Printed copies of this letter, which is intended to be read during local congregational annual meetings, have been mailed to all Covenant churches. You may download a copy of the letter below.
Dear Covenant Family
It is a joy to bring you greetings from Covenant Offices and to share some ministry highlights from this past year. I continue to be grateful for the ways you welcome me into your congregations and the many moments when the Holy Spirit has shown up in surprising and powerful ways. What a gift to still be amazed by God in our midst.
Almost a year ago I shared a vision statement for the Evangelical Covenant Church: Living into the kingdom of God through the prayerful, intergenerational, multiethnic, growing movement of churches served by women and men striving to follow in the way of Jesus by loving others as Jesus loves us. I believe this continues to reflect both who we are and who God is shaping us to become.
Last spring I had the privilege of joining several conference annual meetings. Gathering with pastors, lay leaders, and congregations is one of my favorite aspects of this role. It is powerful to hear stories and testimonies of how God is moving in your communities. I always walk away encouraged by the conversations, questions, and shared spiritual imagination for the mission God has given us.
This summer we celebrated our global Covenant family and our 140th anniversary at Gather 2025. What a beautiful expression of the kingdom of God here on earth, and what an honor to host our sister Covenant church presidents from across the world. If you missed any of the celebration, I encourage you to visit our YouTube channel to watch the worship sessions—you might even catch me dancing!
In this season of Advent, I am deeply aware of how the church continues to respond faithfully to the increasing needs around us. The words of Jesus remain our guide as we love our neighbors, care for those on the margins, and bear witness to the hope of the gospel. In times like these, I’m reminded of these words from Isaiah: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (60:1). May we live into that calling as God’s people.
My prayer is that we continue to see the world with the heart of Jesus and a kingdom-of-God perspective—choosing compassion over division and faithfulness over fear. May we be light in the darkness, hope for the weary, and a tangible reminder of God’s presence in every community we serve.
For God’s glory and neighbor’s good,
Tammy Swanson-Draheim
President, Evangelical Covenant Church
