Save the date for the 2021 MWC Annual Ministry Celebration! This year's celebration has been moved to a virtual format and will be held Saturday, April 24, 11 am-3 pm CT (10 am-2 pm MT). As you prepare for your church's annual meeting, we encourage you to elect delegates to represent your church at the Annual Ministry Celebration. Registration and event details coming soon!
Download the 2021 Credential Card for churches
Download the 2021 Credential Card for partner ministries
Download the Superintendent's Letter to Churches Gathered in Annual Meeting
Download the ECC President's Letter to Churches Gathered in Annual Meeting
2021 Ministerial Association Meeting
Pastors, the MWC Ministerium will hold their annual meeting on April 24, at 10 am CT (9 am MT). Please join us for connection, updates, and carrying out important business.
Virtual BLESS 2021
We encourage you to host a BLESS Sunday at your church on or before March 14. The prayers for those whose names you collected will extend far beyond your own community as we will also pray over those names at the MWC Annual Ministry Celebration and the Covenant Annual Meeting in June. This year, BLESS has a virtual option! When hosting your BLESS Sunday, you can invite your church to fill out the Virtual BLESS Prayer Card with the names of 1-5 people in your life whom you would like to pray for this year. If your church completes physical prayer cards, please mail your cards to the conference office by April 10.
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:22-23
The essence of prayer is a deep connection with Christ and one another. On Monday, January 5, 2021, the MWC experienced this connection by starting 2021 with a day of intentional prayer. Pastors and leaders each facilitated a 15-minute time slot where they prayed, led others in prayer, and shared in unique and creative ways around John 17:22-23. The variety of approaches, as well as the mosaic of people, provided an encouraging and hope-filled day during this unprecedented time.
 I enjoyed the diversity . . . of all the people praying (who I usually might not have the chance to connect with), as well as the diversity of all the different and beautiful expressions of prayer that I was able to engage with and learn from. – Pastor Katherine Knapp, Agape, Colorado Springs, CO
 I thank God for that time and how it was timely for what we are facing in our country right now. Who would think the day before the incident at the Capitol that our conference would join together in prayer with the theme or focus being around John 17:22-23? I look forward to more times together praying with our conference. – Pastor Melvin Cole, Freedom Cov, Kansas City, MO
The overwhelming response was that we should hold similar events again in the future. Praying together brings unity and connection, and the Scriptures tells us that God is pleased when we pray. Please continue to pray for our conference churches and our country through the lens of John 17:22-23 as we focus on unity and our witness to the world as followers of Christ.
Churches Partner to Serve Local Families
When the onset of COVID-19 pushed classroom learning to a virtual format, many parents scrambled to juggle work, childcare, and schooling, among other growing concerns. While a challenging transition for all, the impact has been especially felt among our most vulnerable populations, including refugee and immigrant families. Seeing the great need among those in their community, Shalom Covenant of Urbandale, IA, in partnership with Urban Heights Covenant, provided space and adult supervision to assist students with online learning and homework. The program averages 25-30 students each school day.
Shalom and Urban Heights' efforts to support refugee and immigrant families recently captured the attention of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, who visited the program in mid-January. We praise God for the incredible work he is doing through the Urbandale churches!
On January 26, 2021, from 1:30-4:30 pm CST, you are invited to join with other ECC youth workers for an afternoon of connection, training, and quality conversation connected to engaging effective youth ministry in this unique and challenging ministry landscape. We will be welcoming Mark Oestreicher as our keynote speaker for the afternoon. Mark will be presenting on the Youth Cartel's recent book, Youth Ministry In This Season Of Disruption. This truly is a topic that applies to us all. We invite all youth workers, whether full-time, bi-vocational, or volunteer, to attend this free event. Questions can be directed to Tim.Ciccone@Covchurch.org.
In addition to Youth Workers Connection, join other MWC youth leaders and Merge Ministries Thursday, January 28, 10:00-11:00 am CST to share ideas on summer events and trips and to learn about new mission opportunities through Merge. Join the call here. Questions can be directed to Jim Eaton at jime@fccsalina.com.
Upcoming ECC Offerings
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton
An online workshop for ECC pastors and leaders on taking care of our souls during times of transition and stress will be offered February 2 & 4 from 1-3:30 pm CST (choose one date). Cost is $35 per church team or $20 for an individual. Register here.
Covenant Conne ct: A Day of Hope and Healing
Join other ECC pastors and ministry leaders for a day of connection and renewal during Covenant Connect: A Day of Hope and Healing, a virtual conference that the ECC is hosting on February 23. The conference is free of charge and open to pastors, chaplains, missionaries, seminary students, and lay leaders. More details to come.
Join us Thursday, March 11, 11:30 am-1:00 pm CST, for a lunchtime gathering of female pastors and leaders. We have greatly missed connecting and look forward to this fun time together. Be sure to arrive on time so you can qualify for DOOR PRIZES! Registration is required so be watching your email for registration details.
Did you know...?
A lot is happening in the Midwest Conference. Catch up on recent changes and events below!
Staff Transitions
- We wish to welcome Michael McReavy, Interim Pastor, Fellowship Cov, Arvada, CO, to the Midwest Conference.
- We celebrate with ECC Chaplain Tracy Hilts as she transitions from Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs to Denver Seminary.
- We are thankful to ECC Chaplain Bruce LInscheid for his service to the Midwest Conference and pray God's blessing over him as they transition out of his role at Regional Medical Center, Cheyenne, WY.
Passing
 Kelly Draheim, husband of MWC Superintendent Tammy Swanson-Draheim, passed away on December 31, 2020, from complications due to COVID. You can read more about Kelly's life and ministry here, and Kelly's memorial service can be viewed here. Memorials can be made in Kelly's honor to Covenant World Relief or the MWC Crisis Relief Fund. Please continue to keep the Swanson-Draheim family in your prayers.
Do you have big news to share? Contact office@midwestcovenant.org to have your important event published in the e-News.
Churches working together to transform lives and communities by starting new churches, strengthening existing churches, and developing missional leaders.
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