Stories & News
The Covenant Companion
Official Magazine of the Evangelical Covenant Church
News
Midwinter 2023: Drawing Near to God and Each Other
After a challenging 2022, the Covenant church community started off 2023 in illustrious fashion as folks gathered for another Midwinter conference.
A Full Cup
Embrace Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, partners with a local coffee shop and the special needs program at their local high school to move ministry outside their own walls.
Preparing to Draw Near
In anticipation of the annual Midwinter Conference for all Covenant ministers less than two weeks away, the Companion caught up with a few speakers to help us prepare.
Las Posadas: A Community Inn Tradition
Juana and Fil Nesta inspire their congregation to reach their neighbors through a Christmas nativity festival.
Covenanter Recognized as Top Community Servant in College Football
Micah Hilts, junior tight end for Texas State, is nominated for awards by the American Football Coaches Association and the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for his outstanding commitment to service.
Celebrando con CIPE
Covenant ministers and laypeople participated in La Confraternidad de Iglesias del Pacto Evangélico (CIPE) in Quito, Ecuador.
Featured story
The Beat, the Blood, and the Blessing: Part One
Gospel has always played a crucial role in the soundtrack of the struggle. Missional storyteller Jelani Greenidge traces his musical history through six decades of sacred music. Part 1: The ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.
Features
The Beat, the Blood, and the Blessing: Part Two
Gospel has always played a crucial role in the soundtrack of the struggle. Missional storyteller Jelani Greenidge traces his musical history through six decades of sacred music. Part 2: The 90’s – Today.
The Beat, the Blood, and the Blessing: Part One
Gospel has always played a crucial role in the soundtrack of the struggle. Missional storyteller Jelani Greenidge traces his musical history through six decades of sacred music. Part 1: The ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.
Dance of the Iron Heart
Global personnel Tammi and Jochy Hernández balance artistry, mission work, and family life to reach those who feel on the outside of the traditional church.
The Fullness of Emptiness
Decorating our home for Christmas took on a whole new meaning for me when we were living in Ecuador.
Metaverse Church Is a Ministry Frontier
Is it possible for the church to meaningfully engage people in high-tech virtual environments?
Shake Off Your Situation With a Shot of Epiphany
The day of Epiphany is our annual reminder that unintended consequences are no match for Jesus’ power to deliver what we need, right when we need it. He’s done it before, and He’ll do it again.
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Featured story
Metaverse Church Is a Ministry Frontier
Is it possible for the church to meaningfully engage people in high-tech virtual environments?
Commentary
Our Most Critical Need
President Tammy Swanson-Draheim calls us to the collective, collaborative work of praying together.
Life Unfolds as We Keep Watching the Score
Too many people act like their faith in Christ is just another competition.
The Improbable Peaceable Kingdom
What does the stump of Jesse have to offer to a hurting, divided world?
Love Like Family
Are we aspiring to the ideal, imperfect community of God found in his Word?
Arts & Culture
State of the Church
Lifelong Covenanter Kurt Peterson reviews Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why It Matters by Bob Smietana.
As You Age
Ryan Eikenbary-Barber reviews Man Overboard: A Medical Lifeline for the Aging Male by Craig Bowron, M.D.
Wakanda Forever Has Lessons for the Culture
A review of the latest Marvel film and its deeply universal themes.
Christ-Shaped Solidarity
Covenant pastor Jesse Slimak reviews Michelle Sanchez’s new book, Color-Courageous Discipleship: Follow Jesus, Dismantle Racism, and Build Beloved Community.
Home Altar
A devotional guide written by Covenanters, the Covenant Home Altar invites us to take time in our day for God’s word, quiet meditation, and prayer. To receive printed copies of the Covenant Home Altar you may subscribe below. One subscription is for one year, which includes four quarterly issues.
Announcements
Seeking TW Anderson Award Nominees
The award is named in honor of the only lay president to serve the Evangelical Covenant Church. It is presented during each year’s Annual Meeting and honors a layperson who has demonstrated a life of commitment and dedication to Christ and the church.
MDD Nominating Committee Pauses Executive Minister Search
The Make & Deepen Disciples Nominating Committee moves to pause the search process for the MDD executive minister until after the 2023 Annual Meeting, in order to allow time to discern a new staffing structure.
President’s Letter to Church Annual Meetings
Local Covenant churches may download the Congregational Annual Meeting Letter from President Tammy Swanson-Draheim.
Presidential Search Committee Appointed for Covenant Trust Company
The Board of Covenant Trust Company has appointed Scott Hanson, vice president of Finance for Covenant Ministries of Benevolence, to chair the search committee for the replacement of Ann Wiesbrock, president of Covenant Trust Company.
Ann Wiesbrock Announces Retirement from Covenant Trust Company
Ann P. Wiesbrock announced her retirement as president of Covenant Trust Company effective in the spring of 2023. Wiesbrock has served as president of Covenant Trust Company and executive director of Covenant Estate Planning Services since 2010.
Paul Lessard Nominated for Second Term as Executive Minister of Start and Strengthen Churches
The Covenant Executive Board (CEB) announces the nomination of Rev. Paul Lessard to serve a second term as executive minister of Start and Strengthen Churches. He will stand for election at the denomination’s 137th Annual Meeting.
Podcast
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 call to continue becoming the beloved community.
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.
We Make Affirmations
In the Covenant we identify as non-creedal, meaning we do not adhere to a specific creed. But non-creedal does not mean we are without theology. The six Covenant affirmations address the question, “What does the Covenant believe?” Retired North Park Theological Seminary professor Klyne Snodgrass joins us.
In Memoriam
Craig W. Nelson
Craig W. Nelson, retired Covenant pastor and former president of Minnehaha Academy, died on January 5, 2023, after a short illness. He was 90.
Robert E. Hirsch
Retired Covenant pastor Bob Hirsch passed away on December 25, 2022, at Covenant Living of Turlock, California. He was 91.
Harvetha “Ve” Woodson
Harvetha “Ve” Woodson, wife of Covenant minister Terrance Woodson, died from cancer on November 22, 2022. She was 67.
Clyde Harvey
Clyde Harvey, pastor of First Covenant Church of Superior, Wisconsin, died in Duluth, Minnesota, on November 18, 2022. He was 70.
