June 13, 2019
Covenant E-news
June 13, 2019
Phone: 216.421.0482 | Fax: 216.791.2228 | Open Wi-Fi: COTC-guest
Worship this Sunday, June 16
10:00 am in the Sanctuary
Kevin J. Lowry's sermon is titled,  "Nevertheless She Persisted." Scriptures are  Romans 5:1–5 and  John 16:8–17 . Ou r Lay Worship Leader is Jim Tomaszewski.
Music Notes
The introit was originally sung in pre-democratic South Africa and tells the story of people who were afraid to go to the township of Kwa-Mashu because there was so much violence. Amavolovolo is a direct mutation of the English word for revolver. In present day Kwa-Mashu, violence has lessened. The song is sung now in many communities at parties and weddings, as a form of celebrating how peace can overcome violence. Our anthem continues with the theme of peace through prayer. Often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, the prayer’s true origins are unknown. 
Food Collection this Sunday
This Sunday we collect food for our Food Pantry. This is the third Sunday so food collected can be used in the bags distributed the last Wednesday and Friday of the month. The Pantry is also open Thursday afternoons for students, and for emergencies.

We can use pudding snacks, boxed spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, canned meat/ Spam, stew, jelly/jam, canned vegetables and snack pack cereal.
Summer Hymns
Tell us your favorite hymns!
Throughout the summer, our music staff
would like to invite members of the congregation to suggest a favorite hymn or two and
the stories behind why they are special to you.
Please contact Matthew Garrett with your songs and stories: MGarrett@CovenantWeb.org ,
In Our Church Family
Judy Bourne, Akeya Clark (Marie Jones's niece), Barb Clint, Gretchen Drushel (who is preparing for the Peace Corp), Rolf (Crunch) and Marilyn Krotseng, Greg Madison, Shirley Roe-Stroup, and Gabriel (Jenny Conner's grand-nephew). We pray for those struggling with illness, convalescing, or homebound; patients, family, and staff in our surrounding hospitals; our Interim Pastor Search Committee, and those who left prayer requests in our Carpenter's Box. 
Willie Howard is away from Friday, June 14 through Tuesday, June 18.
Summer office hours are weekdays from 9 am until 4 pm.
Tuesday Bible Study is taking a summer break. Watch for more information in the fall!

Please send all bulletin / e-news announcements to Dennis Matz
at DMatz@CovenantWeb.org by Tuesday afternoon.
 Please send prayer requests to  Melanie Marsh Baum .
Names are generally removed from the bulletin after four weeks unless there is a continuing need. Please let the church know if you or a loved one is in the hospital; HIPAA privacy regulations prevent hospitals from sharing this information.

Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
~ Galatians 6:2
Interim Search Committee Update
Sunday, June 9
From John Marsh, Committee Member

Good morning, I’m John Marsh and I’m bringing you an update from the Interim Pastor Search Committee. You’re most likely aware that this committee has been meeting regularly since February. We are tasked with finding a suitable qualified person for the position of Interim Pastor. We’ve been working hard reviewing applicant’s credentials using standards that pertain to interim work as well as taking into consideration our congregation’s specific needs and concerns.

An Interim Pastor should possess some specialized abilities that are different from the Pastor who will be called after the interim time. A church that is in a period of transition faces both challenges and opportunities that are common to many churches as well as those specific to us. Of course the Interim Pastor will perform many of the regular duties that a Pastor does which include preaching, pastoral work with congregants, being head of staff and moderating the Session, our governing body. An Interim Pastor is someone who helps lead our congregation for around 2 years as we transition and helps guide and empower all of us who participate in the life of our church to envision and enact where God wants us to be. During this time a Pastor Nominating Committee will be elected to search for our next long term pastor.

We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we continue the search for an Interim Pastor. The committee is thankful for the strong leadership and initiative that our Associate Pastor and church staff have shown during this time. If you have questions about this process please contact me or another member of this committee. Thank you.
From Mary Anne Bromelmeier, Moderator

Good morning. John gave an update in the worship service this morning. In addition to what he shared I want to thank the members of the committee: Jennifer Dovale, Libby Panhorst, Lyn Cooper Tomaszewski, Erin Tomko and John Marsh. Dan Carroll was a strong contributor until his resignation last month.

I would like to take a moment to remind everyone of the role of the Interim Pastor.   An interim minister is someone who helps us transition from one head of staff to another. In our case this means helping us address the issues identified by our consultant, Bill Appleton.  We anticipate the interim will be with us 18 months to 2 years. Many have asked how we are doing with our search. My response is this search is not for the meek..We have reviewed dozens of PIFs, Pastoral Information Forms. Held over a half dozen first interviews and multiple second interviews. Unfortunately, we have not yet connected with any strong candidates for a site visit.

Please continue to pray for us and share your thoughts and suggestions. We have followed up on all that have come to us.
YOU are invited!
The Ministry of Faith Formation is holding a brainstorming session
Tuesday, June 25 | 7 pm | Office Area

T he Ministry of Faith Formation (MoFF) invites and encourages members of our Covenant Family to get involved in the process of shaping our faith formation. MoFF is an umbrella ministry that includes many facets of faith participation and practice: weekly and special worship services; musical offerings connected to worship events; educational opportunities for children, youth and adults; church-sponsored lectures; and small group gatherings, just to name a few.

MoFF will host a brainstorming session on Tuesday, June 25th at 7pm in the church office area to help generate ideas for small groups to “dig in” and “think big” for the 2019-2020 program year. Some of our former committees and groups that are a vital, functioning part of MoFF include: Worship and Music, Adult Education, Family Ministries, The African-American History Task Force, Youth Sunday, and Pageant Task Forces.

Join us! Learn more about short-term and long-term involvement with MoFF committee or task force. Look for Matthew Garrett on Sunday or contact him at MGarrett@CovenantWeb.org. .
A Message from the Moyers
Dear Covenant Family,
 
It is hard to believe that I am typing these words, but we are on the way home . Our minds have been filled with experiences that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. The people we have met and the places we have visited have widened our perspective of the beautiful world in which we live and have renewed us to continue the work to which we have been called. We greatly thank the Covenant and Oberlin College for making this opportunity possible for us.
 
The last few months have been a whirlwind of teaching, concertizing, traveling, reading, practicing, recording, and learning so much. One of the highlights was a trip to Leipzig on Good Friday to see a performance of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion in the Thomaskirche, where Bach worked for over half of his career and Martin Luther preached in 1539. Christopher and Samuel have worked hard on their studies and have also experienced so much of European culture. They look forward to sharing many stories with all of you as well as their friends and neighbors.
 
Our plan is to arrive in Washington DC for several days to visit family, and then we drive back to Cleveland on the weekend. We look forward to returning to the church next week and to speaking with each of you over the coming months as we look to the future and spread God’s love in the world.
 
Wishing you all God’s richest blessings,
  Jonathan, Kaori, Christopher and Samuel

You are Invited!
Summer Theology on Tap: TODAY, JUNE 13 , July 25 and August 1
It is our tradition to gather once per month during June, July, and August. We hope you will be able to join on these summer dates as we share our favorite beverages and engage in conversation around how we live our faith in the world.  All are welcome!
Thursday, June 13 | 5:30 pm
The BottleHouse Brewery
2050 Lee Rd, Cleveland 44118
Thursday, July 25
Chautauqua Day Trip
Thursday, August 1 | 5:30 pm
Gold Horn Brewery
1361 E 55th St, Cleveland 44103
Chautauqua day trip.
Please let Melanie Marsh Baum at   MBaum@CovenantWeb.org  know if you plan to attend July 25th, so we can plan with our resident host, Kitty Jarjisian. O ur itinerary will include a lecture by Adam Jortner and an optional concert by Our Native Daughters.

Carillon Concerts  & Tower Tours
Fridays | 12:15 – 12:45 pm
Tower tour following the concert.
Program at  ucbells.org.  
Free - free parking in the Covenant lot.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Weekly Open Meetings at Church of the Covenant
Wednesdays | 5:30 pm | Beckwith Hall
Enter through the tower door and go up the stairs
Free parking
In University Circle

Wade Oval Wednesdays
June 12 - August 21
6 pm - 9 pm
Wade Oval
You are invited to j oin the Presbytery of the Western Reserve
Ministry Advocating for Homeless Persons and the City Mission
in Public Square on June 29
The City Mission is taking over Public Square on June 29 to call attention to the 3,000 homeless children in Cleveland at any given time. There will be homelessness simulation. This will be a family friendly event and a safe way to learn about homelessness. This event will include plenty of security, restrooms, and food trucks.
216.421.0482
11205 Euclid Avenue | Cleveland, OH 44106
Wheelchair accessible

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