2017 Mission & Ministry Partnerships by East Coast Covenanter

2 0 1 7

MISSION & MINISTRY PA R T N E R S H I P S

Catch + Release

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. MARK 1:17-18

HOWARD BURGOYNE Superintendent

A LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT ““The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:15–18, TNIV) ver the last two years in my study and prayers, I have been led to focus on the person of Jesus, in particular the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God. As Mark reports, the Kingdom has come near not just as a message, but in the messenger. Jesus, the “Beloved Son” of the Father has come, and the Spirit has come also, to rest on Him. The good news did not begin at the cross; it began in the womb of Mary.

ality enlists us in faith and repentance that leads to witness. We go with him to the holy mountain and down into the unholy valley. We come to him, follow him, listen to him, learn of him, lean on him, abide in him, go for him, suffer for him, become as him in the world. We die with him, rise with him, reign with him, live in him. Jesus intends to send us out “to fish for people.” He redeems us to employ us in His Father’s business.

My reflections on incarnation have rekindled my worship. (If we are stale in devotion, we are stalled in mission.) They have also led me to a second part of the mystery of the gospel – the mystery of union with Christ. Union with Christ may be the most important doctrine you have never heard of. Union flows from the incarnation and is the purpose of it (The Word became flesh and dwelt among us). Just as Jesus’ incarnation, our union with Christ is foundational to the gospel mystery (Eph. 5:32).

In obedience to Jesus every church needs to be able to answer two questions. First, what is our plan for making disciples? And second, does our plan work?

Like the Trinity itself, the mystery of our union with Christ is described in varied metaphors of embrace. We are in Christ; Christ is in us. We are his bride; he is our husband. We abide in Him; He abides in us. He is the vine; we are the branches. His word dwells in us; we listen to Him. He calls us to follow him; at once we drop everything and do so. He will employ us in His Father’s business; he will send us out to fish for people. Those we catch will be released into union with Christ too. Discipleship may be a word that can hold all of this together. We make and deepen disciples in and by the mystery of Christ and in the marvel of God’s Kingdom taking up residence in us and through us. With Jesus, a vital spiritu-

If we intend to start and strengthen churches, we must first make and deepen disciples. Only they will love mercy and do justice. Only they will develop leaders who bear the image of Christ. Only they will be equipped to serve globally – to go to all the world, to serve, to share, to reconcile, to suffer, and to overcome. As Covenanters have said it for years, we are called to go “deeper in Christ, and further in mission.” This is the way we bless the world. The expanding mission of the East Coast Conference centers on the intentionality of the Gospel of the Kingdom to make disciples who make disciples – who come to Jesus and go out to catch people, releasing them from darkness into the Father’s embrace.

FINANCIALS

unrestricted INCOME

% of Total Church Contributions to Conference MISSION OPERATING INCOME Conference Church Giving Interest & Dividend Income Conference Strategic Giving Conference Annual Meeting Registrations Reverted Assets from Churches Church Closing Funds Ecumenical Consulting Services Rental Income

restricted INCOME

Total Unrestricted Mission Income:

Church Planting Appropriations - Denomination Church Planting Appropriations - Partner Churches Church Planting Support Other Church Planting Projects Church Mission Grants Special Project Appeals Ministerium Fees/Other Total Restricted Mission Income:

conference mission operating EXPENSES

TOTAL OPERATING MISSION INCOME

Church Planting Church Mission Grants Conference Annual Meeting Ministerium Fees Church Closing Expenses Church Health & Vitality Evangelism & Discipleship Leadership Development Conference Networks Conference Boards Conference Women Ministries Conference & ECC Agency Support Clergy Care & Support Superintendent’s Ministry Dir Church Planting Ministry Dir Church Vitality Ministry Dir Discipling & Leadership Ministry Human Resources Conference Office Conference Communications Depreciation Expense Ecumenical TOTAL CONFERENCE MISSION OPERATING EXPENSES Net Ordinary Mission Income

2016

2017

2018

Step Up

Budget

Actual

Budget

Revised

Proposed

Vision Budget

2.55%

2.48%

2.97%

2.43%

2.68%

3.50%

$648,073 $40 $50,000 $5,000 – $42,607. – –

$587,806 $227 $15,919 $4,995 $113,676 $5,554 $44,704 –

$754,008 – $5,000 $5,000 – – $66,607 –

$619,330 – $5,000 $5,000 – – $2,350 $41,200

$681,413 – $5,000 $5,000 – – $1,850 $41,200

$888,546 – $10,000 $5,000 – – $1,850 $41,200

$745,720.00

$772,884.81

$837,655

$672,880

$734,463

$946,071

$436,210 – – – $30,000 $5,000 $5,500

$387,474 $13,300 $1,000 $27,280 – – $5,231

$535,042 – – – $30,000 $5,000 $5,500

$534,022 – – – $115,000 $5,500

$544,433 – – – – – $5,500

$476,710

$434,287

$575,542

$664,522

$549,933

$1,222,430

$1,207,172

$1,413,197

$1,337,402

$1,284,396

$1,496,004

$865,179 $30,000 $4,250 $3,500 $25,000 $27,000 – – $3,250 $6,750 $1,500 $30,250 $10,350 $22,600 $22,700 $23,700 – $569,738 $44,700 $43,229 $23,500 $2,250

$792,138 – $15,124 $5,065 $7,969 $10,567 – – $42,783 $10,608 – $35,376 $4,506 $26,969 $20,566 $24,852 – $541,730 $28,847 $38,309 $27,594 $2,250

$1,066,704 $30,000 $4,250 $3,500 $25,000 $29,500 – – $4,500 $6,750 $1,500 $30,500 $10,350 $22,900 $28,700 $29,700 – $661,829 $45,436 $34,829 $23,500 $2,500

$1,065,304 $30,000 $4,250 $5,000 – $23,500 $6,000 $6,000 $5,500 $11,250 $1,500 $20,500 $10,600 $25,850 $28,350 $24,200 $12,500 $642,424 $53,990 $45,625 $26,500 $2,500

$1,010,100 $30,000 $500 $5,000 – $19,500 $15,000 $15,000 $3,500 $11,250 $1,500 $20,500 $10,600 $33,550 $23,350 $30,200 $21,000 $700,679 $47,510 $44,225 $31,000 $2,600

$1,000,000

$1,753,820.00

$1,635,259.75

$2,061,948

$2,062,140

$2,051,343

$2,112,000

$(531,390)

$(420,509)

$(648,751)

$(726269)

$(713,941)

$(615,995)

$5,000 $5,000 – $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $5,000 $12,000 $1,500 $12,000 $12,000 $33,500 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $725,000 $48,000 $45,000 $40,000 $3,000

JASON CONDON Director of Church Planting

CHURCH PLANTING REPORT

LEADERS UNLEASHED ENCOURAGE, EQUIP, AND MULTIPLY…

continue to frame my role not merely as “director” or even “pastor to pastors”, but as a discipler of the women and men called to the work of church planting. I’m challenged and encouraged by the Apostle Paul (the original “Director of Church Planting”!). His not-so-subtle example as he closes his Letter to Church in Rome speaks to the exponential power of focusing on gospel-centered leadership development: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae… Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus… Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet […Epenetus, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, household of Aristobulus, Herodion, household of Narcissus, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus and his mother,] Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.” ~ The Apostle Paul (Romans 16:1-16 excerpts)

Described as both dear friends and co-workers in Christ, these women and men filled the ranks of apostles, prophets, evangelist, shepherds, and teachers -- starting and strengthening flourishing churches throughout their world. We are blessed with a similar growing reality around church planting leadership development here in the East Coast Conference. Exemplifying our growing “leadership engine”: COHORT LEADERSHIP: both New England and NY/NJ Metro Church Planter Cohorts are now fully organized and led by seasoned church planters (and Church Network apostolic leaders), Andrew Mook and Drew Hyun. The newer Mid-Atlantic Cohort also continues to develop, with plans for a “Cohort Council” leadership model

CHURCH PLANTER RESIDENCIES & LAUNCH TEAM “FIELD ED.”: Utilized for our most recent church plants and all those currently in the works for 2017/18. “Recommended” church planters and their gathering launch teams gain invaluable experience, training, and encouragement -- creating stronger launches, deeper partnerships, and flourishing new congregations CHURCH NETWORKS (SEE MAP): Now the majority “farm system” for church planter candidates, hosting residencies, and other key leaders. An expanded category of “Church Plant Pastors” (just as rigorously assessed and requiring a “recommended”) are also taking on senior leadership in existing church plants in these networks, further unleashing the original planting pastors to effectively plant additional congregations. CONFERENCE & DENOMINATIONAL LEADERSHIP: Several of our seasoned church planters provide crucial leadership in assessment, training, coaching, and overall ministry innovation throughout the Covenant. This deep and growing bench on the ECConf bodes well for current and future leadership needs at the conference and denominational levels. PARENT, PARTNER, & SUPPORT CHURCHES: Our historic and established churches play a vital role, with several of our most recent planters being blessed and “sent out” from Covenant church pastoral staffs. Many established churches are stepping up in strong partnerships with new church planters and plants. Existing church plants are also developing and sending church planters into the field at an exciting pace.

So with my recent return from my first sabbatical in nearly 25 years of pastoral ministry, I re-engage this humbling calling with even deeper conviction and greater inspiration. I prayerfully seek to live into the original vision God gave me when called as your Director of Church Planting, to: “encourage, equip, and multiply church planters for a sustaining church planting movement.” It is a profound blessing to count the women and men I serve as both dear friends and co-workers in Jesus!

27 13

7 17 4

19 17 26 28

29 21 23 13 1 19 10

2 21 25

church plants and networks 1.

Hope Midtown, New York, NY (2017)*

Sanctuary Eastside, Providence, RI (Jan ’17) *

Nashua Covenant Church, NH (Dec ‘16) *

Still Waters, Newport News, VA (2016)

Sanctuary North, Providence, RI (2016)

Center Church, Richmond, VA (2016)

Table Covenant Church, Fairfax VA (2015)

Hope Long Island, NY (2015)

Hartford City Church, CT (2015)

10. Disciples NYC, Queens, NY (2015) 11. Movement Covenant Church, Staten Island, NY (2015) Top to bottom: On Sabbitcal in Chile: at Rancagua Covenant Church Commissioning two Haitian Lay Pastors for Church Planting in Rancagua; On Sabbatical in Chile: Visiting with Isla Quinchao Covenant Church Planter; Kevin Kokx, Nashua CC & Kevin Brown, Still Waters CC, Newport News, VA; Four “Recommended” ECConf Church Planting Candidate Couples, Spring 2016 Assessment Center; Church Planter Training Intensive, Fall 2016

12. Highrock Acton, MA (2014) 13. Hope Roosevelt Island, NY (2014) 14. The Commons ECC, Rochester, NH (2014) 15. Dust Covenant Church, Blacksburg, VA (2013)

16. Charm City Covenant Church, Baltimore, MD (2013) 17. Church of the Resurrection, New York, NY 2013) 18. Highrock Quincy, Quincy, MA (2012) 19. Highrock North Shore, Salem, MA (2012) 20. Hope Church, Astoria, NY (2012) 21. Sanctuary, Providence, RI (2012) 22. Elements, Bronx, NY (2011) 23. Sudanese ECC, Manchester, NH (2010) 24. Promised Land Covenant Church, Bronx, NY (2010) 25. Life Covenant Church, Morganville, NJ (2009) 26. Worship Frontier Church, Newton, MA (2008) 27. Evergreen Covenant Church, Sanford, ME (2008) 28. Highrock Brookline, MA (2008) 29. Metro Hope, Harlem, NY (2007) * New churches this year

Three Regional networks Highrock Church Network (Greater Boston), 6 Congregations (4+ in development) Hope NYC/New City Network, 4 Covenant Congregations (3+ in development) Sanctuary Network (RI), 3 Congregations

KREIG GAMMELGARD Director of Congregational Vitality

CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY REPORT

it is good to have a plan !

n our theme text from Mark 1:17-18, Jesus reveals to His new disciples that He has a plan to reach the world that involves them! And, He wants His plan to be followed.

Having a plan is an essential ingredient to accomplish a goal. Implementing a plan in a church provides ministry momentum and allows for course corrections along the way. Congregational Vitality provides the raw materials that helps churches develop a Christ-honoring, mission-focused plan that gives them much-needed momentum, and the much-desired missional health they pray for.

“People who meet their goals follow a plan; They do not just get lucky or work harder.”

–Dr. Henry Cloud

2016 WAS A YEAR OF GROWING MISSIONAL MOMENTUM! Congregational Vitality by the numbers (and more)…

When Congregational Vitality began as an emphasis in the Covenant 10 years ago (albeit not as a fully developed Pathway as it is now), the 4-types of churches that were represented across our denomination were as follows: national congregational vitality (2007)

17% 32% 33% 18%

Healthy and Missional Stable Critical Moment At-Risk

“A church’s strategy is nothing more than a collection of intentional decisions a congregation makes to give it the best potential to thrive… as they follow the leading of the holy spirit.” Adapted from The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Congregational Vitality was launched in the East Coast Conference 7 years ago, and came under my oversight 4 years ago. Back then, our Conference churches looked like this: east coast conference congregational vitality (2010)

17% 25% 38% 20%

Healthy and Missional Stable Critical Moment At-Risk

Over the last 4 years, 33% of our churches have engaged in Congregational Vitality, and for those participating in this intentional pursuit of becoming a healthy missional church, we have witnessed these vitality churches move in a very positive direction, as illustrated below: 80

65%

60 50

40 20

21%

24%

23%

12%

10 0

48%

2012 Vitality Churches

Healthy and Missional Stable

2016 Vitality Churches

Critical Moment At-Risk

These numbers and improvements tell a story. While 62% of our vitality churches have improved their missional health, and 3-5 new churches pursue Christ and His purposes with renewed passion through the Congregational Vitality Pathway each year, there are reasons for the positive missional movement and momentum. Opposite page photos (l to r): Recent Veritas Workshop; Vitality Coach, Peter Tullson at Vertias.

Here is what is true of the churches in our conference who have intentionally and consistently engaged the vitality process this year. They are… • Taking greater interest and responsibility for their own health • Paying attention to foundational questions and seeking continual clarity and unity on key issues, such aso What business are we in? o Where is the Holy Spirit at work and what is He leading us to do? o Will our current congregational culture support the changes we need to make? o How can we get from where we are to where we want to go? Following a proven, effective pathway that helps them stay on course, learn new habits, and build leadership muscle • Praying fervently for God to have His way and provide for their every need • Learning how to have essential conversations with respect and compassion for all • Embracing evaluation as normal and natural in a healthy organization • Having fun and celebrating all that God is doing in them and through them • Creating a plan with clear goals from a compelling vision • Implementing their plan diligently • Asking for outside help and coaching along the way While nearly every church that begins walking the vitality pathway makes progress, some improve more than others. What I noticed in 2016 were two differences among our churches. 1) Some dabble in vitality and others complete the journey 2) Some finish the journey, but others create and implement a Strategic Ministry Plan Our story has revealed that 100% of our vitality churches that have become a healthy and missional congregation have both created a plan AND implemented their Strategic Ministry Plan! I praise God for these churches and the healthy habits that they are practicing!

women ministries CATHY BERGSTROM President

od is shaking things up in Women Ministries in the East Coast Conference. Our Leadership Team said good-bye to Cathy Fredlund who faithfully served as Financial Secretary for seven years. Valerie Baker has stepped into that role. Our AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse) Coordinator, Priscilla Borden, resigned at the end of 2016. We are praying that God is calling someone to fill the role Priscilla dedicated her selfless spirit and gifts to for several years. You’ll see a big change to the format of our Annual Fall Retreat!

ê Our Annual Spring Celebration was held April 1 at Trinity Covenant Church in Lexington, MA. Over 50 women gathered to discuss “Fight, Flight, or Freedom” (based on Acts 16:22-34) with speaker Rev. Becky Barnett from Highrock Acton. Workshops offered included Bags of Hope, Beauty of the Cracks, Marriage, and Seafarer Ditty Bag. ê The 2017 Annual Fall Retreat at Pilgrim Pines Conference Center, Swanzey, NH, will be September 22-24. A keynote speaker has not been secured as of the writing of this report. We are praying about our theme, wanting to follow God’s leading. Registration is

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST YEAR & WHAT’S AHEAD Triennial XV was held in July in Kansas City, MO. We sponsored Kinko Hyoshi from Japan and Andrea Johnson, a Covenant Missionary from Seattle, WA. They attended Triennial and participated in the Raise the Flag ceremony, where women from around the world carried in a flag from her country. Following Triennial, Kinko and Andrea traveled to the east coast and were welcomed into the homes of members of Covenant churches throughout our conference. They visited NYC and Boston, went to fairs, shopped, relaxed in New Hampshire, and took a day trip to Maine. They spoke at member churches about life in Japan and learned about life in New England. We shared how God is at work in our lives, here and there. It was a blessed time of connection.

Retreats

scheduled to open in May. This year we are altering our format to have Friday evening devoted to a meet and greet with the keynote speaker and workshop presenters. Saturday morning will offer several workshops which will be repeated, allowing women to attend more than one. Saturday afternoon will find women enjoying free time, boat rides, climbing the rock wall, shopping in the Marketplace, or relaxing. Saturday evening will feature our keynote speaker and praise and worship. Sunday morning we will have a follow-up with the keynote speaker, communion, and an alter call. Consider joining us for the weekend!

Triennial XVI Plans are underway for the next Triennial which will be in Minneapolis, MN in 2019. Our conference will again be hosting a visitor from another country along with a Covenant Missionary. Following their time at Triennial, they will travel to the East Coast for two weeks, spending time with churches, and sharing their experiences and learning about life in the places we call home. Our objective is to look for God’s leading in all things and to pray for the women throughout the conference.

ê “Held Together” was the theme for a one-day retreat facilitated by Rev. Linda Williams at Salem Covenant in Washington Depot, CT. Four diverse speakers reminded attendees that it is in Christ all things hold together, even when it seems like everything is coming undone. We are comforted in knowing the God who created us and loves us is holding us. [Col. 1:17]

Visit us online at www.eastcoastcovenantwomen.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/eccwomenministry Timeline for 2016/17 2016

ê Our Annual Fall Retreat welcomed 115 women from throughout the East Coast Conference. We gathered at Pilgrim Pines Conference Center in Swanzey, NH. Meagan Gillian, President of Women Ministries for the denomination, guided us through a discussion about “Encouragement” based on 1Thess. 5:11a. Workshops included packing Bags of Hope, AVA, Make & Deepen Disciples, and Sharing Your Testimony.

April

• 126th Annual Meeting held in New Rochelle, NY • Church Planter Assessment Center

may

• “New City Gathering” Urban Church Planting Conference at Hope Covenant Church (Roosevelt Is., NY) • ECConf Youth Workers’ Retreat, Pilgrim Pines (Swanzey, NH) • Still Waters Covenant Church (Newport News, VA) established

june

• ECC Annual Meeting (Phoenix, AZ): Three ECConf pastors ordained • Ädelbrook Golf for Kids Tournament Fundraiser • Scott Lee called as Executive Director of Pilgrim Pines (Swanzey, NH) • Family Camp & Camp Squanto Season Open (Swanzey NH)

july

• Conference Board convened at Pilgrim Pines (Swanzey, NH) • Day of Solemn Prayer & Lament • Church Planter Assessment Center (Chaska, MN) • Kreig Gammelgard becomes ECC Interim Director of Congregational Vitality

pilgrim pines SCOTT LEE Executive Director

Pilgrim Pines Highlights May 2016 to Present:

august

• Superintendent Speaker of the week at Pilgrim Pines • Emmanuel Covenant Church (Nashua, NH) closes • Vitality Coaches Retreat

september

• Council of Superintendents hosted in Exeter, NH • Women Ministries Annual Fall Retreat • Church Planter Training Intensive • Larger Church Pastors’ Retreat

october

• Covenant Justice Conference (New Rochelle, NY) • Barbara Ettinger joins as Consultant for Discipling & Leadership • Church Planter Assessment Center (Trinity Covenant Church: Manchester, CT) • Fall COMS convened in Berlin, CT

Our Attleboro MA church family raised $20,000 toward the construction of a new bunk house in our campground area. We are engaged, as we speak, in finalizing completion plans so that the bunk house is ready for occupancy by 2017 Family Camp season. A sincere thanks goes out to our brother George Newpower who oversaw all construction activity related to the exterior on a donated time basis.

We hosted Winterfest 2017 during the second weekend in January. Over 430 senior high students and youth leaders from many of our ECC churches gathered together for this important, annual retreat. It was an amazing time filled with games, challenging teaching, a terrific student-lead talent show, giant inflatables and growing friendship for our conference youth. Worship was led by Stephen Kelly and the worship team from North Park University. Hector Saucedo from Los Angeles, CA led the times of teaching. Together the students and leaders discovered what it meant to “Belong”, belonging to each other in community, the church and to God. It was truly a weekend our ECC students won’t soon forget. Our “Winterjam” and “Winterblast” retreats were also strong in numbers and spirit.

november

december

• Navigate Conference for Congregational Vitality (Chaska, MN) • Ashram Pastors & Spouses Retreat with Christena Cleveland at Pilgrim Pines (Swanzey, NH) • Vitality Pastors Post-Ashram Retreat (Swanzey, NH) • Conference Board convened in Berlin, CT

• Nashua Covenant Church (Nashua, NH) established

2017

od continues to do amazing things at Pilgrim Pines. There is much to celebrate as we look back on 2016: • We hosted 667 campers at Camp Squanto, which was up 62 campers or +10.2% from 2015! • We hosted our first ever Creative Arts Camp at Camp Squanto. • We look forward to hosting the 2017 version of this new, exciting addition to our Camp Squanto programs. • Family Camp 2016 was at 96% capacity!! • We cared for 9100 guests, the highest total since moving to a new record keeping platform in 2012. Here’s how it all breaks down: 2300 summer campers / 1400 retreaters / 4900 guest groupers / 500 road scholars We hired Erik Arvidson to head up our Guest Services area. Erik succeeds Andrew Duncan who moved to the Boston area to pursue married life. While we certainly have missed our brother Andrew, Erik has quickly become an important part of our ministry team. Erik comes to us from Massachusetts with his wife, Jen and two young children, Jacob and Hailey. We also welcomed Michaela Stottish who joined our ministry staff in August. Michaela comes to us from Pennsylvania where she was involved in other Christian camp ministry work. We promoted our very own Kayla O’Donnell to Marketing Coordinator. Kayla Michaela Stottish has been serving Pilgrim Pines in a number of roles in recent years. Kayla graduated from North Park University in 2015 with a degree in Advertising. Kayla O’Donnell After the long hot summer of 2016, Pilgrim Pines, in partnership with some very generous donors, moved forward with the Mayflower Air Conditioning Project. We were able to raise the funds necessary to air condition the Mayflower Dining Room and Fireside Room. Again, the project was fully funded by donations with no impact to our operational budget. Installation should be complete long before our summer guests arrive.

january

• ECC Midwinter Conference (Louisville, KY) • Conference Board convened in Berlin, CT • Scott Lee resigns as Executive Director at Pilgrim Pines • Sanctuary Eastside (Providence, RI) established

february

• Jim Condap named Acting Director at Pilgrim Pines • Search process begins for new Executive Director of Pilgrim Pines

march

• Church Planter Assessment Center • Conference Board convened in Berlin, CT • Spring COMS convened in Berlin, CT

new england seafarers mission STEVEN CUSHING Executive Director

“…and He loves the stranger residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” Deut. 10:18

ear to year, we move in much the same way at the Seafarers Mission. Each new season brings ships we have seen before and ships making their first calling. But all have men and women onboard, foreigners to us, to whom we reach out to and try to bless with the love of God. They are sojourners wandering through the high seas on contracts that to them seem to never end.

Our visits continue to provide Technology Assistance on ship, Transportation off and back on the ship as well as Hospitality and Counsel offered during each visit. Each of these interactions require preparation and provision time (Supplies, fuel, travel etc.) so the impact upon our ministry is substantial. But God has been faithful to provide the help we need to reach the crew of our ships. Throughout the year, our small staff of industrial ship volunteers faithfully march up gangways of containers, oil tankers and bulk carriers. We met the crew of these ships and brought news, the good news, that God has not forgotten them. In 2016 we boarded 655 ships between Boston and Providence. Visiting these ships is very different from the high energy of a cruise ship ministry day. Crew drift in and out of the mess room or ship office. But in each instance they immediately recognize the presence of the Seafarers Mission as one of mercy and help.

Our ministry season begins in May with the arrival of the luxury cruise ships into Boston’s Cruise Port Terminal. This past year we were prepared for a little something different as we had to wait a little longer for one of our mainstays, the Norwegian Dawn, as she was in dry-dock for 7 weeks before she could come back to us. But finally in June she returned and scores of seafarers flooded our Seafarers Center anxious to find a fixed point in their everchanging world. Meeting these sojourners are our angels of grace and mercy – our volunteers. We had youth group teams from Center for Student Missions representing 7 different states. Each week a new team would arrive, train and get busy with helping our seafarers. All told 115 teens and leaders from CSM came into NESM and blessed out crew members with their acts of kindness. We had teams from our Covenant churches reserve a day or more for their members, driving into Boston to show their kindness through very real acts of faith. During the fall of 2016 we were hard pressed to meet the needs of our seafarers due to the restrictions imposed by U.S. Customs and Border Control regarding shore leave. The crew members were tired and anxious as they were told their shore leave window was dramatically shortened or in more than a few cases denied altogether. The anxiety level continued to rise even as we did our best to calm their fears. This is just one example of the necessity of having trained and compassionate staff providing chaplain care for our crew members, in both the cruise sector as well as industrial. This coming year 2017 the cruise season at the Cruise Port Boston will host 152 vessels at the Black Falcon Terminal, up from 114 in 2016.

The high point for the ship visiting program is the Christmas Ditty Bag gift season in December. Our dear volunteers from the legacy Women’s Seafarers Friend Society still make hundreds of hats, sewing kits and gift bags for the crew. Many of our member churches assemble gift boxes on their own and ship them to our center for our chaplains to bring onboard the ships. In 2016 we assembled 1,500 Ditty Bags and received another 350 from our partner churches to bless the lives of the seafarers.

I thank God for blessing of caring teams of volunteers, for the gifts sent in each year and for the resources that has allowed us to touch the lives of these “strangers” who become “friends” because of the care they have received.

“And you are to love those who are strangers, for you yourselves were strangers in Egypt.” Deut. 10:19

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION

2017 ordination CANDIDATES + ANNIVERSARIES

ordinand biographies Dane S. Anderson

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Associate Pastor Bethany Covenant Church Bedford, NH M.A., North Park Theological Seminary

Clayton Chan

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Youth Pastor Metro Community Church Englewood, NJ M.Div, Princeton Theological Seminary

Dierdra Clark

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Pastor Highrock Brookline Brookline, MA M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Kevin M. Kokx

Kevin D. Swanson

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Church Planter Nashua Covenant Church Nashua, NH M.A., Bethel Seminary

The Highrock Network JOSHUA THRONEBURG, Director

It has been an exciting 1st year for the Highrock Network of churches as an official organization. Here are a few highlights:

Worshipping God through body worship from Highrock’s “The Great Highrock Get Together”

Yumiko Nakagawa

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Associate Pastor New York Covenant Church New Rochelle, NY M.Div, Alliance Theological Seminary

Last June, all of the Highrock churches canceled their regular Sunday Service and gathered together as one church for a huge family reunion. Highrockers from across Greater Boston descended on the Thoreau Center in Concord, MA for a day of worship, prayer, storytelling, swimming, games and much more.

Last August, we held our 2nd annual Serve Day where all of the Highrock churches joined together to serve our neighbors. The work was varied and included local clean-up, building projects, food drives, and much more. This past January, the Highrock Network approved a church planting residency for Andy & Lisa Ober with the intent of launching another Highrock congregation in the summer of 2018. Currently there are additional church planting candidates and residencies in conversation. Josh Throneburg (lead pastor of Highrock Church in Brookline) was hired as the Director of the Highrock Network. Josh’s role has a primary focus on finding, assessing and onboarding new church planters, as well as help organize Network-wide events and resources. Finally, a few Highrock churches have started mergers or potential mergers in the last year. Highrock Acton merged with a church in nearby Stow and welcomed them in as part of their family. Additional Highrock churches are also in current conversation about potential mergers at some level. Smaller churches looking for new vision and new life are reaching out and wanting to be a part of what God is doing through the Highrock Network.

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Executive Pastor Metro Community Church Englewood, NJ B.S., Moody Bible Institute

ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES 10 years Peter Ahn (OWSa) Ray Burnett (OWSa) Paul McCart (OWSa) Ryan Sarenpa (OWSa)

15 years Robert DeJong (CSM) Judy McCullough (OWSa)

20 years Douglas Cederberg (OWSa) Jim Stanley-Erickson (OWSa)

25 years Mark Nilson (OWSa) Tim Olsen (OWSa)

30 years Richard H. Petersen (OWSa)

35 years Thomas W. Nelson, Jr. (OWSa)

45 years John Benson (OWSa) Gerald Swenson (OWSa)

55 years Robert McNaughton (OWSa)

2016 by the numbers 2016 Income from Churches

12,000

$600K

11,000

10,000

2014

2015

2016

10,771

11,467

10,906

11,691

12,126

$300K

7% 1% 0.5% 6%

Overall conference ethnic diversity

NUMBER OF PEOPLE

2012

2013

2014

$587,806

2013

$580,073

2012

$541,211

$400K

553,573

9,000

$495,306

$500K

2016 Overall Conference Attendance

2015

2016

ethnic diversity trends

7,000 6,000

Designation

47.5% 38%

5,000

Anglo 5,776 Multi-Ethnic 4,597 4,000 Asian American 723 3,000 African American 855 2,000 Korean 115 Sudanese 60 1,000 0

East Coast Conference 52 Missionary Road Cromwell, Connecticut 06416 860 635 2691 office@eastcoastconf.org www.eastcoastconf.org ÄDELBROOK BEHAVIORAL & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES www.adelbrook.org Garrell Mullaney, President and CEO 860-635-6010 COVENANT TRUST COMPANY www.covenanttrust.com Roger Turner, Reg. Financial Services Rep 603-714-0373 Rlturner@Covenanttrust.com

2012

2013

Howard Burgoyne, Superintendent Jason Condon, Director Of Church Planting Kreig Gammelgard, Director Of Congregational Vitality Sandi Lee, Office Manager Robin Jones, Finance Manager

NATIONAL COVENANT PROPERTIES www.covchurch.org/ncp Rob Hall, Regional VP – Real Estate Services 773-655-6687 Rob.hall@Covchurch.org COVENANT VILLAGE OF CROMWELL Pamela Klapproth, Executive Director 860-635-2690 www.covenantvillageofcromwell.org

NEW ENGLAND SEAFARERS MISSION www.neseafarers.org Steve Cushing, Executive Director PILGRIM PINES CONFERENCE CENTER www.pilgrimpines.org James Condap, Ministry Director

2014

2015

2016