One Takes: In that room of thanksgiving |
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In today's edition of One Takes, Bob considers God's re-generating capacity in our lives and the world: "When I or a loved one experience desolation or sadness, something more than time and busyness comes along and mends those broken places. A bridge is built and I get to walk across and start again."
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New podcast episode: The story of the Grateful Leper is about the one person in a group who took time to thank God for healing him. Are there blessings God has given us for which we haven't returned thanks? Listen here.
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This year's Christmas Eve Offering will stretch across Advent, beginning on Giving Tuesday and culminating in a day of worship on Dec. 24.
Consider doing for children in Charlotte, Palestine and Mexico what you might do for young people in our own lives. One hundred percent of proceeds go toward urgent needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's how:
Highland: We'll provide microphones for students in the classrooms at our CMS partner school to stay connected with peers at home who are doing remote learning.
Tomorrow's Youth Organization: For children in the West Bank and surrounding refugee camps, we'll provide tablets and hotspots to improve access to remote learning. (A hotspot is a physical location where people can access the Internet, typically using Wi-Fi).
Faith Ministry: For young people living on the border in Mexico, we'll provide tablets in support of a scholarship program for those who have been struggling with at-home classes.
Giving Tuesday refers to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, a special day each year meant to unofficially open the giving season. The goal is to fundamentally shift the sentiment from buying to giving – from focusing on the economy to lifting up the community.
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A beloved tradition goes virtual as children gather online to enjoy cocoa, make holiday cards for senior members and sing carols led by Heather Potter.
Sign up using the link below and you'll receive a bag with supplies, cocoa and song sheets for the caroling. Be sure to order a Grab-N-Go lasagna meal with cookie decorating kit.
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Last day to purchase gifts
Visit the Alternative Gift Market
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Shop online today to find carefully chosen items - from fair trade olive oils to chocolates. Gifts will be available for pickup the week of Sunday, Dec. 6.
Honor cards remain available through Dec. 23 in support of your favorite mission organization. Visit the market here.
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Advent worship welcomes you on Mondays
Weekly readings, music in the Sanctuary
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Come to the Sanctuary on Mondays during Advent for 15-minute services of readings, music and ritual observances. These services will also be live-streamed and re-broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Details here.
Please check in at the Welcome Center and wear a mask while visiting campus.
1st Monday in Advent (Nov. 30) – Grace Lindvall
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Opening Organ Music: Come Savior of the Nations, Come
- Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9 (OT) Mark 13: 24-37 (NT)
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Hymn: O Come O Come Emmanuel
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Subscribe to Advent devotional series
Heartfelt reflections from Covenant members
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What might it look like if our waiting allowed us to experience the love of God, the friendship and fellowship of those near us, and the ability to see circumstances in a new light?
Find answers in this year's Advent devotional series, which begins Sunday. If you have already subscribed, we're excited to embark on the journey with you. You can sign up here.
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Field Day welcomes youngsters
Saturday, Dec. 5 outside Rec Wing
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In keeping with the Run With Perseverance stewardship theme, the Rec Wing invites children to outdoor fitness events as part of our first ever Field Day. Click here to register.
- K to 2nd graders at 10:45 a.m.
- 3rd to 6th graders at 11:40 a.m.
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Join TLC for virtual visit to Biltmore House
Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 10:30 a.m.
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Covenant's active adults group hosts virtual Christmas festivities followed by a tour of holiday traditions at Biltmore House. We'll conclude with carols led by our own Heather Potter. The first 30 people to register will receive Christmas treat bags. Register with Michelle Williamson by Dec. 4.
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Hiking group will visit Evergreen Nature Preserve
Saturday, Dec. 12 at 9 a.m.
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Enjoy a leisurely hike at Evergreen Nature Preserve, an urban hardwood forest preserve with a stream and trails. It's haven for migratory birds. The 2021 hiking schedule is now posted! See details and RSVP here.
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Child Development Center names interim director
Alexis is a familiar face
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Alexis Sherrill Modebelu is the interim director of the Child Development Center following the departure of Chris Callaway. Abigail Avalos will serve as Interim Assistant Director while maintaining her responsibilities as Teacher Resource Specialist.
Alexis has worked in childcare for 12 years and has been at Covenant since the CDC opened in 2019. She was previously the Lead Teacher for two-year-olds at the First Presbyterian CDC in Charlotte.
Please join us in welcoming Alexis and Abigail to their new roles and in thanking Chris for his work to get our CDC up and running just one year ago.
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Do good when you shop at Harris Teeter
Link your VIC card to our center
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You can support our Child Development Center when you shop for groceries at Harris Teeter.
Simply tell your cashier at check-out that you want to link our account number (6954) to your VIC card. Every time you shop, two percent of your Harris Teeter brand purchases will go to our center.
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Memorial service for Amelia Hunter
Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 3:30 p.m. via livestream
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Covenant will remember the life of Amelia "Ame" Elliott Hunter, who passed away Sunday following a brief illness.
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How to see rest as a faithful practice
Sunday, Dec. 6 at 9:30 a.m. with Dr. Nate Stucky
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Busyness is a sickness of the soul that affects many today—and it is especially detrimental to young people, who are finding their identity shaped by ongoing resume-building, constant digital communication and unceasing activity.
So says Dr. Nate Stucky, a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary who will show us how to see rest as a faithful practice within a busy world. This talk might be particularly helpful for parents, youth and young adults. Click here for more.
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Return gifts to Highland Giving Tree
For children at our CMS partner school
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If you took an ornament from the Giving Tree, please return your gift by Monday at 5 p.m. with both items wrapped together (no gift bags, please). Attach entire tag to gift. The tight schedule is due to the school calendar. For questions, contact Sally Harriss.
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Show some love for teachers at Highland
Brunch is Monday, Dec. 14
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Let's embrace those who nurture and educate students tirelessly and steadfastly day after day.
You can contribute food, drinks, flowers or notes for staff at our CMS partner school to enjoy a light breakfast and simple reminder of our admiration. Please leave items in the Welcome Center bin by noon on Friday, Dec. 11. See list of needs here.
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Blood drive responds to vital need
Sunday, Dec. 6 in Fellowship Hall
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Your donation is needed more than ever as hospitals face shortages of blood due to the COVID-19 crisis. Please make an appointment as part of our social distancing efforts.
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Click here to contact Covenant member Louise Rogers for questions.
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Women's coat drive supports Dove's Nest
Bin available in Welcome Center
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New and gently used coats for women will be collected for Dove's Nest, a recovery program through Charlotte Rescue Mission. Please place coats in the marked bin in the Welcome Center through Dec. 13. For questions, contact Janet Delery.
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Collecting holiday cards, 2021 calendars
For Crisis, Center of Hope, Moore Place
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Contribute 2021 calendars and new greeting/Christmas cards for neighbors in need. Drop off at the collection bin in the Rec Wing through January. We collected over 400 calendars last year. For questions, contact Jane H. Taylor.
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Guide to Advent season
click image for full schedule
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Congregational Notes
births, weddings, in memoriam
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