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A P R I LDIGGINGDEEPERinto God’s Word Three Keys to Young Adult Retention Willis Avenue Church Sows God’s Grace, One Breakfast at a Time2 0 1 7
insideAPRIL201744 Digging Deeper into God’s WordIn 1852, James White wrote the first Sabbath Schoollessons for The Youth’s Instructor from his home inRochester, New York, and conducted the first SabbathSchool there in 1853.7 Three Keys to Young Adult RetentionI love young adults; they are spiritual, intelligent, andcaring people. They love the church wholeheartedlyand they are looking to serve the church earnestly.8iStock.com/Pam Walker78 Union Boards and Committees Meet inConnecticut14Members of the Atlantic Union Conference’s boardsand committees met in Windsor Locks, Connecticut,for a weekend retreat.iStock.com/bhofack214 Willis Avenue Church Sows God’s Grace,One Breakfast at a TimeThe Willis Avenue church prayer group and volunteersserve breakfast to people on their way to the methadoneclinic, homeless individuals, and community residents.3789From the TreasurerThe Big PictureAtlantic UnionAtlantic Union College10111214BermudaGreater New YorkNew YorkNortheastern16182122Northern New EnglandSouthern New EnglandBulletin BoardClassified AdsCover: The image used in the cover design is from iStock.com/Vimvertigo.April 2017, Vol. 116, No. 4. The Atlantic Union Gleaner is published monthly by the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists , 400 Main Street, Lancaster, MA 01523.Printed by L. Brown and Sons Printing, Inc., 14 Jefferson Street, Barre, VT 05641. Standard postage paid at Montpelier, VT 05602. Annual subscription price, 10.00. NEW ORRENEWAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: Mail new or renewal subscriptions to Atlantic Union Gleaner, P.O. Box 1189, South Lancaster, MA 01561. Adventist and Seventh-day Adventist areregistered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists .2Atlantic Union Gleaner, April 2017Visit the Atlantic Union Web site
FromA Debt of GratitudeTreasurerat www.atlantic-union.orgwas death, for the wages of sin is death(Romans 6:23). Are we suggesting thatwe have to pay for our sins? Maybe. Butdon’t worry, Christ took on Himself theentire weight of all our sins; He paid thecost with His blood and set us debt free.So, what happens now? Can youimagine someone goes to your bank andpays off your mortgage, writes off yourstudent loan, and even pays your creditcards and monthly bills? That would bejust awesome! But let me pose a question. Don’t you think that you have theresponsibility to show some respect, love,appreciation, or even have a feeling ofindebtedness to that someone? Further,having someone clear your debt, makesyou feel somewhat obligated to have apositive attitude toward that person. I amso glad that, as the song says, “Jesus paidit all, all to Him I owe.” My indebtednessto Him is a debt of gratitude.The world as a system has nothing tooffer to those who live in the Spirit. Wehave been freed from the most terribledeath sentence in the universe. We arefaced with the fact that when we hadnothing, Christ sustained us. Whenwe were dead in sins, He gave us lifeeternal. When we were lost, He rescuedus. He died our death so that we maylive His life.I could keep going on and on, tellingthousands of reasons why I carry in myheart a strong sense of gratitude to Jesus.I am eternally indebted to Him; I am Hisbond servant. My soul rejoices, my feetcannot be still, my mouth praises HisHoly Name saying, “Thank you, Jesus. Iam free, the price is paid!” For this I ameternally grateful.theDebt in America continues tobe a growing phenomenon.Mortgages, cars, student loans,credit cards, and discretionary purchases have surged, similar to the timesjust before the greatest financial crisis.It seems as if a large percentage of theU.S. population lives in debt, but that isnothing new. The concept of owing andrepaying money is as old as we can traceback in history. Can we ever get rid of it?I don’t think so. We can reduce or totallyeliminate ours, but the financial systemis built around getting people to buy nowand pay later.Fortunately, we have ample counselfrom scripture that helps us to understand that God’s plan is for us to stayaway from debt: “Owe no man any thingexcept to love one another”—Romans13:8, NKJV. However, while the Bible cautions us about the danger and the riskof living in debt, I find it interesting thatthe Apostle Paul calls us all debtors. InRomans 8:12, NKJV, he said: “Therefore,brethren, we are debtors—not to theflesh, to live according to the flesh.”Debtors? What do we owe and towhom do we owe it? Paul answers thatby saying, “I am a debtor both to Greeksand to barbarians, both to wise and tounwise”—Romans 1:14, NKJV. We seethat Paul is presenting to us the conceptthat we have a “continuing debt of love”(Romans 13:8, NIV) to one another. Jesussays, “Freely you have received; freelygive”—Matthew 10:8, NKJV.After sin found its way into humanity,we all became sinners and were thereforeseparated from God. There was need forreconciliation. Our disobedience put aveil between God and His creation. Wecould no longer enjoy free access to Him,to a point that the only deserving thing“Christ took onHimself the entireweight of all oursins; He paid thecost with Hisblood and setus debt free.”Elias Zabala, Sr., is the Atlantic UnionConference treasurer and trust services director.Atlantic Union Gleaner, April 20173
COVER STORYDIGGING DEEPERInto God’s WordBy Debra McKinney Banks“The Sabbath school is an important branch of the missionary work, not because it gives to youngand old a knowledge of God’s word, but because it awakens in them a love for its sacred truths,and a desire to study them for themselves; above all, it teaches them to regulate their lives by itsholy teachings”—Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, p. 109, 110.MAs the church grew, the numberof Sabbath Schools greatly increased.Nearly 50 years after the first lessonswere printed, there were 2,334Sabbath Schools operating with50,804 members. The Seventh-dayAdventist Church no longer countsthe number of Sabbath Schools,but according to the Office of theHistoryIn 1852, James White wrote thefirst Sabbath School lessons for TheYouth’s Instructor from his homein Rochester, New York, and conducted the first Sabbath School therein 1853. The following year, JohnByington started a Sabbath Schoolin Bucks Bridge, New York. EarlySabbath Schools had only two divisions, one for adults and one forchildren. In 1869, pioneer teacherG.H. Bell became the editor for TheYouth’s Instructor, and introduced amore organized format for the weeklySabbath School meetings that is similar to what we still use today.4Archives and Statistics for theGeneral Conference, Sabbath Schoolattendance in 2014 was estimatedat 6,342,650.MissionEllen White wrote, “The SabbathSchool should be one of the greatestinstrumentalities, and the mostiStock.com/B-C-Designsore than 10 years beforethe Seventh-day AdventistChurch was officiallyorganized in 1863, the foundationsof Sabbath School in the AdventistChurch had its beginnings in theAtlantic Union territory. Since thattime, for more than 164 years,Sabbath School has continued to be aplace for adults, youth, and childrento study and glean precious truthsfrom God’s Word.Atlantic Union Gleaner, April 2017Visit the Atlantic Union Web site
COVER STORYeffectual, in bringing souls forChrist”—Testimonies on SabbathSchool Work, p. 20. Sabbath Schoolis a “relational, small group-driven. . . educational fellowship thatbuilds faith and practice,” says J.Alfred Johnson, II, director of AdultMinistries, who manages the SabbathSchool, Personal Ministries, andPrison Ministries departments for theNorth American Division.Faith is emphasized by helpingmembers develop a deeperknowledge of the Bible and apersonal relationship with Jesus;practice comes in through an activeapplication of the faith that has beendeveloped in the context of livingwith Jesus and witnessing to othersabout Jesus. “Where we tend to gooff course is when Sabbath Schoolis purely a cerebral experience,”Johnson says. He cites that manySabbath Schools have left out one ofthe most important points. “We oftenforget the practice aspect of SabbathSchool—the ‘do’ aspect—that resultsin knowing Jesus Christ,” he says.Johnson asserts that all four of thesekey elements: Bible study, communityoutreach, fellowship/nurture, andworld mission emphasis are necessaryfor a successful Sabbath School.“Like a car needs all four tires torun, a well-rounded Sabbath Schoolemphasizes making well-roundeddisciples for Jesus Christ.”ResourcesThe General ConferenceSabbath School and PersonalMinistries department (www.sabbathschoolpersonalministries.org)develops a wide variety of curriculummaterials and other resources ona quarterly basis to facilitate asuccessful Sabbath School experiencefor every segment of our worldchurch, from birth to adulthood.at www.atlantic-union.orgThe department has also developed“Sabbath School 4,” an interactiveapp available for both iPhone andAndroid, that provides access to theprint content of all the lessons, aswell as audio podcasts, animatedclips, and weekly audio readings invarious languages. Adult Sabbath School BibleStudy Guide (35 years old ) iswritten in English, French, andSpanish, plus an additional 12languages, including Afrikkans,Türk, Japanese, and IsaXhosa. Aneasy reading English text is alsoavailable. Each quarter is supportedby various study helps, including aquarterly companion book, and E.G.White Notes that can be obtainedthrough the Adventist Book Center(www.adventistbookcenter.com). In Step With Jesus is a newresource to welcome newly-baptizedmembers to the Adventist Churchand the Sabbath School studyformat. Similar to the Adult SabbathSchool Bible Study Guide, thisprinted booklet is comprised of fourBible-study guides that focus on foursubtitles: “The Journey Begins,” “ThePower of Love,” “The Power of theWord,” and “The Power of Mission.” GraceLink is the curriculum forchildren from birth to 9 yearsold. Lessons are based around a12-year curriculum that has beenformulated with the use of currenteducational theory and methods.Each lesson centers on one ofthe four dynamics of the series:grace, worship, community, andservice. GraceLink (Beginners,Kindergarten, and Primary) lessonscome in seven different languages.Animated versions of the lessonsare also available on YouTube.com/SabbathSchool and Vimeo.com/SabbathSchool. PowerPoints is the Sabbath Schoollesson guide for tweens and teens,ages 10-14 (Junior/Earliteen),and is based on a four-year cycle,providing Bible-based teaching ofAdventist doctrines. RealTime Faith is for Earliteens,ages 13-14, and is designed toencourage daily Bible study. Cornerstone Connections is a fouryear “through the Bible” study forteens, ages 15-18, that correspondswith the Conflict of the Ages serieswritten by Ellen G. White. Collegiate Quarterly is a devotional Bible study guide for young adults,ages 18-35, with lessons followingthe adult Sabbath School quarterly.Sabbath School resources are alsoavailable for those living with disabilities, or unable to attend SabbathSchool at a local church. Christian Record Services (CRS)provides Sabbath School materialsfor the visually impaired byproviding the quarterly studymaterials that correspond tothe materials produced by theGeneral Conference. The children’s“Primary” lesson is available inbraille, and CRS also produces TheStudent, an adult quarterly studyguide in braille and on audio CD. Hope Channel offers a weeklybroadcast series called HopeSabbath School which featuresa panel of 12 young adultsdiscussing the week’s adult lesson.Each segment is also available onYouTube.com/hopesabbathschool.Atlantic Union Gleaner, April 20175
COVER STORYUpcoming Plans and SupportsThe NAD Adult Ministries departmentis actively pursuing utilizing digitalmedia to reach local churches. Johnsonand his team are excited about thestart of “Festival of the Laity TV,” abroadcast production arm of the AdultMinistries department that will be usedto develop more training resources,conduct and share interviews, inaddition to live streaming educationalseminars. An in-depth online trainingcourse and digital materials for SabbathSchool teachers will be availableduring second quarter 2017 at www.festivalofthelaity.org.For the tech-savvy Sabbath Schoolmember, you will soon be able toeffort and dedication, the SabbathSchool can be a place where “througha living connection with God, menand women, youth and children, maybe so fitted up that they shall be astrength and blessing to the church [helping] the church upward andonward, as far as it lies in theirability, going from strength to greaterstrength” —Testimonies on SabbathSchool Work, p. 92.ask, “Alexa, what is this week’sSabbath School lesson?” and heara live recording of the week’s adultSabbath School lesson. Thanks toa collaboration of departments,including NAD Adult Ministries,Christian Record Services, the EllenG. White Estate, and GC SabbathSchool and Personal Ministries, thisdigital format is slated to be unveiledin the summer of 2017.Sabbath School is adapting tomeet the needs of the members byincorporating technology, languagetranslations, and more, to engageand enliven their personal walkwith God, and ultimately impact theworld around them. With personalDebra McKinney Banks is thecommunication office assistant for theAtlantic Union Conference.Helpful Links at a GlanceAdult Bible Study Guide (absg.adventist.org)Adventist Book Center: Sabbath School ollegiate Quarterly (www.cqbiblestudy.org)Cool Tools for Sabbath School )CornerStone Connections (www.cornerstoneconnections.net)In Step With Jesus (www.instepwithjesus.org)NAD Sabbath School Resources (festivalofthelaity.com)General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries /sabbathschool)GraceLink (www.gracelink.net)Junior PowerPoints (www.juniorpowerpoints.org)For additional Sabbath School resources,visit alTime Faith (www.realtimefaith.net)1 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyoneMy Memory Versesto his brother’ ” (Zechariah 7:9).BibleStudy3 “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified,and the third day rise again.’ And they remembered His words. Then they returned fromthe tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest” (Luke 24:6-9).People look at the outside of a person, butthe LordGuide1 “looksat the heart”4 “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, throughthose who have not seen and yet have believed’ ” (John 20:29).6 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth hadpassed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”(Revelation 21:1, 2).ww7 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’shouse are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a placefor you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself;that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).8 “‘But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says theLord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God,and they shall be My people”(Jeremiah 31:33).79 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins,8Mission Schooldom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18).QUARTER 2( 1 SA M U E L 18:3, NI V ) .QTREJUNIORS & EARLIIDB2RFOTEEN( GA LA TI A NS 6:9, NI V ) .REAL-TIME FAITH is a Sabbath School curriculum offering“We have promised by the Lord that we will befriends” ( 1 SA M U E L 20:42, IC B ) .an application-oriented study of Scripture for earliteens.“Reject the wrong and choose the right”( I SA I A H 7:15, NI V ) .“I want to . . . tell people the Good News aboutGod’s grace” ( A CTS 20:24, I C B ) .“We will serve the Lord”( J O S H UA 2 4 : 1 5 , N I V) .real.solid.stories“[Daniel] prayed, giving thanks to his God”MyMemoryVersesCORNERSTONECONNECTIONS( D A NI E L 6:10, NI V ) .“Your heavenly Father will give good things to thosewho ask him” ( M A TTHE W 7 : 1 1 , I C B ) .10 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you”11 “Nothing can separate us from the love God has for us”12 “I cannot do it, . . . but God will”2NDQUARTER2017powerpoıntsI17-2-ABSG Ad.indd 1*ECQ170401**ECQ170401*13 “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” God’s GraceWelcomes Us Homeprovide needed space forstudents to grow spiritually.You can partner withthese schools in reachingyoung people for Christ.Thank you for your generoussupport of the ThirteenthSabbath Offering.2/11/16 5:27 PMFeed My Sheep1 & 2 Peter*EKQ170401*EKQ1704011( C O L O S S I AN S 3 : 1 3 , N I V) .If you have a QRcode reader onyour smartphone orcomputer: loadthe reader, pointyour camera at thisgraphic, and visitour site.Second QuarterYear BLifestyles of the Kingdom-mindedBible Study GuideSecond Quarter 2017“Children, obey your parents ineverything” (CO LO SSI A N S 3: 20, N I V ).*ERT170401*ERT1704012RTFLTG cover B2 2017.indd 1“[Daniel] went to his roomthree times a day to pray”9/21/16 11:49 AM(D A N I E L 6: 10, N I r V ).3April–June 2 0 1 7n the west-central Africancountry of Gabon,Seventh-day Adventistsmake up just 0.17% of theentire population. But anAdventist school can makea big difference as dedicatedteachers gently lead studentsto Christ.In Nigeria more than2,000 students—includingmany from a non-Christianbackground—crowd intoa too-small church on thecampus of Adventist-ownedBabcock University. A largemultipurpose center will( G EN ES I S 4 1 : 1 6 , N I V) .SEJQ170401*EBQ170401*EBQ170401“[God] cares for you”(1 PE T E R 5: 7, N I V ).If you have a QRcode reader onyour smartphone orcomputer: loadthe reader, pointyour camera at thisgraphic, and visitour site.A Devotional Bible Study Guide for Young AdultsBoundlessFreedomCCBSG B2 2017.indd 16Second Quarter 2017“Let us not become weary in doing good”( ROM A NS 8:38, 39, I CB) .YEARFeed My Sheep: 1 & 2 Peter*EJQ170401*YEAR Band He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with themand be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be nomore death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former thingshave passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ AndHe said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful’ ” (Revelation 21:3-5).LIFESTYLES OF THEKINGDOM-MINDED“Jonathan . . . loved [David] as himself”(PSALM 56:3, NIV).GUname, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of thoseon earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that JesusChrist is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).13 “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,9The official children’s Sabbath School curriculum of theB I B L E S T U DY12 “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above everypowerpoints over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant ofGod, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord GodAlmighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ ” (Revelation 15:2, 3).2april–june017we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is thepropitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1, 2).10 “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly king-11 “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victoryBible Study Guide( 1 SA M UEL 1 6 : 7 , I C B ) .23456the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).5 “Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed areAtlantic Union Gleaner, April 201710/13/16 10:53 AMVisit the Atlantic Union Web site
[adventist youth ministries on the move]Three Keys to Young Adult RetentionIlove young adults; they are spiritual, intelligent, and caringpeople. They love the church wholeheartedly and they arelooking to serve the church earnestly. However, many areleaving the pews while others are disengaged. What can we doto alleviate this problem? I’ve learned three key components toyoung adult retention through my interactions with them.about each other. They should be devoted to each other,accountable to each other, call each other, and do thingstogether. A church that cares demonstrates love in action,they reach out, and also provide a place for fellowship andhospitality. People who are lonely, discouraged, or afraid cancome to church and find help in their time of need.Key #1Young adults are looking for a spiritual church. Christ offersthe best example of a spiritual church. In the New Testamentchurch Jesus did four critical things: He prayed, lived a genuine godly life, helped the needy, and empowered His disciples.By Christ’s example, He demonstrated that prayer was not anoption, but the most needed activity in life. Throughout scripture, we find Jesus praying at every critical juncture. Jesus, attimes, prayed all night (see Luke 6:12). Every critical decisionand activity was preceded by prayer—His baptism with theHoly Spirit and entrance into public ministry, commencing Hisevangelistic journey, selecting disciples, during His ministry,and before announcing to the 12 His approaching death.Jesus was genuine, He walked the talk. His life demonstrated His teachings. People wanted to be with himbecause of His devoted life (see Luke 15:1). Sinners andreligious leaders alike were drawn to Him because of thelife He lived. Jesus took time to help the needy, and thosesuffering (see Matthew 4:24). There was no town that Jesus’presence did not bring peace and healing. While His primary task was to save us from sin, He spent a great amountof time ministering to those in need, showing compassion.Jesus deliberately empowered His disciples. For threeand-a-half years He demonstrated how to live a life connected to God. Then He prayed for their unity (see John17), and sent them to preach the gospel (see Luke 9: 1-27).He gave them authority and the Great Commission (seeMatthew 28). He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them topreach the Word until the end (see Acts 1:8; Acts 2).Key #3Young adults are looking for a church that lives as a community. They love the idea of joining a small group in orderto learn more about the Bible and Jesus. LifeWay researchaffirms that young adults are longing for community andfellowship with peers, looking for ways to reach peoplein need, and are circling the church but not always finding a home in it. Young adults are looking for connection.Community with other young adults is extremely important in their lives. LifeWay research says young adults seekauthentic answers in the Bible and Christian tradition thatare best learned through participation in small groups.Making a difference is essential, and is accomplished by providing opportunities to meet the needs of others on a regularbasis. Social action is cited as the major reason uninvolvedyoung adults would consider becoming part of a church.Key #2Young adults are looking for a church that really caresabout them. In the study “Lost and Found: The YoungerUnchurched and the Churches that Reach Them” by EdStetzer, Richie Stanley, and Jason Hayes, 58 percent of20-somethings would be more likely to attend church ifpeople “cared for them as a person.” Young adults thrivewhen the people in church demonstrate they really careat www.atlantic-union.orgJesus was a young adult with young adult disciples.They fulfilled God’s mission because Jesus’ church was areflection of His life. Jesus’ ministry, as well as contemporary research, confirms and validates the fact that youngadults will be drawn to a church that is connected to God,is caring, compassionate, and lives as a community. Wecan easily retain and attract young adults by using thesmall group model in our churches, demonstrating genuine love and interest toward those inside and outside thechurches, and living a life that mimics that of Jesus. Jesusdemonstrated prayer. It is the first and most critical step.Nothing short of a revival will lead to retention of youngadults. Ellen White said it best, “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all ourneeds. To seek this should be our first work”—SelectedMessages, Book 1, p. 121.Andrés J . Peralta is director of the Youth and YoungAdult Ministries and Pathfinder and Adventurerdepartments in the Atlantic Union Conference.Atlantic Union Gleaner, April 20177
Union Boards and Committees Meet in ConnecticutMfor ministries; and DanDay, North AmericanDivision director of specialprojects, who facilitatedthe workshops on strategicplanning and development;and Petrice Wideman,president of WidemanCultural Consulting, whogave a presentation oncultural awareness.Each morning and eveningthe group participated inthe devotionals, which thesix conference presidents(Kenneth Manders, HenryBeras, Miguel Crespo, DanielHonoré, Bob Cundiff, andDavid Dennis), RosemaryTyrrell from BermudaConference, and AvisHendrickson, Atlantic UnionCollege president, presented.Each devotional focusedon “mission.”The meetings consistedof several general sessionscovering topics on creating astrategic plan for the union;breakout groups organizedby conferences, the union,the board of education,and the college; and endedwith the regular Februarymeetings of all the boardsand committees.The retreat was sponsoredby the Atlantic UnionConference administrativeteam. This was the beginningof an ongoing process tofocus the direction of theunion and its institutions onmission. Information willbe shared at various timesthroughout this process.“We intend to be a missiondriven union conference,”said G. Earl Knight, AtlanticUnion Conference president.“This retreat is anotherstep forward.”—Ednor A.P. Davison, Gleanereditor, Atlantic Union ConferenceAtlantic Union Conference administrators and guest presenters are, from left, Pierre Omeler, union executive secretary, Petrice Wideman, presenter;Minner Labrador, Jr., presenter; Calvin Rock, Sabbath speaker and presenter; G. Earl Knight, union president; Yvonne Knight, union Women’sMinistries and Prayer Ministries department director; Paul Brantley, presenter; and Elias Zabala, Jr., union treasurer.Photos: Ednor A.P. DavisonAtlantic Unionembers of the AtlanticUnion Conference’sboards and committees (theadministrators council, association board, board of education, college board of trustees, and executive committee) met February 17-21 inWindsor Locks, Connecticut,for a weekend retreat. Thepurpose of the retreat wasto continue the training ofboard members; begin theprocess of developing a strategic plan for the AtlanticUnion that “transcends culture, color, or even conference, and focuses on fulfilling the union’s God-givenmission;” to set goals for theunion territory; and to foster leadership development.The theme for the weekendwas “Mission Driven! A PathForward for the AtlanticUnion Conference.”Invited guest presentersincluded Calvin Rock,former vice president of theGeneral Conference, whowas the Sabbath speakerand also presented seminarson board governance;Paul Brantley, a NorthAmerican Division vicepresident; Minner Labrador,Jr., Southwestern UnionConference vice presidentPictured are some of the members of the Atlantic Union Conference boards and committees on the last day of the retreat in Connecticut.8Atlantic Union Gleaner, April 2017Visit the Atlantic Union Web site
Atlantic Union College(AUC) is taking creative steps to become moreconnected with the localcommunity. Communityoutreach is a part of the history of AUC, and the campusis looking for new ways ofreaching out and forging newbonds with their neighbors.Renovation of theBartlett GalleryThe history ofMassachusetts has alwaysbeen important to thecommunities surroundingAtlantic Union College.Therefore, the college hastaken steps to start renovating the Bartlett Gallery.Their goal is to restore thisbrick and marble building to house historicalAdventist memorabilia andartifacts, as well as enhanceAUC’s services throughhosting special projects andevents at the gallery.These artifacts areimportant to the beginningsof the Seventh-dayAdventist Church, and aresignificant to the historyof Atlantic Union College.The gallery provides ahearth to welcome students,church groups, andcommunity members.President’s LectureSeriesIn an effort to alleviatestudent hardships andthe financial impactof emergencies theyexperience, a series ofspecial fund-raising eventshas been planned. ThePresident’s Lecture Series isthe first. The presentationswill be in the format oflectures, workshops, and/ordiscussion groups.Each presenter willhave a story to tell,inspiration to offer, andlessons to share fromtheir experience. Men andwomen will benefit fromthe lifestyle managementand personal developmentaccomplishments of eachpresenter. The presenters areTelaine Buisson, a travelingpastor; Lela Lewis, CEOof Your Best Pathway toHealth; and Brenda Walsh,general manager of 3ABNKids Network.Although this event isrun by the Village Church,students have volunt
the Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially organized in 1863, the foundations of Sabbath School in the Adventist Church had its beginnings in the Atlantic Union territory. Since that time, for more than 164 years, Sabbath School has continued to be a place for adults, youth, and chi
