POPLAR, WI (April 30, 2008) \u2013 Delegates to the 124th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church approved budgets for the conference and Minnehaha Academy. The meeting was held April 18-19 at Mission Covenant Church.
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\nThe delegates approved a $1.2 million budget for the conference and a $17.34 million budget for Minnehaha Academy. The conference sponsors the school, which educates students in preschool through grade 12.<\/p>\n
In other action:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The Town and Country Commission informed the delegates that it is developing a pilot opportunity with Vista Covenant Church in Richland, Minnesota, that will enable a student from North Park Theological Seminary to learn more about rural ministry. The student will \u201cspend time understanding the rural perspective, getting a taste of farming, and working with the local congregation.\u201d
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Toni Schwabe, the Evangelical Covenant Church\u2019s only paid conference director of women ministries, was honored for her nine years of service in that position and three previous years as president of the organization. Schwabe is stepping down from the director position. Christi Pease is replacing her.<\/p>\n
Delegates also re-elected two members to the executive board: John Stewart, pastor of First Covenant Church in Worthington, Minnesota; and Clarke Tungseth of Excelsior Covenant Church in Excelsior, Minnesota.<\/p>\n