ABERDEEN, WA (November 18, 2005) – As part of re-introducing itself to the community, the 102-year-old Evangelical Covenant Church in Aberdeen has changed its name to Grace Harbor Covenant Church.<\/p>\n
“We wanted a name that more aptly fitted us,” says Pastor Philip Rohler, adding that the church wants to continue to do ministry “Covenant style.” That means living by the words of Psalm 119:63: “I am a companion all those who fear thee.”<\/p>\n
In keeping with the name change, Rohler has been preaching on the Covenant Affirmations, and the church’s diverse cells groups have been renamed “grace groups.”<\/p>\n
The new name also is a play on the name of their area – Grays Harbor County, Rohler says. The community was invited to an open house in October to celebrate the change.<\/p>\n
Rohler also cut a worship service short this fall so that members would use the extra time to go into the community to do acts of kindness.<\/p>\n
Rohler says the congregation came back the next week excited about the experience. Leaving church early for the outreach event “was a little awkward at first, but then it got a lot easier.”<\/p>\n
The church plans another open house early next year.<\/p>\n