March 10, 2021

Covenant holds this cherished occasion each year to recognize children who came into the church family through birth or adoption. There will be a presentation in worship and virtual reception for families.

Covenant will host COVID-19 vaccine clinic Sunday at the church beginning at 7:30 a.m. The church's Health and Wellness Committee will host a vaccine clinic on the Covenant campus in partnership with the county. Those eligible include Group 1: Health care workers & Long-Term Care staff and residents; Group 2: Anyone 65 years or older, regardless of health status or living situation; and Group 3: Frontline Essential Workers. For help scheduling your appointment or arranging transportation, please contact Louise Rogers or Sandra Boozer, who will be happy to assist. Click the below link to complete a questionnaire and see times. You will enter through the Welcome Center.

Learn more and make an appointment

Rec Wing to open on a limited basis Reserve a time to work out The Rec Wing will open on a limited basis next week with new protocols guided by the church's Re-Opening Task Force. You can reserve a time to work out individually or attend a private session with a trainer. The center is limited to no more than 25 people and there is no group fitness or basketball. Please check the website Thursday for updated health and safety procedures.  

Congregational meeting coming up Sunday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m. The Session has called a congregational meeting via Zoom for the purpose of voting on any proposed changes in terms of call for the installed ministers.  

Mid-day worship offers moment of peace Noon music, readings and rituals Music, readings and ritual observances enrich the Lenten journey. These 15-minute livestream services are rebroadcast on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.  

Join live at noon on Wednesdays

Julia and Grace lead tonight's Bible study Focus: Leaning into others Covenant ministers are preparing our hearts and minds for Easter. There is time for questions and small group breakouts. Tonight: Grace and Julia - Community - Leaning into others Week four: Grace and Bob - Accept - Leaning into change Week five: Grace and Serenitye - Wonder - Leaning into hope Week six: Grace and Ian - Leaning into Holy Week  Join live at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays

Hiking group will visit Latta Nature Preserve Saturday at 9 a.m. Join the Fresh Air and Fellowship Group for an easy hike at Latta Nature Preserve in Huntersville. A flat, natural-surface loop trail will take us by the equestrian center, toward the banks of Mountain Island Lake and around the Carolina Raptor Center. All ages welcome. Learn more here.  

Baby animals, music, art Sign up to visit on Saturday before Easter The Covenant campus welcomes you for vibrant music, art, a menagerie of baby animals and contemplative time in the Sanctuary. You are invited to choose a timeslot and sign up your family (however you define family, in groups of up to 12 people) for fellowship and festivity.  Learn more and see timeslots

Share your photos for Palm Sunday Be part of worship montage Be part of Palm Sunday and commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Here's our invitation: Take a photo of you and/or a loved one holding a palm branch or piece of greenery/branch. Send us your pictures with the subject line "Palm Pics."  Your images will appear in a virtual palm processional during the opening hymn.  

Click here to send a photo

Needed: Volunteers to deliver flowers Gifts for older members On Thursday, March 18, you're invited to bring bunches of flowers to the church, assemble bouquets and deliver to homes in a contact-free fashion. Please click here to learn more and sign up.

Add Grab-N-Go to your dinner plans Prepared meals on Wednesdays The kitchen staff offers prepared meals to heat in the oven at home. March specials are Greek salad with chicken, Italian pasta salad by the pound, rolls and cookies. March 17: Shepherd's pie, Brussels sprouts, loaded baked potato soup, bread pudding March 24: Taco casserole, black beans & rice, chicken tortilla soup, churros March 31: Sliced ham, collard greens, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, chili, cornbread muffins, molten lava cake  Click to order online

Say farewell to Julia Watkins Celebration on Wednesday, April 7 Covenant has been blessed by the presence of Julia Watkins as a pastoral resident for mission and outreach. Julia will serve as Associate Pastor for Mission and Congregational Life at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. Julia’s last day with Covenant is April 8 and she will begin at Westminster on May 3. During Grab-N-Go meal pick-up on Wednesday, April 7, Julia will be outside to share greetings. We will then gather via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. to express our thanks to Julia.  Order a meal for April 7 (menu coming soon) Join us via Zoom that night at 7:30 p.m. Click here to share messages and pictures for a keepsake book for Julia Drop off handwritten notes in the Welcome Center at any time or give them to Julia on April 7 during Grab-N-Go A farewell is planned for May for Ian Clark, who has been accepted into the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He is scheduled to report to Naval Station Newport in June. From there, he will receive orders to join an active duty station stateside or abroad.  

Alexis, Abigail will lead Child Development Center Interim leaders named to permanent roles This announcement was shared with families by Mary Nell McPherson, CDC Advisory Council Chair; and Bill Keith, Covenant Business Administrator. Alexis Modebelu has been named Managing Director of the Covenant Presbyterian Child Development Center. As you know, Alexis joined the center as Assistant Director before we opened in 2019 and was named Interim Director this past November. She has a proven track record of working well with our families, children, and teachers. We are confident that she will continue to offer the same high-quality care and education that you expect and that your children deserve.  Also, Abigail Avalos has been named Assistant Director – a role she has filled in an interim capacity since November. Abigail has also been with the center since our beginning in 2019 and has proven to be a valuable member of the leadership team.  Please join us in congratulating Alexis and Abigail for these well-deserved promotions.  

College scholarships available Submit applications for aid through the church For many years, Covenant has awarded scholarships to deserving college students for undergraduate and graduate studies through the Douglas E. Matthias Scholarship Program. The undergraduate fund provides need-based support for graduating high school seniors and current college freshmen. Scholarships are also available for study at Union Presbyterian Seminary and any graduate study that leads to a life of Christian service. Applications are due April 15.  

Help Freedom School prepare for summer Sort materials in support of our partners Freedom School Partners seeks volunteers to help prepare materials for summer in the Latrobe warehouse at 3605 Latrobe Drive, Suite D. The date is: • Friday, March 19 – 1 to 3 p.m. – 3 people  Please click here to sign up for a timeslot. You can contact Beth Koonce if you have any questions.    

Next up: Math tutoring, teacher brunch Work with a student once a week Math tutors needed: Many have asked what we can do to support students returning to in-person learning. Good news! HEART Math Tutoring will be offered at Highland virtually from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. once a week.  To express interest, please contact Marilynn Mickle, who is helping to coordinate the program. Highland Heroes Appreciation Brunch: Contribute food, drinks, flowers or a note of encouragement so that staff may enjoy a light breakfast on Monday, March 22. Learn more and sign up here.   

Assemble lunches for Room in the Inn Spots available on Monday, March 22 Once a month, volunteers meet at Covenant to assemble lunches in a safe, socially distant manner. We also need volunteers to deliver lunches and to donate fruit, snacks and water bottles. We'll make more lunches to serve folks who were living in Tent City and have recently moved into hotels. Learn more and sign up here.  

Serve with Covenant folks at Loaves & Fishes Pack food boxes for neighbors in need Since Covenant volunteers have responded so enthusiastically to food sorting shifts, we recently added additional spaces on fourth Tuesdays every month, including March 23. Our team packs food boxes from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on designated days. Learn more and sign up here.   

Needed: Texas Hash for next shelter meal Please drop off before Tuesday, March 30 Help the mission team fill the freezer with Texas Hash casseroles and desserts for a meal at Roof Above. Terry Horne will be on the Fellowship Hall patio at the below times. Contact the church office to arrange another drop-off time. Wednesday, March 17 from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 24 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.  

Director of Contemporary Music and Worship Arts Coordinate, plan and lead contemporary worship music for the contemporary services and provide leadership for the worship arts ministry. Learn more here. 

CDC Assistant Teacher and Floater Covenant’s Child Development Center is a year-round program for children from six weeks to five years old. Our mission is providing high quality child care and education to children from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more here. 

Congregational Notes births, weddings, in memoriam