New Presidents for Two Conferences
Two of our conferences in the Pacific Union have recently elected new Presidents!
The Central California Conference has elected Elder Dan Serns as president, replacing Elder Ramiro Cano, who has retired. Serns comes to Central from the Texas Conference.
The Southeastern California Conference has elected Elder Jonathan Park as president, replacing Elder Sandy Roberts, who was recently elected to be the Executive Secretary of the Pacific Union. Full reports on these elections can be found below.
Central California: centralcaliforniaadventist.com/danserns-cccpresident/
Southeastern California: facebook.com/seccadventist/posts/4859804307381593
Ka Lama Iki's Mission to Help – from Miles Away
Beach clean ups: cancelled. Education Sabbaths: postponed. Elderly home visits: cancelled. During the challenge of COVID throughout the Oahu community, the staff at Hawaiian Mission Academy Ka Lama Iki was struggling to provide students with a true mission outreach. Then teaching principal Sarah Traczyk was approached by a local group of missionaries headed for Cameroon, Africa, asking for any possible book donations. Overjoyed by the opportunity, her fifth- and sixth-grade homeroom students were tasked with packing 30 plus boxes with math textbooks, older Bible textbooks, library books, and books on tape—and they sealed the boxes with encouraging notes and Bible verses. Students were asking what else they could send to Cameroon, and they look forward to hearing from the missionaries when they arrive in Cameroon after the New Year. Well done, students!
Ka Lama Iki: kalamaiki.org/
Church Support Services — Stories of Faith
Rich DuBose is the director of Church Support Services for the Pacific Union Conference. We had the opportunity to talk to him recently about his work and how he sees Jesus in what he does. The latest video from Rich DuBose and Church Support Services is a short film about the Auburn Renewal Center, a ministry of the Auburn church in Northern California. The center provides hope and healing for many who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the health care system. Learn more about this wonderful ministry in the latest episode of Stories of Faith via the link below.
Stories of Faith: vimeo.com/566377027
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year from September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
In the Pacific Union, nearly one fourth of our total membership is Hispanic. In the fall of 2020, there were 226 Hispanic churches and companies, with over 50,000 members. This month we celebrate our Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ and the unique heritage and culture they bring to our church!
Hispanic Heritage Month: hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/
September Recorder
The Recorder magazine covers for July, August, and September 2021 have featured the work of artist Morgan Weistling, who has painted three scenes that correspond with the monthly themes of the magazine and visually illustrate three moments from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Our cover in September is of Christ the Good Shepherd, bearing on His arms a lone lamb that has strayed. It reminds us of His parable of the lost sheep.
This illustration of the Good Shepherd was used during the constituency session, accompanied by the thematic words, "So Send I You."
The September issue should be in your mailbox soon, but all three can be found via the link below.
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"‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
– Luke 15:6-7, NIV
