CHICAGO, IL (October 30, 2006) – Hardly a week goes by that we do not receive a few comments from readers on stories published as part of the Covenant online news report.
We will share from time to time some of those responses generated through the “comments” link attached to each published story. This kind of feedback is very helpful to our Covenant News Service staff as we seek to identify and publish stories of great interest to a broad spectrum of online readers of this report.
Following are comments relating to recently published stories, edited in some cases for length. To read a particular story of interest, click on the headline.
Mary: Have Protestants Overlooked Her Importance?
Donn Anderson of Kula, Maui, HI, writes: What a timely gift The Real Mary from Scot McKnight is going to be! In conjunction with “The Nativity Story” this Christmas, I am preaching an Advent series on Christmas from Mary’s perspective. This is exactly the kind of resource material I need. The last time Scot was so helpful was in Lee Strobel’s wonderful video series on The DaVinci Code. I am looking forward to his “help” once again. Aloha ke Akua (God bless you), Scot
A Most Unusual Pumpkin Greets Sunday Worshipers
Valerie Sarenpa of Waverly, IA, writes: Loved it! We were members of BCC for many, many years. We started going there in 1975 and are good friends of the Deweys! They are a great family and Tom has a wonderful sense of humor. Glad to read this bit of news.
Jane Sawyer of Bloomington, MN, writes: This is only one of Tom’s talents. He’s creative, clever, and gifted. He’s also full of surprises, as this surprise was to many who enjoyed the “Covenant Pumpkin.” Thanks, Tom.
New Life Radio-Moscow Back on Air
Dan Johnson of Jamestown, NY, writes: Thank you for putting the story of New Life Radio Satellite Network on your news site today. We have had lots of troubles this week with our telecom system in Moscow and need much help with partners across the Covenant to get us through these difficulties. Your article will greatly help us, and it has encouraged me to know that you folks at denominational offices are with us in this vital ministry to the Russian people. God bless all of you!
Famed Sallman Painting Focus of Christian History Article
J. Curtis Jennings of Longview, TX, writes: Good, I have a large charcoal painting done by Warner (in 1962) in my First Covenant Church in Abilene. It is 34 x 43 in size and is framed in gold frame and non-glare glass. Beautiful.
Delores Staurseth of Superior, WI, writes: First Covenant Church in Superior burned in 1994. It was a total loss. One of the artifacts we (God) saved was an original chalk drawing of Sallman’s Head of Christ. The men crawled through the debris, moved charred remains, and there hung the picture! It now hangs in the front of our new sanctuary as an added reminder of His mercy.
Morley Lessard of Nelson, British Columbia, writes: What a great story and a tribute to an inspired artist. Because of a friendship developed in the 1940s, another original oil of the Head of Christ by Warner Sallman hangs in the Nelson Evangelical Covenant Church. Covenanters from Canada and the U.S. often stop by the church just to see the painting.
Roy Applequist Inducted into Salina Hall of Fame
Lloyd Ahlem of Turlock, CA, writes: I think Roy had a good tutor – Quentin Applequist, a good-humored, dedicated Christian father. Quentin was on the NPC board when I was at North Park and was a great help and friend. Put him in the Salina Hall of Fame if he is not already there.
Hooper Bay Revisited: Iowa Volunteer Shares Insights
Lloyd Ahlem of Turlock, CA, writes: An aunt of mine, Alma Carlson, from Moose Lake and Duluth (Minnesota) Covenant churches spent many years as a government nurse in Alaska, based in Hooper Bay. She served in the late 1920s to mid 1940s. She single-handedly turned back diphtheria epidemic, working herself to exhaustion. Her letters to her father and family were recently published. I think she is to be well remembered when thinking about the history of Hooper Bay.
Good Morning America to Tape Wallis Visit to North Park
Kyle Small of Excelsior, MN, writes: In talking with others about the Evangelical Covenant Church, they are amazed at the Covenant’s ability to listen and wrestle with issues, all the while respecting one another. I think that the campus of North Park University is truly a place where divergent poles of thought can be heard well – may the North Park community continue to be a witness to the watching world.
North Park Unveils New Global Partners Program
Ben Pease of New Brighton, MN, writes: Congratulations to Janelle Keller and North Park University for establishing these long-term missional and relational objectives. I am convinced that advances in communications technology and transportation have made global relationships increasingly fruitful, and that missionally, we are at our best when our work is supported by strong relationships and long-term commitments. Thanks for inviting North Park students not simply to engage in “missions projects,” but to add their gifts, strength, service and passion to long-term, relationship-based ministries that seek to show Christ to the world.
Former Youth Pastor Sentenced to Prison
Judith McCullough of Dennis, MA, writes: The ECC does a good job of informing the denomination at large about things going on across the church. I do wonder how vital to our life together it is to air this story about the youth pastor who was sentenced to prison. As a member of the Board of the Ordered Ministry, I see a lot of pain in people’s lives and I value the way our church tries to support and stand with people who are hurting. The pain in this congregation must be huge and printing such a story does not help it to heal. Just a thought to ponder. Thanks for listening.
Worship Arts – New Directions in a Changing Landscape
Ed Willmington of Pasadena, CA, writes: This is an encouraging story. In listening to the comments, I tend to agree that in some places we have survived the worship wars and reconstruction can take place. This, of course, is not true everywhere, but I think the spirit of overreaction of the past few decades is waning for certain. I think the crucial element in reconstruction is making sure that it is done with a good foundation. This is an important period of time and much care and thought must go into not only the forms that are prescribed, but maybe more importantly into the hearts and lives of those who lead our congregations into the presence of God. May God help us all!
Memorial Service Thursday for Pastor Terry Mattson
Tim Bukowski writes: Terry was a classmate and I was saddened to learn of his passing. He was always an extremely intelligent and bright person, who I believe was a gentleman in the truest sense of the term. Though we were not close friends, I will miss him. I pray for his family and his friends, that they will find peace in God’s mercy and grace. Peace to his memory.
Older Stories
Occasionally we receive comments about stories published some time ago. Most often, readers come across them while topically perusing search engines or when visiting the online Covenant News Archive maintained by Covenant News Service. We appreciate reader comments at any time about any story that has appeared as part of our online Covenant news report.
New Life Radio Marking Fifth Year of Ministry
Terje Nielsen of Christchurch, New Zealand, writes: Can you please send me information about times, frequencies, and transmission sites of New Life Radio?
Editor’s note: To learn more about this ministry, visit its website at New Life Radio.
Hip Hop – ‘A Voice for Justice’
Beverly Jefferson of Austin, TX, writes: I truly believe that we cannot compromise the word of God to reach the youth with worldly beats, clothing and slang words. I disagree that churches keep the people away – the truth is, a lot of the people don’t want to give up what they’re doing. God does not change, as his word says (2 Corinthians 5:17). So, when churches allow all these types of music into the church, that is Satan’s spiritual wickedness coming into the church by using the world’s music and adding Christian or HIP HOP to it. My question is: when you get the youth in the church with the beats and jerking, what are you going to do next? They are more concerned with the beat than the words. Representing Christ is not with beats to get the youth to respond, it’s the word of God (conviction). A lot of churches are so worried about the seats being full, they forget to let God be their guide. Did God say do hip hop, or is it because it’s popular nowadays? We can reach the youth without bringing in the world into the church. Our jobs are to go out into the streets and bring in the lost, not to stay inside the church. We need to be a model after Jesus – he’s our guide, not the world.
Wallis: ‘It’s Time to Take Our Theology Back’
Japhet de Asis of Kidapawan City, Philippines, writes: I admire what Wallis said – that we should get back to our theology. I think politics and religion will go together so that we do not compromise our faith.
Roxy Foster of St. Paul, MN, writes: I am so happy to hear Jim Wallis talk about real issues and real values. I recently heard him speak at Bethel University in Minnesota. My daughter is a student there and it was refreshing to bring these issues forward. It was also a blessing to know that the values I have instilled in my daughter are being lived out in a Christian institution that allows this type of conversation to happen. I am currently on a team to build a new Covenant church in an impoverished area in St. Paul. I look forward to challenging people to do something big with their faith. In addition, I pray for ways to challenge our political systems. I will not hold my candle under a bushel as I boldly view my Christian values as a local Senate district chair for the Democratic Party in my neighborhood. Our faith in God and expression of that faith must cross all sectors of our life, no matter how difficult it is! If we don’t engage in civic life, we give our personal power and faith to others. This leaves an impression that we do not think things are broken or we just don’t care. I say that we, as parents raising the next generation of leaders in this country, need to open our eyes, come out of our comas and profess our faith in the public arena.
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