NORTHBROOK, IL (September 5, 2013) — Eight residents of Covenant Village of Northbrook who served in World War II and Korea took rides in an open cockpit biplane on Monday, thanks to Ageless Aviation Dreams, a nonprofit group that honors veterans.

The biplane dates to the early 1940s and was used during basic training for military pilots.

“I’m 89 years old. This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Thomas Nelson, who was a staff sergeant and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. The veterans range in age from 81 to 96 years old.

Each veteran sat in the cockpit of the Boeing Stearman military trainer aircraft as it made 20-minute flights from Wheeling. They flew over their home where they gave a nod or tipped a wing to their friends at Covenant Village.

Ageless Aviation Dreams was founded by Darryl Fisher to honor U.S. military veterans living in long-term care communities.

To watch a video news report of the experience, click here.

 

Concert to Benefit Church Damaged by Arson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (September 5, 2013)—A benefit concert to help fund reconstruction work at Community Covenant Church, where arson destroyed the sanctuary and damaged much of the church offices, will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday on the north campus of Minnehaha Academy.

The evening will feature Community Covenant Gospel Choirs with special musical guests Sherrie Jones and Sanctuary Covenant Church and local gospel artist Robert Robinson. An offering will be taken.

One or more intruders broke into the church through a window and set the piano on fire late in the evening of July 11. Ultimately, the sanctuary was reduced to ashes. Heat from the flames also melted all of the church’s sound equipment, and the entire first floor was covered with soot.

The congregation has been meeting at Minnehaha since the fire. The congregation is looking to the future with hope, said Pastor Luke Swanson. “We were knocked down, but not knocked out. With Jesus on our side, we’re going to make it. Even more, we are going to come back stronger.”

 

Urban Ministry Focus of NPTS International Symposium

CHICAGO, IL (September 5, 2013) — Urban ministry is the focus this year of the international Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture to be held at North Park Theological Seminary Thursday, September 26, through Sunday, September 28.

The annual event features prominent scholars from around the world and provides a forum for interdisciplinary theology from a biblical perspective for the benefit of the church.

Symposium papers are published by Wipf and Stock as the yearly journal EX AUDITU: An International Journal for the Theological Interpretation of Scripture.

General registration is $25. Space is limited. The eight sessions also will be live webcast.

For more information visit the event website, email Guylla Brown, or call (773) 244-6214.