Since 2006, Saint Andrew Christian Church has had a “covenant group” system, which essentially is a mechanism to facilitate communication and foster closer ties among church members. It also functions as a way to insure that key internal tasks get accomplished, while reaching out, to a limited degree, to the Olathe and Kansas City area communities.

Covenant Group Leaders
Fred Dischman/Patty Lundgren
Jim & Kay Jenkins/Eugenio & Evelyn Gonzalez
Marvin & Lori Sommerfeld
Lyle & Vicki Speace/Ray & Linda Brown
Peggy DeSeure/Shannon Mullican/Patricia Neubauer
John & Diane Bach
Erika & Shirley Molitor-Kirsch
Paris & Tracy Revoir/Maureen Foster
Wayne & Barbara Pickwoad
Rich & Susie Bumgarner/Gary & Lougene Marsh
Ruth Garrity/Pam Chandler
Dave & Cas Winans
Al King/Scott Weast
Eric & Rebecca Miles
Dale & Melissa Abuel/Ryan Dupree & Meredith Misch
Les & Dale Catlin
Steve Frisbie
Gerald & Gloria Hiller

At this writing, January 2010, there are 18 groups, ranging in size from 30 to 40, not including children. Each household in the church is assigned to a covenant group, sometimes based on the size of the various groups. Each group has one or more leaders, called deacons, who typically serve two-year leadership terms. The membership of the groups generally stays the same, with new leaders rotating in every two years. This year, for example, seven of the 18 groups are getting new leaders; more will change next year. In some cases, new leaders take charge of the groups they have been in, while at other times they move to groups they have not been part of.

For covenant groups, the "fiscal year," so to speak, is February 1 to January 31. Assigning tasks from February through January gives the church some breathing room as the new leadership settles in and gets organized. January is essentially a month of transition. A deacon training session takes place in late January of each year. At that meeting, new leaders are introduced and familiarized with the covenant group system. Also, the leaders divide up the jobs for the upcoming February 1-January 31 period.

Each covenant group typically draws six or seven jobs for the year. (Take the total number of jobs and divide by 18.) There are four categories of job responsibilities: Sunday services; banner changes and related chores; the Center of Grace community meal; and the project Uplift meal.

A closer look at each:
Sunday services — Each covenant group usually draws two or three Sunday or specialoccasion services, such as Good Friday and the three Christmas Eve services. That job involves, among other things, carrying the elements to the front of church at the start of services, collecting the offering and distributing communion.

Banner changes and related chore — The banners are changed in the sanctuary about eight times a year, including Lent, Advent and Epiphany. Related tasks, in December, include setting up the Christmas tree in Friends Hall and placing poinsettias and hanging greenery in the sanctuary. These jobs are done under the direction of Rev. Gary Duncan, Volunteer Minister of Worship/Arts.

Uplift — Uplift is an all-volunteer, social service organization based in Kansas City, MO. Uplift, founded in 1990, reaches out to homeless people by taking dinner to them wherever they are staying. Various organizations volunteer to provide meals. Saint Andrew has the duty the third Saturday of every month. Four or five covenant group volunteers arrive at Saint Andrew sometime after noon and prepare a bulk meal for at least 40 people, before delivering the food to Uplift headquarters at 15th and Prospect, Kansas City, between 3:30 and 4:15 p.m. After the food has been transferred from our containers to theirs, Uplift volunteers take the food out to the homeless, including in parks and under bridges and overpasses. Saint Andrew volunteers do not go out with the Uplift volunteers, although Uplift certainly welcomes new volunteers to its program.

Center of Grace — Every Wednesday, Grace United Methodist Church of Olathe provides a meal and fellowship time at its Center of Grace building, 520 S. Harrison, Olathe. Anyone is welcome, and there is no charge for the meal. Saint Andrew has the duty the second Wednesday of every month. Jeff Searl, a Saint Andrew member, has coordinated Saint Andrew's participation the last two years, and he arranges most of the cooking. The covenant groups' main responsibility is helping with final food preparation in the hour leading up to the meal, manning the serving line and making sure the guests have everything they need. Volunteers are encouraged to dine with the guests. Most of the guests are Olathe residents. Most are not homeless but are struggling financially or in other ways. For many people, Center of Grace has become a dependable source of a solid meal. Donated pantry items are distributed to guests as well.

The leaders at Saint Andrew believe the covenant group system has served the church’s needs well and has contributed to the dynamic spirit that pervades the church. One of the covenant groups’ most valuable contributions is cultivating a spirit of volunteerism and extending to all members opportunities to engage in internal and external ministries.

For more information contact:
Debbi Adams, Church Administrator, (913) 764-5888 or debbi@sacchome.org,
or Jim Fitzpatrick, 2010 Covenant Group Coordinator, (816) 361-1303 or jim.fitzpatrick06@gmail.com.