The Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA was originally the eastern section of the Ohio and Eastern Conference (Mennonite Church). The congregations forming the eastern section were part of two mission districts of the Ohio and Eastern Conference known as the Conestoga-Maple Grove and the Atlantic States districts.

On 4 November 1978, members of congregations in the eastern section took action to approve a constitution forming a new sister conference, called the Atlantic Coast Conference of the Mennonite Church. The primary purpose for organizing a new conference was to bring more continuity to mission, leadership, and youth activities. The new conference held its first full session in March 1979. The constitution was adopted on 28 March 1980, and revised on 22 March 1986.

At the time of its formation, the Atlantic Coast Conference was composed of 36 congregations and had a reported membership of 3,887. In 1986 there were 44 congregations and a membership of 4,630 The congregations are divided into eight overseer districts, spanning an area from New York to North Carolina, and from the Atlantic Coast to the Appalachian Mountains. In 2003 there were 35 congregations with a membership of 4,635 members. After the merger of the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church in 1999, the Atlantic Coast Conference became part of the new Mennonite Church USA. The majority of congregations are concentrated in the mid-Atlantic region, thus the name Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Atlantic Coast Conference Currents is the bimonthly organ of the Atlantic Coast Conference. It is published in a newspaper format, carrying conference and churchwide news.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Atlantic Coast Conference website

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 42-43. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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