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Rio Lindo Adventist Academy Chorale Ministered Through Music at Carnegie Hall
Rio Lindo Adventist Academy Chorale Ministered Through Music at Carnegie Hall 4000 2250 Ken Miller

Rio Lindo Adventist Academy’s Chorale recently returned from a remarkable musical and ministry opportunity at Carnegie Hall, where students participated in the world premiere performance of a newly commissioned Christian choral work, Psalmos, by renowned composer and arranger Mark Hayes and lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri.

The performance took place in one of the world’s most celebrated concert venues and gave Rio Lindo students the rare privilege of ministering through sacred music on an international stage. Joined by soloists and orchestra, the choir helped present the premiere of a new setting of seven psalms, contributing to the living future of Christian choral repertoire.

For Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, the event was more than a musical milestone. It was an opportunity for students to witness through excellence, faith, and artistry — offering sacred text in song in a space known around the world for cultural significance and musical achievement.

“This was a deeply meaningful experience for our students,” said Whitney Weems. “To sing a brand-new sacred work in Carnegie Hall, under the direction of the composer himself, was both an artistic honor and an incredible ministry opportunity. These songs will continue to be sung by future generations of worshippers, and our students were able to represent their school, their faith, and the beauty of Christian music with great seriousness and joy.”

The new work, Psalmos, helped perpetuate sacred choral music into the future by placing fresh biblical text settings into the hands of choirs and audiences. Copies of the composition are expected to become available through MorningStar Music Publishers in 2028.

Following the Carnegie Hall residency, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy’s choir also presented selections from Psalmos during its Spring Concert in the academy chapel, giving the Northern California community an opportunity to hear some of the sacred music students helped bring into the world for the very first time.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 23, 2026
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Pathfinders Ride 6,000 Miles in Sierra Buttes Bike-a-Thon
Pathfinders Ride 6,000 Miles in Sierra Buttes Bike-a-Thon 3883 2145 Ken Miller

May 3, against the scenic backdrop of the Sierra Buttes, Northern California Pathfinders gathered for a full day of cycling, fellowship, and fundraising during this year’s conference bike-a-thon.

A total of 411 riders participated, collectively logging more than 6,000 miles in support of local Pathfinder clubs and youth ministries throughout the conference.

Riders of every skill level took part throughout the day, with some casually pedaling with friends while others challenged themselves to ride as many miles as possible. The day extended well beyond the riders themselves. More than 200 parents, leaders, volunteers, and club cooks filled the area with activity and support. A variety of food booths kept participants energized throughout the day, with favorites such as corn dogs, cotton candy, pupusas, and potato tacos.

Funds raised through the bike-a-thon help Pathfinder clubs continue programs that support spiritual growth, leadership development, outdoor education, and community service for young people across Northern California.

Eddie Heinrich, NCC Youth Ministries and Pathfinder Director, reflected on the success of the event, saying, “The weather cooperated and our Pathfinders, once again, showed they are unstoppable when they commit to a goal. I’m very proud of them.”

Featured in Northern Lights, May 21, 2026
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Sacramento Academy Disc Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Kids Abroad
Sacramento Academy Disc Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Kids Abroad 3791 1962 Ken Miller

By Mark Janke

In March, Sacramento Adventist Academy (SAA) hosted its first-ever disc golf fundraiser at the Little Oaks course in Carmichael. By the end of the morning, 64 players had shown up—and together they raised $2,200 to help provide athletic equipment and musical instruments for children in Peru and Zambia.

The tournament was the idea of fourth-grade teacher Chris Duckett, who also built and cares for the 18-hole course on SAA’s campus. Watching other teachers find creative ways to raise money for Maranatha mission trips, he wanted to do his part—and realized disc golf might be the perfect fit.

With encouragement from Principal Matthew Jakobsons (who even jumped in to cook breakfast), the event quickly took on the feel of a true community gathering. Players came from all backgrounds—families, beginners, and experienced competitors—and many others supported the cause even if they couldn’t attend. One highlight was a raffle featuring a custom electric guitar built by SAA woodshop teacher Duane Calkins, which drew plenty of excitement.

The money raised will go toward simple but meaningful supplies—balls, recorders, guitars, and keyboards. For Duckett, it’s personal. His family will be traveling to Peru this summer, where he hopes to help deliver the items in person.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 21, 2026
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Hayward Spanish Church Begins Relational Outreach in Union City
Hayward Spanish Church Begins Relational Outreach in Union City 3887 2016 Ken Miller

In March, members of the Hayward Spanish Church stepped into Union City with one goal: to lay the groundwork for a future church. Every visit, conversation, and act of service was part of building relationships that could grow into a thriving congregation.

Volunteers knocked on doors, listened to neighbors’ stories, shared meals, handed out literature, and prayed with residents—meeting real needs while planting seeds for the church. Youth and young adults led activities, guided conversations, and modeled kindness and a servant’s heart, showing the community that the church is present, caring, and ready to serve.

In advance the teams set up posters with messages of hope, invited residents to gatherings, and filled the streets with Christian music, creating spaces where neighbors felt welcome and engaged. The result? Residents opened up—some asking for prayer for family health, others eager to join a Bible study, and a few expressing interests in community meals or youth programs. Several shared contact information, giving the team a path for follow-up and ongoing relationship-building.

“Seeing neighbors open up and share their needs reminded us why we serve together,” said Stennett Nash, pastor of the Hayward Spanish Church. “Every visit, every conversation, every act of service is a step toward planting a church here.“The day ended with new friendships formed, prayer requests collected, and a sense of hope for what’s to come—a first step in a journey that will continue as the church grows alongside the community it serves.

<em>Featured in Northern Lights, April 23, 2026</em>

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Connecting With Local Moms
Connecting With Local Moms 3791 1962 Ken Miller

Hi there!

I run a Mom and Me playgroup at Paradise Adventist church that has been slowly growing the last few months, and it’s been amazing to connect with local moms. We have become more than half of the community moms who gather weekly for our kids to play in the Sabbath school room, eat snacks, do crafts, and moms chat and hang out. It’s been a nice way to naturally then invite them to come to church with us too.

We also recently partnered with the Adventist Health Foundation and started giving away diapers to anyone in need.
It’s been a beautiful ministry to care for local moms and babies, and I thought I’d share it with NCC.
Thank you!

Yvette Reiber

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Saddle Up for VBS Season!
Saddle Up for VBS Season! 3875 2012 Ken Miller

By Barry van Iderstein

Vacation Bible School season is almost here! To get ready for these transformative weeks of children’s evangelism, NCC Children and Family Ministries Director Barry van Iderstein hosted nearly 80 guests at the annual VBS Workshop, introducing the newly reimagined SDA VBS program, Cactusville.

Seasoned VBS leaders may recall Cactusville from over six years ago. The North American Division, which produces SDA VBS programs, retooled this classic as part of early preparations for the 2027 VBS program—with music videos already recorded! Sharing the program in advance gives VBS leaders a head start in planning, helping them formulate implementation strategies, create scripts, and determine how many actors will be needed for this classic summer ministry.

Cactusville transports kids to a Wild West desert town where they discover gold nuggets of faith in every Bible story. Each day features interactive games, crafts, skits, and theme songs that bring the Bible to life, helping children understand how God is calling them to follow Him. From opening “round-up” sessions to fun station rotations, this program gives kids a week of faith-filled adventure they won’t forget.

VBS continues to be one of the most popular and impactful summer programs for churches, offering a highly engaging way to teach children the Bible, develop leadership skills in volunteers, and make a lasting impression on families. Investing in VBS is investing in the next generation of faithful disciples—an opportunity your church won’t want to miss.

For more information on VBS programming or training to host a VBS week, contact Barry at barry@nccsda.com today. Yee-haw!

Featured in Northern Lights, February 26, 2026
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A Visit That Taught Us to Care
A Visit That Taught Us to Care 3997 2006 Ken Miller

By Beatrice Ahn

In January, Tracy Elementary School students, parents, and teachers traveled to McHenry House Tracy Family Shelter as part of a community engagement experience.

The visit gave students a closer look at housing insecurity in their own area and the role local organizations play in responding to it. As they toured the facility, students asked questions, listened carefully, and began to understand how quickly circumstances can change for families.

With support from the VersaCare Fund and a donor gift, the school was able to provide $1,500 in supplies just as the shelter was updating bedding in each room. Students helped organize and deliver the items, witnessing how ordinary goods can have an extraordinary impact. For many students, the visit made the needs in Tracy feel closer and more real.

On the drive back to school, conversations continued—about fairness, about gratitude, and about what it looks like to help in practical ways. Some students talked about donating items from home; others simply reflected on what they had seen. It was a shared experience that gave our school community something to think about long after the visit ended.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 26, 2026
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STEMpossible at Rio Lindo’s “Spy” Academy
STEMpossible at Rio Lindo’s “Spy” Academy 4000 2250 Ken Miller

By Nicholas Sigler

Rio Lindo Adventist Academy transformed its campus into a world of secret missions and scientific discovery during its “Spy” Academy STEM Camp, the first since 2018.

Middle school “agents-in-training” from six NCC schools spent two days diving into hands-on activities that blended creativity, curiosity, and real-world science. As Emma, an eighth grader from Feather River, shared, “It was a great opportunity to meet other schools and make new friends. The teachers were friendly and helpful. I learned that lasers show up better in the dark and fog, and the light bounces off mirrors.”

Students began their mission by constructing their own laser mazes. Using geometry and spatial reasoning, they positioned mirrors to guide a laser beam through a complex path, learning how light reflects and how real security systems operate. Agents then moved into the cryptography lab, where they created ciphers and used mathematical patterns to crack secret messages. By applying logic and number sequences, they decoded clues that revealed new “intel” throughout the camp.

Next, participants experimented with invisible ink, testing everyday substances—from lemon juice to baking soda to cabbage-based indicators—to discover which solutions could hide or reveal messages using heat or chemical reactions. Campers finished their training by engineering LED magnetic trackers, wiring small circuits with lights and magnets to create devices that could flash or stick to metal surfaces, mimicking tools used in real investigations.

Through experiences like “Spy” STEM Camp, Rio Lindo isn’t just making science fun for students in the NCC—it’s helping them imagine their futures. By blending teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on engineering with a mission to make science exciting, accessible, and unforgettable, the camp equips young people for advanced coursework, technical careers, and real-world challenges.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
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#riolindoadventistacademy #STEMatRio #learnservelead #norcalboardingschool
#spyacademy #ncceducation

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Young Adventurers Bring Thanksgiving Joy to Oakmont Home
Young Adventurers Bring Thanksgiving Joy to Oakmont Home 3872 2044 Ken Miller

Children from the Pleasant Hill Spanish Adventurers Club spread holiday cheer at the Oakmont Home of Concord, sharing gifts and literature with residents, nurses, and staff. Their visit was a reminder of Christ’s grace and a gesture of companionship for the grandparents and caregivers at the facility.

Adventurers is the church’s club ministry for the youngest children, ages 4 to 10. Named the Capybaras, the club, formed just three months ago, has been cultivating a spirit of service among its members, encouraging them to live out their faith through practical acts of kindness. This outreach allowed the young participants to show care and attention, especially to those who may not often receive such loving support.

Leaders described the day as a meaningful expression of the church’s calling to serve others with humility and love.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 1, 2025
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Building Character, One Adventure at a Time
Building Character, One Adventure at a Time 3888 2078 Ken Miller

By Eddie Heinrich and Barry van Iderstein

Northern California Conference (NCC) Pathfinder and Adventurer leaders continue to provide programs that encourage and teach enthusiastic youth. Over three weekends, youth gathered at Leoni Meadows to take part in spiritual programs, participate in hands-on learning, and earn honors.

In October, over 600 Pathfinders attended the NCC Pathfinder Camporee for a weekend of outdoor adventure and spiritual growth. Despite rainy weather on Thursday, spirits remained high, and by Sabbath morning the skies cleared for a day of activities. Weekend highlights included the blacksmithing honor (supported by Pacific Union College and Adventist Health), the Parade of Nations, a Leaders in Training social activity, and four baptisms. The theme “All In” encouraged Pathfinders to live out their faith through worship, service, and community involvement, while honor classes and service projects fostered friendships and character.

Following the Camporee, the NCC Adventurer program hosted two weekend events—one in Spanish and one in English—bringing young children and families together. The 2025 theme, “Down on the Farm,” offered hands-on experiences exploring food, farm life, and Jesus’ birth. The Spanish event welcomed more than 70 families; the English weekend hosted 30. Children earned awards while parents participated in family ministry activities and guest-led worship. Sunday included go-kart rides and a historic train ride.

Together, the Pathfinder and Adventurer programs showcase the NCC’s commitment to fun, faith-filled events that build character, foster spiritual growth, and inspire service.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 1, 2025
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