Covenant CONNECTIONS
Nudges and Habits
Greetings!

I did something earlier this month that I should have done a long time ago.

I donated a pint of blood at Memorial High School on July 1.
My mom donated something like 20 gallons over the course of her life, and, inspired by her (thank you mom!) I used to donate regularly. But I fell out of the habit for several years.

Thanks to a double-nudge I got back in the habit, and I now have the app on my phone, to make it easier to donate regularly.

The double-nudge came from students and Memorial High School who organized the blood drive, and from people at Covenant who are organizing a blood drive for Wednesday August 14. I can't be there on August 14, so I donated early. See info on the Covenant blood drive below.
I'm grateful for a couple other recent nudges, which have helped me get moving back toward good habits:
  • Thanks to the nudge of the Presbywheelians and the Tour de France, I'm back in the habit of riding my bike more regularly, which feels great. See Presbywheelians update below.
  • Thanks to the nudge from my sermon prep for this Sunday, July 28, I'm back in the habit of making good use of the prayer list at church. You'll hear more about this in the sermon...
  • Thanks to a nudge from my mediatation app, I'm trying to get in the habit of being more fully present to the people I am with.
Nudge isn't a very theological term, but I think that God nudges us toward good habits and faithful living. Maybe God calls us with a nudge.

I feel a nudge every Sunday, when I'm surrounded by fellow pilgrims on the journey, as we do our best to live as God's people. I feel a nudge when I make time for prayer and Bible reading. I feel a nudge when I go outside, look around, and take a deep breath of fresh air.

I hope you feel some nudges too.

On the journey together,
Charlie
PS--On Saturday August 3, our Peru Mission Trip heads south. We will spend most of our time in La Oroya, a very polluted mining town, where church and community leaders are trying to make things better.

Our group is 6 teens and 6 adults, and we'll be meeting with Peruvian teens (and adults) who want to know about our environmental concerns.

Please pray for us and for our Peruvian hosts.
We will be hosted by Presbyterian Mission Co-workers, Jed and Jenny Koball. Click on their photo to learn about their ministry and about Peru. Covenant mission dollars support Jed and Jenny. Thank you for your generosity.
School Supplies

We are collecting school supplies for Glenn Stephens Elementary, for students who can't afford them. Please bring in items by Sunday, August 4 . Put them in the wagons in the main hallway, outside Donna Monson's office.

To learn more about our partner school, (vision, strengths, statistical profile) click on the photo.)
Here is what is needed:
  • Crayola washable markers (classic colors)
  • Colored pencils
  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors –Fiskars brand
  • Black Sharpie permanent markers (fine tipped preferred)
  • Dry erase markers (Expo preferred)
  • Elmer's Glue bottles (4 ounce)
  • Plain two-pocket folders without prongs
  • Composition books
  • Backpacks big enough to fit folders
PRESBYWHEELIANS

On a very warm Saturday, July 20, a team of 21+ bicycle riders from Covenant riding as the “Presbywheelians," rode distances of 8, 25, and 50 miles in the Bike for Boys and Girls Club to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and their new Sun Prarie location. Learn about BGC here: https://www.bgcdc.org/

To date the Presbywheelians have raised a total of $4,250, which puts us in 8th place among the dozens of teams in fundraising. Overall, the Bike for Boys and Girls Club has raised $504,839 as of July 23!
Thank you for your support! You can donate through August 31.
If you have any questions please contact Jeff at jfoxkline@covenantmadison.org or (608) 233-6297. Thank you for your support!

Click on the photo above to see more pix, including action shots during the ride and during the big meal after (featuring Gatorade, brats, Milios sanwiches, fruit, cookies, and Capital City Brewing beverages!)
Blood Drive
Wednesday, August 14
1:00-6:00 at Covenant
Click on the "GIVE BLOOD" logo to sign up. Our sponsor code is Covenantpresmadison.

Volunteers are needed for hosting as well. Contact Pastor Jeff Fox-Kline if you'd like to help!
Covenant Summer Photos!
We want to see your photos! Please send in your favorite summer photo (just one or two, not all of them!). New photos this week from Hawaii, Yellowstone, Prague, Michigan, and Northern Wisconsin!
Click on the geese to see more photos from Covenant travelers. Photos are on display outside the sanctuary. 

If you have photos to share, please send print and/or digital copies to Pastor Jeff Fox-Kline ( jfoxkline@covenantmadison.org ) or the church office.   
Sunday Worship
9:30 Single Service
Sunday, July 28
Sermon: "The Humility Award"
Scripture: Luke 18:9-14
Preacher: Charlie Berthoud
Organist: Doug McNeel
Sunday, August 4
Sermon: "Making It 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood'
Scripture: Luke 10:29-37
Preacher: Senior High Youth
Music: Exodus Youth Band