Contents june 2008 In Every Issue 3 | Editorial 4 | Newsline 8 | Potluck Newsletters 10 25 Allegheny East 27 Allegheny West News & Features 29 Chesapeake 31 Columbia Union College 33 Highland View Academy 10 | Remembering the Vision 35 Mountain View Some 3,500 people gathered recently in Ohio to commemorate 37 Mt. Vernon Academy the 150th anniversary of the vision that led Adventist co-founder 39 New Jersey Ellen G. White to write The Great Controversy. We take you there through photos and quotes. 41 Ohio 43 Pennsylvania 14 | What Does The Great 45 Potomac 47 Shenandoah Valley Controversy Mean to You? Academy Have you read or recently re-read Ellen White’s prolific work 48 Takoma Academy The Great Controversy? Why is it so significant to our church and future? As you contemplate its meaning in your life, read what attendees at last month’s commemorative gathering had to say. 51 | Bulletin Board 16 | 10 Tip-Top Students 56 | Last Words Brian Jones This graduation season, we pause to recognize the Columbia Union Conference’s On the Web Caring Heart Award recipi - Stay connected to your church ents. On top of studying, family. Stop by regularly to enjoy working, and engaging in current news, videos, podcasts, photo blogs, and more. extracurricular sports, music, or spiritual activities, these columbiaunion.org exemplary students demon - strate personal commitment to About the Cover: These service and witnessing. Meet this year’s awardees from the Columbia Union presidents Columbia Union’s 10 academies and find out why they are tops! gathered in Kettering, Ohio, last month at Ridgeleigh Terrace, the one-time mansion of inventor Charles F. Kettering. It currently serves as headquarters for Kettering Adventist HealthCare. Photo by Lee Ann Yahle. 2 | VISITOR Editorial dave weigley Remember the Vision, Experience the Mission f you don’t become a Seventh-day Adventist, I’ll never marry you!” Those were the words my father heard after proposing to his would-be bride. And before Ihe led my mother down the aisle, he did indeed join the church. Pretty interest - ing way to do evangelism, don’t you think? But my mother, Hazel Gates Weigley, was convinced that the message of this church was important. If she were going to marry and raise a family, it would be a family of Seventh-day Adventists. This conviction my mother possessed came from becoming acquainted with the book The Great Controversy . Her faith journey began when a colporteur sold a copy of this prophetic work to her sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Darwin Heisey. As they read it, they were intrigued and decided to take Bible studies from the local Adventist pastor, who hap - pened to be the father of It Is Written founder George Vandeman. After sharing with the other family members what they had learned, my mother, her brother Merle Gates, and their mother—my grand - mother Nannie—decided to become Seventh-day Adventists along with Evelyn and Darwin. All of this came about because of The Great Controversy , which its author, Ellen G. White, said she “appreciated above silver or gold.” GETTING TO THE CORE What is it about this book that makes it so special, and why would we recognize the 150th anniver - sary of its writing? The Great Controversy was the last of five books in White’s Conflict of the Ages series, a collection of books that should be in every home. They identify the great struggle between Christ and Satan that culminates in Christ’s final victory and the restoration of this world to its original Edenic beau - ty. According to White, it outlines the closing scenes of Earth’s history and bears powerful testimony on behalf of the truth. “I am more anxious to see a wide circula - tion for this book than for any others I have written; for in The Great Controversy , the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books …” she noted in Colporteur Ministry , pp. 127-128. This really gets to the core of why there is a On March 30, 1858, in this Lovett’s Grove, Seventh-day Adventist movement and why there is a Ohio, schoolhouse, Adventist co-founder need to share the timely message of Revelation 14 with Ellen G. White experienced an enlightening the entire world. vision about the “great controversy” To help us understand it better and prepare for the between Christ and Satan. end of time, God called a dedicated woman who became a vessel in His hand. She received a powerful vision outlining the major issues facing the church through the ages—issues that when closely studied are the bedrock theme of the Holy Bible and also are seen more and more in these end times. We, too, have the privilege of seeing a glimpse of this vision as we study, pray, and open ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And as my mother, father, aunt, and grandmother did in the years after they accepted this truth, we can find joy in sharing these truths with our family, friends, commu - nity, and the world, letting them know that the conflict is almost ended and Jesus is soon to return. So I again encourage you to read or re-read The Great Controversy and remember the vision. And, as you study and pray, commit yourself to experience the mission! Dave Weigley ([email protected]) is president of the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Visit his photo blog at columbiaunion.org. JUNE 2008 | 3 Newsline celeste ryan blyden Church Smith was the lyricist for the Baltimore Youth Communication official 2005 General Conference Receive Governor’s Leader Dies Session song. Titled “Jesus Award Christ How We Adore You,” he Reger C. Smith Jr ., associate The United Youth Service wrote it to portray “Christ’s communication director for Corps, a ministry of Seventh- many facets as a provider, men - public rela - day Adventist youth from tor, creator, and redeemer.” tions for the Baltimore-area churches, was He leaves a wife, Delores; a worldwide honored recently as a recipient daughter, Katie, and son, Ross; Seventh-day of the Governor’s Volunteer two sisters; and his parents. An Adventist Service Award. Four youth and older sister preceded him in Church, four adult members of the corps death 10 years ago. died last —Adventist accepted the award from month following a lengthy News Network Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony illness. He was 54. Brown (center). Throughout 27 years of service Kettering College to his church, the talented graphic Graduates Record 294 designer worked in public rela - At its 40th annual commence - tions at Hadley Memorial ment, Kettering College of Hospital in Washington, D.C., co- Medical Arts conferred degrees owned a Maryland-based graphic and certificates on a record 294 design firm, worked at the graduates. This eclipses last Review and Herald Publishing year’s record of 237 graduates Association in Hagerstown, Md., and marks the third straight and even designed and wrote for record-setting graduation class. A ministry of Baltimore the Visitor magazine. He used his Commencement speaker, Adventist Community Services, photography and design skills on Alvin Jackson, MD , an the United Youth Service Corps numerous projects, creating Allegheny West Conference is comprised of 120 youth from brochures, banners, and other member and director of the 12 churches. Members gather public relations materials for Ohio Department of Health, each month to learn about a churches, schools, ministries, and spoke about specific community concern other church organizations. He growing up (homelessness, AIDS, etc.) and was the prime coordinator for the in the south, explore ways they can partner 2003 construction of a visitor’s in a commu - with the community to address center at the Adventist World nity founded such issues. “Our goal is to Headquarters, seen by more than by former teach youth how to model 7,000 people each year. slaves after Christ’s method of ministry,” A longtime member of the Civil War. He shared how says Pastor Darriel Hoy (far Allegheny East Conference’s this tight-knit community not right) who facilitates the corps Breath of Life church in Fort only looked after each other, but in partnership with church Washington, Md., he was also looked after their own health - youth leaders and youth pas - duly regarded as a talented care needs. That upbringing ulti - tors.— Trish Swann musician, composer, arranger, mately guided him to a life that and singer. In addition to per - has been dedicated to serving Correction —An article forming at his church and the underserved. He challenged by Hamlet Canosa, EdD, vice churches across the country, he the graduates to use their God- president for Education at the was involved with numerous given gifts to help change the Columbia Union Conference, musical groups, including the world. Look within your hearts has been printed in the Summer well-known Breath of Life and provide a glimmer of hope issue of The Journal of Adventist Quartet and Heritage Singers. for those who are less fortunate, Education. See http: //educa - Many people don’t know that he said. —Mindy Claggett tion.gc.adventist.org/jae. 4 | VISITOR Newsline Outstanding Choral Conductors New Music Guild Honors 22 Jerry Taylor, Kettering (Ohio) church and David Green, Seabrook church, Lanham, Md. wenty-two professional of musical gifts in the church, and highly talented and develop training programs Outstanding Accompanist T Victoria Alma Castello, Metropolitan musicians from around the to enhance musical ability in church, Hyattsville, Md., and Columbia Union were honored young musicians. The awards Reginald Reid, Community Praise recently during the first Guild program is their newest venture.