News Briefs: Covenanters Making Headlines

Central Conference Superintendent Jerome Nelson and Southeast Conference Superintendent Robert Owens laid hands on and prayed for each of the ordinands. Specially engraved stoles were given to the ordinands to commemorate the occasion. The superintendents served communion to all who attended.

Association President Robert Johnson challenged each of the participants to contribute funds to Water Only, a Covenant World Relief initiative to bring water to underdeveloped countries. Johnson asked that each church pledge $1,000 to support the project.

Cornerstone Festival – Same Spirit in New Layout

BUSHNELL, IL – The 27th annual Cornerstone Festival rocked these central Illinois fields Tuesday with a radically different layout from past events.

Jesus People USA Covenant Church produces the festival that is legendary for its multifarious musical offerings, edgy art, thought-provoking seminars, and of course, the eclectic attendees who come from around the world.

Festival regulars Switchfoot officially kicked off the festival with their performance on the new main stage, which has moved to the Midway. Seminars are being offered in a new “village” rather than under a random collection of tents.

The festival has experienced its share of inclement weather over the years, ranging from threats of tornadoes to excessive heat, but the event kicked off under beautiful skies. The comfortable temperatures are expected throughout the week.

Cornerstone runs through Saturday.

National Titles for Waterstradt at Trampoline Competition

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Garret Waterstradt, whose family attends the Evangelical Covenant Church in Paxton, Illinois, won titles at the United States Trampoline and Tumbling Association national championships.

Waterstradt earned victories in the double mini-trampoline and trampoline advance divisions for boys ages 13-14. In a recently published Covenant online news service story, Waterstradt expressed the joy he finds in the sport, saying, “It’s fun to do all the crazy stuff people think is impossible.”