GLC Annual Celebration Recap

The GLC’s Annual Meeting commenced promptly at 8:30 a.m. with the Call to Order by Sara Charlton, Executive Board Chair. Following the approval of the agenda, Ms. Charlton warmly welcomed all attendees. Subsequently, the Standing Rules and Committees were formally approved.

Ramelia Williams, Director of Ministry Initiatives for Love Mercy Do Justice for the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), provided a comprehensive update on several significant developments. She highlighted plans to commemorate 50 years of ordaining women to the full ministry of the church, a milestone that honors decades of faithful service and leadership. Additionally, she detailed ongoing initiatives across the ECC aimed at expressing love and care toward immigrant neighbors, reflecting the church’s commitment to justice and compassion.

Williams also spoke about the One Covenant Community initiative, which is designed to strengthen pathways into lay leadership and pastoral ministry. This initiative further enhances lifelong equipping opportunities for pastors actively engaged in ministry. For those interested in a broader overview of ECC’s vision and mission leading into 2025, the ECC Mission and Ministry Video offers insightful reporting.

The celebration also included the outcome of the Camp Board elections voted on by the Executive Board in March: Timothy Padgett, Emily Burger, and Craig Smith were chosen as Board Members for Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp; Douglas Pitt, Stephen Zimmerly, and James Swanson were elected to serve on the Board of Mission Meadows, LLC. A vote was also taken and approved at the meeting: Jamie Snyder from New Community Covenant Church in Buckhannon, WV to serve on the GLC Executive Board. Furthermore, officer positions were voted on and elected – those include – Bob Hemmingsen as Board Chair (Saranac Community Church, Saranac, MI), Steve Ormond as Vice-Chair (Faith Covenant Church, Farmington Hills, MI), John Goss, as Secretary (Grace Community Covenant Church, Clay, NY), and Mickey Tresh as Treasurer (Thornapple Covenant Church, Grand Rapids, MI).

The gathering also featured encouraging Good News Reports from various congregations. Hope Community Church in Detroit shared their gratitude for God’s provision enabling them to pay off their mortgage and commence remodeling their lower level—efforts propelled by participation in the Generosity Cohort and utilization of Missional Vitality tools. Zion Covenant Church in Jamestown, NY reflected on how these same tools have strengthened multiple mission priorities with a particular focus on Compassion, Mercy, and Justice ministries. New Community Covenant Church, Buckhannon, WV described how its Appalachia Impact ministry has effectively served marginalized populations locally.

Looking ahead with optimism, funding availability positions the Conference to potentially plant up to three new churches within eighteen months. Jalen Seawright elaborated on preparations underway involving himself alongside a dedicated group of lay leaders working toward establishing a new GLC congregation in Troy, MI by July 2026.

The recent GLC Annual Celebration provided an important opportunity to reflect on and support the vital ministry sustained across our community. Our Conference actively supports approximately 150 pastors serving in 71 churches, offering encouragement, pastoral care—including crisis funds when necessary—equipping, and accountability. Notably, around 50 of our pastors hold bi-vocational or Ministry Licenses while progressing along a multi-year pathway toward permanent credentialing.

This year’s celebration marked significant milestones with the completion of ordination requirements by James Bryde, ordained to Word and Sacrament, and Laura Jackson, ordained to Word and Service. Both serve as pastoral staff at Faith Covenant Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The Conference also announced its formal embrace of the One Covenant Community initiative and introduced a new financial support program: an annual $600 stipend for GLC members enrolled in the North Park Seminary Education Cohort program.

While celebrating growth and progress, we also acknowledged with deep gratitude—and sadness—the closure of three longstanding churches: Emmanuel Mission Church (established 1878) in Kane, PA; One Church (established 2013) in Louisville, KY; and Grace Community Church (established 2013), also in Louisville, KY. Their faithful ministries have left enduring legacies within their communities.

The GLC continues to steward two camps—Portage Lake Bible Camp and Mission Meadows, LLC—and extends support to a third camp ministry at Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp (owned by Wallens Creek Covenant Church). All three camps reported remarkable evidence of God’s transformative work during the past year through camper decisions for Christ and deepening discipleship. Portage Lake anticipates completing its new dining hall ahead of summer programming. Mission Meadows is experiencing strong registration numbers following reduced fees and looks forward to expanding capacity through a new lodge under construction. Meanwhile, Covenant Mountain Mission expresses heartfelt appreciation for volunteers and financial contributions from churches and individuals that sustain its ministry.

Delegates were encouraged to visit each camp’s website to learn more about these ministries’ ongoing impact and consider how their own congregations might engage with—and support—these vital efforts moving forward.

Mickey Tresh (Board Treasurer) provided crucial information about our finances and the upcoming budget. Please see additional article within this newsletter.

We also extended heartfelt thanks for faithful service rendered by members who have contributed significantly through leadership roles who are retiring in their roles: Sara Charlton (Pastor at Mission Covenant Church, Sugar Grove) for six years on the GLC Board including eighteen months as Chair; Michelle Bennett and Krista Umanos each serving three and six years respectively on the PLCBC Board; Carolyn Palmquist and Fred Rizzuto each serving six years on the Mission Meadows Board. Their commitment has been invaluable in guiding our shared mission forward.

Another year, another successful and informative Annual Celebration/Meeting. Thanks to all who joined us in person, we know your time is valuable and we understand spending time away from family and weekend responsibilities and events isn’t always easy. But we hope you felt this year’s Celebration was worthwhile and we hope to see many of you next year along with some new faces in Youngstown, OH (April 23^rd-24^th). If you have any suggestions for workshops, please reach out to me (Jani Gustafson) – we are always looking for engaging, informative, helpful workshops!