CWR Fall Campaign Materials Available

CHICAGO, IL (October 13, 2011) – Covenant World Relief has mailed new materials for its fall campaign to each of the more than 800 Evangelical Covenant churches in North America.

The materials include a four-page update, bulletin inserts, a DVD with 11 new videos, a poster, and refreshed soup can labels, as well as a brochure about the new Haiti shelter project. Lids and labels can convert a soup can into a coin bank to raise support for development and relief around the world.

All of the materials also are available to download or order at no charge.

The construction project will benefit as many as 2,500 people and is being done in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The homes will be constructed in Léogâne, which is close to the epicenter of the January 2010 earthquake that damaged or destroyed nearly 80 to 90 percent of the buildings.

The permanent shelters have a concrete foundation with plywood walls and a tin roof. The construction methods make the homes better able to withstand hurricanes and other storms as well as stave off flooding.

As families save money and ultimately desire more space, the homes can be expanded using concrete bricks. Although the homes may not look like houses that are more familiar to many people, they are far superior to anything most of the people lived in prior to the earthquake.

Swedish Ambassador Joins in Honoring Covenant Couple

LINDSBORG, KS (October 13, 2011) – Lindsborg Covenant Church members Dr. Walden and Ruth Peterson served as king and queen of this year’s Svensk Hyllningsfest.

Both have been active in the community for most of their lives. Walden, who had a dentistry practice for nearly 47 years in the community, served on the USD 400 Board of Education for 16 years, six of them as as president and is a past president of the Chamber of Commerce. He has served in various leadership capacities in the church for nearly 50 years. Ruth has served as a church musician for 60 years and has volunteered in numerous community events.

The first Svensk Hyllningsfest was held in October 1941, to honor the Swedish pioneers who settled in the Smoky Valley in 1868-69. The biennial event attracts attendees from across the country.

Also attending this year and riding in the parade were the mayor of Lindsborg’s Swedish sister city – Munkfors – and the Swedish Ambassador to the United States.

Governor Brown Changes Mind, Signs Legislation

SACRAMENTO, CA (October 13, 2011) – Pressure by religious leaders ultimately swayed California Gov. Jerry Brown to sign into law a bill that bans alcohol sales through self-serve checkout machines in the state, according to religious leaders who spearheaded a petition campaign.

Walter Contreras, director of outreach and Hispanic church planting for the Pacific Southwest Conference, signed the petition. Contreras was one of several individuals who participated in a conference call last week with the governor’s legislative deputy.

Prior to the petition and phone call, Brown had leaned towards not signing the bill, say the bill’s supporters. The bill is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2012.

Click here to read a previous story.

Church Provides Meals to Hungry – With Dignity

VILLA PARK, IL (October 13, 2011) – Parkwood Community Church, a Covenant congregation, is partnering with a local food depository to provide a “sit-down dining experience” once a month for people who receive groceries from the church’s Abundant Harvest Pantry.

The meals are served using china and tableware. Each meal consists of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

There is a theme each month. The most recent was Asian dining and the next is fondue. Parkwood members intermingle with the guests at each table. The evening is one way of serving the guests with dignity, organizers say.

The DuPage County Food Depository supplies the food for the meal, which is held on the fourth Sunday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m.

North Parker Named Volleyball Offense Player of Week

CHICAGO, IL (October 13, 2011) – North Park University volleyball player Shelby Switzer earned College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Week honors Tuesday.

Switzer’s family attends Paradise Valley Community Church, an Evangelical Covenant Church congregation in Phoenix, Arizona.

The sophomore averaged 5.89 kills and a .353 attack percentage in thee matches last week. Her 30-kill performance against Marian College was a season-high and career-high. She became the first player in all of NCAA Division III to record 30 kills in a match this season, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association.