UCC Statement on Reopening Schools for Fall 2020
June 10, 2020
Education department prepares for students this fall.
Greetings to our Upper Columbia Conference educators, students and families!
As this year winds down, we are very grateful to all of you for staying the course and finishing strong. None of us could have imagined that when we started this school year circumstances would necessitate us finishing the year in the manner we have. But God is good, and He has blessed! We have heard stories of how resilient, creative and resourceful you all have been in the face of the challenges of the last few months. Thank you!
As we look to next school year, we are excited to be able to share that our expectation is very high that we will be reopening our school campuses to our students in the fall with appropriate social distancing guidelines in place. Please know that our first priority is the health and safety of each of you. As Seventh-day Adventists we proclaim a message of health and wholeness, our stewardship of your wellbeing has, and continues to be, paramount.
We will continue, as we have done since the pandemic started, to follow the safety measures of the health departments of the states of Washington, Idaho and Oregon respectively. In addition, we continue to rely on our local county health departments guidance on the implementation of those safety measures. That means that things may not look exactly the same as they did when we left our classrooms in March, but we will continue to rely on the same God-given resilience, creativeness and resourcefulness that brought us through this year as we face the next!
We are looking forward to being able to once again welcome our students to our campuses. Until then, enjoy the summer with your families!
Courage and blessings,
Brian Harris
Vice President for Education
Upper Columbia Conference
News
Key points included the church's financial position and GC rules of order.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency faces major funding reductions as a new leader takes over.
Thanks to longstanding effort and dedication, Camp MiVoden has achieved a key goal by remaining under budget for two years in a row as of this year.
KLRF Radio took a new approach to share hope with the Walla Walla Valley last Christmas.
Serve Summit, held at Ellensburg Church on Feb. 21-22, marked a significant moment in the church's efforts to engage with and serve its local community.
Littell previously served as the director of education and superintendent at Oklahoma Conference.
Listener support and innovative pledge goals successfully "razered" funds during Shine 104.9's Annual Spring Friendraiser.
Distance made the heart grow fonder for residents of Troy, Idaho, after ten long months of separation from a trusted community member: The local ACS thrift store and food bank.
President Jamieson shares recent actions from Executive Committee to address financial challenges.
Churches considering a community event can hold a special National Day of Prayer event!
