Tonight, see a preview of a concert recognizing the legacy of Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming who in 1998 was beaten by two men, tied to a fence and deserted. He died at the age of 21, and his story galvanized the movement for LGBTQ equality.

The full concert is Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary as the Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers, led by our own Kenney Potter, present powerful music interspersed with poetry and passages from Matt's journal.  Details here.

Tonight, Ashlee Anderson and Jones Pharr will share their faith stories and tell us how their relationship with God has been deepened and transformed through the study of scripture in a small group setting. 

It's the start of a 3-week series on the importance of relationships in the Christian life at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  Learn more here.

• Tonight's menu: Pasta bar, bread sticks and garlic knots, salad bar, gelato

A congregational meeting is Sunday to elect 10 adult elders to the Session class of 2022 and two Youth Elders for one-year terms beginning Jan. 1. 

• Meet the slate of nominees.
   
• Special music: Offertory anthem at 8:45 and 11 features Emily Schauer, flute, and Suzanne Harmon, cello, with He's Always Been Faithful.

Adult Sunday School offers classes for all life stages and interests. Many groups are beginning book studies. See the line-up here.

An open-to-all option called Connect Live gathers in the Fellowship Hall for anyone not able to commit to weekly Connect groups. Come once or every time as ministers offer reflections which will be recorded for group use. Pray for newly formed Connect groups as they begin studying the Gospel of John.

Mark Peres, creator of the popular "On Life and Meaning" podcast, will speak on the power of storytelling and his experience curating 100 Charlotteans' stories for a book. A public conversation with Mark kicks off the First Sunday Talks series.

Escape to the mountains for a retreat at Camp Grier with hiking, mountain biking and zip-lining across Lake Refuge. On Saturday night, we'll gather for s'mores and campfire singing. Middle and high school youth will have their own programs.  Details here.

A Covenant tradition returns! We welcome boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Applications are due by Oct. 18. Practices begin the week of Nov. 3. First games are Dec. 7 and continue through February. Details and registration here.

The missions team will provide everything you need to manage a project. It's a great way to m eet folks and make a difference in our city.   Contact Julia Watkins.

• Looking for more ways to serve? You can volunteer for the Alternative Gift Market on Sunday, Nov. 24 and the Mission Festival in late February. Contact Lucy Crain.

Covenant's Young Adults group will volunteer at Urban Ministry Center on Saturday from 10:30 to 12:30 a.m. as part of our ongoing commitment to serving neighbors in Charlotte.

• On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 5, we will take part in a clean-up day at Lake Wylie. Contact Ian Clark to get connected.