Covenant News

Pumpkins Support Central Conference Ministry

ELGIN, IL (October 29, 2004) - Country Evangelical Covenant Church used a bumper pumpkin crop to help their neighbors as parishioners Lynn and Betty Landmeier donated proceeds from sales of pumpkins on their property for a ministry of the Central Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

The Landmeiers and the church will donate a portion of the receipts from the pumpkin sale on their property to assist Hands Extended Loving People (HELP), a ministry sponsored by the Commission on Church and Society of the Central Conference. The Landmeiers planted eight acres of pumpkins on their land last fall and had a thriving pumpkin patch despite a drought in the area that prevented pumpkins from thriving in many other areas.

Sales were conducted during two weekends earlier this month – a final tally is expected in early November. Last year's sales generated $12,000 to aid ministry through Country Covenant.

"Several Central Conference churches visited the pumpkin patch during the week as well as on the weekends," said pastor David Trosper, with three carloads of children coming from the Glen Ellyn Covenant Church. "They picked over 200 pumpkins for their Sunday school."

Thirty-five students from Jesus People Elementary School also came as part of a school field trip. "This was the first time many of the children had set foot on a farm," the pastor noted. "They enjoyed their visit and all the students went home with a pumpkin and Indian corn." The children also participated in hayrides around the farm.

To learn more about the pumpkin sales program and how it has assisted ministry efforts, call Trosper at 847-464-5381. To learn more about the HELP ministry, call Jerome Nelson in the Central Conference office at 773-267-3060.

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