Allegheny East Conference

Story by Tamaria Kulemeka

When Wayna Gray became principal of Allegheny East Conference's Dupont Park Adventist School (DPAS) in Washington, D.C., she was delighted with the positive qualities she found in the school’s programs, faculty and students. When she noticed students coming to school without lunch, however, she was concerned.

Teachers often gave students their own lunch and bought extra snacks for those who came without anything to eat, Gray recalls. In the past, lunches were provided at a cost to students. Now, due to the pandemic, students had to bring their own lunches, leaving some at a disadvantage.

Filipino American Oxon Hill church

Story by LaTasha Hewitt 

Members of the Allegheny East Conference (AEC) recently celebrated the official organization of the Filipino American Oxon Hill (Md.) church. What began in 2011 as a church plant with just four members has now grown to more than 100 members. “The focus of our congregation is to reach the Filipino community in the areas of Oxon Hill, Fort Washington and Temple Hills, Maryland,” says Ariel Matira, pastor.

AEC Calvary Church Elder Rudolph Ortega on left

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

With the newly renovated Dorcas building, the Community Services Department at the Calvary church in Newport News, Va., recently reinstituted their community grocery giveaway, providing bags of groceries to many local residents. At the relaunch, members served more than 29 families and distributed 70 bags filled with groceries and literature.

Members welcomed representatives from the Newport News Police Department, as well as several volunteers. They also met many neighbors and extended a special invitation to worship at the church. Calvary plans to maintain contact with each participant.