CHICAGO, IL (March 25, 2008) – 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.
Alpine Camp and Conference Center Burns Mortgage
Dave Cairns of Swanzey, NH, writes: The staff of Pilgrim Pines Conference Center joins John and the Alpine staff in rejoicing over this accomplishment. We pray God’s continued blessing on the ministry of Alpine.
Darrel Hoglund of Lake Forest CA, writes: This story warmed my heart. So many people have made this camp important to many people all over the country. May God bless this new effort to make Christian Camping available to many people.
Early Feast Deadline Nears; Seminars Announced
Tami McCandlish of Columbus, OH, writes: The seminar for girls is especially interesting! I recently published a book about relational aggression. It’s a research-backed memoir about how, through Jesus Christ, I spiritually overcame female bullying. If anyone is interested, my book is titled Flying Grounded: My Spiritual Triumph Over Female Bullying.
Noisy Parade – From Nuisance to Ministry Opportunity
Sue Gabosch of Los Angeles, CA, writes: Isn’t great to know God can handle the reveling of some people and still minister to those who need the love of Jesus! Praise the Lord for his goodness and graciousness to all of us!
Coffee House – Natural Way to Create ‘Community’
Jeffrey Jones of Biwabik, MN, writes: Thanks for all the stories that ran on March 17-18. It is great to hear how churches are responding to the challenges of ministry by being creative. A coffee house, an open house and service on St. Patrick’s Day and a spaghetti dinner to help a child in need. And yes, even the inspiring story about Mr. Johnston’s funeral and how he sought the welfare of the camp over his own personal needs in the wake of the California earthquake. It makes a difference when we stop worrying about our needs and look more toward the interests of others (Phil 2).
Covenanter Plays Key Role in Educating Arab Students
Nancy Walter of Palatine, IL, writes: Hi Sue. Thought you’d enjoy a little Carnegie Mellon connection . . . hope the knee is healing well!
Students ‘Surprise Visitors’ at Church/Culture Conference
Steve Weihsmann of Duluth, MN, writes: Eugene Peterson, in a book co-authored with Marva Dawn entitled “The Unnecessary Pastor,” suggests that the role of a local shepherd is to help the congregation fulfill its role in turning culture on its head. The pastor, he suggests, is the one who is charged with keeping clear the distinction between the lies of culture and the truth of the gospel. At the same time, the people of the culture must be loved so that the world can be reconciled to Christ. Neither the pastor nor the local church has an easy job!
Memorial Service Saturday for Carroll Peterson
Chaplain Carl Ramgren of Spring Valley, CA, writes: CP touched my life as I resided at Burgh Hall during North Park days. When CP had time to share with his boys, no one wanted to miss it. He was such a special person.
Marilyn Sandberg-Grenat of Lafayette, IN, writes: CP was never an “easy” teacher. He made us work very hard, and that was in addition to having a super hard chemistry teacher, too. Our science teachers gave us no mercy in l959 or l960. Our science teachers were hard, but they were good and expected only the best of us. We had nothing but the greatest of respect for them!
Philip Hakanson of Manchester, CT, writes: In college I knew Carroll Peterson as CP. After college he became “Bud” and had us in stitches as the master of ceremonies at our wedding reception. He was not only passionately interested in the world around him, he was a consistently kind, gentle and wise soul. At the risk of using a tired cliche: they don’t make ’em like that anymore!
Girls Find Reading One Way to Help Those in Need
Kerry Bangeman of Chicago, IL, writes: Thanks for covering this story. It serves as an encouragement to all the kids who are working so hard to change the world a bit. One note however, is that our group of readers includes both boys and girls at this time. Thanks for sharing the news about the Rainbow Reader Helper Team.
Conference Focuses on Emergent Movement
Paula Coyle of Hutchinson, MN, writes: The Evangelical Covenant Church should reject the emerging (“there is no certainty, of that we are certain”) movement, not embrace it. It is the embodiment of “professing to be wise, they became fools.”
Arvada Man Honored for Work with Kids Camp
Darrel Hoglund of Lake Forest, CA, writes: This is a wonderful story about a couple who make a difference in the lives of kids, who really have a lot to deal with on an everyday basis. It gives them a chance to be kids.
Karen Hinz of Lake Geneva, WI, writes: It was great to read about Royal Family and Arvada Covenant. Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva has hosted Royal Family groups for several years now, and we hear equally glowing reports about the difference it makes in the kids’ lives. Praise God!
Racial Healing: Need Freedom to Say Dumb Things
Alan Paxton of Holladay, Utah, writes: Although racial divisions will always be with us (as long as the weak human walks this earth), I believe the media continues to fan the flames. You are always reading about “the first black mayor” or “the first black astronaut.” Why does the media feel they need to keep pointing out the racial thing? How about “Mayor Smith was elected” or “Astronaut Jones was launched into orbit?” As long as our fabulous media is around, the flames will be fanned and fanned. How about all decent people working it out without the media pointing out our small differences? Remember the Sunday school song we all use to sing, “Jesus loves the little children, all the little children of the world . . . “?
Journey to Mosaic Scholarship Honors Glenn Palmberg
Phyllis Schoonhoven of Alexandria, MN, writes: What a great idea, the Journey to Mosaic experience scholarships honoring Glen Palmberg. But couldn’t we, as adults, have an opportunity to take a journey like that also? I’m not acquainted with the Covenant’s Sankofa Journey – is that something similar?
(Editor’s note: to learn more about Journey to Mosaic, the Sankofa Journey and other experiences, please visit CMJ Experiences.)
North Park Choir Schedules California Tour
Joan McPherson of Chicago, IL, writes: Prof. Dilworth is presenting a wonderful opportunity for young adults to give back to the church and for the church and its communities to provide a ministry of presence. In addition, ministry takes many various forms. This opportunity will help some students realize what they really want to do – sing/worship in full-time ministry. Thanks, Evangelical Covenant Church for your forward thinking in this matter! Music, the food of the soul.
Conditions in Kenya Difficult, Needs Are Great
John G. Mwangi of Nairobi, Kenya, writes: My name is John and the family shown in the photo alongside is my family. Former missionary Lindy Lindquist and Dickson, the moderator of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Kenya, visited us and assisted us with foods and school fees for my eldest son. Dickson also assisted us to pay for one month of house rent. We are still living in a congested room and there are still more needs for other displaced people in our country. We are very appreciative of what the Covenant church is doing to address the situation in Kenya. We urge more well wishers to assist us to cope with the issue at hand. Thank you and God bless you all.
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.
DeNeui to Candidate for NPTS Christian Studies Position
Peter Mueller of Chicago, IL, writes: The denomination has made a wise decision by considering Paul in this position. The world will be better due to his experience and abilities to promote others into missions.
Artist: Painting’s Characters Have Stories to Tell
Naida Mckechnie of Mississauga, Ontario, writes: As a youg girl at Walkerville Baptist Church in the 1950s, I had as my Sunday school teacher Mrs. Winifred Linton, who made a great impact on my life. She also gave me a book by Rev. John Linton called From Coalpit to Pulpit. Was able to find a copy of that book and was blessed reading it again. I was so pleased to be able to find information on the Internet on Muriel Linton, their daughter. I would be interested in finding more information about her painting “He Leadeth Me.” When I saw her picture, I knew at once she was John and Winifred Linton’s daughter.
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