Weekly News & Updates | May 23, 2024 | |
Evangelistic Series Ignites Unity and Faith Across Borders | |
Henry Beras, Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic and Portuguese ministries vice president, prays during an altar call at the Lion of Judah Spanish church in Waterbury, Connecticut. [Photo: Courtesy of Henry Beras] | |
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In a remarkable display of unity and faith, the Cuando Jesus Llega (When Jesus Comes) evangelistic series made a profound impact on communities both within the Atlantic Union Conference and globally. Under the leadership of Henry Beras, Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic and Portuguese ministries vice president, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, this unprecedented series touched countless lives, resulting in more than 700 individuals desiring baptism—with approximately 500 of those in the Atlantic Union, more than 200 in the Dominican Republic, and some 50 individuals in other countries.
The two-part series began May 4 with more than 87 Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking churches around the union simultaneously participating in the week-long series. Cuando Jesus Llega was also an opportunity to collaborate with dozens of pastors and conference administrators from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador who came to the U.S. to serve as guest evangelists at churches participating in the evangelistic series. The second portion was May 11-18 at the Lion of Judah Spanish church in Waterbury, Connecticut, where Beras was the guest evangelist. Streamed live on Esperanza TV, Amanecer Internacional Dominican Republic Radio, Esperanza Radio New York, Adventist Radio San Salvador, and Oasis de Esperanza Radio, the series set a new benchmark for Hispanic evangelism within the Atlantic Union.
Debra Banks Cuadro, communication director and Gleaner editor, Atlantic Union Conference
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GNYC Honors Imam for Community Service Amid Tragedy | |
Imam Musa Kabba, second from right, poses for a photo with Greater New York Conference leaders, from left, Enmanuel Contreras, Youth Ministries director; Alanzo Smith, president; and Adrian Case, Youth Ministries associate director, right. | |
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During Recognition Day at the North Bronx church, Greater New York Conference Youth Ministries recognized Imam Musa Kabba, a leader in the Bronx Islamic community, for his remarkable contributions. Masjid-Ar-Rahmah, Imam Musa Kabba's mosque, opened its doors to provide shelter, solace, and support to those displaced by a tragic fire in a local public housing complex. In a sincere gesture of brotherhood and gratitude for his selfless service, the Greater New York Conference Youth Ministries leaders were joined by Alanzo Smith, GNYC president, to present Kabba with the Community Service in Crisis Award of the Year. The accolade exemplified how genuine love unites people in times of crisis.
Enmanuel Contreras, Youth Ministries director, Greater New York Conference
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A few months ago, I had a very enlightening—though somewhat unsettling—conversation with a friend who held a leadership position in a well-known Adventist institution. Though he’d been in the position for a while, he was struggling with his confidence in the denomination as a whole, discouraged about its vision and theological emphases.
I offered a sympathetic ear, noting that I sometimes feel a little disillusioned as well. But I then explained to my friend that I remain steadfast in my commitment to this movement because of the beautiful theology that Adventism, at its best, has at its fingertips. To be sure, I admitted, Adventism often isn’t at its best—and we so frequently wander down side streets that take us away from the core of that beautiful paradigm. But we at least have—built within our theological DNA—the potential for mind-altering, heart-captivating, and life-transforming bliss.
Shawn Brace, pastor, Northern New England Conference
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Volunteers Needed: AMEN and Pathway Free Clinic in Brooklyn, New York | |
Volunteers are needed in Brooklyn, New York, June 6-9, for the AMEN and Pathway Free Clinic hosted by the Hanson Place church at the Hanson Place Community Plaza. Dentists, hygienists, and optometrists are especially needed. Scan the QR code or register at amenfreeclinic.org.
Click HERE to download a sharable event flyer.
Source: Northeastern Conference Health Ministries and AMEN (Adventist Medical Evangelism Network)
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Do you have an alumni weekend, church event, or special event happening at a church, school, or other entity within the Atlantic Union? Click HERE to let us know! | |
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Greater New York Camp Meeting
Luso Brazilian: May 24-27
at Camp Berkshire in Wingdale, NY. Click HERE for more information.
Northeastern Camp Meeting
Hispanic: May 24-26
at Camp Victory Lake in Hyde Park, NY. Click HERE for more information.
May 24-26
Embracing Mental Health in the Church, sponsored by Northeastern Conference Health Ministries. Hybrid event. Click HERE for more information, meeting IDs, and passcodes.
May 26; 6 - 8 p.m.
Singleness With Purpose Virtual Retreat, sponsored by Greater New York Conference Family Ministries. Free events in both Spanish and English. Registration is required. Click HERE for English information and registration. Click HERE for Spanish information and registration.
May 31-June 9
Gospel Medical Missionary Training sponsored by Northeastern Conference Health Ministries and Eden Lifestyle. Topics covered include Bible evangelism, massage, nutrition, "God's Farmacy," and more. Classes offered in person and online. Click HERE for class times and registration information.
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June 9; 2 p.m.
Memory Sunday 2024 is a day to raise awareness about memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Join in person at the Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church, 108 Seaver St., Dorchester, MA, or online on YouTube and Facebook. For more information, call the church: (617) 427-2500 or the City of Boston: (617) 635-3745. RSVP requested but not required.
July 7-9
North Country Women's Retreat sponsored by New York Conference Women's Ministries at Camp Cherokee in Saranac Lake, NY. Guest presenter: Lynn Ortel. For more information, contact Barbara Bridgers, barbara@nyconf.org, or call (315) 469-6921.
July 21-27
USA Skills Week at Union Springs Academy for students in grades 8-12 during the 2024-2025 school year. For more information, call (315) 889-7314, or click HERE.
September 20-22
Union Springs Academy 60th Annual Alumni Weekend. Honor classes: '44, '49, '54, '59, '64, '69, '74, '79, '84, '89, '94, '99, '04, '09, '14, and '19. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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Atlantic Union Conference Announcements | |
Make Time to Pray
Pray with the Atlantic Union Prayer Ministries department every Tuesday at 8 p.m. and the last Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.
Zoom Meeting ID:
954 6819 9577
Password: PrayMore
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"Preaching Training" for Women
Learn the importance of preaching, how to analyze biblical stories, organize a sermon, discover the art of public speaking, and more. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link, but there is no cost. The courses are available in English and Spanish. Scan the QR code to register. For more information, call (978) 368-8333, or email lfresse@atlanticunion.org.
Click HERE for English seminar information.
Click HERE for Spanish seminar information.
Upcoming Training Dates: May 18; June 22; July 27
| Save the Date! Planned Giving and Trust Services Continuing Education Event | |
2024 Planned Giving and Trust Services Continuing Education Event, October 21-24, at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury, Connecticut. Registration information is coming soon! Click HERE for the flyer.
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About Atlantic Union Conference
Founded in 1901, the Atlantic Union Conference is the headquarters for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the northeast United States and the islands of Bermuda. It serves six conferences, more than 134,233 members in 613 churches and 94 groups, 43 schools, and numerous community-based ministries.
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The Atlantic Union Gleaner FYI is a news and information bulletin produced by the Communication department of the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. You are free to reprint any portion of the bulletin without the need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify Atlantic Union GleanerFYI whenever you publish these materials.
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