Former MI Covenant Church Pastor Resumes Spiritual Role at Covenant Shores

The Reverend Greg Asimakoupoulos, former pastor at Mercer Island Covenant Church, was installed Sunday, June 9 at Covenant Shores Retirement Community.

Former chaplain Bud Palmberg (left) gave the homily as Chaplain Greg was installed at Covenant Shores in front of an overflow crowd. Both men are former pastors at Mercer Island Covenant Church.

Rev. Asimakoupoulos' chaplaincy at the retirement community involves overseeing the spiritual atmosphere of the campus, which includes leading weekly worship services on Sunday, encouraging those in challenging health situations and counseling family members who are dealing with end of life issues.

The new role is also deeply personal: Asimakoupoulos said his 86 year old mother is a victim of dementia, a condition that afflicts several residents at Covenant Shores.

"My new position as chaplain is deeply fulfilling," he said. "I feel as though my previous thirty-five years of ministry experience have prepared me for the unique opportunity. This new role allows me to use the gifts and abilities that bring me the most joy."

Covenant Shores is a continuing care retirement community operated by the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination based in Chicago. It owns thirteen other campuses nationwide. There are 360 residents at Covenant Shores who represent many denominations. According to Asimakoupoulos, about 20 percent of the 360 residents have are members of several Covenant congregations in the Seattle area (including about 40 residents who attend Mercer Island Covenant Church). About 50 percent of Covenant Shores are affiliated with other mainline congregations on Mercer Island.

"In every church setting in which I've served previously, I have enjoyed interacting with senior adults the most," Asimakoupoulos said." I consider it a privilege to be an extension of each church extending pastoral care staff on their behalf."