Covenant CONNECTIONS:
Lament and Hope
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Lament and Hope. I don't know how long ago the theme from the little book of Lamentations was chosen, but it seems very appropriate in our world today.
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And yet we are
hopeful. We have great medical resources and most people in our community are being cautious. As for race relations, the vast majority of protesters, while angry, have been peaceful. Conversations on serious structural change are happening in new ways. Individuals are wrestling more deeply with their own racism. People are being kind and caring for each other.
As Christians we're hopeful because God doesn't give up on us or the world, as a different verse from Lamentations reminds us:
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The steadfast love of the Lord
never ceases,
his mercies never
come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
--Lamentations 3:22-23
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To help us reflect on lament and hope, GA commissioners have shared brief video stories from a variety of contexts, including:
- Transformation Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, dealing with racism and the virus
- A South Dakota Presbyterian Church confirming youth in their driveways and sharing the video with the congregation
- Mission co-workers in Peru supporting people who struggle with the pandemic
- and more...
Take a few minutes to be inspired here:
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Last weekend, the GA elected our new co-moderators:
- Elder Elona Street-Stewart from Minnesota
- Pastor Gregory Bentley from Alabama
Click on their photos to read more about them. And check out the latest news from GA here:
General Assembly
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We have much to lament these days, and the lament is hard to do when we can't be physically together. But God's word and spirit give us hope. The teaching of Jesus and his example give us courage.
I pray that we all can become honest in our lament and deeper in hope.
On the journey, apart-but-together,
Charlie
PS--To help me and other leaders get a better sense of how we are doing collectively, please take 3-7 minutes to do this brief anonymous survey (similar to ones we've done in previous months). The survey is here:
Congregational Assessment Survey Many people have asked me, "How can I help?" This would be a big help. Please take a few minutes and do this now, and encourage other family members to do the same. THANK YOU.
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STAFF UPDATE
and JOB OPENING
We are seeking a new Communications and Technology Coordinator, as Melissa Arnston is no longer in that role. We are seeking someone with tech savvy and creativity to promote the mission and ministry of Covenant. The job posting is here:
Communication and Technology Coordinator job posting. Contact Pastor Charlie Berthoud or Personnel Chair Julie Sadowsky if you have questions.
We have an interim communications coordinator who starts on Monday.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
Join us for apart-but-together video worship on Sunday. Check your email Sunday morning for the link. Or check the
Covenant website.
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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
9:30 on Sunday morning
to watch the pre-recorded worship as a community.
Worship this week features
- Sermon by Rev Lisa Hermann on 1 John
- Wonderful music led by Pianist Ben Welch, Organist Doug McNeel, Guitarist Steve Royalton, and Music Coordinator Melissa Hinz
- A message for the children from Nick and Claire Von Bergen, with their friend Guy
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If you want a good resource for an overview of each book of the Bible, "Enter the Bible," from Luther Seminary, is a great website. Click on the logo or search for "Enter the Bible" and then click on an individual book to learn more. Our focus this Sunday is
1 John
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THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT READING
In case you need more inspiration on reading good books and the Good Book, several Covenant folks have responded to these three questions:
- What is a favorite book of yours? (fiction, non-fiction, whatever)
- What is a favorite verse or book of the Bible?
- What are your reasons for reading and reflecting on the Bible?
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LITTLE BOOKS Devotional
If you want to receive a devotional on the little book of the week by email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
CLICK RIGHT HERE AND SIGN UP . The devotional will also be available on our website and
also here in the Connections emails.
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New Recipients for our Offering!
We are continuing to support our neighbors in this challenging time. We have three new non-profits as recipients of the next phase of the COVID-19 offering:
- The Psalm 46 fund is a collaboration between Mount Zion Baptist Church and Lighthouse Church in Madison to assist families, primarily African American and Hispanic, in our community that are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.
- The Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development has had a connection with Covenant over several decades. Its COVID-19 focus is to support the large number of African Americans in the Madison area who are experiencing health, housing, employment and food needs during the pandemic.
- Mission Impact: Mission Impact is a non-profit that serves in a variety of places in Guatemala. Its Healthy Communities arm has been working in the village of Coyolate for several years in collaboration with the local Monte Hebron Presbyterian Church, where Covenant has a connection.
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. Thank you!
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Coffee Hour and Bible Study!
Sundays 10:30 via Zoom
Grab some coffee and connect with your Covenant friends! Click on the Zoom link above at 10:30 this Sunday. Pastor Jeff will share about 1 John and then we'll have time for zoom fellowship.
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