Harlem Pastor Highlighted in New York Times

NEW YORK CITY, NY (April 9, 2012) – A New York Times photo essay focusing on pastors in Harlem included Jose Humphreys, pastor of Metro Hope Church, an Evangelical Covenant Church congregation.

The photos and excerpted interviews were published on the newspaper’s photography blog. Photojournalist Ozier Muhammad has lived in Harlem for 22 years, and the featured pastors were subjects in a personal project about religion.

“Faith is no small part of this legendary community, where religious leaders have wielded great influence over the years,” reads the introduction to the photos. “From grand churches to upstart storefronts, serving longtime residents or newcomers, these churches have seen generations of transition.”

Muhammad interviewed Humphreys for two hours. “We had great conversation on spiritual matters,” the pastor says. A two-minute audio excerpt of the interview is included on the website.

Just as Harlem has gone through transitions, so has the role of ministers, says Humphreys.
“Back in my day, pastors would be soul-tenders. They would provide spiritual nourishment through Bible study and teaching and visiting the sick.

“Nowadays, pastors are expected to be CEO’s, counselors, prognosticators. Just about every single hat that they can wear. It reminds me of the Wild West, when you had the person who was the sheriff and who was also the hotel clerk and who also ran the business down the street.”

Charry to Deliver Nyvall Lectures at Seminary

CHICAGO, IL (April 9, 2012) – Ellen Charry will deliver the 2012 David Nyvall Lectures on April 19 in Isaacson Chapel at North Park Theological Seminary.

Charry is professor of systematic theology at Princeton Theological Seminary and serves as editor-at-large for Christian Century magazine. She is also a member of the recently concluded “Pursuit of Happiness Project” established by the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University.

The first lecture will be at 9 a.m. and is titled, “The Christian Doctrine of Happiness.” Following a coffee break, the second lecture will be given at 10:45 a.m. and is titled, “Capacitating the Self.”

Those who cannot be on campus for the Nyvall Lectures this year can tune in for a live webcast of both talks at www.northpark.edu/live.

Evansville (MN) Church Celebrates 125 years

EVANSVILLE, MN (April 9, 2012) – Calvary Covenant Church will celebrate its 125th anniversary on June 10.

Donn Engebretson, executive vice president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, will be the speaker. Noon lunch will be served, followed by an informal service of words and music at 2 p.m.

For more information, email Lois Larson or call 320-834-4413.