Today Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Gathering 
Update
And Other Covenant News for Youth and Families
Covenant Presbyterian Church
2070 Ridgecliff Rd.
(corner of Redding)
Upper Arlington, OH
614-451-6677
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Sundays at Covenant:

8:30 & 11am
Traditional Sunday Worship Services: 
  -Children dismissed to 
A Joyful Noise & Wiggle Worship.

10am
Gathering,
Fellowship Hall, 
Alternative Worship  
(family friendly, interactive)
  - 6th, 7th & 8th graders,  
    Lower Level 006,
    Led by Tom Billman
  - Treasure Finders,  
    age 3 - 5th grade 
  -  Nursery, Birth - 3 years
4pm
Verge (grades 5-8)
5:30pm
Youth (grades 8-12)
6:30pm
Bible Study, 120
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Pastors on call for pastoral care week of Oct. 17:

Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri., Sun.     -  Tracy 614-946-2982

Thurs., Sat. 
                - Jim 614-886-3681
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PASTORAL LEADERSHIP & 
PROGRAM STAFF

Tracy Keenan Katie Kinnison
Associate Pastor for Spiritual Formation
Director of Music
Jim Mehler
Parish Associate
Director of Children's Ministry
Cathy Koeneman - Interim Director for   Older Youth
Tom Billman - Interim Director for Younger Youth
Director Covenant Children's Center
Assistant for Children's Ministry
Organist/Pianist
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YOUR 2016 DEACONS 
If you know a member with a need, or for more information contact Terry Kennedy Mancini, 614-530-1732 tmancini@columbus.rr.com

Participate in occasional and one-time services to our members:
1. Pray for someone for a short time.
2. Prepare all or a part of meal. 
3. Provide a ride to
church or an appt.
4. Help serve breakfast at Ronald Mc Donald House
5. Participate in the Mid-Ohio Food Bank 

All Deacons are "contact points" for any member of the congregation in addition to their team assignments listed below. Members requiring any type of support should contact any Deacon. Check your Covenant Directory or call the office, 451-6677, for contact information.

Moderator: Sharon Steingass
Vice-Moderator: 
Jill Cameron
Treasurer:  Rusty Miller
Recording Secretary: 
Bob Lowery
Communion Coordinator:Tim Scott
Communications Lead: Terry Kennedy-Mancini, Co-Lead Connie Kennedy 
Staff Liaison: Rev. Jim Mehler 

1. Communication 
Lead/Coordinator: Terry Kennedy-Mancini;Co-Lead: Connie Kennedy 
Milissa Campbell, Bobbie Gier, Sharon Steingass, Scott Mizer, Steve Zilles, Chris Primm, Barry Fonarow, Jan Fonarow 
-Congregation Contact (visits/calls) -
homebound, limited mobility, 
-Special needs 
-Cards (birthday, get well, etc.) & church information -- Heidi Hallas, Terry Kennedy-Mancini 
-Meals to members in need - Jill Cameron 
-Prayer Chain - Chris Primm
-C.A.R.E.S. rides -- Bonnie Beth Mitchell 
-Flowers - Heidi Hallas 
-Care Notes - Rusty Miller 
-Bereavement service -- Terry Kennedy-Mancini
2. Outreach 
-Ronald McDonald House: 
Milissa Campbell 
-Mid-Ohio Food
Bank: Milissa Campbell 
-Adopt-a-Family: Bobbie Geir, Rusty Miller 
-Compass: Rusty Miller 
-Crop Walk: Rusty Miller 
-Bloodmobile: Mona Connolly
3. Service 
-Communion Prep (Coordinator): 
Tim Scott 
-Sunday A.M. Events (e.g. Deacon Ministry -Promotion: Danny Franz 
-Older Adults: Connie Kennedy 
-Youth: Ali Koeneman
4. Liaisons 
Church Officer Nominating Committee: Pete LuPiba 
Nurture & Outreach: Andrew Patterson

 
This Sunday, October 23
Thank God I'm Not Like That!

 Jim Mehler preaching

"I'm glad I'm not like that!"  I'm sure those words never passed our lips (or at least the thought never came to mind).  Well, then again ... just maybe they have.  Election aside (and would I ever like to put this election aside), there probably have been occasions when those words came to mouth or mind in relation to the lifestyle, behaviors, beliefs, etc. of another.  There is that in this passage from Luke, and there is more.  We'll try to explore that  Sunday at Gathering.  
     Remember the Family Tailgate Picnic is  5:30  Saturday,October 29.  It's a time for food, fun, and a little Buckeye football.  Canes chicken fingers will be provided, just bring snacks to share.  Let Erin know you are coming. 
jim

Jim





To read our blogs, click this link .
 
The Youth Director Search Committee...
is at work! Using information provided by the Youth Ministry Renovation Team, we created an ambitious but realistic timeline to find and hire a Youth Director (part-time but long-term) for Covenant's kids in grades 5-12. If you know of someone who would be an amazing leader for our youth and all-around wonderful addition to Covenant, please provide their contact information to a member of the committee: Tracy Keenan, Linda Billman, Carol Craven, Mike Davis, Cary Hanosek, Rusty Miller, Dave Speas, and Tori Vazquez. Our web site has more info and the job description: http://www.covenantpcusa.org/get-involved/youth
Your prayers for this important work are appreciated.
 
Thanks, CROP Walkers and Donors! Covenant raised more than $2,000 to fight hunger in our community and around the world. There were 15 walkers at the event on Oct. 9. It's not too late to help. If you have yet to make your donation, you can put it in the offering plate clearly marked to Church World Service/CROP Walk. Thanks again for your help!

Events and Opportunties
Click on underlined headline for more info.

THIS WEEK:
Think of the events of your life, the formative occurrences. The age of innocence, times of wilderness and exile, falling in love, times of belonging and times of loss, coming of age and looking back on life: it's all in the bible. Imagine finding your own story in the stories of scripture. These 3 weeks will be workshops on exploring our own life stories with the bible as touchstone, template, and prism.

PRIMETIMERS - Potluck
Fri., Oct.. 21, 12pm, Lounge
Bring a dish to share and your own service. Jeri Diehl-Cusack will present a fun program entitled "Campaign Humor." Call Dorothy Grossman, 614-488-2820.

Men Connecting With God - Breakfast 
Sat., Oct. 22., 8am, Lounge (4th Sat. of month)
We provide pancakes and gruel and coffee. You're invited to bring something to share. Join a video series by Marcus Borg, "Embracing An Adult Faith -- What It Means To Be A Christian" focusing on understanding issues in contemporary Christian practice and theology: Who Was Jesus? Who Is God? What Is Salvation? How Do We Practice Our Faith? How Do We Live In Community? Contact Jim Mehler.

Advent Devotional 
Can you believe it is that time of year again? Time to get ready for getting ready for Jesus! Please consider writing an advent devotion as a gift to our Covenant church family. Directions can be found in the hallway, along with a sign up sheet and some prompts for writing. See  Katie Kinnison for more info.

Books Available: An Other Kingdom
Get ready for our upcoming discussion of this book by Walter Brueggemann and two community activists. It's a great mix of theology and practice, exploring what it means to act out real love in today's culture. Books: $12. Copies available on the table in the hall. Contact  Katie for more info.  Discussion starts Nov. 15.

Peanut Brittle - Peanut brittle cooking has begun. Needed: 1lb. coffee cans only, Kroger or Giant Eagle 80% margarine, white sugar, kitchen help. Fellowship and fun! Nancy Davidson, 614-876-5262,  ndavidson7@gmail.com.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

L ove Warrior: A Memoir
Glennon Book Discussion Event
Sat., Nov. 12, 9am -1pm
Continue the life-changing conversation we began last April when Glennon Doyle Melton was here. Her new book 
Love Warrior: A Memoir is a call for more - brave questions, candid conversation, compassionate and courageous women changing the world. Join us for brief provocative presentations, lots of discussion, exploration through the arts, a great lunch from Freedom a la Carte and more. 
For information, contact Katie Kinnison.

2016-17 Covenant Concert Series
Noe Salsa Project
Sun., Oct. 30, 3pm 
Salsa! Rumba! Merengue! Jazz! Incredible experience. Don't miss it!


Join Us: Our New Members Luncheon
Sun., Oct. 30, 1:15pm, Lounge
Anyone wishing to explore membership at Covenant is invited to join us for lunch and conversation. Members of Session and others will be on hand to offer information about membership, and you may officially join that day, if you choose to do so.  So that we have enough food and can give you more information, please RSVP to Katie Kinnison at  katherinekinnison@covenantpcusa.org.

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UPCOMING EVENTS, PROGRAMS, OPPORTUNITIES:


Agora - Righteous Outrage in Word, Sound, and Image: 
              Punk Rock and Martin Luther
Sun., Nov. 6 & 13, 9:45, Lounge
Led by David Connolly. Loud, obnoxious punk rock music is a strange topic for church and may seem the opposite of Christian faith and tradition. But consider that there are also radical ideas and much disruption throughout the history of religion. We'll compare/contrast Martin Luther's actions and writings with the counterculture of the punks.

Parents' Night Out
Fri., Nov. 11, 6-8:30pm (2nd Fri. of each month)
Parents go out while their children eat, play, watch movies. Donations accepted. Questions: Erin Wise, erinwise3@yahoo.com. Register by Tues., Nov. 8: http://tinyurl.com/covenantpno.

Men's Breakfast
Sat., Nov. 12, 8am, First Watch, Kingsdale
Contact: Alan Kennedy 614-451-9318.

CPW's Fair Trade Sale
Sat., Nov. 12 & Sun., Nov. 13
For meaningful gifts for Christmas, check out the annual Fair Trade Sale for items from different countries and items made by CPW circles.

PC (USA) Responds to Hurricane Matthew
God's people are called on to stand in the "GAP" Give. Act. Pray. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) will immediately begin working alongside established partners to respond to this latest crisis by providing essential food, water, and supplies for impacted communities and villages. As long-term recovery needs are determined, PDA will continue to support those in impacted areas to ensure a comprehensive recovery. The needs for the response is great. Visit: www.pcusa.org for more information.
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ONGOING EVENTS & PROGRAMS:


Tuesdays, 8:15am, Lounge
NOTE: NO Centering Prayer Oct. 19
Come learn a way of praying that can help you stay awake to God's presence in your life. See Katie Kinnison, Sandy Tullet, Cora Kuyvenhoven or Jeff Roedel for more information.

Mission Sewing
1pm, Tuesdays, room 121
Contact: Diana Sanders, jrssand@aol.com

Campanile Handbell Choir - Rehearses Tuesdays, 6:15-7:30pm. 
Contact Nancy Davidson,  ndavidson7@gmail.com, if you would like to ring or learn how to ring.

Wednesday Bible Study: Genesis
Wednesday, 1pm in room 120; OR  7pm in Lounge
NOTE: No Bible Study Oct. 19
In these conversations we seek the intersections between scripture and our lives. How do we understand the Holy One? What is our purpose in being? How do we relate to God, to others, to ourselves? These stories can help us.

Chancel Choir - Rehearses Thursdays, 7pm
Sing with us! All voices are welcome.

Every 1st Thursday, 11:15, meet at church

Women's Theology
1st & 3rd Fridays, room 120
Spong's Biblical Literalism: A Gentile Heresy. Everyone welcome! Amazon has kindle and hard back versions (about $19).

Prayer Shawl Circle
2nd & 4th Fridays, 9:30am, Lounge
Prayer Shawl Circle invites knitters/crocheters to knit at your leisure.Yarn and patterns provided. Shawls provide comfort for those with illness, and celebrate marriages and births. Louise Davidson, 614-792-1289.

Partners w/Hoge Memorial Church, W. Broad, Hilltop
Every third Sat., 4-7pm, we prepare, take, serve a meal for 50+ people for this community ministry. Contact   John Griffin.

Young Adults If you're interested in joining Young Adult events and outings, text: Tim Augsback, 859-322-2398 or Meghan Rodenfels, 614-668-5165

Deacons at Ronald McDonald House
2nd Sat. of Each Month, 7:15am
Ronald McDonald House, 711 Livingston Ave. 
For more info, contact Milissa Campbell, 440-610-4171

Men's Spirituality
Sun., Nov. 6, 20, etc. Every Other Sunday, 9:30am, Rm. 120
Richard Rohr's book Wild Man to Wise Man.

More Financial Opportunities:
Contact Ingrid Brooker, Financial Administrator
(T., W., Th., 8:30am-4pm)

Automatic Debit From Your Bank Account is Now Available!
To make it more convenient for you, we are offering automatic debit as a means of paying your contribution to Covenant. This involves automatic transfers from your checking account to the church. All we need is your bank checking account number, routing transit number and the dollar amount to be debited. You will have the option to have your contribution debited from your account weekly or monthly. If you are ready to get started on this option, please complete the Automatic Debit Authorization form available on our website on the Applications, Registration Forms, Information Sheets page or in the church office. Return your completed form to Ingrid Brooker.
- 2016 Per Capita is $32 Per Member. Each member of Covenant is also a member of the larger church, the Presbyterian Church USA. It is part of our responsibility to support the work of the administrative bodies of the national church - the General Assembly, the Synod, and the Presbytery - by making a per capita payment each January. This year, that is $32 per member, for a total payment due of $20,384. Please pay your share so that this money doesn't need to come from this year's budget. Your contribution will free up funds for other vital church programs that meet the spiritual needs of our congregation. Per Capita envelopes are available at the Welcome Table. - Your Stewardship & Budget Commission.
- Estate Planning. Consider naming Covenant as a beneficiary of your IRA and/or life insurance policy. Naming Covenant as a beneficiary provides you tax savings, along with the ability to make a meaningful gift without the outlay of cash. Life insurance policies may be an existing or new policy and be partially or fully paid. For both options, the proposed gift can be accomplished by naming Covenant as a complete (or partial) beneficiary. Contact your plan administrator to obtain the correct forms and your tax advisor for information specific to your individual situation.
 
Do you tweet? Follow us on Twitter
Don't miss the fun @CovenantGather. We live tweet some of our services and share other interesting and important updates. Search for us at #covenantcbus and  Puppet (our friend from Sunday morning Talk with Children) @Puppet2070  
 

We're excited to be bringing you this weekly email on Tuesdays with information about our Gathering service and other events we want to highlight for our worshiping community.

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