Potomac Conference

Story by Debra Anderson

The Potomac Conference family recently suffered the loss of one of its most prolific preachers, George E. Thornton, Sr.

In October 2021, Thornton was installed as the senior pastor of the Woodbridge (Va.) church. He served the church for just 10 months before his passing.

Thornton embarked on his new appointment with energy and enthusiasm. On his first day, he affectionately renamed the church, “The Bridge.” The members embraced it, seeing the name as a mantra to develop a deeper relationship with the local community.

Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington manages the Piney Branch School Pool, which is available to the community at large. Come celebrate its reopening this Friday, October 14th, from 5:30 to 6:30. The pool has been closed for 30 months due to the pandemic.

Robin Riley, director of Montgomery County Department of Recreation, will speak at the event. Find out more about the facility and what it has to offer, i.e., swim lessons, lap swimming, water aerobics and more. This is the only indoor Montgomery County,25-meter, 6-lane pool inside the Beltway.

There will be a 1-hour flash sale from 5:30-6:30. Get a 12-swim pass for 1/2 price - cash or check only. Collect a small goodie bag before you leave. 

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Hurricane Ian’s impact on the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States isn’t projected to hit the area as hard as Florida, however several inches of rain are forecast for Virginia, says Bob Mitchell, Adventist Community Services (ACS) and Disaster Relief coordinator for the Potomac Conference.

“Are you ready to care for yourself, your family and your neighbors during and following whatever Hurricane Ian brings to our area?” asked Mitchell in an ACS newsletter sent on Wednesday. “While the rain forecast for the Potomac Conference region varies from two inches to four inches, any damage to a family's home is significant and presents us with the opportunity to meet some of their needs.”

Story by Debra Anderson

A new principal was in place when Takoma Academy (TA), located in Takoma Park, Md., opened its doors for the 2022–23 academic school year. Yasmine Julien, an instructional leader, mathematics content specialist and experienced classroom teacher, accepted the assignment to lead the 118-year-old institution.

Julien brings to TA a breadth of experience in academic leadership, as she has held the positions of dean of students and instructional coach in previous jobs. Her most recent job was as the assistant principal at the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy in Washington, D.C.