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May 2013

Congratulations are extended to:
~ Triadelphia Sparks Pathfinders for placing first in the Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) at the NAD level in Lincoln, Nebraska on Sabbath, April 30. Thirty-eight clubs from the United States, Canada and England participated by answering 90 questions from the Bible books of Acts and 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. Of the 38 clubs, 26 teams placed first, meaning that they achieved correct answers for 90% of the highest score. Six clubs in the Columbia Union participated, and four of the six got at least 145 of a possible 149 points. In preparation for the event, the young people memorized vast portions of scripture, often 6-8 chapters, while knowing content for additional chapters.
~ Rajkumar Dixit, associate pastor at New Hope church in Fulton, Maryland. Elder Dixit writes a monthly column on church communication and media for Canadian Adventist Messenger magazine. Dixit won a 2012 Award of Merit for Reporting and Writing from the Associated Church Press for his column “The Connected Church.” He accepted the award last month at a banquet held in Indianapolis.

Chesapeake pastors and their spouses joined hundreds of their peers at the iAbide Columbia Union Pastor’s Convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland, April 21-24, for inspiration, training and fellowship. Like everyone, pastors need to be spiritually fed, and the event offered powerful preaching and seminars designed to refill, renew, and refresh pastors and spouses. It was the first union-wide pastor’s convention in nine years.

Washington Adventist University’s graduation exercises begin on Friday, May 3, with a Consecration service at 8:00 p.m. at Sligo church, 7700 Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland. The Baccalaureate service is also at the church on Sabbath morning at 11:15. The Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, beginning at 10:00 a.m., is at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street, NW in Washington, D.C. Visit the school’s website at www.wau.edu, or call (800) 835-4212 for parking information and general guidelines.

Join the Chestertown congregation in celebration of their newly refurbished church building on Sabbath, May 18. The sanctuary and other portions of the facility were destroyed by fire on February 21, 2012, and members have been engaged in a long rebuilding process. After the fire, local community churches rallied to help and offer the use of their buildings for services. On this dedication Sabbath a special worship service is planned for 11:00 a.m., followed by a fellowship luncheon (bring an entrée to share), and a concert and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:00 p.m. The church is located at 305 North Kent Street, Chestertown, Maryland. See photos at www.chestertownsda.com.

The Pikesville church welcomes everyone to two upcoming events: Join members and friends representing 25 countries on Sabbath, May 25, beginning at 9:15 a.m., for a multicultural experience that includes a Parade of Nations. The congregation also hosts a weekend evangelistic series May 31-July 22. Meet Fridays at 7:00 p.m., and Sabbaths at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Attend with a friend, and pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those who come to the meetings. The church is located at 4619 Old Court Road in Pikesville, Maryland. Questions? Call (410) 521-7331, or email pikesvillecommunications@gmail.com.

Highland View Academy (HVA) Upcoming Events For details, visit www.hva-edu.com, or call (301) 739-8480.
~ Alumni Weekend is May 3-5 on campus at 10100 Academy Drive in Hagerstown, Maryland. The weekend begins with a Friday evening vespers program featuring the Adventist Christian Theater Drama Troupe at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, Sabbath School and worship services are planned. John Negley (Class of 1966), assistant vice president of Florida Hospital Tampa, is the guest speaker. A luncheon and afternoon concert follow morning services. Varsity basketball games occur Saturday evening, and there is a Tartans Alumni 5K Run/One Mile Walk on Sunday. Register for the Run/Walk online or Sunday morning in person.
~ Graduation events take place on campus May 31-June 2. A Parent Tribute is planned for 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Baccalaureate is at 11:00 a.m. on Sabbath. Class Night is at 8:00 p.m. The Commencement is Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) Upcoming Events For details, visit www.spaac.net, or call (301) 421-9101.
~ Spencerville Adventist (Junior) Academy invites all former students, graduates, or attendees to Alumni Homecoming vespers on Friday, May 17, in the SAA auditorium. On Sabbath, May 18, a special 11:00 a.m. worship service at Spencerville church features an alumni choir. A potluck follows the service. On Saturday evening, join fellow alumni for basketball and volleyball in the SAA gym. To participate in the alumni choir, please contact Robert Martinez at rmartinez@spencerville.org. The Spencerville church is located at 16325 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. Spencerville Adventist Academy is located at 2502 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, Maryland.
~ Graduation events are planned for May 31-June 2. All events except class night take place at the Spencerville church. The Consecration service is at 7:00 p.m. on Friday; Baccalaureate is Sabbath at 11:15 a.m.; Class Night is at 8:00 p.m. in the SAA Auditorium; and Commencement is on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Adventurer Family Weekend happens May 31-June 2 at Mount Aetna Retreat Center located at 21905 Mount Aetna Road in Hagerstown, Maryland. Themed “Busy for Jesus,” the weekend features speaker Alvin Payne, awards, Monster Soccer, archery, wagon rides, and more. Contact your Adventurer leader, or Ann Reynolds at areynolds@ccosda,org or (410) 995-1910, for more information.

Discover which wild plants are edible by participating in a one-day class, Sunday, June 9, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Mount Aetna Retreat Center in Hagerstown, Maryland. The $48 fee includes two meals (made with edible wild plants gathered during class time), guided identification hikes, lectures, textbook, and color plant identification packets. Must register to participate. To register, call (301) 824-6045, or email mtaetnacamp@myactv.net.

Campestre Hispano (Hispanic Camp Meeting) promises a weekend of rich experience under the theme, “Gozosos al Compartir a Jesús” (“The Joy of Sharing Jesus”), June 7-9, on the campus of Highland View Academy. Beginning Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. there is a concert by Ruth E. Sandoval and message by well-known evangelist Alejandro Bullón. Throughout the weekend the speakers are Pastor Alejandro Bullón and Pastor Rubén Ramos, Columbia Union Assistant to the President for Multilingual Ministries. Sabbath afternoon features a graduation ceremony for the students of the School of Theology and Discipleship. The camp meeting ends Sunday morning with a Garden of Prayer, music and closing message. For meals and lodging information, or to register to attend, please contact your church pastor. For a full schedule of events visit Chesapeake’s website: www.ccosda.org.

The Gathering: It’s All About Jesus is just another month away—June 11-15 on the campus of Highland View Academy. Garner fresh perspectives on Jesus from meeting speakers Derek Morris and Dick Stenbakken, attend a varied menu of seminars featuring outstanding presenters, and enjoy a full program for children, youth and young adults. There are 20-minute evening seminars just before the main meetings, the latest SONscreen films, a Friday evening campfire with music and storytellers, evening outdoor games for the whole family, a watermelon feast, a Sabbath morning women’s breakfast with Carmela Monk Crawford, editor of Message, and much, much more. Tenor Clever Salazar headlines the best of Chesapeake music and mission stories during a Sabbath afternoon concert. Attendees will appreciate the newly air-conditioned gymnasium, comfortable chairs, live-streaming of services on the Internet, and overflow seating in the Highland View church on Sabbath. Ample parking is available. For the latest information on seminars, daily schedules and a host of special features visit Chesapeake’s website: www.ccosda.org. Registration for lodging can be done online and necessary fees can also be paid on the website. By now you should have the whole camp meeting program highlighted in the May issue of The Challenge newsletter that is printed in Visitor magazine. See you at The Gathering!

Crossroads Adventist Preparatory School in Ellicott City, Maryland, offers a pre-kindergarten program for 3-year-olds during the 2013-2014 school year. Applicants must be 3 years old by September 1 and potty trained. For more information about the PreK-Grade 8 school, contact Jackie Farquharson at (410) 465-6867, or visit www.crossroadsadventist.org.

“Intimate Moments with God” is the theme for the 2013 conference-wide Women’s Retreat planned for November 1-3 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a 90-minute drive from Baltimore. Ann Roda, associate pastor at New Hope church, is the keynote speaker for the general sessions in English. Evelyn Omana, a popular speaker from North Carolina, presents during the Spanish-language general sessions. Seminars—including one by Tamyra Horst, author of Praying Like Crazy for Your Kids, a concert, and time for fun and fellowship round out the weekend. Online registration opens later this month. Visit www.ccosda.org, or check Facebook often for updates.

Have a prayer request? Visit the Chesapeake Conference website at www.ccosda.org, and submit your prayer request. The office staff will pray over the requests during Monday morning worship. Everyone is invited to participate in a prayer line conference call Wednesday mornings from 6:30-7:30. To join the call, dial (605) 475-4000 toll-free, and enter code 721521#.

Adventist Community Service/Disaster Response (ACS/DR) leaders express appreciation to the churches and conference office staff who assembled kits to replenish the inventory of Personal Care Kits distributed to needy individuals during a crisis. Many congregations participated—several for the first time, says Evelyn Gates, conference ACS director. To make a donation or learn more, visit www.acsdr.org.

Correction: The April issue of Currents contained an incorrect date for the Arthur Moyer memorial service. The service is planned for Sunday, May 26, 1:00 p.m., at the Chestertown church, 302 N. Kent Street in Chestertown, Maryland. Moyer, who died April 4 at 94 years of age, was a missionary to Africa and served as pastor of the Rock Hall/Chestertown district in the 1970’s.

May Sunset Calendar and Offering Schedule:

Date	Sunset	Offering
May 4	8:01	Local Church Budget
May 11	8:08	Disaster and Famine Relief/World Budget
May 18	8:14	Local Church Budget
May 25	8:20	Chesapeake Advance

Note: Sunset times published above are for Baltimore, Maryland. For Delaware and the Eastern Shore, subtract two minutes. For West Virginia and Western Maryland, add three minutes.

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