Covid Lessons: We need each other |
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Greetings!
One lesson I've learned during Covid-time is how much we need each other.
Last week on our anniversary, my wife and I spent 24 hours in Milwaukee, and we went to a restaurant for the first time in over a year. It was great! We sat near an open window, the tables were spread out, and everyone had masks on--unless they were eating or drinking! We even enjoyed small talk with the staff and some other patrons.
(In case you're wondering, we had veggie and bacon pizza and a beer at Mobcraft brewery. Five stars. Then we had ice cream, so we covered most of the major food groups in one evening. Haha.)
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In recent weeks, I've also enjoyed a couple in-person meetings of the Madison Downtown Rotary. A pre-Covid Rotary meeting would have 200-250 people eating lunch together, but these gatherings have been around 50-60 people (max 99). I have really enjoyed face to face (ok, mask to mask) conversations with people.
I'm very grateful for vaccines and for slow and safe return to familiar activities. We still need to be cautious, but after a long and challenging time of isolation, it's a blessing to be reconnected.
As for church, some small groups and committees are meeting together. Plus, we are exploring options for Sunday worship, with a task force looking at possibilities. I'm hopeful that we can find a way to be safe in the sanctuary soon. Stay tuned. You can help by filling out the survey we mailed earlier this week. The survey closes on Monday, May 10, so don't delay.
As we slowly and safely emerge from Covid lockdown, I'm thinking about what we've learned and what comes next. I'm working with the Session on the future direction of Covenant. I just started reading an acclaimed book for church leaders: How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going, by Susan Beaumont, which ironically (providentially) was published just before Covid. |
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Zakaria highlights the challenges we face: corrupt and inefficient governments, people not listening to experts (and experts not listening to people), growing economic inequality, increasing tension between the USA and China, and more.
But he ends on a hopeful note, with a chapter called "Sometimes the Greatest Realists are the Idealists."
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He is well-aware of all of our divisions, but even so, he makes a compelling case for us to work together, writing: |
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If people cooperate, they will achieve better outcomes and more durable solutions than they could acting alone. If nations can avoid war, their people will lead longer, richer, and more secure lives. If they become intertwined economically, everyone ends up better off…. It is not a flight of fancy to believe that cooperation can change the world. It is common sense.
--Fareed Zakaria, Ten Lessons, p. 233
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We need each other--as a church, as citizens of the USA, as humans on the planet. We have been isolated for a long time. We've forgotten how to small talk, and our social-political divisions are deep. Reconnecting will be challenging, but we have to try.
So I encourage you to reach out to someone today, with an email, a phone call, or (if you're vaccinated and comfortable) a face-to-face visit. Talk about the weather, or your favorite ice cream, or sports, or pets. We need each other--to be happy and healthy, and to work on the challenges in our world today.
And we need each other as Christians. As followers of Jesus, we are called into community. We can't be Christians alone. We need each other to become the people God calls us to be. We've done our best to be together since March 2020, and I hope we can grow more closely together in the future.
On the journey, apart but together,
Charlie
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Show your Covenant pride! |
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Use this link to order a Covenant t-shirt by Sunday, June 6. Payment is to be made when you receive your order.
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Drive-Thru Donuts + Heifer International Celebration
Sunday, May 16
10:30-11:30am
Covenant children and youth have been supporting Heifer International for 28 years! For this year's celebration, come out to the Covenant Heifer Farmyard (our parking lot) on May 16 to hear silly animal jokes; see adults and children dressed like cows, pigs, sheep, llamas, rabbits, and chicks; grab a donut and contribute! Donations welcome but not required for drive-thru attendance. Come out to celebrate this awesome organization!
Watch this family-friendly video to learn more about Heifer International, or visit their website. Donations of coins, cash, checks (made payable to Covenant) accepted. Donations can also be made online here.
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Pentecost Worship in the Parking Lot
Sunday, May 23 at 9:30 am
Join us for in-person worship on Pentecost Sunday, rain or shine! Covenant member Craig Wilson will be flying kites. Please wear red!
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PC(USA) Special Offering for Pentecost
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Capital Campaign Report
Owing to the generosity and support of Covenant members, we used Capital Campaign funds to give our church building much-needed upgrades and to support mission partners throughout our community.
Click on the image to see all that we were able to accomplish with your support!
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Middle & High School Youth Connections
Middle School Youth Connection will meet on Sunday from 4:00-5:00.
They will be going to Vitense Golfland on Friday, May 14. Information has been sent to families and can also be found here.
High School Youth Connection will meet on Sunday evening from 6:30-7:45.
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Mission Partner Spotlight: Sustain Dane
Did you know that Covenant is a member of the Sustain Dane network?
Sustain Dane was founded in 1999 by a group of Madison community members to create a more sustainable future for Dane County. Covenant's "Green Team" taps into the vast network and resources of Sustain Dane to guide our commitment to sustainable church practices. Click here to learn more about their work.
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Adult Education May 9:
Rev. Eric Miller, International Mission Partner
For over 50 years Eric has worked with college and university students under InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Creative evangelism and Inductive Bible Study has been at the heart of Eric’s long, faithful and creative ministry with university students. For over 25 years, Eric has worked from a base in Nairobi, Kenya. Eric was ordained in 1971 by the Presbytery of San Fernando (PCUSA) to serve as an evangelist and media ministry pioneer with InterVarsity. He is a long-time member of the Presbytery of John Knox (PCUSA). He along with a number of African leaders established a yearly Bible study event in East Africa going under the name Berean Safari, a journey of discovery in the Scriptures.
This class will meet at 10:00 am via Zoom.
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Virtual Worship for Sunday, May 9
- 6th Sunday of Easter
- Charlie Berthoud preaching on Acts 10:34-43, "A Bigger Tent"
- Children's Time with the Marge Resan
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Follow our blog to read Pastor Jeff's weekly reflections.
We will premiere the worship service on Facebook at 9:00 am on Sunday.
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Grounds Clean-Up Day May 22
May 22nd is Grounds Clean-Up Day at Covenant! Please bring your gardening and pruning equipment and help us to make the grounds look beautiful again, from 9:00am-12:00pm. Donuts and water provided.
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