Covenant CONNECTIONS:
Red , Black, and White
Greetings!
I was planning on a short and uplifting message this week, focusing on Pentecost when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit.
I was going to write about our Presbyterian understanding of the Holy Spirit and of the Trinity.

I was going to encourage people to wear red and share a picture of you and your loved ones in red, for our latest photo album. I was going to share a new coloring sheet. (And I still am; see info below.)
But the focus changed, in the wake of the brutal and horrifying death of George Floyd.

As I write this, the officer involved has been arrested, and riots continue in Minneapolis and across the country. People are angry and scared and disgusted.
Here in Madison, Michael Johnson of the Boys and Girls Club and Henry Sanders of https://madison365.com/ convened an online meeting with community leaders Anthony Cooper and Rev Marcus Allen and Dane County police leaders to express outrage and discuss ongoing policies and procedures. Click on the image to learn more and watch the meeting.

I listened with sadness as Rev Marcus Allen shared his experiences of racism. I listened with hope as the police leaders pledged anew to redouble their efforts at fighting racism.

Sadly these incidents are far from isolated. We still have a lot of work to do.

Earlier this week I finished a short and wonderful book called PRACTICING: Changing Yourself to Change the World by Pastor Kathy Escobar. She writes about ten spiritual practices (such as listening, including, advocating, and mourning) and concludes the book by reminding us that genuine change takes time.

So if we want to change things, we must not give up. Step by step, day by day we are called to walk the path and fight racism and other evils, as we open ourselves to God's transforming love.

Next month when too many have forgotten George Floyd, we need to continue the hard work of building bridges of justice and understanding.
So what can we do? I suggest three things.

1.) LEARN. In addition to reading the news, it is imperative for white people to learn about the history of systemic racism and privilege. We have had (and we will continue to have) classes on racism at church. And if you want to read, here are three good options:

2.) LISTEN. In "A Brief Statement of Faith" we affirm that the Holy Spirit gives us courage to hear the voices of peoples long silenced. Are we listening?
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage
  • to pray without ceasing,
  • to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior,
  • to unmask idolatries in Church and culture,
  • to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,
  • and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
As Christians, we need to listen to God and to our neighbors, especially those whose voices have been diminished. Those of us in positions of privilege need to make continual and intentional efforts to stop talking, stop trying to show how inclusive we are, and just listen and learn from others.

3.) LOVE. Jesus calls us to love one another, and the Bible makes it clear that this love is meant to be active, concrete, real. A few options to put love in action:
  • writing letters to police chiefs and political leaders
  • talking with our kids and neighbors about racism
  • getting involved and meeting diverse members of the community
  • going to peaceful protests
  • giving to organizations working for change

The promise of Pentecost is that God the Holy Spirit will give us power. May we use it wisely, to make this world a better place. For everyone.

On the journey, apart-but-together,
Charlie

PS--As for Pentecost, which is this Sunday, May 31, below are two invitations for you.
Share a photo of you with something RED. It could be you as you worship online with us this week. Or from a Badger event, or whatever.

Click on the sanctuary photo to see more from Pentecost 2019 in a google photos folder, where you can also upload your red photo. Or email it me or the church office.
Prayerfully ponder your identity as a beloved child of God, called to nurture the fruit of the Holy Spirit as you color this sheet. Click above to get a black and white copy, ready for your markers and colored pencils.
SUNDAY WORSHIP
Join us for apart-but-together video worship on this Pentecost Sunday. Check your email Sunday morning for the link. Or check the Covenant website.
If you want to interact with other people as you worship, you can join with a Facebook Watch Party. Just go to Covenant's Facebook page 10:30 on Sunday morning to watch the pre-recorded worship as a community. 

Worship this week features
  • Sermon by Charlie Berthoud, "Good Fruit in a Pandemic" on Galatians 5:13-25
  • Pianist Ben Welch, Guitar and vocals by Steve Royalton
  • An eight-minute organ postlude, Toccata in G by French composer Theodore Dubois, played by Doug McNeel
  • Sue Melrose, Chelsea Cornelius, and Jeff Fox-Kline offer prayers and liturgy
  • Nick Von Bergen has a message for the children
  • Several Covenant members lead us in an excerpt from "A Brief Statement of Faith" on the Holy Spirit
At home worship continues
This past week, the Session voted unanimously to continue at-home worship through the month of June. We will continue to evaluate our options, paying attention to guidelines from Dane County and from the Wisconsin Council of Churches.
Support Children and Youth:
Boys and Girls Club of Dane County
 Pentecost Offering: This special offering helps children, youth, and young adults at risk—both through the ministry of the Presbyterian Church USA and locally, as each congregation can designate 40% for a community ministry. We have designated our 40% to support the BGCDC. To donate to this offering please indicate “Pentecost” in the memo line of your check, or go to https://www.covenantmadison.org/give , click on “Give Online” and write “Pentecost” where appropriate. Thank you!
MOVE: For several years the "Presby-wheelians" have rode many miles on their bikes to support the BGC. This year, people are biking, running, and walking in the BGC MOVE initiative to support kids, first responders, and digital initiatives. Click on the image above to learn more about BGC MOVE.

Covenant member Steve Whayland is walking 50 miles with other folks on Saturday, May 29. Support BGC by sponsoring Steve here: Steve Whayland 50 mile walk!
Summer Devotional!
 
This summer we have an opportunity to stay connected with one another and to connect with scripture. Our sermon series this June and July is "Little Books with Big Impact" and alongside the sermons will be a devotional with reflections from pastors and members. If you want to receive the devotional by email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday CLICK RIGHT HERE AND SIGN UP (include link). The devotional will also be available on our website and will be included in future Connections emails.
Working In Healthcare During a Pandemic
Learning from Healthcare Workers
Sunday, May 31
 ZOOM at 11:30
Working Differently in Different Times
 This Sunday we will hear from these Covenant members who work in healthcare:
  • Lisa Hermann, Staff Chaplain at UW Health;
  • Susan Hanauer, Manager of Talent Acquisition at UW Health;
  • Doug McNeel, Professor of Medicine at UW; and
  • Colleen Gullickson, Interim Dean for the Henry Predolin School of Nursing, Business and Health Sciences at Edgewood College
 
Join us to find out how working in various aspects of the healthcare industry has been affected by the Pandemic in our series: "Working Differently in Different Times". If you missed last week, don't worry! Each week will stand on its own. Each week a panel will reflect on changes in their professions during the stay-at-home order. We hope that through this we will gain a new appreciation for the resiliency, flexibility and strength of all sorts of people during the pandemic. 
Sunday, May 31, at 11:30 am
Zoom Link: