Columbia Union News

One of Bithja Racine’s favorite Bible texts comes from 1 Corinthians 10:31, and it says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (NIV). So instead of rolling over to catch a few more winks of sleep, this text drove her to a kitchen at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., at 3 a.m. on a Thursday morning. She was not alone. The junior counseling psychology major was joined by several of her fellow students. And throughout the day, in between classes, more students would help prepare a veritable feast that included rice and beans, macaroni and cheese, a special Haitian dish, lasagna, salad, steamed vegetables, patties and cakes.

Last Thursday, for the second year in a row, the officers of the Columbia Union Conference recognized those who have made a significant contribution to ministry in the union. Six were honored with a special luncheon and the Notable Person of Honor Award.
 

This week presidents of the Columbia Union’s eight conferences, two healthcare networks and university met in Columbia, Md., for executive-level board meetings. The week started with Presidents’ Council where each president shared praises and challenges from their field. On Tuesday each conference’s top-three officers met for Administrator’s Council where they handled the business of the union. They also heard a presentation on crisis communication from Celeste Ryan Blyden, Visitor publisher and editor, and author of the new book, Crisis Boot Camp, published by the North American Division. 
 

“These are not union projects,” explains Frank Bondurant, the Columbia Union Conference’s vice president for Ministries Development. “In fact, it’s completely flipped. These projects start at the local church.”

It naturally worries church members to hear that the Seventh-day Adventist Church defends the rights of Muslims, Native Americans and even atheists. Why on Earth would we support the teachings of the Quran, the use of hallucinogens or a godless philosophy?

Where does our church stand on some of today’s most talked about issues?

Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders have advocated for religious freedom for well over 100 years, but what about other important societal issues, like the sanctity of marriage, capital punishment or conscience protections for physicians in the recent healthcare debate? Certainly, the church is in a unique position to offer sound and ethical advice to policymakers, but should we follow the example of early church leaders who intensely engaged policymakers over prohibition and dietary health reform?
 

The Columbia Union’s own Walter Carson, Esq., is the only Adventist to successfully argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. In Hobbie v. Unemployment Appeals Commission of Florida, the Court reversed the appeals commission’s refusal to provide unemployment benefits to a woman who was fired for refusing to work on Sabbath. The Court found that a state could not treat a religious convert differently than a person whose beliefs preceded her employment.

Norma Jean Sahlin, a daughter of the Columbia Union Conference, lost her fight against ovarian cancer last Wednesday. She was 61. Sahlin was born in Takoma Park, Md., was in the Takoma Academy Class of 1970, and graduated from Columbia Union College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in communication. She married Monte Sahlin on October 20, 1974 at Potomac Conference’s Sligo church in Takoma Park. This Sunday marks their 39th anniversary.

Today at the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, the presidents of the union’s two healthcare systems made a donation that will make a dramatic difference in the lives of hundreds, possibly thousands of visually impaired people in India.

Members from all across the Columbia Union Conference are among the thousands of people converging on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Their participation started on Saturday at a joint rally for jobs and freedom and commemoration of the original march.