr., Candis Lanz-Kreyer, Carri Balk and Terri Bleth; sister, Gwen; 10 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

Groat, Marguerite “Marge” (Cowden), b. Aug. 9, 1918, in Pueblo, CO, d. April 2, 2009, in Richland, MO. Member of Waynesville Church. Survived by husband, Robert; son, Gary Cowden; daughter, Marcia Clark; step-son, David Groat; step-daughter, Lenora Brake; four grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Jarnes, Colleta Francis, b. July 4, 1917, in St. Paul, MN, d. April 10, 2009, in Robbinsdale, MN. Member of Westview Church. Preceded in death by husband, Norman; parents, Erwin and Bertha Wharton; brother, Keneth Wharton; sisters, Ethel Ehnes, Lucille Polosky, Alice Murphy. Survived by children, Don, Janet Camp, James; and six grandchildren.

Kichler, Eunice Evelyn, b. Aug. 13, 1916, in Mayworth, WY, d. Feb. 16, 2009, Fort Washakie, WY. Member of Lander Church. Survived by brother, Thomas Roe; daughters, Dolores Davis, Gail Chavez, Kathleen Adams, Sue Green and Cynthia Ryle; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Lowe, Ronald Dale, b. Mar. 1, 1939, in East Alton, IL, d Apr. 4, 2009, Grand Junction, CO. Member of Grand Junction Church. Survived by wife Sally E. Linkletter Lowe; brother, James Lowe; daughters, Jamie Ursch, Sandra Murray and Kimberly Treqellas; son, Shawn Lowe; and four grandchildren.

Lueck, Yvonne Carolyn, b. Jan. 26, 1930, in Minneapolis, MN, d. Feb. 20, 2009, in St. Paul, MN. Preceded in death by parents, Laura and William; siblings, Ardis Anderson, Kermit and Oriette Lueck. Survived by special friend, Carol Mulroy.

Muir, Glenn W. Jr., b. Oct. 28, 1930, d. Feb. 18, 2009, in Savannah, MO. Member of Three Angels Church in St. Joseph, MO. Survived by daughters, Lyda Smith, Kathy Adkison, Debbie Rustad and Cindy Zappia; sons; Glenn III and David; sister, Lenda Kling; and 13 grandchildren.

Murray, Mary Ann, b. Nov. 16, 1931, in Burt County, NE, d. April 22, 2009, in Firth, NE. Member of College View Church. Worked for Christian Record Services in Lincoln for 18 years. Sur-

vived by husband, Fred; sons, Don and Jody; and five grandchildren.

Olson, Aletha (Evans), b. Feb. 23, 1909, in Monroe, IA, d. July 24, 2008, Detroit Lakes, MN. Member of Detroit Lakes Church since 1935, and was its eldest member. Preceded in death by husband, Harold Anton; and her brother, Dr. Harrison Silas Evans. Survived by three daughters, Sue Smith, Ellen Jane Gilbert, and Sally Aletha Tuck; nine grandchildren; and 16 greatgrandchildren.

Pancake, Alfred, b. April 8, 1917, in Atwood, KS, d. April 4, 2009, in Denver, CO. Survived by sister, Helen Kent; and brothers, Delmer and Warren Pendergraft, Arnold, b. Oct. 11, 1923, in Southwest City, MO, d. March 12, 2009. Member of Mtn. Grove Church. Served his country proudly during WW II and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters. Survived by wife, Lois; son, Mike; daughter, Judy; three grandsons: Jeff, Scot, and Grant; six great-grandchildren; two sisters; and one brother. Schmidt, Ruby Jean (Burgeson), b. March 6, 1926, in Mineral Center, MN, d. March 13, 2009, in Detroit Lakes, MN. Member of Detroit Lakes Church. Preceded in death by parents; and two brothers, Kenneth and Clifford Burgeson. Survived by husband, Lyle; two sons, Jerry and Barry; daughter, Anne Campbell; three brothers, Lawrence, Donald and Ted Burgeson; sister, Mary Kessler; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

two great-grandchildren.

Wagner, James Leonard, b. Oct. 8, 1946, in Lincoln, NE, d. April 14, 2009, in Lincoln, NE. Member of College View Church. Survived by wife, Doris; daughter, Sherrie; son, Daniel; sister Barb Blood; brother, Steve; and four grandchildren. Whittaker, Vernon Russell, d. March 6, 2009, in Rueter, MO, b. Dec. 24, 1919. Member of Branson East Church. Survived by son, Doyle; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Woll Laverne M., b. Nov. 22, 1916, in Vale Township, SD, d. Nov. 7, 2008, in Hettinger, ND. Member of Bison Church. Preceded in death by husband, Richard; two sisters; and three brothers. Survived by daughters, Betty Dickhaut, Beverly Rodie and Judy Frick; sons, Dick and Bob; sister, Lucille A. Lane; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Editor’s note: We apologize in the delay of Laverne Woll’s information and any inconvenience or distress it may have caused, as it had been sent to us in a timely manner but had slipped through one of our thin cracks.

Woody, Elmer, b. Oct. 28, 1927, in Paxico, KS, d. Apr. 4, 2009, in Wamego, KS. Member of Wanamaker Church.

Yeager, John “Alex,” b. Feb. 19, 1934, d. Feb.20, 2009. Member of College View Church. Survived by daughters, Juanita Hinman, Karon Scott and Karol McDonald; and son, Gary Yeager.

Smith, Marjorie Jean, d. Dec. 21, 2008, in Granby, MO, b. May 15, 1922. Member of Neosho Church. Served as the Church Clerk at the time of her death. Survived by daughter, Brendas Poole; brother, Dale Hearon; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Stransky, Eileen, b. Feb. 4, 1931, in Dowes, IA, d. Nov. 6, 2008, in St. Paul, MN. Member of St. Paul First Church. Sang for many churches, evangelistic meetings and concerts. Preceded in death by husband, William; parents, George Ammerman and Evelyn Holmes. Survived by children, Barry Landon, Diane Downham, Laura Little, William Stransky III, Lee Stransky; seven grandchildren, and

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Information Classifieds Advertising Policy Classiﬁed ads must be submitted with approval from your local conference or pastor. Ads may be e-mailed, faxed or typewritten. Outlook does not accept responsibility for categorical or typographical errors. Display ad information available at www. midamericaadventist.org or 402.484.3028. Pricing: Inside Mid-America $25 for first 50 words, 35¢ each additional word.

ute including UK and Canada. No tax, no fees, no expiration. Visit www. phonecardland.com and choose the best plan for all your phone calls around the world. User-friendly, secure. Email: sales@phonecardland. com. Call 863.216.0160.

Outside Mid-America

$35 for first 50 words, 85¢ each additional word. A box can be added around an ad for $5. Notices or Announcements Notices of events, alumni weekends, camp meetings, etc., can be printed at no charge if no product or service is involved and no price is listed. Placement is not guaranteed, however, unless the notice is purchased.

Services AdventistSingles.org Free 14-day Trial! Join thousands of Adventist singles online. Free chat, search, profiles, match notifications! Adventist owners since 1993. Visit www.elliotdylan. com for the Undercover Angels series of novels for Christian teens that build on Biblical principles and reinforce integrity. Great for Sabbath reading, church and home schools, and gifts!

Move With an Award-winning Agency. Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for all your relocations needs! Adventist beliefs uncompromised. Contact Marcy Dante’ at 800.766.1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at www. apexmoving.com/Adventist/.

Need Help? Try Griffen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. SDA family owned and operated, w/SDA Chaplain. Opening for male, female, or couple. Rates from $110. Skilled care facility w/95 beds. Quality 24-hour nursing care. Odor-free environment. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Medicare and Medicaid approved. 641.842.2187—Knoxville, Iowa. Online at: www.griffinnrc.com. Now Online: Nedley Depression Recovery Program and Training the Trainer, (Director and Facilitator training). 1.6 units of CEU available, register at drnedley.com, or call 1.888.778.4445.

Phonecardland.com 10% Discount. Home of the pinless/rechargeable True Minutes phonecard. True Minutes long distance service is 1.9c/min 32 June 2009 | Mid-America Outlook

Purchase Online at www.internationalbibles.com, a secure, fully functioning online Christian bookstore available 24/7 for your convenience; providing church supplies, Bible reference books and foreign language Bibles.We also offer SDA publications, SS quarterlies, study guides, the latest in Gospel music and much more.You may also order by phone 1.402.502.0883.

RVs! RVs! Motorhomes and trailers! Adventist owned and operated RV dealership has been helping SDAs for nearly 40 years. Huge inventory, courtesy airport pickup and on-site hookups. Call Lee Litchfield toll-free 888.933.9300 or e-mail. Lee’s RV Oklahoma City. Visit our website www. leesrv.com or e-mail lee@leesrv.com. Single and Over 40? The only interracial group for Adventist singles over 40. Stay home and meet new friends in the USA with a Pen Pal

Our Mission: To share God’s love by providing physical, mental and spiritual healing. 18 hospitals in: California Hawaii Oregon Washington Live the Dream The journey begins with us. For job opportunities, visit www.adventisthealth.org

monthly newsletter of members and album. For information, send large, self-addressed, stamped envelope to ASO 40; 2747 Nonpareil; Sutherlin, OR 97479.

Wellness Secrets in NW Arkansas, 5 Day Live-in Health Program, $395 special. A power-packed program that will change your life physically, mentally and spiritually. Also health seminars at your church. Call 479.752.8555; wellness.secrets@yahoo.com; www.anewstartnow.com

Employment Biologist, Fall, 2009. Southwestern Adventist University seeks talented Ph.D., committed S.D.A. creationist. Able to inspire students in the classroom and in research. Teaching assignments negotiable in 5-person department. Contact Dr. Suzanne Phillips, Chair, Biology, SWAU, Keene, TX; 817.202.6274; suzan-

nephillips@swau.edu

Career opportunities in beautiful NW Nebraska! Located near national forests and the Black Hills, Chadron boasts a state college, new healthcare facilities and friendly church with growing church school. Our community has openings for family physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, electricians and general construction. For information, 308.432.3081 evenings.

Elmshaven

Historian/Caretaker:

The Pacific Union Conference is currently in need of a Historian in Residence/Caretaker for Elmshaven, the Ellen G. White home in St. Helena, California. This position requires an interest and understanding of Ellen G. White’s life and writings and the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The qualified individual should be physically active, have good communication skills and grounds and maintenance

Sunset Calendar Colorado May 29 June 5 June 12 June 19 Denver 8:20 8:25 8:28 8:31 Grand Junction 8:32 8:37 8:41 8:43 Pueblo 8:14 8:19 8:23 8:25 Iowa Davenport 8:28 8:33 8:37 8:39 Des Moines 8:40 8:45 8:49 8:52 Sioux City 8:54 8:59 9:04 9:06 Kansas Dodge City 8:54 8:59 9:03 9:06 Goodland 8:06 8:11 8:14 8:17 Topeka 8:41 8:45 8:49 8:52 Wichita 8:43 8:48 8:52 8:54 Minnesota Duluth 8:52 8:58 9:03 9:06 International Falls 9:05 9:12 9:16 9:19 Minneapolis 8:50 8:56 9:00 9:03 Missouri Columbia 8:27 8:31 8:35 8:37 Kansas City 8:36 8:41 8:45 8:47 Springfield 8:26 8:30 8:34 8:36 St. Louis 8:18 8:22 8:26 8:29 Nebraska Grand Island 8:57 9:02 9:06 9:08 Lincoln 8:50 8:55 8:59 9:01 North Platte 9:07 9:12 9:16 9:19 Scottsbluff 8:21 8:26 8:30 8:33 North Dakota Bismarck 9:27 9:33 9:38 9:41 Fargo 9:11 9:18 9:22 9:25 Williston 9:44 9:50 9:55 9:11 South Dakota Pierre 9:16 9:22 9:26 9:29 Rapid City 8:27 8:32 8:37 8:39 Sioux Falls 8:59 9:04 9:09 9:11 Wyoming Casper 8:35 8:40 8:44 8:47 Cheyenne 8:24 8:29 8:32 8:35 Sheridan 8:44 8:50 8:54 8:57

June 26 8:32 8:44 8:26 8:40 8:53 9:07 9:06 8:18 8:53 8:55 9:07 9:20 9:04 8:38 8:48 8:37 8:30 9:09 9:02 9:20 8:34 9:42 9:26 9:59 9:30 8:40 9:12 8:48 8:26 8:58

Information Information abilities. Please contact Frank Cornwell, Pacific Union Conference, PO Box 5005, Westlake Village, CA 91359; e-mail: frank@puconline.org; call: 805.413.7208.

The History Department at Southern Adventist University is seeking a full-time professor in the field of American History/Government beginning the summer of 2009. An ability to teach Christian church history is also desirable. Ph.D. required. Must be a member in good and regular standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Send CV and cover letter to Dr. Dennis Pettibone at dlpettib@ southern.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Southern Adventist Univeristy’s School of Nursing seeks an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner faculty member who holds ACNP certification and has current clinical experience. Requisite qualities include interest in research, successful teaching experience, enthusiasm, flexibility, and commitment to nursing and SDA education. Doctorate preferred, but will

consider other qualified individuals. Send curriculum vitae or inquiries to Dr. Desiree Batson, Search Committee Chair, drbatson@southern.edu. SAU School of Nursing, PO Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315.

Southern Adventist Univeristy’s School of Nursing seeks Mental Health nursing faculty member who loves teaching and has current clinical experience. Requisite qualities include successful teaching experience, flexibility, and commitment to nursing and SDA education. Masters in Nursing required. The position requires that the applicant be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in good and regular standing. Send curriculum vitae or inquiries to Dr. Desiree Batson, Search Committee Chair, drbatson@southern.edu. SAU School of Nursing, PO Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315.

Southern

Adventist

Univeristy

seeks Computer Science/Embedded Systems Professor Position requires a master’s degree (doctorate preferred) in computer engineering,

electrical engineering, or computer science (embedded systems experience preferred). Responsibilities include teaching embedded systems, computer science, and academic advisement. The successful candidate will be an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. CVs or requests for more information should be directed to Dr. Richard Halterman, Dean, School of Computing, Southern Adventist University, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315 or halterman@southern.edu

Southern Adventist Univeristy seeks Director to develop and implement a new master’s program in social work. A doctoral degree in social work or a related field, a master’s degree in social work, and at least two years of MSW practice experience are required. Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Dr. René Drumm, Chair, Southern Adventist University, — rdrumm@southern. edu or Dr. René Drumm, Chair, Social Work & Family Studies, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315-0370, 423.236.2768.

Southern

Adventist

Univeristy

seeks full-time faculty in Outdoor Education. Earned doctorate in outdoor education or related field preferred. Responsibilities include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, collaborating with faculty, and mentoring students. The applicant must be a member of the Seventhday Adventist Church, in good and regular standing. Interested individuals should submit a resume and letter of application to Dr. John Wesley Taylor, Dean, School of Education and Psychology, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315-0370, email: sep@ southern.edu; fax: 423.236.1765.

Southern Adventist Univeristy seeks full-time faculty in the School of Education and Psychology for area of research and statistics. Criteria includes PhD in research or related area, teaching experience (preferably higher education). The position requires that the applicant be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in good and regular standing. Interested individuals should send resume and letter of application to Dr. John Wes-

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

Information ley Taylor, Dean, School of Education and Psychology, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315, sep@southern.edu; fax: 423.236.2468.

degree in the field is required, and a doctorate is preferred. Send CV to Dr. Greg Rumsey, rumsey@southern.edu, PO Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315.

Southern Adventist University seeks

full-time faculty in the area of Teacher Education. Criteria include an earned doctorate in inclusive or special education or related area, K-12 classroom experience and a commitment to Christian education. Responsibilities include teaching, coordinating field experiences and mentoring students. The position requires applicant to be an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Interested individuals should submit a resume and letter of application to Dr. John Wesley Taylor, Dean (email: sep@southern. edu; fax: 423.236.1765).

professor in its Social Work/Family Studies Department. Applicant must have MSW (PhD preferred) from CSWE-accredited program and minimum five years post-MSW practice experience. Demonstrated effectiveness teaching undergraduate or graduate level also required. Applicant should have social research and previous administrative experience. Applicant must be an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Submit curriculum vita to Rene’ Drumm, chair Social Work and Family Studies Department; Southern Adventist University; P.O. Box 370; Collegedale, TN 37315, or (rdrumm@southern.edu).

Southern Adventist Univeristy seeks an instructor in the School of Journalism & Communication. Courses will include photography, video production and media convergence. Candidates should have demonstrated success in college teaching and/or professional work experience, with a strong commitment to Seventhday Adventist education. A master’s

34 June 2009 | Mid-America Outlook

Southern Adventist Univeristy seeks Professor of Spanish. Earned doctorate in Spanish (specialization open). Native/near-native fluency in Spanish, college level teaching experience, enthusiasm for teaching all levels of Spanish, teaching and students’ ad-

vising. Applicants qualified to teach other modern languages (Italian or ASL preferred). Must be an active Seventh-day Adventist in good standing. Application deadline: June 1, 2009. Send letter of interest and curriculum vitae to: Dr. Carlos Parra, Chair, Search Committee, Southern Adventist University, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315-0370.

Southern Adventist Univeristy seeks two instructors in the School of Journalism & Communication to teach public relations, public speaking or other communication courses. Candidates should have demonstrated success in college teaching and/or professional work experience, with a strong commitment to Seventhday Adventist education. A master’s degree in the field is required, and a doctorate is preferred. Send CV to Dr. Greg Rumsey, rumsey@southern.edu, PO Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315.

Travel/Rentals Cedaredge Church invites you to move to this beautiful community to minister and fellowship with us. Cedaredge resides at the base of the Grand Mesa, where you will find stunning scenery, 300+ lakes and magnificent wildlife. Cedaredge residents enjoy an abundance of locally grown fruits and vegetables, an

18 hole golf course, fishing, all within a short distance from the Delta hospital. The cost of living is below the national average and the people are friendly. You can contact Pastor Coridan at 970.874.7196. More info at www.cedaredgecolorado.com.

Completely Furnished, Turn-key Apartments in quiet New England home on peaceful farm, at the edge of woods, near the ocean. Peaceful solitude for a time to commune with God, nature and your own soul. Available for a few days to a few months. Call: 207.729.3115 for brochure, rates.

Steamboat Springs, CO: Exhilarating year-round vacation spot. Worldclass skiing, summer fishing, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, rafting. Kids under 12 ski free. Large condo, sleeps 9-11. Two bedroom loft/ two bath. Fully furnished, fireplace, hot tubs, pool. Call 763.506.0436. Email: rdleach@aol.com. Vacations! Looking for the best value and places for your vacation? Specializing in cruises, beach vacations, wedding destinations and honeymoons. Also, knowledgeable in Europe, domestic and mission trips. Let a travel professional take the worry out of your vacation. Call Mary at 1.800.393.4040 or e mail mhedger@travelleaders.com.

Information Information For Sale Fifty Acres on half mile of waterfront property for sale in Matheson, Ontario, Canada. Preference given for Adventist outreach or mission program. Contact John W. Tyynela at 705.273.2736.

For Sale: Dental Laboratory: Well-established and thriving dental lab specializing in removables. Located in beautiful, growing Montana community with Adventist church and K-8 school, and boarding academy nearby. E-mail mtdentalab@gmail.com.

Two Bedroom, Two Bath, Double Wide on 100 by 100 lot in outskirts of Wheatland, WY. Has two roomy additions, attached two car garage, large shop and indoor greenhouse. Handicapped accessible. Underground sprinkler system. Close to schools and church. Call Ellen 307.322.5692.

Retire in Western Colorado. Located above Cedaredge, CO, on Old Grand Mesa Road. Gorgeous views. 2,028 sq ft home on 3.69 acres

w/stream and waterfall running through property, 3 bed/2 bath, large room w/windows galore! 2 car garage, laundry, office and den area. Possible Owner financing. $269,000.00. Call 310.422.1738.

Wanted Ministry to the Amish needs old Adventist doctrinal and Spirit of Prophecy books in German. The older the better! Please contact: Leonard Lang, 600 W. Main, New Castle, WY 82701; 307.746.4111; LeonardLang1000@hotmail.com.

Events

“Our family listens to the word of God preached through the radio every night. We can’t live without it in our spiritual life.” Listeners in Asia

Moorhead Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Moorhead, MN, is celebrating 10th anniversary. Current or former members and friends are invited to attend. The main celebration will be on July 11, 2009, starting at 9:00 a.m. The address of the church is 1515 15th Avenue S, Moorhead, MN. Guest speaker will be Pastor Jim Hiner Jr. Please, bring pictures and memories to share. For more details, please check us at www.MoorheadSDA.org.

Traveling where missionaries cannot go. 12501 Old Columbia Pike • Silver Spring, MD 20904 800-337-4297 • www.awr.org

Mid-America Outlook

June 2009

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