CHICAGO, IL (December 11, 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.
Cathy’s Cup Initiative Funds Two Compassion Projects
Brad Boydston of Guam writes: What a great idea! Should encourage some real creativity.
Heidi Griepp of Chicago, IL, writes: This story and program feels like alchemy to me – the making of gold out of what you have. It is alchemy for you, for the students, for the church, and for those being partnered with in compassion. I hope North Park University, the students, and local churches join in the process of gold making.
Churches Need to Respond to AIDS Crisis, Contreras Says
Tom Lehman of Golden Valley, MN, writes: I’m proud to learn that the Covenant was a part of this meeting. I was angered and disappointed last week to see the list of right-wing political groups condemning Rick Warren for having U.S. Senator Barak Obama at this conference. AIDS is a threat to so many, many people, and I’m happy to see the Covenant a part of the faith community working to address it.
Two North Park Professors Featured in Christianity Today
Paul Hanson of Sequim, WA, writes: It is fine to think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a very Godly woman that he chose to use as a willing instrument to bring about lasting atonement for the sin of man. However, to ascribe to her any significance in bringing about forgiveness for sin is totally wrong and heresy. We cannot forget what Jesus said in John 14:6 and what Peter said in Acts 4:12. In both scriptures there is no room for giving anyone else the credit for our forgiveness of sin and justification before God. It is Christ alone. To discount these truths is total error and a departure from the belief in the verbal, plenary, inspiration of Scripture.
Lutefisk – It’s No Joke for One Minnesota Congregation
Cecil and Marvis Carlson of Norman, OK, write: We enjoyed your lutefisk story. If it wasn’t so far to Minnesota, we would be there to eat with you. We grew up with this tradition in our home. I even prepared the fish: three days in water, three days in lime, three days in water, and ready to dine! Have a good time.
Brian Alnes of Saint Petersburg, FL, writes: My hat goes off to Bethany Covenant for keeping a tradition alive. I am one of the odd ducks in the Covenant as I am Norwegian, not Swedish. For the past five years I have had to go without my traditional lutefisk dinner, which I had enjoyed for 33 years before that. Lutefisk is an unknown delight here in Florida. Way to go Bethany Covenant!
Fresh Material Being Developed for New Member Orientation
Nathan Toots of Anchorage, AK, writes: Thank you for giving consideration to different learning styles. Some of us are visual and learn faster by participation.
Theologian: ‘God Has Preferential Option for the Poor’
Glen Heikes of Lindsborg, KS, writes: I get a feeling of something being a little tilted. What is tilted I am not sure. It is not something, it is a feeling.
Mark Swanson of Sioux Falls, SD, writes: How exciting it is to see that such a man as Gustavo Gutierrez was able to come to our school, pushing our students to be disciples! The campus theme program and Center for Justice Ministries should be commended for bringing such a teacher to North Park.
Rebuilding – A Slow, Patient Process
Marian Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, writes: I’m thankful that you provide these additions (picture pages) to the news stories. I’m just sorry that my printout doesn’t include everything from left to right . . . as I pass the news on to several of my neighbors.
North Park Chapel – New Look, New Feel, New Crowd
Leonid Regheta of St. Petersburg, Russia, writes: Many blessings to you, Judy. Knowing you, I feel you are at the right place of ministry at the moment. May there be a wonderful impact for Christ through your ministry in many students’ lives. (By the way, you should organize a North Park University student walk across the United States!)
Historic Meeting of American, Swedish Mission Departments
David Wenell of Pomeroy, IA, writes: What a joy to see us reconnecting with the MCCS again and get back to where we all started as a denomination – missions work. I hope this trend can continue, uniting the ECC with the other Covenant churches throughout the world.
Marieta de Asis of Kidapawan City, Philippines, writes: I was happy reading the report. It seems that Christians over different denominations are united. I am a lady pastor who also works in the Philippines doing church planting. I was able to plant six churches. Reading your news encourages me to continue faithfully in serving the Lord. God bless your ministry, and through our joint effort in bringing Christ to the unsaved will hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will be praying for all of your ministries.
Unrest Prevents Missionaries’ Return to Oaxaca
Jane Poindexter of Oaxaca, Mexico, writes: I read the story and can’t for the life of me figure out why the missionaries left. I have lived here for eight years and have been in no danger. I am from New York City and Philadelphia. Certainly, times such as these are when the church is most needed. Why did they leave?
Unrest Continues as Congolese Await Election Results
Lloyd Ahlem of Turlock, CA, writes: The story is of special interest to me because Bemba is a product of Covenant mission and educational work, as was his father. A story should be run by The Covenant Companion on this election and Bemba, in particular, after the election. It is hard for the church to be political, especially if it seems to be favoring one who lost an election, but a human story is what is in order and possibly a spiritual one as well.
Editor’s note: to read about the election outcome, please see Bemba Concedes Election.
Bob Smith of Pennington, NJ, writes: Holding another person captive by one person for their own private benefit certainly requires exposure, but I’m also aware that we do that as a culture in our demand for cheap labor to fill our closets with clothing and our homes with stuff. We have a Wal-Mart mentality and spirituality. Why would we be surprised by the malevolent crime of slavery?
Covenant Pastor ‘A Little Nervous’ about Singing to 70,000
Karen Tyrrell of Redwood City, CA, writes: This is a very well-written story about a very well-loved music pastor! To God be the glory, Matt. Congratulations!
Gina Crubaugh of Studio City, CA, writes: We are so excited for you. You will be absolutely terrific! Good luck!
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.
Hostel Parenting: Being There for the Kids
Sheryl Noren of Yaounde, Cameroon, writes: thanks to all of you that have been uplifting Anita, her father Paul, I and our whole hostel family in your prayers. Anita’s mother did die and Anita is back living with us and attending RFIS. We know that Anita could in the future have good days – and bad – as she lives on here with her mother having died, but she has felt the prayers of many, giving her and her father much comfort and peace. Please continue to pray for Anita as she makes up missed work and is away from her father during these difficult days. She has a birthday on December 10 – a hard day for her. Pray for Paul and I as we try to remain open for those special moments to talk and pray with her. We want to be available to help her as much as we can.
Early Risers Love the Julotta Tradition
James Sucha of Denver, CO, writes: Loved this story! My grandpa went to North Park College and Seminary (Axel Gerhardt Eklund, 1886-1961) and was a Covenant preacher. He served on the board of North Park, too. He and my grandma are buried in Ironwood, Michigan, where they lived the longest and were the happiest. He served the Covenant church there, which later disbanded in the 1990s. Mom (Bernice Eklund, ’45 North Park) has told me about this wonderful service of light with all the candles and the singing of “Var Halsad Skona Morgonstund” as the opening hymn as they light their candles. I was raised ELCA Lutheran and honor my Swedish Lutheran and Covenant backgrounds, since grandpa was both. It makes me proud to be Swedish and to hold onto tradition. They try to make us multiethnic in the Lutheran church, too, but we have to remember our roots. My advice: don’t let anybody ever sever who you are. It draws people together – Swedish and non-Swedish – who want to learn our heritage. We need to embrace our heritage and inheritance, and having Julotta is one way of doing just that for future generations.
Singles Ministry: ‘We Can Do More Together’
Ken Lopez of Antioch, CA, writes: I find that the holidays are particularly difficult to handle. I am a widowed male, almost age 65, but find most single fellowships attract a younger group. Do you have any suggestions to make groups for us “older” singles?
Editor’s note: If your church has a program geared for older singles, share your information with a note to Covenant Newsdesk.
Brian Aronson of Bellingham, WA, writes: Great story! I am a member at the Bellingham Covenant Church and help with the sports part of our church newsletter. Is it okay to reprint this article? That would be cool because the Seahawks are our local team. Thank you.
Helen Tanner of Lake Tahoe, CA, writes: I loved this story – it offers some insight into such a good person. I went to school with Kathy (Bowman), and she was my across-the-street neighbor in sixth through ninth grades. I remember her as always being sweet and very helpful, and her family life seemed filled with Christian spirit. Her mom was a wonderful schoolteacher and she was a great person. I saw Mike at a 49er’s game as we had season tickets and he was walking up the aisle at halftime. I called to him and he was nice enough to stop and say hello. I had never met him – just heard that Kathy had married him. I think it was very nice that in that busy stadium, he stopped to talk for a minute. I explained that I was an old friend of Kathy’s and her family’s. I’m glad that all has turned out well for him and Kathy – it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving and better person than Kathy. And even though I live near San Francisco and have to always cheer for the 49er’s (my dad left the tickets to us kids after his death), I always cheer for Mike and whichever team he is coaching – he is a super coach! Anyway, I just had to say something as I enjoyed reading the personal side of this story, and not just the professional side.
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