The 33rd North Pacific Union Conference Regional Convocation, May 14–17 at Camp Berachah in Auburn, Wash., featured a spirit of praise and joyful communion giving fullness to the event’s theme, Heaven.
Throughout the weekend, participants enjoyed worship programs, ministry workshops and exceptional musical presentations. Special programs were offered for children, youth and young adults.
Featured guest speakers included Phyllis Lee, regional Conference Retirement Plan treasurer; Ramon Canals, NPUC vice president for Hispanic ministries; David Churu, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship associate pastor and Hasani Tait, Mt. Tahoma Church youth pastor. The keynote speaker for the weekend was Carlos Blake Jr., Independence Boulevard (Chicago, Ill.) Church pastor. Payne Bucknor, Oakwood University music professor, conducted the convocation's mass choir as a featured musical guest.
During the Sabbath worship service the NPUC Office of Regional Affairs honored the memories of Alex Hall, Sharon Church (Portland, Ore.) head deacon; Paltiel Mitchell, Spruce Street/Emerald City Church (Seattle, Wash.) founding member; and Jere Patzer, NPUC president, for their contributions to regional ministry.
Members from more than 13 regional congregations attended this year's convocation. The annual event was coordinated by Alphonso McCarthy, NPUC vice president for regional affairs, and Pattric Parris, administrative assistant, to provide encouragement to members of the conferences in the North Pacific Union Conference.
Make plans now to attend the 2010 NPUC Regional Convocation.
Exceptional music and enthusiastic praise are abundant among convocation participants.
Regional convocation brings visitors from corners of the globe to join in fellowship.
The convocation mass chior highlighted a weekend of exceptional music. (Alphonso McCarthy)
The families of Paltiel Mitchell, founding member of the Spruce Street Church in Seattle, Wash.; Alexander Hall Jr., Sharon Church (Portland, Ore.) head deacon; and Jere Patzer, NPUC president 1996–2008, were presented with awards for their contributions to regional ministry.
Carlos Blake Jr. preaches to a packed house at the 2009 NPUC Regional Convocation.
Alphonso McCarthy, NPUC vice president for regional affairs, introduces Max Torkelsen, NPUC president, and his wife, Linnea, during the regional convocation's Sabbath service.
Participants in the NPUC Regional Convocation represent a diverse and multicultural group.
Wayne Bucknor, Oakwood University assistant piano professor, was the convocation's featured musician and mass choir conductor.
The families of Paltiel Mitchell, founding member of the Spruce Street Church in Seattle, Wash.; Alexander Hall Jr., Sharon Church (Portland, Ore.) head deacon; and Jere Patzer, NPUC president 1996–2008, were presented with awards for their contributions to regional ministry.
The families of Paltiel Mitchell, founding member of the Spruce Street Church in Seattle, Wash.; Alexander Hall Jr., Sharon Church (Portland, Ore.) head deacon; and Jere Patzer, NPUC president 1996–2008, were presented with awards for their contributions to regional ministry.
Carlos Blake Jr. gives the Sabbath sermon at the 2009 NPUC regional convocation.
