A mosaic of churches working interdependently together to transform lives and communities
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
We to talk with Monty Harmon about the upcoming Men’s Retreat on March 21-23. Monty invites men of every generation to come enjoy Cascade Camp and Convention center, fun activities, man s’mores, and learning from God’s word. David Johnson will be teaching about how to walk through life with grace.
Visit our Covenant Men’s Retreat Event Page For More information
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Pastor Dawn introduces a new prayer series called “Loving God, Loving Prayer”. This six week/once a week gathering, will feature guests from around the conference talking about how prayer has changed their church and will include a shared reading experience. This is a great opportunity for you and your church members to be renewed and inspired during Lent. Contact Dawn with questions.
For more information
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Jill Riley had a wonderful conversation with Pastor Lynette Sanchez of Countryside Community Church in Sherwood, Oregon. Lynette is the Children’s pastor and shared about the many baptisms the church was able to celebrate over this past year. Thank you, Lynette, for encouraging us and reminding us of the joy in celebrating the sacrament of baptism.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Superintendent Greg Yee shares thanks to churches for sending their teams to Midwinter. He also shares more of his family’s immigration story and about current immigration realities. How does the church posture itself in a shared response to this crisis?
Covenant Spanish-language Bible Institute CHET is hosting a bilingual workshop on February 1st to equip you with practical approaches. Registration is available here.
We will cover the constitutional rights of churches in the context of immigration enforcement on church premises, what to do if congregation members are detained, what has changed in immigration law, and who is affected. (Led by a licensed attorney & professional member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)). Bilingual Session: Spanish & English
Se abordarán los derechos constitucionales de las iglesias en el contexto de la aplicación de la ley de inmigración dentro de sus instalaciones, qué hacer si los miembros de la congregación son detenidos, qué ha cambiado en la ley de inmigración y quiénes se verán afectados. (Sesión dirigida por abogado licenciado y miembro profesional de la American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)).
Immigration is one of the most complicated issues of our time. Voices on all sides argue strongly for action and change. Christians find themselves torn between the desire to uphold laws and the call to minister to the vulnerable.
In this book, World Relief staffers Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang move beyond the rhetoric to offer a Christian response to immigration. They put a human face on the issue and tell stories of immigrants’ experiences in and out of the system. With careful historical understanding and thoughtful policy analysis, they debunk myths and misconceptions about immigration and show the limitations of the current immigration system. Ultimately they point toward immigration reform that is compassionate, sensible and just, as they offer concrete ways for you and your church to welcome and minister to your immigrant neighbors.
Available at the Covenant Bookstore
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
The PacNWC welcomes Jen Plemmons, the new Children’s Ministry Director at Shoreline Covenant Church. Jen is a full time middle school science teacher who has a passion for reaching kids for Christ. Her goal is have children want to learn about Jesus on their own! We are cheering you on Jen!
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Spiritual directors, Pastor Chris Eltrich and Cindy Reed, take time this week to share with us a little bit about what spiritual direction is and about the amazing network of directors in the PacNWC. They also give us some information on free spiritual direction for pastors and spouses, and church staff made possible by the conference.
To give to disaster relief (Pasedena Covenant Church)
By Greg Yee, Superintendent
The awe-inspiring Nā Pali Coast of Kauai called out to me as my plane descended into Lihue Airport, stirring a deep sense of familiarity within my soul. It had been a long travel day, yet it was only a blink in time compared to what must have been at least a three-week journey by schooner for my great-great-grandfather back in 1877. He arrived on Kauai as a young, single merchant during the Qing Dynasty and at the height of the island’s sugar industry boom.
I felt drawn to return to the land that had been my family’s port of entry. This intentional pilgrimage marked the culmination of a grant I received from Duke Divinity to engage in “balcony time,” a period of focused reflection for Christian organizational leaders.
In1877, Kauai was still part of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the same year Queen Liliʻuokalani assumed her role after the passing of her brother. The intertwining of Hawaii’s history with my family’s story prompted me to reflect on the Seventh-Generation Principle, attributed to the teachings of the Iroquois People: What decisions are we making today that will positively affect seven generations from now?
I wandered through old Chinese cemeteries and strolled through Kapaa, the town where my great-great-grandfather had established his business. In the archives, I uncovered an old 1900 census ledger that recorded his name, along with those of his wife and son. Standing on the beach at sunset, I found myself wondering if he, too, had stood in this very spot. What were his dreams? His fears?
There in Kapaa, as the golden hue of the setting sun painted the horizon, I imagined his hopes carried on the same waves that now lapped gently at my feet, five generations later. Then it struck me. My grandchildren will be the seventh generation. What are my dreams? My fears?
Just before Thanksgiving, our executive board voted to nominate me for my fourth, four-term serving our region of 69 churches and all of our ministers. I continue to be humbled by this call and am deeply appreciative for the privilege it’s been to serve you. With this as an important part of our agenda for our conference annual meeting May 2-3 at Bellingham Covenant, I want to introduce our theme for this year – Generations.
We come into this focus from multiple angles. We continue to experience a notable shift of generations, as evidenced by the vast majority of our churches being Baby Boomer dominant. What needs to shift and change as we think of our work with Millennials, Gen Z, Gen Alpha and even Beta? We all desire for our ministries to be multi-generational. How do we continue to keep our collective commitments high in our ministries to children and youth? Most importantly, how do we continue to focus and grow in our main work of disciple-making?
I am desperate for my kids and their kids and for seven generations from now to love and serve Jesus with their heart, soul, mind, and strength. My dream is that the decisions we make today would send forth sold-out followers of Christ, who we just celebrated at Christmas as our Emmanuel and Savior. I dream about the ripples of our commitments today and how they may go forward to produce powerful waves of gospel work.
Happy New Year, conference family! I look forward to this new year in anticipation of the light of Christ to shine ever more brightly.
…to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Wellspring House church in Corvallis, OR has welcomed a family from the Ukraine who have experienced miraculous blessings along their journey. Among these blessings are a a tiny church in Corvallis and it’s families willing to sponsor and help establish the family into the community.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Jill Riley sits down with Pastor David Greenidge as he reflects on 20 years of ministry in Tigard, OR. God’s hand and the Holy Spirit have been present as the church has consistently opened its doors to the community and invited them in to receive food, love and care. We thank David and Trish for their ministry and for their long obedience in the same direction.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Pastor Erik Cave and Encounter Church Youth Pastor Christian Griffith give us highlights of this fall’s youth retreats, Mudd and Thunder. Enjoy their conversation and celebrate the life change these youth found while enjoying their time at Cascade Camp and Convention Center.