PEACE BE WITH YOU IN THESE DAYS:
We are so grateful to be connected as a family of faith! As we all continue to do our part to love our neighbor as ourselves to help counter COVID-19, our building remains closed; all meetings and events that are offered, including worship, have shifted to an online or conference call format.
We are grateful for the technology that allows the majority of us to gather together online. And in faith and through God’s ceaseless, amazing grace—as we practice “social distancing” we also practice “spiritual nearing” to each other and the Sweet Holy Spirit.
The announcements that follow reflect the ongoing abundant life that is Church of the Covenant.
CLIMATE JUBILEE JAUNT, THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 20: As part of the Climate Jubilee Team's continued goal of being outside and appreciating nature with all of you, please join Betty Southwick this Sunday, at 1 pm, as she takes you exploring in Franklin Park. Did you know that there were bear dens in the Park? And, also that Ralph Waldo Emerson had his home in the Park? We can do a 1 (or 3) mile walk and/or we can send you off on trails to explore. We will email directions, parking and public transportation information, meeting location, and other details to those who sign up.
Sign up here. If you have questions in advance of the walk, please feel free to email
southwickbetty@gmail.com. And for those of you in our diaspora, please take a walk on that day, send us pictures, and be with us in solidarity with nature!
EVENING PRAYERS: Our next Evening Prayers will be outdoors and in-person, this Wednesday, June 23 at 6pm, at Nancy Hollomon’s wonderful flowering yard in Brookline. Please RSVP by
emailing Rob.
UPCOMING WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS: Please join us each Sunday at 10:30 am as we come together in community through Zoom to pray, sing, share celebrations and concerns, and hear God’s still-speaking Word proclaimed.
- June 20, Rev. Kate preaching
- June 27, More Light Presbyterians Pride Sunday Guest Virtual Pulpit, Rev. Annanda Barclay
- July 4, Interdependence Day, Rev. Rob preaching, Communion
IN CASE OF MAJOR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES DURING WORSHIP: Should any major technical glitches arise during worship and Zoom become challenged / the meeting end before worship is over, please relocate to our
YouTube livestream page where a new livestream will start up.
EMERGING & GETTING TOGETHER: These past 14 months have been long and hard, and it has been extra hard being separated from in-person gatherings. This summer, we’d like to begin re-emerging well and safely together by providing some chances to gather together in-person, even before we can do so safely together in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning. Here are the opportunities that are emerging:
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Porches for 8: Just as in the past we called these “Suppers for 8”, this summer we are offering the chance to gather together with a small group of fellow COTCers at someone’s back yard or porch so share a simple meal. This will be for those who have been fully vaccinated and who feel comfortable (and obviously without any covid-like symptoms). If you’d like your name to be added to the list of those who will be invited to these gatherings (dates and locations yet TBD), please email Trudi Veldman.
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Climate Jubilee Jaunts: Once a month, our Climate Jubilee Team will be hosting some outdoor walks/ hikes in and around Boston. Our first was on the Esplanade, June 6. Other locations so far will be Franklin Park and the Arboretum. Contact Betty Southwick with questions.
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Outdoor Evening Prayers: Our next outdoor Evening Prayer will be in Brookline this Weds. June 23 (see above). Please RSVP by emailing Rob. Other evening prayers on Wednesday can easily be hosted at your place! If you have room for up to 10 people to sit in a circle outside, please let Rob know and we’ll find a date and then promote.
CLIMATE JUBILEE TEAM "LINK OF THE WEEK"!: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has made a must-see short video on nature, the cost of an industrialized food system, and the action we can take before it's too late. It's a beauty.
Please watch it here.
STAFF SCHEDULES:
Pastor Rob’s Eco-Stewards week is June 14-21 and he will be out of reach that week, so please be in touch with
Pastor Joshua or our Chair of Deacons
Anita Gram with any pastoral emergencies. Pastor Joshua will be on vacation June 20-27 and Rev. Kate Carlisle will be on vacation June 21-25 – please contact Pastor Rob if you need something in their absence.
GBIO REGIONAL CAUCUSES: Our organizing community Greater Boston Interfaith Organization has asked congregations to chime in to share the issues they are most concerned about through Listening Sessions – and many from Covenant took part. Now, they would like to figure out how to prioritize the 7 or so themes that have risen to the top. Please help join in on Regional Caucuses in the coming weeks to help them figure out which community has passion around which issues of justice –
register here.
20s-30s-40s GROUP AT COVENANT: We have a vital group for young adults, young professionals and students – and we’d love you to join us! We currently hold brunches (virtual for the time-being) on the third Sunday of each month. If you would like to be added to our email list, or connect one-to-one, please contact Rev. Joshua at joshua.lazard@cotcbos.org
CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING: Our Godly Play and Youth Class will not be meeting for the summer. If you would like to learn more about or connect with our ministries with children and youth, Rev. Kate at
kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org.
BIBLE STUDY - FRIDAYS 11AM: Our virtual Bible Study is meeting at 11:00 am on Fridays, and we are currently studying the book of Acts. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Ammerman at
ntammerman@gmail.com. We gather on Zoom for about an hour for a “BYOB” (bring your own Bible) gathering. Let us know if you'd like to be sent the Zoom link, and drop in any week! No homework required!
VACCINATIONS: As we all know, our Commonwealth is in the process of ensuring everyone gets a COVID-19 vaccine according to MA/CDC guidelines/ phasing – and recently opened up to kids 12-15. Check here: Mass.gov. If you are feeling confused, you are not alone, and we are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Rob, Joshua, Kate or our Deacons if you could use some help. And remember, even in the face of a long history of unequal health care access, we at COTC deeply believe in the importance and efficacy of this vaccine as a necessary next step in reaching public health. Here are some helpful websites:
macovidvaccines.com and
cic-health.com/vaccines-location#fenway and
mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-covid-19-vaccination-data-and-updates
WHAT CAN I DO ONCE VACCINATED? As we give thanks that increasing numbers of people are getting vaccinated, many are asking this question, here are a few guidelines:
ARE YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW FACING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES? Info on fuel and electricity discounts in MA available
here.
CONTINUED GIVING: Even in face of important, life-giving changes, our COTC ministry remains moving full steam ahead. Our staff and pastors continue to be hard at work. Our building continues to be faithfully stewarded. Our deacons and pastors continue to carry out vital pastoral care in these days. Therefore, your continued generosity and giving to help support the work of our church community is even more valued in these challenging days. And we are deeply grateful for your tangible signs of generosity. Here are a few ways you can continue to financially support the church and its ministries:
- Directly on our website: http://www.cotcbos.org/give.html
- Download free app: GIVEPLUS+ (GIVE+ by Vanco Services, LLC) in the App Store, Google Play, or at https://giveplushelp.vancopayments.com. Then, type in our zip code 02116 to find Church of the Covenant. Both online options allow you to make a one-time or a recurring gift.
- If you are uncomfortable with online giving, yes, you can still mail checks!
ZOOM Tutorials:
Here are the Zoom details for Sundays:
join by computer/tablet/smartphone:
one tap mobile:
+16465588656,,91025989890#,,#,892502#
join by phone:
+1 646 558 8656, Meeting ID: 910 2598 9890, Password: 892502
Some suggestions to aid in your worship for you to consider:
- Printing the bulletin out in advance so you have it during worship
- Pulling the bulletin up on a second device/phone/screen
- Pulling both the bulletin up and Zoom, and switch between them as needed. The liturgy, songs, and scripture are the important times to have this bulletin visible if possible.
- And if none of these options work for you, no worries—just following the link will be fine – you will be able to worship fully.
If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, click this link
Zoom How To for a video on how to join Zoom Meetings. Here are a few step by step procedures on how to join a Zoom meeting from your specific device.
BUILDING ACCESS: Our church building remains closed except for services connected with Women’s Lunch Place, our Food Pantry, and a subset of our church staff (Rev. Rob, Tom Handel, Bill Brown, Alan Lane, Faith Perry, Nancy Stockford, and Chuck Ferrell), who only enter for specific and limited purposes. All other staff, church leaders, and key holders are required to keep away from the church building until further notice. While we are not opening for our normal Open Sanctuary program this year, we have protocols in place to allow for safe group tours by appointment through Bill Brown.
THE JUNE ISSUE OF THE COVENANT NEWS can be read online
here.
