Wednesday, July 15 , 2020
Finding hope amid a double lockdown
In today's One Take interview, Bob speaks with Suhad Jabi Masri about the double lockdown afflicting people in West Bank refugee camps.

Suhad and her team at  Tomorrow's Youth Organization, a Covenant mission partner, quickly pivoted to respond to the crisis.  Our congregation helped, too, by sending funds for emergency food, medicine and supplies.

"If the virus spreads in one house, that means it's high-risk to spread everywhere," Suhad said. Click here for a longer version of the interview.





A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bill Meanor is Thursday at 2 p.m. on Facebook Live and the church's media page. Bob Henderson will officiate with music by organist Rob Dicks and soloist Jordan Taylor. A Covenant member since 1966, Bill sang in the choir for more than 40 years. Click here for the obituary.



Meet overlooked people who shaped Christianity 
Summer Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom 
We're encountering "influencers" of early Christianity. Our journey brings us to Mary, the mother of Jesus. While most closely associated with the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, we'll explore what Protestants believe about her -- and lessons she can teach us today. Click here for the Zoom link.



Zoom interactive worship
Watch 9:30 worship with opportunities to say hello and chat in breakout rooms. 
 

Covenant media page
Worship at 9:30 and 11, follow along with an order of worship and interact with online host.
 

Facebook Live
Worship at 9:30 and 11 and interact with online host.
Zoom worship offers a chance to say hello
Worship among friends at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom
For those who yearn to say hello to church friends, the 9:30 a.m. Zoom worship experience is designed to feel like old times.  Try Zoom worship this Sunday and enjoy the chance to chat in small group breakout rooms. A moderator will guide us.



New group for those who have lost a spouse
Find spiritual, practical, emotional support
A new group called SOS -- Surviving Our Spouses --  seeks to bring together those who are walking a similar path.

This week, nearly 100 members are receiving invitations along with a survey to help assess your needs and wishes. A steering committee is working with Katherine Kerr, senior associate pastor for Congregational Life and Pastoral Care. If you are a surviving spouse and have not received a letter, please click here or call 704-804-7560.



Our partners at Faith Ministry  are grieving the loss of Angel, a pillar of the community and leader among the staff. Angel (pictured above) died on Sunday.

It has already been a painful summer. The team made the difficult decision to cancel all mission work groups through August -- a huge setback given the extreme poverty along the U.S. and Mexico border. Please keep our friends in your prayers.


Freedom School pop-up volunteer roles   
Help provide gift bags for staff next week
Freedom Schools has pivoted to outdoor "pop-up" sites in July. As always, the mission is to prevent summer learning loss and inspire a love of learning.

Covenant's Freedom School is in the parking lot at Sugar Creek Library. 
  • Click here to be a site helper, providing snack bags, reading materials and fun activities in an outdoor setting.
     
  • Click here to sign up for a day to provide snack bags.
     
  • Click here to provide baked goods for staff appreciation gifts. We plan to provide gift bags including baked treats for Freedom School interns the week of July 20.

Weed, mow and plant in Enderly Park         
Covenant team will serve Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Join the crew as we clear and maintain properties owned by QC Family Tree in Enderly Park. It's a way to invest in the ground that so many call home. Teams led by Jimmy Davis will serve on alternating Saturday and Tuesday mornings. Click here to sign up online and learn more.



Sort canned goods with Covenant folks       
Second Harvest responds to hunger
A few spots are left for today! Volunteers age 17 and over can enjoy socially distanced fellowship while inspecting, sorting and packing donated products. Click here to sign up online with the Covenant team.


Rec Wing offers outdoor exercise classes
Thursdays at 9 a.m. in Rec Wing parking lot
Drop by for 45-minute classes led by Kevin Harper featuring body weight and calisthenics-style workouts for the major muscle groups. All fitness levels are welcome. Please bring a mat, towel and water. As a reminder, the building is closed due to COVID-19 regulations. RSVP for this week's class.



Camp explores sports, science and nature
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for boys in grades 3-5
A Zoom camp led by Kevin Harper focuses on sports, fitness, science and nature, offering a way to enjoy time with friends while learning how God is present in the fun parts of our lives. To keep our time via Zoom safe, we are asking participants to register through Shelby by clicking here.

 



Summer book group for young readers
Tuesdays at 11 a.m. via Zoom
Rising fourth, fifth and current fifth graders are in the midst of a summer read, The Watsons Go To Birmingham -- 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis. 
 
The award-winning book takes place during a tumultuous time in the civil rights movement. We will meet via Zoom for discussion and activities on Tuesdays, July 21 and Aug. 4 at 11 a.m.  Contact Kim Lee to get connected.

 



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