Covenant News

Karen Bruchman to Retire April 12

CHICAGO, IL (April 3, 2001) - Long-time World Mission staff member Karen Bruchman was honored Monday for more than 30 years of service to the Evangelical Covenant Church. Bruchman will retire April 12.

Bruchman, who first started working for the denomination in September 1970, flashed her familiar smile often during a reception in her honor. Numerous words of praise were offered by colleagues, with special notes of appreciation shared by President Glenn R. Palmberg and Donn Engebretson, executive director of the Department of Ministry and one of Bruchman's former pastors.

In nearly 31 years, Bruchman has helped process 658 short-term missionaries for work in Covenant mission throughout the world. She estimates she has handled some 4,000 inquiries. A book of letters was presented, containing notes from some 130 individuals with whom Bruchman worked over the years.

Bruchman is a native of Foster City, Michigan, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She attended Mission Covenant Church in Foster City and graduated from North Park University (then college) with an education degree. She and her husband, Robert, have been married 40 years and have two children, Paul and Erik. Paul, his wife, Sonja, and their son live in Hawaii. Erik, his wife, Julie, and their son reside in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

"It's been a job that hasn't really been a job because all of these short-termers have become friends," Bruchman said.

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