On Tuesday, October 18, a group of twelve Covenant people land in Guatemala for a week of learning, working, praying, and sharing together with our Guatemalan partners. Covenant has had connections in Guatemala for twenty years—helping with education, housing, water filters, church leadership, and more. | |
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Guatemala is just south of Mexico and about 2/3 the size of Wisconsin, with strong indigenous Mayan population.
On this trip, we will:
- Meet with scholarship students and families
- Worship at the Monte Hebron Presbyterian Church in Santo Domingo
- Help the Presbyterian church in Coyolate with their construction project
- Host a health clinic in Santo Domingo (we have two doctors in our group)
- Learn more about the history of Guatemala
- Share reflections and Bible studies as we seek to love our neighbors and live out our Matthew 25 initiative, focusing on poverty and racism and church vitality
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Our primary contact is Rev. Betsey Moe, a mission co-worker of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who works withCEDEPCA, the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America.
While the term “mission co-worker” may be a bit clunky, it reflects the theological understanding of partnership and service in PCUSA mission work, as opposed to the arrogance and colonialism of “missionaries.” Click on Betsey’s photo to read about her ministry in Guatemala.
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When I was interviewing with Covenant ten years ago, I was intrigued by the Guatemala partnership. In my first summer I journeyed there with Sally & Bob Lorenz and Helen Madsen, all of whom have been pillars of this partnership. I’m glad that we have maintained our connections even through Covid, and I’m excited at exploring how we can deepen and broaden our Guatemala connections in the future.
Most of the 12 people in our group have not been to Guatemala before, which is great. CLICK HERE to read short statements from participants as to why we want to go to on this trip.
Please keep us and the people of Guatemala in your prayers this next week.
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On the journey together,
Charlie
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- Charlie Berthoud preaching "Elizabeth Schuyler, Mick Jagger, and Timothy" (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
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In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:00am & 11:00am
- Music from New Day Ensemble, Ben Welch, Covenant Chancel Choir, and Doug McNeel
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Church Matters sharing time by Pete Kolakowski
- Children's Time with Jo Wiersema
- Guatemala Mission Trip Commissioning
- Nursery Hours: 8:45am-12:15pm
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Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!
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If you missed a service or would like to watch a service again, all livestreamed services are saved to our YouTube channel. Or you can give the sermons another listen on our sermon podcast! | |
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Join us for Adult Ed Sunday at 10:00am in Bradfield Hall or via Zoom (link below). On Sunday, we begin a 4-part class called “Dear White Peacemakers,” led by Brenda Moten and Doug Poland. This class will be a discussion on the book Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace by Osheta Moore. From Moore: “Many white Christians avoid talking about [race]… A commitment to peacemaking requires white people to step out of their comfort and privilege and into the work of anti-racism.” Click HERE for more info on this class. Note: our Genesis class will resume next week alongside this one.
All Adult Education classes take place in Bradfield Hall and are available via Zoom at us02web.zoom.us/j/89540028471. Please visit covenantmadison.org/adult for more info.
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The Generosity Campaign this year falls right in line with the matters theme, and the verse Genesis 12:2 the focus (“blessed to be a blessing”). Packets were sent out this week. If you haven’t received one, contact the office – we’d be happy to send you one. Visit covenantmadison.org/generosity for more info and for all materials. The hope is to have commitment cards returned by or on Commitment Sunday (October 30). | |
Speaking of Guatemala... you will soon have an opportunity to support the Coyolate and Santo Domingo communities, mentioned by Charlie, through the annual Guatemala Mission Auction on Sunday, December 4. We will be accepting donations Sunday, November 6 – Thursday, November 22. Keep an eye out for a list of donation ideas in the coming weeks! | |
Racists Anonymous Fellowship hosts a book study on the book How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith on Zoom. Visit covenantmadison.org/raf for more info. | |
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"Our God lives outside of time and space but is also so intimately close with us."
Money money money moooonnnaayyy. In case you haven't heard, we're talking a lot about money around here. Our new sermon series kicked off on Sunday, and of course, we have to talk about how Bruce Almighty fits into all of this. Take a moment to muse with us. Click above for this week's Midweek Musings, "Dear God, Where Should I Invest?" by our own Jo Wiersema.
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Our next Spiritual Stroll will be at Owen Conservation Park, a 97-acre property of hiking trails nestled just south of Crestwood Elementary School. These Spiritual Strolls are part of a Covenant program called CONNECT, a program of events sponsored by the deacons of Covenant Presbyterian Church with the intention of fostering connection within the congregation and community. The Caravan lists this on the 30th, which is incorrect. | |
The Children’s and Youth Ministries at Covenant are throwing a Halloween Party for kids ages 3-11! There will be a haunted house (oooooh). There will be games. Hope to see you there! This will be in place of the normal Youth Connection Sunday gatherings. If you are interested in helping out with set-up and clean-up, please contact Bailey or Jo! | | | | | |
