The Columbia Union Conference coordinates the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work in the Mid-Atlantic United States, where 145,000 members worship in 863 congregations. We provide administrative support to eight conferences; two healthcare networks; 101 early childhood, elementary and secondary schools; a liberal arts university; a health sciences college; a dozen community services centers; 8 camps; 5 book and health food stores and a radio station.
God is love, power, and splendor—and God is a mystery. His ways are far beyond us, but He still reaches out to us. God is infinite yet intimate, three yet one,
all-knowing yet all-forgiving.
We are living through an unprecedented time, and while we are not immune to the impact of the coronavirus, we know that we serve an almighty God who sees, who cares and who is an ever-present help in times of trouble.
As we journey this crisis together, we are in contact with the leaders of our conferences and institutions, and we are united in our commitment to do all we can to reduce the spread of the virus and help people in our communities.
Please join us in praying for an end to COVID-19, and for the health care givers, first responders and other frontline workers who are working tirelessly to save lives.
Story by Janel Haas Ware
After a three-year hiatus, Shenandoah Valley Academy’s (SVA) choir and orchestra hit the road for a tour of the Midwest during the 2021–22 academic year. For many students, this was their first music tour ever. Under the direction of Daniel Biaggi, music director, and Kelly Wiedemann, associate music director, the group set out bright and early on a Tuesday morning.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Shirley Rowley, administrative assistant for the Communication Services Department at the Columbia Union Conference, has worked for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in various positions for nearly 25 years. On Thursday, she will pack up her things in her meticulously decorated office and retire—leaving behind many fond memories.
Story by Christina Keresoma
Kettering Health in Ohio has been selected as the official health care provider of the Cincinnati Bengals. The 10-year partnership includes five branded clinics inside Paul Brown Stadium that Kettering Health team members will operate.
The Kettering team members will administer care to fans during concerts and events in the stadium. Kettering Health and the Bengals will also collaborate to offer programs and health services such as supporting the Bengals’ official youth flag football program, which reaches dozens of schools in a 60-mile radius.
Kettering Health will also partner with the Bengals to bring year-round awareness of the NFL’s “Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer” campaign to raise awareness for cancer screenings.
Editorial by Carlos Portanova
Our world is in commotion: COVID-19, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the economic impact our world is facing. People are worried about their loved ones, their jobs and their lives. Some Christians depend on their own resources and energy to protect themselves instead of trusting in God. But His Word tells us what to do when we are facing a storm.
Story by Evan Knott
The Chesapeake Conference recently launched Proclaim, a new training initiative for pastors and lay leaders desiring to become more effective evangelists.
Organized by the conference’s Evangelism and Church Growth Department, this new training program requires participants to attend four modules throughout the year, focused on different aspects of public evangelism. Participation in the program is invite-only, and all the participants are required to hold evangelistic meetings within the next year.