NORTHWEST ADVENTISTS IN ACTION MARCH 2012 Vol. 107, No. 3 NNO NOR ORR ...

44 Pages·2012·5.61 MB·English

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IMAGES OF CREATION
W
hoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of
living water will flow from within them.
John 7:38 (NIV)
‘Fern Falls’ by Ron Trees of Cheney, Washington.
4 FYI
EDITORIAL
5 A Lesson in a Casserole
ACCION
10 El 2012 Comienza con
Gran Bendición en la
Conferencia de Upper
Columbia
CONFERENCE NEWS
11 Alaska
12 Idaho
13 Montana
14 Oregon
FEATURE
18 Upper Columbia
6
Conference
20 Washington
23 Walla Walla University
26 Adventist Health
Youth Leaders
PERSPECTIVE
24 Evensong Tradition
Moves to the Digital Realm
Step Forward with
27 FAMILY
29 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sidewalk Kids
32 ADVERTISEMENTS
LET’S TALK
42 Fast
POSTMASTER: send all address changes to:
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GLEANER, 5709 N. 20th St., Ridgefield, WA 98642 GLEANER STAFF
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Copyright © 2012 conference correspondents may be forwarded to the
MARCH 2012 | Vol. 107, No. 3 GLEANER. CORRESPONDENTS
Alaska: Butch Palmero, [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: Every reasonable effort is made to screen Idaho: Don Klinger, [email protected]
GLEANER, (ISSN 0746-5874) is published once per month all editorial material to avoid error in this publication. The Montana: Archie Harris, [email protected]
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LITHO U.S.A.
NEWS AND NOTES
McVay Announces Return to Teaching
John McVay, Walla Walla University (WWU) president, plans to resign effective
July 1 so he can return to the classroom.
“It has been an honor to serve as president of Walla Walla University,” he says.
“The work has stretched and blessed both me and my wife, Pam. We are grateful
for the partnership of such an able and committed leadership team, as well as the
support of the wider community of faculty, staff and students.”
McVay and his family will continue to reside in College Place, Wash., where he
will serve as WWU theology professor, specializing in New Testament studies.
“The opportunity to join the excellent team of professors in the School of Theology
is energizing for me,” he says. “I look forward to serving WWU students as teacher,
mentor and friend.”
McVay became the university’s 23rd president in 2006, when his first task was John McVay, Walla Walla University
president, plans to return to the
supervising the institution’s name change from Walla Walla College to Walla
classroom.
Walla University. He led strategic planning efforts for the university, earning a
commendation from accrediting organizations, and instituted long-range budget
planning processes. Under his guidance, the university welcomed its largest
freshman class in 17 years for the current school year and yielded the highest
freshman-to-sophomore retention rate in university history.
Letters
Still Misses Nature Cover GLEANER became just another hype GLEANER Editors respond: Helen, you
Every day our mailbox brims with cover. It gets set aside with the rest. The are not alone, although the current cov-
personal bills, business bills, magazines, difference in reaction went unnoticed ers you mention do appeal to others who
advertisements. Bills go one place. The for several years. Even after I realized also consider themselves, we suppose,
ads are easy to dispose of. Then there what was happening, I hesitated to both- “average” readers. And some, who used
are the magazines, each with cover pic- er anyone with my observation — I am to collect those nature photos, actually
ture and design to silently shout, “Read only one person. But I’m possibly pretty appreciate having them on the inside
me now!” near your “average” reader. Might others where the GLEANER logo does not
Years ago the magazines with the be similarly disposed? I’m realizing I’ve intrude on top of the pristine image.
hype covers got set aside, just as now. lost some of the closeness I felt to
But when the GLEANER came, it was the churches of the Northwest.
different. Its full-cover nature photo- Could the same thing be hap-
graph spoke of peace. It drew me in. I’d pening to others?
lay the other magazines aside and, if at
Helen Heavirland,
all possible, sit down right then and be
College Place, Wash.
inspired by the stories of how God was
working in our beautiful Northwest.
A few years ago, that changed. The
nature photograph went inside. The
GLE
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4 GLEANER • March 2012 tSooettnaadllkkl@@etgteelerrass,n ssettroornielisn,ep.ohrogRt5.io7d0gs9e fi N e.l d2,0 WthA NS 9t.8E64R2
EDITORIAL
A Lesson in a
Casserole
T
he service is almost over and already the smells ing wonderful examples. My mind, of course, goes
from the kitchen are drift ing through the to Oregon Conference communities, like Estacada
“Salt used
sanctuary. It is fellowship meal Sabbath, and the where Shirley Lippincott coordinates a variety of
thought of having more of Mrs. Brown’s famous cas- choirs to feature in a city-wide Christmas Festival of properly
serole adds to the growling of your stomach. When Choirs.
you enter the fellowship hall and glance at the table Or Springfi eld where for years Jim McHan, a doc- makes all the
loaded with salads and breads, you see her dish right tor, has brought together health professionals from
diff erence in
there in the middle. around the Eugene/Springfi eld community to hold
Th ere’s a spot saved on your plate for this delicious an event called Your Experience in Better Living.
the world.”
treat. Th is time you decide to take a serving from the Just this past year, the Meadow Glade Church in
center, which has always been just perfect, and then Battle Ground, Washington, remodeled a retirement
on impulse, you reach for one of the corner pieces home to create Center Point, a free medical clinic for
as well — just the perfect combination of crispy and the northern part of Washington’s Clark County.
juicy. Mrs. Brown has done it again — a masterpiece. Portland City Center Sanctuary has also become
Back at your table, it’s time to enjoy. As you place salt in a local community housing project. Th e
that fi rst bite in your mouth, the anticipation builds members have treated residents there to birth-
to a crescendo — but something is wrong. Th e taste day parties, help with a community garden,
is so fl at, the gluten doesn’t taste right, the nuts support of physical needs and, most of all,
almost taste stale. Maybe it was just that bite, maybe friendship.
the corner piece will be what you have been antici- And then there is Molly Geddis, who saw
pating, but that bite is worse than the fi rst. In fact, a need in her community and developed a
even though Mrs. Brown is sitting right at your table, ministry called Healthy Heart Teams, which
you jump up and rush to the bathroom. has since spread throughout our conference
What was wrong? As you rinse out your mouth it and into three other conference territories.
hits you — all the salt for the whole casserole was in Salt, all by itself, can be disgusting, not unlike a
that last bite. church that keeps God’s lifesaving proper-
Have you ever thought of the church and the com- ties to itself. However, take some of our
munity that way? Jesus described His church as salt, enthusiastic Adventist members, stir
though He described the salt as losing its fl avor. In a them thoroughly into the community,
sense, salt all clumped together is as bad as salt that and you’ll discover a special fl avor.
has lost its fl avor. Both are useless and need to be It’s the fl avor of eternal life in Jesus
thrown out. But salt used properly makes all Christ — at the very center of our
the diff erence in the world. message and mission.
Many of our Northwest
members are provid-
AL REIMCHE
Oregon Conference president
5
FEATURE
Youth Leaders
Step Forward with
Sidewalk Kids
I
t doesn’t offi cially take the stage this year for
another three months, but Greg and Shelly Hillman
are already clustered with a group of 10–15 youth
leaders, working on plans for their eighth Sidewalk
Kids summer season. Similar to a traveling Vacation
Bible School, Sidewalk Kids takes the program to the
children, rather than th e children to the program.
It’s not as if the Hillmans need more Wilson’s non-denominational Metro
to do. Greg travels and works long hours Ministries. Several years ago the pro-
for an international technology com- gram caught the eye of Oregon Confer-
pany; Shelly is the Orchards Church ence members Wynn Kaiser, Chuck
(Vancouver, Washington) secretary. But Davidson, the Hillmans and others.
as they have watched the impact of this Aft er some local retooling, it provided
special summer ministry grow since its an avenue for Greg and Shelly to help
inception in 2005, it’s something they their Orchards Church Pathfi nder group
cannot aff ord to let go. put leadership talents to use out in the
Th e Sidewalk Kids concept is not community.
original. It has been used throughout
the country, developing from its success YOUTH TAKE THE LEAD
in the ghettos of New York with Bill Year by year, the program has grown.
What began as four Sabbath aft ernoon
“We work behind the scenes
leaders exceed our expectations
Spirit does through their w
6 GLEANER • March 2012
FEATURE
“The adults have stepped back into
supporting roles, while our youth
have stepped forward to lead.”
John Wesslen, Orchards Church pastor, and run over last-minute program adjust-
is excited to have the youth as the focal ments. Back at the church, another group
point. “Th e adults have stepped back into is bathing the event in prayer.
supporting roles, while our youth have
stepped forward to lead.” CHURCH COMES TO THE
“We work behind the scenes and watch COMMUNITY
with amazement as these teen leaders And then, it’s time. Th e crowd begins
exceed our expectations,” says Greg. “It’s to fi lter into the park. Some parents and
truly humbling to see what the Holy children are familiar faces — they come
Spirit does through their willing hands each week and consider the Sidewalk
programs in a park has blossomed to a and hearts.” Kids crew part of their community. Oth-
full-summer ministry, with three events Stop by some summer aft ernoon at ers approach tentatively, wary of a gim-
in three diff erent locations each week for Orchards Park in Vancouver and watch mick or hard-sell program. Th e arriving
six weeks. What was initially an adult-led what happens as the Sidewalk Kids children run from the registration table
experience is now planned, designed and team arrives and sets up for action. One to grab a snow cone and perhaps some
carried out by 20–30 Adventist youth rep- large trailer unfolds into a mobile stage. popcorn on their way to a seat on one of
resenting as many as six local churches. Another contains technical support the tarps on the ground to await the day’s
Th e youth write scripts, help build staging equipment. Th ere is something for every program. Parents and church volunteers
and create the costumes. Th ey are up age group. Adults and retired volunteers mingle in the back. Th ey all want what is
front, leading songs, enacting plays and help set up awnings and tables and run best for these children — and this com-
sharing a Christ-centered program, work- wires for the public address system. Th ey mon interest is what builds community
ing with neighborhood children plug in a popcorn machine and prepare beyond church walls.
one on one. snow cones for the coming onslaught of
children. Youth workers get into costume
enes and watch with amazement as these teen
tions. It’s truly humbling to see what the Holy
ir willing hands and hearts.”
March 2012 • GLEANER 7
FEATURE
“One special thing
we know our
Building an awareness of Scripture is
part of each event. “Our youth have de-
signed some fun and creative ways to help
these kids memorize Bible verses,” says
Shelly. “Th ey come back each week say-
ing, ‘I remember the one from last time!’
And that’s what it’s all about — putting
God’s Word in their minds.”
SUPPORTING THE VISION
Th e Sidewalk Kids summer ministry
doesn’t have to be complex or expensive.
But as the Orchards project has grown, so
has the budget. Th e Riverside Church in
Washougal, Washington, has now part-
nered with Orchards to add additional
funds, volunteers and other resources.
More than $20,000 from the Orchards
Church alone is budgeted each year to
help fund summer stipends for full-time
youth who consider it a summer job.
Funding has, so far, not been a prob-
lem, says Wesslen. “Th is program is not
focused on the older folks in our church,
but they realize the value of this program,”
he says, “and they contribute liberally.”
Middle three photos pictured clockwise
are: Volunteers prepare snow cones, a
popular item on warm summer days;
Greg Hillman (left), is dressed for a rare
“adult” part in the program and confers
with John Wesslen, Orchards Church
pastor; Shelly Hillman gives last-minute
instructions to the youth leaders.
8 GLEANER • March 2012
FEATURE
Watch this month’s Salt in
Our Communities video at
www.gleaneronline.org.
hing has changed through all of this,
our neighbors now, and they know us.”
Besides the special program and activi- as going into the communities, minister-
ties in the park, the Orchards/Riverside ing to people as one who desired their
program serves a supper, catered by Gail good.
Spreadborough, Columbia Adventist “One special thing has changed through
Academy food service director, who loves all of this,” says Wesslen. “We know our
being part of the outreach. Th is dinner neighbors now, and they know us.”
may be one of the few square meals some
of the children can count on each week. CONSIDER THIS AT YOUR CHURCH
And it’s no small feat. Attendance at one Does your church have an active Path-
of these summertime programs can sur- fi nder program? Have you been wonder-
pass 120 adults and children. ing how to expand your outreach into
the community, to take your program to
MINGLING LIKE JESUS where people actually are? Do you have
Beyond the rough, ungainly exterior of teens hanging out with nothing to do?
some who attend is a hunger for some- Consider visiting one of these summer-
thing beyond mere physical food. Th ey time programs in Vancouver to see how
consider this once-a-week event to be it is opening doors into the community.
their “church” experience — the only Talk to Greg or Shelly, Pastor John, or
contact they and their children may have any of the youth leaders and learn from
with the spiritual side of life. “Th is pro- their experience. You’ll fi nd them eager
gram has gotten us involved in the lives of to share.
people who would never walk inside the Shelly says, “It’s a lot of hard work. I’m
doors of our church,” says Wesslen. exhausted at the end of the summer. But
Will this summertime project become it’s also the best thing I get to do all year!”
a better bridge to church attendance or It could be for you too, if it helps you
baptism? At least one family has placed and your church step out beyond the four
their children in an Adventist school walls to become Salt in Our Communities.
because of Sidewalk Kids. Other results
are still tentative. One thing is for certain: Steve Vistaunet, GLEANER editor
It follows a model made clear by Ellen
White when she described Jesus’ ministry
“...the best thing I get to do all year!”
March 2012 • GLEANER 9
El 2012 Comienza con Gran Bendición
en la Conferencia de Upper Columbia
Nueva Congregación
en Richland
La Iglesia Hispana de
Kennewick situada en Tri-
Cities, Wash., es una de las
congregaciones más jóvenes del
territorio de la Conferencia de
Upper Columbia. La misma ha
demostrado estar determinada
a crecer y multiplicarse; es
dueña de su propio templo y
a su corta edad ya ha decidido
dar a luz a su primer hija.
El desafío inspirado por el Algunos de los miembros de la congregación de Richland, Wash., posando para la foto de los
cielo era plantar una nueva pioneros luego del sermón.
congregación en la ciudad
vecina de Richland, Wash. fi rmaron la foja de los pioneros; en el contexto multicultural y que trabajan en equipo con
Dicha iniciativa se hizo realidad entre los cuales se distinguen secular que los rodea. el Pastor Maijub y su esposa,
cuando la congregación claramente cuatro grupos bien Damaris.
Hispana de Richland, se fundó organizados que interactúan Nueva Iglesia en Uno de los líderes declara
como compañía, el Sábado 14 armoniosamente como si Granger que en los últimos meses se ha
de Enero del 2012 reuniéndose marcharan observando un Félix Maijub, el pastor del percibido un incremento no
estandarte invisible. Un distrito de Central Valley, sólo en el número de líderes
tremendo ejército de jóvenes comenta que a pesar de la sino también en el desarrollo
de primera, segunda y nieve, el 21 de Enero del 2012 de los talentos de cada líder y
tercera generación se suma a en la tarde, la administración la forma en que estos dirigen
hermanos de diversas edades de la Conferencia de Upper sus respectivos ministerios;
y culturas para crear un grupo Columbia representada por esto, declara el hermano, ha
con tremendo potencial para su presidente, Robert (Bob) benefi ciado ricamente a nuestra
alcanzar a la mente secular que Folkenberg Jr., y su director congregación.
ignora la verdad del evangelio ministerial, Gerald Haeger, Gracias a Dios por los líderes
en esta región del mundo. se hizo cita junto a un buen visionarios que Dios nos da en
El pastor local, Jaime Flores, número de hermanos para estas ciudades.
y su esposa, Diana, recalcan conmemorar la organización de La iglesia Hispana de
El rincón de los niños antes que una de las características la Iglesia Hispana de Granger Granger reconoce y agradece el
del sermón. Detrás se observa particulares percibidas en (Wash.). apoyo desinteresado e incesante
una esquina bien decorada
ambas congregaciones, tanto Alrededor de sesenta brindado por los hermanos de
para dicha circunstancia.
la madre como la hija, es el hermanos fi rmaron la foja de la iglesia Anglo de la misma
por primera vez como tal en las número de líderes visionarios y los pioneros. localidad.
instalaciones del hotel Red Lion determinados a crecer movidos La iglesia de Granger milita
situado en la costanera del Rio por un profundo sentido de dinámica y exitosamente en Walter Pintos-Schmidt,
Columbia en una ciudad cuyo dependencia divina. Estos se un distrito de tres iglesias, por coordinador Hispano de la
nombre se traduce a la lengua destacan por su sociabilidad lo que es mayormente dirigida Conferencia de Upper Columbia
de Cervantes “tierra rica.” y deseo ferviente de llevar por un buen grupo de líderes
Cuarenta y ocho hermanos adelante la misión del evangelio competentes y muy talentosos
10 GLEANER • March 2012