"On the MOVE" - Courageous Leadership & Compassionate Service Award
At the 120th Annual Meeting of the East Coast Conference this weekend, God was very present, and His people were blessed!
Here are some highlights:
The Ministerial Association met at Pilgrim Pines Conference Center on Thursday and Friday for continuing education, business, and approving the ordination recommendations for 16 ministers within the Conference. The Continuing Education day was led by Dr. David Kersten, Executive Minister of the Ordered Ministry for the ECC, focused on Pastoral Self Care and Pastoral Soul Care, reflecting on the practices of Jesus and Job. New officers were elected and a budget for 2010-2011 was approved. Two worship services for the Association gave occasion to celebrate a Service of Baptismal Renewal, along with the testimonies of 8 ordination candidates. Another service celebrated the Lord’s Supper and testimonies by another 8 ordination candidates.
The theme of the Conference Annual meeting was: Under Full Sail: Navigate. Adapt. Thrive!
Workshops were held on Friday afternoon and were well attended. Dr. Alan Forsman offered a seminar on how to mentor and develop ministry leaders. Dr. Dave Kersten offered a seminar on best practices for churches engaged in pastoral relations processes. Rev. Rob Satterberg led a workshop focused on helping cultivate our missional partnership with the Covenant Church in Koyuk, Alaska.
A celebration worship service was held at Strand Chapel, Pilgrim Pines on Friday evening with about 140 attending. A worship team composed of musicians and worship ministers from across the conference led the congregation in celebrating God’s presence and promises from Psalm 107 and Mark 6:45-56. Rev. Howard Burgoyne, Conference Superintendent, preached on the Gospel text and theme of the conference. The service concluded with a celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
On Saturday morning, the Conference meeting convened at Monadnock Covenant Church, Keene, NH.
114 delegates came from 48 conference churches as well as both mission agencies, Covenant Trust Company, Covenant Village of Cromwell, North Park University and the Evangelical Covenant Church (denomination).
Devotions were led by a team from Monadnock and Bethany (NH) Covenant Churches, and Pastor Garth McGrath offered testimony on how God has been at work in Monadnock in the 16 years of developing this congregation.
Carolyn Larson, moderator and chair of the Conference led the business session through a full agenda that included:
The reception of two churches into membership in the Conference:
Highrock Covenant Church, Brookline, MA
The Valleys Evangelical Covenant Church, Halifax, PA
The report of the Superintendent was received (and is available for reading in our “downloads” section).
10 Testimonies were shared, reflecting on God’s work in the Conference related to church planting, Conference ministries, congregational vitality, and leadership development.
The Annual Meeting celebrated and prayed for the 16 ordination candidates being presented to the ECC annual meetings in June.
The 2009 Financial Reports were presented and received.
A motion of grief and gratitude was passed regarding the pending closure of the Concord Covenant Church, Concord, NH.
The 2010 Revised and 2011 Proposed budgets were presented and approved.
A “Step One Vision” Budget was presented as a challenge to the churches of the Conference – encouraging growth towards an average investment by churches in the mission of the Conference reflecting 4% of church income by 2012, and 5% by 2013.
Representing he Conference Board, Rev. Rob Satterberg presented the motion to renominate Superintendent Burgoyne for a second four year term. After the balloting, the tellers reported a unanimous “yes” vote.
The Human Resources Board report and ballot was presented by Rev. Karen Palmatier, and a unanimous ballot was cast by acclamation to elected the entire slate of candidates presented by the Board.
Two churches and three individuals were given special recognition for being “…on the MOVE” this year.
Bethany Covenant Church, Bedford, NH and Highrock Covenant Church, Arlington, MA were each recognized for their involvement and investment in church planting partnerships with the Conference, by supporting the planting of Highrock Covenant Church, Brookline, MA; Worship Frontier Covenant Church, Lexington, MA; and The developing project for the Sudanese Evangelical Covenant Church, Manchester, NH.
Rev. Nancy Ebner and Rev. Linda Williams were each recognized for their investment in congregational vitality at Orchard Covenant Church, Indian Orchard, MA and Covenant Congregational Church, Waltham, MA – for courageous leadership and compassionate service.
A special “out of the Conference” award was granted to Dr. David Kersten, Executive Minister of the Ordered Ministry of the ECC, for his work in advancing the holistic resources and vision for sustaining pastoral excellence across the ECC, and it’s impact on the East Coast Conference.
Board members were installed by the Word and prayer.
Hosts for the meeting were recognized and thanked with a gift and a round of applause.
Plans for the 121st Conference Annual Meeting will be made for the last weekend in April 2011 at Cape Cod Covenant Church, Brewster, Massachusetts.
A luncheon was enjoyed by the delegates before before scattering to return to homes and places of ministry.
Reports and resources for the meeting are still available for download here on the conference website.
