Winter 2014 Covenanter

winter 2014 the

EAST COAST COVENANTER A TRIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST COAST CONFERENCE OF THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH





www.issuu.com/eastcoastcovenanter





www.eastcoastconf.org

fishing for people or phishing people?

HOWARD K. BURGOYNE SUPERINTENDENT, EAST COAST CONFERENCE

L

Last April about thirty East Coast Conference pastors/spouses attended the 2013 Exponential Conference in Orlando, FL. The theme was "Discipleshift" - focusing on the key steps that churches must take to truly make disciples who will make disciples (2 Tim. 2:2). The plenary speakers and workshop presenters challenged and encouraged those who came to earnestly examine what their ministries are producing in spiritual fruitfulness - and whether that fruit is bearing it's own fruit in subsequent generations of disciples. Most Covenanters would agree that the making of disciples is at the center of the mission of the Church, and a central means of advancing the Kingdom of God. Making disciples is both a means and an end - a strategy and a goal. Yet many churches would struggle if asked to name their disciple making strategy, or to identify what it specifically means to "go and make disciples" of Jesus. How would you quantify and exhibit the fruit of your efforts? We often hope that church activities will make disciples. That attending worship services will make disciples. That church membership will make disciples. That becoming a church leader will make disciples. We measure these statistically and believe they outline the significance of our ministry. But discipleship - the process of being formed by Jesus into the likeness of Jesus happens best through intentional invitations. It is in disciple making relationships that the grace and truth of God are explored and put into practice together.

In Matthew 4:19 we find this pattern in Jesus' ministry when he called his first disciples: "Come, follow me and I will make you fish for people".

Here we discover the three essential aspects of making disciples. Jesus said, "Follow Me". These first words of Jesus are a simple and direct invitation.

It's not an invitation to accept an idea - it's an invitation to embrace a relationship of observation and obedience. Following as a practice is becoming an apprentice to the life of a Master. The Master directs, leads, instructs, corrects - and we follow, submit, learn, and grow to trust Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. We take the Jesus way - the narrow way - and we take up our cross and follow Him. Jesus said: "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be."

As we submit to following Jesus daily we enter into the second aspect of disciple making. Jesus said "And I will make you." Jesus promises to take the initiative to work a remarkable change in the lives of those who follow Him. He promises to make us into persons whose way of life will draw others to the Master as a net draws fish onto the shore. The decision to follow Jesus opens our soul to the transforming work of the Lord that reorients our affections and inclinations towards His loving nature. It's a gradual work, but a persistent one, like patiently simmering a pot towards boiling by raising the temperature one degree at a time. This happens by the active work of grace that we are encouraged to yield to and participate in, as we abide in Jesus who has come to abide in us (John 15). The Master promises to be at work, pruning, strengthening, cultivating our vitality - so that we bear fruit in relationship to one another (Gal. 5:22-23) as we yield to the influence of the Spirit of Jesus into whom we were baptized and by whom we can be filled with strength.

The final phrase, "fish for people" directs the disciple into an activity something we live for and engage as a lifestyle. It's where we get our hands dirty in the world. Becoming a disciple is a means to making other disciples - for it takes one (or many) to make one. Disciples are not hatched - they are made. We are made disciples to join Jesus on his mission to love and redeem a lost and hurting world. Whatever interests and aspirations used to energize us have been replaced by the interests and aspirations of the Master. We are now seeking His Kingdom first rather than chasing our own empire. Our goal has become to present every person to God as mature in Christ (Col. 1:28) helping every disciple to participate in the work of the Gospel and the advance of the Kingdom by making disciples of the Master who dwells in them. If we're not actively fishing for people, then aren't we simply phishing people?

On the move,

IN THIS ISSUE: have a question for howard?

Email him at howard@eastcoastconf.org

Fishing for People or Phishing People? 1 72 Prophets: Serving on Boards 2 God at Work in the Conference 3 Church Planting Updates 4 New Church Plant Previews 4

Church Planting Master Map 5 Get to Know: Stefan Fritz 6 Highrock North Shore Int'l Outreach 6 Seafarers Mission Update 7 Get to Know: Cathy Bergstrom 8 www.facebook.com/eastcoastconf

EAST COAST CONFERENCE 52 Missionary Road Cromwell, CT 06416 860.635.2891 www.eastcoastconf.org www.issuu.com/eastcoastcovenanter

Serving on a Conference Board:

72 Prophets fo r t h e N o n - P r o f i t S e cto r

H

Have you ever considered serving on a non-profit board of directors? Did you know that the East Coast Conference ministries depend on the volunteer service of 72 members of churches from across the Conference? It's true - and we may be

looking for you! The Conference Board of Nominations works around year round to prayerfully identify and engage qualified and gifted women and men to serve a three year term (renewable once) to support and direct our ministry. Briefly, these include:

 Conference Executive Board

This board, which meets quarterly on a Saturday (between 9am -3pm) in January, March, July, and October, (meeting variously in CT, NYC and NH), plus the Conference Annual Meeting in April/May, governs the overall mission of the conference, giving particular attention to church planting, church health, developing leaders, and building ministry networks. The board oversees conference finances, properties and agencies, and works closely with the Conference Superintendent and Staff. The Board has three subcommittees: Staff Relations, Finance & Property, and an Executive Committee. The board has 12-14 members. Regular attendance is required and financial support is encouraged. Travel expenses are reimbursed.

 Pilgrim Pines Conference Center

This board, which meets quarterly on a Saturday (between 9 am - 3 pm) in December, February, June, and September (usually in NH), governs our summer camp (Squanto) and year round conference center (Mayflower) in Swanzey, NH. The board oversees our camp finances, properties, fund development, and ministry operations through a policy governance oversight model and the leadership of our Executive Director. The Board has subcommittees and task forces that focus on Finances, Marketing, Nominations, and an Executive Committee. The board has 12-18 members.

Regular attendance is required and financial support is encouraged.

 New England Seafarers Mission

This board, which meets quarterly on a Saturday morning (between 9 am and 12 Noon) in December, March, June, and September (usually in Boston), governs our seafarers outreach in the harbors and ports of Boston, Quincy and Providence. The board oversees the finances of the mission and supports the work of our Executive Director, chaplains and volunteers.

Some board members are active volunteers themselves serving in the mission regularly in a variety of capacities both in direct contact with seafarers from around the world and behind the scenes. Regular attendance and financial support are encouraged.

 East Coast Board of Nominations

This board of six, which meets mostly via teleconference calls during the week (2x month) works to identify called and gifted members of our churches who may be nominated for election to our board by the Annual Meeting of the Conference. In the last year this board has begun a multi-year phase in of a detailed plan to ensure greater board diversity and representation of gifting, gender, age, ethnicity, and regional representation. This has made their work more precise - and challenging as the requirements for each position and for our boards overall need to address these requirements and the skill sets needed by each organization.

2



 Ädelbrook

While not a direct affiliate of the Conference, our Children's Home, now renamed Ädelbrook, (now an affiliate agency of the ECC nationally) also has need of Covenant members to serve as the majority of their board. Ädelbrook focuses on providing comprehensive services (residential, educational, and therapeutic) to people living within the Autism spectrum or with developmental challenges of various kinds. The agency provides services across the state of CT through over a dozen group homes and two schools as well as a family treatment center and a variety of mobile resources.

This board of 10-14 appointed members meets bi-monthly on a Monday evening (6-8:30 PM) in Cromwell, CT in January, March, May, September, and November. Two fund raisers are held each year - a Golf Tourney (June) and the "Taste of Cromwell" (November). The board has committees for Finance, Nominations, Pensions, and an Executive Committee. Round trip Board travel beyond 50 miles is reimbursed. Regular attendance is expected and financial support is encouraged. To explore opportunities to volunteer and serve at Ädelbrook please write to: bjalbert@adelbrook.org

What type of people are most needed? First, people with a love for Christ, who are available to invest of their time in meeting preparation, travel, and meetings. Having a particular background and skill set in a variety of industries can be helpful - such as business, finance, accounting, fund raising, real estate, education, marketing, sales, hospitality, food service, human resources, ministry, health care, small business development, IT, government, law, accounting, construction, management, and trades of all kinds are helpful. We want to engage each adult generation in serving - you can be as young as in your 20's or actively retired in your 70's. In serving you will gain a greater perspective on what God is doing across the Conference, as you meet and network with others who share you passions and interest in making a difference.

Jesus sent out the 72 in his day to spread the news of God's Kingdom - and here in the East Coast Conference we are looking for 72 to continue that work among us! Inquire about the possibilities of serving on one or more of these ministry boards (see link below) and let us know of your interest!

for information on any of these boards:

 www.eastcoastconf.org/board-of-nominations/application

Be counted among the 72! Visit: www.eastcoastconf.org/board-of-nominations/application

WHERE & HOW

GOD IS AT WORK I N T H E E A S T C OA S T C O N F E R E N C E

T

There are many places and ways where the evidence of God’s presence is impacting our churches and their ministries.

by kreig gammelgard director of congregational vitality

One story that I'd like to share is about how God has been moving in the lives of Craig Carlson of ECC in Springfield, MA and Jeff Black of MCC in Orange, MA - two retirement-aged pastors in our conference who have determined that they will serve the Lord effectively and energetically until the end of their careers. To that end, they have both determined to lead the churches they serve through the vitality pathway as a way to best prepare their churches, not only for a new day of ministry, but to pass along these congregations to another pastor as healthy and missional ministries.

Indeed, after teaching the Veritas workshop a few weeks ago at the church he is serving part-time in an interim role, Jeff stood before his church and noted, "I do not want to spend a minute of my life settling for leading a "stable" church." Here is a long-time successful pastor, serving a small church in a dying community, preparing to retire… and you'd think he'd want to "ride into the sunset," rather than doing the hard work of leading his church at this stage of life. But he desires MCC to be a healthy and missional place of ministry for the sake of a town that will have no christian witness if the churches in that town continue to decline and eventually close (as it looks like they will). He has said NO! I will not - we will not - have anything to do with putting our life or ministry on cruise control!

These members of our Conference are running the race to win. They are serving with their whole heart.

They are willing to apply their vitality experience towards becoming vitality coaches in the future. I love these men for their wonderful example and I am loving God for His great provision to these churches and to this movement of vitality within our conference.

Four new churches have recently started the vitality journey by attending the Navigate conference: 

T H E C O V E N A N T C H U R C H O F T H O M A S T O N , C T - PA S T O R T I M O L S E N Tim is just a few steps into the journey and has already seen great fruit from these efforts. Their team work is great and their churches will be together for our next event in May where there will be over 100 people from the 4 churches meeting together at Pilgrim Pines.



E C C - S P R I N G F I E L D , M A - I N T E N T I O N A L I N T E R I M PA S T O R C R A I G C A R L S O N Craig was retired and is now guiding the Springfield church into the vitality process in order to prepare them well for a new pastor.

This experience for them will clarify who they are and where they are going so that their next pastor will be very focused as well.



M I S S I O N C O V E N A N T C H U R C H - O R A N G E , M A - PA S T O R J E F F B L A C K Jeff is 67 and wanting to retire, yet has no interest in coasting into the sunset. He is strengthening the church in Orange and rallying the congregation around a compelling vision to be the one healthy church in their dying community to serve and care for their community, since almost every other church in town is about to close.



E M M A N U E L C O V E N A N T C H U R C H - N A S H U A , N H - PA S T O R W H I T N E Y H A L L Whitney is a newly called pastor, working bi-vocationally in a church that desires a new day of ministry.

These four are getting off to a great start, working together on ministry evaluation and planning, preaching, praying for one another, etc. It is also a unique group in that they are all in such different places of ministry.



Additional resources available on the Conference's Vitality website: www.covchurch.org/vitality

3

church

planting updates

by jason condon director of church planting

G

God continues to bless and move powerfully through your shared church planting efforts in the East Coast Conference.

Quick Highlights  7 Church Planter candidates from our Conference were favorably assessed in the past 8 months (at the May 2013 Assessment Center all six of our candidates were approved - see picture 3 below)  4 Signed “Church Planter Covenant Agreements” for officially launched plants over this past summer and fall: Eli Hernandez, Don Schiewer (picture 1, below), Kimberly Wright (pic 2), and Chih Lung “Paul” Lin (pic 4)  Projected “Church Planter Covenant Agreements” for 2014, moving us to new heights of planting a church every other month! (Covenant Agreements are what make a church planter and their planting project officially begin with the Conference and Covenant)  Upcoming Candidates for Conference Church Planting will be attending our national Assessment Center in May, which we have the privilege of hosting in the East Coast Conference at Trinity Covenant Church, Manchester CT (with an additional 2-3 more candidates expected for the following September Assessment Center)

As you take in the images, detailed map, and shared stories on these two pages, let them prompt you to praise God and continue in prayer for Jesus’ faithful work in and through these diverse new gospel communities!

CHURCH PLANT

PREVIEWS Sanctuary Church (RI) Pastor Andrew Mook of Sanctuary Church in RI is laying the groundwork to set up a network of neighborhood churches in Providence. This "parish" model of sorts would feature churches with the same vision and values; a pastoral teaching collective; and a dedicated individual pastor specifically incarnating Sanctuary's vision in the most appropriate way for that neighborhood.

"Providence has a wide range of neighborhoods," Mook notes.

"From the cultural elite, old money areas, to the gentrified artist-centric region, to the blue collar neighborhoods, etc. How do we do missional communities in areas in the South End versus the West Side?" Currently, Sanctuary Church (which has grown from a launch team of 30 to 240 attendees on Sundays in less than two years) has been trying to contextualize to everyone all at once. "However, we realize it's easier to enter into a more local context," explains Mook. And so, he excitedly hopes to send out a launch team for the next neighborhood church - likely in the eastside of Providence (Wayland) - in the next year to two years.

"Having the resources of a large church contextualized in a way that makes sense in our city - a New England version of the 'Big Gathering' - that's the goal."

Twin Cities (MN) Pastor Jeff Olson will be planting a church in the Twin Cities (MN) in late spring of 2014 as he transitions from his role as Pastor of Worship Arts at Christ Church in East Greenwich, RI. The Twin Cities is one of the youngest metropolitan areas in the country where less then 38% of the overall population are attached to any sort of religious group (the emerging generation being much less churched than the overall broader population).

Jeff and his wife Lisa have both served in churches and ministries in that region before, in addition to time spent there in college and seminary, and have a love and deep roots in the area they will be planting. Jeff, Lisa and their two boys (with a third on the way) are currently finishing up their 7-year call, and are in launch team development and fundraising mode.

1

2

4

3

4

our CONFERENCE

c h u rc h p la ntS GBNE=Greater Boston/New England MAC=Maryland/Atlantic Coast NYNJ =New York/New Jersey



LAUNCHING 1ST YEAR

1

The Commons GBNE Rochester NH Chris (& Becca) Bannon Spring 2014 start

2

Hope Roosevelt Island NYNJ Manhattan, NY Dan (& Amanda) Sadlier www.hoperooseveltisland.org Spring 2014 start

3 3 

 1

4

4 



see inset box for boston area

 1 

see inset box

7

New City Boston GBNE Boston MA T.C. (& Osheta) Moore www.newcityboston.org Oct 2012 start

Dust Church MAC Blacksburg VA Don Schiewer www.dustchurch.com Sept 2013 start

5

Hope Church NYC NYNJ Astoria NY Drew (& Tina) Hyun www.hopechurchnyc.org Feb 2012 start

2

Highrock North Shore GBNE Salem MA Aaron (& Ariel) Engler, www.highrocknorthshore.org Feb 2012 start

6

New Season Church NYNJ Bronx NY Phil (& Betsy) Bonano www.facebook.com/newseasoncc Nov 2011 start

3

Sanctuary Church GBNE Providence, RI Andrew (& Corrie) Mook, www.sanctuaryprovidence.com Jan 2012 start

7

Elements Church NYNJ Bronx NY Efrain (& Erika) Alicea www.elementsbx.org Aug 2011 start

4

Sudanese Evang. Cov. Church GBNE Manchester NH Monyroor (& Amou) Teng, ww.sudanesechurch.com July 2010 start

8

Promised Land Covenant Church NYNJ Bronx NY Michael (& Liz) Carrion www.facebook.com/PLCChurch July 2010 start

boston area churches

6 2  4 7 

 

5

Church of the Resurrection NYNJ New York, NYC Kimberly Wright www. resurrectionchurchnyc.com Feb 2013 start

Highrock Quincy GBNE Quincy, MA Stephen (& Kathleen) Sharkey www.highrockquincy.org May 2012 start

2 



6

1

for NYC area



Charm City MAC Baltimore MD Eli (& Yazi) Hernandez www.charmcity.cc Aug 2013 start

 YEARS 2-4

3 

8

Christ’s Mandarin GBNE Quincy MA Chih Lung “Paul” (and Lee) Lin, www.gbcmc.net Oct 2013 start

5

31

 YEARS 5-10 

1

Life Covenant Church NYNJ Morganville NJ Derrick (& Linda) Jackson www.lifecovenantchurch.org March 2009 start

5

Metro Hope Community NYNJ Harlem NY Jose (& Mayra) Humphreys www.metrohopenyc.org June 2007 start

2

Worship Frontier Church GBNE Brookline MA Kiho (& Sungseong) Lee www.worshipfrontier.org July 2008 start

6

Cornerstone Church GBNE Boston MA www.cornerstoneboston.org June 2004 start, adopted 2012

3

7

Evergreen Covenant Church GBNE Sanford ME Frank (& Austin) Catalano www.evergreencovchurch.org April 2008 start

Brooklyn Covenant Ministries NYNJ Brooklyn NY Conway (& Deborah) Boyce 2004 start

NYC area churches

 4

7  8 6  5 6 2 5  7 

 

4



Highrock Brookline GBNE Brookline, MA Joshua (& Minhee) Throneburg www.highrockbrookline.org Jan 2008 start

8

Metro Church NYNJ Englewood NJ Peter (& Jenny) Ahn www.emetro.org Sept 2003 start

For a list of ALL Conference churches, visit: http://eastcoastconf.org/churches

5

GET TO KNOW

stefan fritz camp squanto director

A DIVERSE HOME AWAY FROM HOME

IN THE NORTHSHORE

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Originally I'm from Peekskill, NY, and grew up going to a Reformed church. After high school, I went to North Park University, graduating with a degree in math and secondary education, then lived in Chicago for three years. I have three sisters, and now three sisters-inlaw since I got married in October 2012. My wife, Kiera, and I (along with our dog Waldo) live onsite at Camp Squanto and attend Monadnock Covenant Church - when I'm not visiting a church or leading a retreat. I'm a huge fan of MacGyver and pinball.

M Y PA S T I N V O LV E M E N T W I T H C A M P S Q UA N TO / P I LG R I M P I N E S

I grew up attending both Family Camp at Pilgrim Pines and Camp Squanto until I was hired in 2004.

I worked at Mayflower Lodge during the summers of 2004-2006, and at Squanto during the summers of 2007-10 and 2012. I've had almost every position between

6

ď‚ľ

the two camps (except, of course, for head women's counselor) W H AT F U T U R E I N I T I AT I V E S , EVENTS, OR PROGRAMS ARE PLANNED AS D I R E C TO R

I'm really excited to introduce some new programs this summer. For the first trailblazer session we're adding a mini-week option, in addition to a day camp option. We're also adding a new Voyager session that's more extreme and focused on wilderness survival - I wish I could go on the trip!

W H AT D O I M O S T L O O K F O R WA R D T O ?

The prayerful and discerning process of hiring the summer staff, and then developing programs and themes to make this a great summer. I'm also looking forward to our work and worship retreat over Memorial Day weekend for volunteers to come up and help get the camp ready for summer. That's such a transformational weekend for the camp's grounds.

When Highrock North Shore (Salem, MA) started, the staff and members were hoping to be more ethnically diverse - especially in a region of Massachusetts where ethnic groups tended to attend ethnic-specific bodies of worship. According to Associate Pastor Brynn Harrington, things began to change when a study noting how 80% of international students who study in the U.S. are never invited into an American home found its way to the staff's desk. "After reading that," remembers Harrington, "we thought - let's change that statistic as fast as we can!"

Change began as Highrock North Shore focused on intentionally ministering to international (primarily Chinese) students at Salem State University - a school with about 9,000 students - graduate and undergraduate. "One of our members, Zhenyang (pronounced "Jay-Yoon") Hua, a recent follower of Christ, was instrumental in inviting people and speaking with the University's International Student advisors to make inroads for our church," noted Harrington. When asked about his role at Highrock, Zhenyang, a graduate student at Salem State who will be baptized this Easter, noted, "It’s not easy to make friends in this small city. But we shall never stop to share our joy and care with anyone. Nothing is stronger than the power of Love - and the joy of that love and of being loved that God gives us."

And so, in September, HRNS hosted 40 students in family homes. This host opportunity was embraced enthusiastically by congregants, with about twenty-five families offering their homes! In addition to this, once a month, Highrock North Shore held a big dinner event at the church - the first, introducing traditional New England food (steak tips, mussels, cornbread). "It has been really great to share who we are as Americans - and also through that, extend the hospitality and love of Christ," says Harrington.

The culmination - so far - of their ministry to international students occurred in late January, when HRNS hosted a Chinese New Year dinner - and 120 people showed up to this event! Harrington fondly recalls, "We had so many Chinese students (this is the biggest holiday in China) - and it was hard for them to be away from home. They let us be their family - and a number of them told us how honored they felt - that we really celebrated them and made them feel at home. It's all about developing relationships and earning trust from the student body."

Today, several years after being planted, and as a result of this ministry, Highrock North Shore looks more like a multi-colored kingdom. "It has been beautiful to see people of all ethnicities coming here and not feeling like they are the only ones," notes Harrington.

Visit Camp Squanto : www.pilgrimpines.org/campsquanto

Brynn Harrington is one of the associate pastors at Highrock North Shore (www.highrocknorthshore.org). She gets excited about seeing God's Kingdom breaking in all over the community, encouraging others to live into their unique gifts, and throwing massive parties.

GIANT GIFTS I N S M A L L PA C KA G E S by steve cushing director of new england seafarers mission

C

Changes loom on the horizon for one of our strongest partners and supporters in ministry – The Women’s Seafarers Friend Society (WSFS). This stand-alone ministry, with its origins in the mid-19th century, has for many years been faithful in its support directly towards seafarers as well as through working with the New England Seafarers Mission chaplains.

The women of WSFS provide funds for their ministry, but perhaps more importantly, they have organized the sewing and knitting of thousands of knit caps, sewing kits, and the ditty bags that contain the gifts given to thousands of seafarers every year at Christmas time.

Seafarers look forward to the arrival of these gift bags each year with the anticipation found around a brightly lit fir tree on Christmas morning. Although the items inside are small and of little economic value, their real worth is in the spirit in which they are given.

My favorite story is of a time when I brought some of these gifts onboard a vessel in the port of Boston. It was a cold evening, even colder on the waterfront, and snow was swirling about as I climbed the gangway. I told the man on watch what I had and he directed me to the captain - a tall, serious, Polish man whose face changed quickly with a smile when I told him who I was and what I brought. He rejoiced that now they could have a proper Christmas. Not wanting to mislead him, I said, “Captain, these gifts are not very large. Just some small gift bags of the season.” I will never forget his reply when he stared down at me and said, “No, Chaplain, you are wrong. The bags are small, but what is inside is very, very big!”

These ditty bags go on ships from New York to Portland, and are given to seafarers who are away from home and family during the cold and dangerous months of winter. For those who come from Christian homes, the ditty bags serve as reminders that God's love and Christian fellowship touch them all over the world. For those from cultures where Christianity remains a mystery, the ditty bags often provide the chaplains of the maritime missions with an opportunity to tell the story of Jesus' birth and its purpose.



In 2013 at West Peabody Community Covenant Church, on their annual "Ditty Bag Packing Day," the WSFS voted unanimously to dissolve as a legal entity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Although they are fervent for continuing the legacy of their work, as a community, they no longer wished to sustain themselves as a recognized non-profit. What these sea changes bring are two-fold.

First, the ladies will continue to knit, sew, and gather to produce these ditty bags. Their energy for this ministry is not diminished in the least. However, they will be free from filing reports, keeping account of their monetary affairs, and such. Secondly, the WSFS had generously planned to list the New England Seafarers Mission as their sole beneficiary in the event of their dissolution. The New England Seafarers Mission will assume their assets, and the Board of Trustees at NESM will take on the responsibility of keeping the ditty bag program moving forward for the foreseeable century.

This means that "Ditty Bag Packing Day" will continue to be held every November - when 60 to 70 WSFS veterans and newcomers will meet and assemble 1,800 ditty bags to be given to our chaplains, who will make sure that these small gifts of God’s great, big love will find their way onto the giant ships and into the hands of grateful seafarers from around the world.

If you are interested in learning more about NESM, its Ditty Bag program, or volunteering for a Mission Ministry Day during the Cruise Ship season, please visit www.neseafarers.org.

See what the New England Seafarers Mission is all about: www.neseafarers.org

7

GET TO KNOW

Cathy bergstrom PRESIDENT of women's ministries  bergstrom9@comcast.net  www.covchurch.org/women

pray for the leaders of women's ministries Kirstin Edwards Secretary (also considering Global Missions)

Cathy Fredlund Financial Secretary.

Ann Quinn Treasurer.

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

I live with my husband of 25 years, Bruce, in Burlington, CT. We have two children, Emma (23) and Samuel (19).

Bruce grew up attending Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin, CT, and he invited me to church services when we began dating (that was a first for me!) - and I felt genuinely welcome at Bethany. I've been involved in Sunday School, Children's Church, Vacation Bible Camp, Drama productions, and Coffee Hours. I have a Communications degree from UConn, and I've worked as an IT analyst, project manager, writer, editor, and software trainer. I've served on PTAs and Boards of Education, and was First Selectman of Burlington. I'm presently Community Engagement Specialist for Jewish Family Services and on the Board of Directors of Lupus Foundation of America - CT Chapter.

First of all, I'm excited to be working with a fabulous group of women on our leadership team (see box, right)

M Y PA S T I N V O L M E N T W I T H WO M E N ' S M I N I ST R I E S I've been involved with mostly event support in the past. Last year I was invited to participate on the nominations committee as there were several members of the leadership team whose terms were ending.

During that process, I understood that the Conference was in need of a president. We discussed the specifics of the position and possible nominees. After a couple of meetings and no solid leads on candidates, I found myself asking if I could be considered as a candidate.

The committee was enthusiastic and encouraging. I am a planner and typically quite thorough in gathering facts and understanding the scope of things before making a decision like this. And so that I was saying yes to this challenge having done none of the usual preliminary legwork - and was not at all uncomfortable about this break from my normal protocol - this told me that this was God at work!

Transitions

Sandra Gannon Compassion Mercy & Justice

Barbara McKay Event Coordinator

We just emailed a survey to our women, asking them what would draw them to a Spring Celebration? How far would they travel? Would they want a one-day event or an overnight? We're working to discern what topics are important to them. As we look to serve the women of the East Coast Conference, we want to serve them with intention...to meet them where they are and to have conversations about issues they're dealing with and that interest them. We want to be clear about our objectives with events and initiatives going forward... not having a program just because we've always had that program. We want to bring things that have real value to our women. So part of 2014 may see a regrouping of sorts as we work to get our arms around what our conference needs and wants, and how we can address those needs while staying true to the mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church and Women's Ministry.

Susan Falcetta (Past President) AVA Coordinator

Our theme for the 2014 Annual Meeting is “All Aboard the DiscipleSHIP” Discipleship is fundamental to the church’s mission as the Kingdom of God advances in the world, but too often our churches fall short of their mission. We measure attendance in our pews but not the

With just under 100 churches in our Conference, there are a lot of women out there. One goal is to reach out to every church to let these women know we're here for them. Our leadership team, though separated by distance, meets monthly by conference call. We discuss initiatives and possible events, and we pray for wisdom, clarity and discernment in serving every woman in our conference. We pray for all these women.

maturing of committed followers of Jesus.

Just what is the Christian mission of making

disciples?

What

discipleshifts

can help us recenter our attention on discipleship?

Embracing this focus together can bear witness in the world and equip your people to be salt and light and love in their communities.

While we may not be able to physically connect with every church in our conference, we can connect through our website, through emails, by phone, and at our annual retreat. Come and partner with us!

Registration is now open, all information is available on the East Coast Conference website:

www.eastcoastconf.org/annualmeeting

 COMINGS & GOINGS  WITHIN THE CONFERENCE

the EAST COAST COVENANTER

Ric Wild from Palatine, IL (Associate) to Riverside, RI (Associate)

 eastcoastcovenanter@gmail.com

Paul W. Kahn EDITOR / GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT / WRITER

Matt Stillman from York, PA (Pastor) to Open to Call

Alicia Sturdy EDITOR

DAN LEE from Brookline, MA (Associate) to Open to Call

Howard Burgoyne PUBLISHER

Jeff OLSON from E. Greenwich, RI (Worship) to NWC Church Planting

www.issuu.com/eastcoastcovenanter

8

EAST COAST CONFERENCE

52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416  (860) 635-2691 FAX: (860) 398-5071  www.eastcoastconf.org

SUPERINTENDENT:

Howard K. Burgoyne

DIR. OF CHURCH PLANTING:

Jason Condon

DIR. OF CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY:

Kreig Gammelgard

OFFICE MANAGER:

Alicia Sturdy

FINANCE MANAGER:

Robin Jones