SEPTEMBER, 2023

Recently, I was introduced to a book that had an immediate impact on the way I view life. It is the book titled Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly. It is not a long read. As a matter of fact, you could easily finish it in an evening, but I would advise against it. The reason for that would be that there are some things that we need not rush through just so we can check it off on our to-do lists. Holy Moments is one of those books that, before you get very far into it, your life has already been changed. The idea that Kelly shares is that as believers, it is our duty, yea privilege, to create Holy Moments each and every day of our lives. And what is a “Holy Moment?” On page 23 of the 115-page book, Kelly defines it as: 

“A Holy Moment is a single moment in which you open yourself to God. You make yourself available to Him. You set aside personal preference and self-interest, and for one moment, you do what you prayerfully believe God is calling you to do.” 

I challenge each of us to begin to create these Holy Moments in every aspect of our lives and wait and see what God will do! 

“And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing.” – Steps to Christ, p. 77 

To receive 6 free copies of Holy Moments to distribute to family and friends, click this link.

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 2023

The Potomac Conference recognizes and celebrates the contributions of our Hispanic brothers and sisters who hail from the mother countries of Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. We salute you!

The month of recognition stretches from September 15 to October 15. According to the National Census Bureau, the timing is historically significant because September 15 is the anniversary of independence in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The designated period also acknowledges those from Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

MARYLAND GOVERNOR VISITS LOCAL CHURCH

In July, Maryland Governor Wes Moore worshipped with members of the Takoma Park Church. He was there to thank the church for the profound impact the members had on his family when they were undergoing a period of hardship after his father died some 40 years ago. Governor Moore honored the church with the prestigious Governor's Citation. This citation stands as a tribute to the church's exceptional dedication to the community and its significant positive influence on the lives of individuals in Maryland. You can view the worship service here.

POTOMAC WELCOMES TWO MEMBERS TO THE TEAM

We are excited to share that our Potomac administration has approved the hiring of a new Youth Director and an HR Generalist for Education.

In June, Williams Ovalle was appointed to serve as Interim Youth Director when Josant Barrientos accepted a call to the Illinois Conference. Understanding Pastor Ovalle’s commitment to youth and young adults, and the connection the youth have to him, the Potomac Conference Executive Committee recently voted to have Williams serve permanently in the role of Youth Director. He is no stranger to the conference as he has served here for 10 years as a pastor.

Recognizing the unique ministry of our educators, HR realized the need to have a point of contact who understands the needs of teachers and their families and who will serve as a liaison to serve and support them. This summer we welcomed April Nixon who comes to us with over 20 years of teaching experience – most recently as a middle school ELA teacher at Takoma Academy Preparatory School in Maryland. April’s role will be to support educators primarily with their transitions to Potomac, healthcare benefits, FMLA, Workers Comp, Employment Verification, along with general HR questions and needs.

POTOMAC EDUCATORS REPRESENT AT THE TEACHER’S CONVENTION

Educators from around the Potomac Conference braved the heat, humidity, large crowds, and delayed flights to make their way to the North American Division’s Educator Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. Instructive workshops, edifying seminars, powerful worship, and reuniting with former colleagues and friends highlighted the 4-day event.

POTOMAC STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL 

It’s back to school for Potomac Conference students. Take a look at the opening day from some of the schools around the conference:

TIDEWATER ADVENTIST COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR

A consortium of 9 Seventh-day Adventist churches in the Newport News, Virginia, area recently teamed up with Remote Area Medical to provide free health screening for residents in their local community. Representatives of the nine churches led by Pastor Goel Gonzalez of the Peninsula SDA Church in Newport News came together to organize the Tidewater Adventist Community Health Fair 2023, where over 500 people from the local community were served. The residents received over $170,000 in medical, dental, and vision services.

To watch a video report, click here.

CHARLES A. TAPP PODCAST

Tune in to Safely thru Another Week a weekly podcast hosted by Potomac President, Charles Tapp. Created to serve as a vehicle to provide you with inspiration as you prepare to enter into your Sabbath rest.   In each episode, Elder Tapp shares a verse or a passage that speaks directly to the Sabbath or to rest in general, along with other thoughts and ideas that might be a blessing to you. 

The podcast can be downloaded on Apple, Spotify or through Buzzsprout by clicking this link.

CAMP BLUE RIDGE

Family Camp 2023…Sharing our Heavenly Father Through Creation!

Family Camp at Camp Blue Ridge is a time of family fellowship, lots of fun, and a time for all of us to grow closer to each other and to our Creator. This year’s camp saw 232 guests over four weeks of camp.  A few of our Pastors and churches came together and sponsored over 30 individuals who would have otherwise been unable to attend camp this year. We pray that this will continue and that we can provide an avenue to support our PCSDA church Family Ministry programs.

We would like to thank our Family Camp Pastors, Pastors Sherilyn O’Ffill, Sheldon Bryan, Neil Chelliah, and Heather Crews, for their commitment to Family Ministry.

OFFICE STAFF MEETING AND CLEAN UP DAY – October 16 

PASTOR'S MEETING CHANGES FOR OCTOBER 

Please note an important change: the Pastors' Meetings scheduled for October 17 and 18 will now be on October 18 only. The pastors who normally attend the meetings in the south will now need to attend the meeting on October 18 at the Beltsville Church. Any pastor who lives more than three hours away is allowed to reserve a hotel room. It is important that we congregate together as an entire pastoral family. While we don’t always have the opportunity to do so, when we can, we want to ensure we provide that opportunity. Also, please note that the schedule on that day goes from 9:30 to 4 o’clock. The last hour of the meeting may be the most important, so there’ll be no early dismissal for any pastor that day. Please plan accordingly. Thank you.

POTOMAC PASTOR'S PODCAST

In your latest Potomac Pastor’s podcast Luis Beltre shares the incredible story of how God called them to minister to single moms and women dealing with domestic violence. Check it out! If you know someone you could interview for a podcast episode, contact Rick Johns, rickjohns@pcsda.org. Thanks for listening and sharing!

Calling All Supervisors:

Join us for one of our upcoming Zoom Supervisor training sessions, where we will cover:

·      Payroll Enrollment 101 – How to complete the Payroll Enrollment Form step by step

·      Employee Classifications and How to set rates of pay

·      Vacation Approval via BambooHR

There will also be time to answer your frequently asked questions about locally funded hires.

Dates:

Tuesday, September 12 @ 11:00am – 12noon

Wednesday, September 20 @ 5:00 – 6:00 pm

 Tuesday, October 3 @ 11:00am – 12noon

Wednesday, October 18 @ 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Email Jennifer Albury at jennifera@pcsda.org to register and to receive the Zoom link.

Takoma Park – Lead Pastor

New Market – Lead Pastor

Roanoke District

Sligo – Associate

Oct 12, 2023