December 2, 2022

By Sandy Hodgson

In about two weeks, schools across the Rocky Mountain Conference will be wrapping up their first semester with students anticipating the wrapped gifts under the tree as they enjoy their Christmas vacation. Reflecting upon this first semester, the Office of Education has been witnessing to the many gifts that Adventist education provides, whether in RMC or Union College classrooms.

Diane Harris, director of education, along with Paul Negrete, associate director, and Sandy Hodgson, assistant director, all took time during first semester to visit all 18 of our schools. Intending to offer support and encouragement, we instead often found ourselves encouraged by the impact our teachers are making in the lives of their students, their churches, and their communities. From our one-teacher schools to our larger academies, our teachers are intent on making learning the focus of their programming by collaborating across campuses in person, by zoom, and by telephone.

Anika Engelkemier – Parker, Colorado …  Known as “Mothers of Preschoolers,” MOPS is a group of women who LOVE moms. Newday Adventist Church is launching a MOPS group and expanding the group to include moms of all ages and in all seasons of life–from expecting mamas to empty-nesters! We exist to resource, empower, and equip moms in our community to do the good and hard work of motherhood. Through community, prayer, and good food, the hope is that moms will leave each MOPS meeting feeling refueled and ready to go.

Newday Adventist Church is excited to reach out to moms in the Parker community and surrounding areas. We are coming out of a long season of loneliness and are ready to offer a safe space to develop true friendships and community.

By Rachel Ashworth

We’ve entered the time of year in the Midwest when you can walk through a grocery store parking lot and see any range of attire from shorts and sandals to parkas and gloves. At your local Walmart, you might find someone wearing a light jacket or flannel flip-flops in the same trip you see a person donning snow boots and a stocking cap.

The temperature warms slightly just before a rain, but when the rain comes, it is icy raindrops that fall.

I heard something profound recently about this. Putting on the Holy Spirit–inviting the Holy Spirit into your body and mind–is like putting on a coat. It does nothing to change the weather but does everything to change your circumstance.