December 4 marks one year since the tragic shooting at our Feather River Adventist School. This heartbreaking event impacted not only our local school and church, but our entire Northern California Conference family. It was an unimaginable tragedy—something our Adventist community had never faced before and something no one could have anticipated. It was a random act of violence directed toward the most vulnerable among us.
Over the past year, we have seen the resilience of our teachers, students, and families as they have continued their educational mission amid grief and uncertainty. They have chosen hope and faith over fear and despair. Their trust in God’s sustaining presence and steady commitment to the purpose of Adventist education has helped our community move forward.
Our focus has remained, and will always remain, on the safety, healing, and well-being of our students, staff, and their families. The journey toward recovery has been long and challenging for those most directly affected by the shooting, and we ask for your ongoing prayers and faithful support for their healing.
Today, as we reflect, we do so with deep gratitude—gratitude to God for His mercy, for the strength He has poured into our community, and for the enduring compassion that has held us together. We thank every person, community organization, school, and church that has stood beside Feather River throughout this challenging year. Your prayers, encouragement, and support remind us that we are one body, united in one mission, and anchored in the hope of Christ’s soon return.
We hold close the words of Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” May we continue to find comfort in His promises and strength in His presence as we move forward — together, in faith, hope, and love.
Our prayers and support remain with our Feather River School community as we continue to heal and move forward with faith and hope.
Dr. Marc Woodson
President, Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
— For media inquiries, please get in touch with Laurie Trujillo, Director of Communication, by emailing laurie.trujillo@nccsda.com or calling (916) 886-5642
