Marylanders To Face Same-Sex Marriage at Polls

Transcription

1 Adventist Heritage From: Visitor Magazine on behalf of Visitor Magazine Sent: Wednesday, October 10, :57 PM To: Adventist Heritage Subject: Visitor News Bulletin October 10, 2012 Weekly news from around the Columbia Union Conference. Is this not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Marylanders To Face Same-Sex Marriage at Polls If the referendum on Maryland s Civil Marriage Act passes, the state would join six others and the District of Columbia in legalizing same-sex marriage. As they head to the polls this month, Seventh-day Adventist Christians are wondering what passage of this law and two others could mean for Bible-believers. In 1999 and again in 2004, the world church released statements upholding the biblical view and fundamental belief that marriage should involve one man and one woman. Over the weekend, to help members understand the significance of the same-sex marriage debate, Adventists hosted events at Potomac Conference s Capital Memorial church in Washington, D.C., and Chesapeake Conference s Spencerville church in Silver Spring, Md. Both drew sizable crowds. At the Spencerville symposium, Claudio Consuegra, Family Ministries director for the North American Division, said that while he believes that the church should minister to everyone, Accepting homosexual marriage as normal and natural denies the scriptural foundation of 1

2 marriage and, therefore, undermines the validity of the Bible itself. If the Bible cannot be accepted in this area, how can it be accepted in the other areas, including spirituality, salvation and the second coming of Christ? Story by Tanisha Greenidge; photo Michelle Bernard READ MORE Worthington Members Assist Refugees Displaced by Fire Refugee families from Bhutan, Somalia and other countries of conflict were recently displaced by an apartment fire in northern Columbus, Ohio, and forced to rebuild their lives yet again. The fire claimed everything, forcing families to flee with what was on their backs, leaving cell phones and identification documents behind. The Northland Alliance (NA), a nonprofit organization that improves the northern Columbus area and life for immigrants who reside there, was one of the organizations that provided assistance. Kennedy Dulo, a member at Ohio Conference s Worthington church, is friends with Kwesi Gyimah, pastor of Allegheny West Conference s Columbus African church and a member of the NA board of directors. Together they spent the night of the fire and the next day trying to find shelter for hundreds of people. Once completed, Dulo began looking for ways to feed the masses. Despite having to overcome language barriers and strong accents, Dulo and Gyimah fed the refugees one meal a day at the Worthington church until more permanent housing was located. Story by Heidi Shoemaker READ MORE West New York Children Bless Others Near and 2

3 Far The littlest members of New Jersey Conference s West New York church in West New York, N.J., know Matthew 25:36 well. They not only know the verse, which says, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me, they also live it. Over the past 10 months, the children have raised nearly $10,000 to help others at home and abroad. The kids have donated money to build churches overseas, provide blind kids with reading materials, send Bibles to Rwanda, food to Ghana and collected personal supplies for a women s shelter. When they set out to raise $1,500 to build a church in India, Abigail Doria (pictured) so wanted the kids in India to have a church like the one at West New York that she donated her entire piggy bank, which had $186. READ MORE Thousands Tour Tabernacle Replica in Hagerstown More than 2,000 non-members of the Seventhday Adventist Church recently toured a lifesize replica of Moses tabernacle when it was set up on the campus of the Review and Herald Publishing Association in Hagerstown, Md. Several Adventist churches in the area 3

4 cooperated on the outreach project that received endorsements from pastors of many denominations. The project got off to a damp start when a thundershower and 70 mph winds blew down parts of the tabernacle on the first Sabbath. But the staff quickly recovered and went on to provide 250 tours that day. The traveling tabernacle is a ministry of Oklahoma Academy, which provided teen guides who discussed the symbols of salvation with each tour group. During the 10 days of the event, about 4,000 tours were given. School groups came from as far away as Baltimore. Franke Zollman, pastor of the Williamsport church, estimates about 100 visitors asked for Bible studies after their tour. Story by Kim Peckham 1,000 Hispanic Women Attend Potomac Convention Some 1,000 Hispanic women recently met at the Southern Asian church in Silver Spring, Md., for an evening of inspiration. While the meeting welcomed women from all parts of the Potomac Conference, leaders also streamed the event live. Gillen Molina from Puerto Rico presented a message titled Ungida con Aceite Divino (Anointed with Divine Oil). Local singers led the gathering in song service and a mini-concert. Four people were baptized, including a young girl from the Germantown Spanish (Md.) church, whose family is not Adventist. She planned to be baptized despite her parents not being there to support her decision. However, church members and the pastor went to visit the young girl s family in Boston, and they were able to convince her family to be present at the baptism (pictured). We praise God for the opportunity to encourage and uplift each other as women, said Carmen Esposito, director for the conference s Hispanic Women s Ministries. Story by Jacqueline 4

5 Sanchez-Ventouris; Photo by Felix Ortiz Hillcrest Members Beautify Pedestrian Route On Sunday members of Allegheny West Conference s Hillcrest church in Pittsburg dedicated its second annual Man vs. Weeds event to cleaning up the Chauncey Street Steps. This is a popular pedestrian route located in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. Volunteers from the Hillcrest church, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and Clean Green cleared weeds, planted flowers and carried away debris and trash in the areas surrounding the stairway. Several community members and some our church members use these steps to get to the Middle Hill so we were thrilled with the opportunity to give back to our community and create an aesthetically pleasing and welcoming walkway for pedestrians as they pass through, says Lynette Staplefoote, a community services leader at Hillcrest church. They were able to take on this endeavor through the help of the Love Your Block grant, which is a partnership between the City of Pittsburgh and The Home Depot Foundation. Takoma Academy Junior Earns Scholarship for Costa Rican Study Tour 5

6 According to Takoma Academy staff, junior Noelle Francis naturally makes an impact on the campus. She continues to strive for excellence, reflect the love of God and be an ambassador for the school. It is these qualities that probably gave her an edge over other local applicants who applied for a scholarship offered by the World Affairs Council (WAC) toward a three-week study tour in Costa Rica. Each year the WAC, a leading forum for global education and international affairs, which has offices in Washington, D.C., chooses a small number of students from the metropolitan region to study Costa Rica s culture and language. Francis, who is not fluent in Spanish, spent an intensive couple of weeks living with a Costa Rican family that did not speak English. Ultimately, it worked out because, at the end of the day, we are all people, God s children, and His love bridges all differences, she reports. Story by David Turner Allegheny East Delegates to Elect Officers at Sunday Constituency Some 687 delegates are expected this Sunday at Allegheny East Conference s fourth quadrennial constituency session. Please keep the delegates in prayer as they hear reports, elect officers and conduct other conference business. Starting at 9 a.m., click here to watch the session live or go to visitaec.org. 6

7 Hope Channel's New Program to Strengthen Family Relationships Last Sunday the Hope Channel unveiled a new show, Real Family Talk with Willie & Elaine Oliver. The weekly, 30-minute program, hosted by the Olivers, can be seen on the Hope Channel, Hope Channel Europe and Hope Channel International. Through engaging, informative and spiritual discussions about issues facing today s families, Real Family Talk seeks to strengthen families and inspire hope. In each edition, the Olivers draw from their pastoral, educational and counseling experience to navigate discussions about family life, approaching each topic with practical solutions and sound biblical principles. We believe that when you have stronger marriages, you are more likely to have stronger families, stronger churches and stronger communities, says Willie, a pastor and family sociologist who serves as director of the Seventh-day Adventist world church s Family Ministries department. The show can be seen on Hope Channel Sundays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET; Mondays at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET; and Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET. Click here for more show times. Story by Scott Steward READ MORE ABOUT OTHER NEW SHOWS 7

8 End Quote: On Forgiveness We all need to not only look to the cross but also look from the cross. When you do, how do you treat those who have hurt you? We need forgiveness because time does not run backwards and the deed done cannot be undone. Forgiveness means I do not count against you the deed you have committed against me. For Dr. Phil, forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. But for Christians, it is a gift we give to someone else. Grace is always a risk but it is a risk worth taking. Miroslav Volf, founder and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, spoke about reconciliation this weekend at the Ohio Conference s 8th annual National Conference on Innovation. UPCOMING EVENTS Click here for a complete listing of upcoming events around the Columbia Union Conference. MARYLAND October 12-14: The Chesapeake Conference is planning a singles retreat at the Mount Aetna Camp and Retreat Center in Hagerstown, Md. The speaker will be Jonathan Runnels, a chaplain in the United States Air Force who is an Adventist and single. He will be speaking 8

9 about The Five Languages of Love. This series will be helpful to singles in their relationships, whether they are in romantic relationships, family relationships or friendships. For more information, contact Fred Thomas at (410) or October 13: Project Love in Action is the 10th annual benefit concert to provide basic healthcare for the Ubakala Community in Eastern Nigeria. Project Love in Action provides preventive healthcare, HIV/AIDS education, food, clothes, shoes and vision care. Angela Bryant, who has performed on 3ABN, will headline the concert. For more information, visit projectloveinaction.com or call Iheanacho Odinma at (443) Admission is free. The concert will be held at 4 p.m. at the Northeast church, which is located at 6200 Loch Raven Boulevard in Baltimore. October 20: The Columbia Union Conference Department of Religious Liberty invites all to attend the 2012 Liberty Festival. Understand and celebrate religious freedom in America! Hear experts from Washington Adventist University, the Columbia Union Conference, the Baptist Joint Committee and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. See the conferral of the Adrian Westney Religious Liberty Award. James Londis will give the Sabbath homily. For more information, contact Walter E. Carson at (410) , ext. 580, or wcarson@columbiaunion.net. The event, which will be held at the Columbia Union Conference, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided. There is no fee, and registration is not required. The union office is located at 5427 Twin Knolls Road in Columbia, Md. OHIO October 19-21: How to Live with What You Can't Fix is the theme of the Ohio Conference Women s Retreat. Hyveth Williams, DMin, is the featured speaker. Plan to attend the retreat, which includes energetic presentations, thought-provoking seminars, the House of Prayer, and a special service project. Pick up a brochure from your local church or check out the details online at ohioadventist.org. Deadline to register is September 20. Professor Janet Torres is the speaker for the Spanish women s retreat, October 19-21, also at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Dublin, Ohio. information@ohioadventist.org to request a Spanish retreat brochure. October 20: The Toledo first church is teaming up with Haven of Hope Toledo for a comedy fundraiser called Free to Laugh. The funds will go to The Daughter Project (TDP), a non-profit organization in Ohio, which builds recovery homes trafficking shelters for girls who 9

10 have been rescued from sex traffickers. The show will be held at the University of Toledo in Nitschke Hall at 5 and 8 p.m. Christian comics sharing family friendly content will provide a delightful evening of entertainment with 100 percent of the $20/ticket costs going directly to TDP. Tickets can be purchased at the Toledo First church, online, or at a Lifeway or Family Christian bookstore. Click here for more information. ONLINE October 12-20: Changed: Real Lives in a Real World, will be a YouthNET satellite series providing opportunities for engagement and leadership to second and third generation Hispanic youth and young adults in North America. It will present the gospel in English, Spanish and/or Spanglish to make sure that youth/young adults and their friends understand the message. It will utilize social media as the primary means of promoting, advertising, connecting, networking and following up with youth/young adults and their friends. Changed will be broadcast live on EsperanzaTV in Spanish October and in English on the Hope Church Channel, November Speakers for both Spanish and English will be: José Rojas, José Cortés Jr., Carlos Camacho, Carlos Acosta and Yami Bazán. For more information, visit changedlatinoyouth.com. WASHINGTON, D.C. October 13: In celebration of 15 years of ministry, New Covenant Experience presents an evening of high praise and corporate worship on at 6 p.m. This year's theme is Great is Our God. Special Guests include: Minister Terrell Hunt, gospel singer Mary Humphrey, classical vocalist Reginald Bouknight and pianist Extraordinaire Harold Watson. The concert, which takes place at the Capitol Hill church located at 914 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, in Washington, D.C., is free to all. Doors open at 5:30 pm. October 14: The Inspire a Dream Benefit Concert will feature international recording artist and Grammy-award nominee Wintley Phipps. The concert will be at the Shiloh Baptist church, which is located at 9th and P streets, NW, in Washington, D.C. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc. For more information call (800) or visit usdreamacademy.org Having trouble viewing this ? Click here to read it online. For more news and up-to-date information from the Columbia Union Conference, visit columbiaunion.org. 10

11 Forward to a Friend, Subscribe or Send Us Stories To share the Visitor News Bulletin with friends and church members across the Columbia Union, click the Forward to a Friend link below so all the photos and copy will appear correctly. Also, encourage them to sign up for the at To send us a news story, us at visitor@columbiaunion.net. The deadline for all submissions is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Stay Connected: Taashi Rowe, Visitor News Bulletin Editor 5427 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD visitor@columbiaunion.net Website: Visitor News Bulletin is an electronic newsletter published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Columbia Union Conference. You are free to reprint any portion of the bulletin, however, please identify Visitor News Bulletin as the source. 11

12 Copyright 2012 The Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Sent to why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Columbia Union Conference 5427 Twin Knolls Rd. Columbia, Md Spam Not spam Forget previous vote 12

13 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 10, Marylanders To Fac of 3 10/11/ :57 AM Marylanders To Face Same-Sex Marriage, Gambling at the Polls Story by Tanisha Greenidge; Photos by Tanisha Greenidge and Michelle Bernard Published 10/10/12 NEWS ARCHIVES NOTICIAS PODCASTS VIDEOS BLOGS TWITTER FACEBOOK October 2012 Archives Try our easy-to-read format Download the Visitor Calendar 2012 This November Marylanders will vote on a referendum to overturn the Civil Marriage Protection Act. If the referendum on Maryland s Civil Marriage Act passes, the state would join six others and the District of Columbia in legalizing same-sex marriage. As they head to the polls this month, Seventh-day Adventist Christians are wondering what passage of this law and two others could mean for Bible-believers. In 1999 and again in 2004, the world church released statements upholding the biblical view and fundamental belief that marriage should involve one man and one woman. Over the weekend, to help members understand the significance of the same-sex marriage debate, Adventists hosted events at Potomac Conference s Capital Memorial church in Washington, D.C., and Chesapeake Conference s Spencerville church in Silver Spring, Md. Both drew sizable crowds. Jerry Lutz, Spencerville s senior pastor, said he agreed to host a panel discussion on Sabbath because, it is important that our church members be as biblically informed as possible. The symposium titled Protecting Marriage: What is the Christian s Role? included panelists Roy E. Gane, Andrews University (Mich.) professor and co-editor of the recently released book Homosexuality, Marriage, and the Church; Nicholas Miller, the book s other editor and director of the International Religious Liberty Institute based at Andrews University; Bill Knott, Adventist Review and Adventist World editor; Claudio Consuegra, Family Ministries director for the North American Division; and Harry R. Jackson, a widely-noted social conservative activist, columnist and senior pastor of the Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md. Miller said while Maryland isn t going to force anyone to officiate same-sex unions, Adventists should be concerned that acceptance of homosexual behaviors may be forced upon private institutions. In the last days, Christians have to stand ready to defend against laws that contradict the will of God, he said.

14 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 10, Marylanders To Fac of 3 10/11/ :57 AM To receive news, click here. Visitor News Bulletin Archives 2012 Special Constituency 2012 Circonscription Spéciale Constituyente especial del Calendar of Offerings 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD Tel: (410) Tel: (301) Consuegra agreed and said that while he believes that the church should minister to everyone, Accepting homosexual marriage as normal and natural denies the scriptural foundation of marriage and, therefore, undermines the validity of the Bible itself. If the Bible cannot be accepted in this area, how can it be accepted in the other areas, including spirituality, salvation and the second coming of Christ? On the previous evening, Metro Area Adventist Young Adults presented A Discussion on Homosexuality and the Church that included a viewing of the documentary Seventh-Gay Adventists. Panelists at their Washington, D.C., event included the film s co-producer Daneen Akers; Roy E. Gane; Paul Graham, pastor of Potomac s Restoration Praise Center in Lanham, Md.; Jason Hines, a religious liberty attorney; Richard James Sr., pastor of Potomac s Pennsylvania Avenue church in Capitol Heights, Md.; Nicholas Miller; and Kesslyn Brade Stennis, PhD, an assistant professor at Bowie State University in Bowie, Md. Graham admonished members to be more sensitive to the gay community s needs. We ought not tolerate the [gay] community, we ought to accept that community, he said. We should not tolerate bigoted behavior toward that community because sin is sin. It is my moral responsibility to uphold the biblical standards of sexual purity, but it is also my moral responsibility to accept all of God s children. Miller, on the other hand, said, We hope that people see that the Christian has a role in caring for the basic moral environment of society, and secondly that, as Adventists, we have neglected this issue for too long. It s easy to ignore the issue or uncritically embrace and accept. What s hard is to critically engage it in a biblical, sensitive way. Love isn t complete without accountability. What did attendees think of the discussions? Yolanda Elliott, a member of Chesapeake s New Hope church in Fulton, Md., attended both discussions. The Metro Area Adventist [Young Adults] set up an honest, open conversation, and that made it possible for us to be mutually respectful and talk from our own experiences I think our church has a long way to go, she said. We re still talking about Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex people and not with them. As for the discussion, there s more to come. Next week at its Annual Council, the world church, which has a committee discussing alternative sexuality practices, will update its two statements on homosexuality to more clearly articulate the denomination s position. Additionally, Bill Knott announced at the Spencerville symposium, that a 2014 international congress is planned for Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss homosexuality and possible challenges facing the church and its clergy. Other Ballot Issues Marylanders will also be able to vote on Issue 7, which proposes adding casinos to the National

15 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 10, Marylanders To Fac of 3 10/11/ :57 AM Harbor in Prince George s County. A few years ago, when Maryland first considered legalizing gambling, some Adventists voiced opposition, including Congressman Roscoe G. Bartlett, a member of Chesapeake s Frederick (Md.) church. He asked, What will be the human price of expanding gambling in our state? Adventists are not as vocal this time around, however, voters may use as a guide a world church statement issued in 2000 that calls on all authorities to prevent the ever-increasing availability of gambling with its damaging effects on individuals and society. Yet another issue on the ballot is the Dream Act, which, if passed, would make those brought into the country illegally as children, eligible for in-state college tuition rates. Taashi Rowe contributed to this story. COMMENTS POLICY: The Columbia Union Conference Visitor encourages quality conversation and welcomes your thoughtful comments. All comments are subject to approval but will not be edited. Please limit your comments to 500 words or less. Only one comment per person will be published. There are no comments. Anonymous Name: Name: Home About Us News Services Education Entities Find a... Events Legal Notice & Privacy Policy SiteMap. Provided by the North American Division and AdventistChurchConnect.org User Login / Customize.

16 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 10, Worthington Membe of 3 10/11/ :57 AM Worthington Members Assist Refugees Displaced by Fire Story by Heidi Shoemaker Published 10/10/12 NEWS ARCHIVES NOTICIAS PODCASTS VIDEOS BLOGS TWITTER FACEBOOK Worthington church members feed refugee families recently displaced by an apartment fire. Refugee families from Bhutan, Somalia and other countries of conflict were recently displaced by an apartment fire in northern Columbus, Ohio, and forced to rebuild their lives yet again. The fire claimed everything, forcing families to flee with what was on their backs, leaving cell phones and identification documents behind. October 2012 Archives The Northland Alliance (NA), a nonprofit organization that improves the northern Columbus area and life for immigrants who reside there, was one of the organizations called upon for assistance. Kennedy Dulo, a member at Ohio Conference s Worthington church, is friends with Kwesi Gyimah, pastor of Allegheny West Conference s Columbus African church and a member of the NA board of directors. Together they spent the night of the fire and the next day trying to find shelter for hundreds of people. Once completed, Dulo began looking for ways to feed the masses. Despite having to overcome language barriers and strong accents, Dulo and Gyimah fed the refugees one meal a day at the Worthington church until more permanent housing was located. Try our easy-to-read format Download the Visitor Calendar 2012

17 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 10, Worthington Membe of 3 10/11/ :57 AM To receive news, click here. Visitor News Bulletin Archives 2012 Special Constituency 2012 Circonscription Spéciale Constituyente especial del Calendar of Offerings 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD Tel: (410) Tel: (301) The church also helped provide personal hygiene items, clothing, school supplies, linens, furniture and the other items. Dulo turned the church gymnasium into a market so people could shop for what they needed to get back on their feet, and provided transportation. It was a blessing to interact with immigrants and help, said Dulo. It was another opportunity to share Christ s love with them. In an effort to distract them from the stress and turmoil around them, Dulo also took 22 children to a local park to play. The youth adored this break from the crisis, and asked when they could go again each time they saw him. Adults were not immune, often opening the doors to their new homes and inviting Dulo in for a cup of tea to show appreciation for his assistance. The experience has spurred the desire for Dulo and area churches to possibly begin more community-based programs, covering anything from finance seminars for young adults to a children s ministry outreach to a Ping-Pong club. It s not about individual conferences or churches it s about people, said Dulo. COMMENTS POLICY: The Columbia Union Conference Visitor encourages quality conversation and welcomes your thoughtful comments. All comments are subject to approval but will not be edited. Please limit your comments to 500 words or less. Only one comment per person will be published. There are no comments. Anonymous Name:

18 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 10, Worthington Membe of 3 10/11/ :57 AM Name: Home About Us News Services Education Entities Find a... Events Legal Notice & Privacy Policy SiteMap. Provided by the North American Division and AdventistChurchConnect.org User Login / Customize.

19 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 8, West New York Span of 3 10/11/ :57 AM West New York Spanish Children Bless Others Near and Far Story by New Jersey Conference Staff Published 9/24/12 NEWS ARCHIVES NOTICIAS PODCASTS VIDEOS BLOGS TWITTER FACEBOOK Because she wanted the kids in India to have a church like the one at West New York, Abigail Doria donated all $186 from her piggy to build a church in India. the children have raised nearly $10,000 to help others at home and abroad. Some of the youngest members of New Jersey Conference s West New York Spanish church in West New York, N.J., know Matthew 25:36 well. They not only know the verse, which says, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me, they also live it. Over the past 10 months, October 2012 Archives Try our easy-to-read format Download the Visitor Calendar 2012 The children s mission-mindset can be traced back to around two years ago. This was when we received a letter from the Dominican Republic, recalls Alberto Portanova Jr., the church s Children s Ministries director. It was around Christmas, and they were asking for help with toys for children. We asked the kids to help and they brought 100 new toys. This simple act of giving to others in need planted a seed in the hearts of the children of West New York Spanish church. From then on, they eagerly started giving what they had to others who needed it more. When they set out to raise $1,500 to build a church in India via Maranatha Volunteers International, Abigail Doria so wanted the kids in India to have a church like the one at West New York, that she donated the contents of her piggy bank as a gesture of love. It had $186, which she had been saving since birth. Over the past 10 months, the kids have donated money to build churches overseas, provide reading materials to blind kids, sent Bibles to Rwanda and food to Ghana. They have even collected personal items to drop off at a local women s shelter.

20 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 8, West New York Span of 3 10/11/ :57 AM To receive news, click here. Visitor News Bulletin Archives 2012 Special Constituency 2012 Circonscription Spéciale Constituyente especial del Calendar of Offerings 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD Tel: (410) Tel: (301) Pedro Canales, the church s pastor, says the children s participation in fundraising, makes him hopeful. Our kids are on fire, he says. They are seeing that they can help others and that s great. With church, school and home working together we can have a better future for our children. Canales and Portonova have also seen how the children are inspiring their parents. The church has 125 members, many of whom are working class. This is a special church. Our church is prosperous not because we have money but because we have big hearts, Canales says. When pressed further to ask what is inspiring the children to work so hard to give their own money or to actively fundraise, Portonova explains, Our kids want to be like Jesus. That is why they are willing to give up things like McDonalds so they can give money to missionary projects. We do not entertain children but teach them that at a young age they can be missionaries like the children in the Bible. The children are now working with ADRA to help feed a grandmother in Kyrgystan. COMMENTS POLICY: The Columbia Union Conference Visitor encourages quality conversation and welcomes your thoughtful comments. All comments are subject to approval but will not be edited. Please limit your comments to 500 words or less. Only one comment per person will be published. There are no comments. Anonymous Name:

21 Columbia Union Columbia MD : October 8, West New York Span of 3 10/11/ :57 AM Name: Home About Us News Services Education Entities Find a... Events Legal Notice & Privacy Policy SiteMap. Provided by the North American Division and AdventistChurchConnect.org User Login / Customize.

22 New Programs this fall: HOPE CHANNEL "I have been trying to find the way back to God. Hope Channel keeps my thoughts pure and my outlook positive. You are saving the world through the good news of Jesus Christ." Mervine, Barbados Home About Watch Store Donate Programs Contact About News Meet Hope Channel Our Beliefs Our History Employment New Programs this fall Oct 01, :28 Real Family Talk This new, weekly half-hour program helps people enrich their family life through biblical insights for better relationships. Viewers will find hope in the midst of the stresses and distractions that endanger families. Internships Real Family Talk is produced by Adventist Family Ministries in conjunction with Hope Channel. The series is hosted by Willie and Elaine Oliver, well-known authors and seminar presenters featured in insightful one-minute marriage advice presentations between programs across Hope Channel s network. Topics presented by the Olivers and their guest experts include how to strengthen relationships in marriages, families, churches, and communities. Click the red Program Guide button on the right for times and dates in your area. Metamorphosis Who will win butterflies or evolutionists? Make an appointment to catch this spectacular one-hour special produced by Illustra Media. The Hope Channel premier is Friday, October 5 at 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, October 6 at 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. ET. The program explores the extraordinary process of metamorphosis, and the inability of natural selection to account for its origin. Watch for other airings later in the year. Filmed in North, Central, and South America, Metamorphosis is an unforgettable documentary filled with the joys of discovery and wonder. Click the red Program Guide button on the right for times and dates in your area. Pastor Bill Liversidge Comes to Hope Church Channel Pastor Liversidge has a highly developed inductive teaching style that has led thousands of people to a deeper commitment to Christ. His series, The Encounters of Jesus, will challenge and bless viewers while they gain tremendous spiritual insights, convictions, and growth through the Word of God. Click the red Program Guide button on the right for times and dates in your area. 11:26:37 AM]

23 New Programs this fall: HOPE CHANNEL Pastor Geoff Patterson and Forest Lake Church on Hope Channel Be sure to check out Pastor Patterson s two special series from Forest Lake Church. The Sins of Jesus takes an intriguing look at how some of Christ s methods and teachings might be considered socially taboo in today s culture, without compromising biblical truth. Encounters with Christ brings viewers into a life-changing experience with Jesus at the cross, at the tomb, by the road, and in the dark. Click the red Program Guide button on the right for times and dates in your area. Give Thanks, Give Hope Tune in November 17 and 18 to see how God is using Hope Channel in miraculous ways as demonstrated by its rapid growth and the countless lives being changed through encounters with Him during our broadcasts around the world. You ll enjoy inspiring music, testimonies, and reports from program hosts, special guests, and viewers. Click the red Program Guide button on the right for times and dates in your area. back to News Hope Channel Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD info@hopetv.org Privacy Policy Site Map Search Copyright 2012 Hope Channel is a registered trademark Broadband Low speed / Dial-up 11:26:37 AM]

24 Columbia Union Columbia MD : Upcoming Events 1 of 2 10/11/ :27 AM Upcoming Events Around the Columbia Union NEWS ARCHIVES NOTICIAS PODCASTS VIDEOS BLOGS TWITTER FACEBOOK October 2012 Archives Try our easy-to-read format Download the Visitor Calendar 2012 MARYLAND October 2-November 27: The Emmanuel-Brinklow church in Ashton, Md., is hosting a Women s Empowerment/Self Defense Series. The class is held every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Included are special featured sessions for teens (October 9th) and elementary-aged girls (November 13th). For more information, contact the Women s Ministries leader and parish nurse at (301) October 12-14: The Chesapeake Conference is planning a singles retreat at the Mount Aetna Camp and Retreat Center in Hagerstown, Md. The speaker will be Jonathan Runnels, a chaplain in the United States Air Force who is an Adventist and single. He will be speaking about The Five Languages of Love. This series will be helpful to singles in their relationships, whether they are in romantic relationships, family relationships or friendships. For more information, contact Fred Thomas at (410) or fmthomas1950@yahoo.com. Howard Bankes, who can be reached at (410) , can also share more information. October 13: Project Love in Action is the 10th annual benefit concert to provide basic healthcare for the Ubakala Community in Eastern Nigeria. Project Love in Action provides preventive healthcare, HIV/AIDS education, food, clothes, shoes and vision care. Angela Bryant, who has performed on 3ABN, will headline the concert. For more information, visit projectloveinaction.com or call Iheanacho Odinma at (443) Admission is free. The concert will be held at 4 p.m. at the Northeast church, which is located at 6200 Loch Raven Boulevard in Baltimore. October 13-14: The Potomac Adventist Book and Health Food Store is leading a Health Evangelism Training Weekend at the Beltsville Filipino Capitol church on Powder Mill Road in Beltsville. Whoever takes this training will be certified to teach CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program) for their church (or anywhere else). Also included is a Health to Daniel curriculum that prepares the participant to make the CHIP program into an evangelistic program as well as a health program. Register before September 24 and the price is $195 per person (which includes meals). Register after September 24 and the price will be $249. For more information, contact John Kelly (jkelly@potomacabc.com), the medical director for this program, or Lisa Myaing (lmyaing@potomacabc.com), the store s manager. October 13-November 17: The Middletown Valley church is hosting a Revelation Series with George Rice during six Sabbath worship services starting on October 13. Rice will share a study from the book of Revelation each Sabbath to conclude on November 17. The church is located at 1811 Arnold Road in Jefferson, Md. For more information, call or mvsdaevents@gmail.com. October 20: The Columbia Union Conference Department of Religious Liberty invites all to attend the 2012 Liberty Festival. Understand and celebrate religious freedom in America! Hear experts from Washington Adventist University, the Columbia Union Conference, the Baptist Joint Committee and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. See the conferral of the Adrian Westney Religious Liberty Award. James Londis will give the Sabbath homily. For more information, contact Walter E. Carson at (410) , ext. 580, or wcarson@columbiaunion.net. The event, which will be held at the Columbia Union Conference, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided. There is no fee, and registration is not required. The union office is located at 5427 Twin Knolls Road in Columbia, Md. October 26-28: The Washington Metro Area Women s Ministries Retreat will be held at the

25 Columbia Union Columbia MD : Upcoming Events 2 of 2 10/11/ :27 AM To receive news, click here. Visitor News Bulletin Archives 2012 Special Constituency 2012 Circonscription Spéciale Constituyente especial del Calendar of Offerings 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD Tel: (410) Tel: (301) Hyatt Resort in Cambridge, Md. The group is celebrating 20 years of ministry and has scheduled anointed speakers and community projects. This year s highlight will be The Red Dress Ball featuring actress, singer and activist, Cheryl Lee Ralph. For more information and to register, visit Space is limited, so register early! November 4-5: Highland View Academy s Open House/Academy Days starts on November 4 at 4 p.m. All students from grades seven through 10 are invited to attend. This event is free. Register at contact Renee Williams at rwilliams@highlandviewacademy.com or call (301) OHIO October 19-21: How to Live with What You Can't Fix is the theme of the Ohio Conference Women s Retreat. Hyveth Williams, DMin, is the featured speaker. Plan to attend the retreat, which includes energetic presentations, thought-provoking seminars, the House of Prayer, and a special service project. Pick up a brochure from your local church or check out the details online at ohioadventist.org. Deadline to register is September 20. Professor Janet Torres is the speaker for the Spanish women s retreat, October 19-21, also at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Dublin, Ohio. information@ohioadventist.org to request a Spanish retreat brochure. October 20: The Toledo first church is teaming up with Haven of Hope Toledo for a comedy fundraiser called Free to Laugh. The funds will go to The Daughter Project (TDP), a non-profit organization in Ohio, which builds recovery homes trafficking shelters for girls who have been rescued from sex traffickers. The show will be held at the University of Toledo in Nitschke Hall at 5 and 8 p.m. Christian comics sharing family friendly content will provide a delightful evening of entertainment with 100 percent of the $20/ticket costs going directly to TDP. Tickets can be purchased at the Toledo First church, online, or at a Lifeway or Family Christian bookstore. Click here for more information. ONLINE October 12-20: Changed: Real Lives in a Real World, will be a YouthNET satellite series providing opportunities for engagement and leadership to second and third generation Hispanic youth and young adults in North America. It will present the gospel in English, Spanish and/or Spanglish to make sure that youth/young adults and their friends understand the message. It will utilize social media as the primary means of promoting, advertising, connecting, networking and following up with youth/young adults and their friends. Changed will be broadcast live on EsperanzaTV in Spanish October and in English on the Hope Church Channel, November Speakers for both Spanish and English will be: José Rojas, José Cortés Jr., Carlos Camacho, Carlos Acosta and Yami Bazán. For more information, visit changedlatinoyouth.com. WASHINGTON, D.C. October 14: The Inspire a Dream Benefit Concert will feature international recording artist and Grammy-award nominee Wintley Phipps. The concert will be at the Shiloh Baptist church, which is located at 9th and P streets, NW, in Washington, D.C. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc. For more information call (800) or visit usdreamacademy.org Home About Us News Services Education Entities Find a... Events Legal Notice & Privacy Policy SiteMap. Provided by the North American Division and AdventistChurchConnect.org User Login / Customize.