PORTLAND, OR (June 23, 2007) \u2013 Delegates to the 122nd Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church on Friday elected Debbie Blue to be the first executive minister of the Department of Compassion, Mercy and Justice.
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\nThe day proved emotional for Blue and her friends. In his emotional and moving introduction of the nomination, Executive Board member Lee Richman noted that his term is expiring and that Blue\u2019s nomination \u201cfeels like a graduation gift from God.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Blue\"](\"http:\/\/www.covchurch.org\/uploads\/DA\/aa\/DAaaufvQ1H0vZ5Q_myh81A\/Blue.jpg\")
Richman surprised the gathering when he told them that Blue was the perfect person to gather the Covenant – and then unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a bright yellow t-shirt emblazoned with a picture of the earth and the words, \u201cBlue is the Glue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, nearly 150 people also stood and removed their coats to reveal the same yellow shirt. They lined the center aisle and were interspersed across the meeting room. North Pacific Conference Superintendent Mark Novak arranged for the shirts to be printed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no idea that was coming,\u201d a stunned Blue said afterwards.<\/p>\n
The nomination was made immediately prior to the noon recess. When the meeting broke, Blue was still trembling. \u201cI can\u2019t put it into words,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just so overwhelming. It\u2019s overwhelming.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m used to being in the background. I\u2019m not used to this much attention,\u201d added Blue, who has served as director of adult ministries in the Department of Christian Formation. Among her numerous accomplishments, she has helped guide development of the Covenant\u2019s Sankofa Journeys and Invitation to Racial Righteousness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t fathom God\u2019s amazing grace, that he would ask me to do something this big,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
To read previously published online Covenant News Service stories on her nomination and remarkable life, see “Debbie Blue.”<\/p>\n
Although Blue was overwhelmed by the attention, she looks forward to beginning her term. \u201cI don\u2019t feel overwhelmed by what lies ahead,\u201d she said. \u201cI see that, not as my job, but as the church\u2019s job. I\u2019m just depending on Jesus to show me what to do. As a church we must listen and discern together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s another great step for the denomination,\u201d said President Glenn Palmberg, smiling broadly, after the morning session ended. \u201cI know we have a long way to go, but this was a great step. It was a moment I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n