Annual Meeting Edition

From Everyone to Everywhere

Shaktoolik Gathering Unites for Connection, Worship, Mission

Shaktoolik hosted approximately 70 guests for the annual meeting conference held in early April as the delegation considered the expansive mission and call of God to be Christ’s witnesses.

Planning for the conference began a full year earlier as Shaktoolik Covenant Church member and planner Lynda Bekoalok met with conference staff after the final service of 2023’s conference in Wasilla to start preparing logistically for hosting such a large gathering.

“This was truly a grand and collective effort between the conference, local church, community members, school personnel, and ministry partners,” said Kristi Ivanoff, Alaska Conference event coordinator.

Mayor Eugene Asicksik and city staff, the Native Village of Shaktoolik IRA, the Shaktoolik Native Corporation, the Paul F. Asicksik school principal and teachers, local youth volunteers, and many adults among the community worked together for weeks to prepare goodie bags, thaw frozen pipes, house, prepare meals, feed, transport, and welcome the conferees.

A Child Evangelism Fellowship team flew with Samaritan’s Purse to offer children’s ministry throughout the conference. Missionary Aviation Repair Center (MARC) and Patrick McLean, of SEND North, flew guests into Shaktoolik. Clint and Aleigha Daniels of Cornerstone Church, in Roanoke, AL, arrived early and stayed after the conference to serve however needed. Della Etageak spent hours in the kitchen cooking meals with her team of volunteers, and Jeffrey Spang of Arctic Barnabas served with local needs as well. Patty Burchell, KICY station manager, worked to ensure recording and broadcasting of the gatherings to the listening audience.

Though Shaktoolik’s population hovers around 200, according to census data, the small church community has a rich history of hosting regional “Get Togethers” and has hosted the conference before. In the book Grandpa A Mission in Alaska, by Jan Olov-Schroder, an account from the March of 1938 conference in Shaktoolik reads, “Though Shaktoolik is one of the smaller villages in our district, the people there prepared so well for the conference that they were able to take excellent care of the 181 delegates or guests, and their 596 dogs during the whole conference.”

Although finding space for dogs was not one of this year’s challenges, one significant logistical challenge was the purchasing and shipping food to feed approximately 100 people for eleven meals on a limited budget. After the menu was created, conference staff purchased approximately $2,000 in groceries. Thanks to Missionary Aviation Repair Center (MARC), Jono Hansen of Bering Air in Nome, and Nome residents (Chris and Lloyd Perrigo and Nora and Nathan Nagarak) who helped transport the groceries from Anchorage to Nome and Shaktoolik in the weeks prior to the conference, only about $60 was paid toward shipping costs for food.

Music and singing is always a central and important part of the village conference gatherings. In addition the many heartfelt choir songs and special numbers from the delegation, Glenn Kaiser, formerly of Rez Band, traveled from Chicago and blessed the conference with his musical talents. The Elim Covenant Church Worship team, consisting of Elim residents who have moved from various parts of the Philippines, brought a full band and shared Friday night at the community potluck and led worship for the closing session.

The ECC Executive Minister of Serve Global, Grace Shim, was one of the keynote speakers to address the conferees with a message of God’s movement around the world and how each of us are called to be a part of that right now. Dr. Dennis Edwards, Dean of North Park Theological Seminary, spoke for two of the evening sessions from the gospel accounts, calling us to be “amazed at Jesus again.” Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff shared an encouraging closing message around the call to be alert, ready and engaged in the work of Christ’s Kingdom. (Message recordings are available at www.alaskacovenant.org/2024-annual-meeting).

The Annual Meeting was held on Friday, where delegates heard church and ministry reports, approved the Alaska Conference budget, recognized Daniel Savetilik, Sr. award recipients Betty Kay and Lynn Jackson (see page 4), acknowledged CYAK volunteers of the year Chris and Lloyd Perrigo, and elected new executive board members (see page 4).

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.

Conference participants send greetings back to sending churches. Pastor John and Sheree Meader get a ride from Ethel Fuller who served with transportation.

Katherine and Lorena Paniptchuk enjoy the community potluck with food, music, worship and teaching from the Word.

2025 Annual Meeting Site: Anchorage

First Covenant Church of Anchorage will be the primary site host for the 2025 Annual Meeting Conference to be held April 2-5, 2025. Chugach Covenant Church and Mountain View Hope Covenant Church, both of Anchorage, will collaborate with First Covenant to share responsibilities related to host homes, providing meals, transportation and other logistical details.

Shaktoolik Couple Receives Savetilik Award

The Executive Board awarded Jackson, of Shaktoolik Covenant Church, the Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award for many years of volunteer service in Alaska.

The intent of the Savetilik award is to annually recognize local Covenant lay persons who have made significant contribution to ministry in Alaska over many years of faithful service.

The award is named after Daniel Savetilik, Sr., who himself was a faithful leader and servant for many years in the Shaktoolik Covenant Church.

The Jacksons nomination cited many significant acts of service over more than thirty years: “Betty Kay has worked tirelessly keeping the Shaktoolik Evangelical Covenant Church open. She has served on the board

and has been treasurer for many years. When Lynn committed his life to Jesus, together they have made sure the church and parsonage is in always in top condition, such as making sure there is fuel for heating, turning on the heat each Saturday for Sunday service and other mechanical duties.

Betty Kay has made sure the next generation has the opportunity to know Jesus by sharing songs, testimony, and her delicious cinnamon rolls. She encourages and helps the youth of Shaktoolik to attend Covenant Bible Camp each year. of Shaktoolik.”

“Betty Kay and Lynn have been such examples of faithfulness and a servant heart. I’m go grateful for their willingness to serve in so many ways over many years for the sake of the gospel of Jesus,” Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff expressed.

Executive Board Members Elected to 3-Year Terms

The Executive Board of the Alaska Conference is made of up nine elected seats. Each person is elected for a three -yea terms and is able to serve two consecutive terms, if re-elected. The Executive Board is the agent of the Annual Meeting in making decisions for, and otherwise acting on behalf of, the Conference when the Annual Meeting is not in session. The Executive Board is responsible to the Annual Meeting for its decisions and actions. One third of the executive board must be clergy. Each region has three delegates.

NO. 537

Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church

Superintendent: Curtis Ivanoff curtis@alaskacovenant.org

Associate Superintendent Brian Nanninga brian@alaskacovenant.org

Ministry Associate Lynnette Boyer info@alaskacovenant.org

Sinew Editor Kristi Ivanoff kristi@alaskacovenant.org

P.O. Box 200446 Anchorage, AK 99520 Office: 907-222-6348

e-mail

info@alaskacovenant.org

website

NORTON SOUND ROAD SYSTEM

Heidi Ivanoff, of Unalakleet Covenant Church, has worked as a Magistrate Judge for the Alaska Court System for the last 25 years. She has served many years on the church board, Sewing Circle, and served as program director of the Covenant Bible Camp.

Y-K DELTA

Patrick McLean, of Hooper Bay Covenant Church, has lived in Hooper for 14 years and serves as a lay pastor and ministers with SEND North.

Along with a group of dedicated volunteers, he runs the Teen Center in Hooper Bay with a heart for discipleship and healthy churches.

Sarah Miller, of Mat-Su Covenant Church, has served one term on the AC executive board, and formerly served the Alaska Yearly Meeting (AYM) of Friends Church with her husband David. She is a graduate of Covenant High School and holds a degree in Business Management.