CHICAGO, IL (September 13, 2010) – With a cross leading the procession, employees of the Evangelical Covenant Church filed into the new Covenant offices facility at 8303 West Higgins Road this morning, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Covenant’s story.

The move brought together several offices, including Covenant ministries formerly housed at 5101 North Francisco Avenue and 3311 West Foster Avenue, as well as National Covenant Properties that shared the 5101 space and Covenant Trust Company formerly located at 5215 Old Orchard Road.

Employees gathered under a bright sunny Chicago sky for a brief time of prayer and a Litany of Procession (top photo). Each ministry area had been asked to present one object representing the work they do, along with a brief explanation of its significance.

President Gary Walter then declared the building officially open, inviting employees to enter the building, led by one individual carrying the large brass cross from the chapel area and another carrying the large Covenant logo that graced the entry of the 5101 North Francisco facility (lower photo). The logo will be displayed in the new Higgins entrance area once construction work on the first floor has been completed.

To view a shorter version of a video taken during the processional this morning, click here. To view the full version, click here.

Employees spent most of the day unpacking boxes of files and other material and connecting computers to make the work areas fully functional.

A new telephone system is now operating – previous telephone numbers for all of the entities remain the same, as do email addresses. The new mailing address for the building is Evangelical Covenant Church, 8303 West Higgins Road, Chicago, IL, 60631.