Ecc 2014 annual report pdf

MISSION &

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PILGRIM PINES CONFERENCE CENTER VITALITY COHORTS

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by Howard Burgoyne Superintendent of the East Coast Conference In Matthew 22 one of Jesus’ most perplexing – and violent - parables offers

receive him. Some even violently opposed it. Dismayed, but not defeated,

us a critical perspective on what is at stake in the movement of God’s

God broadened the invitation to His Kingdom to everyone – all peoples,

Kingdom. If we read it like an allegory, where everything has a direct

everywhere, “good and bad”. He was determined not to let them spoil

reference to the underlying meaning, we run into trouble. If we take it as

His plans nor waste his generosity from being enjoyed by whoever would

having a single and powerful point we run into even more trouble. But this

receive his free invitation and come to Him. The caveat and twist in the story

time it’s Gospel trouble. The story unfolds about a King who has organized

is that having been generously invited, it is essential that we engage in being

a great and expensive feast for the wedding celebration of his son. Long

changed. The man without a wedding suit is one who came, but neglected

ago the guest list had been drawn up, prioritized and fussed over – and

to change. He failed to put off the old, and put on the new. He failed to

the invitations had been sent out. Everyone who was invited knew about

live into the fact that this is God’s party we’re heading into. The party

it well ahead of time, and so had plenty of time to prepare for the great

is open to everyone, but everyone must change for the party. Only the

occasion. The day arrived, and the heralds went out to announce that all

invited need change; change we may, and change we must.

was on the cusp of readiness – the lamb was in the oven, the foods were all prepared, and time was now of the essence. Today’s the day! But the invited

Receiving the invitation to follow Jesus, to become a disciple, is the

wedding guests didn’t come. Excuses were made. Promises were broken.

invitation of a lifetime. It’s grace that extends the invitation. It’s grace that

Some, amazingly, abused and even killed the messengers. That would

provides the feast. It’s also grace that demands – and makes possible –

lead to future and devastating judgment. Meanwhile, the wedding was on

the deep change that every disciple must undergo. Grace is opposed to

and the feast was ready to serve! So the King sent out more messengers –

earning – but not opposed to effort. You must “put off your old self, which

amazingly – to fetch anyone – and everyone, good and bad alike – and the

is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude

wedding was filled with partygoers. But when the king came in to look at

of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true

the guests he found a man who wasn’t wearing a wedding suit – one who’d

righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24).

failed to dress for the party. The King, who obviously hadn’t had a good day, had the man bound, gagged and tossed out in the night where there

Our theme this year, “All Aboard the DiscipleSHIP” will launch a emphasis

was weeping and envious grinding of teeth. Many are called, you see – but

on exploring the changes in faith, doctrine, and practice needed to become

few are chosen.

more faithful and fruitful in being disciples – who make disciples. Both personally and communally the invitation has been extended. It’s time to

If we were to drill into the details of this lurid and tragic story we might

change. It’s time to enter the party! God has become King – so change is

become as lost as Alice in Wonderland, tripping down the rabbit hole.

necessary. Jesus has become King, enthroned at Golgotha’s hill – so change

Instead, let’s observe one point, and bring it home to roost in our setting.

is possible. God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him back to us as Lord

In the ministry of Jesus, God was – and is – finally becoming King –

– so change is powerful.

“Jesus is Lord!” His long chosen people, for the most part, refused his invitation when the time came. He came to his own – but his own did not

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A YEAR IN THE CONFERENCE: HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2013-2014 

CONFERENCE

EAST COAST CONFERENCE MISSION OPERATING BUDGET SUMMARY

2013

Budget

2013 Actual

FINANCIALS

2014 Budget

2014 Revised

2015

Proposed

Step Up

INCOME/EXPENSES

OTHER

MISSION OPERATING

EXPENSES

INCOME

RESTRICTED

INCOME

UNRESTRICTED

Conference Churches Estimated Charitable Income $21,961,443 $22,290,865 $22,625,228 $22,625,228 % of Charitable Income given to ECConference 2.52% 2.62% 2.72% 4% % of Church Giving Pledged to Actual 102.61%

Conference Church Giving $539,502 $553,573 $583,458 $584,227 $617,770 $905,009 Investment Income $209,794 $281,661 $237,794 $224,364 $330,135 $330,135 Conference Strategic Giving $10,000 $6,770 $15,000 $10,000 $12,000 $15,000 Conference Annual Mtg Reg $9,000 $4,058 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 Reverted Assets from Churches $1,418,548 $0 Church Closing Funds $20,900 $0 Rental Income $35,500 $45,400 $56,054 $0 Total Unrestricted Income $803,796 $2,310,010 $846,252 $905,545 $969,905 $1,260,144

Disaster Relief $20,093 Church Planting Appropriations Denomination $279,601 $264,537 $379,756 $320,544 $380,600 $400,000 Appropriations - Partner Church $8,250 $10,974 $4,750 $21,750 $18,000 $0 Other Church Planting Support $571 $0 Total Church Planting $287,851 $276,082 $384,506 $342,294 $398,600 $400,000 HELP income $0 Church Mission Grants $30,000 $0 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 Special Mission Projects $5,000 $1,100 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 Ministerium Fees/Other $6,000 $0 $6,000 $15,500 $13,500 $14,000 Total Restricted Income $328,851 $297,275 $425,506 $392,794 $447,100 $449,000 TOTAL OPERATING MISSION INCOME $1,132,647 $2,607,285 $1,271,758 $1,298,339 $1,417,005 $1,709,144

Temporary Postings of Expenses Church Planting & Strengthening $553,856 $514,394 $625,461 $656,878 $746,590 $750,000 Church Mission Grants $30,000 $0 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 Conference Annual Meeting $6,000 $3,694 $6,500 $4,000 $4,250 $6,500 Ministerium Fees $4,000 $3,520 $4,000 $3,500 $3,750 $4,000 Church Closing Expenses $8,000 $65,566 $60,000 $0 Church Health & Vitality $13,500 $4,170 $13,500 $22,740 $31,240 $35,000 Conference Ministry Networks $3,000 $13,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $5,000 Conference Boards $9,000 $9,487 $6,500 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 Conference Women Ministries $500 $500 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 Conference Agency Support $20,000 $24,000 $21,250 $50,750 $36,500 $40,000 Clergy Care & Support $17,500 $12,003 $17,500 $17,500 $17,500 $19,000 Superintendent’s Ministry $36,100 $40,014 $26,700 $29,900 $30,200 $30,000 Assoc./DCP Ministry $20,025 $31,887 $20,725 $29,350 $30,550 $30,000 Assoc./DCV Ministry $19,600 $27,803 $20,200 $25,600 $25,600 $30,000 Human Resources $495,321 $475,487 $547,076 $503,958 $538,748 $550,000 Conference Office $33,313 $38,679 $32,063 $43,190 $33,780 $45,000 Conference Communications $31,860 $30,624 $31,860 $33,150 $33,300 $32,000 Depreciation Expense $20,500 $24,179 $20,500 $24,300 $24,300 $25,000 Ecumenical $1,800 $1,800 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 TOTAL MISSION OPERATING EXPENSES $1,323,875 $1,320,807 $1,429,335 $1,550,816 $1,602,808 $1,645,500 Net Ordinary Mission Income $(191,228) $1,286,478 $(157,577) $(252,477) $(185,803) $63,644 Other Income Gain on Sale of Equipment $0 $6,896 $0 $0 Total Other Income $0 $6,896 $0 $0 $0 $0 Other Expense Temporary & Capital Expenses $0 $106 $0 $0 $0 $0 Total Other Expense $0 $0 $0 $13,500 $9,000 $0 Net Other Income/Expense $0 $6,896 $0 $(13,500) $(9,000) $0 NET OPERATING MISSION INCOME $(191,228) $1,293,374 $(157,577) $(265,977) $(194,803) $63,644

APR 2013

Vision Budget

 Annual Meeting approves 2013 Ministry & Mission Plan & Budget in Harleysville, PA

 Vitality and church planting pastors attend Exponential Conference (Orlando, FL)

 MOVE Awards given to Grant & Miho Buchholtz (Covenant Missionary Church Planters in Japan); Covenant Congregational Church in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; Great Lakes Conference Special Teams & Disaster Relief.

 United Covenant Church in Wilton, CT holds final Sunday service

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“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” ~ Psalm 145:4

CHURCH PLANTING

by Jason Condon Director of Church Planting

Family: a seemingly simple biblical metaphor with profound implications. Whether parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles, we know the joys and challenges of pouring into the next generation while honoring those who have brought us thus far.

So what does it mean for the pastors and congregations of the East Coast Conference to function as a healthy, growing, family on mission? And where does church planting fit into this beautifully complex family dynamic?

2013 Christ’s Mandarin ECC

| Quincy MA. Chih Lung “Paul” (& Lee) Lin have an incredible church planting track-record (this is #17!) - growing primarily through evangelism and rapidly reproducing discipleship. Often whole families come to faith and are baptized. This Mandarin-language congregation has representation from a wide diversity of Mandarin-speaking nations and people groups.

Dust Covenant Church | Blacksburg VA. Don (& Tana) Schiewer are reaching a post-modern college town with an ethnically and culturally diverse plant using a “Discipleship-Centric/Missional Multiplication” model they’re helping us develop fully. Current stage includes discipleship huddles, missional communities, and adding public worship gatherings over the summer for a full “public launch” when Virginia Tech starts its fall semester.

Charm City Covenant Church | Baltimore MD. Eli (& Yashida) Hernandez have already gathered an incredibly diverse Launch Team and growing congregation of 70-80, even before they’re fully launched. Being Puerto Rican himself, and with his Cuban wife, the church plant is roughly 1/3 Anglo, 1/3 African-American, and 1/3Hispanic, with a wide economic and cultural crosssection.

Church of the Resurrection ECC | New York NY. Kimberly Wright, AfricanThe birth, development, and generational reproduction of new congregations is a clear, flesh and blood outworking of this biblical calling. It includes the parenting of established churches along with

American, and our first woman church planter, is effectively leading this “2.0-style” plant with a current congregation of around 100, reaching ethnically and economically diverse Harlem & Manhattan. They have substantial student development and community outreach ministries. Fully “re-launching” this fall.

partnering and supporting the birth and “raising up” of church plants. The full diversity of pastors and congregations flourishes when connected and collaborating church plants share values and extend the parent church’s heritage. Church plants allow for ministries to reach into new contexts, new people, and are even able to affect generations not yet born. As leaders, pastors, congregations, and followers of Jesus, we are each indispensable members of this healthy family that God wants to grow and see reproduce.

2012 New City Boston ECC | Boston MA. T.C. (& Osheta) Moore and their team have spent the past year faithfully tackling the challenges that surround ministry in the under-resourced area of South End/Lower Roxbury in Greater Boston. They are currently revamping and retooling to a more “DiscipleshipCentric/Missional Multiplication” model, while exploring additional partnership possibilities.

Highrock Quincy ECC

2014

With 3-4 more potential church plants in the works for 2014, thus far we have...

The Commons Covenant Church | Rochester NH. Chris (& Becca) Bannon are in the initial Launch Team development stage, with 30+ folks already committed. Launching with two staff, they’re reaching an economically diverse, classic Northern New England small city “Main Street” context.

Hope Roosevelt Island ECC

| Manhattan NY. Dan (& Amanda) Sadlier recently shifted to weekly worship with a “soft launch” in the 80-100 range. They are a multi-staff church plant that’s economically/ethnically/culturally diverse, including a significant disabled population that is part of Roosevelt Island’s unique history.

They are strongly parented by Hope Church NYC (Drew Hyun), itself only 18 months old.

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MAY 2013

 Young Adult retreat held at Pilgrim Pines.  Conference hosts Church Planter Assessment center at Trinity, Manchester, CT. Six candidates recommended (a record number).

| Quincy MA. Stephen (& Kathleen) Sharkey leads this multi-staff church plant, strongly parented/partnered out of Highrock Arlington & Highrock Brookline. Hosted by the Covenant Church of Quincy for their worship location, they continue to grow and are reaching maximum capacity at one worship service with 145-160. They’ve focused this past year on implementing a simple yet significant discipleship process as they continue to see people come to faith, and seek to unleash those already following Jesus.

Highrock North Shore ECC

| Salem MA. Aaron (& Ariel) Engler leads this multi-staff, steadily growing congregation. They’re increasingly diverse, particularly through their newer ministry with international students; this congregation of 140+ has made significant inroads into their community and is outgrowing their current rented facility.

Hope Church NYC ECC | Astoria NY. Drew (& Tina) Hyun and his significant pastoral staff lead this incredibly diverse church across all categories, reflective of surrounding Astoria. Within their first year, they provided start-up funds to Church of the Resurrection. Now less than two years from their “grand opening” launch, they’re planting their first daughter church: Hope Roosevelt Island (Dan Sadlier). Together these two congregations are forming a new “church planting network”, and already staging plans for a third congregation in Midtown Manhattan over the next 12 months.

 ONE Workshop on Strategic Ministry Planning hosted at Covenant Congregational in Jamaica Plain, MA for the 3 churches from the Boston Vitality Cohort.

Sanctuary ECC

| Providence RI. Andrew (& Corrie) Mook ministers in a “culturally creative” urban context, with mix of college students, young adults, and young families, with increasing generational diversity. They’ve seen substantial growth, with many conversions and baptism in the first two years. With well over 200 gathering for worship, they’re starting to formulate strategy for planting their first daughter church in the next 18-24 months, with longer-range plans for additional plants using a “church planting network/ parish model.”

2009-2004 As these church plants mature, they continue to discover and rediscover the common mission and unique calling God has placed on them. Missional multiplication, vitality, and selfsustainability are the hallmarks of church plants successfully navigating these “establishing years.”

Life Covenant Church | Morganville NJ. Derrick (& Linda) Jackson is currently challenging the congregation to greater missional efforts in community outreach and evangelism.

Worship Frontier Church

| Brookline MA. Kiho (& Sungseong) Lee leads a fruitful and faithful ministry to Korean-speaking students, young families, and professionals. Incredible strengths in the areas of leadership development, particularly for young leaders. Two worship services with slightly different styles have helped them bridge the generations as one church, while growing past 110.

2011 New Season Church

| Bronx NY. Phil (& Betsy) Bonano leads this rapidly growing “2.0-style” church plant. Having re-launched with the ECConf at two worship services, this year they’ve had to add a third service to maximize their space and missional momentum to effectively minister to their always growing congregation of around 300. Salvations, baptisms, and an effective discipleship pathway are keys to their ministry fruitfulness.

Evergreen Covenant Church

| Sanford ME. Frank (& Austin) Catalano leads this blend of regional church with local mission, this faithful community continues to add families and bless its neighbors. They are prayerfully making plans and preparations for a future permanent facility, and are excited for another Northern New England church plant, The Commons (Chris Bannon), less than 30 minutes away just across the ME/NH border. They have committed to both prayer and tangible support.

Elements Church | Bronx NY. Efrain (& Erika) Alicea leads this creative and diverse congregation of 110-130 with their unique blend of hip-hop cultural elements and ethos. The church is enjoying continual new responses to Christ, with baptism celebrations, and a new discipleship pathway in place that furthers their evangelistic fruitfulness.

Highrock Brookline | Brookline, MA. Joshua (& Minhee) Throneburg hope to make the transition from a fully “portable church” to having a medium-sized 24/6 ministry location, with ongoing rental for Sunday worship. They are praying and exploring possibilities for directly parenting a church plant as part of the Highrock Network.

2010

Metro Hope Community | Harlem NY. Jose (& Mayra) Humphreys leads this very diverse congregation – a blend of young creatives, students, families, and more – they’re shaped by convictions for God’s shalom and renewal in Jesus for their neighbors and neighborhood.

Promised Land Covenant Church | Bronx NY. Michael (& Liz) Carrion leads one of our first efforts at a “2.0-style” church plant. Having originally planted both a church and a charter school, they’ve borne incredible fruit over the past four years. All three of our Bronx church plants are ministering beautifully in a very challenging context. Significant community engagement, multi- ethnic, with Puerto Rican, African-American, various other hispanic groups, Anglo, and more. In addition to meeting their own community needs, PLCC believes deeply in church planting and directly contributes to the Elements Bronx and Charm City Baltimore church plants.

Brooklyn Covenant Ministries

| Brooklyn NY. Conway (& Debra) Boyce faithfully serves his congregation, while working to bring the Gospel to the surrounding community.

Metro | Englewood NJ. This maturing and substantial church pastored by Peter (& Jenny) Ahn has continued to keep its healthy missional edge. This includes partnering in a variety of ways with our other urban church plants, sacrificially serving their local community, and their innovative Zimele mission efforts with South African women.

Sudanese Evangelical Covenant Church

| Manchester NH. Monyroor (& Amou) Teng are faithfully reaching into the 800+ Sudanese community, growing in membership and ministry offerings, with culturally-relevant worship and events, and a newer student ministry addressing the needs of their second-generation students and friends. Deeply supported by Bethany Covenant Church, Bedford NH.

Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Psalm 79:13

JUN 2013

 The Covenant Church of Thomaston, CT. begins their Vitality journey with Veritas workshop  Evangelical Covenant Church of Montclair, NJ holds final Sunday service.  Covenant Annual Meeting held in Detroit, Michigan. Four pastors ordained, as well as the Buchholtz family consecrated as missionaries to Japan.

JUL 2013

 Superintendent Burgoyne begins a 12 week Sabbatical.  East Coast Conference Adventures in Leadership PILOT program spends eight days in the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota.

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CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY

by Kreig Gammelgard

Director of Congregational Vitality

BY THE NUMBERS

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

59,000

- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 Alan Hirsch writes in “The Forgotten Ways”: “It is Christ who determines our

(p. 143)

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Living “no longer for ourselves, but for Him” is not only the call of discipleship for

VISITS

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church’s focus on living out the message and mission of Jesus will always lead to missional health. Vitality is unlikely if a congregation has a different agenda than the Lord’s.

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My job as Director of Congregational Vitality is to create strategies, pathways, and resources to help every church become healthy and missional. For many churches

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that requires change. By “healthy” we mean pursuing Christ. By “missional” we mean pursuing Christ’s purposes and priorities in the world. By “change” we mean

I have the privilege of working with pastors, church leaders, and congregations that desire that their ministry dreams become greater than their ministry memories. I get

VITALITY COHORT

GATHERINGS

CONFERENCE CHURCHES READY TO BEGIN THE REVITALIZATION PROCESS

a front row seat as they make the necessary spiritual and strategic “shifts” that help them move toward greater health and vitality, and God is at work in many of our conference churches, blowing new wind and new life into their ministries.

contact:

Director of Congregational Vitality kreig@eastcoastconf.org www.covchurch.org/vitality

 Kimberly Wright starts Covenant Agreement for Church of the Resurrection ECC in Harlem, NY  Salem Covenant in Washington Depot, CT. launches their 125th Anniversary celebration

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KREIG GAMMELGARD

AUG 2013

CHURCHES ENGAGED WITH THE VITALITY JOURNEY

CHURCHES REGULARLY MEETING FOR COACHING & CONSULTATION

WORKSHOPS TAUGHT AT DENOMINATIONAL EVENTS

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following the Spirit wherever He leads us.

WITH PASTORS

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CHURCH

individual Christ followers, but it is also the call of revitalization for the church. A

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MEETINGS

(ME TO VA)

probably get lost. Start with mission and it is likely that the church will be found.”

 Pastor Michael Carrion (Bronx NY) family is devastated by house fire; Covenanters nationwide give aid to family.

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MILES DRIVEN

search for modes of being in the world. Start with the church and the mission will

JUL 2013

AIR TRAVEL

28,000

purpose and mission in the world, and then it is our mission that must drive our

For more information about

MILES OF

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VITALITY WORKSHOPS TAUGHT AT DENOMINATIONAL EVENTS CHURCHES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE PULSE SURVEY

VITALITY COHORTS IN THE CONFERENCE COACHES BEGIN TRAINED TO ASSIST WITH THE FULL SPECTRUM OF VITALITY CHURCHES THAT BEGAN THE REVITALIZATION PROCESS IN 2013-14

LEGACY COACHES TRAINED TO SERVE THE CONFERENCE

LEADERSHIP RETREATS FOR CONFERENCE CHURCHES CHURCHES COACHED THROUGH FINAL WORSHIP SERVICES & CLOSINGS

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MULTI-STAFF / LARGER CHURCH COHORT GATHERING

 EPIC workshop on leading and managing change takes place in Thomasville, PA  Eli Hernandez starts Covenant Agreement for Charm City Covenant Church in Baltimore MD  Beginning of Church Planter Cohort Season and “Discipleship Series”

VITALITY COHORTS QUADRIAD

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

CHESAPEAKE REGION

Indian Orchard- Indian Orchard, MA Pastor Nancy Ebner

Christ Covenant - Harleysville, PA Pastors Cathy and Jim Stanley-Erickson

The Covenant Church of Thomaston, CT Pastor Tim Olsen

Hilltop Covenant - Cromwell, CT Pastor Scott Jones

Community Covenant - Springfield, VA Pastors Devyn and Ryan Chambers-Johnson

Evangelical Covenant- Springfield, MA Interim Pastor Craig Carlson

Haddam Neck Covenant - E. Hampton, CT (Interim) Michelle Madsen-Bibeau

St. Paul’s Wolf’s ECC- York, PA Pastor Matt Stillman

Mission Covenant – Orange, MA Pastor Jeff Black

Paradise-Holtzschwamm ECC- Thomasville, PA Pastor Paul Guilliano

Emmanuel Covenant- Nashua, NH

These churches have been engaged in the vitality journey for three years and have taken bold risks to reach further into their communities as they focus time and energy outside the walls of their churches.

The Valley’s ECC- Halifax, PA Pastor Kris Heckard St. Peter’s Covenant- Hilltown, PA Pastor Jim Fox

BOSTON

These churches have been meeting together for a couple of years and many have seen God move in significant ways, with new people coming to Christ, new baptisms, new questions being asked and new answers being found as they seek new ways of doing ministry in their community’s contexts.

Community Congregational - Jamaica Plain, MA Pastor Fred Elliot-Hart Trinity Covenant - Lexington, MA Pastor Chris Haydon

“A group of four with an interest or task in common”

Pastor Whitney Hall

These four churches have been meeting together for six months to focus on vitality. In their few months of effort toward greater missional health and vitality, they are convinced that a church cannot do the same things over and over again and expect new results.

As such, they are trying new approaches to ministry to better serve their communities, from new service times, to new leadership structures, to internal assessments of their strengths and weaknesses so as to capitalize on who they are and what they have rather than on what they don’t. As a result, they are experiencing a new sense of congregational unity, clarity, and numeric growth.

Community Covenant - West Peabody, MA Pastor Joel Anderle

These churches have been focused on revitalization for 2 years and are intentionally growing more diverse, more generous, and more focused on disciple-making as a part of their strategic plan to be more healthy and missional congregations.

VERMONT Covenant Community- Essex Junction, VT Pastor Peter Norland While not in a cohort, regular coaching and consultations with Covenant Community Church has brought them to a place of clarity about their unique identity, their priorities, and a new strategic plan moving forward.

LARGE CHURCH COHORT Bethany Covenant- Bedford, NH Pastor Joel Kruggel Trinity Covenant- Manchester, CT Pastor Phil Hakanson Highrock Covenant- Arlington, MA Pastor Dave Swaim

FOCUS IN THE YEAR AHEAD Because discipleship (and discipleshift) is best accomplished in community, rather than in isolation, I will be focusing much of my time and energy on the following priorities in the coming year:

COHORTS Gathering leaders together in affinity groups for support, accountability, and sharing best practices. Goal: 3 new cohorts this year.

Recruiting, training, and deploying vitality coaches to better serve our growing number of churches at different stages of the vitality journey. Our goal: six coaches trained this year.

CHURCH COLLABORATIONS Encouraging and gathering churches and leaders together for accomplishing more together. Goal: 4 churches newly partnering together.

 Howard Burgoyne begins 8th year of Superintendency.  Pastor Catherine Gilliard speaks at East Coast Conference Women’s Retreat held at Pilgrim Pines.  Don Schiewer starts Covenant Agreement for Dust Covenant Church in Blacksburg VA

Bethany Covenant- Berlin, CT Pastor Chris Ek New York Covenant – New Rochelle, NY Pastor David Holder

COACHES

SEP 2013

Christ Church- East Greenwich, RI Pastor Lyle Mook

Promised Land Covenant- Bronx, NY Pastor Michael Carrion Metro Community – Fort Lee, NJ Pastor Peter Ahn

 First Large Church Pastors cohort retreat held in NH  Adelbrook purchases a second school campus in Manchester, CT

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WOMEN MINISTRIES

by Cathy Bergstrom President, East Coast Conference Women Ministries

Above: From the communion service at the conclusion of the annual Fall Retreat. Each woman received communion, then in turn served it to the woman who came behind her.

Pictured are Cathy Fredlund (Financial Secretary) being served by Susan Van Hoewyk. Susan Van Hoewyk was our outgoing Treasurer, and she passed away earlier this year.

With several new members on the Leadership Team, we are working to call attention to Women Ministries in our conference. We’ve been reaching out to each church from Maine to Virginia letting women know we’re here and asking how we can best serve them - through emails, through a survey, through phone calls, through a revamped website and a new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/eccwomenministry).

2013-14 Highlights & Coming Attractions  Beautiful Feet was our theme at the Annual Celebration in March where we gathered to “dance in step with the music of

 AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse) and MTS (Mending The Soul) programs included autumn discussions at Bethany Covenant & Trinity Covenant in CT. An AVA/MTS workshop

heaven.”

is scheduled for late May at Trinity Covenant in Manchester, CT. We are fortunate to have Yvonne & William DeVaughn,

 Triennial XIV in San Diego last August drew many women from the Conference. The “Raise the Flag” initiative helped

AVA/MTS trainers, presenting the program.

fund international guest Thipphawan Sutcha from Thailand.

She and her interpreter/former missionary, Caroline Johnson, visited several churches in the conference prior to attending

 Supporting Dying People & Their Families - a seminar with speaker Rev. Rose Cornelious - September 19-21, at Black Rock.

Triennial. Attendees are still talking about being ROOTED in Christ. Plans are underway for Triennial XV which will be July 28-31, 2016 in Kansas City!

 Plans for Prayer and Silent Retreats are being discussed. Let us know if this is something you’re interested in attending.

 Pilgrim Pines, NH hosted the Annual Fall Retreat, which marked the transition of members of our Leadership Team. Rev.

We’re working to foster a collaborative relationship going forward.

Catherine Gilliard shared perspective on women seeing Beauty

What programs do you love and what can you share with the rest

in All Seasons of their lives. The Chapel was decorated with

of the women in our conference? Let’s walk and pray together as we

facets of the four seasons by member churches.

listen for HIS leading to help us connect women in transformational

What is your Women Ministry up to? What issues are you facing?

relationships and unite them in Christ to impact our world! Praying  2014’s Fall Retreat will focus on Connectedness...to our LORD and to one another. Sherry Anne Lints will be our speaker and

that the coming year unfolds gently for each of us.

we’re looking forward to the return of the worship team Pursuing Truth. It will be an incredible opportunity to step out of the necessary routine and be still - while also enjoying fellowship with other women walking their path.

Visit us on the web:

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OCT 2013

www.facebook.com/eccwomenministry

 Fall Ashram takes place at Pilgrim Pines for conference pastors, Pastor Judy Howard-Peterson leads.  EPIC workshop hosted in Essex Junction, VT.  Chih Lung “Paul” Lin starts Covenant Agreement for Christ’s Mandarin ECC 大波士頓國語基督教會 in Quincy MA

 Conference Board visit with NYC church planters & the Bronx Academy of Promise Charter School  Linda Williams installed as pastor at Washington Depot, CT  Cary Slater installed as pastor at Easton, CT

PILGRIM PINES CONFERENCE CENTER

by Dave Cairns Executive Director

BY THE NUMBERS

THE MOUNTAIN TOP The region around Pilgrim Pines is dominated by Mount Monadnock. Standing over 3100 feet above sea-level, it is the most prominent mountain between the

29,463

CAMPER DAYS

White Mountains and the Berkshires. On a clear day, the view is 100 miles and you can see portions of all six New England states. Mount Monadnock is also

7,541

known as one of the most climbed mountains in the world. Nearly 100,000

CAMPERS

visitors climb it each year on one of the 34 trails to the summit. Weekly during

502 DONORS

the summer, Pilgrim Pines guests join with the others to take in the view from the top.

$2500

One of the unique ecological characteristics of Mount Monadock is its’ barren summit. The result of several fires, the top 300 feet are virtually free of any

MONTHLY TOTAL RECEIVED IN GIFTS FROM FAMILY CIRCLE DONORS

vegetation. The views are great, but doesn’t sustain life. Summer camp and

DISTRIBUTED IN SCHOLARSHIPS (UP FROM $9158 IN 2012!)

$445,358

retreats are often described as “mountain-top” experiences. As the distractions of our life are pealed away, we feel a closeness to God that doesn’t exist in the normal busyness. We find moments of stillness to read scriptures. We gather

$42,481

2013 TOTAL GIVING TO PILGRIM PINES

with friends to discuss our faith. We marvel in the beauty of his creation. And it is different.

UNDESIGNATED GIVING

God doesn’t change when we retreat. We change. We’re open to hear the Holy Spirit speak into our lives. We step out of our routines and follow the example scripture provides. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12. Over the past 55 years, hundreds of thousands of campers have come to Pilgrim Pines to pray and experience God. As a collective body, we have joined in following the physical example of Jesus and sought the mountaintop experience. And yet no one stays on the mountaintop.

Jesus came down. Moses came down. After your retreat, you came down.

Why? Just like Mount Monadnock is void of vegetation at its summit, it is not sustainable to live separate from the normal. We all leave the mountaintop and reengage our life. This speaks of the unique relationship between Pilgrim Pines and the churches it serves. During 2013 over 7500 campers had mountaintop experiences at Pilgrim Pines and then returned home. Some returned with a first time relationship with Jesus Christ. Others with a renewed call to faithfulness.

Some felt the Spirit prompting them to serve others. Others with a better

DESIGNATED GIVING

2013 $218,417 $169,235 2013 2012 $127,772 $84,433 2012

SIGNIFICANT DATES APRIL Boston Marathon bombing stops Executive Director Dave Cairns from finishing the race – still, over $13,000 is raised for camper scholarships.

JUNE A new playground is installed at Pilgrim Pines with funding by the Peder Hedberg Foundation.

SEPTEMBER Stefan Fritz (Squanto Director) and Kim Anderson (Guest Service Manager) join full-time staff.

OCTOBER

understanding of Christian community. All left the mountaintop changed.

Four New York City churches join together for their first Men’s Retreat at Pilgrim Pines.

Come to Pilgrim Pines to experience God and return home changed.

DECEMBER

Mission Covenant (Orange, MA); Emmanuel Covenant (Nashua, NH); Evangelical Covenant (Springfield, NOV  MA); and The Covenant Church of Thomaston (Thomaston, CT) attend NAVIGATE in Minneapolis, MN. 2013  Christopher Adams installed as pastor at (Worcester (Bethlehem), MA);  Robert Reed installed at pastor at (Keene, NH);

$91,019 in undesignated gifts was given in December – 42% of annual total.

 Ryan Sarenpa installed as pastor at (Lunenburg, MA).  Neil Botts installed as executive pastor at (E. Greenwich, RI).  St. Paul’s Wolf’s ECC (York, PA) concludes 250th anniversary recognition;  Women Seafarers Friends Society (Boston) votes to disband after 170 years, leaving assets to NESM;

8

NEW ENGLAND SEAFARERS MISSION

by Stephen Cushing Executive Director

The world of maritime ministry has been

These gifts have been just one part of the

In 2014 we look forward to even bigger and

described as a ministry of goodbyes.We are

ministry that NESM does throughout the year.

better things. The cruise ministry schedule

constantly meeting new people, but then all too

Our Cruise Ship Ministry this past 2013 warm

includes 119 ships while the ports of Providence

quickly saying goodbyes, praying that God goes

weather season welcomed 116 ships into Boston

and Boston get busier and busier with industrial

with them. This year we are saying a goodbye of

harbor, providing safe haven and hospitality for

traffic. In Boston we have 3 chaplains on call

sorts to the Women’s Seafarers Friend Society. This

19,000 crewmembers. The 36 churches, 350

while in Providence, there are 4 chaplains at the

organization, founded originally in 1835, voted

volunteers, and 12 staff volunteers who offered

ready. To date we have met seafarers from 156

in 2013 to dissolve as a legal entity operating in

their time reached out and touched the lives of

distinct nationalities, truly a global mission in

the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. But it is

this multinational work force in the name of

our own backyard. This year also marks the 134th

only a goodbye to the formal organization.

Emmanuel.

anniversary of the Boston Seaman’s Mission -

The New England Seafarers Mission will receive

Our regular chaplains continue the work

are honored and privileged to offer the same safe

the assets of the WSFS, so that we can continue

throughout the year, in good weather and bad.

haven to the women who make up the Women’s

with the very strong spirit of their Christian

In Boston and Providence we visited industrial

Seafarers Friend Society. May God always bless

work, namely, the Christmas Ditty Bag ministry.

ships of all types and cargo – bulk carriers, oil

the work of their hearts and hands, enabling the

But more importantly, we will also welcome

tankers, container ships and gas ships. Their

face of Christ to be seen by all seafarers onboard

the women who will continue to volunteer by

visits onboard these engines of global economy

our ships.

knitting hats, putting together sewing kits, sewing

brought the presence of Christ into a lonely and

the Ditty Bags and then gathering to assemble

hard world, offering hope, advocacy and justice.

the project every November. Each year they have

In 2013 NESM chaplains visited 800+ of these

produced 1,800 of the ditty bags that have then

ships and more than 16,000 crewmembers. Our

gone with our chaplains onboard vessels calling

vehicles logged more than 50,000 miles as we

in the ports of New England, blessing the crew

visited and then offered some transport to crew

with the gifts of Christmas and the hope of a

off the ship for some much needed shore leave,

Savior. That work will go on.

giving them escorted access through Homeland

now New England Seafarers Mission. And we

At the crossroads of the world with the story of the Cross.

Security checkpoints.

9

DEC 2013 JAN 2014

 2 Navigate churches host their Veritas workshops in Nashua, NH and Orange, MA.  Conference Board nominates Superintendent Burgoyne to a 3rd four year term;

 Church giving exceeds the Conference budget by 2.6% for the year;  Pilgrim Pines year end giving appeal raises $91,000 to meet year end expenses;  Pilgrim Pines sponsored ‘Winterfest’ draws over 400 Covenant high school students within the Conference to GlenSpey, NY, where Efrem Smith speaks.

FEB 2014

 Chesapeake Cohort meets for quarterly training.  Midwinter Conference convenes in Chicago, IL.

ORDINATION & COMMISSIONING CANDIDATES

Nathan Albert

Darren Catron

Ordained to Word & Sacrament

Ordained to Word & Sacrament

Pastor of Student Ministries Christ Church (East Greenwich, RI) MDiv, North Park Theological Seminary

Director of Youth & Family Ministry Community Covenant Church (Peabody, MA) MDiv North Park Theological Seminary

Corenna Hoyt

Jose Humphreys

Jim Condap

Comissioned Staff Minister Ministry Director Pilgrim Pines Conference Center (Swanzey, NH) BA Keene State College

Derrick Jackson

Ron Ferguson

Ordained to Word & Sacrament Care & Executive Pastor Monadnock Covenant Church (Keene, NH) MA Wheaton College MA University of Alberta ThD/PhD Ohio State University MA Western Michigan University

Jeff Olson

Paul Guiliano

Ordained to Word & Sacrament Pastor, Paradise Holtzschwamm Evangelical Covenant Church (Thomasville, PA) MDiv North Park Theological Seminary

Ric Wild

Ordained to Word & Service

Ordained to Word & Sacrament

Ordained to Word & Sacrament

Ordained to Word & Sacrament

Ordained to Word & Sacrament

Missionary, RI Young Life Area Director (Manville, RI) MA Fuller Theological Seminary

Pastor, Metro Hope Covenant Church (NYC, NY) MA Hunter College School of Social Work MDiv Alliance Theological Seminary

Lead Pastor, Life Covenant Church (Morganville, NJ) MA Westminster Theological Seminary MA Bentley Graduate School of Business

Pastor of Worship Arts Christ Church (E. Greenwich, RI) MDiv Bethel Seminary

Associate Pastor Evangelical Covenant Church (Riverside, RI) MDiv North Park Theological Seminary

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION

by Tim Olsen Chair

ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES This year the ministerial association recommends ten clergy for ordination or commissioning to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church (see

15 YEARS

40 YEARS

above). We elected two new officers to our executive committee: Jim Stanley-

James R. Bergquist Peter E. Nielsen Cathy Stanley-Erickson Shelly J. Timber

G. Timothy Johnson

20 YEARS

Philip M. Axelson Donald A. Johnson

Erickson, for chair; and Whitney Hall, for vice secretary. We also elected two ministers to the Committee on Ministerial Standing (COMS): Brian Estrella and Patricia Croasmun. We presented ordination and commissioning certificates to ministers who had special anniversaries (see right).

Doug Wysockey-Johnson

The care of the members and the strengthening of the bonds of Christian fellowship

45 YEARS

among the ministers are also high priorities. Over the course of the year, we seek

25 YEARS

55 YEARS

not only to gather for prayer and mutual support, but continuing education

Howard K. Burgoyne Glen A. Halvorsen Bruce D. Johnson

Charles J. Duey John E. Sandberg Dwight M. Carlson

at North Park University was our speaker for the Ashram. At our annual meeting

30 YEARS

60 YEARS

we were honored to have Klyne Snodgrass, Professor of Biblical Literature at North

Dennis P. Moon

Norman E. Swenson

centering on pastoral needs and roles. This past year opportunities for enrichment took place at the Ashram in October at Pilgrim Pines and the Annual Meeting of the East Coast Ministerial Association in Manchester, CT. Judy Peterson, chaplain

Park Theological Seminary, who spoke on The Gospel and Culture.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity!

FEB 2014

 CVOC dedicates new auditorium building in Cromwell;  Pastor Earl Dunbar (Concord, NH) family is devastated by house fire, Covenanters nationwide give aid to family.

MAR 2014

35

YEARS

Paul W. Day Philip E. Hakanson Ronald D. Mancini

65 YEARS

Wallace I. Starratt

 Ric Wild is installed as Associate Pastor at (Riverside, RI);  James Choi installed as pastor at (Bowie, MD);  Dick Lucco, Executive Director for Ministry Development, tours Boston, Providence, Queens, and Manhattan church plants for insights into success of new church starts on ECConf

10

EAST COAST CONFERENCE BY THE NUMBERS

INCOME

OVERALL CONFERENCE

CHURCHES

$400K

9,000

$300K

0 2009

9,434

2010

2011

9,556

9,546

OVERALL CONFERENCE

DIVERSITY

2012

10,771 11,577

58+20+101

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

7,000

6,430

5250

3,500

2625

2,430

1,750

1,563

1325

964

875 675

450 225

110 80

0

SUDANESE

ANGLO

AFRICAN AMERICAN

KOREAN

MULTI-ETHNIC

52 MISSIONARY ROAD CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT 06416 TEL. 860-635-2691 EMAIL: OFFICE@EASTCOASTCONF.ORG WEB: EASTCOASTCONF.ORG

0

# OF PEOPLE

ASIAN AMERICAN

THE EAST COAST CONFERENCE

11

2013

$553,573

10,000

$495,306

$500K $455,510

11,000

$420,992

$600K

$409,513

12,000

FROM

ATTENDANCES

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

HOWARD BURGOYNE, SUPERINTENDENT JASON CONDON, DIRECTOR OF CHURCH PLANTING KREIG GAMMELGARD, DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY ALICIA STURDY, OFFICE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER ROBIN JONES, FINANCE MANAGER PAUL KAHN, GRAPHIC DESIGNER / EDITOR - EAST COAST COVENANTER, ANNUAL REPORT

ÄDELBROOK BEHAVIORAL & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES ADELBROOK.ORG GARRELL MULLANEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO 860-635-6010

NATIONAL COVENANT PROPERTIES COVCHURCH.ORG/NCP ROB HALL, REGIONAL VP – REAL ESTATE SERVICES 773-655-6687 ROB.HALL@COVCHURCH.ORG

NEW ENGLAND SEAFARERS MISSION NESEAFARERS.ORG STEVE CUSHING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASHLEY PECKHAM, CHAPLAIN

COVENANT TRUST COMPANY COVENANTTRUST.COM ROGER TURNER, REG. FINANCIAL SERVICES REP 603-714-0373 RLTURNER@COVENANTTRUST.COM

COVENANT VILLAGE OF CROMWELL PAMELA KLAPPROTH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 860-635-2690

PILGRIM PINES CONFERENCE CENTER WWW.PILGRIMPINES.ORG DAVE CAIRNS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JAMES CONDAP, MINISTRY DIRECTOR STEFAN FRITZ, CAMP SQUANTO DIRECTOR

APR 2014

 Chris Bannon starts Covenant Agreement for The Commons Covenant Church-Rochester NH  ECC Springfield, MA. launches their vitality journey by hosting Veritas with 85 in attendance

MAY 2014

 124th Annual Meeting of East Coast Conference meets in Manchester, CT;  Dr. Klyne Snodgrass lectures for MA Day of Learning;