News Releases
Covenant Financial Relief Initiative Announced
CHICAGO (April 16, 2020) – President John Wenrich announced yesterday the launch of the Covenant COVID-19 Financial Relief Initiative. The four-pronged initiative will provide: Short-term loans to local churches, conferences, and camps Global relief grants to ministry partners around the world Missional relief grants to churches so they can help care for their communities The…
FAQ on Annual Meeting Cancellation Posted
CHICAGO (April 15, 2020) – Insurmountable logistical issues, financial considerations, and the need for congregations to focus on local ministry amid the current pandemic led the Covenant Executive Board to cancel the denomination’s Annual Meeting rather than postpone or hold a virtual gathering, according to a statement released yesterday. The board’s unanimous decision was announced…
2020 Annual Meeting Canceled
Dear Covenant Family, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Thessalonians 1:1 These words from the Apostle Paul…
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…