As we enter April, we are in the season of Lent, leading up to Easter near the end of this month. Many churches in the Covenant use the days of Lent to reflect with a depth of gratitude on the […]
Commentary
Spring Cleaning for the Soul
I used to scoff at the very idea of spring cleaning, but lately the urge to start fresh makes more sense to me. In the dead of winter, all I want to do is hibernate, read big fat historical novels, […]
Be It Resolved
Our Annual Meeting each June is more than a business meeting. We do gather to make important decisions around the mission we share, but we also have inspiring worship services, great preaching, practical seminars, celebrations of what God is doing, […]
Voices: To the (Probably White) Person Who Says It Shouldn’t Be About Race
PORTLAND, OR (February 18, 2014) — Editor’s note: From time to time, we come across articles in church newsletters, individual blogs, and other media that we believe may interest our readers. Jelani Greenidge is interim worship leader at Kaleo Covenant Church […]
Ben Kerns: ‘Not the Answer I Was Hoping For ’
Editor’s note: From time to time, we come across articles in church newsletters, individual blogs and other media that we believe may interest our readers. Today’s offering comes from Ben Kerns, pastor of youth and children at Marin Covenant Church […]
A God-first Life
My dad turned ninety last month. He is in remarkable health, a picture of fitness, playing tennis every day. Indeed, in 2014 there is a strong likelihood he will be ranked as a top five singles players nationally for his […]
Celebrating and Preserving Biodiversity
In September, when it was still warm, I nearly stepped on a slug, four inches long, stretched out magnificently as it slid across the sidewalk— and spotted like a big cat. Who would put leopard spots on a slug? “In […]
With Homeless Guests, Our Worship Changed
EUGENE, OR (December 30, 2013) — The Register-Guard ran an article last week by author Kay Marshall Strom, a member of Valley Covenant Church. She recounts what happened earlier this month when the church hosted a warming shelter for the homeless, […]
I Wasn’t Looking When Jesus Appeared
By Cathy Norman Peterson CHICAGO, IL (December 24, 2013) – A few years ago I participated in a silent three-day retreat in early December. I was discovering new/ancient spiritual practices, and it seemed like a good way to enter into […]
Godisnowhere
What do the following letters spell? Godisnowhere. Some will say, “God is nowhere.” But the exact same sequence of letters can be read as, “God is now here.” Perspective really does matter. At the time of Mary’s conception, the reassuring […]
In-Law’s Question an Answer to Prayer Not Prayed
CHICAGO, IL (November 27, 2013) — Editor’s note: The following reflection was written by Cathy Norman Peterson, features editor for the Covenant Companion, and appears in the December issue of the magazine. It’s Advent, our season to reflect on the […]
Clearly Generous
Communication comes with no guarantees. A message sent does not necessarily equate a message received. I quip that a pastor will say to me, “How come I didn’t know about that? And by the way, quit sending me so much […]