Today Tuesday, Dec. 27, 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 Worship Services
  -Children dismissed to 
A Joyful Noise & Wiggle Worship.
10am
Gathering,
Fellowship Hall, 
Alternative Worship  
(family friendly, interactive)
  - Spiritual Verge (grades 6-8)  LL006,  Tom Billman
  - Treasure Finders,  
    age 3 - 5th grade 
  -  Nursery, Birth - 3 years
4-5:30pm
Verge (grades 5-8)
5:30-7:30pm
Youth (grades 8-12)
6:30pm
Bible Study, 120
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Pastors on call for pastoral care week of Dec. 12:
Sat., Sun. -    
          Tracy 614-946-2982
Mon., Tues., Fri., - 
           Katie 614-625-1335
Wed., Thurs. - 
           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

 

Sun., Jan. 1 - One 10am Worship Service with Communion

     Culture tells us that this is the season of New Year's resolutions, and I tell you, that has never worked for me. True, spending some time in self-evaluation and considering how my life has been working out has been a worthwhile enterprise. It bears fruit. But when the fruit is actually a list of things I need to do differently, self-awareness is transformed into a burden I can never bear. My list of resolutions is always too long and too fragile. None of them make it through January without being chipped, or maybe even smashed to pieces.
     The Church, on the other hand, tells us that it's still Christmas, that we are still being dazzled by the Light of the World that has burst into the darkness, that we have God with us in a new way because Love has burst upon the scene and changed everything once again.
     So what might self-examination and resolve look like through the lens of Love? This is what we will be considering together this Sunday morning at 10am in the Sanctuary. I hope you will be here with us.

Yours in Christ,
Katie





To read our blogs, click this link .
 
Seasons Greetings:
-- Church Closed Fri., Dec. 30.
-- Sat., Dec. 31 - 5-7pm come and go as you wish. 
    Meditative reflection and communion.
-- Sun., Jan. 1 - 10am One Service, Communion
                 - NO Verge (grades 5-8), or Youth (grades 8-12)
 
Events, Meetings, News and Opportunities

Recommended Organizations Providing Assistance in Syria
* Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: pda.pcusa.org/situation/syria
* Global Ministries of the Christian Church & United Church of Christ: 
    globalministries.org/syria_crisis
* Mennonite Central Committee: mcc.org/syria-iraq
* Nonviolent Peace Forec: nonviolentpeaceforce.org/
* United Methodist Committee on Relief: umcor.org/
* Download a PDF of "Holy Discontentment: Advocaty & Action for Syria" from the Presbyterian Mission Agency: www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/holy-discontentment-advocacy-action-syria/

Christmas Thanks: Thanks so very much to all who bought gifts, volunteered, baked cookies, donated funds and sponsored families as Covenant stocked the COMPASS Christmas Store and provided gifts through Adopt-A-Family. Almost 40 families will have a brighter Christmas because of your kindness and generosity.

2017 Per Capita is $33.00 Per Member. Each member of Covenant is also a member of the larger church, the Presbyterian Church USA. So it is part of our responsibility to support the work of the administrative bodies of the national church - the General Assembly, the Synod, the Presbytery - by making a per capita payment each January. The per capita for 2017 is $33 per member, for a total payment of $20,526. This figure is based upon our church membership roll as of Dec. 31, 2015. We invite you to pay your share of the per capita so that this money does not 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.

Year End Contributions Reminder.
Please make sure your yearend contributions are received in the church office no later than Dec. 29, 2016. Contributions received after then will be credited for 2017. Questions? Call Ingrid Brooker in the finance office 614-451-6677.

- Jan. 5 (Every 1st Thursday), 11:15, meet at church
Serve lunch to women rebuilding their lives. Sign up on the Mission & Social Concerns board in the hall or contact Katie Kinnison. 
- Jan., 6, 8:15am, meet at church
Take breakfast to CATCH Court. Contact Katie.
- ALSO, we're making toiletry kits for women released from jail who have very little support. Five to eight bags are needed each month at $15 each. You may donate to help the cause or contact Katie Kinnison. Checks should be made out to Covenant with Human Trafficking in the memo line.

Special Congregational Meeting
Sun., Jan. 8, 12pm
A special congregational meeting has been called by the board of session for the purpose of electing Milissa Campbell to the office of elder for the class of 2019.

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Mon., Jan., 9, 1-6pm, Fellowship Hall
Donations save lives! In the season of giving, consider giving the gift of life to someone you will likely never meet. Sign up in the hallway between services or call Mona Connolly, 614-886-4413. Volunteers are needed to staff the drive; Sign up in the hall, e-mail or call.

Young Adults 
Wed., Jan. 11 (2nd Wed./month), 7pm, El Vaquero, Riverside Dr. 
If you're interested in joining Young Adults events and outings, contact Tim Augsback, 859-322-2398,  augsbacktj@gmail.com .

Primetimers' Potluck & Program
Fri., Jan., 13, 12pm, Lounge
Enjoy "Confessions of an OSU Usher" by Trevor Zahara. Contact Eileen Lazear 614-459-2327.

Parents' Night Out
Fri., Jan. 13, 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., Jan. 10:  http://tinyurl.com/covenantpno.

Styrofoam Recycling. We're doing a trial run recycling styrofoam (not memory foam, waxy stuff, or containers that have touched foods like meat trays or egg cartons, even if washed) through Phoenix Recycling. Leave in pastors' outer office by Jan. 15.

Peace School - Children 3 years old -5th grade
Mon. Jan 16, 10am-12pm, Fellowship Hall
Martin Luther King Jr. day is a perfect time to dream of peace. Join us for stories, games, crafts that celebrate and seek God's peace for the world. Youth and adults can help.

Tuesday Night Spiritual Formation -  The Mystics: Sufi Poets
Tuesdays, Jan. 17, 24 and 31, 7pm, Lounge
Discover more mystical poetry with this Interfaith gathering. Contact Katie Kinnison to get the poetry ahead of time -- or just show up and enjoy!

Variety Show 2017
Sat., Feb. 11, 7pm
Back to the Future: Covenant Style
Start working on special songs, performances, etc. to do with "time," that make reference to time, or songs from another time. Email Cherie Brooks, cheriebrooks@covenantpcusa.org, with acts you would like to perform.
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ONGOING EVENTS & PROGRAMS:


Tuesdays, 8:15am, Lounge
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 RESUMES JAN. 4
Wednesday, 1pm in room 120; OR 7pm in Lounge
We are reading Genesis and will be discussing Abraham and Sarah. 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.  

Young Adults 
2nd Wed./month, 7pm, El Vacquero, Riverside Dr. 
If you're interested in joining Young Adults events and outings, contact Tim Augsback, 859-322-2398, augsbacktj@gmail.com .

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.

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
Every Other Sunday, 9:30am, Rm. 120
Richard Rohr's book Wild Man to Wise Man.
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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.
- 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.

     If you would prefer not to receive these emails, you may unsubscribe to this list by clicking the 'safe unsubscribe' link below.  You will still receive our regular "News from Covenant" on Thursday mornings.