Town & Country e-mail newsletter   

This month we would like to give you an update on one of our grant projects from this past summer. This grant was given to Community Covenant in Huntley, MN. 

Also, at this time of the year there are many people who deal with depression or loss in the midst of the holidays so we wanted to provide some thoughts on care, grief support and counseling.

Identity Theft, unfortunately, seems to be all around us. We have included an article from Steve Allison, our Covenant Trust representative to the conference Town & Country churches, on this subject. You can contact Steve if you would like him to come to your church and present a workshop on this topic.  

We pray for all of our Town & Country churches as we approach this holiday season. Through our churches, may the people in our webs of relationship be touched by the love of God and may their relationship with God be deepened in some way.  

By Pastor Dennis Anders, Community Covenant Church, Huntley, MN  

A number of years ago, several acres were given to Community Covenant Church of Huntley, MN, adjacent on the north side of the church. At that time, it was envisioned to create a park where people from the larger community of Huntley and beyond would be able to come for a picnic, play on the swings, play basketball, etc., as well as to provide opportunities for ministry for the church such as outdoor concerts, movie nights and community picnics, etc.

This vision became a reality for our church and our community on July 27 as we celebrated with a grand opening of the "Community Park" where people could come to relax, play, eat and be refreshed. The greater community was invited and together we dedicated this park. A lot of activities were planned for the day including: a live concert by Heartsong, and a meal consisting of a pork chop on a stick, chips and drinks with root beer floats to follow. A special dedication and prayer service was marked as we released half a dozen doves into the air. It was a fun-filled afternoon/evening as we joined hands with our friends and neighbors of Huntley to open a place for all people to come and enjoy.

We have a regular group of young guys from the community who come and play basketball. The children's area also continues to be used by the people of the community. Each Wednesday night, our own children and teens make use of the park during the remaining daylight hours as a part of their evening activities. Three times over the course of the summer we made use of the park for our Sunday morning Worship Celebration.

By Brian Schanil, Pastor at Evangelical Covenant Church, Warren, MN   

The idea of providing care, grief support and basic counsel is not brain surgery. It is not unique to a ministry setting, and is not something that is hard to do. In fact the doing of it is really not "to do," but rather "to be." There is a time to teach and to direct, but that needs to be done before or after but not, as a rule, in the midst of crisis.

One of the greatest advantages Town & Country churches have is size. Often times Town & Country churches are smaller in size, since frequently there are less people in the area. This is not unique to the town and country setting, because there can be small churches in any setting, but smaller churches have the advantage of being a size that enables, and even encourages, interaction among people. It is hard to hide in a small church.

This has both the good side and the bad. On the good side, if there is something going on in your life, others know it. On the bad side, if there is something going on in your life, others know it. What one does with that knowledge makes all the difference. Such knowledge can be used to encourage and lighten one's load, or it can be used to gossip and increase its weight.

The Bible clearly addresses both of these positions. In Proverbs 16:28 we read "... gossip separates the best of friends," and in Galatians 6:2 (NLT), we read, "Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." As members of the body of Christ, members in the church, we are given not only the opportunity to come along side of those in need-we are charged that it is our responsibility to do so.

There are virtually an unlimited number of ways people can be burdened in life. Issues of aging, change, loss, death and even joy can become a burden. Different people will react differently and there is no standard answer that speaks to everyone. Though the Bible does speak truth into every situation that needs to be heard, but just as Jesus was aware that timing was important (John 7:6, 8; 8:29 ...) so is the timing important when helping to carry another's burden without adding to the load.

Over the years I have had numerous opportunities to work with people who find themselves in a variety of situations of change, loss and grief. In each of these situations life itself can seem overwhelming and a quick remedy may be desired from both the hurting person and the person attempting to help-but rarely is such an answer available. What is available and helpful are people; people who are willing to listen without advising, sit without fixing, be present without expectation.

So here are some common "Plain Sight Burden Bearing" observations:

1. Pray for God's guidance.
2. Be willing to just sit with someone, without even saying anything.
3. Listen, don't try to always have an answer.
4. Avoid trivial clichés, situations can be difficult, clichés don't simplify them.
5. Avoid empty promises, ("she's in a better place" said for an unbeliever's death)
6. Pray for God to meet them where they are in the midst of the situation.
7. Be aware of others around the situations that need help as well.
8. Use Scripture, but with integrity. (Scripture always has a context.)
9. Never quote Romans 8:28 in a crisis to provide comfort.
10. Know when professional help is needed, and research who to call before you need them.

On average, 11.5 million residents have their identities stolen every year. With an average loss of $4,900 per incident, identity theft costs Americans over $56 billion dollars a year.

The uncertainties surrounding the Affordable Care Act have created more opportunities for identity theft. Chicago's NBC5 reports that in May of 2013 alone, the FTC received 1,100 complaints about scams connected to changes in the health care system. In a typical scam, a caller will claim to be with the federal government and request information to issue an insurance card for the Affordable Care Act. The caller may ask for a Social Security number, Medicare ID, or even financial account numbers.

To protect yourself from these scams, the Better Business Bureau offers these tips:

• There is only one place to shop for a qualified ACA health plan: www.HealthCare.gov.
• Typically, the government communicates through the postal system; be wary of any calls, texts or emails from someone claiming to represent the government.
• Additionally, the government should already have your basic personal info, including your Social Security number.
• The name on your Caller ID can be misleading. Scammers can have any name or number appear on your Caller ID.

In addition, Covenant Trust Company recommends taking these safety measures at all times:

• Never give out personal information over the phone. If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be with an institution you work with, end the call without giving any information. Then, contact the institution using a phone number you have on file and report the suspicious call.
• Never agree to buy or donate anything over the phone; ask for a written request.
• Don't be afraid to say no.
• Do not wire money to anyone you don't know.
• Never open an email, link, or electronic document from someone you don't know.
• Shred documents with personal and/or sensitive information instead of just tossing them in the trash.