The Columbia Union Conference, established in 1907 to coordinate the Seventh-day Adventist Church's work in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, is part of the worldwide Protestant denomination of 23 million members in more than 212 countries. At the union level, we connect and provide administrative leadership, governance and support services to our conferences, schools, health care networks and ministries. Each year, our organizations sponsor programs and projects that address human needs, improve quality of life and introduce people to Jesus. Read our Mission, Values and Priorities.
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.
Story by Becky St. Clair
We’ve all heard stories of hero animals who have rescued people from danger, or of beloved pets who have left a significant impact on someone’s life. Some animals are specifically trained to aid, heal or provide comfort and companionship as we face life’s challenges.
Throughout the Bible, “ministry” is simply defined as meeting a need. Perhaps some of the most powerful examples of selfless, intentional care don’t come from the pulpit but from animals.
“Think positive things about yourself.”
“List and name your emotions.”
These phrases are just a few of the takeaways students learned about caring for their emotional health—one of the topics covered by Shari Loveday, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, educator and therapist, at the Columbia Union Conference Office of Education’s 2026 Spiritual Academy Leadership Training (SALT) last weekend.
High school students from 12 participating schools in the Columbia Union gathered at Potomac Conference’s Camp Blue Ridge in Montebello, Va., for the event.
Some 175 student leaders and their chaperones listened to Loveday, who encouraged them to “Take Care of Your M.E.S.S. (Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Health)” throughout the weekend.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
Story by Wayne Edwards, Principal
Waldwick Adventist School, located in northern New Jersey, continues to experience God’s abundant blessings. Spiritually, many students rededicated their lives to Christ through baptism during North American Division’s Pentecost 2025 initiative.
The school also witnessed God’s faithful provision through generous support, including a $30,000 gift from the Wayne church last year, and a $64,000 anonymous donation this year.
Chesapeake Conference’s Frederick church partnered with WGTS 91.9 to present the station's Summer Concert Series on its campus in Frederick, Maryland, drawing an estimated 4,500 attendees, the event's largest crowd yet.
Singer-songwriter Blessing Offor headlined the free event, which took place Aug. 29, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 6 p.m. Carly Ann Taylor also performed. Organizers offered ice cream and raffles throughout the evening.