Covenant CONNECTIONS:
Good news, a new photo album, and food!
Greetings!
We are surrounded by bad news, but we are people of good news. We need to face our grim reality, but also look for signs of light and life.

As Christians, as followers of Jesus, we know the reality of death, but we know death is not the last word. After crucifixion comes resurrection. The seven weeks of Easter give us a chance to celebrate the good news--even in a pandemic.

Below are three good news stories.
Author Kelly Corrigan paints a hopeful picture of life on the other side of coronavirus, with a special shout out to teachers and scientists. Click on the photo to watch the three minute video from PBS.
A six year-old boy couldn't have a lemonade stand, so he has a drive-by and walk-by joke stand, sharing gems like: "What's red, white, and blue? A sad candy cane."

I mentioned this young man in the sermon last Sunday. Click on his photo to read and watch more.
A NYC college student used sticky-notes to send messages to neighbors in other apartments in a time of lockdown. She connected with an elderly couple and made them cookies.

Also from the sermon last week; click on her photo to read and watch more.
These and other good news stories give me hope and remind me of the good news of the gospel:
  • God loves us,
  • God is with us,
  • nothing can separate us from God's love, and
  • in life and in death, we belong to God.

No matter how bad things get, our hope as Christians is that things will get better. On Easter Sunday I shared a quote from Presbyterian author Frederick Buechner who affirms that the worst thing is not the last thing. We need to remember this good news as we journey through hard times.
“The worst isn't the last thing about the world. It's the next to the last thing. The last thing is the best. It's the power from on high that comes down into the world, that wells up from the rock-bottom worst of the world like a hidden spring. Can you believe it? The last, best thing is the laughing deep in the hearts of the saints, sometimes our hearts even. Yes. You are terribly loved and forgiven. Yes. You are healed. All is well.”
--Frederick Buechner
It's easy to get overwhelmed with the bad news. It's easy to forget the good news. We need to keep reminding each other and encouraging each other: Don't be afraid. God is with us always.
On the journey, apart-but-together,
Charlie

PS--It's time for another Covenant photo album! This one will feature Covenant people wearing masks--being healthy and being good examples!
Virtually all public health officials have suggested wearing masks in stores and in most public places. Sadly too many people are resisting or ignoring this suggestion.

The more we wear masks, the more it becomes normal for others to do. So get a photo of you and loved ones with your masks, and add it to our shared folder. Click on the photo of the handsome pastor with the orange mask to upload yours. Or just email it to Charlie Berthoud
If you need a mask, you can get one through church. See below.

In this time of separation, photos help us see each other. Our Easter photo album was much appreciated. If you missed it, check it out here: Covenant Easter photos!
Food Drive
at Covenant
Wednesday-Thursday, May 13-14
WKOW is collecting non-perishable food around the city through next week. Barrels will be at Covenant from Wednesday noon through Thursday afternoon for any donations. Boxes and cans of all types of non-perishable food are welcome, to support the Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin. 
This drive is part of the Virtual Bike Week, and you are encouraged to bike/walk to donate food items. Using Saris eCargo bikes, volunteer riders will move all donated food from the barrels back to CAC on Thursday. So please stop by Covenant with some food to help feed some hungry neighbors. Thanks!
"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

We are collecting a special offering to benefit our partners in the Madison community. All offerings collected will be divided between the Lussier Community Education Center and Glenn Stephens Elementary School. The Lussier Community Education Center will use these funds to purchase items from their wish list to help families in need and to provide support to struggling families. These are items such as diapers, shelf-stable foods, and activities for kids and families. Glenn Stephens Elementary School will use these funds to support children and families in need. Funds sent to Stephens will help with rent, utility bills, and groceries for hungry families in partnership with Luna’s Groceries in the Allied Neighborhood.

To support this offering please indicate “Covid Relief” in the memo line of your check, or go to https://www.covenantmadison.org/give, click on “Give Online” and write “Covid Relief” where appropriate.

The pandemic has helped shine a light on where our treasure truly is; in the lives of our neighbors. We open our arms to those among us who are particularly vulnerable to this crisis, because our hearts and our treasure are with them.
SUNDAY WORSHIP
Join us for apart-but-together video worship. 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 Sue Melrose, "A Matter of Trust" on Exodus 2:1-10
  • Vocalist Melissa Hinz and several congregation singers
  • Organist Doug McNeel, Pianist Ben Welch
  • Pastors Jeff and Charlie offer prayers
  • Rev Lisa Hermann has a message for the children
  • Several Covenant members lead us in an excerpt from "A Brief Statement of Faith"
Do You Need a Mask?
Public health officials continue to advise masks in public places.

Covenant member Laurie Jones has made hundreds of masks for friends, Covenant members, and local agencies. She masks children-sized masks too!

If you need one, please email Laurie or contact the church office.
Teaching in a Pandemic
Learning from Educators
Sunday, May 10
ZOOM at 11:30
Working Differently in Different Times

Learn from your fellow Covenant members about the effect of the pandemic on their lives this Sunday, May 10, at 11:30 via Zoom. This Sunday we will start a new adult education series called "Working Differently in Different Times". 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. In honor of teacher appreciation week, this Sunday we will hear from these Covenant educators: Matt Vande Sande , a middle school technical education teacher from Glacier Creek, Kate Sargent , an upper-level elementary teacher from Madison Community Montessori School,  Jenn Sauer , an English teacher from EAGLE School, and Jenny Von Bergen , a middle school counselor from Glacier Creek. 

Sunday, May 10, at 11:30 am
ZOOM Bible Study!
Psalm 30
Wed, May 13 at 7:00 pm
Grow in faith, and stay connected with Covenant people! Pastor Charlie will share some insights on Psalm 30, to help us be more prayerful and grow closer to God. No experience or expertise necessary.

Wednesday evening at 7:00. Zoom link is here:
Read Psalm 30 online here:
To download a pdf with Psalm 30 in four different translations, click here:

If you missed the class on Psalm 139 led by Associate Pastor Jeff Fox-Kline, you can check out the slides here: Psalm 139