East Coast Conference 2015 Mission & Ministry

2015

EAST COAST CONFERENCE

MISSION &

MINISTRY PARTNERSHIPS

MESSAGE FROM THE

SUPERINTENDENT “EARLY IN THE MORNING, JESUS STOOD ON THE SHORE, BUT THE DISCIPLES DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS JESUS. HE CALLED OUT TO THEM, “FRIENDS, HAVEN’T YOU ANY FISH?” “NO,” THEY ANSWERED. HE SAID, “RELAUNCH YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOAT AND YOU WILL FIND SOME.” WHEN THEY DID, THEY WERE UNABLE TO HAUL THE NET IN BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF FISH.”

– JOHN 21:4-6

BY HOWARD BURGOYNE Superintendent of the East Coast Conference I have a thoughtful book in my library that explores significant questions God asks people within the Bible.

One of my takeaways from that book is that every question God asks is in some sense superfluous (perhaps God already knows the answer) for God, but is intended to launch an epiphany for those who hear His voice. God awareness and self-awareness hang in the balance, and the question invites alertness to what God is doing. These friends of Jesus had spent three years learning a new craft – learning to “fish for people”. Old habits die hard, especially when they once were fruitful. Jesus’ question is not intended to blame or to shame but to invite consideration of a new approach: “Relaunch your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

And of course, they did – and it worked!

The East Coast Conference passes the 125-year mark with this Annual Meeting. Looking back we can reflect and rejoice on generations of faithful and fruitful fishing for people to enter God’s Kingdom as Jesus’ disciples. There have also been sleepless nights, when we felt that our efforts were wasted, and we were empty handed, and the answer to the unwelcome question was sadly, “No.” But one of the benefits of long history is having the opportunity to see what God does with our emptiness. In Christ, “No” is never a final answer; it is simply a prelude to God’s resurrecting “Yes,” an affirmation that comes with new surprises that are both faithful to the past and fruitful towards the future.

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A YEAR IN THE CONFERENCE: HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2014-2015

MAY 2014

“Relaunch your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

As followers of Jesus, the rhythms of obedient suffering, death, and resurrection become our rhythms. They are gospel rhythms. Gospel rhythms are to resonate in the way we live our lives personally and as congregations. Seasons of faithful efforts produce various results. Sometimes – nothing; sometimes – everything. In 2015, after 125 years of missionary efforts that have spanned two millennia and three centuries, we are still learning to “fish for people” – and finding that the Risen Lord still leads us in that adventure!

Amazingly, He calls us “friends”. He still asks us, “Haven’t you any fish?” Even if the answer is “No” it is not the final word – only the prelude to a renewed resolve, with a resurrection twist: “Relaunch your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”

The East Coast Conference is proud to still be, at heart, “the eastern missionary association”. As John confessed to Peter in holy awe on that morning, “It is the Lord!” – the Lord who formed us, calls us, and continues to redirect us so that we can be both faithful and fruitful in the continuing work of His Kingdom.

 Annual Meeting is held at Trinity Covenant Church in Manchester, Connecticut  The 2013 Ministry & Mission Plan & Budget is approved by delegates  MOVE Awards given to: (1) Building Healthy Families Foundation, Manchester, CT;

(2) Ädelbrook (The Children's Home);

EAST COAST CONFERENCE

FINANCIALS EAST COAST CONFERENCE MISSION OPERATING BUDGET SUMMARY

2014

2014 Actual

Budget

2015 Budget

2015 Revised

2016 Proposed

Step Up

Vision Budget

MISSION OPERATING

EXPENSES

INCOME

RESTRICTED

INCOME

UNRESTRICTED

Conference Churches Combined Contributions $19,673,790

$19,870,528

$20,069,233 % of Total Church Contributions to Conference 2.97% 3.11% 3.22% 4%

Conference Church Giving $584,227 $541,211 $617,770 $619,729 $645,275 $794,821 Interest & Dividend Income $253,777 $208,737 $318,778 $265,140 $286,140 $286,140 Conference Strategic Giving $10,000 $46,774 $12,000 $70,000 $25,000 $25,000 Conference Annual Mtg Reg $10,000 $6,039 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 Reverted Assets from Churches $- $(191,000) $- $- $- $Church Closing Funds $11,400 $32,011 $- $- $- $Rental Income $55,600 $51,035 $- $41,420 $- $Total Unrestricted Income $925,004 $694,807 $958,548 $1,006,289 $966,415 $1,115,961

Church Planting Appropriations Denomination Appropriations - Partner Church Total Church Planting Church Mission Grants Special Mission Projects Ministerium Fees/Other Restricted Income TOTAL OPERATING MISSION INCOME

$320,544 $238,619 $21,750 $10,394 $342,294 $249,013 $30,000 $5,000 $700 $15,500 $25,541 $392,794 $275,254 $1,317,798 $970,061

$380,600 $18,000 $398,600 $30,000 $5,000 $13,500 $447,100 $1,405,648

$419,972 $10,000 $429,972 $30,000 $- $3,500 $463,472 $1,469,761

$536,784 $18,000 $554,784 $30,000 $- $3,500 $588,284 $1,554,699

Church Planting $656,878 $477,284 $746,590 $693,297 $804,778 Church Mission Grants $30,000 $0 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 Conference Annual Meeting $4,000 $4,352 $4,250 $4,250 $4,250 Ministerium Fees $3,500 $5,561 $3,750 $3,500 $3,500 Church Closing Expenses $60,000 $106,045 $0 $25,000 $0 Church Health & Vitality $22,740 $8,839 $31,240 $28,500 $30,000 Conference Networks $3,000 $1,393 $3,000 $23,000 $3,000 Conference Boards $10,000 $6,009 $10,000 $8,500 $8,500 Conference Women Ministries $1,000 $0 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 Conference Agency Support $50,750 $55,718 $36,500 $42,000 $28,250 Clergy Care & Support $17,500 $14,880 $17,500 $15,000 $15,000 Superintendent’s Ministry $29,900 $22,002 $30,200 $22,400 $23,100 Assoc./DCP Ministry $29,350 $23,177 $30,550 $29,250 $30,100 Assoc./DCV Ministry $25,600 $26,317 $25,600 $25,200 $25,300 Human Resources $503,838 $509,690 $538,055 $557,627 $573,638 Conference Office $43,190 $33,245 $33,780 $40,590 $36,525 Conference Communications $33,150 $32,609 $33,300 $49,171 $35,271 Depreciation Expense $22,000 $26,718 $22,000 $23,500 $23,500 Ecumenical $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,250 $2,250 TOTAL MISSION OPERATING EXPENSES $1,548,396 $1,355,839 $1,599,815 $1,624,535 $1,678,462 Net Ordinary Mission Income $(230,598)

$(194,167) $(154,774) $(123,763)

(3) CCO Medical Ambassadors, Paul Carlson Partnership (Dr. Eric Gunnoe & Ms. Mary Stockmeyer) (4) A Lifetime of Scholarship at North Park Theological Seminary Dr. Klyne Snodgrass

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

Superintendent Howard Burgoyne is elected to a third term.

ECConf Hosts Church Planter Assessment Center at Trinity Covenant in Manchester, CT. 5 ECConf candidates “Recommended”.

May 23 ECConf Church Planter Retreat

$536,784 $18,000 $554,784 $30,000 $$3,500 $588,284 $1,704,245 $800,000 $30,000 $4,250 $3,500 $0 $30,000 $3,000 $8,500 $1,500 $30,000 $18,000 $23,100 $30,100 $25,300 $575,000 $36,525 $35,271 $23,500 $2,250

$1,679,796 $24,449

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OUR CONFERENCE

CHURCH PLANTS 2005-2014 1. Highrock Acton Acton MA

BY JASON CONDON Director of Church Planting

2. The Commons Rochester NH

=Greater Boston/New England Cohort  =New York/New Jersey Cohort =Mid-Atlantic Cohort

3. Highrock Quincy Quincy, MA 4. Highrock North Shore Salem MA

JOINED & HELD TOGETHER:

5. Sanctuary Church Providence, RI

A DIVERSE, INTERDEPENDENT NETWORK

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A healthy theme and growing reality of East Coast Conference Church Planting is that of “networks.” The Apostle Paul paints a vivid picture,

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JUN 2014

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8. Highrock Brookline Brookline, MA 9. Worship Frontier Church Brookline MA

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10. Dust Church Blacksburg VA

see inset box for NYC area

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boston area churches

11. Charm City Baltimore MD

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1

11

As you go over this brief collection of images and information, please reflect on your own “connection” to the vital work of birthing and nurturing new congregations.

Prayerfully consider personal and congregational opportunities to support, grow, and build up in love your shared ministry of Church Planting “as each part does its work!”

7. Evergreen Covenant Church Sanford ME

see inset box for boston area

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- Ephesians 4:16

With Jesus as the Head, we’re creating an incredible diversity of interdependent cohorts, connections, and collaborations throughout our Conference body and beyond. As each part stays connected to the call of Christ and shared ethos of our Covenant family, even greater impact takes place with lives transformed, neighborhoods renewed, and new disciples sent forth.

6. Sudanese Evang. Cov. Church Manchester NH

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“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

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12. Hope Roosevelt Island Manhattan, NY

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13. Church of the Resurrection New York, NYC 14. Hope Church NYC (A) Astoria NY (B) Midtown Manhattan NY

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NYC area churches

15. Elements Church Bronx NY

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16. Promised Land Covenant Church Bronx NY

15 16 1318 14B12 14A 19

17. Life Covenant Church Morganville NJ 18. Metro Hope Community Harlem NY 19. Movement Covenant Church Staten Island, NY

GROWING & BUILDING

2014 East Coast Conference Church Planters with Signed Covenant Agreements

These Church Planters officially joined the East Coast Conference Family in 2014, launching new Covenant congregations: CHRIS BANNON

WILL BARNETT

DAN SADLIER

STEVE MARTINO

The Commons ECC - Rochester NH www.churchofthecommons.org

Highrock Acton Covenant Church - Acton MA www.highrockacton.org

Hope Roosevelt Island Covenant Church - Manhattan NY www.hoperooseveltisland.org

Chris Wall is installed as Associate Pastor at Evangelical Covenant Church in Attleboro, MA Veritas hosted at Salem Covenant Church, Worcester, MA EPIC Vitality Workshop hosted at Mission Covenant, Orange, MA. w/ Nashua, NH Chesapeake Vitality Cohort Covenant Annual Meeting is hosted in Chicago, IL. Nine pastors from the ECConf were Ordained.

JUL 2014

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Movement Covenant Church - Staten Island NY www.themovementsi.com

East Coast Conference board meeting held at Pilgrim Pines Conference Center.

Superintendent Burgoyne is Pastor of the Week at Pilgrim Pines Family Camp.

Vitality Q & A Lunch- Lunenburg, MA. Connecticut Vitality Cohort

CHURCH PLANTER COHORTS

CHURCH PLANTING NETWORKS

NATIONAL CHURCH PLANTING TEAM

Life Together, Deeper Connections

Accelerating Effective Regional Impact

Mission Friends, Covenant Family

Our existing Church Planter Cohorts expanded significantly this year through both addition and multiplication. We grew from two to three Regional Cohorts with the official launch of our new MidAtlantic Cohort.

Within the larger context of our Conference’s mission region, we have increasing numbers of churches strategically banding together. These networks further refine and maximize local insights, pooled resources, and robust leadership development. Three current networks are at various stages of development, with other dreams and possibilities in the works:

This past year saw the formation of our first National Church Planting Team for Covenant Church Planting.

The new team is comprised of the Directors of Church Planting from the Northwest Conference (Mike Brown), the Pacific Northwest Conference (Kurt Carlson) and the East Coast Conference (Jason Condon) with John Teter from the Denominational Office as the Covenant Church Planting Team Leader.

The Greater Boston/New England and NY/NJ Metro Cohorts also expanded as new church planters joined the family, new candidates began the assessment process, and many guests jumped in as well. Alongside these are two new “affinity cohorts” that draw from all the regions: DiscipleshipCentric Cohort & Church Planting Network Cohort.

These Cohorts help fulfill their shared purpose to, “encourage, equip, and multiply church planters for a sustaining church planting movement.” They provide a powerful time of bonding, resourcing, and support as our church planting pastors pursue their calling in these very challenging roles.

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HIGHROCK CHURCH NETWORK

Dave Swaim, point leader: Highrock Arlington, Highrock Brookline, Highrock Quincy, Highrock NorthShore, Highrock Acton (with 2-3 others on the horizon). The network fosters a robust approach with “on-the-job training,” clear pathways toward church planting leadership, pastoral staff, and launch team membership.

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HOPE CHURCH NYC

Drew Hyun, point leader: Hope Astoria, Hope Roosevelt Island, Hope Midtown Manhattan (with New Hyde Park, Flushing, Long Island City, and Brooklyn in various stages of development and exploration). The network is fully launching internship and church planter residency programs, along with missional communities that also incubate future launch teams.

Many of our efforts serve doubleduty, integrating and furthering our church planting efforts on the East Coast Conference. Focusing particularly on the proven “Big Three” of highly effective church planting organizations – Assessment, Training, and Coaching.

Our work thus far includes:

1

Further refining the already robust assessment process and assessment centers.

2 3

Improving and standardizing our church planter covenant agreements.

Continuous improvement of our 5-day church planter training intensive.

stages of overhauling and 4 Beginning upgrading our coaching system.

SANCTUARY PROVIDENCE 3 Andrew Mook, point leader:

First Official Mid-Atlantic Cohort Meeting. L-R: Don Schiewer, Eli Hernandez, and​two​church planter candidates for Richmond & Fairfax​VA

AUG 2014

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East Coast Conference Staff retreat at Pilgrim Pines Aug 13 NY/NJ Metro Church Planter Cohort Aug 14 Greater Boston/New CP England Cohort

Planted using an adapted “parish model,” the network now has medium-sized “home groups” (15-30 people each) across several neighborhoods, serving a secondary purpose as future launch teams. First church planter resident starts this summer (for future “partnering”), while also simultaneously rolling out plans to go from multiple worship services to multiple locations and congregations in the coming months.

SEP 2014

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November 2015 Church Planter Training for 25 planters, including seven East Coast Conference planters and two coaches) led by the National Church Planting Team.

Bill Johnson is installed at Cornerstone Community Church (Boston, MA) East Coast Conference Women's Ministry hosts retreat at Pilgrim Pines Multi-Staff Pastors Retreat Veritas Vitality Workshop - Lunenburg, MA. EPIC Vitality Workshop, Springfield, MA.

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CONGREGATIONAL VITALIT Y

BY KREIG GAMMELGARD Director of Congregational Vitality I think Jesus knew the wisdom of Einstein long before Albert did: that you cannot keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results. My guess is that this is why Jesus challenged his disciples in our theme text for the year: Are you accomplishing what you set out to do? Or: Are you fulfilling the mission I sent you on? If not, then: try it another way!

My job, almost every day of the week, is to meet with pastors and church leaders and to focus on these four areas: to ask important questions, to engage in honest evaluation, to encourage experimentation, and to celebrate the results.

T.S. Elliot writes: “The church must be forever building. And always decaying, and always being restored.” We cannot stay the same. George Bullard of the Columbia Partnership Leadership Group said “every seven years, the church must reinvent itself.” Could that be true for your church?

My wife, Sandy, joined me this year after retiring from her teaching career in California. We have been remodeling our house in Connecticut, and have learned some valuable lessons from our own “revitalization project” that relate directly to the vitality journey: • Before reconstruction can begin, deconstruction must take place.

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SEP 2014

   

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish - JOHN 21:4-6

• You never see the complete picture of the project until you look below the surface (and behind a few walls).

• It is just a house. In the long run it is a tool to be used for greater purposes than personal comfort.

• Some of the most necessary work to be done will rarely be seen, but is crucial (even foundational) to the success of the project.

• It takes team work to make the dream work.

WHETHER YOU’RE A NEW CHURCH PLANT OR AN ESTABLISHED CHURCH, you too have no doubt

• Even the most thoughtful plans have to be tweaked to reflect current realities.

• Getting personally involved in the project increases a sense of ownership and pride in the work/project.

• The project never feels “complete.”

• There can be a significant gap between vision and reality, and that requires patience, determination, and motivation.

• Seeing a vision take shape and come to fruition is very motivating and satisfying.

experienced these truths to one degree or another. Building something for personal use or for Kingdom advancement requires three things:

1

VISION A clear picture of what it is that you, or God wants.

2 INTENTION

more information about AForlong-term commitment to make it happen, no matter what.

3 MEANS

• Renovation can be costly, but the end result is worth it.

• People notice when good things are taking place in their neighborhood.

The necessary resources and support from people to see it through.

• Some people work harder than others, but everyone gets tired and impatient as the project pace slows down.

East Coast Conference MissionInsite Training Sept 10 NY/NJ Metro CP Cohort Sept 11 Greater Boston/New England CP Cohort Sept 18-20 Church Planter Assessment Center, 1 ECConf Candidate “Recommended”

OCT 2014

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Conference Pastors Dale Kuehne and Chris Bannon speak at Men’s Retreat at Pilgrim Pines Conference Center.

Fall Commitee on Ministerial Standing Interviews takes place in Berlin, CT Fall Conference Board Meeting.

Bethlehem Covenant, Worcester 120th Anniversary Celebration kicks off.

BY THE NUMBERS

EVIDENCE OF GOD AT WORK IN OUR VITALITY CHURCHES • Pastors and churches humbly asking for help.

47,000

• Leaders reconsidering how to “do church” even after 100+ years in ministry.

• Renewed dedication to prayer and a growing desire to “Thy will be done.”

25,000

• Focused Bible reading initiatives.

• An outward focus rather than the usual inward focus.

PERSONAL MEETINGS

(ME TO VA)

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• Churches engaging w/ civic organizations to improve and meet significant needs.

• A dogged patience through the difficult tasks of discerning God’s will.

• Adding more seats to the sanctuary for Christmas Eve services.

• Increased attendance, new visitor retention, new members, and new baptisms.

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VISITS

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• Regular evaluation measuring the 10 healthy missional markers.

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• Vitality churches committing to partner together to support new church plants.

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• Churches engaging in mission, both locally and globally.

• Leaders making bold, faith-stretching, and loving decisions.

• Sermons preached with practical application to be “doers of the Word.”

• Clarity of mission with emphasis on implementation.

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• Generous giving of people to churches and churches to others.

P R I O R I T I E S F O R 20 1 5

WITH PASTORS

CHURCH

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• Pastor’s seeking out coaching and mentoring.

VITALITY CHURCHES SIGNED UP WITH MISSION INSITE FOR KEY DEMOGRAPHIC INFO ON THEIR COMMUNITY

www.missioninsite.com

WORKSHOPS TAUGHT AT DENOMINATIONAL EVENTS

INDIVIDUALS SERVE ON THE VITALITY

PRAYER TEAM

CONFERENCE CHURCHES READY TO BEGIN THE REVITALIZATION PROCESS

VITALITY COHORTS MET

CHURCHES ENGAGED WITH THE VITALITY JOURNEY

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VITALITY PASTORS HAVE COMPLETED CO-OP COACHING

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CONFERENCE CHURCHES EXPRESSED INTEREST & COMMITMENT TO PAUL CARLSON PARTNERSHIP CONGO CLINIC INITIATIVE AND UPCOMING VISION TRIP

8 17 3 TIMES WITH

CHURCHES INVOLVED

LEGACY COACHES TRAINED TO SERVE THE CONFERENCE

• Develop additional affinity, coaching, and vitality cohorts.

• Create quarterly evaluation tool to reflect on God’s work in their life and church.

NEW CHURCHES ATTENDED THE NAVIGATE CONFERENCE

• Plan, promote, and produce a Missions Vision Trip for the Paul Carlson Partnership-Congo Clinic Initiative (www.paulcarlson.or/congoclinic-initiative).

• Partnership with Jason to serve and resource our older church plants.

Pastors Ashram Retreat at Pilgrim Pines hosts Deb & Alan Hirsch.

EPIC Vitality Workshop- Thomaston, CT. Inaugural Vitality Pastor’s Fall Retreat National Church Planting Team Formed: John Teter, Mike Brown, Kurt Carlson, Jason Condon

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MILES DRIVEN

• Strategic plans are set to focus attention on serving the church’s neighbors.

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MILES OF

AIR TRAVEL

NOV 2014

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CHURCHES HOSTED VITALITY BREAKFASTS

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LEADERSHIP EVENTS CONDUCTED TO ASSIST CHURCHES

CHURCHES HAD V.I.M. CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FUTURE VIABILITY

3 conference churches take part in Navigate in Minneapolis, MN First ever East Coast Conference Executive Pastors retreat is hosted in Chester, CT. Monadnock Covenant (Keene, NH) celebrates 20th Anniversary Chesapeake Vitality Cohort

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BY CATHY BERGSTROM

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM HAS BEEN REACHING OUT TO EACH CHURCH FROM MAINE TO VIRGINIA LETTING WOMEN KNOW WE’RE HERE

President, East Coast Conference Women Ministries

AVA and MTS

and asking how we can best serve them...through emails, through a survey, through phone calls, through a revamped website eastcoastcovenantwomen.blogspot.com and a new Facebook page www.facebook.com/eccwomenministry.

Feedback has been minimal. We’re here to serve you and we’d like to know how we can be of help.

Our AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse) and MTS (Mending The Soul) program included a workshop in late May at Trinity Covenant in Manchester, CT. We were blessed to have Yvonne & William DeVaughn, AVA/MTS trainers, presenting the program. Priscilla Borden, East Coast AVA Coordinator, spoke at the event which drew approximately 20 participants. AVA training in March & April in Fitzwilliam, NH facilitated by Priscilla Borden.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST YEAR & COMING ATTRACTIONS

Spring Mini Retreat Spring Mini Retreat—Finding Your Spiritual Oasis. Speaker Diane Hallenbeck will talk with women about finding a fertile spot in a desert where water is found. This event provides an opportunity for the Conference Leadership Team to come together for respite, to reconnect in person, and conduct their annual meeting.

Annual Fall Retreat Pilgrim Pines, NH hosted our annual retreat, and Sherry Anne Lints shared perspective on women connecting to God and one another. The chapel was decorated with paper dolls holding hands. Women wrote prayer requests and praises on strips of brightly colored paper which were then connected as a paper chain displayed in the chapel. A board with labeled pegs encouraged women to string yarn around those pegs with which they identified…it provided a powerful backdrop to the weekend’s program. BlackRock, PA’s Fall Retreat welcomed Pastor Rose Cornelious. She spoke passionately and tenderly about supporting suffering people and their families. God calls us to move in people’s lives, especially when it’s challenging. These retreats are incredible opportunities to step out of the necessary routine and be still for a bit...while enjoying fellowship with other women walking their path.

Triennial XV Triennial XV in Kansas City plans are unfolding. We are preparing for the LORD to be moving among the attendees July 28-31, 2016.

Your Conference Women’s Ministry team is here for you.

We’re hoping to hear from you. We’re praying for HIS guidance and we’re eager to get your input. Let’s walk and pray together as we listen for HIS leading to help us connect women in transformational relationships and unite them in Christ to impact our world! Once again, we are praying that the coming year unfolds gently for each of us.

Visit us on the web: www.facebook.com/eccwomenministry

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NOV 2014

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Nov 5-9: Covenant Church Planter Training Intensive, including 5 ECConf Church Planters Nov 13-14: Church Planting Network Leaders Cohort Nov 19: NY/NJ Metro CP Cohort Nov 20: Greater Boston/New England CP Cohort

DEC 2014

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Mission Covenant Church (Orange, MA) celebrates 125th Anniversary Will Barnett, Highrock Acton signs Covenant Agreement.

Dec 6: Highrock Acton Plant Launch Team Training Day Dan Sadlier, Hope Roosevelt Island Covenant Church signs Covenant Agreement.

PILGRIM PINES CONFERENCE CENTER

BY THE NUMBERS

BY DAVE CAIRNS Executive Director “I can’t even begin to explain how the Pilgrim Pines ministry and Camp Squanto have had such a huge impact on my life. I know that I would not be the faithful and growing Christian I am today had it not been for the 8 summers I was able to attend camp.”

32,509 CAMPER DAYS 9,048

CAMPERS

LIVES ARE BEING CHANGED AT PILGRIM PINES.

The above quote was received this past winter and was accompanied by a gift to our scholarship fund. The writer is a college sophomore who asked that her birthday gifts be directed towards camper scholarships.

We see how God is using our ministry to form and shape the lives of young and old.

2014 TOTAL GIVING TO PILGRIM PINES UNDESIGNATED GIVING

2014 $271,118 2013 $218,417 2012 $127,772

2014 was an exciting year for Pilgrim Pines: Attendance was up, donations were up and we finished the year in the black. Each of these accomplishments were set out by the board as objectives to start the year. Thankfully, through prayer, the support of many and the hard work of our staff, we were successful in meeting these challenges.

Steven Martino, Movement Covenant Church in Staten Island, New York signs Covenant Agreement.

ONE Workshop hosted at Paradise-Holtzschwamm Covenant Church (Thomasville, PA) High school students gather for Winterfest Retreat in Glen Spey, NY

$431,172 DESIGNATED GIVING

2014 $160,054 2013 $169,235 2012 $84,433

JANUARY

Consultant Ray Schnickles is engaged by the ECConf Board. Phase One report reviews financial management, current business model, fundraising plan, guest services and marketing.

APRIL

Executive Director Dave Cairns crosses the finish line at the Boston Marathon. $15,000 raised for camper scholarships.

JUNE

Phase One of the Jr Lodge Remodel at Camp Squanto is completed. Many hours of volunteer labor were given towards this project.

JULY

The beloved “Blob” is replaced with “The Plunge” and “The Dorotito.”

Standup paddle boards are also added to the waterfront at Mayflower.

SEPTEMBER

Construction began on the new Maple Bunkhouse. The 7th bunkhouse located in the campground.

It is our prayer that as individuals and families encounter Pilgrim Pines, they experience Christ and are changed as a result.

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$37,277

DISTRIBUTED IN SCHOLARSHIPS

SIGNIFICANT DATES

This past year also marked an intentional effort to improve our facilities. In 1957 the East Coast Conference purchased two used camps. We have faithfully stewarded them for over 50 years. As might be true with your own home, they are showing their age.

“Mayflower Makeover” was started as a way to raise money above our operational need and invest back in our property. We are thankful to those what gave towards this project. In addition to the makeover, we completed the Phase One remodel of the Jr. Lodge at Camp Squanto. We started construction on the Maple Bunkhouse…it will be completed prior to the summer of 2015.

JAN 2015

502

DONORS

DECEMBER

$110k+ was given in donations during November and December as part of the “Tend the Fire” initiative. As a result, we finished the year more than $15,000 in the black.   

Conference Board Meeting in Berlin, CT Youth Workers Connection & Midwinter Conference hosted in Denver, CO Trinity Covenant Church (Manchester CT), votes overwhelmingly to Partner in planting Hartford City Covenant Church with Phil Beatty

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NEW ENGLAND

SEAFARERS MISSION

BY STEPHEN CUSHING Executive Director EACH YEAR I FEEL BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE OF GOD’S GREAT GOODNESS in His care of the seafarers entrusted to the New England Seafarers Mission.

The 2014 Cruise Ministry Mission Season was again filled with men and women working on the ships entering the center at 1 Black Falcon in Boston.

Each year I wonder if we will be able to add to our running total of countries met while doing this wonderful ministry. Just when I think we might have exhausted the list of countries, another soul enters from another country. This year we had a woman from the Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and that brings our total outreach to 158 nations.

But our ministry is only accomplished with the willing hands of our partners and in 2014 we had mission partners from much of eastern New England and from across the country. From the East Coast Conference we enjoyed the help from 31 of our Covenant partners.

Many were repeat visitors, but we were also able to include some first time churches as well. We also enjoy the help from our Lutheran partners in ministry as well as Congregational and

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FEB 2015

   

Baptist churches in the greater Boston and New Hampshire region.

Our partnership with Center for Student Missions (CSM) is now in its fourth year and last year they were able to coordinate 11 teams from as far west as New Mexico, the central US like Michigan, and Wisconsin and the Mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. These teams are comprised of youth groups from Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist and non-denominational churches who come here never having heard of maritime missions, but leaving with being as blessed as they were a blessing.

Each week, the crew members and port personnel ask with great anticipation “Where are your helpers from this week?” Many are deeply impressed with the commitment and sacrifice all of the teams make to volunteer here down on the waterfront.

Whereas our Cruise Ship Ministry lasts from May through November, our industrial ship visiting is a year round endeavor. In Boston, Quincy (on the South Shore of Mass.) and in Narragansett Bay (Providence, New Bedford and Fall River) our chaplains reach out to the crew of the commercial

Feb 7: Movement Covenant Church Launch Team Training Day Veritas Vitality Workshop- Cornerstone, Boston, MA Feb 11: NY/NJ Metro CP Cohort Feb 26: Greater Boston/New England CP Cohort

MAR 2015

  

vessels that keep our economy running.

In the Boston area NESM was able to visit 263 ships while in Rhode Island our chaplains climbed aboard or assisted 511 ships. These ships have crew who many times are in need of advocacy, prayer and counsel. Without these visits from chaplains, their lives, and consequently the lives of their families who depend on them, would suffer greatly.

As always, during the holiday season, our chaplains bring with them onboard these ships 300 Christmas gifts bags and parcels, supplied by Covenant, Lutheran churches as well as 1500 Ditty Bags from our partners in the Women’s Seafarers Friends (WSFS). This marked the year that the WSFS closed its legal standing and bequeathed its assets to NESM so that we could continue their efforts. As a result of this gift of assets, the NESM Board of Trustees were able to embark on a new development program, aimed at increasing awareness of NESM ministry, actions and needs to the conference as well as our other partners nationwide.

Finally, I am pleased to report that the Seafarers Center at Black Falcon

March 1: Official Launch of Mid-Atlantic Church Planter Cohort ONE workshop hosted in Harleysville, PA ONE workshop hosted in Nashua, NH

ORDINATION

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

CANDIDATES FOR

ORDINATION

10 YEARS Stephen Cushing Rebekah Eklund Susan Gillespie F. Daniel Osgood

NEIL BOTTS

Ordination to Word & Sacrament

15 YEARS

Executive Pastor Christ Church (E. Greenwich, RI) MA Theological Studies - Regent College

David Chandler Dale Keuhne

Cruise Terminal, run by New England Seafarers Mission, was nominated by the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) for 2015 Center of the Year. For seafarers, the backbone of the industry, welfare services, such as NESM, and facilities can be a life line when working away from home for long periods of time.

These awards recognize excellence in the provision of welfare services by shipping companies, welfare organizations, ports and individuals - on ship and ashore.

They showcase good practice in the industry, and highlight the commitment and dedication shown by many - in the service to seafarers.

To all who helped make this nomination even possible, a deep and sincere thank you from the Director and Board of Trustees for New England Seafarers Mission. Without the help of our partner churches, our work would fall far short of the goal.

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” - Leviticus 19:34

  

20 YEARS Doug Bixby Frank Riley

BRIAN DIETZ

25 YEARS

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Pastor of Middle School Ministry Highrock Covenant Church (Arlington, MA) M.Div., Th.M. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Herb Jacobsen Joel Kruggel

30 YEARS Kreig Gammelgard Robert Satterberg

MICHELLE SANCHEZ

45 YEARS

Ordination to Word & Sacrament

Robert V. Bergquist

Pastor of Christian Formation and Mission Highrock Covenant Church (Arlington, MA) M.Div., Th.M. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

50 YEARS David Sundell Alden Johnson Richard J. Nelson

HOJIN YOO

55 YEARS

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Pastor of Young Adult Ministry Cornerstone Church of Boston (Boston, MA) MDiv Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Gordon Miller

Committee on Ministerial Standing Interviews hosted in Berlin, CT Conference Board Meeting hosted in Berlin, CT EPIC Workshop Hosted by Salem Covenant Church in Worcester, MA w/ Lunenburg, MA

  

Vitality Breakfast Q & A in Bowie, MD March 18: NY/NJ Metro CP Cohort March 19: Greater Boston/New England CP Cohort

10

EAST COAST CONFERENCE

BY THE NUMBERS

INCOME

OVERALL CONFERENCE

CHURCHES

$400K

9,000

$300K

0 2010

2011

9,556 9,546

OVERALL CONFERENCE

DIVERSITY

2012

2013

10,771

2014

11,467

56+21+1291

ANGLO

56%

AFRICAN AMERICAN

MULTI-ETHNIC 21% ASIAN AMERICAN

KOREAN

12%

1%

SUDANESE

1%

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

ÄDELBROOK

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

# OF PEOPLE

7,000

6,115

5250

3,500

2625

2,312

1,750

1,266 1,003

1325

875 675

9%

450

110 100

225

0

2011

2012

2013

2014

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

NATIONAL COVENANT PROPERTIES

NEW ENGLAND SEAFARERS MISSION

BEHAVIORAL & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

www.covchurch.org/ncp

www.neseafarers.org

GARRELL MULLANEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO 860-635-6010

ROB HALL, REGIONAL VP – REAL ESTATE SERVICES 773-655-6687 ROB.HALL@COVCHURCH.ORG

STEVE CUSHING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASHLEY PECKHAM, CHAPLAIN

www.covenanttrust.com

COVENANT VILLAGE OF CROMWELL

www.pilgrimpines.org

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

PAMELA KLAPPROTH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 860-635-2690

www.adelbrook.org

COVENANT TRUST COMPANY

11

0

10,906

$541,211

10,000

$553,573

$500K $495,306

11,000

$455,510

$600K

$420,992

12,000

FROM

ATTENDANCES

PILGRIM PINES CONFERENCE CENTER

DAVE CAIRNS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JAMES CONDAP, MINISTRY DIRECTOR