Submitted by:
Mark Novak, Executive Minister of the Ordered Ministry

I can’t believe that I am on a plane going to Seattle for Christmas. It seems that I was enjoying the summer sun such a short time ago. But here it is and with it the Good News of the birth of Jesus. An event that set in motion the great plan of salvation for all mankind. It is my wife’s favorite holiday:  full of joy, bright lights, lots of candles, great music, and most profoundly, the hope for a better world because The Messiah was born.

The Bad News is that so many miss the meaning of Christmas! It comes and it goes – full of gifts, grinches, and holiday specials. The fact that we are free to imagine a new world and a new future as we embrace the Christ Child goes unappreciated and even ignored, missing the fullness of life God intended for us. Continue Reading »

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Submitted by:
Meagan Gillan, Executive Minister, Women’s Ministries
Advisory Member CBGE

It started with a lunch conversation. As I met with Chris (not her real name), an older woman in the church, I thought, “She’s so great. She sure seems to have it together.” I was her pastor’s wife, yet I felt a longing to know her better, to connect regularly—perhaps even to be mentored by her, although the “m” word was never used.

Later, I was surprised to learn that a close friend of mine felt the same way toward Chris. Our children and life stages were similar, and she confessed to me, “If Chris only knew how much we need her wisdom. What a difference time with her could make in our lives.” Neither of us approached Chris about mentoring or getting together regularly; her responsibilities seemed to indicate that it wouldn’t be feasible. Yet, when I think about Chris, I know that periodic, intentional conversations would have been wonderful, and I could have learned so much. Continue Reading »

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A special Thank You to Mary Miller for her years of serving as member and former chair of the CBGE.  Mary just finished her final term of service on the Commission.  She currently serves as Chaplain at Covenant Village of Cromwell and Adjunt Faculty for the Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Theological Seminary.  Her post below gives us a glimpse of her heart.

Three or four years old, my Mom watched me strain to see what was happening at the front of our church. All I could see were the bottoms of the standing adults in front of me! Gently she lifted me and let me stand on the pew so I could see the ritual and sacredness surrounding the Lord’s Supper.

Fast forward a few decades. Standing for the Apostles’ Creed as part of Holy Communion, I looked across the aisle. A Dad was letting his 5 or 6 year old slide from one side of him to the other so she could stand in the aisle. There she could see her mother lead the congregation with the words of institution of the Lord’s Supper. My grin felt my eyes filling with tears. Thank you God!

Spiritual journey has to do with how we choose, what we feel, what we see. We don’t so much think about or dream up God. We live in God in the ever present moment. Jesus gives us new beginnings not just with each repentance, but with the opportunities of each day and hour.

How glad I am these moments later my personal history! How glad I am to see the kingdom of God advancing as a kingdom on earth! The Covenant Church has grown since I participated in it through my formative years! It is growing to include the gifts and graces the Holy Spirit provides to all people in its faith family! Thanks be to God!

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