Who We Are, How We Serve

The Columbia Union Conference coordinates the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work in the Mid-Atlantic United States, where 150,000 members worship in 860 congregations. We provide administrative support to eight conferences; two healthcare networks; 81 early childhood, elementary and secondary schools; a liberal arts university; a health sciences college; a 49 community services centers; 8 camps; 5 book and health food stores and a radio station.

Mission Values Priorities

We Believe

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.

Learn More

'With One Purpose'

Story by Katelyn Pacylowski (’24)

It is hard to put into words how much Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) means to me. I am so thankful for the time I have spent on this campus. Four years ago, the world shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While most schools had virtual learning, SVA stayed open. As a freshman, I was able to go to school and interact with friends and teachers. Who would have thought that being able to go to class would be something to be so thankful for?! Students at SVA were able to meet with mentors, have Bible study with pastors and thrive with in-person classes.

Laurel Lake Celebrates 70 Years of Impacting Lives

Story by Tamyra Horst

When the Pennsylvania Conference purchased a 150-acre farm outside of Smithport, Pa., in the spring of 1954, it was a dream to create a camp facility for children and families. Leaders would buy additional properties and add to the new camp, and in December 1954, it was voted to call this new ministry Laurel Lake Camp.

Organizers held a four-day summer camp in 1955 for 30 boys from the community. The following year, the conference offered two weeks of “summer training camp,” inviting churches to send children to this new summer camp program.

Disguise Those Vegetables and Other School Year Eating Tips

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Good nutrition is important, not only for children physically but so that they can concentrate at school and learn,” says Heather Brown, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Kettering Health in Ohio. “Good nutrition gives us lots of energy and keeps us going throughout the day.”

Brown shares the following tips to help families eat healthier and within budget for children who don’t like veggies. Kids will be more likely to eat them.

• Cut up vegetables super small and hide them in dishes for children who don’t like veggies. Kids will be more likely to eat them.
 

Tackle Mental Health Stigmas

Story by Amanda Blake

More than 200 Seventh-day Adventist churches across North America, including 34 in the Columbia Union Conference, hosted the short mental health series MindFit this past spring.

The Voice of Prophecy (VOP) produced the event to empower churches as practical and spiritual resources for their communities in battling a continent-wide mental health crisis.

“On a global scale, one in eight people struggle daily with mental illness—one in five
in North America. The implication is clear: It is nearly impossible to live on this Earth and not be affected by mental illness,” says Alex Rodriguez, associate speaker for VOP and host of the series.