Paradise, California - Camp Fire Report

The Camp Fire affecting the city of Paradise was the deadliest fire in California State history and the world’s costliest natural disaster in 2018. Today, during Second Service, the University Church will hear a brief video report from church members Jack and Deanne Hoehn, who have visited the area many times in the 100 days since the fire. Watch the longer version of the video featuring additional stories below! Thank you to University Church member Craig Connell for producing and editing this presentation!

Although the wildfire happened back in November of 2018, survivors are still very much affected by the tragedy. With 14,000 homes and thousands more other structures and businesses destroyed, many Paradise residents remain surviving today with just temporary shelter. Those whose homes were not damaged or who wish to rebuild are finding daunting challenges with securing insurance coverage or adequate infrastructure in Paradise. All of these obstacles are compounded by the heavily impacted job market in the area.

The University Church community has many close ties with the city of Paradise not only through families like the Hoehns, but also because of their shared Adventist heritage. At present, Paradise Adventist Church and Paradise Adventist Academy are sharing space with the Adventist community in nearby Chico, California. Many former employees of Adventist Health’s Feather River Hospital and associated medical facilities received their final paychecks over the last two weeks, and have learned that their positions will not be immediately replaced. Stories about sacrificial generosity, courage, and kindness continue to rise to the surface out of Paradise. If you would like to contribute to the recovery process, discover ways to help by visiting the website of the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

There, you can donate to support the Adventist church in Paradise, Paradise Adventist Academy, and also peruse Amazon wish lists and other specific item needs. NCCSDA also provides links to the January issue of the Pacific Union Recorder which contains articles and stories about the fire and recovery.

TOUCHES OF INTEREST

Follow this link to submit announcements for future bulletins (print and web).

Church Board Meeting will be on Monday, February 25, 7pm in the Youth Room. All are welcome to attend.

Fellowship Hall Chairs We are delighted to have Circle Church, a student-led service, in the Fellowship Hall every Saturday. It brings us immense joy to witness over 300 students worshipping Jesus. It is our goal to pray, encourage and support this growing body of students. It has been brought to our attention that there is a need for more chairs to accommodate this group. Therefore, we would like to purchase an additional 100 chairs at approximately $20 each for the Fellowship Hall. Additionally, our ultimate goal is to replace the current 270 chairs with more modern, comfortable, and sturdier chairs. We already have $800 pledged towards this total project. Will you join us in this meaningful work? If you feel moved to give, please mark it on your tithe envelope or check. Thank you! -The Pastoral Staff

A spaghetti dinner is being prepared today for visitors and those who do not have someone to share dinner with today. Please join us in the Junior High Sabbath School room following Second Service for food, fellowship and good conversation.

Retired Denominational Workers’ Potluck is Sunday, March 3, 5pm at the Village Church Fellowship Hall. Come and enjoy the power point presentation “Life at the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory” given by Dr. David Cowles.

All are welcome to join our University Church prayer meeting each Wednesday at 7pm in Heubach Chapel. The group will view a part of the current week’s Sabbath School lesson in Ranko Stefanovic’s, “Revelation of Jesus Christ”video.

Bill Koenig will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday, 2.28.19. Bill worked for WWU from 1963 to 1984 managing the dairy farm and milk processing plant. His family invites his friends to a reception in his honor at Wheatland Village on 2.28.19 at 3:30pm in the conference room. Address: 1900 Catherine St, Walla Walla.

A memorial for Herb Messinger will be held Sunday, March 10, at 11am at the Northside Seventh-day Adventist Church located at 1103 Dell Ave, in Walla Walla.

Rogers Adventist School Early Registration opens March 1! Both new and current students are eligible to pay enrollment fees for the 2019-20 school year.
Early: $175 (March 1-31); Regular: $225 (April 1-June 9); Summer: $250 (June 10 and after). Current students are guaranteed a seat in classrooms until March 31. Starting April 1, open seats are available to new students. Contact Holley Bryant at holley.bryant@rogersschool.org with questions.

Equipping for Service Weekends organized by the Upper Columbia Conference are for all member and ministries to receive training to equip them to reach their communities with the Christ-centered message of hope and wholeness. You are invited March 1-2 to take part in many different seminars and training being offered primarily at the College Place Village Church. For more information visit: www.uccsda.org/equipping/

Last Chance to Attend Men’s Summit and save $25. The table is set for a spiritual feast at the UCC Men’s Summit next weekend (March 1-3) at Camp MiVoden. You won’t want to miss a weekend of in depth study on the roles and callings of a man with speaker Kevin Wilfley. Registration closes soon. Reserve your spot at: uccevents.regfox.com/ucc-mens-summit

One-Day Children’s Leadership Expo, March 3. Attend Upper Columbia Conference's one-day event to inspire, train, network, equip, and resource leaders working with children through earliteens! Held at the conference office, Sunday March 3, 10am-4pm. Register at: expo2019.eventbrite.com/

Emotional and spiritual care provider training to be offered at the Upper Columbia Conference office, March 13-14. This foundational program will equip people to serve as credentialed responders after disasters and other traumatic events. To register, email: PattyM@uccsda.org or WendyU@uccsda.org.

Rosario Singles Retreat with Pastor Ofa Langi and sponsored by the Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is April 4-7. Come enjoy the coastal beauty of Rosario and the breaking waves on the beach. Registration will be available by mid February. Mark it on your calendar now. For more information, visit https://goo.gl/qYAYNs

Free estate planning is offered as a service of the Upper Columbia Conference Trust Department for UCC members. They help you take care of family, and just ask that you have a desire to make a significant difference in some way connected with Upper Columbia Conference (evangelism, your local church or school, etc.). For more information, or to arrange an appointment next time a representative is in your area, please contact Andrew McCrary at 509.242.0472 or e-mail AndrewM@uccsda.org

Volunteer for “Love Heals” free clinic coming to Walla Walla, April 18 & 19, 2019. Physicians, dentists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, nurses, dental hygienists and assistants, chiropractors, prayer warriors, organizers, hospitality experts, pastors and chaplains, and everyone in between are encouraged to partner with Walla Walla University and many area churches and support organizations in lending your hand to this beautiful ministry. Learn more and register to volunteer at: lovehealswallawalla.org.

The Winter Quarter pulpit series at the University Church is entitled “Wise Guys.” Each Sabbath, a variety of preachers from our community (including our new senior pastor Andreas Beccai) will open the scriptures sharing from the wisdom literature books of: Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job, and Song of Solomon.

You are invited to Milton-Stateline Adventist School's annual Talent Show on Feb. 24th in our gym! The show starts at 4pm. There will be a refreshment stand. Our students have been practicing and are looking forward to sharing their talents with you!