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History

A Brief History of MCC East Coast

A discussion initiated by MCC to form an East Coast regional office culminated in a meeting of church representatives on May 9, 1979.  The first full board meeting was held on July 15, 1980. MCC East Coast was the last of the four regional offices developed in the United States.

Lowell Detweiler, appointed to a half-time position in 1981, served as the first East Coast director.  This position became full-time in 1984.  Jim Shenk served as East Coast director from 1986 to 1988.  Following Shenk, Harold Nussbaum functioned as interim director until Lynn Roth’s appointment in 1989.  Roth completed his term in 2007, at which time Ruth Keidel Clemens became regional director. 

Over the years, regional responsibilities increased.  In 1991, MCC East Coast assumed administrative responsibility for the Material Resources Center (MRC) in Ephrata (PA).  The MRC remains the major shipping point for international aid from the United States.  The 1970 warehouse was enlarged under the East Coast administration in 2000.  The collection of grocery bags also became an MCC East Coast responsibility in 1991.

In recent years, several independently operated activity centers relating to MCC East Coast developed.  The Mennonite Relief Center in Hinton (VA) opened in 1995 and the Sarasota (FL) Mennonite Relief Center developed in 1997.  Other centers emerged in quick succession including the Cumberland Valley Relief Center, the Buena Vista Sewing Room, located on an Amish farm near Gap, Pa., the Material Resources Center of Harleysville and Centro de Recursos in Puerto Rico. 

Resource generation became part of the MCC East Coast mandate in 1991.  Cash gifts from churches and individuals remain the foundation of MCC support.  Other efforts also supply major funding.  Although operated by independent boards, the relief sales and thrift stores within the MCC East Coast region are part of the effort of MCC East Coast to generate financial support for the ministries of MCC.  Constituent churches have continued to grow in supporting the work of MCC.  In the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year, East Coast contributions toward MCC’s work approached $10 million.
 

In the late 1990s, a major initiative within MCC US began as “Broadening the Vision.”  From this developed a training model known as Damascus Road.  This effort seeks to dismantle racist institutional structures.  Anti-racism actions have become a major focus of MCC East Coast efforts.  MCC East Coast has resourced numerous Damascus Road teams, including a team consisting of MCC East Coast board and staff members.

In 1999, regional offices assumed responsibility for administering some peace and justice work.  Following several part-time positions, a full time peace and justice staff member began in 2005.  This staff member developed four key initiatives for MCC East Coast peace and justice work.  These areas are immigration, peace-building, stewardship and safe-space dialogue.

Some human resource activities moved to regional administration during the regionalization process.  File processing and regional hiring now occurs at the regional level.  To further strengthen ties to youth and young adults, a new position was created in 2008 to increase connections with this age cohort. 

In the spring of 2000, the programs administered by MCC US Community Ministries moved to regional administration.  In MCC East Coast this includes service programs in Philadelphia, southern Florida and Washington DC.  Selected programming also developed in New York City.  Developing urban partnerships closely associated with MCC constituent groups defined this renewed urban presence.  The two-year church community worker program and the ten-week summer service worker program also shifted to regional administration.

More widely dispersed staff increased contact with constituents.  Regional staff positions in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, provide direct staff contact with large constituencies.

In 2008, constituent groups represent nearly 1,139 congregations and over 110,000 members.  The 33-member board represents 22 church groups along with representatives from several other entities. 

MCC East Coast seeks to participate in the mandates given to MCC, MCC US and MCC East Coast by the supporting churches.  A common bond uniting this expansive and diverse work is the slogan embraced by various MCC bodies for many years.  Whether domestic or international, concrete or abstract, old or new, service is rendered “In the name of Christ.”