The North American Division recently released the following statement in reaction to the Heritage Foundation's recently released "Saving American by Saving the Family" that calls to restore "blue laws" to establish a "uniform day of rest.":
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.
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.
The Chesapeake Conference Executive Committee elected Marilyn Scott as executive secretary of the Chesapeake Conference on Jan. 20. Scott fills the vacancy created when Andre Hastick became president on Jan. 1, following Jerry Lutz’s retirement.
Scott has served since 2024 as associate pastor for Children’s and Family Ministries at Bell Branch Church in Gambrills, Md., and as a Children’s Ministries specialist for Chesapeake Conference, providing training and resources for children’s ministries around the conference. Scott has pastored in the Chesapeake Conference for 16 years, serving previously as the Children’s Ministries associate pastor at Spencerville Church (2010–2016) and New Hope Church (2016–2024).
Story by Liz Bailey
Recently, the Mountain View Conference (MVC) hosted a first-of-its-kind retreat for professionals.
“The purpose of this retreat,” states Tim Bailey, MVC president, “is to get input from leaders in our conference and to involve them in strategic plans for our future growth.”
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
The New Life church in Hampton, Va., celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of its renovation project after several weeks of work and unforeseen challenges marking the transformation of its sanctuary into a vibrant, multipurpose LIFE Center, a space designed to serve both the congregation and the wider Hampton community.
As Highland View Academy (HVA) looks toward 2026, the campus community is energized by a clear vision: to grow, connect and inspire the next generation of Christ-centered leaders. With the new year comes a renewed focus on recruiting and welcoming students who are ready to grow spiritually, academically and personally in a supportive, family-oriented environment.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Hagerstown, Md., HVA continues to offer a distinctive blend of strong academics, vibrant campus life and spiritual formation.