The Covenant Companion
Features
Showing God’s Love in a Santa Suit
Ralph Hammersborg and Joe Losacco bring joy as department store Santas, spreading Christmas cheer while pointing children and families to the deeper meaning of the season—the hope and love of Christ.
Advent: Hope in All Circumstances
Benny Rios DonJuan reflects on renewed hope in God’s mercy, even amidst physical and emotional captivity.
A Mother’s Grief and Lucia’s Faith
Amid unimaginable loss, Rebecca Rosengren shares how St. Lucia’s story—and her new children’s book—brought light to the darkness.
When Church Dreams Go Long Deferred
From affordable housing to addiction recovery, Covenant churches from east to west offer lessons in perseverance.
Scripture Matters—So Does Our Approach to It
Scott Rice shares how a Spirit-led approach to Scripture fosters deeper connection, authenticity, and theological growth.
Following Christ’s Way in a Complex World
Explore how Christian values challenge us to prioritize character over compromise, even in difficult choices.
Featured story
Advent: Hope in All Circumstances
News
Quilting a Tapestry of Hope
Pastor Leonid Regheta, working with Hillside Covenant Church and other Covenant churches, builds bridges of reconciliation, supporting Ukrainian refugees and uniting diverse immigrant communities.
ACC Scores with Miraculous Project
The twisty-turny tale of Alaska Christian College’s new athletic facility.
Paul Carlson Partnership Celebrates Lasting Legacy
Paul Carlson Partnership celebrated 60 years of ministry, highlighting healthcare advancements, training, and partnerships with the Congo Covenant Church.
A Testimony from the Ground in Florida
Recently retired global personnel Pete Ekstrand traveled to Sarasota, Florida, to help Covenanters with the hurricane recovery.
Covenanters Band Together for Hurricane Response
Covenant pastors in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia reflect on the toll of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Miracles Abound at the Healing Cove
Dawn Choate serves a group of Covenanters finding new beginnings in Paducah, Kentucky. She leads by example, navigating a new home of hope and healing, helping people find triumph in the face of tragedy.
Announcements
President’s Letter to Church Annual Meetings
Local Covenant churches may download the Congregational Annual Meeting Letter from President Tammy Swanson-Draheim.
Seeking Candidates for Vice President of Mission Priorities
Covenant Offices is seeking candidates for the role of vice president of mission priorities.
Paul Lessard to Resign as Vice President of Mission Priorities
Paul Lessard announced he will resign from his position as vice president of mission priorities effective January 1, 2025. He leaves the role to become vice president of business development with Covenant Trust Company.
Canada Conference Announces Search for President/Superintendent
The Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada has begun the process of nominating its next president/superintendent.
Nominations Now Being Accepted for the 2025 T.W. Anderson Award
For over 40 years, the T.W. Anderson Award has honored lay leaders’ commitment to Christ. Nominate inspiring Covenant members today!
Heather Hernandez to Serve as Vice President of Mission Services
Heather Hernandez will join the Covenant denominational team as vice president of mission services.
Commentary
I’m Pretty Sure the Church Isn’t Allergic to Turkey
A childhood belief about being allergic to turkey leads to a deeper reflection on healing within the church.
Do What You Can
Preach the gospel by doing what you can and trust God to make it sufficient and maybe even extraordinary.
Olympic Controversy: Exploring Art, Faith, and Reaction
The 2024 Olympics sparked controversy with a scene resembling Da Vinci’s Last Supper. Cheryl Lynn Cain and Jelani Greenidge discuss its impact on faith and culture.
Is It the Church’s Job to Teach History?
Considering how the past shapes the structures of our society can be an act of spiritual formation.
The Nutritional Value of Beef: Lessons from a Hip-Hop Feud
A hip-hop feud and a Netflix drama illustrate the value of working through conflict to win a greater sense of peace.
Download That New Pentecost When It Drops
How the Holy Spirit is the firmware that gives me a “plug-and-play” kind of faith.
Featured story
A Mother’s Grief and Lucia’s Faith
Arts & Culture
Anticipation and Wonder in a Fresh Advent Story for Children
“The Deliverer Has Come,” by Sarah Shin and illustrated by Shin Maeng, features captivating storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and a thoughtful exploration of Advent themes.
Sacred Jazz: A Joyful Noise Unto the Lord
Sacred jazz blends faith with jazz’s rich rhythms, tracing roots from African American spirituals to Duke Ellington’s transformative Sacred Concerts.
Divine Comedy in Your Toolbox
Jelani Greenidge’s Undercover Prophets equips readers to integrate stand-up comedy into ministry, emphasizing storytelling, laughter, and impactful communication.
Becoming Conscious of Our Political Formation
A review of “The Liturgy of Politics”, by Kaitlyn Schiess, examining how spiritual formation influences our political views and community engagement in voting.
Life-Giving Entanglements
Unpacking economic disparity, “Ecosystems of Jubilee” inspires communities to rethink justice and interconnectedness through faith.
“Sing Sing” Sings Redemption’s Song
Jelani Greenidge offers a compelling review of Sing Sing, a powerful film about incarcerated men finding redemption, echoing Christian themes of restoration and beloved community.
Weekly Devotions
Home Altar
In Memoriam
Andrew Frederiksen
Former Global Personnel, Andrew Frederiksen passed away on November 12, 2024, in Spring Valley, California. He was 85 years old.
Esther Stenberg
Esther Stenberg, widow of former Canada Conference superintendent Gerald Stenberg, passed away on November 28, 2024. She was 99.
Tom Collins
Retired Covenant pastor Tom W. Collins passed away on November 10, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was 79.
Eldon Toll
Retired Covenant pastor Eldon Toll passed away on August 25, 2024. He was 93.
Arthur Stenberg
Retired Covenant pastor Arthur Stenberg died March 31, 2023. He was 89.
Onni Putikka
Retired Covenant minister Onni Putikka died on December 26, 2021, in Eveleth, Minnesota. He was 94.
Harry Westberg
Retired Covenant minister and global personnel Harry Westberg died in North Oaks, Minnesota, on September 3, 2024. He was 100.
Howard Redman
Retired Covenant minister Howard Redman passed away on February 18, 2024, in Yakima, Washington. He was 95.
Love the Cov
Podcast
Honoring Creation and Community
Explore Indigenous teachings on creation and community from Lenore Three Stars and Jim Sequeira.
Sankofa: Join Us on the Bus
Hear from leaders and participants, as well as Sankofa veteran Nilwona Nowlin, who walks us through the journey—and shares her reflections after years of getting on the bus. For more information visit covchurch.org/sankofa
We Are a Multiethnic Mosaic
Mary Chung March outlines our history of becoming a multiethnic mosaic, growing from our roots as a Swedish immigrant church. And Steve Wong, pastor of the first Asian American church plant in the Covenant, reflects on his journey into the Covenant, how he has seen the denomination change, and our
We Seek Racial Righteousness
Covenant historian Hauna Ondrey and Dominique Gilliard join us to talk about the end of the 1960s, the Black Manifesto, the Covenant’s unique response to this call to white churches and synagogues—and where we witness similar themes in our culture today.
JANUARY 20 - 24 | DENVER
Midwinter 2025
Five Questions with John Dickson
John Dickson is the Jean Kvamme Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies and Public Christianity at Wheaton College, where he teaches the history of Christianity.
Five Questions with Jason Brown
Jason Brown, a former NFL lineman, founded First Fruit Farms, which aims to share the love of Christ and assist with hunger relief in eastern North Carolina.
Five Questions with Greg Jao
Greg is senior assistant to the president and director of diversity and external partnerships at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. He is also a member of the Covenant Executive Board.
Five Questions with Sanetta Ponton
Sanetta Ponton is the associate pastor of justice, advocacy, and compassion at Metro Community Church and executive director of Metro Community Center, both in Englewood, New Jersey.
Five Questions with Tony McNeill
Tony McNeill, affectionately known as “Dr. T,” serves as an affiliate professor of worship and seminary musician at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He is a sought-after workshop clinician, lecturer, consultant, mentor, and choral conductor.
Five Questions with Shirley Yang
Rev. Shirley Yang serves as an associate pastor at Metro Community Church in Englewood, New Jersey, focusing on Special Needs and Women’s Ministries.
Five Questions with Matt Markins
Matt serves as the President and CEO of Awana, a global leader in child discipleship. Matt and his wife Katie have been involved in children’s ministry for more than 25 years and spend their time in Nashville with their two sons.
Five Questions with Paula Dannielle
Paula Dannielle is the lead pastor of Cohesion, a church plant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Having been in ministry for over 25 years, she is passionate about leadership development, empowering women leaders, and preaching and reconciliation.
