News Releases
A Call to Practice Solidarity
“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.” —Revelation 7:9 As a multiethnic denomination, we seek for the Evangelical Covenant Church…
ECC Staff Continue to Serve and Resource the Church Remotely
CHICAGO, IL (March 19, 2020) – In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Covenant Offices staff will work remotely at least until March 31, with some essential functions continuing at the office. National Covenant Properties (NCP) announced that they will respond to all voicemails left at (800) 366-6273 as well as emails during regular business hours…
Wenrich: Ongoing Decisions About Gather
Dear Covenant Family, I understand we are all living in a trying, anxious, and unprecedented time. As Christians we are called not to “have a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:17). Yet I understand that all of us likely have many questions and concerns about…
Wenrich: Crisis a Time for Faith, Wisdom, and Compassion
Dear Covenant friends, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we continue to live into our call as sisters and brothers…
Gather 2020 Website Now Online
CHICAGO, IL (March 4, 2020) – The website for Gather 2020 is now online. the Covenant’s Annual Meeting, which will be held June 25-27 at the Arizona Grand hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Early registration will open mid-March and run through April 30. The Annual Meeting is the highest legislative session in the ECC. Delegates from…
NPU Launches Major in Christian Ministries Studies
CHICAGO (Feb. 25, 2020) – North Park University’s new Christian Ministries Studies (CMS) major will give students a greater opportunity to grow as disciples while focusing on specialized ministry areas of interest. The curriculum includes studies in local church ministry, global ministry, camping, intercultural and youth ministry leadership, church planting, and next generation ministries. “The…
Pilot Program Helps Subsidize Pastors Benefits
CHICAGO (Feb. 24, 2020) – A new Covenant Subsidized Benefit (CSB) helps under-resourced congregations provide pastors with broader health insurance coverage and contribute to their pension plan. The three-year program is intended to serve as a catalyst for pastoral financial well-being. A seed grant from the Lilly Endowment is helping fund the pilot program. “As…
The ECC Announces Executive Transition in Communications Team
CHICAGO (Feb. 14, 2020)—Erin Chan Ding, Executive Director of Communications, has resigned her position in order to, as she says, “pursue a more on-the-ground approach to storytelling than this role can provide.” Chan Ding joined the Covenant in January 2019 and has served wholeheartedly as the editor-in-chief of the Covenant Companion magazine and website,…
Ministers Crisis Fund Donations to be Matched
CHICAGO (February 2, 2020)—A donor has agreed to match donations to the Evangelical Covenant Church’s Ministers Crisis Fund up to $25,000. The announcement of the match was made during during the ECC’s Midwinter Conference on Jan. 30. As of this weekend, about $7,200 had been collected. The match lasts until $25,000 has been reached. Lance…
Midwinter Main Sessions to be Livestreamed
CHICAGO (Jan. 27, 2020) – The main sessions of the Midwinter Conference will be livestreamed on the event’s website and Facebook page. The conference runs from today through Friday at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. All times are central 6:30 pm Monday: Opening Dinner and Worship Celebration featuring the North Park Gospel Choir and North Park…
STATEMENT FROM ECC REGARDING COVENANT CHURCH OF CONGO
CHICAGO (Jan. 20, 2020)—The Evangelical Covenant Church has been made aware that the Annual Meeting of its sister denomination, Communauté Evangélique de l’Ubangi Mongala (Covenant Church of Congo), was suspended by Congolese police out of an abundance of caution under order by the governor of the province. No Serve Globally personnel, delegates or attendees at…
President’s Letter to Church Annual Meetings Available Online
CHICAGO, IL (Jan 16, 2020) — Local Evangelical Covenant churches may download the Congregational Annual Meeting Letter from President John Wenrich. Printed copies of the letter, which is intended to be read during local congregational annual meetings, are being mailed to all churches this week.