Columbia Union News

Robert T. Vandeman, an administrator and ordained minister, who served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for nearly 50 years, passed away Friday, April 23, after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 71.

A memorial service will be held, Sabbath, May 22 at 3 p.m. at Spencerville Adventist church in Silver Spring, Md. | Watch the livestream at facebook.com/spencervillesda.

Sympathy cards and letters may be sent to:

Story by Visitor Staff

The Columbia Union Conference team focused on fulfilling the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church by addressing six priorities voted by the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee:

1. PERSONAL SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

We prepared for and designated 2021 as the Year of the Bible, a time of special emphasis on reading, studying and contemplating how God’s Word transforms lives and draws us closer to Jesus.

On May 22 and 23, some 250 delegates, including pastors, members and leaders representing churches, conferences, schools, healthcare networks, and ministries from across the Columbia Union Conference territory will gather virtually for the Columbia Union Conference’s 28th quinquennial constituency meeting.

“The agenda includes the election of union leaders for the next five years, updates to the Constitution and by-laws, an audit report as well as reports from leadership of the union’s various institutions,” says Rick Remmers, executive secretary for the Columbia Union, whose office heads the meeting planning committee. “Sometimes people are tempted to devalue the reports, but they are an important part of creating transparency and accountability.”