In January of 2001, the North Pacific Union Conference communication department initiated a new design for the printed GLEANER magazine. At that time, we also intended to expand this communication service to an interactive web site as soon as possible. Welcome to GLEANERONLINE, our first step towards achieving that goal.

This site is not meant to simply be an online version of the same magazine you receive in the mail. As you come to the front page, you will find the current GLEANER featured in the righthand vertical bar, along with any archived versions. In the left bar, you can access optional services, submit articles, ads, and eventually even participate in issue discussions and forums with Northwest church leaders. The middle section of the front page, from whence you accessed this editorial, will feature current topics, announcements and upcoming events.

Each monthly edition of the GLEANER will be on line even before the printed version arrives in mailboxes, giving connected readers—even in outlying areas—a chance to get the jump on their unconnected friends. Certain articles in the printed edition will have special internet key words and icons prominently displayed to invite readers to the online site for expanded information.

If a particular conference has more news to report than what the printed GLEANER has room for, we can add additional information online. And, online, we’ll be able to keep up with current events on a weekly or even daily basis, if needed.

In short, we hope GLEANERONLINE will eventually become a “go-to” site for a growing number of Adventist members and friends who wish to see the very latest things that God is doing among us, and to discuss issues and opportunities. Our goal is to have 30 percent of our current print readership also accessing the web site within 12 months. In addition, we hope to add a number of younger members who don’t currently pick up a printed GLEANER.

What we need right now are your thoughts, your reactions, your suggestions of what contents, features or tools you would like to eventually see on GLEANERONLINE. Please email your comments directly to me at stevev@npuc.org.

Blessings!