Wednesday, June 26, 2019

See what's new with capital campaign
Projects taking shape this summer
Projects supported by our capital campaign  For a Whole Community are moving at an exciting pace.

Constructing affordable housing
Construction is 25 percent complete on The Mezzanine, the affordable housing complex on Freedom Drive. The leasing office will open at the end of July with affordable and market-rate units available. Our Mission and Outreach ministry is hard at work discerning how Covenant members can get to know future residents and develop relationships with this community.

Caring for children
An online form for families expressing interest in Covenant's new Child Development Center went live on Monday, June 17 and was met with immediate, significant traffic. CDC Director Chris Callaway is in the process of contacting families to engage in the enrollment process for the program, which is anticipated to open in November.

Meanwhile, the CDC Advisory Council is being formed and the interior playgrounds will be retrofitted during the last two weeks of July.

Creating a more welcoming campus
General contractor Shelco is more confident each week that the Welcome Center building will be completed by mid-October. The sheet rock is completed, there is power in the building, the HVAC is operational, primer painting has begun, work on the stone has shifted to the Morehead side of the building, and the slate roof should be completed next week. In the above video, meet LC Lynch, our master stone mason.

Renovations to the Education Wing and Fellowship Hall are well under way. The leadership team has decided to re-grade the entire circle, rather than a portion, before replacing it. While this will create some inconvenience during the summer, the end result will be better in the long term. 
  • We're extremely pleased about the progress. It also means our costs are ahead of schedule. Consider fulfilling (or making) your pledge ahead of schedule, too. Every accelerated or increased gift makes a difference. Click here for our campaign giving page.
Faith + Career: Adult Summer Sunday School
This week's panel: Law and justice
Hear from Covenant members involved in the legal profession on themes of justice, equality, ethics and fairness. Learn how faith informs their work, and also how it inspires them to serve the community. 

Panelists are Kate Carter, Julian Wright, Ben Mallicote and Blaine Sanders. Facilitator is Grace Lindvall. We'll meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Seeking your ideas for fall small groups
Listening sessions Sunday, 10:30 a.m. & noon in Fellowship Hall 105
We are exploring creating more opportunities for small groups this fall. Share your thoughts at listening sessions hosted by the Congregational Life and Christian Education committees. Our goal is to incorporate your ideas into the fall offerings. Sessions are Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and noon in Fellowship Hall 105. If you are unable to attend, click here for an online survey.

Community discussion on Emanuel film
Sunday at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Covenant will host a complimentary light dinner and small group discussion on the film EMANUEL, a story about forgiveness following the Charleston church shooting. Our discussion will also include guests from The Park Church and Christ Church. We are blessed to welcome facilitator Eric Watson, a member of The Park Church and a community leader in diversity and inclusion.  RSVP here.

Fourth of July Weekend, children's activities and more
Education Wing is closed for renovations
  • On Independence Day Weekend, July 7, Covenant will hold unified contemporary worship at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. There will be no choir or Sunday School. Child care is in the Parlor.
     
  • Summer worship: Chapel and Fellowship Hall worship are paused through Labor Day. Join us during the summer months for worship at 9:30 (contemporary) and 11 (traditional).
     
  • Covenant Kids and Youth Summer Sunday School 
    • Childcare is available in the Parlor for infants-Kindergarten.
    • Elementary-age students attend 9:30 worship, then after the time with children, follow a leader (holding shepherd's crook) to the Chapel for a lesson. Pick up is in the Chapel.
    • Middle and high school students meet in The Landing (bottom floor of Fellowship Hall) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Fifth graders are invited to join us.
    • We need volunteers! Will you be a teacher or shepherd for one week? Sign up here!
Urgent need for Freedom School volunteers
Openings for chaperones, supply shoppers
It takes many hands to support Freedom School children over the course of the summer.  We need supply volunteers to provide teacher gifts, deliver food bags and especially chaperone field trips.  Details and registration here.
  • New to Freedom School? Here's the scoop: Covenant sponsors a Freedom School site every year at Highland, our CMS partner school, to help children build reading skills during the summer.
Workshop for new or expecting parents
Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14
Are you expecting? Did you recently welcome a new baby? Come to a
two-day workshop led by Parish Nurse Mary Mattiacci and Susan Ferone to prepare for the normal challenges of becoming a family.
We'll meet on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner Saturday and brunch Sunday are included. RSVP here.
 
Deadline imminent to recommend elder nominees
Please submit by Sunday
A committee has been established to nominate 10 adult church members for election to the Session for a three-year term and two youth members to serve a one-year term beginning in January 2020. Details and online form here.
 
Director of high school youth ministries
This position is responsible for nurturing the Christian faith of youth through healthy, supportive and challenging relationships, and through the development of Christian-based activities and programs for grades nine through twelve. Learn more here.
 
Director of preschool
This position is responsible for creating, managing and expanding a developmentally appropriate preschool that is consistent with the total church program, in particular the Christian education of young children. Learn more here.
 
FITNESS AT COVENANT
learn about our rec wing 



COVENANT NEWS
june/july issue 
CONGREGATIONAL NOTES
memorials, celebrations