Columbia Union News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Keeping Mission Going Strong

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

For the first time in many years, the Columbia Union Conference experienced a drop in tithe, reported Treasurer Emmanuel Asiedu. Tithe was down 5.40 percent (approximately $1.6 million) from January to March, compared to last year.

Despite this drop, Asiedu says he has been impressed with members’ generosity during this hard time. “Their giving was more than my expectation, given the COVID-19 crisis and overall financial crisis we are experiencing,” he added.

Education Extends Accreditations, Contracts

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

During the recent Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, Office of Education Vice President Donovan Ross shared that he has postponed school accreditation visits until next year and received approval to extend current accreditations by one year so that schools that are up for accreditation can continue operating.

Columbia Union Executive Committee Members Urge Caution and Compassion

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Two committee members representing Allegheny East Conference spoke to the importance of proceeding with caution when making decisions about reopening churches and schools.

Gina Brown, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University in Washington, D.C., shared that mental illness is on the rise and urged church members not to ignore it. In addition, she added, “Our senior [citizens] are significantly lonely, and everybody is being hit [by the isolation].”

Executive Committee Discusses Coronavirus Impact on Church

Columbia Union Executive Committee members meet on Zoom

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee gathered last week via Zoom to discuss and reflect on the church’s work over the last two months. The main topic? How COVID-19 has impacted the mission and ministry across the eight-state territory.

Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division (NAD), shared a worship thought on Ruth. “There is a tempest blowing in our land. There is desolation in many places, but we have the hope, the faith and the promise that we may shelter under the wings of the Almighty with our kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ,’’ he said.

Vote du Comité Exécutif de l’Union de Columbia de Retourner 550 000 dollars aux fédérations et à Washington Adventist University

Au cours de la réunion du mois de mars du Comité Exécutif de l’Union de Fédérations de Columbia, les membres ont voté de retourner la somme de 50 000 dollars à chaque Fédération, ainsi qu’à l’Université Adventiste de Washington à Takoma Park, dans le Maryland. Ces entités peuvent utiliser cet argent pour les projets qu’elles jugent appropriés.

« Nous croyons au partage des bénédictions de Dieu avec nos entités », a déclaré Emmanuel Asiedu, trésorier de l’Union de Columbia. « [Nous] voulons rendre 550 000 dollars à nos entités pour soutenir la mission. [Nous donnons] l'argent maintenant afin que nous puissions partager les bénédictions maintenant.»