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Adventurers’ Adventure At Leoni
Adventurers’ Adventure At Leoni 2000 1125 Ken Miller

January 27-29- The English language version of the annual Adventurer Family Fun Weekend was held at Leoni Meadows after being postponed in October. The same event in Spanish was held in November without a hitch.

This year’s theme, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, gave NCC Adventurers and their families a weekend of international cultures, languages, food, and games. More than 85 people attended from all over the conference.

Leoni staff opened the Leoni House Museum, where the children were delighted to find a perfect layer of snow, making it possible to sled down the hill in front of the meadow in spectacular weather!

Chef Ed and cafeteria workers went above and beyond to prepare a special kid-friendly menu.

Barry van Iderstein, director of children and family ministries, said, “I am so amazed by the perseverance and kindness I have experienced at Leoni Meadows. The camp’s willingness and creativity are examples of their passionate hard work that never ceases to impress. Leoni’s team is a huge blessing.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 2, 2023

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Preschoolers’ Learning Ignited By Fire Safety
Preschoolers’ Learning Ignited By Fire Safety 1948 1080 Ken Miller

Gil Fayard is an alum of Sacramento Academy and a soon-to-be Pacific Union College graduate. A kind and compassionate hard worker, Fayard is determining his professional path. Currently, he works as an EMT and volunteer firefighter for the Angwin Fire department. His sister Natalie recently invited him to talk to her preschool class of youngsters at Sacramento Academy.

The children sat on the carpeted floor for circle time, a place used for special presentations and worship. With excitable attention, the children watched as he donned his turnouts (fire retardant overalls), firefighter’s jacket, and helmet describing the purpose of each piece of clothing.

Aided by a PowerPoint presentation, Fayard explained fire safety to the children, including how to dial 911 in an emergency and “stop, drop, and roll” to extinguish a fire on your clothing.

Fayard said, “Even though preschoolers are very young, this foundational safety lesson will stick with them for life. It’s also important to explain why they shouldn’t be afraid of first responders. We’re always there to help them.”

Shari Thompson, Sacramento Academy preschool director, said of Fayard’s presentation, “You can’t communicate this kind of information just being a teacher. To have somebody like Gil from the community present information from his work life is more vital to the education of our children. To see the kids’ faces light up is just amazing! We are thankful for people like Gil for serving as a first response worker and taking time for our children!”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 2, 2023

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Celebrate Black History Month!
Celebrate Black History Month! 1322 602 Ken Miller

Excerpt from HIS Story. An article written by Marc Woodson, NCC president, featured in the Pacific Union Recorder, February 2023 Issue.

“Our God intervenes in the affairs of humanity and weaves a tapestry of blessings using the scraps of man’s inhumanity. Like Joseph, African people were snatched from their homeland, sold into slavery, debased as animals, lost their identity, and kept in ignorance. How can these people perceive God amid their oppression? As we have seen when the enslaved people were emancipated, God delivers, makes the crooked places straight and the rough places plain, and every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain made low.”

Let’s celebrate and learn how God has used Black and African American Adventists throughout history. Follow this link:

Featured in Northern Lights, February 2, 2023

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Robert Benardo Installed At Sacramento Central
Robert Benardo Installed At Sacramento Central 6000 4000 Ken Miller

January 21- Rob Benardo was installed as pastor at Sacramento Central Church.

Pastor Benardo returned to our territory from the Battle Creek Tabernacle church in Michigan, where he was the prayer coordinator for the Michigan conference. He also pastored previously at the Milpitas Church in the early 2000s and is pleased to be back in Northern California.

According to Lynette Stansfield, a church member, “Sacramento Central is excited and grateful that God has led Pastor Rob and his wife Olga to Sacramento. We are particularly thrilled with his vision to grow our church by reaching out and serving those in Sacramento.”

Benardo is a friendly and energetic evangelist who likes to use acronyms for teaching and planning. His working title for what he hopes to accomplish in Sacramento is S.P.E.C.S.- Strategic Planned Evangelism for the City of Sacramento.

Bernardo shares his life with his wife of 32 years, Olga. They have two grown daughters, Amaris and Alexia, and his life motto is, “God’s glory is my greatest joy.”

Featured in Northern Lights, January 26, 2023

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Officers and Directors Consecrated
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January 21- The new NCC officers and directors were dedicated in a Sabbath afternoon service at the Roseville Church.

Voted during the September Conference Constituency Meeting, this administration team will serve the NCC for the next five years.

In his consecration message, Pacific Union President Bradford Newtonsaid, “There is such a wonderful spirit in this current administration. The God of the Bible is still in the midst of His people and will do a new and wonderful thing in this conference.”

NCC president, Marc Woodson, quoted the promise given to the Israelites found in Joshua 3:5 – “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (NIV)

Woodson explained during the response time, “We are one body on one mission to connect people to an abundant life with Jesus and prepare them for the Second Coming. When we dedicate ourselves to this purpose, the God of miracles will do amazing things in our conference!”

Featured in Northern Lights, January 26, 2023

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Lodi Schools Avert Disaster!
Lodi Schools Avert Disaster! 800 600 Ken Miller

The 22-day storm that recently bombarded California did not leave Lodi Academy and Elementary schools unscathed.

Lance Lemos, business manager, said, “We had about 9 inches of rain that completely saturated the soil. With that sogginess, the accompanying wind took down about six trees on the two campuses.”

The more significant trees included mature cedars and spruce that music teacher Jeanine Hanson remembers from the boarding school era – decades ago.

After the storm passed, cleanup started immediately. Volunteers and staff began cutting the trees into fireplace-sized wood to sell in a future fundraiser. The logs too big to cut were removed on trailers by volunteers.

Elementary principal Lisa Nuss said, “We hated to lose our beautiful trees out in front of the school. But God has a reason. What is amazing is that one tree fell just a foot away from our music building!”

Lemos concluded, “God sent all those trees in the right direction, thankfully avoiding building damage.”

Featured in Northern Lights, January26, 2023

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Keitrich Germany Installed As District Pastor Of Rancho Cordova And Stockton Mayfair
Keitrich Germany Installed As District Pastor Of Rancho Cordova And Stockton Mayfair 1200 1200 Ken Miller

In November, the Rancho Cordova Church and Stockton Mayfair churches welcomed Kietrich Germany as their new district pastor.

Both congregations received the Germanys with open arms and excitement.

Germany said, “It’s nice to come back home to the Sacramento area. I have a lot of friends and community connections here.”

Rudy Peters, African American ministry coordinator, said, “I am excited about what God is going to do in the lives and communities of these two churches.”

Germany explained, “My spiritual gift is public and personal evangelism. As I get to know members at Mayfair and Rancho Cordova, I will enjoy researching our community needs.”

A native of Sacramento, Kietrich shares his life with Teairra, his wife of thirteen years.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 19, 2023

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Love In Action – By Leon Richardson
Love In Action – By Leon Richardson 1200 626 Ken Miller

December 17- The Pittsburg Church effectively demonstrated that love is indeed an action word by engaging in community service. The church members, though small in number, proved that with the Holy Spirit, they could indeed be impactful and mighty in the service of the Master.

Under the direction of Joyce Richardson, coordinator for women’s ministry, the church members were divided into three teams, each with a specific service area.

The first team prayed and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead the way as they entered a local Walmart and gave shoppers $25 gift certificates. Team members greeted the shoppers by saying that God loves them and they wanted to share God’s blessing with them. Many recipients were deeply touched, tears were shed, and some confessed that this was a miracle! A total of 30 gift certificates were given out.

The second team, carrying beautiful fruit basket gifts, visited sick and homebound members. The group prayed with them and provided much-appreciated fellowship. The message was clear; these people are loved, important, and not forgotten.

The third team remained at church in a season of prayer. There were intercessory prayers for the sick, bereaved, and those in need. Each team member prayed a “personal prayer” to God that the Holy Spirit would prepare their hearts and create a passion for Christian service. Finally, there was a prayer of thanksgiving.

The following Sabbath representatives from each group enthusiastically shared their experiences:

Jeanice Warden-Washington, a member of the Walmart gifting team, retells the reaction of a woman that cried and hugged her “like she was a some long lost relative.” Barbara Jones, another team member, said, “One woman confessed she was wondering ‘how we were going to pay for all this stuff’ and what a blessing the gift was to her.”

Sharon Evans, a prayer team member, said she could “feel the fire coming from heaven.”

David Wright of the visitation team said, “If you want to enjoy Sabbath like never before- do something for others. It is like a holiday.”

Damon Washington, pastor explains, “Our church shows that love in action, fueled by the Holy Spirit, can impact the community and produce great joy for all concerned. To God be the glory!”

Featured in Northern Lights, January 19, 2023

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Randy Speyer Installed At Sacramento Woodside
Randy Speyer Installed At Sacramento Woodside 1200 1200 Ken Miller

November 5- Randy Speyer was installed as the pastor of Sacramento Woodside Church. He hopes to empower the growth of a loving and healthy community whose joyful pursuit is a spiritual life with God.

Before joining Woodside, he was the director of mission and spiritual care at Adventist Health. He was also pastor of care and counseling at Loma Linda University Church, and former lead pastor at Palo Cedro.

Speyer said, “I have a love for storytelling, music, and art with a passion for shaping people who will go out and shape the communities they are a part of.”

According to Jim Lorenz, ministry director, “Randy has so many talents and has worked in health ministry, been a church pastor, a counselor; we are blessed to have him choose church ministry again at Woodside.”

Randy has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jewel Tryon-Speyer, for 42 years.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 12, 2023

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Storm Nearly Derails Pastors Retreat
Storm Nearly Derails Pastors Retreat 1200 675 Ken Miller

January 10- What would have been three days for pastors to share, learn, teach, and collaborate at Leoni Meadows had to be compacted into one day due to storm damage. Subsequently, all pastors from the territory diverted to Gracepoint Church for what was left of their mini retreat.

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director said, “This annual get-together is very important for the pastors. We not only get work done but collaborate and strengthen friendships. It’s as much business as it is therapy. Unfortunately, we had to cut a lot out because of the storm.”

In keeping with the original plan, Craig Heinrich and Leoni staff provided a quality lunch and the camp’s famous cinnamon rolls from the Gracepoint kitchen.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 12, 2023

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