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Covenanters
Participate in Esperanza USA's
Fifty-four Covenanters representing five regional conferences of the Evangelical Covenant Church participated in Esperanza USA's 2009 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference June 17-19 in Washington DC. PSWC Associate Superintendent, Greg Yee, reports, "The Covenant Church stepped up to be an official denominational sponsor of the event." The Department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice, and the Great Lakes, Northwest, Pacific Northwest, and Pacific Southwest conferences created financial resources to provide for the diverse group--in which half were African American, Asian American, and Caucasian-- to attend. Executive Minister of the Department of Compassion, Mercy and Justice, Debbie Blue, addressed the Covenant group and shared how the issue of immigration will be part of what the department is envisioning for their new "Micah-Matthew Initiative" being introduced at the Covenant Annual Meeting. The initiative grounds our approach to compassion, mercy and justice in Micah 6:8 and Matthew 25:31-46. At this historic event, over seventy congressional visits were made to advocate on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform. Participants learned first-hand how politically challenging this issue can be. Although there are a variety of perspectives on immigration reform, there is a consistent desire to understand what Scripture is compelling us to do. There is a heightened understanding that the everyday realities of how this plays out in so many of our own communities are profound. On Friday, prayers
were expressed for our country, our leaders, and for the troops abroad.
President Obama addressed the conference and declared his intentions to
have comprehensive immigration reform passed soon. It was a particularly
powerful scene to see as African-American Covenanters excitingly shook
our nation's first African American president's hand as we were all together
advocating on behalf of Hispanic issues. We are most certainly "in
it together."
Bayside
Woodland Hosts Stay-cation
On Saturday,
May 23, Bayside of Woodland hosted all-out party, a Stay-cation as they
termed it, for the city of Woodland, CA. Their objective was simple according
to lead pastor, John Withem, to give the city of Woodland a big hug.
Evangelism
Workshop now in Spanish
One Step
Closer, a workshop designed to equip and spur congregations in their ministry
of evangelism, is now available in Spanish, reports Lisa Orris, Director
of Evangelism for the Evangelical Covenant Church. The Spanish workshop
is titled Un Paso Más Cerca.
Modesto
Covenant Hosts Chinese HomeStay Weekend
April 3- 5, Modesto Covenant Church (MCC) partnered with Joe Lorencz of Chinese Outreach Ministries (COM) for the 7th annual Chinese Homestay weekend. Thirty plus Chinese students from U.C. Berkeley and their family members were hosted by MCC families for the weekend, arriving on Friday evening. Saturday activities included touring a dairy that milks 1000 cows a day, visiting an art studio, a picnic lunch, riding through wildflowers, visiting a local nursery that starts 2 million fruit/nut trees, line dancing and an ice cream social. The guests spent the evening with their host families and attended church with them on Sunday. The visit concluded with a potluck complete with American and Chinese songs. (See photo.) Essentially, this
was a mission trip in reverse. Lorencz, who is part of First Covenant
Church of Oakland, first connected with the students through English classes
and Bible studies he leads. Throughout the weekend, shared conversations
and experiences provided a way for the students to taste Christian American
family life. Jeff Norman, Pastor of Adults Ministries reports, "We
feel it is an excellent way to partner with COM and to share God's love
and a real life American experience with these scholars who are in the
US for such a short time, yet will have such influence in their home country."
Beautiful
Day HUNT '09
On Saturday, April 11th Peninsula Covenant Church (PCC), Comunidad Familiar Cristiana, and Redeemer Lutheran Church (Redwood City, CA) hosted the third Annual Beautiful Day "Hunt 2009", a gift to their community in the form of a Beautiful Day Easter Egg Hunt. Having welcomed nearly 3,000 participants last year with 20,000 eggs on hand, the 2009 plans called for 25,000 Easter eggs to demonstrate the measure of grace that God has given - LOTS! When 1:30 p.m. arrived on this Easter Saturday, over 5,000 people poured into Red Morton Park. Redwood City's Mayor, Rosanne Foust, served as the Grand Marshall, welcoming all and lending her support for the way which the churches are loving their community. Rolando Luna, church planter of Comunidad Familiar Cristiana, excitedly reports that over half of the families present were Hispanic. Although the event was well organized, staff and supplied, the expanded event quickly became overcrowded. Todd Gumbrecht, Pastor of Care and Connect at PCC reports, "We ran out of eggs and lines were very long, BUT our teams from the three churches served all who came joyfully. Families celebrated, we took nearly 400 photos with the Easter Bunny, raffled off great prizes like bikes and ipods, and danced and sang with our children's entertainer." Gumbrecht further highlights how the event impressed upon all serving the great need for free community events and celebrations. "In this challenging economic time, families have fewer resources for travel and entertainment. In this void rests a great opportunity for the church to be a blessing by hosting free community events, classes, and celebrations." Shortly after the same trio of churches partnered to hold "Hunt 2008", Hunt Coordinator, Pamela Estes, received a flattering call from the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department. San Mateo has been putting on an event for over 30 years known as Eggstravaganza. Held on Easter Saturday, this event has come to be known as the county's "signature springtime community event and largest egg hunt". They had heard reports of the Hunt and wanted to know if it really had gone as well as they had heard. Pamela simply shared about the day's events, which included 100 unpaid staff, 20,000 eggs, 6,000 prizes, a children's entertainer, a band, bouncy houses and nearly 3000 participants. They asked Pamela about planning and staffing. She told them that three local churches got together to offer our city a gift. None were professional event coordinators and of the 100 member staff, only one person was paid. They wanted to know how the Hunt attracted so many participants, and within two years doubled the size of their gathering with 30+ years of expertise and city funding. Pamela said, "You know what the secret was behind our success? We prayed." Gumbrecht reports, "Actually we prayed a lot. You see, we didn't want to just throw another spring time event, but rather, we wanted to show God's love. That's what Easter is all about!"
MISSION
TRIPS - REWORKED
In the wake of recent reports of increased violence in Mexico, many PSWC churches have creatively reworked their spring outreach plans that would have taken them into Mexico: The first week of April, a team of youth and adults from San Andreas Community Covenant (SACC) with Community Covenant (Westpoint) traveled to Porterville to come alongside Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico and do a makeover of the Porterville church's facility. The team of 45 persons painted the interior, tiled the entrance and bathrooms, improved the parking lot, repaired air conditioning and sinks, and led a daily Bible class for children as well as a sports ministry for youth. Women on the team also provided sewing lessons to other women in the Tulare County migrant worker's camp, in the end gifting the students with a handful of sewing machines. Tim Johnson, youth pastor at San Andreas explains that the idea for this "rework" came about as a result of being on a Journey to Mosaic. He also explains, "It was nice to do missions closer to home, and it was fun to partner and learn from each other." In early July, a team from Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico will travel to San Andreas to bless the San Andreas church by bringing their worship band and pastor to the special community-wide celebration SACC will be hosting following days of focused community service. ----- A team of youth from Montecito Covenant Church led by youth pastor, Lisa Holmlund, experienced a "rework" of their own. Their new experience included a mini Journey to Mosaic in Southern California. Students took in the Japanese American National Museum, stayed overnight and served at the Fred Jordan Mission on L.A.'s skidrow, worshipped at Fountain of Life Covenant Church (Long Beach), and toured the Tolerance Museum where they met Dolores Huerta, civil rights advocate who worked alongside Caesar Chavez and is now credited with the phrase, "¡Sí, se puede!" (Yes, we can!"). Students also explored the issues of prisons and violence through conversation with a former jail warden and a Federal Marshall. An additional day in San Diego connected them to a nonprofit that works with immigrants along the U.S./Mexico border. ----- First Covenant Church of Oakland reports that their trip was canceled five days before they were to leave for Mexico, creating the feeling of having been cast "Into the Great Wide Open". Danny Fitelson, Pastor to Student Ministries, explains, ITGWO actually became the name and theme for the new trip on which each day's itinerary was kept a secret from the youth (who did know they were going to the L.A. area for a trip of service, education, and fun). The reworked itinerary included the Fred Jordan Mission where they prepared Easter baskets that the mission distributed, and a guided tour at the Museum of Tolerance from a Holocaust survivor that profoundly impacted the group. Fitelson reports, "During the trip we studied Abraham and Jesus' disciples who left the comforts of home for a life of following God 'Into the Great Wide Open'." ----- Bayside Covenant Church did a rework of their own, also going to the Central Valley, connecting with the leaders and ministries of First Mission Covenant Church and Southeast Asian Covenant Church (Fresno). Walter Contreras,
PSWC Director of Outreach and Hispanic Church Planting notes, "We
are understanding that God is allowing us to make an impact in our own
backyard."
Unique
CHIC Fundraiser at College Center Covenant, San Diego
The congregation at College Center was treated February 22 to a celebration of Sudanese Culture as a CHIC fundraiser. The church youth group has both College Center students and students from the Evangelical Sudanese fellowship at College Center attending CHIC this year. The Sudanese congregation wanted to do their part in raising funds for the trip. They prepared and served foods typical to their culture, the women's choir gave a delightful concert, and the young women provided a marvelous up-beat worship dance to traditional music. Pastor John Kuek shared his testimony about the difficulties of growing up in the Sudan under oppression, suffering great losses of life and property, and barely surviving disease and starvation in refugee camps. And yet, his testimony throughout was of the faithfulness and many miracles of God. His message deeply impacted all present. Over $800 was raised to support the College Center and Sudanese Youth to attend CHIC.
Gabrielson
honored with 2009 Meritorious Service Award
Turlock, Calif.-Aging Services of California named Covenant Village of Turlock Executive Director Dwayne D. Gabrielson the recipient of its 2009 Meritorious Service Award. He will receive the award at the association's annual conference, scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Monterey, Calif. Covenant Village residents
and staff nominated Gabrielson for the award, which recognizes an individual
for ongoing commitment and service to aging services. Gabrielson has been with Covenant Village of Turlock since 1992 but has worked at Covenant Retirement Communities since 1980. In addition to CRC's community in Turlock, he served at communities in San Diego; Batavia, Ill.; and Chicago. Gabrielson earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from North Park University, Chicago, and a master's degree in long-term care administration from North Texas State University, Denton, Texas. He is on the board of directors of Aging Services of California, region chairman for its Delta region, and a member of its continuing care retirement community residential services sub-committee. A resident of Turlock, Gabrielson has been a member of the Turlock Rotary since 1992. He also serves as treasurer of Turlock Covenant Church. Aging Services of California represents more than 400 nonprofit providers of aging services-including affordable housing, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, skilled nursing, and home and community-based care-that serve more than 100,000 seniors. Nationally accredited
Covenant Village of Turlock, 2125 N. Olive Ave., Turlock, is one of 14
retirement communities nationwide that are administered by Chicago-based
Covenant Retirement Communities Inc. on behalf of the Board of Benevolence
of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information call (209) 632-9976
or visit www.covenantretirement.com.
Christmas
On The Avenue, 2009
On December 7, College
Center Covenant cancelled its Sunday morning service in order to open
its facilities to families in need. Christmas on the Avenue, 2009, helped
provide Christmas joy this year to 35 families in our urban neighborhood.
PVCC
serves the Local Community through Palomino Elementary
Last summer Paradise Valley Community Church (Phoenix, AZ) formed a group of volunteers for the purpose of tutoring local students in reading skills. Each of the 17 volunteers has committed to spend at least one hour a week tutoring a third grader from Palomino Elementary School. Many of the volunteers devote several hours each week to one or more students. Most of the third graders in tutoring speak English as their second language which makes the sessions a bit more challenging, but also a bit more rewarding. Palomino Elementary serves an area of Phoenix that is home to a predominantly Hispanic population that has been particularly hard hit by the current economic turmoil. In addition to the
tutoring program, PVCC has recently committed to providing a minimum of
20 bags of groceries to the school's food pantry each month. Donations
totaled more than 80 bags of nonperishable food the first month. These
encounters, which feed the mind and body, are slowly opening other opportunities
to feed the souls within this community. To learn more about PVCC go to
www.paradisechurch.com.
New
Life Covenant Church Serving Santa Clara County Refugees
New Life Covenant
Church of San Jose is working with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County,
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, Refugee Transitions, and a local Nepali
pastor to help house and serve the needs of 200 "free case"
refugees who arrive in San Jose each year. Free case refugees arrive with
no family or friends to sponsor them, so Catholic Charities serves that
role. The two churches, working together, are developing Refugee Outreach
Partnership, an affiliation of faith communities who have a heart for
refugees and wish to contribute their time, talents and resources to serving
this vulnerable but highly motivated population. New Life has found this
partnership approach to be the most effective way to pool resources and
knowledge to meet the needs of the refugees. The churches are now included
in county-wide forums of agencies serving refugees and are giving a voice
to serving this population in a way that respects the wholeness of the
individual. But more than the partnership itself, the New Life congregation
has met people whose stories and trials are humbling us, changing the
way we see the world, and making God's work all the more powerful as we
His hand in this ministry every day. On Sunday, September 22, New Life
hosted visits to Sunday service by 8 refugees who have asked to attend
our church, including 2 Iraqi Assyrian Christians, 5 Bhutanese Hindus
and 1 Iraqi Muslim.
Over
500 Attend September Women's Retreats
Over 500 wonderful PSWC women worshiped, celebrated, played and were renewed in their faith September's three "Fresh Brewed Life" women's retreats-two at Mission Springs and one at Alpine. Speaker Rachel Johnston, Pastor to Women at Bayside Covenant Church, Granite Bay, CA spoke from Revelation 3:20, encouraging all to grow in their relationships to Jesus. She worked with both planning committees to enable women to have a quiet time after the Saturday morning session-a highlight for many. Barbara Johnson, retired missionary now active with Oasis Training Center in Pingliang, China exuded passion and enthusiasm for the school's ministry to 18-22 year olds. All three retreats offered a tantalizing array of workshops and opportunities on Saturday afternoon for those who didn't come just to relax. Participants, ranging in age from 20-somethings to 90-somethings, left encouraged, uplifted and steeped in God's love and the warm fellowship of His women. Thanks be to Him! Photos of both retreats are available on the PSWC Women Ministries Commission website.
10th
Anniversary for Grace Community, Palo Alto
It was a packed house at Grace Community Covenant Church on Sunday, September 14 as they celebrated their 10th anniversary. GCCC is the Covenant's first Asian-American church plant and third Asian-American church overall. The denomination has had Korean-speaking churches since the 1960's, but it wasn't until ministries like GCCC that the Covenant started reaching 2nd+ generation Asian Americans, one of the most unreached groups in America. Celebrations actually started on Saturday as the church took a mini Journey to Mosaic, or a one-day experiential bus trip to go outside their walls into the community. Stops included community development partners they have supported over the past decade: East Palo Alto Family Center, Green Pastures, Leland House, and Silicon Valley Christian Health Alliance (founded by GCCC members). The multigenerational group was challenged to be advocates on behalf of the last, least, and the lost, and together considered how they can make a greater impact in their community. Pastor Steve reflects, "The thing that struck me [about the bus trip] was how God is using small things to accomplish Kingdom work. The Silicon Valley Christian Health Alliance clinic has no paid medical staff, the Family Center's neighborhood is being engulfed by a corporate land developer, and we only send about 6 people to Leland House to make dinner and socialize once a month. But we kept hearing how our presence is changing people's lives by bringing God's presence into these situations. That's a real encouragement for us, especially in a time of limited funds when we as a church community are feeling our resources being stretched by our approximately 70 kids under the age of 12!" On Sunday there was a buzz in the air as uplifting music, missions sharing, and a challenging sermon by Pastor Steve Wong marked the service. The message was on biblical hospitality from Peter's vision recorded in Acts 10. Pastor Steve pointed to the church's future and put forth a challenge that they must move to include people who do not look like them. He went on to declare they must take risks and be willing to lay personal preferences on the line for the sake of building the Kingdom in their part of the south bay and beyond. "What are we risking?" Pastor Steve questioned. Two short weeks after his kidney/cancer surgery, Pastor Jim Gaderlund was present with the entire Foothill Covenant Church (Los Altos) congregation who hosted GCCC and shared in ministry for GCCC's first seven years. Pastor Jim led communion wonderfully exemplifying the hospitality that has been shared between the two congregations. Members from Foothill took especially great joy in reuniting with many of the children from GCCC whom they taught in Sunday school. The day of celebration
culminated with a video montage of GCCC's shared life and ministry and
a picnic in front of the church.
Walter
Contreras Assumes New Role as Director of Outreach and
We are pleased to welcome back to our leadership team in the Pacific Southwest Conference our ministry colleague and friend, Walter Contreras. Walter began September 1 as Director of Outreach and Hispanic Church Planting. In this role he will assume the primary responsibility, previously assumed by Associate Superintendent Greg Yee, in working with the Church Outreach Commission to network and resource local church leaders involved in compassion and justice ministries as well as overseeing the Churches Planting Ministries grant application and approval processes. In the area of Hispanic church planting, Walter is returning to the PSWC role in which he previously served (2000-2007), focused on recruiting and preassessing potential Hispanic church planters, developing new projects, working with partner churches, and coaching. Working with a newly formed Hispanic Coordinating Team, he will also help facilitate connections among our Hispanic churches and assist in supporting development of healthy missional Hispanic churches. Having just completed a year of service with the Covenant's Department of World Mission, he returns to the PSWC with an enhanced interest in and passion for global ministries and will be providing support for PSWC churches that are currently planting ministries in Mexico and other countries in Central and South America. Walter and his wife
Cecilia reside in the great Los Angeles area with their two daughters,
Margaret and Emely.
PSWC
Pastor Surprised - Argentinians are Singing His Songs
Aristides Mendez, pastor of Vida Abundante Covenant Church in Sacramento, CA, first showed an interest in music when he was seven years old. Living with his grandparents in his native Guatemala, he pulled the elastic bands from the underlayer of his grandmother's skirt and fashioned them like guitar strings by attaching them to a hanger. This was both his first instrument and the cause for punishment when his grandmother realized what young Aristides had done. By the time he was twelve he had his first real guitar and was singing at school. By the age of nineteen he was playing in night clubs. That same year Aristides came to know Christ in a personal relationship. Looking back, the night club musician turned pastor sums up the transformation by saying, "He changed my song and put a new song in my mouth!" Seven years later Aristides came to the U.S. to serve as the worship pastor at Elim Los Angeles, a Latino church in the Los Angeles Area with about 2000 people at the time. It was there that he began to write worship songs and released a number of CD's. In 2003 he traveled to Italy, Sweden, and Spain and discovered that songs he'd written had been translated into Italian. In August, he traveled with Walter Contreras, PSWC Director of Outreach and Hispanic Church Planting, to Contreras' home country of Argentina. Together they journeyed to multiple churches to minister through special services and workshops, and also be encouraged by the churches' ministries. Once again, Aristides had the experience of being surprised that so many he visited recognized both him and his music. Contreras reports, "Aristides was used by God in a very unique way on this trip; he had no sense that his songs had reached so far south. His call to music and ministry has been confirmed in a land where many people have been blessed by his music. In Argentina Christians called him 'un salmista' (Psalmist)." One of the better known songs Mendez has written is titled "Toda La Noche Sin Parar" which translated to English means, Singing All Night Without Stopping. Another is titled "El Tabernaculo de David", or The Tabernacle of David. As known and gifted as Mendez is as a musician, it is clear in speaking with him that the prayer of his heart is simply, "Lord, make me a vessel". It is in this reality of serving God, and being a vessel that allows the Lord's blessings to flow through him to others, that he finds his greatest joy. Aristides has served as the pastor of Vida Abundante Covenant since 2006. His connection to the Covenant came through Contreras and Greg Yee, PSWC Associate Superintendent, who Mendez explains introduced him to the Covenant family and its vision for planting churches. He was taken with this vision and now says of the Covenant, "I am at home!" To hear a cut of Mendez'
worship music go to www.elsalmista.com.
Journey
to Mosaic Squared
As a person of color,
21-year-old Sandra Santiago thought she knew all about diversity. But
a three-week summer experience in Oakland, she said, has overturned her
understanding of the world - especially the role of the church - in an
increasingly diverse America.
Turlock
Covenant Church Los Angeles Mission Trip Reflection...
During the week of June 16-21, a team of teenagers and adults from Turlock Covenant Church and La Familia de Dios (Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico Turlock) served with the city of Los Angeles through the Center for Student Missions. Through prayer, action, and communication, the team passionately served people from all different stages of life. The Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood, LA Regional Food Bank, Midnight Mission (on L.A.'s skid row), and Long Beach Rescue Mission are all examples of the places that the group served throughout the week. The team was intimately faced with the overwhelming problems of poverty, homelessness, and gentrification. Yet "spending themselves" on behalf of the poor in Los Angeles caused them to be passionate about how they can serve those in the community of Turlock. The team is grateful to have had the opportunity to share God's love in this way. (with permission as printed in the Turlock Covenant Church July 08 newsletter)
Cluster
Lunches Life-Giving for Many South Bay Pastors
From September through early June, the South Bay cluster of Covenant pastors, staff, and missionaries get together over lunch about once a month for the purpose of supporting and encouraging one another in ministry. In recent years, the group has also welcomed numerous people who were exploring the Covenant and wanted a feel for pastoral relationships within the Covenant or answers to their questions about the Covenant. The cluster met for their last lunch of this past season on Tuesday, June 3rd at Great Exchange Covenant's new facilities. Typically the two-hour connection begins with informal conversation over brown bag lunches - an important time for connecting with ministry friends or welcoming new attendees. Often cluster members pair up in prayer teams outside the monthly lunches, and so the lunch becomes a time to catch up on prayer concerns and how life is going. Given the shared sense of a common mission field among participants, informal connecting usually evolves into sharing ministry ideas that are being tried in one congregation that might work in another, or in simply inviting others to an activity that might be of interest. If there is a formal aspect of these lunches, it has been focused on considering a question of shared importance to the ministries. Earlier this year, staff from two churches described how they welcome and assimilate new people and a broad discussion followed. An alternate discussion might ask participants to reflect on the biggest new developments they are having to take into account as leaders. The group then breaks into small groups of four or five to respond. These discussions have been a crucial time to take the pulse of the South Bay mission field, discover what R&D is happening in sister congregations, and learn the best sources for training and development. Prayer has been a key part of the group, both at and outside of lunches. Most lunches end with a time of sharing followed by prayer for one another either in small groups or as a large group. At the June 3rd gathering, attendees prayed in small groups and then the whole group gathered around one cluster member who was facing a difficult decision. Most in the cluster
who participate in the lunches (which is most of the cluster) say they
couldn't do ministry without the knowledge and support of their peers.
These lunches are life-giving and sometimes life-saving. They're already
looking forward to re-gathering at the kickoff Fall 24-hour retreat in
September.
Kerman
Covenant Church Undertakes Graffiti Abatement
"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for". -- The Message: Matthew 5:7 Barbara Nord, a member of Kerman Covenant Church, walked to her mailbox and was greeted with a new sight - her mailbox tagged with graffiti. She cared enough about the situation to scrub her mail box and write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper in which she asked, "How come we get jazzed about programs like "The Big Give," "Extreme Home Makeover," and others that give a hand to people and assist them in making a better life, while ignoring actions and conditions that spoil and devalue our own hometown? Maybe it's because we can sit in our easy chairs in front of our big screen TVs and cheer others on. We feel better because someone is helped and is happy and we didn't have to lift a finger! " Kerman has grown within the past few years. New subdivisions have developed, parks have been built, and schools are bursting at the seams. With the positives of growth have come some negatives - graffiti, trash abandoned on sidewalks and streets, and vacated homes and lots. Mrs. Nord's concern about the community led to a special event sponsored by Kerman Covenant Church. On Saturday morning, May 17th, volunteers from Kerman Covenant Church and the City of Kerman gathered together at the KCC parking lot with a common purpose - to remove graffiti from mailboxes, signs and fences. Pastor Dan Shelton organized the event. He reported, "It was refreshing that Barbara was not just lamenting the problem but wanted to be part of the solution." In addition, he noted, "It was a joy to see volunteers from KCC and city officials (City Manager, Police Chief, City Council member and Director of Parks and Recreation) working side-by-side to help beautify our wonderful community." Teams went out into the Kerman community to clean graffiti off mailboxes and paint fences. Indeed we are blessed when we care. We are blessed to have community members come together to be Christ's hands and feet in action. We are blessed to have individuals voice their concern. We are blessed to have leaders who listen to the concern and take action. We are blessed to live in a wonderful community that cares and will continue to care for generations to come.
Grace
Community Covenant - Palo Alto Team to China
From
January 6-23, 2008, a team of five from Grace Community Covenant Church in Palo
Alto traveled to China with International China Concern to work at an orphanage
for disabled children. Our eyes were opened in new ways to the world of the truly
abandoned and outcast. The hopelessness inherent in these childrens' situation
was cause for much despair. We were assigned kids with autism, cerebral palsy,
visual impairment, Downs syndrome and more. They lived in dismal conditions with
minimal attention to their basic needs.
LEADERSHIP
EQUIPPING EXPERIENCES AT CELEBRATION 2008
MARK
YOUR CALENDARS - Youth Pastors' Connection, August 24-26, 2008, at Mission
Springs Conference Center near Santa Cruz. The only cost to you will be your own
transportation to/from Mission Springs.
Churches
Pull Out Stops for Easter Crowds
Patrick and Adeana Terrill and daughter Meagan get an Easter portrait taken by John Wallauch before Easter services at First Covenant Church in Rancho Cordova. They'll have to return for services next week to pick up the finished portrait. Though it took no less than a miracle to get people in the door of First Covenant Church on Sunday, it's guys like Granite Bay's John Wallauch who make sure they come back next week. With the pews packed all over the country Sunday for Easter - the day most Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus - some local churches also used the day to showcase their centers of worship, hoping folks will see something they like and keep coming back. First
Covenant Church, near Folsom and Sunrise boulevards in Rancho Cordova, offered
free family portraits, courtesy of Wallauch and some other volunteers. "Lots
of people are here with their grandkids," he said, displaying the nearly
200 shots he'd snapped between Saturday night and Sunday morning services. Along the way, explained Senior Pastor Ted Smith, people can see the merits of First Covenant, which is celebrating its ninth Easter at its expansive new facility. "We're a happy church. We're a warm church," he said. So far, it seems to be working. Smith expected about 4,000 people to come through the church over the Easter weekend. Even with a new center, 12 full-time pastors and a paid staff of 28, the church gets cramped at times, said Director of Church Ministries Katie Nielsen. "It's a good problem to have," she said. Another
local church with no shortage of attendees Sunday was Granite Bay's Bayside Christian
Church. The
church features a massive sanctuary that holds about 2,400 people and comes complete
with state-of-the-art video and speaker systems. "It's about being relevant,"
Shearer said. "You
don't water down the message, but you make it accessible.
Jesus communicated
to the current culture with methods and language they understood and that's what
we're doing here."
Memorial
Service on March 29 at Pasadena Covenant for Roy G. Johnston A
memorial service for a long-time servant of the Pacific Southwest Conference,
Roy Johnston, 94, will be held a Pasadena Covenant on Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m.
Johnston died on March 13. To read article on the Evangelical Covenant Church page click here.
Closing
Celebration at Grace Covenant (Sunago Grace) of Compton
Celebration brings joy into life and joy makes us strong. The reality of this joy was mixed with moments of sadness as members and friends of Grace Covenant Church of Compton (Sunago Grace) gathered on Sunday, March 2, for the closing celebration of its 40 years of ministry. This church's place in the emergence of a mosaic of PSWC churches is notable. Grace Covenant Church of Compton was the first church in the PSWC to serve a predominantly African American congregation. In the late 60s, the vision of several Covenant laymen serving on the Rescue Mission Board opened the pathway for Robert Dawson, a lay pastor, to meet the PSWC Superintendent, Ed Larson, and the rest is history. The gathering of persons representing past, present, and future was evidence of God's faithfulness through the generations. Lowell Edwards, worship pastor of Generations, a church plant in Gardena, with a team of musicians provided the worship music. Evelyn M.R. Johnson, Superintendent, led the service including testimonies and prayers offered by many of the worshippers. Mary Ann Owens from Atlanta, Georgia, brought greetings from her husband, Robert Owens, Superintendent of the Southwest Conference, and former pastor of Grace Covenant. Mary Ann also shared an overview of the history of the congregation. She and her family participated in the beginnings of the church in the late 60s. Pastor
Charles Patrick and his wife, Gwen, who have served the congregation since 1992
offered prayers for future ministries in Compton. The sermon was preached by John
Teter, church planter of Fountain of Life which current serves the Long Beach/Compton
area. The ministry of Fountain of Life having been launched less than two years
ago is visible evidence of Gods provision for the continuance of the missional
focus of Grace Covenant Church (Sunago Grace). Following the service a festive
lunch prepared by member, Julie Allen, and time of fellowship was shared.
Andrew
Wollitzer Installed as Pastor of Berkeley Covenant Church
Offering praise to God for answered prayers, the Berkeley Covenant congregation joined in celebrating the installation of Andrew Wollitzer as their pastor on Sunday, March 9. Andrew who came to the church as college pastor in the early 2000s had served as the interim pastor during the transition period since Al Tizon's departure in June 2006. Although Andrew is a familiar face in their midst, both the congregation and Andrew experienced this installation as a significant marker. The 105 year old congregation enters into a new chapter now with an emphasis as stated by Andrew and the leaders to engage in ministries that are healthy, sustainable, and incarnational.
Journey
to Mosaic Our Journey Continues
February 21-24, marked the 10th Journey to Mosaic experience in the PSWC, a four-day experiential ethnic immersion trip from Northern California to Southern California focused on providing a safe time and place for the church to talk about race realities in America that affect how we live and minister. Twenty-four participants shared in this rich experience including Invitation to Racial Righteousness trainers from across the country. Find out more about opportunities to bring the I2RR to your church from the Department of Compassion, Mercy and Justice here (773.907.3368). Sign up now for the July 10-13 or September 25-28 J2M experiences by calling Nelly at 925.677.2140.
Spiritual
Direction in the PSWC
Twelve men and women from PSWC churches met for an overnight spiritual retreat on November 12-13. They make up most of the network of pastoral spiritual directors which is offered as a caring ministry to PSWC pastors, staff, and their spouses. They came to meet God in silence and worship and conversation so that in caring for their own souls they could better care for the lives and souls of our conference ministers. With this retreat, the pastoral spiritual direction ministry observed it tenth anniversary of service in the conference. Pastoral care and encouragement has long been a top priority of the Pacific Southwest Conference. It has created a number of ministries to meet this need. One of those is the Pastoral Spiritual Direction network. Over ten years ago, the PSWC designated Associate Superintendent Ron Lagerstrom to give pastoral care to the conference's pastors. As Ron's retirement approached, a group of interested pastors and staff who had benefited from Ron's care assembled to explore ways to extend his ministry. Out of those first meetings the ministry of pastoral spiritual direction was born. Spiritual direction is an historic ministry in the Christian church that is being rediscovered. It is a ministry of listening, discernment and prayer in a confidential setting of encouragement and compassion. Pastoral spiritual directors serve as "companions on the journey" with other pastors. They offer "soul friendship" to help another recognize God's voice and respond to his presence. Twice a year the network of pastoral spiritual directors gathers for 24 hours of training and practice to learn and improve their skills. These retreats are a form of basic training and continuing education for our directors. Recently the directors have decided that every third retreat will be purely a retreat - a time for directors to renew and refresh their relationships with God, hopefully as a model to others as the best kind of self-care. Our team of pastoral spiritual directors is drawn from the pastors and laity of our conference, women and men who volunteer their time to encourage other pastors, staff, and clergy spouses. Over the ten year existence of the ministry, more than two dozen different people have served as members of our network. They have served well over 100 pastors, staff, and spouses in the conference as soul friends. Former members of the network who have moved to other conferences in the Covenant are now helping some of those conferences form ministry networks of their own. If you would like to learn more about the PSWC ministry of pastoral spiritual direction please use the following weblink. http://www.pswc.org/images/Pastoral%20Spiritual%20Direction.pdf
Heroes,
Every Day
Six agencies and organizations were honored over the weekend by Bayside Church of Woodland led by pastor John Withem at Pioneer High School Theater, and were also given $200 to donate to their favorite charity. The organizations, represented from top-left, going clockwise: Sgt. Orrin Heatlie, Yolo County Sheriff's Department (M.A.D.D.); Mark Brooks and Richard Wirtz, Woodland Fire Department (Red Cross); Sgt. Derrik Kaff, Woodland Police Department (Yolo Wayfarer Center); M.C. Shaft, Veterans of Foreign Wars (Color Guard); and Officer Matt Stuller, CHP (Special Olympics). Not pictured are Yolo County's dispatchers, who were unable to attend. They donated to the Woodland Pregnancy Support Group.
Pastor
Dan Schmitz Honored with Community Award
Dan
Schmitz, pastor of New Hope Covenant Church of Oakland was awarded a Community
Service Award from the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) at
their 32nd Anniversary Celebration Banquet on October 3 in Oakland, CA. Schmitz
received the award for his work organizing tenants of the Oak Park Apartments,
which led to a class-action lawsuit against the apartment's slumlord, and in 2000
ultimately insured affordable housing for tenants of Oak Park Apartments. EBALDC
is a community development corporation that develops affordable housing and community
facilities focused on tenants and neighborhood residents, with emphasis on Asian
and Pacific Islanders communities and the diverse low income populations of the
East Bay. (www.ebaldc.org)
Bayside
of Placerville Installs Lead Pastor
It was a beautiful autumn morning in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas on Sunday, October 21st. This sun-soaked backdrop served as a perfect setting for Bayside of Placerville (formerly Sierra Hope Foothills Church) as they installed their new lead pastor, Brian Lopez. Greg Yee of the Pacific Southwest Conferennce led the installation service which culminated with the leadership team laying hands on and praying for Pastor Brian, his wife Rachel and three children. Mutual commitments between pastor and church were shared with joy and much anticipation. The church is continuing to think creatively about how to more effectively reach their surrounding communities. Pastor Brian aptly preached on how the congregation needs to learn to "Love at Any Cost," having compassion, taking real action, and making sacrifices. Following the service cake was served in celebration of this new season in Placerville. For more information about Bayside of Placerville click here.
Journey
to Mosaic - an experience, not a tour!
Thirteen participants experienced the ninth PSWC Journey to Mosaic (J2M) September 13-16. This journey was a challenging and inspiring experience designed to open the hearts and minds of persons seeking a glimpse into how we as individuals and the church can be more compassionate to and stand with people whom we perceive to be very different from ourselves. Through the use of videos, visits with people in various parts of the state and many intimate conversations among participants, we began to work through our own perceptions about race and class. We were further stimulated to dive into how these perceptions shape how the church reaches and relates to people. Am I willing to allow my heart to be broken by the injustice and lack of compassion which is so evident in the world around me? This was a question that we as participants asked ourselves throughout the trip. One unintended danger surrounding this journey is to perceive the journey as a tour of different cultures and historical lessons. On a tour, one's participation is limited to being an outsider looking in. Often, when the tour is over, one's heart is left the same as it was before the tour began. From my perspective, Journey to Mosaic is better described as an experience because my heart has been further compelled to question what impact I can have to effect change in the lives of broken, lonely and lost people. More importantly, I am challenged with the task of helping others to sense this need to have their hearts broken in the same way. Part of the experience for me included walking and talking with Gabriel, a 23- year-old farm worker who lives in Plainview, a predominantly Hispanic community in the Central Valley. Gabriel left school in the 10th grade in order to work the fields to help his parents. Now, as the primary care giver for two young children, he must work over 70 hours per week in order to make ends meet. When I asked him how much he earned, he told me that he earns approximately $7.50 per hour with no benefits and has not seen a wage increase in over seven years. He also showed me the make-shift backyard sanctuary that his community uses for weekly church services. They worship in the evenings because most people work during the daytime. Like Job, despite such hardship, he still yearns to worship, praise and honor God for his life. How could my heart not be broken to by such hardships many people like Gabriel face daily? During the group conversations, I recall a few participants who shared how certain ill-perceptions of different people and cultures were shaped by well-intentioned upbringings. I believe that it was during these moments that God began to move within the vulnerabilities of our hearts in order to prompt the "breaking" that is so necessary for us to truly engage in compassion and justice ministry. These moments provided a glimmer of hope for how the church may begin to move forward in this way. When Christians are willing to have the courage to dive deep into their hearts and expose some of the darkness that lies within, we allow God to move within us and towards this mission. We ended the journey on Sunday morning worship at Church of the Redeemer in Los Angeles with Pastor Danny Martinez. This worship experience provided hope for how we can build up a "Mosaic Mentality" as part of our individual lives through worshipping together. It was a taste of what worship might look like in heaven with people standing together, in community, as children of God irrespective of culture, race or class. 2008
Journey to Mosaic experiences are scheduled for February 21-24, July 10-13, and
September 25-28. For more information about these experiences go to pswc.org and
click on the bus, or call Greg Yee at 916.479.3544.
Iglesia
del Pacto Turlock and Turlock Covenant Church Launch Joint Classes
The first classes of the new joint Sunday school between Iglesia del Pacto and Turlock Covenant Church began Sunday, September 9. Approximately 60 children and youth attended and were served by teams of teachers representing both congregations. For more information about this shared ministry contact pastor Samuel Galdamez at sgaldamez@sbcglobal.net or 209.620.0529 or interim pastor, Wes Swanson at 209.667.1191.
New
Church Plant hosts Labor Day BBQ
Edgewater Covenant, one of the new church plants this fall led by John Fanous and his wife, Beckie, held a Labor Day BBQ in the Antioch/Pittsburg area with assistance from more than fifteen volunteers from Outer East Bay churches - Hope Center (Pleasant Hill, CA) and The Creek (Walnut Creek, CA) as well as San Francisco State University (the context in which John has ministered with InterVarsity). John noted, "God gave us the resources to serve food to at least 106 people. Many people told me how much they enjoyed the BBQ, how pleasant it was, and I received comments like, 'Everyone is so welcoming!' " Participants were invited to an upcoming dessert on September 20. John completed a three month church planter residency at Hope Center in August. In addition to the people support from Hope Center and The Creek, Hilmar Covenant and Dolores Park Covenant of San Francisco have provided financial support to help the Pacific Southwest Conference launch this church. For more information about Edgewater Covenant go to www.edgewaterthechurch.org or contact John at johnf@edgewaterthechurch.org.
River
Life Celebrates Pastor's Ordination
Members and friends of River Life Covenant Church in Sacramento shared in a celebration of ordination honoring their pastor, Bud Locke, on Sunday, August 19. Superintendent Evelyn M.R. Johnson led the affirmation service reflecting on the meaning of ordination and leading a time of reaffirmation of the vows taken at the Ordination Service in Portland, Oregon, in June. The chair of the church presented Pastor Bud with a gift of artwork from the congregation in recognition of this significant marker in his life. River Life Covenant was planted in 1998 with Pastor Bud as the church planter. Their permanent site purchased by the congregation several years ago is at 4401 A Street in Sacramento.
Canto
Nuevo Covenant Celebrates 5 Years
The joyful spirit of festivity permeated the room as members and friends of Canto Nuevo Covenant Church celebrated its 5th anniversary on Sunday, August 5, in Walnut Creek. Members of their partner church, Hillside Covenant, and representatives of the Pacific Southwest Conference joined in the celebration. The worship service included multiple worship music specials by individuals and groups from Canto Nuevo and the youth worship team from Hillside Covenant. Certificates were presented by Pastor Willy Franco and his wife to many members who have served in special ways as well as to persons who experienced "new birth in Christ" during these first five years. Jeff Reed, pastor of Hillside, preached the sermon focused on commendations for the Canto Nuevo congregation as a people who display humility, faith, joy, perseverance, and love. Celebration continued as all enjoyed a meal together.
Love
Comes to the Killing Fields
What would you do if you met the people who had once imprisoned you and killed many of your family and friends? If you are Chamron Phal, associate pastor of First Covenant Church, Oakland, California, the answer is: "love them." Accompanied by at team from First Covenant, including other Khmer speakers like himself, Phal has returned from a 3 week mission to his native Cambodia. From 1975-1979, the Khmer Rouge killed an estimated 3 million Cambodians, a horrific period of history known as the Killing Fields. Perhaps what most Americans do not know, is that the Khmer Rouge remains a part of the coalition government of the scarred country. "We are sharing Christ with the Khmer Rouge. The fields are white unto harvest. Atheism and cruelty has left them with empty hearts. They are very open. But most are scared to travel to the Battambang Province where the Khmer Rouge are still in charge." Pastor Chamron and the team saw first hand the transformational power of the Good News of Jesus Christ. On July 20, 120 Khmer Rouge celebrated their new life in Christ through being baptized in the Chamlong Kuoy River. Another 97 (not Khmer Rouge) were also baptized in the Sangker River. Paul Wilson, lead pastor of First Covenant says, "Pastor Chamron is in the vanguard of a new movement of foreign born pastors serving in American churches. With the support of their local churches, Godly and gifted pastors like Chamron are being called to do the work of the kingdom in their native countries. The fruit is unlike anything we have been used to seeing." Phal mentors a core team of leaders in Cambodia, even when in Oakland. Team meetings are held via telephone, usually begin at 1 a.m. While on this recent trip to Cambodia, Phal also conducted leadership training experiences for 331 pastors and leaders. Humanitarian aid, including the installation of clean water systems was also provided by the team. Wilson believes that "if we will listen to the vision and dreams of the new Americans who come to us from many continents, and serve them with our gifts and resources as they seek to minister to their countrymen both here in the U.S. and back home, we will see spiritual awakenings of the likes that we have not seen in our country for more than a century."
17
Sudanese Youth Baptized
College Center Covenant (San Diego, CA) shared an extraordinary day with their sister Sudanese congregation on Sunday, July 29. Pastor Tom Eisenman baptized seventeen young people from the Sudanese congregation who have been meeting in recent months with College Center youth for instruction. After the baptisms, children, youth and adults from both congregations enjoyed fellowship, shared foods typical to their cultures, and celebrated the event with an exuberant and fun time in the pool. John Quek, elder and current leader of the Sudanese Covenant Fellowship reports, "Yes, It was a meaningful Sunday for all of us. That Sunday was one of the wonderful days that a person needs to enjoy in life." For
more information about College Center Covenant or the Sudanese congregation call
619.582.0226.
Bayside
Covenant Church of West Roseville has Life-Changing Baptism
When
a mother and her teen-age daughter went for a day on the beach, little did they
know it was going to be life-changing. While laying there enjoying the sun, their
peaceful beach was suddenly swarmed by hundreds of people. For
more information about Bayside of West Roseville and their ministries go to www.baysidewest.com.
Rolling
Hills Covenant Church Presents a Special July 4th Tribute To Armed Forces and
Public Servants
During the weekend services on Saturday, June 30 at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 1 at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m., Rolling Hills Covenant Church (RHCC) will present "Freedom -A Musical Salute to Liberty," to honor all American military personnel and public servants, including members of law enforcement, firefighters, and medical workers who serve our country. In an effort to honor as many uniformed personnel as possible, all public servants and military officers living in the South Bay are invited to attend in uniform to be recognized during the service. A Marine Corps Color Guard from Camp Pendleton will present the colors during the service and serve as greeters. Pastor Andy Noch will share a brief message titled "God's 911 Call for America." "Freedom" is a cross-generational musical that combines narrations with inspiring original numbers, patriotic favorites, and three powerful new songs: Avalon's "For Freedom," Dennis Jernigan's "I Salute You," and an exciting new arrangement of the official song for the 2004 National Day of Prayer, "Let Freedom Ring." The music will be performed by members of the Rolling Hills Covenant Church Sanctuary Choir, Gloryland Singers, Contemporary Worship Team, Orchestra, and Children's Ensemble under the direction of Dr. David Halverson. The audience will be invited to sing along to some of the patriotic songs. Contributions at the end of each service will be given directly to the Navigators Ministry, an organization that works with military chaplains at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to reach the troops and their families for Christ. Led by Michael and Thelma Jacobs and with the support of RHCC, the Navigators will make the following available for the marines and their families: gifts of Bibles, books, discipleship training materials, conferences and marriage retreats, welcome home celebrations, RHCC's Annual Car Show (a fundraiser for Christmas for Our Troops), and assistance for military chaplains to provide a Christian spiritual environment for the marines and their families. . Children's classes for nursery through kindergarten are available at all services. Parents needing more information are encouraged to call the Children's Ministries office at (310) 521-2541. Rolling Hills Covenant Church is located at 2222 Palos Verdes Drive North in Rolling Hills Estates. For information or directions to the church, go to RollingHillsCovenant.com.
Externally
Focused Church Workshop
The Church Outreach Commission sponsored its second Externally Focused Church workshop this past weekend at Pasadena Covenant Church. Representatives from five churches participated: Abundant Life (Pasadena), Chinese Neighborhood (Rosemead), Crown Valley (Laguna Niguel), God's Grace (Chatsworth), and Pasadena Covenant (Pasadena). PSWC consultant Martin Garcia (Program Consultant with First 5 LA - http://www.first5la.org) led the day-long workshop that started with addressing a theology of the city and moved into exploring an asset-based approach to community development. Participants left eager to apply the practical material presented as they continue to pray through and consider what it means to be a transforming agent in their communities. If your church is considering a Churches Planting Ministries (CPM) grant please contact Church Outreach Commission chair, Cameron Wu Cardona (cwucardona@yahoo.com) or PSWC staff member, Greg Yee (greg.yee@pswc.org).
Peninsula
Covenant holds a second "Beautiful Day"
Beautiful Day is a network of churches working in collaboration with businesses, schools, and other local agencies to unleash compassion into the local community in such creative and innovative ways that it leaves a significant impact. The idea emerged among the staff at Westgate Church in San Jose who invited area churches to join with them. Peninsula Covenant Church (Redwood City, CA) was one of over 30 churches who responded and participated in a November 2006 service day, resultantly blessing Kennedy Middle School in a huge way! On May 19th PCC planned a second "Beautiful Day" that brought out 375 people and two other churches to serve at Roosevelt Elementary School. Lead Pastor of Peninsula Covenant, Gary Gaddini reports, "God showed up in unexpected ways!" Following is a quick look at what this intergenerational team accomplished on May 19:
Even the task of serving lunch to nearly 400 people was an undertaking, but the Hispanic congregation that meets at Peninsula Covenant Church, Communidad Familiar Cristiana, did a wonderful job providing a Mexican fiesta-style lunch. Sequoia Christian Church was the second church who partnered in this event. Pastor Gaddini sums it up well when he says, "As the church, we are called to build bridges to the community with the pavement of compassion." For
more information about Beautiful Day go to www.ourbeautifulday.org.
For information about PCC's planning process, email Daisy Segal at daisys@peninsulacovenant.com.
Hillside
Covenant Church, Walnut Creek, Celebrates 60 Years of Ministry
On May 18-20, Hillside Covenant Church, Walnut Creek, CA, celebrated 60 years of ministry by recounting the blessings of their history, serving their community, and looking to the future. "Sweet Memories" was the theme as Hillsiders gathered on Friday evening, May 18, to recount the journey of Hillside Covenant Church. During the evening attendees wrote memories on post-it notes that were then displayed on a wall to chronicle God's faithfulness throughout the years. A video history of the church and skit entitled, "T'ings Change", also underscored God's faithful leading. "We really wanted a significant part of our time and energy [during the anniversary celebration] to be outward focused," explains Mae Cannon, Executive Pastor. As a result, four service project sites were selected - Parkmead Elementary School (just down the hill from Hillside), the Monument Crisis Center in Concord, and two local homes. On Saturday, over 100 people from Hillside gave of their time and energy to clean, landscape, organize, and/or build in an effort to bless their neighbors at these locations. On Saturday evening the celebration transitioned to San Francisco's Treasure Island, and the emphasis of the evening transitioned to future. Hillside intentionally included members of Canto Nuevo Covenant Church (Walnut Creek, CA) and True Vine Fellowship (Oakland, CA), as the church sought to "mark" in a new way their commitment to future mission in relationship with these sister churches. Hillside's "NOISE Worship Band", comprised of middle and high school students led worship. Lon Allison, Director of the Billy Graham Center, brought a challenge from Revelation 22 asking what does it mean to be a glimpse of the "river to come" to others here and now? Sunday's celebration continued at Treasure Island with four former pastors and current lead pastor, Jeff Reed, bringing both a word of commendation and a challenge to the church as it looks to the future. Former senior pastors who shared include: Alan Hearl, 1977-1982, Lon Allison (interim), 1982, Doug Stevens, 1983-1995, and Joel Kruggel, 1996-2001. Interspersed throughout the morning worship were video clips of other churches that have grown out of Hillside - Hope Center Covenant (Pleasant Hill, CA), Crossroads (Concord, CA) and The Creek (Walnut Creek). Hillside's growth strategy for spreading the Gospel has been to extend their ministry through church plants throughout the East Bay. Sunday wrapped up with a trip to the ball park to watch the A's and Giants play. In many ways, the chorus of a song composed for the celebration by Jeff Reed and Pastor of Worship and Arts, Mike Loretto, summarizes well Hillside's mission - past, present and future: All
on our hill. For
more information about Hillside Covenant Church visit
www.hillsidecovenant.org.
Kingsburg
Covenant Celebrates 100 Years
2007 marks the 100 year anniversary of Kingsburg Evangelical Covenant Church, and to celebrate this milestone the church has hosted a series of celebratory events, including special activities held May 18-20. The May weekend focused on the theme, "Celebrating God's Faithfulness", and coincided with the city of Kingsburg's annual Swedish Festival. On Friday evening, May 18th the church hosted an open house reception for guests to view historic photos and visit over dessert. This reception was held following a community Smorgasbord just blocks from the church. On Saturday morning the church didn't miss their opportunity to be represented in the Swedish Festival parade - young and old, long time attendees and recent comers to Kingsburg Covenant lined the church's parade float that also featured paintings of the original church and the current facility. Pastor Tim Boynton reports float riders were surprised to hear a "roar of people cheering" as they passed by Kingsburg Covenant. Over 300 people convened Saturday evening for a banquet with guest speaker, Jim Fretheim, Superintendent of the Northwest Conference, encouraging all to "Live the gospel". Fretheim is the only pastor in the church's history to have served twice - first as a seminary intern from 1970-1971 and as senior pastor from 1981-1984. Many former and current pastors helped to lead the Sunday morning worship celebration including: Brian Johnson, Youth Pastor 1997- present; Steve Carlson, Youth Pastor, 1991-1996; Jan Epps-Dawson, Interim Pastor, Worship Minister, Choir Director, Youth Pastor, 1990-1991; Carl Johnson, Interim Pastor, 1998-2001; Jim Fretheim; Ed Spongberg, Visitation Pastor 1997-2004; Gary Sander, Youth Pastor, 1983-1990; Bob Atkins, Senior Pastor 1991-1998; and Tim Boynton, Senior Pastor, 2001-present. The morning message was titled, "Looking Back to Move Forward", and focused on God's repeated word in Deuteronomy to "Remember", and "Never Forget" in preparation for entering the promised land. The service concluded outdoors with dedication of a large stone painted with these words, "Celebrating God's Faithfulness 1907-2007". To
learn about Kingsburg Covenant or upcoming Centennial events go to www.kingsburgchurch.org.
Bayside
of West Roseville marks 1-year anniversary
How do you go from zero to 1,000 in just one year? Chuck Wysong, lead pastor at Bayside Covenant Church of West Roseville, said it's easy: Focus on being healthy. "Our goal is not to build a mega-church but to build a healthy church," Wysong said. Bayside of West Roseville will celebrate its first birthday Sunday as a new church on Roseville's rapidly growing west side. Just one year after beginning weekly services at Silverado Middle School, BOWR welcomed more than 1,000 people to recent Easter worship celebrations. As part of the celebration, BOWR is asking everyone to bring a birthday gift - but not the kind you might expect. "We're
asking people to bring nonperishable items to church that Sunday so that we can
restock the depleted food bank at the Roseville Salvation Army," Wysong said.
The community is invited to celebrate BOWR's birthday by attending one of this Sunday's services at 9 or 10:45 a.m. Following each service, the party will include 30 birthday cakes, Jamba Juice and Starbucks Coffee, as well as jump houses and face painting for kids. In addition to relevant messages and upbeat worship, calling themselves "the Flock that Rocks," BOWR seeks to connect with families. "We're excited to be a place where kids actually enjoy worship rather than endure it," Wysong said. The same could be said for the growing number of teens who are finding a church home at Bayside West. "The
youth here are hungry and thirsty to know truth," explained Donnie Hinshaw,
BOWR's youth pastor. "We're providing them with a safe place to ask tough
questions and know they'll be accepted. There's really nothing else quite like
it in West Roseville." Bayside West is one of several new churches in the Sacramento area launched in the past two years by Bayside Church of Granite Bay, led by Senior Pastor Ray Johnston. With a passion to reach the broader community, Johnston's vision is to start 200 churches on the West Coast in the next 10 years. The churches will have Bayside in their name and be similar to the Granite Bay church. "They'll have our DNA," Johnston said. Wysong said he also believes being part of a "future-thinking community" has contributed to BOWR's growth. He said he's impressed with Roseville's well thought-out plan for growth, and sees how BOWR will continue meeting a huge need for this area. "As the community grows, we can grow along with it," said Don Male, a BOWR founding member who lives in West Roseville. Male said he also appreciates the neighborhood feel of this new church. "One
day recently I was shopping at the local Bel-Air and ran into three different
friends from church," he said. "We plan to continue meeting the needs of our community," Wysong said. "But eventually we'll move into a more permanent facility that reflects what I believe are the four areas of a balanced life, including: physical, emotional, spiritual and social." Wysong said his hope is BOWR will develop a facility that promotes healthy living, with a park-like feel to be used for the community. "We want a place where singles and families can connect and make friends," he said. "We want to make a difference with counseling and support groups. We want to bring spiritual health by declaring that you matter to God and we matter to each other."
PSWC
Sponsors 8th Journey to Mosaic
On Sunday, March 18, 37 people returned home from their three-day Journey to Mosaic experience, the eighth offered by the PSWC. Hearts were enlightened and stirred as the California-based ethnic immersion experience took people from Oakland, into the Central Valley, and down into LA's Skid Row. But more importantly, the J2M took people from a limited view of how race affects our Gospel work in the church, to a greater realization and desire to do something about it. One new stop added to this trip was Allensworth State Park where the first African American settlement in California is being preserved. After many decades of different challenges, Allensworth is nicknamed "The Town that Never Dies". See a related article here. South Bay Community Church (Fremont), Bay Area Christian Connection (Oakland), Visalia Covenant, and Church of the Redeemer (Los Angeles) were all integral in making this J2M the powerful experience that it was. Most of the participants were from the South Bay Area cluster of churches. Others came from Amigos de la Gracia Community (Rialto), Bayside of South Sacramento, Cornerstone (Turlock), Crossroads (Concord), Hillside (Walnut Creek), Vida Abundante (Sacramento), and the North Pacific Conference (NPC). Participant and NPC intern, Christa Mazzone, will be working this summer to begin a North Pacific version of the J2M. When asked, J2M leaders and PSWC staff members, Walter Contreras and Greg Yee explained that the larger vision is for all eleven of the Covenant's conferences to have their own version of the J2M, set in the specific history and challenge of that geographic area. On a related note, Director of Church Planting, Wayne Carlson, recently worked with the leadership of the Covenant's Department of Church Growth and Evangelism to require all new church planters in the PSWC to participate in a J2M. A denominational discussion has begun to explore if this idea can be expanded to all church planters in the Covenant. Upcoming
2007 Journey to Mosaic experiences are scheduled for July 19-22 and September
13-16. For more information about Journey to Mosaic go to pswc.org and click on
the bus or call Greg Yee at 916.479.3544.
Externally
Focused Churches
In
their book, Externally Focused Churches, Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson state, "Externally
focused churches bring beauty to their communities. Their love is a garland of
grace." Many churches across the Pacific Southwest Conference are doing just
that in their communities - they are finding creative ways to meet people, grow
friendships, build trust, provide for needs, and empower children. Rusaw and Swanson
say this is what defines externally focused churches: Rusaw and Swanson write, "Size has nothing to do with a church's ability to be externally focused...being externally focused has much more to do with mind-set than size." Following is the story of one such church with the mind-set of Christ and heart set on the work of the gospel.
College Center Covenant Church, San Diego, cancelled worship in December to host Christmas in the City, an event aimed at providing low-income families the opportunity to purchase affordable new gifts for their children this Christmas. Nearly fifty families from the East San Diego urban area bought toys and other gifts. Hope in the City, an urban development ministry associated with the church, gave direction and oversight for the event, while over forty adults and many students from the congregation worked the stations and provided a warm welcome. After items were purchased, and gift wrapping had been provided, families gathered together outside for refreshments and games with prizes for the kids. One single mom expressed with thankful tears in her eyes that the toys she was buying at the church were all the gifts her children would get this Christmas. To
read another story of an "externally focused church" click here: Invitation
to Racial Righteousness story
Valley
Hi Covenant Church Hosts "Invitation to Racial Reconciliation" Over 100 people from Valley Hi Covenant Church and Agape Christian Fellowship in South Sacramento participated in a life-changing weekend during the Invitation to Racial Righteousness February 16-18. Sitting around tables in multiethnic groups of 6 to 8 people, we listened to each other's stories. Debbie Blue, Carolyn Poterek and Ali Hassan facilitated conversation, exposed us to thought-provoking video clips, and directed experiential exercises that caused us to reflect on our individual experiences with race. We probed our feelings about each of our own ethnicities and culture groups and faced the current reality of racial strife and separation in our country and in our churches. One group exercise that stretched our understanding of our different experiences was called the Race race. We began in a line holding hands, facing one side of the parking lot where Carolyn was holding a bag with a prize in it. Then, we individually took steps forward or backward, depending on our responses to the questions Carolyn asked. For example, "If you had 10 children's books and at least 30 books total in your house growing up, take a step forward. If you or anyone from your ethnic group has ever been pulled over by a police officer for being in the 'wrong neighborhood,' take a step backward." We began to separate, and quickly we were no longer able to keep our connection holding hands. By the time the questions ended, the people at the front of the line were all Caucasian, and the people at the back of the line were almost all African-American, while the people from most other ethnicities were somewhere in the middle. Then Carolyn said, "Now the race begins! Ready, set, go! Come get the prize!" It was powerful to acknowledge (many of us for the first time) that the race doesn't start out equally for everyone. It was especially powerful to see that inequality, and the consequential pain expressed after the exercise, within our own family of faith - with brothers and sisters who are dear to us. As
we continued through the day sharing within our groups, there was a tremendous
bonding that occurred as we saw each other's hearts. Many shared the pain of living
with racial injustice (personal and systemic), others exposed their ignorance
of the life experiences of those who live outside the dominant culture or their
ignorance of the benefits of living as Caucasians in a majority-white culture.
We shed tears, remembered formative experiences, and grew from the connections
we made with each other.
Patterson
Covenant Church Installs Pastor Glen Morden
The bright Sunday morning in the Central Valley on March 4 provided the perfect setting for the beginning of a new chapter at Patterson Covenant Church. That morning Patterson Covenant installed Glen Morden as pastor and welcomed Glen's wife, Marci, and their four children. Greg Yee, PSWC Director of Congregational and Leadership Development, led the installation. Patterson Covenant Church will celebrate their 96th anniversary this May. A spirit of joy and celebration filled the church, who had waited some time for a pastor. At the end of Glen's sermon, Glen shared a song he wrote entitled, "Wash Over Me", as an invitation to respond. Expressions of thanksgiving were many as people reflected on God's faithfulness and perfect timing. Pastor Glen then expressed his excitement and eagerness to see what God will do in the community and world through Patterson Covenant Church in years to come. Following the service, all shared in a delicious potluck topped off with a cake. Sharing in the morning celebration were guests from Redeemer Covenant Church, (Orangevale, CA), where Glen served since 2000, most recently as associate pastor. The chair of Patterson Covenant's search committee also celebrated his 50th birthday on Sunday, making it an especially memorable day.
Hilmar
Covenant Celebrates 25 Years of Ministry with Pastor Bruce Metcalfen
It seemed a normal Sunday worship service as Pastor Bruce Metcalf welcomed the congregation and began the service on Sunday, March 4 until the chair of the church stepped forward and took charge!!! As the chair shared the nature of what was going to happen, Pastor Bruce stood speechless. Entering from the back of the sanctuary came members of his family including his father and mother and other family members, his children, and grandchildren and Superintendent Evelyn M.R. Johnson. Pastor Bruce was invited to be seated and the service proceeding with members of the congregation, the Superintendent, and staff sharing words of commendation, a video presentation of Bruce's life, and a meditation by Bret Widman, associate. Celebration of Holy Communion symbolized in a special way the unity of the many who have participated during these 25 years of ministry at Hilmar with Christ at the center. Celebration
continued during a lunch following the service. The joy of the "behind the
scenes" secret preparations for the lunch and service was evidenced in the
smiles and laughter among congregants. They had, indeed, surprised their beloved
pastor and rejoiced in celebrating the past with a special sense of hope for the
future.
San
Andreas
Community Covenant Installs Pastor
Dan Boyce
Sunday, February 25th was an exciting day for Community Covenant Church in San Andreas as they celebrated the installation of Dan Boyce as lead pastor. Wayne Carlson of the Pacific Southwest Conferennce led the installation service with several members of the church participating by offering symbols of the minsitry to Pastor Dan, affirming his call to the church and acknowledging him as their pastor and spirtitual leader. Dan and his wife, Teresa, moved to the San Andreas community fourteen months ago to serve as the interim pastor of the church prior to being called as lead pastor in January. Following the service of worship, a luncheon was held at the church in honor of Dan and Teresa.
7th
Journey to Mosaic Trip - January 2007
The newest adaptation of the Journey to Mosaic (J2M) completed its pilot trip January 18-21. Twenty-one participants representing our north Los Angeles cluster of churches set out on their immersion experience beginning at Abundant Life Covenant Bible Church in Pasadena. The participating churches began planning this trip in early 2006. All of the churches shared the vision of this cluster- based trip with their congregations with the goal of seeking follow- up opportunities after the trip since the churches are in close proximity to each other. They wanted their hearts stirred to the social and spiritual realities that we must face as the Church, but they also wanted to be sure that they would follow the J2M with action. Travels went into the Coachella Valley to visit the Fred Jordan Academy (Cornerstone Covenant provided lunch), the Torres-Martinez reservation, the border wall (Calexico), Second Baptist Church in LA, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Fred Jordan Mission in Skid Row LA. The J2M ended with great celebration and a delicious lunch at Church of the Redeemer. COTR sent 10 participants including Pastor Danny Martinez and his wife Donna. Pastor Danny reflected after the trip, "The feedback from Church of the Redeemer was unbelievable! All attendees felt their time was well spent and were challenged in many different ways The impact in their lives will be felt for a while in our neighborhood Everyone else was blessed by every single event. My heart was broken over and over to see the injustice that we do to one another under the guise of race. Our sin has made us fall so far away from our Lord and Savior and his command to love one another." Upcoming Journeys in 2007: March
15-18 For
more information contact Greg Yee at greg.yee@pswc.org
or 916.479.3544. To download a registration form click here.
Stratton
Honored for Service to Sacramento Community
On Monday, January 15, Kacie Stratton, member of Sanctuary Covenant Church in Sacramento, California, received the "Programs for Children" award at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Gospel Celebration, a Sacramento-wide gathering of churches and community leaders themed, "We are Better Together". Stratton was one of seven honored with an award for her service to the community - specifically for her role as the Executive Director of the GreenHouse, a Christian Community Enrichment Center, that began out of Sanctuary Covenant Church in July 2002. The
GreenHouse was formed to help unlock the inherent resources of the densely populated
Niños Park neighborhood and transform it from one that is merely surviving
into one that is thriving. By providing families with opportunities for education,
artistic expression, fitness and spiritual growth, the GreenHouse is nurturing
the seeds of community renewal. The GreenHouse focuses on children, teens and
families - and their programs clearly reflect this focus. A sample of offerings
include: afterschool tutoring, summer day camp and evening youth group. For more
information about the GreenHouse go to www.thegreenhousecenter.org.
Pastor
Frank Riley to Serve as Military Chaplain
On Sunday, January 21, Frank Riley, lead pastor of River47 Covenant Church in Orange, California will fly to Newport, Rhode Island for twelve weeks of training in preparation for military chaplaincy. Five weeks will be devoted to Officer Indoctrination School, where Frank anticipates learning military law, the specifics of marching and wearing a uniform and doing more physical training. Later weeks will be devoted to the specifics of chaplaincy in the military, field experiences and amphibious assault training. Physical training won't be new to Frank. Upon first applying to become a Navy chaplain reservist, recruiters told him he was too old and too heavy. But that didn't stop him. An article run by the Orange County Register on April 20, 2006 reports, "Within two weeks, Riley lost the required 10 pounds by amping up his workout and cutting his food portions. He ran six miles and swam three miles a day." As for Frank's age, upon hearing that the Navy was having a tough time securing adequate number of chaplains, Frank made a second contact to recruiters and in February of 2006 his application was approved. On Sunday, July 2, 2006, Frank was sworn into the U.S. Navy as a chaplain with attendees of River47 Covenant on hand to share in the occasion. After completing training, Frank will return to River47. He will also serve as a chaplain in a MEFREL (Marine Expeditionary Forces Religious) unit for two days each month at Camp Pendleton in the San Diego area. The number of chaplains deployed out of Pendleton has created the need to "backfill" chaplaincy roles at this location. Upon answering why he's chosen to serve, Frank explains, "First it's genuine call, and secondly, there is a reality that there is a shortage of chaplains. Families separated from loved ones, or marines themselves shouldn't be hard pressed to find a pastor - and it is that way now." Please pray for Frank, his wife Jennifer their two children - Cora (13) and Jack (11) and River47 during this season. Frank specifically desires that he would be a good example while serving and that the church would remain strong. Others
serving in military chaplaincy from or within this region include David Kim (awaiting
orders), Mark Nakazono (Iraq), Andrew Richards (Federal Prison at Terminal Island),
and Jeffrey Saville (Camp Pendleton).
God
in the Trailer Park About a month ago, Greg Fauss, Community Outreach Pastor of Shiloh Covenant in Windsor, California, woke up from a nap with the strong sense that their church was being called to find a trailer home for a local single mother living in a fifth wheeler with her five children. Greg shared his mental picture of welcoming this family to a new home at Christmas with lead pastor, Todd Michero, the church's outreach team, and Shiloh Covenant, asking them to pray alongside his family. Knowing that this would take intervention beyond Shiloh's resources, Greg then decided to search online for a trailer home, in hopes that he would find one being given away. Even still, he had no clue how they would cover the moving expenses, if the home was found. People were praying as the weeks passed and a few quick searches (which spanned the Bay Area up to Eureka) hadn't pulled up anything. But the results on Wednesday, December 13 were different - the searching uncovered a free trailer home. The wonder of it all was that the home was located in Windsor! Greg connected with the owner only to discover that it was in the same trailer park community in which the mother and the children currently lived. The owner agreed to gift the family. On Monday evening December 18, the Shiloh outreach team invited the mother and her children to venture out to view Christmas lights. Perhaps the brightest lights they took in that night were those that shone from their new home - a home that was filled with well-wishers and welcomers from Shiloh as well as gifts for the mother and her children. At one point in the process of seeking to secure the home, Greg's son brought him Psalm 34:6-7, 18 as encouragement. While all were gathered on Monday evening those words were read, "This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Sankofa
Journey 2007
Desiring to move forward in your journey toward racial righteousness but confused about where to start? Have you considered a Sankofa Journey? In March 2007, the Covenant's Department of Christian Formation will sponsor a Sankofa Journey. The dates are March 29 - April 1, 2007. Go to http://www.covchurch.org/formation//j2rr/sankofa for more information and a link to a downloadable version of the flyer/registration form. Registration and deposit deadline is January 26, 2007 or while space is still available. Space is limited, and seats will only be guaranteed with a $100 non-refundable deposit. Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Grab your cross-racial
partner and contact Linda McIntosh at linda.mcintosh@covchurch.org
or 773-583-0220, ext. 511. If you cannot find a cross-racial partner, let us know,
and we'll do our best to assist you.
62
graduate from CHET
Saturday, December 9th marked the graduation celebration for 62 CHET students completing studies within four CHET programs. Following are the number who graduated from each program: Basic program - 27, Ministerial program - 5, Licenciatura (Bachelor in Christian Ministry degree) - 8, and the Lay Family Counseling program - 22. More than 200 people attended the ceremony, held at Primera Iglesia del Pacto de Bell Gardens. Ten awards were distributed to students for academic achievement and significant contributions to the Hispanic community during the year 2006.
Four
Montecito Churches Send 1000 HIV/AIDS Care-giver Kits
On
Saturday November 18th, about 50 attendees of Montecito Covenant gathered with
equal number of attendees from the three other churches in Montecito to bless
the world in Jesus' name. These Covenanters, Catholics, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians
gathered with the goal of assembling 1,000 "Care-Giver Kits" to be sent
to World Vision trained HIV/AIDS caregivers in Rwanda, Africa. Each kit provides
about three months worth of supplies to care for 7-8 people, and costs only $20.
After watching a video about what the simple kits do, and assembling kits from
9 a.m. until noon, each kit was packed with a handwritten prayer to the caregiver.
Pastor Don Johnson writes, "All morning long I saw whole families sit down
and carefully write their prayer for the care giver. In a few months a Christian
care-giver trained by World Vision will be walking with their kits and prayers
into desperate villages inRwanda. And the cost? about $17.50 for supplies and
$2.50 for shipping!" Don
continues, "When all 1,000 kits were packed into shipping boxes and set on
pallets, we all gathered around and laid our hands from our four churches in the
one name of Jesus and prayed them off." A skeptical world wants to know if
we care about anyone other than ourselves. November 18th was a delightful way
for four churches to come together and say, "It's not about us, it's about
God's children in need". To learn more about this effort you may email pastor
don at donnJohnson@mcchurch.org.
To view additional photos of the day go to www.markkuroda.com/worldvision.
Charter
Members Welcomed at Rock Harbor Covenant Church
On Sunday, November 5, Rock Harbor Covenant Church led by church planter, Greg Krieger, welcomed charter members during a service of commitment led by Superintendent Evelyn M.R. Johnson. In addition to signing the church's charter member list, the charter members signed a large banner to highlight this occasion. The celebration continued after worship during an outdoor barbecue lunch. Rock Harbor Covenant Church became an official member church of The Evangelical Covenant Church at the June 2006 Covenant Annual Meeting.
Meadow
Depot Makeover
Saturday, November 11th, brought three congregations together to bless the ministers
and residents at Meadows Depot, a women's shelter in Lodi, CA. Bayside of South
Sacramento (BOSS), Bayside West Roseville, and a Lodi group that is moving toward
becoming a church plant (led by Pastor Ellen Tanouye) set their hearts and bodies
toward doing an "extreme makeover." The rain would not deter the 120
volunteers as an amazing amount of work was done in just one day. Together they: Coordinator Joel Trumbo added in a note to all the volunteers, "Most of all however, we made sure that the Meadows Depot families knew that they are loved by God and by our 3 church families It's because of you that the Meadows Depot families have the hope that comes from love...a love that flowed from Christ to them through your working hands." There
is more work that the group anticipates finishing: painting the exterior of all
three houses, replacing the exterior wood and stucco on one house, and rebuilding
the storage shed and phone booth. The group looks forward to growing their relationship
with this important ministry that provides women with their children a safe place
to recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
Fountain
Of Life Covenant Church Congregation
Fountain of Life Covenant Church led by church planter, John Teter, is focused on serving the Compton/Long Beach area. The group has completed its monthly preview services and is preparing for the launching of weekly worship on December 3. God is preparing them in unique ways including the call for flexibility at their last preview service on November 12, when due to the "locked out" status of the school facility they were renting, they regrouped and led the worship service outside in the immediate neighborhood.
New
Hope Covenant Church 10th Anniversary Celebration
These were among the values of New Hope Covenant Church written by cell group leaders on rocks during the 10th anniversary worship celebration on Sunday, October 22nd . The message, Remembering God's Leading, given by Pastor Dan Schmitz, was supported by creative visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experiences during worship. Included among those experiences was reflection on as well as ongoing creation of a historical timeline plus visions for the future. A celebration lunch following worship provided opportunity to continued sharing of memories and hopes for the future. New Hope Covenant maintains its base at 2626 East 16th Street, Oakland, and worship on Sundays at 2300 International Boulevard in the Youth Employment Partnership building.
Visalia
Community Covenant Church Celebrates Calling of Pastor
Members and friends of Visalia Community Covenant Church gathered in worship on Sunday, October 15th, to share in the installation of their new pastor, Jason Backlund, led by Superintendent Evelyn M.R. Johnson. As representatives of the congregation shared symbolic gifts of the ministry and prayers of blessing, Jason's call as their leader was strongly affirmed. Jason, who served as part-time interim for the church since late April 2006, began his call as permanent pastor on October 1. Jason, his wife Trish, and children, Alia and Elijah, recently moved to the Visalia community. A native of Winnetka, Illinois, Jason completed his undergraduate work at the University of California Santa Barbara and served with InterVarsity in the Santa Barbara area for five years until moving back to Chicago to attend North Park Theological Seminary from which he received his M.Div. in 2005. The presence of Chicago family, college friends, and InterVarsity colleagues at the installation service added a special joy for this day of celebration in Visalia.
Celebration
Of Installation At Marin Covenant
Great
is thy faithfulness
These
worship songs led the members and friends of Marin Covenant Church into a time
of celebrating the goodness of God on Sunday morning, October 1, as they gave
praise for His calling of Peter Batchelder as Pastor of Outreach and Jeff Mazzariello
as Pastor of Spiritual Formation. Prior to joining the team at Marin Covenant
Church, Peter served as Director of Noncredit Continuing Education at Fuller Theological
Seminary, and Jeff served as Executive Director of Covenant Bible College in Windsor,
Colorado.
Booksigning
Celebration Held At Bay Area Christian Connection On Sunday
Members and friends of Bay Area Christian Connection and colleagues from the surrounding community joined together Sunday afternoon, October 1, to celebrate the release of Servant Brian K. Woodson's book, Meditations of a Madman: Musings of a Madman. A presentation and question/answer period was followed by a book signing with Pastor Woodson in the setting of a festive celebration of food and fellowship. The book is a compilation of Pastor Woodson musings during devotional times over a number of years. As one of the pastors from the area noted, this is a book that one must chew, swallow, and digest to benefit from the deep insights shared by the author. The book is available through mail order. Click here for order form.
Pilot
of "Leadership Essentials" Underway
On September 22-23, the pastors and leadership teams from River's Edge Covenant (Brentwood), Shelter (Concord), and The Creek (Walnut Creek) participated in a pilot of "Leadership Essentials" led by Alan Forsman, PSWC Leadership and Congregational Coach, and Greg Yee, PSWC Director of Leadership and Congregational Development. The participation of these East Bay churches marks a one-year commitment to focus on key leadership challenges unique to their ministries. Developed by the PSWC Church Development Commission, the Leadership Essentials pilot was designed to address the need for intentional training of church leaders over an extended period of time. So often leaders are presented with great challenges at workshops and seminars only to return home with few tools for implementing change. Leadership Essentials is designed to provide training with follow-up. Follow-up will focus on key self-identified areas of challenge through goal setting, on-site visits, and regular coaching. Co-leader
Greg Yee reports, "From what I saw and heard of these leaders, we hope to
see significant things come out of this."
Hope
Center Completes New Space, Holds Open House
Sunday, September 25, 2006, marked a lively celebration at Hope Center Covenant Church in Pleasant Hill, CA as the congregation welcomed their community, neighbors and friends to view the newly completed Generations Wing at a grand opening. The Generations Wing adds not only an additional 8000 square feet of much needed space to the church facility by way of classrooms, kitchen, and meeting rooms, but changes the entire façade of the church building. Purchased nearly 28 years ago, the building was originally a movie theater and until the new addition, looked much as it did when first purchased. The changes are dramatic with new signage, a grand entry tower, and a cross which lights at night. Hope
Center put their best foot forward for the grand opening with a ribbon cutting
ceremony, lunch for all who visited, music, ministry displays throughout the facilities,
give-aways, and videos playing in two rooms. Joining Pastor Dean Honnette at the
ribbon cutting event were, Executive Director of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of
Commerce, Charley Daly, Executive Board President of the Pleasant Hill Chamber
of Commerce, Dawn Block, City of Pleasant Hill Council Member, Michael Harris,
Construction Contractor, Skip Bergesen, and Project Manager, Scott Walker. When
asked why the huge celebration, pastor Dean Honnette enthusiastically responded,
"To celebrate God's goodness."
September
2006 Journey to Mosaic
We
were privileged to host the church planting leadership of the denomination including
the directors of church planting from many conferences. A special guest for this
trip was Dr. Michael Emerson from Rice University and author of Divided by Faith,
a required reading for all j2m participants. This was a strategic time to journey
with our colleagues throughout the country in moving forward in multiethnicity
- kingdom life together. In the Central Valley, participants were privileged to see the fruit of a love offering spontaneously collected by a previous j2m as they met in a newly constructed backyard sanctuary in Tonyville, the only church in its area. The group also had a special opportunity to join evangelical leaders from the Hispanic community in LA for prayer in front of the federal building in Los Angeles. The time was committed to the reading of scripture and the raising of prayer for peaceful resolution on immigration. In Little Tokyo, the docents at the Japanese American National Museum walked the group through the tragic history of yellow peril, which, in part, culminated during World War II in the internment of Japanese Americans. Participants remarked that so much is overlooked in our history books concerning Asian Americans (and others). On the last night, the group found an endless presence of drugs, prostitution, and lives that have bottomed out in Skid Row. Walking around such a wide spread of destitution is humbling. It removes you from your comfort zone and forces you to refocus. Participants found themselves asking: What is the true call of the gospel? How is my church supposed to respond? How do I take all of what I've learned and experienced and incorporate it into my life? The trip culminated in a wonderful celebration of worship at Church of the Redeemer (Los Angeles) with Pastor Danny Martinez in a beautiful multicultural, multi-class, multiethnic setting. The participants experienced first hand what mosaic can actually look like. Applications
are still being received for the October 26-29 j2m. Please contact Vonda Peterson
at the conference office, 925.677.2140, extension 12 or write vonda.peterson@pswc.org.
Grace
Community Covenant Church Celebrates Its 8th Anniversary
Becoming like Jesus together! This theme characterized activities at the 8th anniversary celebration of Grace Community Covenant Church in Palo Alto, California, on Sunday, September 10. The core values of the church --- to be relational, inviting, celebratory, and encouraging --- were emphasized as various members shared stories of how the church's ministry had influenced their own personal lives. Specifically highlighted were the men's ministry group and the mission trip to provide assistance in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster. A slide presentation captured the highlights of the past year including the move to the new Palo Alto location which provides them with 24/7 space. Will Davidson, Chair of the PSWC Executive Board, and Evelyn M.R. Johnson, Superintendent, shared greetings from the conference as well as an overview of its ministries followed by a presentation to Pastor Steve Wong and his leadership team of a plaque of recognition for their significant partnership through mission giving to the PSWC during these past 8 years. Grace Community Covenant Church is a leader among our 143 churches in giving almost 10% of their local income to further Christ's mission in this region. The worship celebration was closed with a communion service followed by a distribution of gift cards for Peets or Rich's Ice Cream for persons to commit to "becoming like Jesus" with another person through spending time with them. A lunch complete with anniversary cake was served following worship.
Journey
to Mosaic Squared (j2m2)
On July 22, the pilot of the PSWC's Journey to Mosaic Squared (j2m2) began with facilitators Michelle Dodson and Stephen Sharkey from New Community Covenant Church, Chicago welcoming eight 17-25 year-old participants. The diverse group would call a house in the multicultural lower Fruitvale District of Oakland home for the next three weeks. In the end, "the next three weeks" would prove to be a life changing experience. The vision for j2m2 came at the intersection of the growth of Journey to Mosaic bus trips (j2m) and the closure of discussions in summer 2005 for a CBC West with the established Covenant Bible College (CBC). Pastor Brian Woodson of Bay Area Christian Connection, Oakland, offered this imagery during the last worship service of the j2m2. He preached about how we train young people in the military to be fighting machines. Orders are given to go take a hill and kill as many people as possible. "Wouldn't it be great," Woodson said, "if likewise, we train young people to love. If we say to them, go! Go to that city, that area, that neighborhood and love. Love as many people as possible." This is the vision for j2m2 - training young adults to think more biblically and more Christ-like about the world. The desire is to help expose, educate, and challenge them about life and ministry in an urban context. A rhythm of teaching, experiencing, and reflection organized the three weeks. Teachers from Chicago and within the PSWC unpacked biblical topics including compassion, justice, love, community, and the church. The students also learned experientially while visiting and serving at such places as the Santa Clara County jail, an inner city mission, a day laborer center, a senior care center, and at a local school. All of this was followed up by group debriefing sessions. As one participant concluded, "One common theme that ran through the entire program was that of 'dreams.' God desires to place in each of us a dream, a vision, to pursue I walk away from j2m2 not only ready to pursue my own God-given dreams more resolutely, but to actively engage in seeing that the dreams and visions of other men and women and children might be made a reality for God's glory." Our dream for influencing the emerging generation of leaders began with eight. Plans for future j2m2 experiences are already being made. Special thanks Bay Area Christian Connection (Oakland), Canto Nuevo (Walnut Creek), First Covenant Oakland, Bethel Covenant (Oakland), and New Hope Oakland for providing teachers, meals, supplies, and prayer. Thanks also to PSWC staff persons, Greg Yee and David Nystrom; ECC's Director of Adult Ministries, Debbie Blue; Rey Guevara, youth pastor from Los Angeles; and Peter Hong, pastor of New Community Church, Chicago, for helping with the conceptualization process.
Congregation
Affirms Phoenix Pastor
One year ago members and friends of New Hope Covenant Church in Peoria, Arizona, surprised (perhaps shocked is the better word) their pastor, Richard Parrish, with a spontaneous "bell ringing" at the morning service. The occasion was marking the beginning of the last lap for his process of completing his M.Div. degree with Fuller Extension in Phoenix and his ordination with The Evangelical Covenant Church. This past Sunday, July 16th, the congregation was joined by a number of Richard's fellow students from seminary classes and cohort group to celebrate his completion of this last lap. Praising
God and giving thanks for his provision was the dominant theme during the special
morning worship service and the celebration luncheon hosted by New Hope Covenant
Church immediately following at a local hotel. During the service, special music
was provided by Richard's wife, Vicki, and an ensemble from New Hope. A service
of Affirmation of Ordination was led by PSWC Superintendent, Evelyn M.R. Johnson.
During his sermon, Pastor Parrish reflected on his own journey in responding to
God's call and the importance of the congregation, his family, and friends as
a support community in this recent process. At the celebration luncheon, numerous
words of commendation were shared by congregants of all ages and Richard's fellow
seminarians.
Hispanic
Church Planters and Covenant Leaders to D.C. Over 20 Covenant Hispanic Church Planters gathered in Washington D.C. June 6-8 from California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri. Accompanying them were several leaders from across the Covenant including Gary Walter, Executive Director of the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism; Dave Olson, ECC Director of Church Planting, Ed Delgado, ECC Director of Prayer and Evangelism; Larry Sherman, Director of Church Planting for the Great Lakes Conference; and Walter Contreras and Wayne Carlson, Directors of Church Planting for the PSWC. The group's itinerary in D.C. began Tuesday with the dinner program focused on "The National Hispanic HIV/AIDS Initiative. Senator Hilary Clinton was the speaker. In summary Contreras reports, "The issue of HIV and AIDS among Hispanics is very serious and calls for awareness and advocacy on the part of clergy." Wednesday kicked off with Dave Olson giving a presentation on "Preaching from the Gospels". The rest of the morning and afternoon was given to Advocacy Training and multiple meetings with Senators and members of the House of Representatives on the topic of immigration reform. The goal of these meetings was advocating for an effective, comprehensive and workable immigration reform. That evening the delegation shared in a dinner meeting with a program focused on "the State of Hispanic Housing". On Thursday, the group participated in the 2006 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast with President George W. Bush as the keynote speaker. Minority Leader Senator Harry Reid, as well as Senator Kennedy and Senator McCain were also present. In reflecting upon the journey, Contreras notes the ongoing importance of creating resources for the Hispanic community, and the need to advocate on behalf of people of faith. He states "The investment in this trip has helped our Hispanic leadership and others to better understand the importance of assuming civic responsibility and being informed advocates." He urges them and us to continue to pray for immigration reform that will be just and provide a comprehensive solution.
Mutual
Blessings Service at Berkeley Covenant
Members
and friends of Berkeley Covenant Church shared in a time of blessing their concluding
pastor, Al Tizon, and his family in a special "send off" on Sunday,
June 4, as the Tizons move to Philadelphia where Al will be assuming a teaching
role at Palmer Theological Seminary. Words of commendation and prayers were offered
separately for Al, Janice, and two of their children -
Installation
of Youth Pastor and Coordinator of Christian Education at Good Samaritan Covenant
Church
Dave Standlee and Dani DuBurg were installed as Youth Pastor and Coordinator of Christian Education, respectively, at Good Samaritan Covenant Church in Valley Springs, California on Sunday, June 3. Dave (and his family) comes into this position with ten years of youth ministry experience in the mid-west and Dani (and her family) has been a part of the Good Samaritan church family for a couple years. Jeffrey Mitchell serves as the Lead Pastor of Good Samaritan Covenant.
The Valley Springs area continues to grow with many young families moving into the community, so the opportunities for ministry to children and youth are great. The church is preparing to break ground soon for the building of a new worship center as well as space to accommodate the growth and expansion of their ministry. Sanctuary
Covenant Church in Sacramento Installs New Pastor Eric
Bain was installed as lead pastor of Sanctuary Covenant Church in Sacramento,
CA on Sunday, May 7. Eric came to Sacramento last July to serve as the interim
pastor at Sanctuary. After a ten-month search process, the pastoral search committee
recommended Eric to the congregation as their candidate for lead pastor and the
congregation extended a call to him on April 24. PSWC staff member Wayne Carlson,
also a member of Sanctuary Covenant, led the installation celebration. Eric and
his wife, Courtney, have two children.
New
PSWC Church Plant - Woodland
May 1st marked the start of additional new church plant in the Pacific Southwest Conference, Bayside Covenant Church of Woodland. Woodland, California is a growing community northwest of Sacramento with a large Hispanic population. Over the past few years the Pacific Southwest Conference church planting team has sensed a growing desire (and need) to plant a church within this community. Meanwhile, Pastor John Withem, resident of Woodland, has sensed a growing desire and calling to be a church planter within this community. Through the partnering support of Bayside Church of Granite Bay, a church plant, led by Withem, is now underway.
The
new church currently meets at Pioneer High School in Woodland. For more information
visit www.baysidewoodland.com or contact John at john@woodlandgathering.com or
530.312.2012.
Externally
Focused Church Retreat
This past weekend, the Church Outreach Commission (COC) brought together 38 leaders from 7 churches for an overnight retreat at Mission Springs to explore what it means to be more externally focused. Working teams from Bay Area Christian Connection (Oakland), The Bridge (Riverbank), Grace Community (Palo Alto), Nueva Vision (Canoga Park), Peninsula (Redwood City), Shiloh (Windsor), and Valley Hi (S. Sacramento), including pastors from each church, were led by COC members John Bruce (lead pastor of Creekside Community Church, San Leandro) and Martin Garcia (World Vision, and contracted by the PSWC to resource the COC). As we explored how our local churches can do more effective ministries of compassion, mercy and justice, the different churches began to dream and move into planning. Transforming current office space to a community center to address the dire state of families, to serving the high population of HIV/AIDS in one church's zip code, to creating strategies to reach day laborers in the community, to serving the high population of single parent families, to reviving youth programs, to committing to expand ownership of church members -- these were all the challenges that the participants took away in anticipation of potential ongoing resourcing by Martin Garcia and a 6-month follow-up retreat.
Fountain
of Life Covenant Church- Latest Church Plant in PSWC
Fountain of Life Covenant Church, Compton, is the latest church being planted in the Pacific Southwest Conference. John Teter is the church planter/pastor. John concludes a two month church planter residency on March 31 and begins core group development work on April 1. John and his wife, Becky, come to us from many years of effective ministry with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship in the Los Angeles area, and were introduced to Covenant Church Planting about a year ago. After receiving a strong recommendation from the church planter Assessment Center last June, John began a six-month sabbatical in preparation for planting this new church and concluding his work with Inter-Varsity. Fountain of Life Covenant Church is being planted in an urban context and will seek to make a strong connection with the Long Beach, Compton and Dominguez Hills communities. Journey Covenant Church in Torrance-just a few miles away and less than four years old-is the partner church. Journey provides strong emotional and spiritual support for John, Becky and ten-month old Joy as well as one-third of the funding support required for launching this new mission outpost. Pray for John as he and his team begin to lay a strong foundation for Fountain of Life Covenant Church.
Faith
Network of the East Bay and Mission Springs Team Up to Provide Week of Outdoor
Education for Oakland Inner-city Students
The 5th grade class of Burckhalter Elementary was selected to be the first Oakland public school to participate in Mission Springs Outdoor Education (MSOE) science camp. Nineteen students, accompanied by six chaperones, attended the 3-day program February 21-23 at the Mission Springs Conference Center. The trip was organized by Faith Network of the East Bay, an Oakland-based nonprofit that builds community support for urban public schools. Randy Roth, former pastor of First Covenant Church of Oakland, is the founding President. Principal Dhameera Ahmed and 5th grade teacher Lisa Oler enthusiastically welcomed this extraordinary enrichment opportunity for their students. Ms. Oler commented that her students were anticipating science camp as though it were Spring Recess. One
of the chaperones, Nancy Branagh, observed: "The kids were engaged the entire
time and soaked up each and every opportunity offered to them. The Mission Springs
Outdoor Education program is outstanding. The kids loved learning in an environment
that provided a real life context. For example, they had learned about photosynthesis
from text books and lectures but most had never stood in a forest of redwoods
and breathed in the abundance of fresh oxygen they produced. Faith Network, launched in 2001, is a collaboration of organizations, congregations, businesses, educators, civic leaders and concerned individuals mobilized to invest their time and other resources to improve the whole health of children and families. For more information on Faith Network of the East Bay please contact Randy Roth at (510) 836-5100, or go online to www.faith-network.com. For more information about Mission Springs Outdoor Education, contact them at (831) 335-9133.
Fifty
plus retreat gathers "In the Garden"
One hundred fourteen Covenanters - some coming in from other states - gathered at the popular 50 + retreat at Mission Springs from March 5-8. The event was kicked off with a concert by the always popular Covenant Four Quartet in the worship center, which was decorated to match this year's theme "In the Garden". Founding members of the quartet, John and Winnie Crew, also served as worship leaders for the remainder of the conference. Dr. David Larsen and Bud Palmberg took turns providing powerful messages in the morning and evening. This may have been a retreat attended mostly by retirees, but you wouldn't have known that by the schedule! There were several helpful morning seminars after the worship sessions, and the afternoon gatherings with Dr. Larsen were very well attended - by those who didn't take the area- wide excursions. The heavy rains certainly didn't dampen any spirits. For more information on the 50 + retreat plans for next year or for other conferences, contact Program Director Dave Notari at 831/335-9133.
HYMNFEST
2006
Over 275 participants shared in the "Old Brown Hymnal Society" gatherings this past weekend at three churches in the Pacific Southwest Conference - Valley Hi Covenant in Sacramento, Cornerstone Covenant in Turlock, and Clairemont Covenant in San Diego. The events led by Rev. Robert Dvorak, Superintendent of the East Coast Conference, marked the fifth annual tour in the PSWC which began in 2002 during the PSWC Centennial Year. Throughout the events the voices of previous generations were heard in unique ways as participants joined in singing God's story.
A
Fourth PSWC Journey To Mosaic
Twenty-seven participants including fifteen staff persons from the Bayside church family (the mother church, four church plants, and potential church planters) shared in a Journey to Mosaic trip on February 21-24. Unique to this fourth J2M was a visit to Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland and dialogue with Dr. J. Alfred Smith, pastor for over 35 years. This initial learning experience on Tuesday afternoon focused on a multifaceted ministry addressing challenges related to both race and class differences and the closing Thursday evening experience on Skid Row in Los Angeles learning about the Fred Jordan Mission ministry addressing challenges of class provided bookends for the total experience. A comment overheard frequently as partners engaged in dialogue was "I just didn't know." Pastor Sherwood Carthen of Bayside of South Sacramento states, I believe that every Christian should take this journey. There is no way to know the fullness of what God is doing in the lives of the American people until we explore all that has happened in American History. You will not see things the same ever again. Pastor Leonard Lee from Bayside Central Roseville reflects, "I cannot say I thoroughly enjoyed the Journey to Mosaic. I can say what I did not enjoy was not because of the ingredients to the experience but because I am stretched in new places and have some spiritual muscle soreness. I entered into a situation in which I had to use muscles I do not use on a daily basis. My awareness of the struggle other cultures face was out of shape and the Journey to Mosaic was like having a personal training session with a professional trainer. I had to learn different movements and postures that bring more efficiency to my commitment towards racial health. For this I am grateful. This journey is not something I will file away in an experience file but rather one I will add to the processes of how I live and serve my Savior."
Journey
To Mosaic Reunions
Reunion is defined as "the act of coming together again." Often, reunions are primarily "memory lane" experiences. Not so, however, at the PSWC Journey to Mosaic Reunions. Both the North and South reunions encompassed "remembering" but primarily focused on the future as we travel together on the journey toward being a mosaic expression of God's love and concern for all. A total of over sixty persons attended the J2M Reunions of 2005 participants (February 11 at Redeemer Covenant in Downey and February 18 at Bay Area Christian Connection in Oakland). Greeting and renewing friendships was evidenced among participants of common journeys. Yet, it was also a special first-time meeting of persons attending different journeys in 2005 (January, August, or October). Although each J2M experience had been unique, the common bond among all participants was visible. Each reunion featured the sharing of memories through informal conversations and a visual summary of all three trips, worshipping together, being challenged through God's Word, sharing personal testimonies of specific changes resulting from his/her J2M experience, and praying for the continued journey in actualizing the Revelation 7 vision. As one participant noted, this is not a matter of being "politically correct." This is learning to live as God intends for His children to live. His Son, Jesus Christ, modeled the way. Greg
Yee, PSWC Director of Congregational and Leadership Development, led each of the
reunions assisted by PSWC staff members, Walter Contreras, Vonda Peterson, and
Nelly Bothi. The worship team from Generations Covenant, a multiethnic church
plant in Gardena, California, led worship in the South and the worship team from
Canto Nuevo, a Hispanic church plant in Walnut Creek, led worship at the North
Reunion. Preaching on the topic, The Church - The Hope of the World, at the reunions
were John Canada, pastor of Church of Long Beach, Long Beach (South Reunion) and
Steve Wong, pastor of Grace Community Covenant Church, Palo Alto (North Reunion).
Rancho
Vista Covenant Church Pastor Humbled By Congregation's Generosity Rancho Vista Covenant Church is located in Chula Vista, CA, a town less than twenty-five miles from the Mexican border. As a missional service, the church periodically sends a contingency from their congregation with goods of various types for distribution to persons with special needs in Mexico. Just last week, the church delivered blankets and shoes. The following story is an example of a 2005 December trip and comes to us from Rancho Vista's pastor, John Rose.
The
"problem" of which Pastor John speaks was solved in December. All the
toys were distributed and received with great enthusiasm. To discover more about
Rancho Vista Covenant Church you may visit their website on http://ranchovistachurch.com.
CHET
Visioning Day
From the welcome to the closing remarks by President Jorge Maldonado, the spirit permeating CHET's visioning day on Monday, February 13 was that of thanksgiving to God for his provision over the past 17 years and optimism for the future. Thirty-two participants including Board members, Hispanic pastors, friends of CHET, and denominational leaders were led by co facilitators, Martin Garcia and Alan Forsman, in a variety of activities during the day focused on generating ideas for CHET's future. The input will be further reviewed and refined by the CHET Board to discern future directions for areas such as services, administration, staffing, and facilities. The birth of CHET (Hispanic Center for Theological Studies) in 1989 is rooted in a vision that emerged in the closing of First Covenant Los Angeles. The founders envisioned CHET as a "center", able to develop as needs emerged, capable to be shaped according to the demand of the Hispanic community, linked organically to North Park College & Theological Seminary and the Evangelical Covenant Church, but with a separate board. This vision continued to shape ideas generated at this 2006 Visioning Day. The voices of a number of CHET graduates, both pastors and lay leaders, who shared in this 2006 visioning experience, gave testimony to CHET's value and the continued need for expansion. For further information regarding CHET, visit chet.org.
Mission
MarketPlace brings the world to Modesto
This was not your typical mission's festival! Anyone visiting Modesto (CA) Covenant on Friday January 27 - and hundreds did - found their church transformed into a veritable theme-park of missions. Without question, the eighteen booths and displays representing ministries that the church actively supports formed the core of the evening's emphasis. World Missions played a prominent role, with missionaries from Bosnia, Mexico, Central Asia, Estonia, and more. There were also displays from local agencies such as Christian Berets and Medical Ambassadors. Mission Springs was represented, as was the Pacific Southwest Conference! But the number of other activities and attractions made the evening a truly cross-cultural experience. The foyer to the sanctuary became a children's learning fair; upon leaving there the kids had the opportunity to ride on the back of a "tri-shaw" - think modern rickshaw - around the property. Their multi-purpose room was transformed into a large Chinese/Polynesian restaurant with an authentic catered dinner, while s film center offered a selection of short clips for children. A special treat was the live Caribbean music, which could be enjoyed while snacking on smores around a fire pit. The "Market Place Café" on the church lawn offered lattes, books, and hand-crafted goods from several countries. If you're looking to spice up your missions festival, call Jeff Norman, the pastor of Adult Ministries at Modesto Covenant at 209/527-4110. Mark Krieger serves as the Lead Pastor of Modesto Covenant Church.
Leadership
Equipping Seminars S1 - God's 3Rs for Vibrant Ministry - Remember the challenge to master the 3Rs to realize fullest potential? A different set of 3Rs, given by God himself, directly affect the church realizing its fullest potential. He promises us that mastering them will cause our heart to beat with his and our ministries to thrive. Come and be reminded of God's 3Rs and how to keep your ministry vibrant. Sponsored by the Women Ministries Commission, Kathie Norman - chair. Leader: Ruth Hill, Executive Minister, Women Ministries, The Evangelical Covenant Church, Chicago. S2 - How Your Church Can Parent a New Covenant Church - Giving birth to a new church is a wonderful way to re-energize a local congregation for increased missional impact while expanding God's kingdom at the same time! Learn about church planting in the Covenant, explore the need and motivation for planting, and gain a "road map" for parenting a new church. Explore the most common fears that people have about giving birth to a new congregation. Learn "first-hand" from others who have done it. Sponsored by the Church Planting Commission, Ron Short - chair. Leaders: Wayne Carlson and Walter Contreras, Directors of Church Planting, PSWC. S3 - Leadership Essentials - Experience the preview of a pilot workshop being launched after Celebration 2006 for senior pastors, church chairs, and vice chairs (or other potential chairs). Explore three topics - Vision Alignment, Leadership Training, and Evangelism/Discipleship - and develop an individual improvement plan for the next year. Consider the potential for your church's involvement in the pilot. Sponsored by the Church Development Commission, Will Davidson - chair. Leader: Alan R. Forsman, contracted congregational coach in PSWC. S4 - Light in the Darkness - "Why me God? Where was God? Why did God let this happen? Is this because of sin in my life?" Through this seminar, increase awareness of the complexity and prevalence of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Explore the theological issues surrounding abuse. Gain resources to become partners in the healing process of victim/survivors. Sponsored by Women Ministries, AVA Project, Aleese Moore Orbih - Project Director. Leaders: Virginia (Ginny) Mosby, marriage and family therapist interim in Danville, and Lori Gossman, clinical social worker and staff member, Redwood Covenant Church, Santa Rosa. S5 - Living the Mosaic - The vision for mission of the PSWC is to be "a mosaic of Covenant churches working interdependently to reach the unchurched and equip believers to transform lives and communities". Understanding the ethnic differences represented within the PSWC is a first step. Engage in an exercise in multiethnic understanding and discussion to enhance further understanding. Learn about resources to take further steps. Explore what the PSWC is doing to assist and how you can get involved. Sponsored by the Multiethnic Ministries Commission, Steve Wong - chair. Leaders: Brian K. Woodson, Sr., lead pastor of Bay Area Christian Connection (Oakland), Modestine Fain - Director of Rehabilitation Services at Community Hospital of Los Gatos and member of South Bay Community Church (Fremont), and Steve Wong, lead pastor of Grace Community Covenant Church (Palo Alto). S6 - Moving Beyond the Stewardship Struggle - Money - We love it. We hate it. It makes our lives easier. It complicates them. It allows us to spread the gospel. It distracts us from truly following Christ. Is it any wonder that we struggle with money's place in our lives and ministries? Come and wrestle with money ministry myths and learn how to move beyond stewardship FROM your people to stewardship FOR your people. Sponsored by the Resource Development Commission, Carol Davis - chair. Leader: Pamela Christensen, local director of Crown Ministries for Sacramento Valley, member of the Resource Development Commission, and attendee of Bayside Covenant Church. S7 - Reimaging Spiritual Formation - The shift to Christian Formation from Christian Education reflects the reality that we are formed by what happens outside of the classroom as well as in it. In this seminar, explore the possibilities and practical first steps for developing a Christian Formation ministry in your church. Sponsored by Christian Formation Commission, Barbara Pettit - chair. Leaders: David Nystrom, Biblical Studies, Pacific Southwest Conference, and Barbara Pettit, Pastor of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth, and Families at Pasadena Covenant Church in Pasadena. S8 - Supporting Your Pastor to Maximize Potential - Many pastors experience discouragement, burnout, depression, marital/family discord and/or lack of job satisfaction. An appropriate response is a well-planned proactive ministry of care and support for the pastor by individuals and ministry teams in the congregation. Hear stories about how congregational care of pastors has been effective and reflect on the results when it is absent. Gain practical suggestions for being part of a fruitful ministry to and with your pastor. Sponsored by the Commission on Pastoral Care, Michael White - chair. Leader: Paul Woodward, member of the Commission on Pastoral Care, clinical psychologist and member at Valley Hi Covenant Church, Sacramento. S9 - El Liderazgo que Toda Iglesia Anhela y Debe Tener - Una de las grandes necesidades y de los retos de toda iglesia es contar con un equipo de liderazgo altamente calificado para desarrollar un ministerio efectivo. Este taller planteará el perfil de ese equipo y se motivará a cada iglesia a iniciar y/o fomentar el trabajo ya comenzado. Patrocinado por el Equipo Coordinador Hispano. Orador: Rev. Santos Rivera, Presidente del Seminario Teológico Iberoamericano, San Diego, CA. El Rev. Rivera fue el conferencista en el Retiro de Varones Hispano 2005, es Pastor desde 1970 en cinco países diferentes, y desde 1992 colabora con el U.S. Center for World Mission. S10 - The Local Church and the Camp: Partners in Ministry - In The Evangelical Covenant Church, camps were established to support and enhance the ministry of the local church and the conference. In this seminar, explore the history, mission and values of Christian camping. Gain insights from results of this ministry. Identify ways camps and churches can work together and support each other. Sponsored by Camping Commissions, North and South. Leader: Bruce Lawson, Director of Camping and Planning Ministries, Department of Christian Formation, The Evangelical Covenant Church, Chicago, Illinois. S11 - The Role of the Local Church in Transformational Development - What role should the local church have in transforming its community? In this seminar, explore the concept of transformational development and gain understanding as to what it means to bring "shalom" to one's community. Learn about working with people, NOT for people, working toward the community's holistic ideal for themselves, NOT working to solve one community problem, and focusing on the big picture and the community's relation to the city, state and world, NOT on one aspect of the community's needs. Sponsored by the Church Outreach Commission, Cameron Wu Cardona - chair. Leader: Michael A. Mata, national training director of the "Tools for Transformation" for World Vision USA. Click
here for more
information about Celebration 2006.
Hurricane
Assistance Continues at River's Edge Covenant in Brentwood
The winds that brought such destruction to the Southern United States may have subsided, but the needs for assistance continue. And the congregation at River's Edge Covenant Church in Brentwood (CA) is still sensing the leading of the Holy Spirit to meet some of those needs. As in many churches throughout the country, some of the members of River's Edge reflected this past fall how they could help. The first steps came as they discovered a web site that identified hurricane-displaced families now living in their area. Through a variety of efforts, they raised the funds necessary to provide housing for three families for six months. Sensing a desire to provide more tangible help, a team of ten volunteers from the church spent a week in December in Gulfport, Mississippi. Some drove down with supplies while others flew in. Pastor Peter Foster, who accompanied the road team, explained that a team of people from the church had planned to go to Thailand to assist in Tsunami relief, but they sensed instead that God was leading them to Mississippi. Their work was in partnership with Urban Life Ministries. Among their projects they helped a woman clear the debris out of her house, installed a new roof, and did the finishing repair work on another person's home before new carpet was laid - just in time for Christmas! Foster continued: "It's been great to see the people of our congregation getting all this work started; I've just been kept in the loop, but they're doing the work!" This is significant work taken on by a young church with an average worship attendance of 100-120. As a result of the Mississippi team sharing in worship on January 15, a return trip is planned for March. Foster explained that "even if it's taking debris out of trees or helping with construction, there's plenty of work still to be done". For
more information on the congregation's relief efforts, call them at (925) 634-3650.
Bayside
of South Sacramento "Blesses a Family for Christmas"
Again Bayside Church of South Sacramento (BOSS) has carried out their "Bless a Family for Christmas". The blessings were abundant this year - 450 children each received a new bike (see picture), a digital camera, a toy package and a new teddy bear! Executive Pastor Bob Balian explained that the church received names of needy families from the Probation Department. News of the coming event traveled fast, and interested families simply registered on the day of the event, and brought their family to church. Worship was held at the auditorium at Sacramento High School, located in Oak Park, one of the poorer sections of the city. The day began with a full breakfast for everyone, and the BOSS team served 1100 people. (Their usual Sunday morning worship attendance is approximately 600). Where did the money come from to purchase all those bikes and cameras? Donations from the people of the congregation were the largest source, and the Bayside family of churches was intimately involved and supportive. The ministry is just one of the ways this congregation blesses its community. At Thanksgiving, people received more than just a meal - hundreds of adults were given a free session with a hairstylist. If you are looking for some creative ways to spread some light and grace to your community, contact Bob Balian at BOSS by calling 916.791.1244. Pastor Sherwood Carthen is the lead pastor and church planter of Bayside of South Sacramento.
Community
Covenant of Santa Cruz Is Named "Church of the Year" For Their Region
On December 1, 2005, the Community Covenant Church of Santa Cruz (formerly Scotts Valley) was named "Church of the Year" by Valley Churches United Missions, a local organization which serves the needy in the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley regions of Santa Cruz County. The award was presented at the VCUM annual banquet to Pam Ambris, who heads the congregation's ministry to the homeless through the Interfaith Satellite Shelter Program. In addition to a plaque honoring the congregation for outstanding community service, the church also received citations from Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone, California Assemblyman John Laird, and U.S. Congresswoman Anita Eshoo honoring the congregation for its years of commitment to community service. VCUM was formed in 1982 to aid disaster victims, and has since expanded its work to help the hungry, the homeless, and people in crisis. Its emergency food program currently provides food for over 1100 individuals each month. Pastor Mike Fitzgerald informed the congregation of the award during morning worship on December 11. His sermon that morning reinforced the church's work serving those in need and focused on Isaiah 61:1-4, the same passage that Jesus read on the day he began his ministry. For
more information on Community Covenant's service, please contact the church office
at 831.438-4276.
La
Quinta Community Covenant Holds First Preview
The first Covenant church in the greater Palm Springs area is being launched in La Quinta, California. Pastor Chris Hushaw and his wife Linda sensed God's hand on their lives last year to plant a church in an area where Sundays are devoted to golf, shopping, brunch and social parties. Imagine a city of more than 50,000 people that has 11 premier golf courses, abundant boutiques and shops and only four churches. When asked what kind of endeavor this will be, Chris Hushaw replied, "Well, we are doing church inside out. Most people point to a building and say, 'There's our church.' Our people are the church and are committed to growing their faith, building community and serving others in this under-churched area." The first preview service was held on Sunday, December 11 at La Quinta High School with 124 people in attendance. Two more preview services are planned for early 2006, with the grand opening scheduled for April 2. For more information contact Pastor Chris at chushaw@dc.rr.com. Please
remember to pray for La Quinta Community Church - and all the new church plants
in the PSWC - as they begin their life and ministry together.
Craft
Fair At Creekside Community Covenant Church Nets $4000 Towards Two Local Organizations
On November 18-19, Creekside Community Covenant Church (San Leandro, CA) hosted a two-day craft fair. This was not your typical all-church outing. The event - in its second year - is just one of the many ways this church intentionally serves their community. Thirty-five vendors - including just six from the congregation - participated in the fair, which was held in the multi-purpose room/sanctuary. Each of the vendors paid a booth fee, donated an item for the raffle, and gave 10% of their profits. More than $4000 in proceeds was raised for two local non-profit organizations - one for preserving a local creek, and the other a Women's Shelter. Creekside's Director of Operations Sharon Wallace explains how it began: "The San Leandro shelter for women and children was drastically affected by the budget cuts of 2004 and faced closing shelters and a discontinuation of valuable services. The idea of a craft fair came about as a way to help them raise money. It was such a success that we partnered with a second city agency in 2005, Friends of San Leandro Creek." Although the two groups may seem diverse in purpose, the creek serves as a resting place for approximately forty-five homeless people. By helping care for the creek, the church is also serving those who call it home. When asked about the effect of the church's labor, Wallace added "by building community awareness about these agencies we have seen our church family reaching out to serve these people with love and generosity that is overwhelming. We have had an opportunity to model the love of Christ in ways we never dreamed possible. There are two church groups that now provide dinner to the shelter twice a month on a year round basis. There are 25 kids in a shelter (all under 12) that will have Christmas gifts as a result of the Creekside family, and we see residents partnering with each other on clean up days for our creek." For
more information on this event - or on other ways that Creekside Community is
serving their neighbors - contact Sharon Wallace at (510) 430-0607.
Chapel
In The Pines Celebrates 40 Years In Their Facility
The Covenant Church in Arnold, California is not the oldest or the largest congregation in our region. But it does have the distinction of being the highest - at elevation 3960 feet above sea level. And on November 20, Chapel in the Pines Community Covenant Church was soaring even higher as they celebrated forty years in their facilities. Chapel in the Pines was actually started as a Sunday School back in 1952, as Pastor Fred Bach came over each week from San Andreas to the Arnold area. The present facility was built in 1965, with several additions and remodels completed over the years. In addition to a catered dinner and a multimedia historical presentation, the message was brought by former pastor, Rev. Rick Larson, who served the congregation for the longest period in its history. One of the highlights of the evening was having the founding pastor's son, Bob Bach, bring his own memories and ministry in music. Bob shared that as a boy he accompanied his father every week for his ministry. He then accompanied his wife Marlene for two special numbers by playing his father's old portable pump organ. Lead
Pastor Dave Waterman, who came to the church as Associate Pastor in 1990, gave
this charge to his congregation in the celebration bulletin: "as we step
back and celebrate the character and fortitude of men and women who built this
community of faith, may you be motivated to carry the baton on this next leg of
the race."
Church
Planters Gather For Training and Support
On November 16, a very diverse group of 25 church planters and staff gathered for the day at Life Covenant Church in Torrance. Three to four times a year the PSWC Church Planting Directors - Wayne Carlson and Walter Contreras - gather church planters for day of team building, training and mutual support. Collectively they represent the "missionary force" of the PSWC, so bringing them together frequently is an essential part of maintaining a common vision! Brought in for this meeting was Dave Olson, Director of Church Planting for The Evangelical Covenant Church. He led the group in a rich and challenging dialogue around the theme of incarnating the gospel in a world that desperately needs Jesus. Break-out groups allowed time for peer training and prayer support. A good meal together furthered the relationship-building among church planters and those preparing to plant in the near future. Wayne Carlson commented about the gathering: "God has blessed the PSWC with an incredible team of women and men who are passionate about reaching lost people for Jesus and helping those who hurt." Please remember to pray for our church planters. By clicking here, you will be connected to our Church Planter Prayer Calendar. For
more information about the PSWC's commitment to partnering with congregation to
plant churches, call the conference office at 925.677.2140.
South
Bay Community Church Launches Intervention Program For Teens Exposed to Domestic
Violence
South Bay Covenant Church, Fremont, CA and their nonprofit community development corporation, Bay Area Genesis, recently launched their "I Wish It Would Stop" ministry, an intervention program for teenagers exposed to domestic violence. The ministry was launched during a worship service in which Pastor Stanley Long's message for the morning was titled, "The Church's Response to a Societal Hurricane" (Matt. 9:35-37; 10:1). Pastor Long called for the church's active response to this hurricane that demands a response. He drew the congregation's attention to bookmarks with bulleted statistics that read "
Domestic violence occurs every 9 seconds in the U.S. Council person Mary Sidney introduced this new ministry as well as two women who will serve as directors, Lynn Lockett who brings 20 years of management and counseling experience, and Sonja House who has served in Santa Clara County as a social worker for over 10 years. (see accompanying photo) For South Bay Community Church, The Bay Area Genesis Company is a nonprofit community development corporation whose mission it is to assist in the development and empowerment of youth and their families to live healthy, successful lives. I Wish It Would Stop (IWIWS) provides teens with tools and resources in order that they might cope, survive and transcend their environments. IWIWS services developed to date include teen life skills training and support group activities (called "Project Dignity"), professional counseling referrals, informational resource materials, and website access. For
more information, visit www.iwiws.org
or contact South Bay Community Church at (510) 490-9500.
Rolling
Hills Covenant Hosts Classic Car Show
On Saturday, November 5th, Rolling Hills Covenant Church (Rolling Hills Estates, CA) headed out to the parking lot to host a classic car event for their surrounding community. Steve Bunyard, Director of Local Outreach for Rolling Hills reports that prior to the event the outreach team intentionally targeted non-Christian car clubs, inviting club members to display their cars. In the end over 100 cars graced the Rolling Hills Campus and several hundred people enjoyed a day of checking out the classic cruisers. Attendees were given information about the host church and its specific ministries designed to connect with common "felt needs". Among those participating in the day was Byron MacDonald, pastor of Rolling Hills, who offered a prayer for the gathering and in so doing communicated the gospel. Bunyard
also explained that commonly, among newcomers to Rolling Hills, there are two
things that have occurred. First, something has happened in the person's life
that drew him or her to church (or to God), and secondly, the individual had a
prior awareness of Rolling Hills Covenant from a previous connection with the
church - perhaps attending the annual Christmas pageant or another happening even
decades back. Bunyard then reflected, "I look forward to hearing the story
of a newcomer who comes to church because of Saturday's classic car show."
Mt
Miguel Covenant Village is 40 years old!
The mood was festive and the memories flowed in Spring Valley, California on October 28. Four hundred residents and friends of Mt. Miguel Covenant Village gathered under a big tent to commemorate forty wonderful years of this Christ-centered ministry. The evening was carefully planned - from hors d'oeuvres at sunset on the patio overlooking the lake, to musical entertainment from a professional bluegrass band. A video presentation brought both visual reminders of the past and a profound appreciation of God's present blessings. Among the speakers were David Dwight, President of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence, and Rick Fisk, President of Covenant Retirement Communities. The photo captures a highlight of the evening - a sharing time featuring past and present administrators each interviewed by LuVerne Sands, former PSWC Superintendent. From right to left in the photo are Sands, Marlan Enns (the first administrator), Paul Peterson, Jim Engwall, and Thad Rothrock (present administrator). Mt. Miguel is a strikingly beautiful campus, but the consensus opinion is that the residents are what make this such a special place to live. Lyne Brownwood, Mt. Miguel's Marketing Director, commented: "It is truly a unique and special group of people who love the Lord, and from what I understand, has always been." That's also part
of what made the evening celebration such a success. Brownwood added "It's
very affirming during an event like this to see God's commitment to us being shown
through His people. Our mission to love and serve one another was truly demonstrated!"
16th
Annual Mission Springs Golf Tournament Raises Over $14,000
Once again, kids were the winners at the Mission Springs Golf Tournament, on Monday, October 17. Just under one hundred men and women teed it up for the sixteenth time, with more than $14,000 raised to benefit youth camps at Frontier Ranch and Wild Oak. The tournament was held once again at Pasatiempo Golf Course in Santa Cruz, California, one of the top public golf courses in the country. It was a gorgeous day, friendships were made and maintained, shots were played - both good and bad - but there was no question what the day was all about - helping kids go to a great camp where they can hear about Jesus Christ. Bringing a short devotional during the closing dinner was Dean Bouzeos. Dean is the new pastor at Santa Cruz Bible Church, who previously worked for Fellowship of Christian Athletes in their golf ministry. Bill Walton, Mission Springs Director of Development and Marketing, led the entire Mission Springs staff in making the tournament a tremendous success. Some of the Tournament Results: Best
Ball Format winners: Scramble
format winners: Super Senior winners: Gordon Bonander, Bill Youngdale, Ivan Stinson, Ed McNulty
Covenant
Enabling Residence Planned in Escalon, CA
What does a congregation do when God has blessed it with fourteen acres? A common answer may be - hold onto the land in case the congregation grows and needs more space. The answer at Escalon Covenant Church in Escalon, California? Build a Covenant Enabling Residence - a home for approximately six developmentally disabled adults. It all started with a sermon series in early 2004 that explored the church's new mission statement: "Expressing God's Heart, Growing God's Family". God has a heart for people who are marginalized in society; how can the church live out His heart in tangible ways? The Pastor at the time was Brian Wiele, now Director of Mission Advancement for the Pacific Southwest Conference. He knew that the Covenant had several Enabling Residences in the Midwest, but none in this region. He posed this challenge to the congregation. Within weeks, almost a dozen people had expressed interest, and the project was born. Susan Paulsen, the committee chair, expresses the strong conviction that this is God's project: "God's entire Kingdom is composed of multi-ethnic, multi-talented, multi-challenged, multi-economic, multi-tudes of people. God gave us the acreage years ago, and now He is 'mosaically' doing a new thing by leading us towards this ministry". Paulsen adds: "He gave specific directions to Haggai, Nehemiah, Ezra, Noah, and others to 'go, work, and build'. We believe that He gives those same specific directions to each of us today." So, Escalon Covenant has been busily working to make this dream a reality. And with the assistance and expertise of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence, that day is getting closer all the time! A name has been chosen - "Oak Tree Place", taken from God's vision for his people in Isaiah 61:3. Architectural renderings have been drawn up (see photo), and a feasibility study has been undertaken. The congregation has voted to lease the land needed for the project, and groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for early 2007. If
you are interested in learning more about this project, or know of a family for
whom this ministry might be of special importance, please contact the church at
(209) 838-7600.
The
Journey to Mosaic Continues
Q - What happens when thirty-four people from more than a dozen different ethnic backgrounds spend four days together on a bus? A - You have a "Journey to Mosaic"! (more) For the third time in 2005, Covenanters from all over the Pacific Southwest Conference spent a weekend together on a journey toward racial reconciliation. It literally was a journey - using the bus owned by South Bay Community Covenant in Fremont, California, the participants traveled from Oakland to Los Angeles, stopping over in the Central Valley. Their common goal: to experientially learn about the African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American experiences in our region. Through tours, films, and candid discussions, lessons are learned and blind-spots discovered. Each of the participants was partnered up with someone of a different ethnic background, and an open mike time was held each evening. Each day tears flowed, hearts were opened, and walls were broken down. The weekend closed with another learning experience - a night's lodging on Skid Row, followed by a multicultural worship service at Church of the Redeemer Covenant in South Central Los Angeles. Hugs were exchanged among thirty four people whose lives will never be the same again. Organized by the Multiethnic Commission of the PSWC, and led by staff members Greg Yee and Walter Contreras, Journey to Mosaic is quickly becoming a vital expression of the heart beat of the Covenant in the west. When asked why these trips were held, Yee simply referred to the Lord's Prayer: "It is God's desire that His priorities like reconciliation and love be lived out among his people. 'Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'".
You are invited to participate in this life-changing journey. There will be at
least two opportunities in 2006. Contact the Nelly at the conference office for
dates and for more information. She can be reached at 925.677.2140 or nelly.bothi@pswc.org.
Kerman Covenant Celebrates 35th Anniversary With Grand Reopening
With thanksgiving to God for what He has, is, and will be doing in and through their congregation, members and friends of Kerman Covenant gathered on Saturday evening, October 1, and Sunday morning, October 2. The occasion marked the 35th anniversary, a grand reopening with a "new look" for the facility created with paint and carpet, a launch of the 40 Days of Purpose, and a symbolic "cutting of the ribbon" to note intentionality in being a church that goes out into the community.
World
Communion Sunday Observed By 3000
Many churches celebrated World Communion Sunday on October 2, but few had as special a gathering as fourteen churches in the Concord, California area - including five Covenant churches. Not content to meet on a Sunday evening, as is commonly the case for such an event, each of the congregations made this their Sunday morning worship time! The result? Approximately three thousand people gathered at Todos Santos Park - which fittingly means "All Saints". Kurt Holm of The Creek Covenant in Walnut Creek notes that "churches now can taste the goodness of the unity between churches in the area because pastors modeled it first". He added that the gathering was born out of a group of twelve pastors who have been meeting weekly, praying for unity and renewal in their greater community. Pastors Dean Honnette (Hope Center Covenant of Pleasant Hill) and Sean Blomquist (Shelter Covenant in Concord) were part of the original team that began this work and believe that revival will come only as unity is built. Canto Nuevo Covenant and Hillside Covenant, both of Walnut Creek also participated in the community-wide service. An
offering of fourteen thousand dollars was received for the Monument Community
Partnership, a broad-based collaborative of organizations designed to improve
the quality of life for a severely under-resourced neighborhood in the heart of
Concord.
Brian
Brown Installed as Pastor of New Hope Community Church
New Hope Community Church in Antioch celebrated the call of Brian Brown as pastor on Sunday, September 25. The worship celebration highlighted the theme of all "being chosen" to pastor in their respective places of ministry, whether within or outside the church. The installation service led by Superintendent Evelyn M.R. Johnson included the presentation of a Bible to Brian by Ron Knapp, a representative of the congregation, as a symbol of the ministry to which he is called role of leading, preaching, teaching, and guiding in accordance to God's Word. Prior to beginning his service at New Hope in September, Brian served as youth pastor at Stockton Covenant Church. He was ordained to Word and Sacrament at the Covenant Annual Meeting in June 2004. He and his wife, Rachel, will reside in Antioch.
The
Power of ONE: Making Poverty History Date:
Throughout
history, Christians have played a significant role in major social changes such
as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and the civil rights movement.
Today, we find ourselves at a vital point The
Power of ONE: Making Poverty History intends to strengthen the movement of Christians
who want to be a part of achieving justice for poor and hungry people. The event
will focus on the theological and Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs (31:8-9 TEV) More
information to come. Please contact Bread for the World Western Regional Office
MDG Event Coordinator Jessica Alampay Lozano at jlozano@bread.org
(800) 315-3239.
Ministry
Brings Renewal In Murphys
Sierra Bible Church, the Covenant Church in the California town of Murphys, is experiencing some wonderful health and growth. Much of this congregation's renewal can be attributed to their MOPS chapter (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers). The ministry was begun seven years ago, but the effects have become obvious this year. Their Fall 2005 kickoff was held Tuesday September 20, with 20 moms and 29 children participating. The children's ministry takes place at the church, while the moms gather at The Old Schoolhouse across the street. As the number of families participating has increased, ministry space at the church has become a wonderful problem. In fact, Pastor Russ and Carol Ogren moved out of the parsonage September 1 into a house across town and the parsonage has been converted over to Christian Education space. The presence of these young families and children has had a positive effect on Sunday morning worship attendance and the general life of the church. Pastor Russ Ogren sees a definite impact: "this church has a future!" He has been encouraged to see the people from the church get involved in the reconstruction work on the parsonage. This effort has not gone unnoticed by the new families - they appreciate the significant step of faith taken on by the congregation. Ogren noted that much of the vision for this ministry can be attributed to the faithful service of Alice Branstrom, the founder of the MOPS chapter and long-time Christian Education Coordinator for the church. Continue
to pray for the vitality of Sierra Bible Church, and when you're up in the foothills,
stop by and greet them! They're right on Highway 4 as you're coming into town.
South
Bay Pastors' Cluster Gathers At Mission Springs
The South San Francisco Bay cluster knows the importance of healthy community. Every fall for the past seven or eight years, they have called the Covenant pastors in the area to get away for a day at Mission Springs. The response is always strong, and this year was no exception. Fifteen people from a variety of ministry settings met at Mission Springs on September 18 and 19. Some gathered on Sunday evening for a dinner on the wharf in Santa Cruz, followed by worship and prayer. (Oh, there was also ice cream at Marianne's.) The group grew on Monday morning, with each of the participants enjoying ministry discussion, worship, communion, as well as some great meals at the conference center. Long a faithful cluster, they also meet monthly during the school year. Jim Gaderlund from Foothill Covenant Church (Los Altos) has been the primary facilitator, although he will share the duties this year with David Chae of Great Exchange (Sunnyvale) and Steve Wong of Grace Community (Los Altos). When asked about the health of the cluster, Gaderlund noted "the pastors have a great time together. They learn from each other, compare notes on ministry, and are encouraged and challenged by each other." He added that it's not uncommon at the retreat for pastors in like ministry settings to stay up late into the night sharing their lives. The
South Bay cluster is a great example of what can happen as pastors live out the
importance of community among their peers: they get stronger, and so does the
larger Covenant family.
Alpine
Camp and Conference Center Seeking Applicants For Executive Director Position Alpine Camp and Conference Center, a year around camp owned by the Pacific Southwest Conference in the Lake Arrowhead area of the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California, is seeking a visionary, experienced administrator and team leader for the position of Executive Director. Basic requirements include minimum of a Bachelors Degree with concentration in Biblical Studies, camping/recreation and/or Christian ministries, seven years of experience in full-time vocational ministry with at least five in Christian camping including some administration, experience in supervision of direct reports, team development, financial planning, management, and fund development, ability to prioritize and multitask, and a commitment to multiethnic ministry. Applicants are invited to send a letter of inquiry to dolores.fowler@pswc.org or call Dolores at 925-677-2140 to receive job description, location description, and application materials. Deadline for submitting completed application materials is October 15, 2005.
Don
Johnson Installed As Senior Pastor of Montecito Covenant
"Saying
hello" was the major theme for the worship service and courtyard fellowship
at Montecito Covenant Church in Santa Barbara on Sunday, September 11. Members
and friends gathered to welcome Don and Martha Johnson and participate in the
installation of Don as their new senior pastor. The installation service led by
Evelyn M.R. Johnson, Superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference, included
a presentation of symbolic gifts by members of the congregation representing the
strategic directions for the church - worship, team development, outreach to the
community, ministry with college students, ministry with young families, and discipleship
training. Prior to coming to Montecito, Don served thirteen years as senior pastor
of Salem New Brighton in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
La
Quinta Church Planters Welcomed and Consecrated
(Rolling Hills Estates, CA) New Covenant Church Planters Chris and Linda Hushaw were welcomed and received prayer during worship services at Rolling Hills Covenant Church the weekend of August 27-28. La Quinta - isn't that near Palm Springs? Yes, the Pacific Southwest Conference is developing its first church in the desert under the Hushaws' leadership - La Quinta Community Church, An Evangelical Covenant Church. With approximately 50 people in their core group, they're having their first meetings early in September. "Our first preview service is scheduled for December 4, 2005, and we have several options for the location", says Pastor Chris. He noted that the Coachella Valley of Riverside County is expanding by 53 families per day! Linda Hushaw grew up at Rolling Hills Covenant, so it was special for their family to share their plans and to receive prayer during their congregation's planned celebration of church planting. La Quinta Community Church is the fifth plant in recent years that Rolling Hills has helped to plant, and the first one outside the South Bay region. Joining the Hushaw family on the platform was Jim Stewart, lead pastor of Journey Covenant in Torrance. The sermon was delivered by Jon Woolner, pastor of The Rock Covenant Church in Manhattan Beach. Both Journey Covenant and the Rock Covenant were parented by Rolling Hills. Brian Wiele, Director of Mission Advancement for the Pacific Southwest Conference, also participated in the celebration. Please remember
to pray for La Quinta Community Church and for the Hushaw's - Chris, Linda, Ashley,
Christian, Jacob, and Natalie - as they begin this pioneer work!
Oakland
First Covenant Celebrates The "Leestma Era"
Members and friends of First Covenant gathered on Sunday, August 28th, to celebrate the fourteen-year ministry of David Leestma, Minister of Worship and Music and Executive Pastor, and his wife, Cathy. The Leestmas are moving early September to North Carolina. They both note "it's time to pause and listen for God's voice to chart the pathway to future ministry." Through words, media, and song, tributes were given to David and Cathy during the morning worship services and a special luncheon following the services. Laughter permeated the fellowship hall during the luncheon program that was lovingly called Leestmania!
Installation
Service for Todd Michero
The bright sunny morning on August 7 provided a beautiful backdrop for the beginning of a new chapter in Shiloh Covenant Church's life as they installed Todd Michero as Senior Pastor. The seven year old church meets in the airy multipurpose room of Windsor Middle School in Windsor, CA. The installation service led by PSWC staff members Wayne Carlson and Greg Yee included a presentation of symbols by the congregation representing key areas of ministry to which Todd has been called. It was an energetic service with many spontaneous expressions of thankfulness and celebration for God's provision. The theme of the day was God's faithfulness. Also sharing in the celebration were guests from the Sacramento area where Todd and his wife Lori have done extensive ministry with Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, Arcade Baptist, and Prison Fellowship. While on staff with Prison Fellowship, the Micheros attended Valley Hi Covenant Church.
J2M
Returns
God opened surprising and unexpected opportunities for the twenty-one participants of the August 11-14th Journey to Mosaic. As the group stepped into the past and current stories of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans in California, God stirred hearts as the group was presented with the challenges of race and class in America, and in our churches. One participant reflected, "This was such a powerful and meaningful experience. My only regret is that it did not happen earlier in my life." All went home desiring to more clearly hear God's voice as they committed themselves anew to the Gospel and the building of the Kingdom right here. The next J2M will be October 6-9. If you are interested in participating contact Nelly in the PSWC office at nelly.bothi@pswc.org or 925.677.2140.
Community
Covenant, San Andreas Reaches Youth Community Covenant Church of San Andreas and Radical Reality ministries recently teamed up to help launch the new year at Toyon Middle School and Calaveras High School with an energetic, challenging, and empowering message. Two school assemblies provided by Radical Reality called youth to take hold of their lives. "You were born an original; don't die a copy," and "Your decisions today will be your realities tomorrow," challenged youth to never give up and to help people. The assemblies were made possible by county businesses and churches who raised $3500 in funding, passing along no costs to the schools. The day was capped off by an evening service at Community Covenant attended by approximately 400 people. Youth pastor, Tim Johnson reports, "Our church was packed out to sitting on the floor and standing room only. As many as 100 folks responded by raising their hands to Joey Steelman's invitation to accept Christ. We received 73 written response cards to follow up with people who made decisions." Community Covenant is currently finishing up a 10,000 square foot addition to their building that is located in the center of San Andreas. This event continues to confirm CCC's presence in the community and the many opportunities available to serve their community.
Two
New Interim Staff Persons Join The CHET Family With the departure of former Dean, Ed Delgado, in July to begin his new role as the director of evangelism and prayer for the ECC (Evangelical Covenant Church), two new faces have joined the staff at CHET in interim positions. Juan Andrés Maldonado, a graduate of North Park University (B.S.) and North Park Theological Seminary (M.A.T.S) and member of Redeemer Covenant Church in Downey, CA is currently serving as the Interim Executive Assistant to the President. Juan brings a wide range of skills and experience to CHET, having worked as a Senior Project Manager in the environmental consulting industry. For the past four years, Juan has been an active volunteer at CHET as an assistant professor and most recently has serves as vice chair for Bernabé Community Center, a bilingual center for community development. Juan and his wife, Rita, reside in Glendale. Juan notes: "In my years as a volunteer here at CHET, I have constantly witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit over this community of disciples comprised of staff, teachers and students. It is truly a privilege to join this team of amazing people and continue witnessing the hand of God moving in the life of current and future church leaders." Erika Carney Haub, a graduate of North Park University (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (MDiv), and member of Church of the Redeemer in Los Angeles, CA is currently serving as the Interim Director of Business Affairs and Fund Development. Erika brings a wealth of experience in fundraising and organizational development having served as the founding director of After Hours at North Park University in Chicago, IL and most recently as the director of Adventures Ahead, an after school literacy program in South Central, L.A. Erika lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Douglas, and daughter Mercy. Erika notes: "I am thrilled to join such a passionate and capable staff team, and to share in the exciting mission of training present and future leaders in the Hispanic community. And I know firsthand what a vital, valuable ministry CHET provides for the Covenant-my current pastor, Danny Martinez, ordained at the 2005 Annual Meeting, is a recent CHET graduate!" For
more information about CHET, please visit www.chet.org.
Women
Ministries Comission Plans for Future
Visioning for future women's retreats and a new coach/mentor initiative to support local church women ministries development was a predominant theme at the recent Women Ministries Commission meeting at Mission Springs. The group also celebrated reports from two Hispanic Women's retreats in May and June as well as the successful Country Store fund raiser at the Mission Springs Family Camp. Three
women's retreats are planned for this fall - September 20-22 and September 23-25
at Mission Springs with Edna Blake, speaker, and September 30-October 2 at Alpine
with Patty Harger, speaker. Pia Restrepo, Covenant missionary to Spain, will be
present at all three retreats. For further information regarding the retreats,
connect HERE. Register
today and benefit from early registration discounts which are available until
July 31 for both retreats at Mission Springs and August 15 for the retreat at
Alpine.
Chinese
Neighborhood Covenant Church Celebrates Pastor's Ordination
Members and friends of Chinese Neighborhood Covenant Church in Rosemead shared in a celebration of the recent ordination of their pastor, Ellen An, on Sunday, July 17. Ellen was ordained for Word and Sacrament at the Covenant Annual Meeting in June. The worship service included words of commendation and affirmation by Superintendent Evelyn Johnson and PSWC staff, Walter Contreras and Greg Yee, former Superintendent, John Notehelfer, as well as representatives of various Chinese pastor groups in LA, the host congregation, and the church plant. Ellen has served since summer 2004 as the pastor of this church plant which is a partnership of the PSWC, ECC Departments of Church Growth and Evangelism and World Mission, and the Church of Taiwan.
Fourteen
from PSWC Participate in Ordination Service at Covenant Annual Meeting
Twelve
persons from the Pacific Southwest Conference were ordained and two finalized
their transfer of ordination at the Ordination and Commissioning service on Thursday,
June 23, at Keystone, Colorado, during the Covenant Annual Meeting.
Al
Tizon, Berkeley Pastor, Receives Doctorate
On Saturday, May 21, 2005, Al Tizon, pastor of Berkeley Covenant Church, received his doctoral degree of Philosophy in Missiology from San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA. Philip Wickeri, Professor of Evangelism and Mission at SFTS, introduced Al, praising his achievements and innovation in his field of study and for his doctoral thesis entitled "Mission as Transformation in the Philippines: the Holistic Journey of Radical Evangelism in Global-Local Perspective". Attending the ceremony were Al's wife Janice, their four children, extended family and friends. Before coming to Berkeley to further his education, Al served as director of an organization in the Philippines called Light Ministry. This organization in Al's home country exists to help local churches build bridges with their communities in order to bring about community transformation. Light's motto was "empowering local churches to empower their community in Christ's name". Al desired to place the work he had been doing with Light Ministry under the theological microscope and thus he stepped down from his position and began to pursue his doctorate in 1998. On the fast-track to doctorate completion so that he could return to the Philippines, Al felt God taking him in another direction. John Lennon once observed "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans." Al can relate to this statement. The completion and pursuit of his doctorate was slowed down considerably by real life ministry. It was in 2001 that Al joined Berkeley Covenant Church as their pastor.
Although
completion of his doctorate program and receipt of his degree is exhilarating,
Al notes, "Academics without being informed by grass roots practical ministry
isn't worth a whole lot". ECC
President Visits Hispanic Ministries in the PSWC
President Glenn Palmberg of The Evangelical Covenant Church was introduced to the growing Hispanic dimension of PSWC ministry on May 15-16 as he visited various Hispanic ministries in both the Los Angeles and Bay area accompanied by Walter Contreras, Director of Church Planting, and Evelyn Johnson, Superintendent. In addition to on-site visits, President Palmberg engaged in dialogue with Hispanic pastors and spouses gathered for dinners on Sunday evening hosted by El Encino Covenant Church in Downey and Monday evening hosted Bethel Covenant Church in Oakland. The twenty-six PSWC Hispanic churches are a vibrant source of celebration, community building, and service for over 2500 attendees in 2005. God is transforming lives and communities through their ministries. |