News

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee gathered today for their first quarterly meeting of the 2021-26 quinquennium. Some of the committee members gathered at the union headquarters in Columbia, Md., while a majority participated via Zoom.

The executive leadership team shared updates on mission taking place across the territory, highlighting members’ resiliency in the midst of a pandemic and after the deaths of several renowned church leaders.

Dave Weigley, president of the Columbia Union, reported that a majority of the union’s 860 churches are holding in-person or hybrid worship services, with the exception of Allegheny East Conference, where about half of the churches are meeting only virtually.

Story by Kettering Health Staff

Kettering Health is making key leadership transitions to strengthen its senior executive team, positioning the organization for long-term success.

Wally Sacket has been named president of Kettering Health. In his role as president, Wally will directly oversee the organization’s medical centers and service lines, mission and culture as well as clinical and nursing operations.

Chesapeake Conference, Beacon of Light church

Story by Evan Knott

Cesar Gonzalez, pastor of the Beacon of Light church in Salisbury, Md., wanted to learn how his church could more meaningfully minister to the community, so he decided to take a simple step: He sent an email.

Agence Olloweb/Unsplash

Story by Heidi Wetmore

The community of Chesapeake Conference's Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) welcomes three new faces to the 2021–22 school year:

Carmen Alejandra Esposito is SAA’s new school counselor. Esposito, an experienced teacher, vice principal and counselor, has worked in both North and South America. She has a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling Psychology. “My ultimate career goal is to inspire every student in such a way that I will see each one in heaven,” says Esposito.

Carol (Lindsey) Wright, who served for 39 years in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021, after an extended battle with dementia and Parkinson's disease. Read more about her life here.

The Wright Family has announced that Carol's memorial service will be held at Potomac Conference's Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., on Sunday, September 26, at noon.

Registration is required for in-person attendees (masks will be required) with two tickets permitted for each order: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/171458044627

  Tammy Warnke)

Story by WGTS Staff

WGTS 91.9 morning hosts Jerry Woods (pictured left) and Blanca Vega (pictured above), and midday host Becky Alignay recently played “daredevils” for a good cause. The three of them rappelled down the side of the 17-story Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center (Va.) for the “Over the Edge” campaign.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Story by Natalie Lilly

As part of the prayer initiative, “Praying the Mission Forward,” members, church families, schools and conference leaders accepted an exciting challenge earlier this year as they prayed daily for 30 days.

Spearheaded by assistant to the president Shawn Shives, conference leaders joined executive committee and association committee members via phone each night to pray for the eight strategic initiatives, as well as for the upcoming camp meeting and any concerns the prayer partners raised.