Covenant News

Services Planned Monday for Erma Chinander

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (September 26, 2003) - A memorial service for Erma G. Chinander, executive secretary emerita of Covenant Women, will be held Monday, September 29 at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, Minnesota at 11 a.m. Chinander, who was eighty-nine, died Thursday, September 25.

She was born August 20, 1914, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and later moved to Minneapolis with her family. After graduating from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, she taught at Minnehaha Academy and then became administrative assistant to Clarence Nelson, who was president of North Park College and later president of the Evangelical Covenant Church. She also assisted President Milt Engebretson.

From 1969 to 1971 she was president of the Covenant Women's Auxiliary before becoming executive director and then executive secretary of Covenant Women. In 1978, she joined the Covenant's council of administrators, the first women to serve as part of that group.

Under her leadership, the Covenant Women Triennial events were started, with the first Triennial held August 6-8, 1974 at Northwestern College, Roseville, Minnesota. She also traveled to several Covenant mission fields in her role at Covenant Women. She retired from Covenant Women in 1980.

"Erma was a woman of vision - she dreamed and believed that when Christ was at the center, all things were possible," said Marti Burger, director of Youth and Family Ministry of the Department of Christian Formation. Burger served the Salem Covenant Church prior to assuming her youth ministry duties. "In contrast Erma was a humble, gentle spirit who walked beside so many people. Erma believed in mentoring and being an example to all she met. Erma was a wonderful role model - she reflected Christ is all she did. Erma is missed."

Those sentiments were echoed by Carolyn Pitezel, a former colleague of Chinander's at Covenant offices, who recalls her as "a real lady" and someone especially gifted by God. "My life has been richly blessed because of my friendship and working relationship with Erma," she said. "I will always be thankful to God for the privilege of knowing and working with her."

Visitation hours will be held Sunday (September 28) from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Werness Brothers Funeral Chapel, 3500 W. 50th Street, Minneapolis. There will also be visitation prior to the memorial service, at 10 a.m. A lunch will be held at Salem Covenant following the service. Burial will be held in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

Peace to her memory.

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