Do we still believe in the Biblical mandate to share the gospel with others through proclamation and personal words of witness? In theory, YES! In practice? Well, the answer may not be as definitive.
Yet, because we still believe it is true, the emphasis throughout the 2019 NWC Annual Meeting will be just this … bearing witness both personally and through our churches to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. Come and be both encouraged and challenged!
Michelle Sanchez is Executive Minister of Make and Deepen Disciples for the Covenant. Her dream is to foster a multiethnic movement of disciples who make disciples across all ages. Prior to this role, Michelle served as Pastor of Christian Formation and Mission at Highrock Church in the Boston area. She has previously served in leadership for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and worked as an investment banker for Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Join the ECC Embrace Development Team prior to the Northwest Conference Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hope Covenant Church in Grand Forks, ND. It will be an evening set aside for conversation and equipping around the topic of human sexuality from within the historic Biblical position as affirmed by the Evangelical Covenant Church in both its theology and practice.
Among those serving as resource leaders for the evening will be Michelle Sanchez, ECC Executive Minister for Make & Deepen Disciples, Theresa Marks, ECC Director of Pastoral Care for Ordered Ministry, and Tim Ciccone, ECC Director of Youth Ministry.
This evening will include an overview of Embrace and the resources in development for those of us serving in ministry and to the ministries to which we have been called. Our time together will include multiple breakout sessions from which to choose. These sessions will focus on a range of topics which may include:
Please be sure to opt in on the registration form for the Annual Meeting if you plan to attend the Embrace Workshop.
The Ralph Engelstad Arena, better known as “the Ralph,” is one of the finest hockey facilities in the world It is on the campus of the University of North Dakota, approximately 3 miles/10 minutes from HOPE Covenant. If you are interested in taking a tour of the Ralph on Thursday or Friday (late morning or early afternoon), e-mail cheryl@northwestconference.org. We can schedule a private tour if there are at least 10 in our group. Cost is $7.
Expressway Suites
$65/night for Wednesday and Thursday
$90/night for Friday and Saturday
Hot breakfast
4040 – 11th Avenue South
Grand Forks, ND 58201
701/757-7000
www.expresswaysuitesgf.com
Country Inn and Suites
$86.70 + tax for Wednesday/Thursday
$97.75 + tax for Friday/Saturday
Hot breakfast
*Room block reserved under “HOPE Church”
3101 South 42nd Street
Grand Forks, ND 58201
701/757-2200
www.countryinns.com/grand-forks-hotel-nd-58201
Canad Inn
Thursday – $99
Friday – $139
Reservation code: HOPE Church 4.25.19 (ID #504186)
1000 South 42nd Street
Grand Forks, ND 58201
701/772-8404
www.canadinns.com/stay/grand-forks
The Annual Meeting is the highest constituted authority in the Northwest Conference (NWC), made up of delegates from member Covenant churches throughout the Conference. Delegates gather together for worship and fellowship, and to elect leaders, review finances, adopt a budget, and address the business of the Conference.
Delegates are appointed representatives from member Covenant churches. Delegates vote on the policies and procedures presented to the Annual Meeting. Delegates receive a packet of information that includes reports, statistics, ballot information, etc. They are also given the privilege of speaking during the meeting and voicing their opinion.
YES.
Advisors: Church plants that are not yet member churches may send 2 advisors. And members in good standing of the Ministerial Association that are not delegates may also be advisors. Advisors may address the body, answer questions, and make suggestions or comments, but an advisor cannot make motions or vote.
Registered attendees may attend the Annual Meeting without officially representing a member church or a church plant that is not yet a member church. They are not allowed to voice their opinions, ask questions or vote.
Non-delegates (advisors and registered attendees register as non-delegates) are invited to participate in worship services, workshops and special events.
The number of delegates each church can send is based on membership as of Dec. 31, 2018.
0-49 members = 2 delegates
50-249 members = 3 delegates
250-499 members = 4 delegates
500+ members = 5 delegates
Delegates are invited to an orientation at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26, prior to the business session. Basic Conference organizational structure and meeting protocol will be reviewed.
Registration can be done online or by mail.
Thursday, April 25
12:30 pm: Covenant Trust Company Lunch
1-5 pm: Registration
2:30 pm: Business Session
5:30 pm: Dinner
6:45 pm: Worship & Communion
Speaker: Paul Knight
Friday, April 26
8 am: Registration
8:15 am: Worship & Ordination Testimonies
10 am: “The BLESS Movement: Growing Together in Outreach and Evangelism” / Plenary Workshop with
Michelle Sanchez
Noon: Lunch
1:00 pm: Ordination Workshop
Covenant Trust Company Workshop
National Covenant Properties Workshop
Friday, April 26
1-6 pm: Registration
1 pm: Covenant Trust Company Workshop
National Covenant Properties Workshop
2 pm: New Delegate Orientation
2:30 pm: Business Session
5:30 pm: Dinner
6:45 pm: Worship
Speaker: Michelle Sanchez
Special Offering: HOPE Church Community Care Center & Food Pantry
Saturday, April 27
8:15 am: Worship
8:30 am: Business Session
10 am: Sharing Our Hope: Words of Witness from NWC Churches
Noon: Lunch
There are many tax-savvy opportunities for congregants to give to your ministry. Some congregants are aware and are utilizing these tools, though many are not. Join your local Covenant Trust team to learn ways to share tax-smart giving opportunities to your ministry.
Presenters:
Josh Myers, Staff Attorney & Trust Administrator
Steve Allison, Financial Services Representative—Northwest Conference
Erik Carlson, Financial Services Representative—Northwest Conference
National Covenant Properties is pleased to offer an invitation to “Be A Part Of The Bigger Story.” Please join us for a brief introduction to our organization and the investment options we offer for individual Covenanters to become part of the bigger story.
Presenter:
Heidi Corral, CIS II, Certified IRA Specialist
Senior Investment Coordinator
This workshop is designed for those entering or expecting to enter the ordination process in the near future. Because the ordination paper is central to this process, attention will be given to practical guidance for writing and editing the paper, insights into addressing some of the specific questions, and what to expect when discussing the paper in the ordination interview. For those who already have ordination mentors identified, it is recommended that mentors participate as well.
Presenter:
Rich Theilen, NWC Committee on Ministerial Standing (COMS) Chair