By Stan Friedman

CROMWELL, CT (November 2, 2011) – Covenanters whose homes still have power following an unseasonal blizzard that pelted much of the northeast were taking in people who were not as fortunate.

Power may not be restored to some areas for several days, government officials say. As of Tuesday morning, 1.7 million people still were without electricity.

Paul Corner, pastor of Salem Covenant Church in Washington Depot, Connecticut, was not expecting power to be restored at his house for several days. His family is staying with another family from the church.

The residence of Sue Gillespie, pastor of Trinity Covenant Church in Livingston, New Jersey, “became home away from home for several people from the church,” she said. One person who normally works from his house was working from the church.

Nearly all church services were cancelled, and many congregations were planning on canceling other events scheduled later in the week.

Joel Kruggel, pastor of Bethany Covenant Church in Bedford, New Hampshire, and his wife, Victoria, walked to church and held a service with the few congregation members who were able to make their way there despite roads that were impassable for most cars.

So far, no damage has been reported at any churches, although some homes were hit.
“My yard looks like a bomb went off,” says Matt Stillman, pastor of St. Paul’s Wolf’s Covenant Church. One of the congregation members had brought his chainsaw to help cut limbs, but the job is pretty overwhelming. “We’ll need a tree company for the branches and limbs on the roof still partly attached to the trees.”

Evidencing the technologically connected society we have become, the hierarchy of needs mentioned by many people appeared to be warm shelter, food, and Internet access. And not necessarily in that order.