Special Events

Youth Workers Connection
Saturday, January 28 – Monday, January 30
Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
For more information, see the YWC 2012 website.

CO-OP Connection: Peer Workshop
Saturday, January 28 (7pm) – Monday, January 30 (Noon)
Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, Rosemont, Illinois
Cost – $50
This peer learning opportunity is for both pastors and coaches in the Coach of Pastors (Co-Op) track. Build valuable relationships with like-minded leaders, and sharpen your strategic organizational leadership skills. This is an interactive experience, held at the ECC denominational offices, which allows for Q & A and application discussions. You must be enrolled in Co-Op to register. There is a $50 registration fee (coaches exempt). Please indicate your interest in this event during the registration process. Contact Daniel Booker at (773) 907-3354 or daniel.booker(at)covchurch.org with any questions.

Spiritual Directors Retreat
Sunday, January 29 (6pm) – Monday, January 30 (4pm)
The Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center, Chicago, Illinois
Cost – $85 (includes lodging and meals)
Designed for trained or in-training Covenant spiritual directors, this retreat is an opportunity for personal refreshment, community building, and experiential learning. Our special guest will be author and spiritual director Jan Johnson. The retreat will informally begin Sunday at 3pm for individual reflection and triad practice for those who wish it, and will officially begin with dinner at 6pm. The retreat will be held at The Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center, 513 W. Fullerton Parkway, Chicago, Illinois. There is a $85 cost (includes lodging/meals from Sunday evening dinner through Monday lunch).

Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC) Chaplains Meeting
Sunday, January 29 (2pm)- Monday, January 30 (Noon)
The Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, Rosemont, Illinois
This is a meeting of education, inspiration, and mutual support for CRC chaplains. Our focus this year is on the theme “Transitions.” Registration information will be sent to all CRC chaplains separately. Please contact John Satterberg at JHSatterberg(at)covenantretirement.org with any questions.

Appointments with Conference Superintendents or Staff
If you made an appointment with a conference superintendent or staff person prior to Midwinter, designated tables for each superintendent can be found around the Conference Center Foyer, Lobby Level.

Family Room
For your convenience, a playroom for children will be available throughout the conference. Parents are required to supervise their children; this room will not be staffed. Worship services will be streamed live.

Health Screening
Complimentary health screening appointments are available on Wednesday and Thursday by reservation only. Thank you to Bethany Benefits for sponsoring this service. Shuttles will depart from the Conference Center Foyer, Entry Level. Please see the Midwinter Registration & Information desk with any questions.

Prayer Ministry
Please feel free to use the prayer room, located in the Grand Boardroom for individual prayer or times of intercessory prayer offered by the Midwinter Prayer Team. You can identify a prayer team member by their yellow name badges. We also have an interactive prayer wall on the website, please visit to either post a prayer request or praise, and pray for others.

Spiritual Direction
If you would like to meet with a spiritual director during the week, visit the Midwinter Registration & Information desk to sign up for a time slot.

Round-Table Discussions
Grab lunch in the cash line and make your way to one of our peer learning discussions. With the help of a facilitator (who is there to encourage discussion, not to teach), sit around tables while you eat lunch and share with your peers about challenges and strategies to address ministry opportunities. All round-table discussions will take place from 11:15am to 12:45pm on the days listed.

Covenant Orientation Studies | Orientación Al Pacto
If you are enrolled in Covenant Orientation, indicate which course you wish to take (in lieu of workshops) on the registration form. You will receive further information from that office after registration. Those participating in Covenant Orientation cannot be the primary registrant from their church, unless they are the only one attending the Midwinter Conference. Please contact Covenant Orientation at (773) 442-6581 or covenant.orientation(at)covchurch.org with any questions.

Vocational Excellence in the Evangelical Covenant Church
Wednesday, January 25 – Sunday, January 29
Training will take place at the Cenacle Retreat Center in Chicago. If you plan to attend Midwinter, but not participate in Covenant Orientation Studies, you must register for Midwinter and pay all associated fees.

Association of Covenant Camps and Conference Centers (ACCCC) Annual Meeting and Continuing Education Event
Monday, January 30 – Wednesday, February 1
Cost: $120
Each year the Association of Covenant Camps and Conference Centers gathers at the Midwinter Conference for a time of education and encouragement. This event is open to those who serve on a camp staff or board of directors. Participants in the event will register using the Midwinter online registration process. The specific education opportunities will be communicated directly to Covenant camp directors. For more information contact Bruce Lawson at bruce.lawson(at)@covchurch.org. Please note, ACCCC registrants may attend the Midwinter morning sessions and evening worship services but may not attend the workshops.

Association for Covenant Clergy Women (ACCW) Day of Connecting Clergy
Noon – 5pm
The Day of Connecting Clergy begins over box lunches while Jo Ann Deasy facilitates a discussion of effective male/female ministry partnerships. Discussion will be followed a time of worship, brief business, and small-group networking. All Midwinter participants welcome!

AAMA Discussion
4:30 – 5:30pm
Soong-Chan Rah, professor from North Park Theological Seminary will facilitate a discussion with AAMA members entitled “The Story of African American Evangelism and the Implication for the ECC and the Next Evangelicalism.” All are welcome to attend.

Directors of Congregational Vitality Meeting
4:30 – 5:45pm
The directors of congregational vitality (DCV) from each regional conference of the Covenant Church are invited to a reception. Come spend time together before Midwinter begins to share stories, best practices, and pray for each other. Space reserved for DCVs only, RSVP required.

Conference Dessert Receptions
9 – 11pm
Following the welcome banquet and worship, gather with others from your regional conference for dessert and a time of fellowship. Take this opportunity to welcome new people in your conference, connect with old friends, and spend time with your superintendent and conference staff.

Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC) Breakfast
7:30 – 8:45am
Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC) is celebrating 125 years of ministering to seniors. Please join CRC president, Rick Fisk and Covenant Ministries of Benevolence president David Dwight for this breakfast celebration.

Women Ministries Breakfast Meeting
7:30 – 8:45am
Come learn about the newest initiatives of Women Ministries, meet Meagan Gillan, our new executive minister, and join the conversation regarding our future. Everyone is welcome! Tickets to this breakfast cost $29.95 and will be collected through the department of Women Ministries at the door.

“Better Together” Worship Arts Lunch
11:15am – 12:45pm
Are you a worship arts pastor involved in the “Better Together” Facebook group? Come and meet those you have been interacting with online! Worship arts pastors are invited to bring your own lunch and gather for a face to face event encouraging learning, connection, communication, and resourcing.

Co-Pastors Gathering
11:15am – 12:45pm
Pastors serving in the co-pastor model or who are interested in serving as a co-pastor are invited to fellowship and to participate in an open discussion about ministry. Bring your lunch and join us!

Covenant Chaplains Association Annual Meeting
11:15am – 12:45pm
Please bring your own lunch and join us for the annual business meeting of the Covenant Chaplains Association.

Navigate 2011 Alumni Luncheon
11:15am – 12:45pm
This luncheon is for pastors of Navigate 2010 & 2011 churches. Enjoy a meal together and hear important updates and stories about established churches becoming healthy and missional. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) Alumni Gathering
11:15am – 12:45pm
NPTS alumni of all ages are invited to bring your lunch for a time to reconnect, meet one another, and discuss your hopes and dreams for the seminary. A brief update on the state of the seminary will be given by a member of the seminary administration. We will also explore the possibility and potential of advancing NPTS’s alumni network.

Spiritual Direction Certificate Informational Lunch
11:15am – 12:45pm
North Park Theological Seminary invites you to lunch and to learn information about the certificate offered by the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction. A community of up to twenty students spends seven days together three times over a period of twenty-five months, beginning each July. Join us and learn about the unique characteristic of this academic program and how it can benefit you and your ministry. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

Ordinand Reception
5 – 6:45pm
Ordination candidates and their families are invited to a reception sponsored by the Board of the Ordered Ministry.

Town and Country Pastors Reception
5 – 6:45pm
This buffet style dinner is in honor of all pastors serving in a town and country setting. Drop in, enjoy the fellowship, and know how much your ministry matters to God. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

Chaplains Reception
9 – 11pm
Institutional and military chaplains are invited to a reception sponsored by the Board of the Ordered Ministry.

Glenn Kaiser Blues Concert
9 – 10pm
Glenn brings good news blues and songs from his album Cardboard Box with guitar, home-made instruments, harmonica, and a few surprises. Cardboard Box addresses homelessness, poverty, and a call for Christian response.

Prayer and Healing Service
9 – 10pm
Please join us for a service of Holy Communion and healing.

North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) Urban Ministry Certificate Launch Reception
9 – 11pm
NPTS is proud to announce and celebrate the launch of a new cohort program leading to a Certificate in Urban Ministry. Join us for an opportunity to network over dessert and hear program director Soong-Chan Rah as he introduces the new certificate program designed to strengthen the capacity of pastors and church leaders to lead creatively and boldly in complex, demanding, and exciting urban environments.

Laser Tag
9 – 10:30pm
Are you looking for a time of friends, fun, and adrenaline? Come play Laser Tag right here in the Hyatt O’Hare Hotel; sponsored by the Association of Covenant Camps and Conference Centers.

Central Conference Pastors Breakfast
7:30 – 8:45am
All Central Conference pastors are invited for breakfast to receive an update from Covenant Harbor, Covenant Point, and the Central Conference. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

Church Planters Luncheon
11:15am – 12:45pm
You are invited to join us to meet other church planters, hear updates about Covenant church planting, and to break bread together. If you are a church planter, are interested in church planting or connected to church planting in any way, you are welcome to join us for this annual luncheon. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

Clergy Couples Gathering
11:15am – 12:45pm
All couples in vocational ministry are invited to bring your lunch and join in a time of Q&A with experienced clergy couples and denominational staff.

Ethnic Commission Lunch
11:15am – 12:45pm
Members of all ECC ethnic associations are invited to join together for lunch. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

Financing College Luncheon
11:15am – 12:45pm
Understanding how financial aid works in today’s economic environment is essential for parents concerned about paying for college. Bring your lunch and learn important information about financial aid, from scholarships to grants and loans. In particular, learn about special help provided by North Park University for the children of credentialed Covenant ministers and missionaries.

Interim Pastors Gathering
11:15am – 12:45pm
Find community with other interim pastors by sharing ideas on preparing churches for the transition to the new pastor in a conversation facilitated by Beth Ernest and Mike Halleen. Pastors newly interested in interim ministry are also welcome. Please bring your own lunch from the cash stands.

Legacy and Technical Coaches Reception
11:15am – 12:45pm
Whenever a congregation votes to conclude their ministry, the pastor receives both a legacy coach and a technical coach. This reception honors the work of these coaches as well as the pastors who have courageously and compassionately led their churches through this last season of life and ministry together. Space is limited, RSVP required.

African American Ministers Association (AAMA) Gathering
4:45 – 6pm Meeting
6 – 8pm Fellowship Dinner
The Annual Meeting of the AAMA will be held from 4:45 – 6pm, and members are invited to attend. Our Fellowship Dinner is from 6 – 8pm. Members and their guests are welcome to celebrate AAMA 2011 ministry events and recognize our 2011 Willie Jemison Book Scholarship awardees.

Reunión de MHIPE: Ministerio Hispano de la Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico
4:30 – 6:45pm
Invitamos cordialmente a todos los pastores y lideres representantes de las iglesias y ministerios hispanos a nuestra reunion anual a celebrarse de 4:30-6:45 p.m., el dia Miercoles 1 de Febrero 2012. Esta reunión tendrá como finalidad desarrollar una mini asamblea para hablar de los asuntos más importantes de nuestro ministerio, disfrutar de un tiempo ameno de fraternalidad y una cena sencilla ofrecida por el departamento de Formación Cristiana. Nota: Apreciaremos su presencia y puntualidad.

Dinner Shuttles
5 – 8pm
They O’Hare Hyatt Hotel is providing free evening shuttles on Wednesday evening to local restaurants for your dining convenience. To learn more information and to take advantage of this opportunity, please sign up at the Midwinter Registration & Information desk.

Facility Tours of the Covenant Offices
5 – 8pm
We would like to invite you to tour the Covenant Offices, which is just seven short minutes from the Hyatt O’Hare! Please sign up at the Midwinter Registration & Information desk for a tour time. A shuttle will be provided or you may drive directly. Please allow 1.5 hours for the tour, including travel time. There are also multiple restaurant located near Covenant Offices if you wish to enjoy dinner in the area while you are out. The last shuttle will depart from Covenant Offices at 7:45 pm.

Asian American Association Gathering
5:15pm Dinner
8pm Reception
Asian American ministers and those who work with Asian Americans are invited to connect with colleagues from around the denomination including Covenant officials. Meet in front of the hotel registration desk at 5:15 pm for an off-site dinner. Join us at 8 pm for an on-site dessert reception.

Prayer and Song Service
7pm
If you are looking for an opportunity to fill for free Wednesday evening, you are invited to attend a worship service centered around praise and prayer. Please join us for this time of musical worship as well as intercessory, individual, and small group prayer.

Fuller Alumni Breakfast
7:30 – 8:45am
All Fuller alumni are invited to join together for breakfast on Thursday morning for an opportunity to connect, as well as hear from Midwinter speaker and Fuller professor, Mark Labberton.

Co-Op: Coaching of Pastors Luncheon
11:15am- 12:45pm
This reception is for pastors who are coaching or being coached in the Co-Op ministry. Enjoy a meal and spend time together. Your partnership is deeply impacting how established churches are becoming healthy and missional. Space is limited, please check availability at the door.

Spiritual Directors Lunch
11:15am – 12:45pm
All trained or in-training spiritual directors, please bring your lunch and join us for an informational gathering. Dessert and beverage will be provided. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

Spiritual Direction Certificate Informational Lunch
11:15am – 12:45pm
North Park Theological Seminary invites you to lunch and to learn information about the certificate offered by the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction. A community of up to twenty students spends seven days together three times over a period of twenty-five months, beginning each July. Join us and learn about the unique characteristic of this academic program and how it can benefit you and your ministry. Space is limited; please check availability at the door.

Minnehaha Academy Gathering
5:30 – 6:45pm
Minnehaha Academy invites friends, alumni, or conference attendees to a gathering to share their stories of Minnehaha over light refreshments. Join us to hear about the plans for the Centennial in 2012/13 by Donna Harris, president of Minnehaha Academy.

Open Mic Night
9 – 11pm
Come and enjoy the music of Covenant worship artists at Open Mic Night hosted by Matt Nightingale. If you are a songwriter in the Covenant, you are invited to share your original music at Midwinter. We will provide a mic, guitar, and keyboard – you provide the talent.

Pastors in Recovery
9 – 11pm
You are invited to a meeting to share experiences, strength, and hope.

Prayer and Healing Service
9 – 10pm
Please join us for a service of Holy Communion and healing.

Retiring NPTS Professors Reception
9 – 11pm
Please join North Park Theological Seminary on Thursday evening as we celebrate the retirement of Linda Cannell, Richard Carlson, Robert Hubbard, and Norma Sutton and honor their many years of service with North Park Theological Seminary and the Evangelical Covenant Church.