Covenant Connections:
Black,
White
, and
Gray
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Greetings!
I pulled a very old book off the shelf this week.
He argues that religious faith develops through life, from stage zero through stage six. A big jump happens between stage three and stage four.
- Stage 3 is "Syncretic-Conventional" Faith, which involves conforming to religious tradition
- Stage 4 is "Individuative-Reflective" Faith, which involves struggle, as an individual grapples with the complexity of life and faith
At Stage 3, people see things as black and white, right and wrong. At Stage 4, people recognize that simple dualities cannot explain everything, and that we need to embrace paradox and ambiguity--the gray areas of life and faith.
As we wrestle with complex issues in our sermon series, we'll need to acknowledge that black and white thinking doesn't always work. And as we wrestle with issues and faith, we grow.
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Several books have helped me think about complex issues for our "Seeking Common Ground" sermon series, with all of them acknowledging that black and white thinking doesn't always work.
One of my hopes is that we'll all learn to appreciate the complexity of the issues we face, along with the reality that Christian faith doesn't always have a single simple answer.
My thinking has changed a lot over the years, on various issues, thanks to the wisdom of people around me. And I imagine it will continue to evolve.
So we need to listen to each other, listen to God, and be open to ongoing reformation. So we continue to pray: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.
On the journey together,
Charlie
PS--Last Sunday, we sang a new song, "If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers" written by Presbyterian pastor Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. We will be singing all or part of this song throughout our seven week series. The song encourages an active and engaged faith. The first verse is:
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If we just talk of thoughts and prayers
And don't live out a faith that dares,
And don't take on the ways of death,
Our thoughts and prayers are fleeting breath.
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Snow in the Forecast
As of Friday afternoon, Madison is under a Winter Storm Warning until Sunday at 6am, with snow and ice in the forecast. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL this weekend. Please check in on your neighbors.
As for church, if we have to cancel, we will make that decision by 7am on Sunday. We will do our best to communicate in these ways:
- An all church email
- An update on the church phone answering machine
- An update on the webpage
- Notifications to local TV stations
- An update on church Facebook page
Severe conditions, such as power outages, may make notifications difficult, so please check more than one of the above options before venturing out.
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Lent is not far off; Ash Wednesday is February 26. (Didn’t we just get through Christmas?). We will be encouraging everyone to read through the Gospel of Matthew through the Lenten season. To help everyone deepen their reflections on the Gospel, we are publishing a devotional written by friends and members of the congregation.
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We invite you to sign up to help write a devotional! Sign up on the bulletin board outside of the Sanctuary or online through SignUpGenius. Your contribution to this project is important. Even if you’ve never written one before, or if you don’t feel that you know enough about the Bible, this is a great opportunity to share something uniquely yours with your church family!
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Specific instructions for your devotion can be found in the signupgenius linked above!
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FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN IN MADISON!
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We are collecting non-perishable, shelf-stable foods to support food pantries located in Madison School District schools.
Through January, in partnership with the Collaboration Project and six other local churches, we are combining forces to help hungry people throughout our city.
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Not only are we collecting food, but there's a
PACKING AND SORTING PARTY ON JANUARY 30 FROM 6:30-9:00 AT CHEROKEE MIDDLE SCHOOL! Click on the image above for a Signupgenius if you are interested in volunteering or sign up at the collection table in the church's gathering space on Sunday morning! Children as young as six are welcome to participate. There is no maximum age!
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Classes this Sunday!
Sunday at 10:00
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Community Health and Health Disparity in Nepal
Lauren Coons, who grew up at Covenant, spent three weeks in Nepal last summer. She will discuss the social determinants of health in Nepal in the context of existing and prospective efforts by Nepal’s healthcare system and other organizations to address social and economic inequities within the country. She will reflect on “big-picture” questions drawing on the knowledge gained and experiences lived in her three weeks in Nepal: How was privilege manifested in daily interactions and spaces occupied? What are the privileges or lack of privileges that guide a person to where they are today? What is the pursuit of happiness?
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Navigating Difficult Conversations (Jan. 12 and 19)
Participants in these classes led by Judy Von Bergen and Linda Nylund will learn, practice, and apply the following skills that can help with navigating difficult conversations around issues that divide us:
- The importance of setting an intention for a conversation, and how our conflict management style guides the intention that underlies our conversations
- How to calm reactive emotions and be more present and responsive in difficult conversations
- The art of using self-empathy, empathic listening, and empathic expression in the context of difficult conversations
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Sunday Worship
9:00 New Day Contemporary
11:00 Traditional
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Sunday,
January 12
Sermon:
ABORTION
Texts: John 10.10b, Deut 30:15-20
Preaching: Charlie Berthoud
Exodus Youth Band at 9:00
Chancel Choir at 11:00
New officers at 11:00
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Sunday, January 19
Sermon:
RACE
Texts: Genesis 1:26-31
Preaching: Jeff Fox-Kline
New Day Band at 9:00
Chancel Choir at 11:00
New officers at 11:00
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