Category: Events

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Educational Events Local Conference

STEAM Ahead Summer Camps

STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction, a ministry of Upper Columbia Conference ACS, is organizing four Kids camps this summer Monday through Friday from 10 am – 12 noon. The first camp “Lego Robotics” which was held from July 9-12 taught kids robotics and engineering principles to make cool things out of legos through the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software. It was attended by eight children, four of whom were Nepalese. More Nepalese children expressed desire to attend the remaining camps. Gayle Haeger, one of the organizers, invited a newly retired librarian who is a Lego Robotics specialist to present at this camp. This also provided an opportunity for evangelism. The non-SDA librarian every day requested during the worship that Gayle pray for her family member who had taken a serious fall. At the end of the week, she told Gayle what a wonderful experience she had and wished to be a part of the second camp “Microscopy4Kids”, as well. Gayle invited her to assist, and she was delighted to be back.

The second camp took place from July 16-20 where the kids learned about different kinds of microscopes and how they function. They also got to closely look at tiny living organisms, insect wings, animal hair, flower parts, and etc. The third camp, “Mini Maker Mania”, started on July 23rd and will end on the 27th. It involves designing, building, and creating things through hands-on experiments and activities. The final summer camp “Junior Chef” will provide kids instruction in the culinary arts. It will include healthy samples and recipes, use of basic kitchen equipment, kitchen safety and hygiene, and tips on staying healthy and energized. It will be held next week from July 30 – August 3.

In addition to the Kids Camps, STEAM Ahead also organized a Junior camp at Camp MiVoden few weeks ago. Seven of their past two-year STEAM Ahead children from the local low-income public school attended the camp. Currently, the parents of one of the attendees live in a park. Patty Marsh, UCC ACS Director, said, “What a privilege is ours to change the lives of children not only in this world, but for the world to come”. She added, “As you can imagine – outreach ministry whether during the summer or after school enrichment is challenging, but in this complex world I believe we must stretch our methods in the way we touch the lives of others”.

Categories
Disaster Response Events

ACS DR Advisory 2018

The ACS Disaster Response personnel around the North American Division gathered together in Providence, Rhode Island on May 6-7 for the annual DR Advisory just before the National VOAD Conference. There were around 50 individuals present to discuss new initiatives and share some of the work that is taking place around the Division and beyond.

One of the initiatives discussed was a new course offering Delivering Powerful, Purposeful Presentations. In partnership with the NAD Education Department, this course was created as one of the requirements for our DR Instructors that will better prepare them to offer classes to ensure the best possible services throughout the Division. It will be offered over the next year in various locations in each Union to those interested in becoming or remaining certified Instructors. An overview of our Warehouse Management System, Flowtrac, was given by Dan Hoover. He talked about the system operations, and the many adjustments that have been made to deal with some of the realities on the ground. We will be working on putting together a training program to support Flowtrac in Conferences around the Division.

Dan Weber, NAD Communications Director, presented a Communications perspective that should lead to increasing our ability to inform others of the great work our teams are participating in in their areas. Simple suggestions like how to take a picture and how to set up relationships with the media can increase the exposure of the assistance our Church is offering to others. One of the National VOAD Board members, April Woods, thanked the attendees for their partnership and participation throughout the year. She spoke of the benefit of coming together to help the community.

The Advisory ended with each Union taking the opportunity to speak through their Conference Leads. Hearing the tremendous work ACS DR is participating in in so many different areas of service was extremely encouraging to all. From Warehouse Operations to Sheltering to Feeding programs to Rebuilding work, the discussion was exciting and showed the heartfelt dedication of our people. Everyone present was truly appreciative of this opportunity where they could gather together to discuss how their efforts can be combined to increase the service we are able to give to others in our community.

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Events Refugees

World Refugee Day – June 20, 2017

  1. Write a message of encouragement for your refugee neighbors. Go to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AMRARIM/ which was created between two NAD identities, Adventist Muslim Relations and Adventist Refugees and Immigrants Ministries, so that you could have a positive voice, and share ideas. Share this page with others and help us spread the word.
  2. Pastors and church leaders, visit your local mosque, or Islamic center. Introduce yourself, let them know that you are an Adventist leader who has a distinct calling to reach out to anyone with a message of hope and wholeness. Ask how things are affecting the Muslim community, offer a prayer and ask for any way in which it will be possible to bring a better interfaith understanding, and foster stronger ties between neighbors.
  3. Hospitality meals – This can be done in an individual level, or can be a collective initiative. Your church may choose to offer a hospitality meal for the local mosque. The kids could prepare a banner saying, “we love our neighbors” and sign it, and let them know that our food is clean, so they can freely come to our tables. That we want to bless them, and get to know one another.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH REFUGEES:

Adventists for Refugees

Friendships for Hope

Adventist Refugee and Immigrant Ministries

F.R.E.E – Friends of Refugees providing Education and Empowerment

RESOURCES:

Refugee Awareness Sabbath Program Ideas & Activities

Ideas on Starting a Refugee Ministry in Your Church

Practical Ways to Reach Out to Refugees

Categories
Events

UMMC Logo Design Contest

The Urban Mission and Ministry Congress (UMMC) will be held on September 6-8, 2018 at Andrews University. It is planned and implemented by the SDA Theological Seminary (SDATS) of Andrews University (AU), with significant participation of the North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI) and with the North American Division of the SDA Church (NAD) and the General Conference of SDA. The NAD invests participation through us, Adventist Community Services, and Ministerial departments.

The mission of the UMMC is to transform, empower, and equip individuals to provide outstanding leadership for the Gospel in urban ministry. The rapidly expanding urban population creates a mandate to care for people in cities, serve them, and share the Gospel with them. The need for building capacity to develop others for ministry in urban contexts is urgent! Hence, the purpose of this event is to provide individuals an interdisciplinary congress that shapes the church’s understanding of urban community and promotes Christ’s method of reaching people across cultures.

Logo Contest Details:

One of the first steps to branding this event is to come up with a logo design. Therefore, we have activated a logo design contest to generate interest and seek for innovative and creative artwork for this event.

All are welcome to participate! The call for submissions is NOW OPEN, and entries will be accepted until June 14, 2017.

The winner will receive a prize money of $250, as well as the prestige of having their logo represent the Urban Mission and Ministry Congress.

So don’t pass up this opportunity, and get your creative designs in soon!

Click Here to Enter

Categories
Educational Events

Adventist Community Services Convention 2016

The NAD Adventist Community Services hosted its Convention this year from September 7-10 at Gladstone, Oregon. It was co-sponsored by the North Pacific Union Conference. The event was widely attended by more than 200 community outreach leaders and volunteers from around the nation and beyond. They were blessed with uplifting music, inspirational messages, informative workshops, and also a sightseeing tour of the main attractions in the area. They also had the privilege to take a tour of the Portland Adventist Community Services Center.

Dr. Sung Kwon, Executive Director of NAD ACS, provided the initial keynote message on the first evening of the convention. Other presenters throughout the event included Bill Knott, Adventist Review editor, Zack Plantak, Professor of Religion & Ethics, Loma Linda University, and May-Ellen and Gaspar Colon, co-authors of the third quarter Sabbath School lessons. Elder Dan Jackson, NAD President, delivered the Friday evening keynote message and the Sabbath morning sermon. On Sabbath afternoon, various outreach ministries provided a short presentation on their programs and activities.

A big ‘Thank You’ to all those who attended and made our Convention a success! We would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill out the survey below. Please provide us your suggestions and concerns as we continue planning such events in the future. Thank you for your time!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016ACSConvention

Check out photos on our Facebook page

 

 

Categories
Disaster Response Educational Events

ACS Conducts National Mass Care Exercise

The North American Division Adventist Community Services is currently (August 22 – 25) leading out in the National Mass Care Exercise, which is taking place in Missouri, along with the States of Iowa and Nebraska. The purpose is to simulate an actual crisis event in size and scope, and determine how we would respond as a community during a major disaster that may strike these areas in the future. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State Emergency Management, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and several other NGOs have joined together to conduct this Mass Care Exercise. The Iowa-Missouri Conference ACS Director, Jodi Dickhaut, has played a role in developing this exercise for the past year.

During this event, NAD has been involved in representing Disaster Response in Jefferson City, MO at the Emergency Operations Center. There were approximately 100 individuals representing different agencies, that simulated the resources they could bring to play in a live situation. The drawbacks of the exercise were taken note of and will be addressed. With similar related operations taking place all over the State, ACS gathered support personnel from Iowa-Missouri, Central States, and Rocky Mountain Conferences in different parts of the State, culminating with the Mass Care Exercise event in Independence, MO at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. About 500 individuals have arrived and will serve in various roles as assigned by the organizers at the Arena, 100 of who are ACS volunteers.

This is the largest event of its size ever planned in the United States. The significance of this operation is witnessed by other state authorities and the Federal Government as well. Representatives from around the country have sent personnel to observe and capture how this Exercise is being conducted. After this Exercise, reports will be used to create plans for others in State Emergency Management offices around the nation. The Adventist Community Services Disaster Response Team, led by W. Derrick Lea, plans on working in a collaborative manner to share the information acquired with each of our conferences. “The intent is to get better at helping those experiencing crisis in an intentional way,” stated Lea. Dr Sung Kwon, NAD ACS Director, expressed his excitement about the involvement of the Adventist Church with the Conference ACS leaders and volunteers. Kwon stated, “This is a great opportunity to serve and educate the communities in disaster response situations, also to be recognized as a vital team player to support the efforts as Adventist Church.”

Categories
Events

SACC 2015

Dan Weber talking to Adventist Communicators about what ‪#‎NADACS‬ did in Guam in August encouraging them to share stories and pictures with ‪#‎ACS‬! We need you, communicators! During disasters, events, and any ACS activities… Share, share with us! Email us at acs@nadadventist.org ‪#‎sacdc2015‬ ‪#‎sacdc15‬ ‪#‎adventistcomm

Categories
Educational Events

Nonprofit Leadership Certification Takes off!

Our NLCP started on Monday morning in Federal Way, WA. With 48+ attendees and a variety of presenters, the participants are getting their full experience and learning even more. “Being able to engage in conversation with people of similar interests and passion for non profit leadership is very enlightening”, said a participant of the NLCP program.

For more daily pictures, visit our social media pages! And make sure you join us next year to get a certification yourself!

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Events

Redwood Community Service Day!

About 250 campers at Redwood Camp Meeting volunteered for the first Redwood Community Service Day on Friday, July 31.

Over the past six decades, the annual 10-day camp meeting, held in the Northern California Conference, has provided spiritual renewal for thousands of people. The theme for 2015 was “Christ’s Method Alone: Building Relationships.” “We wanted to give people the opportunity to be a blessing to the local community—to put this year’s theme into action,” said NCC Executive Secretary Marc Woodson, who organized the event with his wife, Marlene. Each volunteer wore a bright yellow shirt with Matthew 20:28 written on the back: “Jesus came not to be served, but to serve others.”

The volunteers tackled a wide range of projects in the nearby communities of Fortuna and Eureka. Many campers worked together to pick up 1,540 pounds of trash along the Eel River. (A local television newscast reported on their work.) “My favorite part of the day was walking the river bed with my dad, and finding a muffler that we joked was a piece of NASA equipment that fell from the sky,” said 13-year-old Tim Mason, from the Lodi English Oaks church. “It made me feel good that I knew I was helping clean the world.”

A number of volunteers worked at Miranda’s Rescue for Large & Small Animals, where they walked dogs, built goat pens, painted, weeded and performed other tasks. “The owner was so overwhelmed by the number of volunteers that he had to stop several times—as he was giving us assignments—to tell us how blessed he felt to have so many there,” said Carol Anne Cruise, a member of Redwood Valley company.

The organization’s owners, Shannon Miranda and Dean Paris, later wrote a thank you message: “You were the best large volunteer group we have had in the last ten years! … Your kindness will never be forgotten!”

A number of other volunteers worked at Fortuna’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, making quilts for a women’s shelter and sewing pillowcases for a children’s hospital, among other tasks. The congregation’s public affairs specialist, Sylvia Jutila, helped connect the Adventists to volunteer opportunities around Fortuna. “What a fantastic gift to our city,” said Jutila. “All of the places where they served could not get over the wonderful aid and assistance they provided.”

Campers also worked at several food banks, a library, a thrift store, a community center, and another church. “We received so much positive feedback—both from the volunteers and the people they helped—that we plan to make this an annual event,” said Woodson.

[Article from: http://www.nadadventist.org/article/1073743041/news/archived-news-stories/2015-news-archives/9-8-15-redwood-campers-build-relationships-during-first-community-service-day ]

Categories
Educational Events

Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program

April 18 – 21, 2016
Southern Union conference
norcross, GA
More info
To Register click here

Participants will learn:
Leadership:

To improve participants’ abilities to affect individual, organization, and community changes.

Mangement:

To improve participants’ abilities to effectively handle the administrative responsibilities of nonprofit management.

Social Dimensions of Evangelism:

To improve participants’ abilities through biblical concepts of holistic ministry to minister in dynamic environments.