Pastor Letter 
Rev. Rob Mark, Pastor
Fellow Gardeners and Cultivators,
How is your Lent going? We have just passed the halfway mark, and before we know it, Holy Week will be upon us. I hope and pray you are finding the theme of this season of 40 days as a gift helping you draw closer to God and the ways of love and compassion.
Lent leads us to Easter. And Easter this year coincides with Earth Day. So in the spirit of loving our earth, I want to share with you a small but hopeful victory in our ongoing faith-driven work toward greater climate justice. Our Council recently voted to ask the Presbytery of Boston to pass the below motion, which I then took to the Presbytery and after presenting it and speaking about the rationale behind it, this motion passed unanimously:
Refer to the Presbytery of Boston's Investment Sub-Committee a motion to place all investable assets with the Presbyterian Foundation's fossil-free funds (or equivalent alternative), with an eye to diversification of sectors and an eye to cost when possible, as a statement of our Christian calling to care for God's creation and the vulnerable people most affected by climate change. In making this shift, we are recognizing that by continuing to hold investments in the fossil-fuel companies that most egregiously contribute to the climate crisis, the PC(USA) is complicit in harming God's creation and "the least of these" who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
The following day, I shared this with the wider Fossil Free Movement:
I am overjoyed that our Presbytery of Boston voted last night to divest our investments from the fossil-fuel industry and re-invest in fossil-free funds. I am grateful that this important step of letting our "yes be yes and our no be no," leads us into more authenticity as we begin to walk the talk of deeper climate justice as a body. In this unanimous decision we made the point that the people the world sees as the "least of these" and who Christ sees as most beloved are  the ones our faith mandates us to serve, not only around our climate-changing earth from Mozambique to Puerto Rico but also here in downtown Boston.
In our own city, we are already suffering from the affects of climate change as climate gentrification, displacement from encroaching seas, and thousands of active natural gas leaks gush from our city's poorest neighborhoods. This small but important witness and ethical step of divesting speaks to condemn the unjustifiable and sinful practices of the current core business models of the fossil fuel industry of extraction and profit above love of neighbor.
We divest for God who asks us to link where our treasures and hearts are; we divest for the earth who so lovingly sustains us; we divest for the 7 times 70 generations who come after us who we serve; and we divest this for ourselves as we strive to more accurately resemble the Beloved Community that rises up in fierce love for all.
Friends, this Lent, this Easter, this life - may we love our neighbor earth as ourselves.
In resurrected peace on earth,
Rob
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Update on the Pastoral Transition Team
by Betsy Groves
At its January meeting, Council approved the creation of the Pastoral Transition Team, with the directive that this would be a short-term team to discern the next steps in our ministry/ life together after the departure of Pastor Julie.
The team has met twice. Their scope of work includes recruiting candidates for a half-time interim Pastor position, and organizing the process for interviewing candidates. They will also lay the groundwork for the search for an Associate Pastor. At this point, the team's priority is to gather information/ideas from the congregation about our needs, our priorities, and our vision for this next step in our congregational life. We hope to do this by survey and a congregational meeting. Stay tuned for details! And please feel free to reach out to any member of the team with questions, ideas or suggestions.
Members of the team are: Kathryne Barry, Kathy Bull, Barbara Darling, Betsy Groves, Ed James, Melissa Morgan, Nancy Stockford, Rob Mark.
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In This Issue
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A Sign of Spring: Open Sanctuary Season Begins on April 13
By Betsy Groves
Open Sanctuary opens the doors of the church to the public in a few weeks and you are invited to be a part of it! Last year we had 16,800 visitors and brought in $10,000, (after personnel and operating expenses) for the church's building projects. This year, we look to increase both of those numbers.
Background: Open Sanctuary, now in its fifth year, is coordinated by the Covenant Boston Preservation Project and the church. Simone DeVito, a long-time church member, provides day-to-day oversite, planning, and outreach. She also supervises the hosts whose jobs include greeting visitors, and providing information about the church and the Tiffany interior. Last year, the hosts were a combination of church members and non-church staff. This year, we want to increase the number of hosts by training church members and friends to become a host- either on a volunteer basis-filling in when needed-or as a paid host.
I volunteered last season, and can provide a personal testimonial about the experience. I was called perhaps 4-5 times to fill in for someone who was sick or on vacation. I found it to be a fascinating and delightful experience. I talked with people from all over the world and was intrigued with their reactions to, or perspectives about, the church. (Some said it was the most beautiful church they had ever seen.) I enjoyed learning more about the details of the windows, the organ, the stenciling, the lantern, etc. Whenever I was asked a question I could not respond to (which happened frequently in the beginning) I knew I could turn to Simone who has an extensive knowledge of the history, art and architecture of the church. And when it's busy, the time goes very quickly! At the end of each shift (4.5 hours) I took a few minutes to simply stand quietly in the sanctuary, looking at the changing light and the beautiful interior- a respite from constant stimuli and the hectic life around us. In conclusion, I give this experience 5 stars!
An invitation to all: We will lead an adult education session on Sunday, April 7 to provide information about the Open Sanctuary program and to answer questions from anyone who is interested in participating as a volunteer or paid staff. Please come! And, if you are interested and cannot attend, let Simone or me know.
Betsy McAlister Groves & Simone DeVito
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Building Committee News: 
Greening the Building At No Cost
By Lucy Williams and Bill Brown
The Building Committee is very grateful to Bill Brown, our church building administrator, who explored a program offered to churches and other non-profit organizations by Eversource Electric to upgrade incandescent and florescent lighting to LED technology at no cost to the customer. This program includes replacing all the incandescent and florescent light bulbs, replacing any light fixtures that are not compatible with LED technology and installing automatic light sensors that turn lights on and off as you enter and leave a room.
In January, World Energy, the Eversource approved company to implement this program in the Boston area, conducted an efficiency audit of the four levels of the Parish house to determine the scope of the work that needed to be done. They discovered that currently we utilize three different types of fluorescent bulbs, along with a few LED incompatible light fixtures. As a result of their audit, they are 1) replacing the light bulbs throughout all four floors of the Parish House, 2) replacing all the non-compatible fixtures, and 3) installing automatic light sensors in the Church offices and the Williams Library.
While they were here, Bill informed them about the dim lighting problems we have in the Sanctuary. They determined that they could replace the flood lights mounted high on the left and right sides of the Transept which cast light down around the front area of the Chancel. They are replacing the current bulbs with higher wattage 2700 kelvin LED blubs, providing a brighter but still warm light. This will help to solve a question that is frequently asked by potential renters, "can the performance area be made brighter."
The total cost of this project is $24,076.68, of which Eversource pays $22,872.85 and World Energy pays $1,203.83. Which leaves a balance of $0 for Church of the Covenant.
World Energy estimates an average monthly savings of $855, between savings in energy, cost of purchasing replacement bulbs & ballasts, and the labor involved to maintain.
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Report from the Building Committee:
Scaffolding to Re-Appear
As we previously announced, Covenant last June was blessed to receive a $430,000 grant from the Community Preservation Committee for masonry and roof work along the Newbury Street side of the church. This was unprecedented - we had NEVER received a grant of this size. Last Fall you saw scaffolding along that side of the church during which time we did much of masonry work funded by this grant. In coming weeks, the scaffolding with re-appear to continue the roof work.
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One Great Hour of Sharing Offering - April 14 
By Faith Perry
The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering is a unique and wonderful
opportunity!
- An opportunity to respond to disasters such as Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and wild fires in California.
- An opportunity to bring fresh water and develop new food resources for places like Malawi and the Congo.
- An opportunity to empower community organizations in the US and around the world.
- An opportunity to participate with both UCC and PCUSA churches as well as five other denominations.
Our denominations partner with agencies around the world to focus on long- term support for the most vulnerable, who may receive little help or only short-term help from the big name aid agencies. We know that our dollars are used most efficiently and most effectively.
We are able "to accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine."
Please remember April 14th and give generously to One Great Hour of Sharing.
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Cherish the Earth!
By Barbara Darling for Consumption & Justice
Earth Day is this month! April 22 is the day set aside-for almost 50 years-to raise awareness of the fragility and vulnerability of our planet.
I recently attended a panel presentation on climate change. One noteworthy PowerPoint slide showed that of the 13,950 peer-reviewed scientific articles on climate between 1991 and 2012, only 24 of them challenged the idea that climate change is real, and has been caused by human activity. As the panelist pointed out, there isn't scientific consensus that close to unanimous on any other issue, even gravity!
Political activism, organizing, and advocacy are vital to address the catastrophe of climate change....and we can make personal choices in our daily lives too! Environmental organizations like the Sierra Club encourage
easing into plant-based eating
, citing the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "High among its prescriptions for limiting global sea level rise and climate disruption is an advisory for humanity to reduce its collective consumption of animal products..." Those choices are also good for our health and decrease the suffering of nonhuman animals.
However you choose to cherish this earth on which we all depend, I hope you will also celebrate the delight and beauty all around us-on Earth Day and every day!
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Covenant's Book Discussion Group 
By Barbara Darling
Next gathering: Sunday, April 14, at 5 PM
Covenant's book discussion group will meet on Sunday, April 14, at 5 pm at Faith and Lucy's home. We will begin with a potluck and then discuss Elaine Pagels's The Gnostic Gospels. As always, you are welcome whether you have ever attended before and whether or not you have read the book. For more information contact Barbara at [email protected]
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News from the Pews 
Compiled by Linda Pursley
Fond Farewell
Kay Olm is moving to Bend, Oregon to be near her family. While she is excited about the next chapter in her life, leaving the Covenant family will not be easy.
Kay first worshipped at Covenant in 1976, and was involved in Covenant-supported aging and housing concerns until the mid-90s, at which time she joined the Church. She served on Deacons, S.A.L.T. and Mission & Advocacy Committee, was active in a now-defunct singles group, coordinated scheduling of the ushers, and continues to sing in the choir.
She hopes you will join her for commissioning and farewell on Sunday, May 5.
Pictured is Kay with daughter and son-in-law
Jo & Tim Sylvester, and grandchildren
Sydney & Hunter.
Travels
Trudi Veldman
visited her family in the Netherlands in March for a cousin's reunion. She checked out this cheese shop and brought back five different Dutch cheeses that were shared with her work colleagues and members of church Council at a recent meeting.
Anita Gram and Holly Humphreys
spent a fun and fascinating ten days in Cuba in January. They write, "Yes, we saw American cars from the '50s. No, we did not encounter spicy food. Cuba is complicated!
"The US government specified that we go not as tourists but as 'cultural ambassadors for the benefit of the Cuban people.' At the suggestion of our tour group, O.A.T., we took lots of health supplies, toiletries, and books to present at the senior center, day care, schools, and artistic troupes where we visited.
Before going to meet Cuban people every day, we heard lectures by economists, architects, agricultural experts, and artists. We experienced the marriage of socialism and capitalism in privately owned restaurants on government-owned land. The schools seemed excellent with lots of science and art education. We interacted with a variety of musicians every day!
"Most people are poor and use ration books. Cuban people literally starved, losing 20% of their body weight when the USSR collapsed in 1990, as it was Cuba's main trading partner at the time. Now there is an emphasis on preventive health care. Reportedly there is a doctor and nurse team available 24/7 for every 120 families.
"Ask us about Cuba--You will get an earful!" Anita compiled two volumes of photos and would be glad to show them anytime.
Holly and Anita took these photos on a recent visit to
Elsa and Reine Abele at their home in New Hampshire.
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Under the Mango Tree 
by Mocky Day
Note: This column will be a monthly sharing of stories from our sister church community, Dulce Nombre de Jesus, in northwest Nicaragua.
Esperanza Espinoza, a much beloved member and leader in Dulce Nombre de Jesús, our Nicaraguan sister community, died February 23, 2019.
Eduardo (of Between Cultures) wrote this poem for her on her last day.
Our Esperanza by Eduardo Valdez
Esperanza, dear Esperanza,
You show that Jesus walks among us,
Amidst the people,
Alongside the poor.
Esperanza, dear Esperanza,
You are an example of Jesus, friend,
Jesus, close by us.
You are a good friend,
attentive and close with your friends.
Esperanza, dear Esperanza,
You gave us the joy of joyful Jesus.
Esperanza, mischievous, a jokester and a sassy woman.
Joy of the Good News!
Joy of the Gospel!
Esperanza, woman of God
Entrusted to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
with direct connections through litanies and rosaries.
Singing second harmony, a serious voice of our songs.
Esperanza
in the doorway of the church shouting:
"Who is the cause of so much joy?"
"The conception of Mary!" (*)
Esperanza, dear Esperanza
Give a little kiss to God from us.
*(The quoted phrase is one called out repeatedly during celebrations of La Purísima, a uniquely Nicaraguan festival held on Dec. 7, celebrating the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.)
Translation by Mocky Day and Memo Dominguez
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Council Report
By Trudi Veldman for Council
February and March Meeting Reports
February Meeting Report
- Due to snow, Council rescheduled its meeting to February 28, which was too late for last month's Covenant News.
Council joyfully welcomed new Council members Kathryn Barry, Anne Crane, Betty Southwick and Liz Vizza.
Council recorded the following time-sensitive votes (taken by email):
- To approve the COTC 2018 Statistical Report for the PCUSA.
- To endorse the hiring of Elite Protective Services to enforce the no sleeping policy.
- To authorize M&A to collect a special offering for King Boston.
- To elect Liz Vizza to serve as President of the Corporation for 2019.
- To call a special Council meeting on Sunday March 17 to welcome/ "examine" Tim Groves for ordination to deacon.
At the meeting Council approved the following motions
- To create a separate line item in the budget and authorize expenses to cover payments to EPS
- To elect, with gratitude, the slate of officers for 2019: Faith Perry, Church Treasurer; Jessica Ciottoni and Nancy Stockford, Assistant Church Treasurer; Trudi Veldman, Clerk of Council and Betty Southwick Assistant Clerk of Council
- Based on a recommendation from The Pastoral Transition Team, Council approved the search for a half-time interim Associate Pastor with a focus on worship involvement, monthly preaching, CYCE and 20s&30s. The Pastoral Transition Team will take the lead on the search.
- To request that the Presbytery of Boston follow the lead of Church of the Covenant (divested since 2014), and the Presbytery of San Francisco, and fully divest from the fossil fuel industry, and actively seek out and invest in securities of companies whose predominant focus is in renewable and/or energy efficiency.
Council identified the following committee liaisons
- Personnel - Barbara Darling, Arnold Rots
- Nominating - Trudi Veldman, Anne Crane
- Building - Liz Vizza, Phyllis Galt
- CBPP - Liz Vizza
- Worship & Music (W&M) - Nancy Hollomon
- Mission & Advocacy (M&A) - Barbara Darling
- Membership - Trudi Veldman
- CYCE - No dedicated liaison, but Betty Southwick (Child Safety team) and Anne Crane (Safe and Welcoming Spaces) will provide a connection
- Adult Ed - Council
- Generosity Generators - No dedicated liaison
- Memorials - Nancy Hollomon, Kathryn Barry
- Child Safety Team - Betty Southwick
Council received the following reports
- From staff and W&M including a request for building priorities especially with regards to heat and lighting in the Sanctuary.
- A small team will be formed to explore next steps for a columbarium
- Update from Safe & Welcoming Spaces Team
- From Personnel Committee requesting that Council consider recommending that vision/ dental benefits be covered in addition to a salary increase. Since the communication that was made at the Annual Meeting about the Rev. Rob's salary increase was unclear or incorrect, Council would like to clarify that Rev. Rob's total compensation was increased by 3%, which included a 2% salary increase and $800 toward vision/dental insurance. Rev. Rob did not receive a 3% salary increase (as was implied) while other staff did. Council has deferred its decision on this matter to a future meeting.
March Meeting Report
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Council members provided feedback to seminarian Tom Reid on his recent sermon.
Council took care of the following business:
- Approved commissioners to the March Boston Presbytery meeting
- Received a report from Rev. Rob on the successful and well-attended "Neighborhood Forum on Homelessness & Housing"
- Approved serving communion in 2019 on the first and third Sunday of every month, and on all special days including Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Easter, Pentecost
Reviewed the calendar and topics for Adult Ed until June
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1 Elsa Abele, Ben Forsdick
6 Mary Ellen Johnson
7 Ellen McCahon
8 Jessica Ciottoni
11 Kate Hall
12 Louis Cabanilla
13 Melissa King
15 Kathryn Barry
21 Jack Ammerman, Joan Lanigan
27 Caitlin Vest
29 Stephanie Sweeney
Note: If your April birthday does not appear on this list, please notify Hillary in the church office so we can include you next year!
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April  2019
Calendar
most up-to-date church calendar.
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About This Issue
April 2019 Covenant News
Editor and Graphics: Evelyn Kimber
Template: Harry Forsdick
Deadline for the May 2019 Covenant News is Wednesday, April 24. Please email your submissions to Evelyn Kimber at
[email protected]
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