Mission & Ministry 2018

2 0 1 8

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

The Genesis of Generosity “

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36

HOWARD BURGOYNE Superintendent

THE GENESIS OF GENEROSITY

I

n his first recorded sermon in Luke, Jesus expounded on an ancient truth: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (6:36). Moses heard that the very meaning of God’s “Name” is mercy and compassion for the undeserving (Ex. 34:6). Mercy, like prime numbers in mathematics, and elements in chemistry, is a cardinal word in Biblical theology. Yet Jesus applied it to the hilt in the cutting context of how to respond to enemies, offenders, and beggars who assault us – not just to family and friends. For God’s mercy is that quality by which he faithfully keeps his promises and maintains his covenant relationship with his chosen people in spite of their unworthiness and unfaithfulness.

ing experience of Pentecost and the new covenant foretold by Jeremiah (31:33-34) – the outpouring, infilling, and overflowing of God’s Spirit, writing mercy into our hearts, revealing the inner reality of God to each of us.

In our long and storied history as a missionary association and network of churches, we are near a missional tipping point.

We are like the sowers and the reapers passing each other in the field. One sows, one waters, another reaps. God gives the growth – and God has been so good to us. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is God’s

God’s generosity today is centered in his eternal mercy. God’s generosity today is intended to be the genesis of our generosity tomorrow.

His atonement through the life and death of Christ is what converts the awful judgment seat into an awesome mercy seat.

God’s generosity today is centered in his eternal mercy. God’s generosity today is intended to be the genesis of our generosity tomorrow. It is out of the flow of God’s life – as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – that we receive love, joy, and power and release this freely to others. Generosity flows from an understanding that we are not the source, but the steward of what is being poured into us by God. All that we have comes from God. All that we hoard we lose. All that we share we benefit from eternally. Seen from this angle, becoming wisely generous in spirit and practice is in the center of our spiritual journey into Christ Jesus. Generosity in the early church was a sign of the continu-

faithfulness! In his mercy God is drawing more people to himself, raising up more laborers for the harvest, and stimulating new expressions of discipleship and mission partnership. The telling of God’s story here in our fellowship of churches testifies to God’s generous mercy.

I can’t wait to share with you all of the good news – and the best is yet to come! As we stretch forward to keep in step with the Spirit we call all of our mission partners to stretch forward together in faith and expectation of God’s generosity as we deepen our life together.

BARBARA ETTINGER Associate Superintendent Director of Discipling and Leadership

KINGDOM CATALYZERS

Discipling, Leadership, and You

I

n both discipling and leadership development, we “admonish and teach everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature, whole, and complete in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). As we create imaginative blueprints for discipling and leadership development in the East Coast Conference, we seek nothing less than to present everyone whole in Christ. These two dimensions of disicpling and leadership either catalyze or hinder the expansion of God’s kingdom here in the East Coast Conference.

“We present everyone mature in Christ.” Col 1:28 Equipping Lay People Reimagining the Conference Annual Meeting for 2018 included listening carefully to feedback from many participants last year. This year’s Annual Meeting features something new: Saturday morning workshops designed to cultivate flourishing and encourage lay leaders and pastors to grow and develop in their discipling and leadership.

In the fall, two financial training workshops drew together lay leaders and pastors from 12 established churches, 6 church plants, and one conference agency for equipping in finance management, tax planning, budget writing, and fraud protection. Our National Covenant Properties team delivered top notch content. Hosted, respectively, by New York Covenant and Salem Covenant, the Financial Training for Church Leaders offered a living example of what it means to be three strands strong: congregations, the Conference, and the Covenant all working together to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

Expanding Opportunities for Service The Conference Board of Nominations retooled its message this year from one of need and scarcity to one of opportunity for growth and leadership development. Lay leaders and clergy serve in vital positions of influence and direction for our conference Executive Board, Board of Nominations, New England Seafarers Mission, and Pilgrim Pines. These board communities develop as leaders as they advance God’s kingdom together

in mission through mutual service and accountability. Understanding these Boards as points of development and growth have proven to be effective shifts for engagement.

Resourcing and Mobilizing Leaders Conference churches have been served through on site consultations on everything from leveraging a pastor’s sabbatical as a leadership development opportunity (Covenant Church of Thomaston) to inserting discipleship cycles into every aspect of congregational life (Highrock North Shore). At one church (Monadnock Covenant), the leadership team for adult discipleship was trained to identify forces for and against kingdom progress in discipleship and how to catalyze the positives and minimize the negatives. Two churches presently are in conversation around hosting innovative pilot workshops for Crescendo, the Covenant’s new ministry for older adults.

I serve the Conference through the ministry of the Word, having preached in six Covenant churches in recent months and engaging with lay leaders and everyday parishioners as well as pastors in this ministry of both preaching and presence. More than a dozen pastors have met in person or over the phone with me to discuss and develop approaches to their ministry, leadership development, and discipling.

Building Learning Communities Pastors and ministry leaders new to their roles jammed into a lively gathering at Ashram to share the hardships and joys of being the new kid on the block. Ideas and contact information changed hands as women and men recognized the wealth of resources available to them through the Conference community. In partnership with the Covenant Start and Strengthen Churches mission priority, we nominated and resourced two first call pastors from the Conference to participate in a pilot retreat in Dallas. Associate Superintendent Krieg Gammelgard and I also are exploring avenues for a New Call Retreat locally in the Conference in 2018.

In the fall, I convened a Lunch and Learn peer learning community via Zoom video conferencing to discuss author Gregory Coles’ book, Single, Gay, Christian. Wide ranging perspectives and ministry experiences informed this challenging small group as we learned about discipleship in the image of a self-emptying Lord. The highlight of the experience came when author Greg Coles joined us via zoom technology for our final session for a thought provoking Q&A. In the first quarter of 2018, a new Lunch and Learn peer learning opportunity featured Scot McKnight’s book A Fellowship of Differents. Nearly 30 pastors enrolled across three digital learning communities and are challenging one another to develop in leadership and discipling in diverse settings.

Strengthening Bonds of Fellowship Each local congregation is part of something bigger than herself. The congregation, in partnership with the Conference and the Covenant form a cord of three strands that resource, support, and inform one another.

I bridge to the Covenant mission priorities of both Develop Leaders and Make and Deepen Disciples (MDD).

2017 saw exciting groundwork being laid in discipleship resources around human sexuality that will be coming our way in 2018. I am part of the consultation team for Embrace, a suite of resources being prepared by MDD to support pastors and congregations in their discipling in the conversations around human sexuality.

Kingdom catalyzers come in many different forms.

As we design imaginative blueprints for discipling and leadership development in the East Coast Conference, we look forward to seeing what God will establish in our midst for the sake of our complete wholeness and his great glory.

Top to bottom: Pastors and Lay Leaders equipped and encouraged; Leadership Consultation at Center Church Richmond

REGIONAL COHORTS New England Cohort NY/NJ Metro Cohort Mid-Atlantic Cohort

8,11,28 1,3,5, 7,16,19, 20, 24,31

CHURCH PLANTs list 2018 1. Hope Upper East Side CC New York, NY (May 2018) [NCN] 2. Highrock Southwest CC Boston, MA (May 2018) [HCN] 3. Hope East Village CC New York, NY (Jan 2018) [NCN] 4. Brockton Covenant Church Brockton, MA (Jun 2017) 5. Hope Westside CC New York, NY (Jun 2017) [NCN] 6. Hope Jersey City CC Jersey City, NJ (Jun 2017) [NCN] 7. Hope Midtown CC New York, NY (Apr 2017) [NCN] 8. Sanctuary Eastside CC Providence, RI (Jan 2017) [SCN] 9. Nashua Covenant Church Nashua, NH (Dec 2016) 10. Still Waters CC Newport News, VA (May 2016) 11. Sanctuary North CC Providence, RI (Mar 2016) [SCN] 12. Center Church ECC Richmond, VA (Jan 2016) 13. Table Covenant Church Fairfax, VA (Oct 2015) 14. Hope Long Island CC New Hyde Park, NY (Sept 2015) [NCN] 15. Hartford City CC Hartford, CT (Jul 2015) 16. Disciples NYC CC Flushing, NY (Mar 2015) 17. Movement Covenant Church Staten Island, NY (Jan 2015) 18. Highrock Acton CC Acton, MA (Dec 2014) [HCN]

19. Hope Roosevelt Island CC New York, NY (Dec 2014) [NCN] 20. Hope Midtown CC New York, NY (Fall 2014) [NCN] 21. The Commons ECC Rochester, NH (Apr 2014) 22. Tokyo Life CC, Japan (special partnership, 2014) [HCN] 23. Charm City Covenant Church Baltimore, MD (Aug 2013) 24. Church of the Resurrection ECC New York, NY (Jul 2013) 25. Highrock Quincy CC Quincy, MA (May 2012) [HCN] 26. Highrock North Shore CC Salem, MA (Feb 2012) [HCN] 27. Hope Church NYC CC Astoria, NY (Feb 2012) [NCN] 28. Sanctuary Covenant Church Providence, RI (Jan 2012) [SCN] 29. Elements Covenant Church Bronx, NY (Aug 2011) 30. Sudanese ECC Manchester, NH Dinka+Arabic (2010) 31. Promised Land CC Bronx, NY (Jul 2010) 32. Life Covenant Church Morganville, NJ (Mar 2009) 33. Worship Frontier CC Brookline, MA, Korean (Jul 2008) 34. Evergreen Covenant Church Sanford, ME (Apr 2008) 35. Highrock Brookline CC Brookline, MA (Jan 2008) [HCN]

[HCN] = Highrock Church Network, Greater Boston [NCN] = New City Network of Hope Church NYC [SCN] = Sanctuary Church Network, Providence RI

2,4,25, 33,35

JASON CONDON Associate Superintendent Director of Church Planting

Our Ever- Growing Family Sharing the Gospel Sharing Lives Planting Churches

O

ur church planting efforts are at their best when demonstrating a robust family dynamic. As the Apostle Paul (the original “Director of Church Planting”!) demonstrates in word and deed:

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of god but our lives as well.”

– The Apostle Paul to the Church planted in Thessalonika (1 Thessalonians 2:8b NIV)

We’re grateful that God continues to bless the East Coast Conference with this growing, reaching, and multiplying family dynamic: • •

• • •

Three Regional Church Planting Cohorts centered in New England, NY Metro, and our Mid-Atlantic regions (along with some affinity group cohorts) foster a deeper kinship that goes beyond “peers”.

Church Planter Residencies, Internships and Field Education embed new planters and developing teams in existing church plants during their early formation, creating stronger launches, deeper partnerships, and flourishing new congregations.

Three Robust Church Networks act as localized “extended family”, bringing the “whole household” to bear on birthing vibrant new congregations with significant ongoing coordination, collaboration, and regional impact.

Seasoned Planters Provide Denominational Leadership at Assessment Centers, Training Events, Coaching, Task-Forces, and overall ministry innovation throughout the Conference and Covenant.

Our Historic and Established Churches provide some of the deepest family roots as they bless and “send out” staff pastors to plant, strongly partner, and generously share mission giving for these emerging generations of leaders, disciples, and congregations.

Through our shared church planting efforts, you’re helping create a beautiful family portrait, leading to an ever-growing family of vibrant congregations that join us in sharing not only the gospel, but our very lives in Jesus!

Top to bottom: Jason and Lisa with Alex and Marcy Rahill; Cedric Johnson, Jason Condon, Drew Jackson, Ryan Thompson at Assessment Center; Ian and Courtney Graham, Lisa and Jason Condon Omar and Luz Lilly Michael Carrion at Assessment Center; Stuart & Jody Chadban and Sarah & Robert Elkin at Assessment Center.

KREIG GAMMELGARD Associate Superintendent Director of Congregational Vitality

it is good to have a plan !

“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and clinging to its own security.”

- Pope Francis, Joy of the Gospel

I

n my Conference role as Director of Congregational Vitality, I help churches ask important questions about their vision or mission, because having a clear direction or purpose of why we exist as the “Body of Christ” can move us from an internally-focused friends’ club to an externally-focused Kingdom advancement unit. Recently, I was inspired by this question about mission clarity: Rather than asking what a church may be especially good at, ask what they are especially burdened by?

In the Covenant, we are committed to both start AND strengthen churches. It’s important to ask every church what they are especially burdened by… what bothers them (collectively) about what isn’t right or just in their community… what is their holy discontent when they notice that the Father’s will is not being done on earth as it is in heaven?

•

When churches look out at their communities with the eyes of Jesus, they do so with a spirit of compassion and generosity- two of the marks of a healthy, missional church. As a third of our Conference churches have participated in the vitality movement, their growth in outward focus and servant hearts has been phenomenal. And, the momentum is building!

• • •

Evidence Of Growing Generous Hearts and Intentional Missional Health • Vitality Churches inevitably make a shift from Inward to Outward ministry focus • Growing Interest in LMDJ Ministries is reflected in 25 additional Conference pastors attending the Annual Covenant Justice Coalition Conference hosted by NYCC-New Rochelle, NY

• •

1. The conference was organized by the staff at NYCC in New Rochelle, and focused on the Theology of Justice on the first day, and the practical implementation of our theology through our churches on day two, with special emphasis given (by the quality presenters) to the themes of Immigration, Poverty, and Incarceration. It was challenging, stretching, and very helpful, as many of our predominantly Anglo churches are prioritizing LMDJ ministries in their churches as they seek to meet the needs of those invisible or ignored in their communities.

2. 9 Pastors brought teams of lay leaders with them to the Fall CJC conference Plans are solidified for an East Coast Conference SANKOFA journey this spring Established churches partnering, parenting, or supporting church plants Community partnerships between churches and local service organizations (e.g. schools, city councils, Boys and Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, immigration services, etc.

Churches hosting and serving refugee families 400 people attended Vitality workshops over this past year 4 churches attended Navigate this fall, the annual Vitality conference for pastors and leaders 1. Pastoral movement and encouragement was significant at Navigate this year. 4 Pastors and 11 lay leaders attended. Insights were gained, confidence was built, spirits were encouraged, prayers were articulated and answered, risks were identified, intentionality increased, boldness grew, and a conscience dependence on the Holy Spirit was embraced. Praise God for the good work He did, and will continue to accomplish through these leaders and their churches!

When churches look out at their communities with the eyes of Jesus, they do so with a spirit of compassion and generosity- two of the marks of a healthy, missional church.

• • • • •

Many Vitality churches participated in the Community Bible Experience, engaging their congregations in daily Bible reading and personal transformation.

Dozens of Churches have taught and practiced the BLESS materials focused on practical Intentional Evangelism Multiple churches continue to utilize MissionInsite, a missional demographic service, in order to understand and engage the communities where their churches are located ECConf churches increased their giving to the NESM by 39% Nearly 80% of our Vitality churches are moving in a positive, healthy missional direction: 1.

2.

3.

4.

•

• • • • • •

24% increase in H/M Category 25% increase in Stable Category 41% decrease in Critical Moment Category 5% decline in At-Risk Category

The intentionality and ministry focus of Vitality churches often results in more invitations to church, more community connections, and increased momentum in ministry effectiveness. The bottom line is that attendance grows and generosity increases as God blesses His will being accomplished 50% of Vitality churches grew in weekly attendence Vitality coaches serving with me allow for greater coverage and attention given to churches, Vitality teams, pastors, and leaders.

As coaches are being deployed, more cohorts of pastors and vitality teams are receiving training, direction, and encouragement.

Collaboration with conference staff is serving our established churches, including those churches moving into official “membership in the ECC” (between years 4-6) Collaboration with conference staff in taking “Next Steps” beyond Vitality towards further discipleship initiatives, and leadership development Missional Health was the theme of my Q1 2018 sabbatical. Additional funding from Serve Globally allowed me to learn from long-term Covenant missionaries and see how they approach their community focused ministries

Top to bottom: CJC Conference @ NYCC; National DCV Team Peter Tullson teaching a Vitality Workshop @ ECC-Easton, CT; Navigate Pastors 2017 Vitality Pastors Training on BLESS materials with Beth Seversen

women ministries NAN LINGENFELTER President

The WM Leadership Team meets monthly through a telephone conference call and during the year at conferences and special events. Three positions on the Leadership Team are currently open: a secretary, treasurer, and technical coordinator (website, pictures, etc.).

Connecting with the Hurt and Healing AVA - Advocates for Victims of Abuse

connect to other ECC WM leaders and learn from one another. The Leadership Team loves visiting so let us know when you have a special event. Let’s talk of how we are developing disciples.

In 2016, Nan led a workshop on “Writing your Story” at the Fall Retreat. In 2017 Nan asked new team member Melissa Martino to lead the same workshop. Melissa brought 25-year-old Cassidy to the retreat, and she attended the “Writing Your Story” workshop. Two months later, Nan attended Melissa’s church in Staten

Our AVA Coordinator Diane Riley Diane.ava.ecc@gmail.com has been sharing AVA with churches, communities, and pastors, helping churches to become safe places for people who have been abused. She offers an hour long presentation to introduce AVA, a daylong workshop to train people to be advocates, and a special program for youth groups. Please contact her to come to your church. She is a caring and sensitive woman with great knowledge.

Connecting through Teaching and Talking Fall Retreat & Spring Celebration Our 2017 Spring Celebration was canceled due to snow and ice.

The Leadership Team planned a well-attended 2017 Fall Retreat at Pilgrim Pines that was warm and wonderful. Reverend Linda Williams from Salem Covenant Church in Washington Depot, CT, drew us in to the Word and one another in practical and applicable ways. Workshops included AVA, packing Bags of Hope, Beginning and Building Women’s Ministries, Parenting, and Sharing Your Story. We delighted in new workshop presenters and a focus on applying what we learned to our communities. Dear and new friends went for walks and enjoyed the bonfire.

Connecting via Telephones, Travel, and Telling Church Contacts, Car Trips to Conferences, and Talking about Disciple Making.

Nan has been reaching out by email, telephone, and mailed letters to create a Women’s Ministries church contact list. We have 65 contacts with 27 more needed. Women are being encouraged to

Island for a women’s day. After lunch, Cassidy led all 40 women in the “Writing Your Story” evangelistic testimony workshop. This is teaching others who will teach and train others. Let’s visit and talk more in 2018!

Please reach out to us with issues that we need to address, ideas on speakers and topics, questions, comments, or to talk “next steps” in ministry and disciple making. While we host two large events we recognize what women do week in and week out in their church and community is the key to ministry. We are here to encourage, support, and train you. Connect with us.

pilgrim pines JIM CONDAP Executive Director

God leads, we follow. As caretakers of our amazing camp in Swanzey, NH, we continue to celebrate and be good stewards of all that God has given us at Pilgrim Pines. Over the past twelve months there has been much to celebrate.

• • •

We hosted 684 campers at Camp Squanto, where attendance increased for the third straight year.

Family Camp was at 97% capacity, an all-time high!

We ministered to 8,685 guests. 2350 summer campers / 1,515 Retreat Attendees / 4,291 Guest Group Attendees / 529 Road Scholar Guests

We welcomed two new Ministry Staff interns: Ben Gould from Springfield, MA and Emily Sargent from Milldale, CT. Both Ben and Emily have been great additions to our team as they discern God’s call on their lives.

A new Arts Barn began to take shape in the fall of 2017 at Camp Squanto. This new building will be complete for the 2018 camping season and will be a welcome addition to our Squanto program.

Other capitol improvements include a new firepit and remodeled picnic grove, wifi upgrades, new bed quilts and updated lighting and a new GaGa court at Mayflower.

Other ministry highlights from the past twelve months include: • • • • • •

An amazing group of over 125 volunteers for our Work & Worship Weekend.

A fabulous Father/Child retreat at Camp Squanto.

Meaningful and fun Men’s Retreat.

Mother/Daughter & Thanksgiving at the Pines.

Winter Craft Weekend and Executive Director Announcement.

Overflowing, energetic and snow filled winter youth retreats

We are thankful for your support and prayers and we are excited for your next visit to camp as we trust and rest in God’s good plan for the future of Pilgrim Pines.

Right: We welcomed two new Ministry Staff interns: BenGould from Springfield, MA and Emily Sargent from Milldale, CT. Both Ben and Emily have been greatadditions to our team as they discern God’s callon their lives.

A new Arts Barn began to take shape in the fall of 2017 at Camp Squanto.

This new building will be complete for the 2018 camping season and will be a welcome addition to our Squanto program. Other capital improvements include a new firepit and remodeled picnic grove, wifi upgrades, new bed quilts and updated lighting and a new GaGa court at Mayflower.

new england seafarers mission STEPHEN CUSHING Executive Director

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap…”

During the 2017 Cruise Ship season at the Raymond Flynn Cruise Port, Boston saw an increase in ship callings – 154 ships compared to 119 for 2016. This resulted, we are happy to say in a dramatic increase in the volume of seafarers’ foot traffic into the NESM Seafarers Center. Although that many crew is always a good thing, it did push our resources to the limit. But God always provides and so it was for last year. Volunteers from 20 churches assisted on 35 Cruise Ministry days sending teams in to provide the hands-on help that NESM has become known for. We also enjoyed the assistance from 2 New England Based volunteer networking organizations – Center for Student Mission in Boston and 516 Missions out of New Hampshire. Together they provided either intern help or visiting missions team for much of our summer and fall calendar. Helping to kick-off the Cruise Ministry season, NESM held its first N.E. Seafarers Mission Board of Trustees combined Annual Meeting & Volunteer Day.

“You Are Not Alone” is the clarion cry of New England Seafarers Mission. We believe that the love of Christ compels us to respond with conviction in assisting people too often forgotten or completely ignored by society. It is because of your prayers, volunteer time, and financial support that this is possible. The raging injustices and dangers mentioned above are being impacted by a global coalition of friends and Christ followers who care about seafarers which includes you. You are the angels of grace and mercy helping to heal wounds and restore dignity in the name of our Holy Creator. Providing a lifeline to working seafarers while in port (where time spent is increasingly shortened), requires a coordinated and international effort of non-profit support centers like New England Seafarers Mission, where Chaplains/ship visitors can respond quickly with aid, counsel, spiritual support, mediation over unpaid wages, medical attention, legal services or a host of other actions when called upon. Seafarers do not have the luxury of time nor the assurances within their work environment that disclosed needs will be met with confidentiality or any response at all for that matter. All too often blatant abuse leaves a seafarer hopeless and even suicidal.

A Chaplains’ visit can make all the difference in these circumstances! Chaplains provide seafarers with emotional and psychological support that begins with these words: “I believe you.

You are not alone.” Along with initial support, they offer guidance and access to a new international multi-lingual 24- hour crisis hotline which is available to women and men who have experienced sexual harassment or have been victims of assault.

To provide Hospitality, Encouragement, Advocacy, re-connection and Teaching –to the women and men who work on the giant vessels. Our industrial ship visits continue to provide Technology Assistance on ship, Transportation off and back on the ship as well as the Hospitality and Counsel so needed by the crew during each visit. Although the intensity of these industrial visits is less than a Cruise Ship Ministry Day, they are just as vital to our mission statement Each of these interactions require preparation and provision time (Supplies, fuel, travel etc.) so the impact upon our ministry is substantial.

In September of 2017 Sharon and Stephen Cushing were honored by the Board of Trustees of Gordon College, their alma mater, with the 2017 A. J. Gordon Christian Missionary Service Award.

The Rev. and Mrs. Cushing were presented with their award by President Michael Lindsay at reception honoring award recipients.

Earlier in the day, Rev. Cushing gave the sermon at an all-campus convocation.

Finally, we once again finished 2017 off with our annual Christmas Gift Bag drive, “employing” volunteers from the Women’s Seafarers Friend Society, church members and volunteers from local businesses to produce 1500 Ditty Bags and 400 Gift Boxes to deliver to ships from Portland Maine to Providence Rhode Island. This past year some of the Christmas items found their way into different, but no less needy hands. Right after Hurricane Harvey slammed the Houston area, the City of Boston put out a call to provide relief donations for the people of Houston.

NESM responded by contributing from the abundance of donated T-Shirts we have received, to the tune of 10,000 shirts sent to Houston. ”…For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

THE HIGHROCK NETWORK DREW HUNTER Director

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” ~ Hebrews 10:23-25 At its core, the Highrock Network exists to start new churches, strengthen existing churches, and amplify God’s impact in Boston. We believe that together we can be more effective than apart.

Although we are only a few years into this Network experiment, God has been faithful, gracious, and accomplishing great things. We are still actively discerning how best to network the Highrock churches together, yet already we see how God is bearing fruit through our initial efforts. Here are a few highlights: Start New Three churches are planning to plant out of the Highrock Network this year. Andy & Lisa Ober and Matt & Meghan Webel are completing their church planting residency this spring. The Obers will be planting a church out of Highrock Brookline into Roslindale/Hyde Park, MA. The Webels will be planting a church out of Highrock North Shore into Haverhill, MA. Additionally, Edwin & Kelsey Menon will be planting a church out of Highrock Arlington into Malden, MA. Strengthen Existing As we have done for the past few years, all the Highrock Churches once again relocated a Sunday services to the Thoreau Center in Concord, MA so that we could worship together as one Highrock Family. It is one of the high points of the year as friends from around the city reconnect, worship, pray, swim, play, and eat together. All told, 1200 Highrockers gathered this year.

New this year, we began quarterly All Network Staff Development Days.

In addition to providing an occasion for staff across The Network to reconnect, the days serve as opportunities to grow together and learn about relevant topics affecting our churches and church leadership. So far, we have explored the factors which lead to burnout and discussed resolving conflict in our churches. We look forward to examining more topics in gatherings to come.

Amplify Impact The Network set aside August 12th & 13th as our Serve Days. A multitude of Highrockers served in local schools, cleaned up communities, completed construction projects, participated in food drives, and much more!

Going forward, we are dreaming about how to collaborate, share resources, and advance The Kingdom of God in Boston. Currently, we are rolling out new websites for each of the Network Churches. This missional tool enables us to better tell our local stories, communicate our shared vision, and connect with each other across the city. We are identifying new ways to eliminate redundancies and create efficiencies by working together. We are excited to encourage and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds!”

Top to bottom: Ober Family; Webel Family; Great All Highrock Get Together Outdoor Worship; Menon Family; Menon Church Plant Praying at GAHGT; Great All Highrock Get Together Communion;

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION

2018 ordination candidates David Ho Sang

kevin brown

matthew gillis

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Pastor of Youth & Family Pilgrim Covenant Church Granby, CT M.A., Dallas Seminary

2017 Income from Churches

Andrew Hyun

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Pastor/Church Planter Hope Church NYC – Midtown New York, NY M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

5 YEARS Barbara Ann Ettinger (OWSa) Devyn Chambers Johnson (OWSa)

$598,916

$587,806

$580,073

$541,211

553,573

$495,306

$500K

$300K

Ordination to Word Service Pastor of Worship Bethany Covenant Church Berlin, CT M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary

Ordination Anniversaries

$600K

$400K

Christopher Logan

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Pastor of Spiritual Formation Metro Community Church Englewood, NJ D.Phil., University of Oxford

Ordination to Word & Sacrament Pastor/Church Planter Still Waters Covenant Church Newport News, VA M.Div., North Park Theological Seminary

10 YEARS Mae E. Cannon (OWSa) David C. Guertin (OWSa) 15 YEARS Christopher P. Ek (OWSa) 20 YEARS Diane M. Stevenson (OWSa)

0

2012

2013

2014

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

2015

2016

2017

25 YEARS Dennis V. Anderson (OWSa) James Y. Choi (OWSa)

Howard Burgoyne, Superintendent Jason Condon, Director Of Church Planting Barbara Ettinger, Director of Discipling & Leadership Kreig Gammelgard, Director Of Congregational Vitality Sandi Lee, Office 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, Executive Director

30 YEARS Thomas H. Cowger (OWSa) Mark O. Fogel (OWSa) 35 YEARS Christopher W. Haydon (OWSa) Lyle L. Mook (OWSa) Jung Chi Back (OWSa) retired 45 YEARS Charles C. Anderson (OWSe) retired 55 YEARS D. Bruce Lake (OWSa) retired