Every Tuesday throughout the school year, members of the church tutor about 20 children. In addition to helping with homework, the church provides a snack, skill building exercises and other educational activities.
“Each child has his or her own tutor and they work together throughout the year,” program director Charlene Johnson told the local newspaper. “Some have been together for several years and built great relationships.”
She urged other churches to consider starting similar ministries. “There are ways to help,” Johnson said. “People can find a way to help if they really want to. We feel it is a privilege.”
The church funds educational materials and other items for the program. It also makes roughly 300 books available to read.
Ordination Reflects “Firsts” for Church in Spain
LA CORUNA, SPAIN – The first Spaniard and the first woman were ordained at New Life Evangelical Covenant Church in La Coruña on October 26.
Ordinands Raúl Sancho and Alicia Franchino had completed their studies through the School of Life at the church, which is associated with CHET, the Hispanic Center for Theological Studies of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The accompanying photo shows (from left) Alicia Franchino, Fredy Molinari, and Raúl Sancho.
Franchino is married to Fredy Molinari, chair of the Covenant Ministerium in Spain and one of the first two pastors from the program to be ordained in 2006. The other was David Zapata. Molinari and Franchino are bi-vocational Covenant church planters in Valencia, Spain.
During the ordination service, Luis Vásquez and Leah Bredehoft received their ministerial licenses. The event followed a leadership retreat in Spain focusing on the topic “Deeper in Christ, Further in Mission.”
Church Encourages Members to Read to Children
OMAHA, NE – In order to encourage parents at First Covenant Church to read to their children, the church’s Children’s Ministry Team has assembled Growing Faith@Home Backpacks.
Each backpack includes age-appropriate books, magazines, booklets, coloring books, and music CDs. A backpack has been placed in each classroom. Every week, one child from that class can take the backpack home on loan.
All of the materials also were selected to help develop the children’s faith. Parents are encouraged to read the books to the children or encourage the children read on their own.
Pennsylvania Church Celebrates 175 Years
HARLEYSVILLE, PA – Christ Covenant Church celebrated its 175th anniversary recently. The church joined the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2007.
The event featured an open house, concert, and special worship service. Former pastors offered their reflections during the service.
A display highlighted different eras and decades of the church’s ministry. The church was founded as a German Reformed congregation on October 15, 1833, known then as Christ Reformed Church.
New York Covenanter Honored as Educational Professional
JAMESTOWN, NY – John Ireland, a member of First Covenant Church, was named Chautauqua County Educational Professional of the year in May. Just recently, he received the same honor on behalf of all educators in New York State.
North Park University Extends Parkyn Appointment
CHICAGO, IL – At its recent meeting, the North Park University Board of Trustees unanimously extended the appointment of President David L. Parkyn for an additional five years. The appointment extends through June 30, 2013.
Installed in 2006, Parkyn recently introduced a five-year strategic plan for the future of university reflecting a renewed commitment to its mission and identity – establishing a distinctively Christian, intentionally urban, and purposefully multicultural place of learning.
Board Chair Kyle Becchetti expressed her appreciation for Parkyn’s effective leadership in a campus-wide email. “We anticipate the years to come and look forward to achieving the objectives of this strategic plan through our collaborative efforts as members of the Board of Trustees and with the faculty and staff at the university,” said Becchetti.
