Covenant Shores honors MLK with weekend-long celebration

At Covenant Shores retirement community, residents observed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a weekend-long celebration that included inspiring sermons, powerful messages, and an opportunity for legislative outreach. The program was sponsored by Diversity Awareness Partners, a resident-led group that creates opportunities for residents and staff to increase diversity awareness through education and community participation. Covenant Shores is a faith-based, non-profit continuing care retirement community.

Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, associate professor for reconciliation studies at Seattle Pacific University and a pastor at Quest Church in Ballard, was the keynote speaker. McNeil, who was a classmate of Barack Obama at Occidental College in the 80s, invited residents to follow Dr. King’s example by verbalizing their dreams and then living them.

Other events of the weekend included the showing of the movie “Ruby Bridges,” a challenging sermon on love by Rev. Wayne Perryman, and a performance by the singing quintet, the Faithfulaires. Residents shared inspirational quotes by Dr. King during the Resident Council Meeting and about 20 residents gathered to write letters to state and national lawmakers regarding issues they cared about.

“The success of the celebration reflects the spirit of the seven-member group and the support it has from our 327 residents,” said Executive Director Bruce Erickson. “Their curiosity and passion for making the world a better place has made a positive impact on our community.”

Speaking on behalf of the DAP, member Ruth Kverndal explained, “We have no designated leader. Each member is free to take initiatives, bring new ideas and act on them. We obviously have different personalities and we also have various Christian church affiliations in the group. We pray in different ways and, together, not only do we believe God has a purpose with our endeavors but we have seen God’s blessings on this growing ministry.”

Authors, scholars, clergy, and experts visit the community to educate residents about timely and impactful issues related to diversity, including religion, race, immigration, and social issues. Field trips and tours provide another layer of opportunity for residents to expand their knowledge and life experiences. DAP members include residents Mark Jensen, Biji Keigley, Ruth Kverndal, Tom Nielsen Joan Selvig, Lorinda Tang, and Joy Thomson.

About Covenant Shores

Covenant Shores, a faith-based, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community, is located at 9150 Fortuna Drive, Mercer Island, Wash. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. Covenant Retirement Communities serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Covenant Shores, call 877-385-8613 or visit www.covenantshores.org.