Your four delegates arrived this afternoon (Wednesday) and attended the first gathering of our Annual Meeting experience. Tonight, we attended not an “official” Covenant gathering but the first gathering of Covenant Collective, a gathering of like-minded Covenanters who believe in unity among diversity and are in support of a more inclusive body of Christ. The gathering was led by Jay Phelan (past President of North Park Theological Seminary), Rev. Dan Collison, pastor of First Covenant Church Minneapolis, Judy Howard-Peterson, former Campus Pastor of North Park University, and Rev. Steve Armfield. The evening started on a somber note as it was announced that Revs Collison and Armfield’s credentials were taken away by the Board of Ministry – the first steps in removing them from the roll of Covenant clergy. The Ministerium will now vote on the removal of their credentials tomorrow at the Ministerium Annual Meeting Business session.

The evening was an inspiring experience of prayer, dialogue, and sharing even among the disappointing Board of Ministry actions. Covenant Collective was formed around 4 goals: Formation, Providing Resources, Care, and Gathering while celebrating our great unity in Christ among our theological differences.

Tomorrow Mark will attend the Ministerium meetings and will be joined by Scott, Marilyn, and Nancy at the opening dinner and worship service of the official Annual Meeting.

Thank you, Salem for all your support. We are very proud to represent our wonderful church in Worcester!