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Communication and Development

  • Ken Miller
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Mark Blue Series Promotes Clarity, Leadership, and Teamwork
Mark Blue Series Promotes Clarity, Leadership, and Teamwork 2000 664 Ken Miller

April 3- Principals, pastors, and members of the respective leadership teams met at Carmichael Church for the Mark Blue Lecture Series.

The annual in-service promotes teamwork and collaboration between churches and schools.

This year’s subject was creating effective leadership teams. Through presentations and breakout sessions, each team learned and practiced how to build trust, create conflict, and manage an effective meeting while staying focused on our purpose.

According to Michelle Piner, registrar at Sacramento Academy, “The seminar had great lessons and training to clarify an issue down to its core and then effectively tackle that issue as an administrative team.”

Diona Wheeler, a teacher at Yreka, stated, “Our Yreka team practices about ninety percent of the methods I saw today, but it was very eye-opening and helpful to see and learn a framework in which we can tackle each issue methodically.”

Steve Brownell, pastor of the Oroville Church, remarked, “The material and system was a great start to building more effective churches and schools. I hope we will continue to be trained, learn and become better stewards in our communities.”

Marc Woodson, president, wrapped up the day by stating, “Everything presented here today we have put into action over the last two years at the conference leadership level. The tools shared today will make your teams more effective. Sometimes there are bumps and bruises on our journey, but this method works. If implemented at your church or school, you will see positive results.”

Featured in Northern Lights, April 6, 2023

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NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims
NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims 1912 999 Ken Miller

Serving the international community has always been an essential concern of members and churches of our territory.

The massive earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye and northwestern Syria on February 6 impacted a 310-mile-wide area populated by nearly 14 million people.

Our conference contributed $10,000 to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in response to the extreme humanitarian need. These funds helped distribute food, water, clothing, and essential supplies, sheltered displaced families, and implemented water and sanitation solutions.

Zoltan Sitkei, ADRA country director for Hungary and search and rescue technician/paramedic, stated. “We rescued six people, including two children. It took us 14 hours to save a lady, who was found by our team. It was very difficult to get her out. We worked with the Turkish fire brigade. But finally, we found a solution and got her out,”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
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School Roof Collapses
School Roof Collapses 1924 1008 Ken Miller

March 5-Echo Ridge Christian, our Pre-Kindergarten through 8th-grade school in Nevada City, was dealt a severe blow over the weekend when the gymnasium roof collapsed under heavy snow and rain.

The building, in use, since 1963, collapsed sometime between 6:00 PM Saturday and 4:30 PM Sunday. Patti Osborne, the principal, stated, “We are thankful that school was not in session nor any of entities who use the space were there. Our gym was a critical part of the education program because it was not only used for physical education, but also housed the library, music department, chapel, art, and cooking class.”

Osborne continued, “Our gym was recently remodeled, including coverings for the gym floor. Additionally, for safety, and to protect the gym, we also spent $10,000 to cut down trees—and it was the snow that destroyed our gym. With the renovations, we rented the space to five local entities including a Sunday Church. We have all lost the space and the financial support so crucial to our small school.”

Laurie Trujillo, director of communication and development, stated, “The snow accumulated quickly and mixed with the rain; the roof could not withstand the weight. The destroyed gym will significantly impact the 42 students and teaching staff of four. However, all classrooms are on a separate part of the campus and sustained no damage. The school will remain in session during cleanup and rebuilding.”

Osborne concluded, “The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services declared a local state of emergency after the recent snowstorm that took our gym, so permitting could happen sooner than normal.” If you wish to support the school, click here.

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Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
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25 Countries In A Single Church
25 Countries In A Single Church 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Capitol City church did two community-relevant events in the span of two weeks:

First, they provided a cooling center for the community amidst a heatwave. Then on September 10, the church held its annual international day church service and potluck.

Members and guests representing twenty-five nations were dressed in colorful attire from their respective countries. The potluck dinner was akin to an international bizarre with ethnic foods from the Caribbean, Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

According to one attendee, “I was blown away by the friendliness of the staff and all the diverse clothing of their home countries. The food was phenomenal, and I can’t wait for next year.”

Carol Herbert, mission council leader said, “This year’s international day was one of our best celebrations. We received so many compliments on how great everything was, from the program and the set-up to the food. Praise God!”

Featured in Northern Lights November 17, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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Oakland Ministries Gain New Building
Oakland Ministries Gain New Building 1911 993 Ken Miller

November 12- The C.O.R.E. (Community, Outreach, Resources, and Education) celebrated its grand opening at the Market Street church in Oakland.

The purpose of this facility is for ministry and service to the surrounding community.

At the opening ceremony Vanessa Russell, founder and executive director of Love Never Fails said, “I am looking forward to a continued partnership with the church through The C.O.R.E.” Adriana Preciado of Western Service Workers Association said, “I am excited about building more unity and solidarity amongst the people of Oakland.”

Other notable attendees included church members; Virgil Childs, Pacific Union Conference vice president for black ministries; and leaders of the Oakland community.

According to Theresa Patterson, director of The C.O.R.E at Market Street, “We are looking forward to working with our neighbors and agency partners to spread the love of Jesus Christ!”

Featured in Northern Lights November 17, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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A Call To Sore Arms… And Backs
A Call To Sore Arms… And Backs 2000 1125 Ken Miller

November 14- was the conference office’s quarterly community service day.

Most of the office staff, directors, and leadership met at Mahany Park in Roseville to help revitalize and beautify the park. The day had three main jobs: painting two equipment sheds, planting approximately twenty-five shrubs and flowers, and spreading 130 cubic yards of forest mulch in the flower beds.

According to Ken Miller site director, and assistant to the director of communication and development, “A 130-yard pile of mulch is equivalent to a full-sized Greyhound bus!”

Workers shoveled the ground cover into two-wheeled garden carts and moved material to flower beds around the two-acre parking lot.

By 2:30 pm, all the flowers were in the ground, the painting was done, and the mulch was distributed. Marc Woodson, president exclaimed, “I am so proud of our conference staff and their hard work today. They exhibited our core values of passionate hard work and a servant’s heart, and I saw many acts of kindness. Many hands indeed make light work.”

Denise Brummund, accountant clerk said, “I was so amazed at how much fun we had with each other and the amount of work we accomplished.”

Brian Castelluccio, Roseville Parks, Recreation & Libraries Superintendent wrote, “Your team jumped right in and I was blown away by how efficient they were. Mahany Regional Park looks refreshed, and we are already receiving great compliments. You have a great group of people working there.”

Featured in Northern Lights November 17, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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Acts Of Kindness
Acts Of Kindness 1908 993 Ken Miller

On October 7, students from Chico Oaks school served their community in unique ways.

Each class team chose an act of kindness for someone in their community.

The kindergarten class collected donations for the Butte Humane Society and delivered them to the animals. Students in first and second grade gave out flowers and appreciation letters around the neighborhood. Third and fourth graders picked up trash, and grades fifth to eighth cleaned up a local park and wrote letters to local veterans.

Principal Leslie Bartsch said, “These types of service opportunities set Adventist education apart from the rest. When academics and acts of service show love to our neighbors, we can foster an atmosphere of quality instruction and spiritual growth.”

Featured in Northern Lights November 10, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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Adventurers Go International
Adventurers Go International 1807 956 Ken Miller

Recently, 39 families from Adventurer clubs around the conference spent the weekend at Leoni Meadows.

Todo el Mundo en Su Mano Está – He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands was the theme for the Spanish language 2022 Adventurer Family Fun Weekend. Families worshipped God and engaged in activities teaching International Studies, the Olympics, and Country Fun; subjects that are part of the SDA Adventurer curriculum.

Barry van Iderstein director of children and family ministries said, “It was a huge blessing to host this annual event again after the pandemic derailed it.”

The English-language event which was postponed due to a power outage at Leoni Meadows will be rescheduled soon.

Featured in Northern Lights November 10, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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A Haul In Canned Goods
A Haul In Canned Goods 1954 1081 Ken Miller

The Pleasant Hill Pathfinder Club recently participated in an annual canned food drive.

According to Adan Martinez, area coordinator, “The pathfinders really enjoy going through the community collecting food, and the community looks forward to the pathfinders coming.”

Pathfinders canvased the local community knocking on doors. Many residents know of this annual event and had pre-packed boxes ready to go. Counselors and parents followed behind in vehicles to collect the donations.

The collected food was brought back to the church, sorted, and re-boxed. Pathfinders, parents, church members, and tiny tots all helped in the sorting process. The packages were then given to the Pleasant Hill Adventist Community Services.

The Pleasant Hill Pathfinder Club recently participated in an annual canned food drive. According to Adan Martinez, area coordinator, “The pathfinders really enjoy going through the community collecting food, and the community looks forward to the pathfinders coming.”

Pathfinders canvased the local community knocking on doors. Many residents know of this annual event and had pre-packed boxes ready to go. Counselors and parents followed behind in vehicles to collect the donations.

The collected food was brought back to the church, sorted, and re-boxed. Pathfinders, parents, church members, and tiny tots all helped in the sorting process. The packages were then given to the Pleasant Hill Adventist Community Services.

Featured in Northern Lights November 10, 2022

Andriy Mykhaylovskyy Ordained
Andriy Mykhaylovskyy Ordained 1200 620 nccsadmin

Andriy Mykhaylovskyy pastor of the Sacramento Ukrainian church was ordained on October 22.

He joined Northern in 2018 as a youth pastor at the Sacramento Slavic church. While there, the congregation grew and planted the Ukrainian group, which became a church in 2021.

Sacramento Ukrainian church is the only one of its kind in the Pacific Union Conference. Recently, Pastor Mykhaylovskyy has been providing refugee assistance and resources for local Ukrainian families.

Jose Marin, executive secretary said, “Pastor Andriy is not only gifted in leading his church congregation but also at engaging the Ukrainian community abroad with his unique skills.”

Featured in Northern Lights • October 27, 2022

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