the Sinew--Summer, 2022

Summer 2022

RefresHER Day Conference Unites Women

Women from across Anchorage and the state gathered in April at Eagle River Community Covenant Church for a one-day conference designed to reconnect women and encourage their faith. The day conference was called a “RefresHER” and the theme was “Bounce Back” with the theme verses: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound...I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Phil. 4:11-13 (ESV).

The Covenant Women’s Retreat Committee reluctantly postponed the Fall 2021 retreat, due to the ongoing complexities of the pandemic.

However, as case counts began to drop, it was decided that a one-day conference might be just the thing needed to spark and encourage women in a safe environment going forward.

“We were thrilled with the turnout, especially the number of women who traveled into Anchorage from Rural Alaska, as well as a group from Alaska Christian College,” expressed Sharron Carlson, retreat committee chairperson. “We had ladies from Bethel, Mekoryuk, Nome, Kotzebue and beyond in attendance that day. It made for a really rich time together.”

Melody Hickey, instructor and worship leader for Alaska Christian College, graced the services with her musical gifts as she turned hearts toward the throne room of God in worship in song. Ofa Finau, Heather Smith, and Kristi Ivanoff ministered in sharing the Word as speakers of group sessions. Ofa, elder in residence at Alaska Christian College,

challenged the group to consider how to truly live in contentment, sharing many personal stories from her own journey. Heather Smith, Pastor of Prayer at Community Covenant Church in Eagle River, lead an afternoon session on healing prayer, where participants not only learned from Heather, but began to minister to one another in prayer. Kristi Ivanoff, Associate Pastor of Families at Anchorage First Covenant Church, shared a message called, “God’s Stitch-Fix” from Colossians 3: 1-17 in a dramatic and memorable way.

Beyond the worship and learning sessions, ladies spent the afternoon in free time. There were various activities provided, such as a painting class, a gardening workshop, crafts, and a service project sewing pillow cases for Royal Family KIDS Camp. Delicious meals were graciously provided by a team from Community Covenant Church, led by Kathy Adams.

One woman in attendance from Anchorage First Covenant Church expressed: “It was so good to gather together with other women to learn more about what God wants for us. It was one of the most welcoming retreats I’ve ever been to, especially as a first-time attendee.”

The recordings of the sessions are available on the Alaska Conference website for individuals or groups that were not able to attend on the day of the event. The fall statewide women’s retreat will be held at North Star Bible Camp in Willow, AK, September 23-25. Registration for that event will be available in early August.

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.

Ephesians 4:16

There is a story in the gospel of Matthew where Jesus makes this statement: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The context is that he had just told his followers that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than the rich to enter the kingdom of God. In their astonishment they asked, “Who then can be saved?” have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be

by Curtis Ivanoff, Superintendent impossible for you.” The

context was that he had just healed a demon possessed boy after the disciples could not drive out the demon, and they asked him why they could not.

These are two stories that speak about possibility in the face of what seems impossible. We learn that the source of that hope is Jesus. I want to offer these to you as an encouragement to our current realities. What I find to be hopeful, is that no matter our situation, there is a way that can be made by Jesus and his power. He pointed to a mustard seed, not to illustrate that he can make something small into

something big. He turned their hearts to this truth: his gospel and grace are sufficient. His followers were in quite a crisis of understanding at the moment as he talked about camels and the eye of a needle. Just like in many ways today, we may have faced feelings or realities of crisis.

I am encouraged and spurred on to remember that our God is a God of possibility—his gospel moves forward. Nothing can stop that power of life changing love, not even ourselves. All through the ages we see this, and we see it in the pages of Scripture. I'm reminded of the accounts in the Acts of the Apostles. Not even riots, shipwrecks, raging ocean storms, culture battles, lack of understanding, and imprisonment, among other things, could stop the movement of the way of Jesus. The last words in Acts tell us that Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Nothing could hinder him. My prayer is that you will be encouraged and strengthened by the power of the gospel, to keep moving forward as God makes things possible.

There is no other way than the unwavering and faithful presence of God to lead us through our adversity. May we trust and follow him as his kingdom of hope advances in the world today.

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by Pastor Ben Schoffmann, C3 Covenant Church

In April, Chugach Covenant Church (C3) resumed an after-school program called MESAS (Muldoon Elementary School After School) for our neighborhood’s kids. COVID-19 shutdowns meant that we would need to temporarily let go of many things. We had to stop meeting at Muldoon Elementary for Sunday church services, suspend park minis-

In another scene in Matthew, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you

NO IMPOSSIBILITIES

Chugach Covenant Church Resumes After School Program

try for a year, and we had to discontinue our after school program.

Once Anchorage reopened, we began planning for resuming MESAS. We host the gatherings at the Unity Center from 3:30-6 p,m. on Mondays. We are intentional in providing Biblical content along with games and a meal. We are asking for others to join us in this outreach and in providing for needed supplies and food.

In addition to seeing the children of Muldoon Elementary at our Unity Center, we’ve been blessed to have opportunities with Muldoon Elementary School students, staff and families. We’ve hosted family movie nights, helped bring the annual egg hunt back, and have participated in their spelling bee, outdoor field days, zoo and museum trips.

& Launches Tax Service Ministry C3 has also opened its Unity Center doors to become a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provider site for qualified taxpayers in Anchorage. The VITA program offers free tax help to people in lowincome brackets, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

The program helped more than forty people get assistance with their tax preparation needs and other matters related to their finances. To take it a step further, volunteers brought this service to the Covenant House (a shelter that helps youth in transition) to assist them with

their taxes, some for the very first time! C3 currently has 4 people trained to provide assistance and welcomes others to join our team next year. The notes and other expressions of appreciation have been encouraging. We have made it known that we are a church—an unconventional one at that—and have received some interest from families who are currently without church homes. We are praying that God will draw them to come and see.

Mat-Su Care Ministry Response Team Steps Up in Wind Crisis

by Pastor Rick Millikin, Mat-Su Covenant Church

January 2022 will be one for the record books, at least as far as the weather is concerned. Like many in Alaska, we’re no strangers to winter winds. We’ve come to expect them at least for one to three days at a time. But this January was something altogether unique. A solid week of wind and freezing temperatures left a lot of damage to homes, businesses, and schools.

Twenty thousand folks experienced power outages during the weeklong storm, some for many days. Families would huddle around the woodstove if they were fortunate enough to have one.

Mat-Su Covenant Church responded by utilizing their Care Ministry Help Team. Emails were sent and calls were made to check on anyone that might need help. As needs would arise, people would spring into action to lend a hand. One widow felt confident the power would come back on soon, but it did not. Her home sank below 40 degrees inside and she knew it was time for help. She was connected with a fellow church family who took her in until power and heat could be restored.

Families would share generators with neighbors that did not have one, giving each home a chance to warm up and protect pipes. Trees were down everywhere, some blocking driveways. Chainsaws were buzzing even while the wind was still gusting upwards of 90 mph.

The love of the Father was so visible during this time. Galatians 5:1314 reminds us that we are called to freedom, not for an opportunity of the flesh, but through love to serve one another. This is a great reminder that it shouldn’t take an emergency for us to reach out and serve one another. Do you have a regular habit of checking in with your neighbors to inquire about how they are actually doing? What could that look like in your community?

“On the night of this photo, I went to Olnes Pond about 20 miles north of Fairbanks, knowing the pond was not frozen and would provide a beautiful nocturnal landscape. Although I have enjoyed aurora photography since 2015, as the lights begin to fill the sky, choosing where to point the camera is often difficult! After moving my camera low to the ground to maximize the reflection of the aurora off the water, I captured this photo at the edge of the pond. Photographing the aurora is amazing, since it is a truly spectacular part of God’s creation. It is a reminder to me of how Jesus will return on glorious clouds of rainbow and light with the train of his robe filling the heavens.“ —Doug Lange, C3 Fairbanks, Photographer 2022 Alaska Conference Calendar Doug Lange’s aurora photo was featured in this year’s Alaska Conference calendar. The Lord led Doug and his family to the Nome Covenant Church, pastored by Marv Eppard, after accepting a position as a music teacher in the local schools. Doug and his wife, Lori, were involved in many areas of church including leading music

Interested in developing a crisis response plan for your church for when disaster hits your community?

under pastor Harvey Fiskeaux. After moving to Fairbanks in 1998, Doug and his family knew God had directed their path to C3Fairbanks when the music leader announced he was leaving the state in the fall. Doug began leading the music team with Lori on piano

within months of arriving in Fairbanks. Doug has filled a variety

This resource is an excellent place to begin.

of roles and duties at C3-Fairbanks, including leading music, the video

Disaster Ministry Handbook

streaming producer, youth retreat counselor, the church council, and

by Jamie D. Aten and David M. Boan

other committees. He enjoys playing saxophone and other instruments on Doug (Lori) Lange, photographer

the worship team.

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Healing Prayer Ministry

by Heather Smith, Prayer Pastor, Eagle River Community Covenant Church Prayer is one of the most powerful gifts we In the early days of the pandemic, we had several prayer have been given by the Lord and we need outreaches established, classes were growing, and interest was to USE It! At Community Covenant awakening. Then our world went into hibernation. Church services Church, we have tried to incorporate all went to Zoom only access. We talked, prayed, and asked how we kinds of prayer into every corner of our could continue to pray together and stay connected. Can we really church. Everyone is encouraged to join us, do all this on ZOOM? I must confess, I was skeptical. whether they are We started noon prayer five days a just beginning to week on Zoom. People needed a place pray or have to share their needs and concerns.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions been praying all their lives. We Surprisingly, folks showed up and more with all kinds of prayers and encourage the importance of knowing came as this seemed to fill the need of requests. With this in mind, be the word, intercession, fellowship, caring for one another, alert and always keep on praying contemplative and meditative prayer, and staying connected. That group prayer at the cross, individual prayer continued for over two years. for all the Lord’s people.” sessions by trained prayer ministers, and Our Sunday Healing Prayer class was Ephesians 6:18 of course healing prayer of all kinds. already going well, and folks wanted to We started learning about God’s continue to learn and pray for one healing power through a variety of national healing ministries many another. We went to presenting the classes on Zoom and the class years ago, but that has continued for the last seven years in our grew. The Sunday Night Healing prayer class on Zoom is now Healing Prayer Class on Sunday evenings—now held in person and drawing people from other churches, denominations and five other online. This has given an opportunity to incorporate the outstanding states. scriptural teachings into one class. As we grow and receive God’s “Global Prayer” started on Tuesday Evenings on Zoom as there healing ourselves, we encourage each other to join the class and was an urgent need to pray for our world and call upon the Lord for receive. We now have a team of about seven gifted instructors who His help in everything that was transpiring. This prayer group have received training and are now teaching and praying for others. I continues today. believe more are coming.

One of the most amazing things that caught my attention was the Our classes start with the basics: how do we hear God’s voice and number of people who wanted individual prayer appointments and how do we know that it is him, so hat we are not deceived? Then who were willing to use Zoom. The Holy Spirit came to them in progress to the four main kinds of healing: physical, emotional, inner amazing ways. I believe some received physical, emotional healing, healing and spiritual healing. Each class has a teaching session (in and deliverance. person or video) and a practice time. There is also time to debrief and I am assured that God can and does use any means to care for His and ask questions. children. He hears our prayers, and He is with us. I do believe that Over the years we have witnessed many answered prayers and anything is possible with our God. folks testify that they have experienced healing of all kinds. We Another prayer class will begin in September, if you are interested to look forward to more people to join us in person or online. join, please reach out to me at Heathersmith.ak@gci.net.

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Stories of Pain, Prayer, and Healing What has been your experience with pain? As followers of Jesus, all

MRI was done to pinpoint the herniated disc, and I was referred to a pain intervention specialist. of us have experienced difficulty, hardship, pain. We have all During this time, I also attended a Dunamis retreat up at Victory experienced wounding, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. The pain Bible Camp. While I was there, I again sought healing prayer. A friend we experience demands our attention. It is very easy to focus on our of mine said that he felt that the Spirit had told him that I needed to go pain. It cries out for our attention. on a prayer walk. I nodded in agreement, and during that afternoon’s Five years ago, I started experiencing pain in my leg, which I later break, I started to pray as I left the camp for the mountain peak. learned was sciatica. A disc in my lower back had herniated and was I had not even made it out of camp, I had just started up the hill touching the nerve for my leg. Even though the problem I had was in when I heard God’s Spirit say, “I am the God who saves you.” I cannot my back, it was my leg that demanded my attention, with pain that begin to describe how astounded I was! I was seeking physical healing, extended along my thigh down into my shin. but God touched a place much deeper in me that needed His healing In Romans 5, we read that we are to rejoice in our affliction. I tried touch. hard to do this. When my pain was strong and seeking my attention, I And that has been my experience over and over as I’ve been involved would pray Jeremiah 17:14: “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save with healing prayer ministry. In the places where we have experienced me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” I used that verse as wounding, God, who knows us in a way that is too wonderful for us, a prayer to turn my attention to God, away from the pain. I asked for too lofty for us to attain (Psalms 139:6), will often touch the deeper healing, I asked others to pray for my healing, but nothing seemed to place and bring deeper healing, rather than what seems more apparent happen. In fact, it got worse, and I started to grow impatient.

I am a pilot by trade, and as an airline captain I am responsible for the to us. Just like the sciatic pain that I felt in my leg, the real problem was safe conduct of the flight. I distinctly remember during an approach to the disc in my back. And when I grew impatient, ready for healing and land in Anchorage one afternoon, my pain was particularly high, and my was done with my pain, God was faithful to grow my character and focus was on my leg, not on safely piloting the aircraft during a critical bring me into deeper relationship with Him. God healed my herniated disc, but more importantly, he brought me to a place of deeper faith. All phase of flight. I knew I had to do something about it.

I sought medical help initially from a chiropractor, and he was able to for His Glory.

—Dave Ham, Healing Prayer Minister bring some relief, but it did not get me to 100 percent. Eventually an

My healing prayer journey began when I realized that time does not actually heal all wounds; burdens and hurts that I’d been carrying for years were just getting heavier, rather than going away. I was invited into our formal healing prayer ministry after asking someone at church to pray with me. As I prayed with the prayer team over the course of several months, bit by bit God gently peeled away the layers of wounding and brought me into a place of lasting peace and contentment. As I began to heal, God made it clear that my pain was not wasted: he was calling me to use my story to help guide others to the same place of healing that I had found. I started attending the healing prayer class to learn more and eventually began to participate in prayer teams like the one that had ministered to me. I have seen God work over and over again through prayer to free people from pain and bondage: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He is still Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals!

—Sarah Pace,

Healing Prayer Minister

I first experienced “Healing Prayer” around 15 years ago. A few years prior to that, I had experienced something traumatic at work, and rather than deal with it or talk to anyone, I “stuffed” it, just as I had done my whole life. I would never have admitted It at the time, but I was very angry at God for what had happened. It really started affecting my life and my husband finally called one of our friends who was involved in the prayer ministry at church and talked me in to talking to them. I have to admit that I was not excited about the idea, and I really didn’t know what to expect.

I had gone to prayer meetings and services for years, and thought this approach sounded pretty weird. I think I expected tambourines and dancing, or something like that. What I discovered is that there are many types of prayer. The type I was first introduced to was very purposeful and I would say gentle in that it was a time set apart for me to intentionally bring my cares and concerns to God in a safe place, with people I trusted. They encouraged me to speak, as well as listen, to the Lord as I tentatively poured my heart out to Him. He knew it already, and I just had not expressed it honestly myself. There were tears, smiles, and some very meaningful moments (but no tambourines). I think the listening part was the most novel aspect for me, as I had viewed prayer as a list of concerns followed by an “amen.”

As I learned to listen better, I realized that prayer could be a conversation that continues long past the designated session. Healing started in my spirit that day, and it is an ongoing process. I’m now involved with prayer ministry at Community Covenant, and the big thing I want to make clear is that none of us are the experts in prayer or know how to do it right all the time. The purpose of a prayer session is to facilitate a safe place for someone to come and share what is on their heart, with two or three other people who can help guide them and support them in the process. I know for me that sometimes the thing I think I need to pray about is not what we end up dealing with. The Holy Spirit sets the agenda, for sure. I would encourage anyone who is interested to setup a prayer session and check it out.

—Stephanie Stockhouse, Healing Prayer Minister

(Continued on page 9)

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2022 Annual Meeting Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church “Come Unto Me” March 30-April 2

Oudals Honored With Savetilik Service Award The Executive Board awarded for more than 30 years. Anna Marie Anna Marie (and her late husband has played the organ and piano for Bill) Oudal, the Daniel Savetilik, Sr. worship, weddings, funerals and Award for their many years of other occasions. She leads women’s volunteer service in Bible studies. Her Alaska. huband Bill (deceased The intent of the 02/02/2020) served in a Savetilik award is to variety of capacities annually recognize including choir direction, local Covenant lay bookkeeping, church persons who have board positions, fundmade significant raising and building contribution to campaigns, building ministry in Alaska maintenance and Bible over many years of studies. Bill and Anna faithful service.

Marie often performed The award is special music and named after Daniel encouraged others to use Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff Savetilik, Sr., who their gifts. They hosted awarded the Daniel Savetilik, himself was a Sr. Award to Anna Marie Oudal. home Christmas She along with her late husfaithful leader and singspirations and band, Bill Oudal, have a long servant for many opened their home to tenure of volunteer service after years in the friends, family and those their service with Covenant Shaktoolik in need. They were High School.

Covenant Church. generous in supporting After teaching in Unalakleet for 17 their church, the mission of the years at Covenant High School, Anna Covenant in Alaska and other worthy Marie has served as a volunteer with gospel causes.

Anchorage First Covenant Church

Announcing the 2023 Annual Meeting Conference: April 19-22, 2023 Mat-Su Evangelical Covenant Church

Executive Board Members Elected to Serve Three–Year Terms The Executive Board of the Alaska Conference is made of up nine elected seats. Each person is elected for three-year 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.

Christina Perrigo Nome Covenant Church Elected to second term Norton Sound

Chris lives and serves in Nome. She has ministered in many capacities over the years in Nome, Elim, and at Bible Camp. She loves young people and has worked as the Nome Schools secretary for 18 years. She is known for her hospitality and no-nonsense approach to life, love, and serving God. She encourages women in mentoring relationships and Bible studies. She is married to Lloyd, has three grown children, and is a dedicated grandmother.

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Drew Williams Scammon Bay Covenant Church Elected to first term YK Delta

Drew and his wife Holly have been serving in Scammon Bay since 2014. His entire adult career has been in youth ministry. He serves in a dual role as both the local youth pastor in Scammon Bay as well as the Statewide youth ministry coach for the conference, helping to support and resource the many people doing youth ministry across the state.

Sara, originally from Bethel, and New ministers Debbielives serves with her husband Jason on the Kenai Peninsula.

Hope Counseling Center Previously, she was on of the asthe theleadership Executiveteam Director River Covenant Church. in andWhen one ofresiding the Licensed Fairbanks, Sara was active in Community Professional Counselors.

Covenant Church andNew served on the pastoral Hope is the counselingshe ministry that search committee. Additionally was active Alaska Christian with CYAK’s ministryserves to college students.

Sara College as well as the and her husband Jason have three children.

Debbie Hamilton New Hope Counseling Center Elected to first term

Road System

public on the Kenai Peninsula and beyond.

She has recently served on the Professional Counselor State Licensing Board as well as the ECC Board of Ordered Ministry. She is married to Keith and has three adult children.

Continued from page 9

More Stories of Prayer, Healing and Ministry It all began when I attended a healing prayer conference lead by attending additional conferences. I soon learned that it has everything Judith McNutt at Community Covenant to do with God’s love for us and His Church two decades or so ago. I was desire to see us whole and that responsible for scheduling the sound board following the prompting of the Holy and could not get a volunteer to run it for Spirit is essential. I am not the healer, the three-day conference. So, I filled the God is! As I witness God power and position myself. healing it also became apparent that I At that multi-denominational am to help others understand what conference, I learned that God continues in God has taught me thru experience and the business of healing to expand His trials. kingdom. I personally witnessed His Love Our goal is to train prayer warriors to and healing as well. More significantly than advance His Kingdom, to describe how being the sound guy, God allowed me to we have experienced God at work and hear His angels sing during worship. At the to understand the ways of the end of the conference, it changed my enemy. There is no greater Joy than whole perspective, and I knew that it was to be used by God. The Eagle River Community Covenant group meets with other real and that I wanted to know more.

—Ed Carlson, Zoom attendees for the Sunday evening prayer ministry class.

That became a personal quest to learn and Healing Prayer Minister understand more by reading books and

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Congratulations Alaska Christian College Class of 2022

Top row: Jessica Peterson (Mountain Village, General Studies), Nekeisha Talahytewa (Leupp, AZ; Christian Ministry), Aura Petrick (Nikiski, Christian Ministry), Marilyn Moore (Golovin, Behavioral Health), Lorraine Evan (Pilot Station, Behavioral Health). Bottom row: William Beaver (Kasigluk, Paraprofessional Education), Michael George (Kotlik, Paraprofessional Education), Kaylea "Buff" Brink (Kasigluk, Christian Ministry), Max Tucker (Emmonak, General Studies).

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KICY Russian Broadcasts Continue from Honolulu Reprinted from KICY’s “Call Letter”

For several years Luda Kinok, our Russian Language Programmer, has worked part time at the Nome Post Office. Last July, she took advantage of the opportunity for a transfer and moved to Hawaii. She now works at one of the post offices in Honolulu and is making Hawaii her home.

Luda had the desire to continue providing Russian content for KICY, and thanks to the marvels of modern technology, she can. We have provided her with a home studio that interfaces with the automation system in Nome which allows her to complete her on air shift each day almost as if she were in the studio.

Please pray for Luda as she continues to settle in to a location that is quite different from Western Alaska. Her work hours have made it difficult to fully enter into life in Hawaii as she is currently on the night shift.

Even so she has found ways to connect with the people she works with and has hosted several visitors from Alaska. Pray that she would find more and more time to explore her new surroundings and that she would be able to build relationships with people in that place.

Pray also for her continued ministry to the people of Eastern Russia. We are blessed that Luda continues to minister on KICY, and we know our Russian listeners are too.

Swanson-Draheim Selected as ECC Presidential Nominee Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim has been nominated by the Presidential Search Committee to stand for election as president of the Evangelical Covenant Church when delegates gather for the 136th Annual Meeting in June. If elected, Swanson-Draheim would serve as the first female president in the denomination’s history.

Swanson-Draheim has held a variety of roles within the denomination for more than 23 years and most recently has served as superintendent of the Midwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church since 2011.

“I am honored to be selected as the nominee for president,” said Swanson-Draheim. “I thank the Presidential Nominee Committee for their hard work and the Covenant family for engaging and giving feedback in various stages of the process. As a lifelong Covenanter, it brings me great joy to have lived out my vocational calling in this body. I am grateful to be a part of what God is doing in this beautiful mosaic of churches as we seek to deepen our discipleship and invite others to follow Jesus through our local Covenant churches and around the world. I look forward to what God will do through the Covenant as we navigate challenges, experience God’s faithfulness, and live for the praise of God’s glory.”

Swanson-Draheim’s selection follows a thorough process that began when the 27-member Presidential Nominating Committee held its organizational meeting in early September 2021. Steve Dawson, chair of the Presidential Nominating Committee, offered the following comments regarding the process to identify a candidate: “An open invitation to Covenanters across the continent generated almost 1,000 pages of comments and nominations, and more than 40 candidates for the committee to ultimately review. At our first meeting, the committee agreed to a set of qualities and competencies to seek in the nominee, as well as a set of issues to discuss in the interviewing process. In December, the committee reduced the number of candidates to six, with representation across ethnicity, gender, generations, and geography. Those six were invited to interview with the committee this past week.

“We are deeply grateful for a rich pool of candidates who took part in an extensive interview process. The Evangelical Covenant Church can praise God for capable leaders who entered this process and further offered themselves to the church. Their testimonies, competencies, and

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enduring belief in God’s work through the Evangelical Covenant Church clearly demonstrate that we are a gifted body, cherished by our leaders.

“As we narrowed the group of six candidates, the Holy Spirit confirmed in our votes what we had prayed for—clear discernment and unity of mind. Our process was bathed in prayer.

“We are grateful that God led us to Tammy, our first female presidential nominee, and if elected, the first female president of our denomination.

Tammy’s appreciation for the diversity of the church and her outstanding leadership skills, heart for relationships and relational health, and belief in our mission are essential qualities that are needed now. She has demonstrated experience in working collaboratively to move forward together and in building cultures of trust. Her leadership skills are needed to guide the denomination through continuing COVID-19 impacts, as well as challenges we are experiencing in other areas.”

The Constitution and Bylaws call for the Presidential Nominating Committee to recommend one candidate to stand for election at the Annual Meeting, which will take place June 2325 in Kansas City, Missouri. Additional nominations from delegates can come from the floor.

Prior to her election as superintendent, Swanson-Draheim served as the senior pastor of First Covenant Church in Mason City, Iowa, for eight years. She also served as a chaplain at Covenant Home in Chicago and in various roles with Crossroads Covenant Church in Concord, California. For the last four years, she has served as chair of the Council of Superintendents. She has also served on the Covenant Executive Board, Board of Pension and Benefits, as chair of the Board of the Ordered Ministry, and on many task forces and committees.

Swanson-Draheim has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University Fullerton and a master of divinity degree with high honors from North Park Theological Seminary. She was ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2005. Swanson-Draheim currently lives in Omaha, Nebraska, and plans to relocate to the Chicagoland area. She has two sons with her late husband, Kelly, and four grandchildren. She is a member of First Covenant Church in Mason City, Iowa.

PRAYER MATTERS

Take Hold, Lift Strong, Raise High

Churches Seeking Pastors • Golovin Covenant Church • Shaktoolik Covenant Church • White Mountain Covenant Church • Unalakleet Covenant Church • Mekoryuk Covenant Church • Elim Covenant Church • Hooper Bay Covenant Church • First Covenant Church (Youth Pastor) • Chugach Covenant Church (Children’s Pastor)

Denominational Executive Leadership In June, the ECC annual meeting will convene and vote for a new president, as well as confirm several new calls for executive ministers and leaders.

Scammon Bay Covenant Church

Samaritan’s Purse is in the process of building a new parsonage and church building in Scammon Bay. Pray for final preparations, favorable weather, and cooperation and understanding between the work teams and local leadership.

Elim & Parsonage Project

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thes. 5:17

Supt. Curtis Ivanoff Sabbatical Pray for remaining needs of skilled workers for Curtis will be taking a 6-week sabbatical August parsonage completion. Pray that God would call a pastor or youth pastor to live in the home and early September. Pray that he would rest, be refreshed and renewed in his ministry call. once it is ready.

Tr a n s i t i o n s Sarah (Bender) Mangum, Anchorage First Covenant Youth Director, completed her service there in March. She was married on April 30 to Joshua Mangum, youth pastor at True North Church. She will continue to serve CYAK, but has concluded as youth director at First Covenant Church.

Dennis Gilmer (Zaya) completed his service to Mountain Village Covenant Church on May 8. The Gilmers will be returning to the Chicago area.

Marc (Elise) Murchison, will be serving the conference to support village ministry through short-term pastoral assignments. He will also assist with summer work-team coordination in Shaktoolik.

Nick (Nikki) Bruckner, will conclude as pastor of Unalakleet Covenant Church at the end of June.

Marc (Angela) Lantz, CYAK Program Director, completed his service in May. They are discerning next steps.

Marlene (Kellen) Katcheak, is serving as CYAK Administrative Assistant, and will serve Bible Camp as travel coordinator.

Cory (Mike) Alverts, has changed roles within the CYAK ministry and is now serving as Finance Manager.

Roger and Caryn Rosengren of Alexandria Covenant Church, were awarded the True North Award recognizing their many years of volunteer service in Alaskan villages and extensively at Alaska Christian College. Keith Hamilton presented the award on behalf of the Alaska Conference on a recent trip to Minnesota.

Conference-wide Upcoming Events & Dates May 23-27 May 28-June 3 June 4-10 June 11-16 June 17-22 June 22-25 July 18-23 July 25-29 Sept. 23-25 Oct. 4-6 April 19-22, 2023

Bible Camp Staff Training, Unalakleet Bible Camp: High School (grades completed 9-12), Unalakleet Bible Camp: Jr. High (grades completed 7-8), Unalakleet Bible Camp: Trailblazers (grades completed 5-6), Unalakleet Bible Camp: Pathfinders (grades completed 3-4), Unalakleet ECC Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO Unite West Youth Conference, Biola University, Los Angeles, CA Pastor & Leader Dip netting Extravaganza, Soldotna, AK State-wide Women’s Retreat, Camp Maranatha, Willow, AK Pastor & Leader Retreat, Camp Maranatha, Big Lake, AK Annual Meeting & Conference, Mat-Su Covenant Church, Wasilla, AK

the Sinew // 11

Elim Parsonage Progress Alaska Christian College sent a ministry team to assist with interior work during Spring Break. Additionally, a team with individuals from Anchorage First Covenant Church, Nome Covenant Church, and Community Covenant Church, Eagle River spent a week in early May to assist in the Elim Project. Would you or your church be interested in exploring ways you may be able to partner with on or more of our Alaska Village church projects? If so, email info@alaskacovenant.org.

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID ANCHORAGE, AK PERMIT NO. 537

Alaska Conference

of the Evangelical Covenant Church

Mission: Churches and ministries working together throughout Alaska to cultivate disciples so that families, communities, and the world are transformed by the gospel.

Superintendent: Curtis Ivanoff curtis@alaskacovenant.org

Associate Superintendent Brian Nanninga brian@alaskacovenant.org Office Manager Jaime Nanninga 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 www.alaskacovenant.org denominational website covchurch.org

Pictured above by ministry: Alaska Christian College—Luke Heckman (Pilot Station), Davis Katchatag (Unalakleet), Luther Walker (Scammon Bay), Kathy Aukon (Elim), Dan Franklin, Terri Franklin; Anchorage First Covenant Church—Luther Savetilik; Nome Covenant Church—Lloyd Perrigo; Elim Covenant Church—Kenny Takak, Grace Takak, Amy Takak; CYAK: Grant Gardener; Missionary Aviation Repair Center—Joel Oyoumick and Kylor Schultz.

Donations to the Alaska Conference are tax-deductible and may be made online or mailed to the office directly.