Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Ed Wing renovations nearly complete!
Refurbished classrooms will welcome children for a new year
Education Wing: It's moving time! Covenant's education staff will return to the Ed Wing within the next week, marking the latest milestone in the For a Whole Community capital campaign. The building sports new carpet, fresh paint, updated bathrooms and refurbished classrooms.

Playgrounds: The two interior playgrounds are ready for children!  New equipment better aligns the space with state licensing requirements. We are awaiting a sandbox for the playground nearest the Rec Wing. An outdoor infant play space is also planned.

On the Circle: When it is completed in the coming weeks, this important gathering space will be level, improving accessibility to both the Sanctuary and the new welcome center. 

Work will also soon begin on the Dilworth Road entrance  to create a more welcoming access point to the campus. Four trees will be planted, replacing two trees that will be removed to accommodate the new design. The entrance should be completed in September.

Covenant names preschool director
Welcome to Becky Stout
Rebecca Buckner "Becky" Stout will join the staff at Covenant on Monday, Aug. 12 as Director of Preschool.

Becky brings rich and varied experience in early childhood education, having served as a director, lead teacher, children's minister and preschool consultant over her 30-year career. Most recently, she was Minister of Children and Families at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, TN, where she also taught religion courses at Carson-Newman University.  

"I am excited about partnering with Covenant to support families through the the ministry of weekday education as your next Preschool Director," Becky said.

Becky spent several years in Charlotte earlier in her career, including leadership roles at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church and Providence Baptist Church. Becky and her husband Jim, who works for Bank of America here, are looking forward to spending time with their daughter, son-in-law and new grandchild, all of whom live in Charlotte. Becky will report to Chris Callaway, Managing Director of the CDC.

Please join us in welcoming Becky and supporting her ministry among us. Click here to learn more.

Update from associate pastor search committees
Searches are underway to fill two positions
Search committees are reviewing applications and interviewing potential applicants for the Associate Pastor of Congregational Life and Pastoral Care as well as the Associate Pastor of Education.

Both APNCs meet weekly and sometimes multiple times a week.  The committees would like to thank all who have supported their efforts. Please continue to pray for the teams and candidates -- and ask that the Spirit would prepare the way for vibrant future ministries for those who will serve here.

While the searches continue, Covenant is fortunate to have Grady Moseley as interim Pastor of Congregational Life and Pastoral Care and Grace Lindvall as temporary Associate Pastor of Education.

How nonprofit leaders respond to God's call
Faith + Career: Adult Summer Sunday School
Hear from leaders and innovators about the role of faith in professional life. A panel discussion is  every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • This week: Nonprofits do heroic work in our community. Hear from leading voices on how God is calling them to be servant leaders in this field. Our panel is Karen Calder of Classroom Central, Lucy Bush Carter of Friendship Trays, Cheryl Carrothers of Supportive Housing Communities and Lucy Crain of Covenant.
Summer schedule, children's activities and more
Education Wing is closed for renovations
  • 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).
     
  • Summer choir welcomes you: Do you love to sing? Just show up at 10 a.m. in the Peek Music Room before Sunday worship to rehearse an easy anthem. No experience is required. We will have music and folders ready for you. Contact Heather Potter.
     
  • 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!
Provide dinner for men's shelter neighbors
Items needed for meal on Tuesday
We are in need of Texas Hash and desserts. Please place items in the Fellowship Hall freezer at your convenience. You can find the recipe at CovenantPresby.org/shelter. This is a great service opportunity for groups and families. To let us know you made a drop-off, contact Terry Horne.
Freedom School concludes with big finale
Volunteer at celebration on Thursday
The final week of Freedom School includes volunteer opportunities for adults and high school students. We need your help with a year-end summer celebration Thursday at Highland from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as we celebrate with scholars and their families. Details here.
Avery County Mission TripCovenant is building community in Avery County
Trip is Sept. 30 to Oct. 5
Love to work on Habitat builds? Enjoy the mountains? Discover the needs of a community just hours from Charlotte as we build a home alongside our Avery County neighbors. Details here.
  • Can't join us? You can support our Avery County partnership by donating new or gently used costume jewelry for the thrift store at Crossnore School. Contact Catherine Bracey for details.
Fresh Air. Fellowship. Hike with Covenant.
Saturday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m. at Lake Norman State Park
Next up in Covenant's popular hiking series is Lake Norman State Park in Troutman. Join friends on the gentle, 3-mile Hawk Loop Trail. All ages and skill levels welcome! Stick around for a picnic or rent pedal boats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and canoes for play after the hike. Meet at the park at 9 a.m. or at Covenant at 8 a.m. to carpool. Details here.

Young Adults will host fall kickoff party
Sunday, Aug. 18, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at VBGB
Hear about small groups, service opportunities and much more at a fall kickoff party featuring food, drinks, music and games. This is a great chance to plug in and meet our YA leaders. Find out more and RSVP by clicking here.

Church-wide panel on environmental justice
Sunday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
What does our faith have to say about environmental justice? What is the science behind climate change and other environmental challenges?

We'll seek to develop an understanding of how to respond as people of faith. All are welcome.  Details here.  Our panelists are:
  • Dr. Jack Scheff, climatologist at UNC Charlotte
  • John Searby, executive director of Catawba Riverkeepers
  • John Gaertner, physicist, climate scientist and environmental advisor
  • Covenant's own Grace Lindvall, Julia Watkins and Ian Clark
Civil rights tour will visit Georgia, Alabama
Register for Sept. 20-22 weekend
Join in the pilgrimage to some of the places where our nation's struggle for racial justice is continuously unfolding. Participants will encounter God, who suffers and hopes with us, through the stories of people who have faced inequality. We'll visit sites in Georgia and Alabama and worship at a Baptist church in Birmingham. For details and to register, click 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.
 
FITNESS AT COVENANT
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COVENANT NEWS
june/july issue 
CONGREGATIONAL NOTES
memorials, celebrations