Covenant News

Boston Pastor: It's Not About the Roof - It's About Mission

BOSTON, MA (April 22, 2001) - In a special worship service next month, Covenant Congregational Church will celebrate what some may have thought was impossible - successful completion of a three-year $200,000 capital campaign that began only last fall.

Not only did the church reach its goal in just a matter of months, it exceeded it, raising $225,000 for building repairs and other improvements to its 65-year-old facility. National Covenant Properties participated in financing of the project.

That the church met and exceeded its goal in less than a third of the projected time is worthy of celebration, notes Pastor Judy McCullough. However, that is not the most significant aspect of the upcoming celebration, at least not in this pastor's mind. "It's not about the roof - it's about the mission," said McCullough, who pointed out that the church nearly closed its doors eight years ago.

Covenant Congregational Church has a rich history. Established in 1881 in Roxbury as the Swedish Congregational Church, the congregation moved to its current Boston location (the Forest Hills section) in 1936. A new building was constructed at a cost of about $100,000. The name was changed in 1948.

The neighborhood around the church began to change in the seventies, with many members relocating to the suburbs around Boston. The congregation seriously considered closing the doors when attendance dropped to a low of around 40 in the early nineties. Instead of closing, however, the congregation decided to embrace changes within the church's urban environment and continue ministry to the neighborhood.

"There was a time that I thought our church was going to close," said life-long member Barbara Engstrom. "That was so difficult for me and I just kept praying. Now I know that it will not (close). It continues . . . to do the Lord's work and there are many young families." She is pleased that two of her children attend the church and that newcomers representing many cultures are joining in fellowship.

"I believe that the one thing that has never changed is that the gospel of Jesus Christ has always been central to its life," Engstrom said of her church. "That is what has kept us going over all these years. And I know that whatever group of people make up the church here, it will be the church, and that is okay with me."

That sense of renewed optimism and expanded vision for the future is reflected in attendance, which now averages 100 at a worship service - the Easter service topped the 200 mark. Some 50 to 60 individuals regularly participate in Sunday school and Bible study groups. The facility not only supports congregational activities, but also is home to a variety of neighborhood ministries, such as support groups and offices for Habitat for Humanity-Boston.

A Vision-to-Action evaluation process currently under way also encourages McCullough, now in her eighth year at the church That program is designed to help the congregation more clearly define its future direction.

The pastor is careful, however, to strike a balance between the vision for the future and the reality of the present. She finds great joy in reflecting on the faithfulness of many long-time members amidst a changing ministry environment. "Every time I turn around, there's a blessing," she said. "I've never been so happy. We're truly a church family. And the $225,000 we've raised says that we're here for the future - that's so significant."

The congregation will celebrate the success of its capital campaign and its commitment to future ministry during a special worship service May 20, led by East Coast Conference Supt. Robert Dvorak. Former pastors Richard Swanson and James Anderson are expected to attend.

For more information on Covenant Congregational Church, its fundraising drive and its May 20 celebration, contact McCullough by telephone at 617-524-0775 or by email at bostoncov@neaccess.net.

Printable version of this page.