Gather 2023
Deeply Rooted
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:6-7
This year’s Gather theme, “Deeply Rooted,” invites us to be grounded in God’s grace as we seek to deepen our connections with God and our community. Being rooted in prayer, we join God to make more disciples among more populations in a more caring and just world. Throughout Gather, we will celebrate the glorious works of God we have witnessed in the past year while looking forward to the future with hope.
The Annual Meeting Is the Highest Legislative Body in The Evangelical Covenant Church
During Gather, the entire Covenant family comes together to worship God; celebrate and participate in God’s work in the world; welcome new churches; ordain, commission, and consecrate ministers and missionaries; and together make important decisions about our shared mission and ministry.
Every congregation is entitled to representation as we worship God and celebrate what God has done. We gather to discern future direction, select leaders, consecrate global personnel, credential and ordain clergy, and encourage one another to greater discipleship. We make determinations around funding the mission, and we hear about the challenges and opportunities in front of us. In it all, we get to meet new friends and strengthen old relationships.
Who Attends?
Delegates
These are the official representatives from congregations and other Covenant entities. A delegate is entitled to full voice and vote in the Annual Meeting. Delegates are named by their sending body. Every congregation is entitled to representation.
From the Covenant Bylaws, Article VII, Section 7.4, member congregations shall be entitled to representation as follows (based on data from the Annual Statistical Report from December 2022):
- 0-99 members: 2 delegates
- 100-224 members: 3 delegates
- 225-449 members: 4 delegates
- 450-699 members: 5 delegates
- 700-999 members: 6 delegates
- 1,000 + members: 7 delegates
Each delegate to the Annual Meeting shall be a member of the church and can only represent one entity. Please be mindful that in addition to registration, all delegates must also be credentialed by their church. The credentialing form can be accessed below. Any questions about the credentialing process should be directed to governance@covchurch.org.
General Conferees
A general conferee is any adult participant at Gather 2023 who is not an official delegate. General conferees may silently observe the Annual Meeting and may receive handouts during the sessions.
*Please note: Business meetings are closed sessions. Only registered delegates, general conferees, and resource personnel may attend business sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the Annual Meeting. Evening worship sessions are open to the public.
Schedule
All Times Shown are in the Pacific Time Zone
| Wednesday, June 28 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. | Ministerium Annual Meeting Business Session |
| Thursday, June 29 | |
| 8:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. | Executive Board Meeting |
| 10:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. | Executive Session Meeting (Elected, Liaisons, & Covenant President) |
| 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. | Onsite-Only Delegate Orientation |
| 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. | Fellowship Lunch |
| 1:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. | 137th Annual Meeting: Business Session I |
| 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 P.M. – 8:15 P.M. | Worship |
| Friday, June 30 | |
| 8:30 A.M – 12:00 P.M. | 137th Annual Meeting: Business Session II |
| 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. | 137th Annual Meeting: Business Session III |
| 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 P.M. – 8:15 P.M. | Worship |
| Saturday, July 1 | |
| 8:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. | 137th Annual Meeting Session IV |
| 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. | 137th Annual Meeting Business: Session V |
| 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. | Worship: Commissioning, Ordination, and Consecration (Reception for Ordinands immediately following) |
Travel & Accommodations
HOTEL
Hyatt Regency Orange County
11999 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92840
To make a reservation, click below or call 714-750-1234 and mention group code G-FEC3 to receive the special group rate of $165 plus taxes per night. Thursday Fellowship Lunch is included in the registration price. All other meals will be on your own. There are several dining options within the hotel and the surrounding area.
United Discount
United Airlines is offering special discounts for Gather. Book online at united.com and enter the code ZMMH886191 in the Offer Code box when searching for flights. If booking through a travel professional or United Meetings at (800) 426-1122, give the following information: Agreement Code: 886191 and Z Code: ZMMH
Airport Transportation
Nearest Airport | John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Karmel Shuttle Service is offering conference rates for Gather 2023 attendees. Service from LAX, SNA, & LGB airports. Get $20 off roundtrip transfers. Reduced shared ride rates are exclusively offered to conference attendees only. Reservations are required, but quick and easy. Click the link below for Airport Transfers for conference attendees or call (714) 670-3480 for reservations within 15 hours of your pick-up time. Provide the agent with PROMO CODE: ECC23 to receive conference rates.
Registration
No registrations will be accepted after June 18, 2023.
Delegate | In-Person Attendance
$319 | EARLY: March 1 – May 15, 2023
$379 | REGULAR: May 16 – June 5, 2023
$429 | LATE: June 6 – June 18, 2023
General Conferee | In-Person Attendance
$179 | March 1 – June 5, 2023
$209 | June 6 – June 18, 2023
Delegate | Virtual Attendance
$149 | EARLY: March 1 – May 15, 2023
$179| REGULAR: May 16 – June 5, 2023
$209 | LATE: June 6 – June 18, 2023
General Conferee | Virtual Attendance
$149 | March 1 – June 5, 2023
$179 | June 6 – June 18, 2023
Credentialing
Please be mindful that in addition to registration, all delegates must also be credentialed by their church. Once your delegates have been elected they need to be credentialed through the form below. Any questions about the credentialing process should be directed to governance@covchurch.org.
Cancellations & Substitutions
All cancellation requests must be received in writing via email to events@covchurch.org. Cancellation requests will be accepted until June 18, 2023. The cancellation fee is $50. No refunds will be offered for cancellations after June 18, 2023, except in case of an emergency.
Substitutions will be accepted from the same church or institution, provided the registration options and fees are the same for the new registrant until June 18, 2023.
Registration questions? Contact (800) 910-2442 or events@covchurch.org.
Covenant Ministerium Annual Meeting
Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
The Covenant Ministerium comprises all who hold ministerial credentials through the Evangelical Covenant Church. These people are ordained, licensed, commissioned, or consecrated as a minister or global personnel.
All voting members of the Ministerium must be in good standing prior to June 18, 2023. To maintain good standing, a credentialed Covenant minister must do the following: pay 2023 dues, complete current profile, and complete the current Vocational Growth Tool.
If you have questions regarding your standing, please contact ministry@covchurch.org, or call (773) 583-3211.
Registration ONSITE or ONLINE
March 1 – May 15 | $45 early
May 15 – June 5 | $55 regular
Delegate Orientation
Multiple Delegate Orientation sessions are being held in June to provide delegates with the training needed to understand your participation at Gather 2023. We hope these sessions will be informative and helpful as you prepare to represent your local church community at the 137th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Each session will have the same content and recorded sessions will be placed on the Gather webpage and viewed at leisure.
Proposed Covenant Bylaw Amendments
At Gather 2023, during the 137th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church, delegates will vote on the proposed Covenant Bylaw Amendments that support Phase I of the recommended Covenant Organizational Design. This design seeks to align the mission God has given us with the resources God has provided to us in this season, to set us up for a fruitful and thriving future in the years to come.
Covenant Organizational Design Delegate Q&A
This Q&A session provides further context and information on phase I of the Covenant Organizational Design and the proposed bylaw amendments that will be presented at Gather 2023.
Annual Meeting Delegate Orientation Sessions
These sessions provide detailed information regarding the parliamentary procedure and how to engage in the annual meeting as a registered and credentialed delegate.
Online
*All times listed are in the Central Time Zone
Onsite
*Time listed in the Pacific Time Zone
- Thursday, June 29 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Delegate Technology Briefing Sessions
This training will ensure that all delegates understand how to use the technology to vote and/or engage in discussion.
Online
*All times listed are in the Central Time Zone
The online training will be recorded and published online. Additional training will be provided during the first ten minutes of Business Session #1.
