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Wednesday, July 29
, 2020
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 Memorial service for Doug Oldenburg
11 a.m. with Zoom reception afterward
Today we remember the life of Douglas W. Oldenburg, former senior minister of Covenant and progressive leader in the Presbyterian Church USA. Bob Henderson and Robert Alexander will officiate.
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Update from Re-Opening Task Force
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On behalf of the Session and Re-Opening Task Force, we would like to offer just a brief update about our operations amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. First, we continue to work with congregational leaders and subject-matter experts to make the wisest and most faithful decisions possible. When in doubt, we will continue to choose the most conservative path so as not to inadvertently jeopardize anyone's health. We are unanimous in this commitment and grateful for your support.
You will notice that we are
incrementally increasing our activity as a congregation. We can now have small groups that meet outside and sponsor small public events with strict safety parameters around them. We will soon organize times for contemplation and personal prayer in the Sanctuary. We have not yet made any decisions about when to resume in-person worship.
All church-sponsored events will follow a similar regimen: social distancing, temperature checks, basic health interviews, and attendance keeping. While this may seem somewhat inconvenient, these protocols are essential to our opening and we ask for your full cooperation. Working together, we will be able to resume important dimensions of our congregation's life and mission.
We remain deeply grateful for the gift of participating in this family of faith. This period of pandemic has highlighted the character of the congregation, and we are thankful for your generosity, participation, service and patience. On behalf of the whole Session and Re-Opening Task Force, we thank you.
As always, we welcome your input and suggestions. Please feel free to write either of us and we will share your perspective with the Re-Opening Task Force.
In Christ's service,
Bob Henderson, Senior Minister
Deana Cooper, Clerk of Session
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 Talking about race, justice in our own homes
New resource seeks to foster conversations
Grace Lindvall and Julia Watkins co-authored a resource called Around the Kitchen Table to foster conversations around racism. Consider identifying one time each week at your kitchen table - maybe with your children, your parents, your neighbors, your spouse, or yourself. We can mail you a printed copy! Click here to access the resource.
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 Make a recording of the Lord's Prayer
Voices will enhance our worship
We hope to assemble as many "virtual" voices as possible for a presentation of the Lord's Prayer. All ages are invited to record yourself speaking the prayer at home.
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 Consider practices of faith in a new light
Summer Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom
In August, we're starting a new topic by learning about practices of faith such as fasting, pilgrimage, evangelism and prophecy. Why do we still talk about these things after 2,000 years?
Click here for the Zoom link.
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Zoom interactive worship
Watch 9:30 worship with opportunities to say hello and chat in breakout rooms.
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Covenant media page
Worship at 9:30 and 11, follow along with an order of worship and interact with online host.
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Facebook Live
Worship at 9:30 and 11 and interact with online host.
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 Prepare for Communion on Sunday
Worship at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Prepare for worship by setting a communion table in your home and joining us as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.
- For those who like to see faces and say hello, Zoom worship is designed to feel like old times. Try Zoom worship this Sunday at 9:30 and enjoy the chance to reflect on the sermon and service.
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 Outdoor concert series will feature strings, flutes
Debuts Sunday, Aug. 16 at 5:45 p.m.
Enjoy music and friendly faces in a socially distanced setting. A carillon prelude at 5:45 p.m. is followed by instrumental programs, including a string quartet and flute ensemble. Feel free to bring a chair, blanket or picnic. Space is limited. Health screenings will be conducted.
Please reserve a spot here.
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 Child of the Covenant is coming up
Welcome, children born or adopted in 2019
Each year, we celebrate with families of children who came into the Covenant family in the past year. This cherished occasion had to be postponed due to COVID-19.
Make plans to join us Sunday, Aug. 16 for 9:30 online worship followed by a meet-and-greet virtual reception via Zoom at 10:30.
Please send a photo
of your family to Sally Jackson by Monday, Aug. 10.
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How UrbanPromise Charlotte is pivoting
Mission to cultivate young Christian leaders
UrbanPromise Charlotte equips children and youth in economically fragile neighborhoods to become Christian leaders who will restore their communities.
The organization has pivoted to virtual summer camps.
Its three centers on South
Boulevard, Freedom Drive and Idlewild Road are now serving as feeding centers for students and their families. Please join us in praying for neighbors as they face disruption and uncertainty.
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Ways to lift up kids, teachers at Highland 
Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.
We're recruiting volunteers to write 100 notes to teachers and staff at our CMS partner school. Please drop off in the plastic bin outside the Welcome Center. Feel free to write more than one note!
Also needed are six people to assemble bags on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. Sign up here.
- Backpacks for kids: Covenant will provide 100 backpacks for Highland students. Your donations support students who are learning in unprecedented ways. See the Amazon wish list.
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Operation Sandwich is Monday 
Lunch for our neighbors at Roof Above
The missions team invites you to make 25 sandwiches and bring them to Covenant on Monday from 10 to 10:15 a.m. Julia and Lucy will be in front of the Sanctuary building to collect and deliver directly to Urban Ministry Center for lunch that day. You can sign up here.
- You can now contribute 24-bottle cases of 16 oz. water bottles.
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Bag lunches for neighbors staying in hotel 
Two dates in August - Aug. 13 and 27
Our church is providing lunches for neighbors staying at an off-site Men's Shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We'll send you the guidelines when you sign up to contribute. Please drop off bag lunches between 10 and 10:15 a.m. in the Circle drive at the Church on the day that you have registered. You can sign up here.
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Help prepare a garden in Enderly Park 
Supporting the ministry of QC Family Tree
Here's a way to get involved in a cause near and dear to the heart of Covenant. Our partners at QC Family Tree envision a community orchard to serve neighbors in Enderly Park.
A Covenant team led by Anne and Jimmy Davis uses rakes, shovels and hedge trimmers to turn this grand idea into reality. The effort happens Saturdays and Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m (before it gets too hot). You can learn more and sign up for a shift here.
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Campus news, alerts
click for the latest
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Congregational Notes
memorials, celebrations
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