Mask Update
This week, the Session unanimously passed a motion from the Reopening the Church Task Force:

Make the wearing of masks optional for those who are vaccinated, but require them of people who are not yet vaccinated (including children under age 12). This will pertain to the whole building, not just during worship.

The Session and the Task Force also authorized open seating in most of the sanctuary. The pews on the piano side and in the balcony will still be distanced seating, with tape blocking every other pew.

Online worship videos will continue to be offered.
Read our UPDATED (as of July 2, 2021) guidelines for in-person worship HERE.
A Family Worship Bag will be available for families with children aged 3 years to 5th grade.
Greetings!

We don't deserve the invitation, but we get invited anyway.

We are sharing communion in worship this Sunday, as we do on the first Sunday of every month. And everyone is invited, regardless of your beliefs or actions or words.

Everyone is welcome. Really. It says so in our constitution, the Book of Order.
"The opportunity to eat and drink with Christ is not a right bestowed upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. All who come to the table are offered the bread and cup, regardless of their age or understanding. If some of those who come have not yet been baptized, an invitation to baptismal preparation and Baptism should be graciously extended."
--Book of Order W-3.0409
Just a few years ago, the Book of Order said that only baptized people were welcome. And our grandparents may remember a time when they had to get a token (after being deemed worthy by an Elder or a Pastor) before receiving communion. Read a few more paragraphs on communion from the BOO here: Communion

So before we point fingers at other churches with communion restrictions, we need to remember that we're still learning about the gracious love of God, personified in Jesus, who shared meals with all sorts of people.

You are invited to the Table this Sunday, for the bread of life and the cup of salvation. You are loved. You are part of the body of Christ.

I'm glad to be part of Covenant and the Presbyterian Church USA.

On the journey together,
Charlie
PS--This Sunday is July 4, and in worship, you'll hear about a famous Presbyterian named John Witherspoon. Read about him here: John Witherspoon.

FYI, in the providential department, when I finished the first draft of my July 4 sermon, I was intrigued to see that I had typed 1776 words. Above is the final paragraph, with the word count in the lower left corner.
Presbywheelians Ride Again on July 17th!
+ Pre-ride 50-mile walk on July 10

Members of Covenant Presbyterian, Pres House, and other Presbyterian denominations have been putting together teams for Bike 4 Boys & Girls Club since 2012. In total we have raised $72,441 for the charity. We will be fielding another team for the ride at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg on July 17th.
 
The Boys & Girls Club is active in our community and making a difference every day. Our local chapter does a lot beyond the great work of providing after-school activities. In 2021 and beyond, BGC is developing a Skilled Trades Training Center to mitigate the opportunity gap and provide long term skills training for youth. Our offering supports a brighter future for youth in our community.
 
Runners and walkers also welcome!
There are many options for participating in this event. You can register for an 8-mile, 20-mile, or 50-mile bike ride, or for a 2-mile walk/run or a 5-mile run. Register HERE (classy.org/team/354312 ) and make sure you're joining the Presbywheelians team.
 
Not comfortable with large groups just yet? Pastor Jeff will lead a smaller group that same day on a more socially-distanced ride or walk through the UW Arboretum. Contact Jeff for more details. (jfoxkline@covenantmadison.org)
 
Feeling MORE adventurous?
To raise awareness for the ride, as well as for issues of racial justice in Madison, there will be a pre-event 50 mile walk on Saturday, July 10th. The walk will start and end at the Sun Prairie club and touch every Boys & Girls Club property in Dane County. Steve Whayland and Eric Girard will be representing the Presbywheelians and Covenant Presbyterian on the walk. Others are welcome to join for all or part of the walk. Contact Steve Whayland (swhayland@tds.net) or Eric Girard (ericdavidgirard@gmail.com) for more information.

Please consider joining the team or supporting a virtual rider. Visit the website or email Eric Girard or Pastor Jeff with questions. You can also search @presbywheelians on Facebook.
School Supplies Needed for
Glenn Stephens School
Help us gather school supplies for our partner school, Glenn Stephens! Donations can be placed in the wagon in the narthex gathering space or outside the front door. The Children’s Ministries Team is sponsoring this outreach project. Thank you!
Summer Sunday Scripture Study (SSSS)

Beginning July 11, meet with Covenant friends from 9:30-10:15 on Sundays for an informal, free-flowing conversation about the Bible text for the day’s sermon. We’ll meet in Bradfield Hall to read the text, share our thoughts, and ask questions….as the Spirit leads! The class will run through August. BYO coffee.
Worship for Sunday, July 4

  • 6th Sunday after Pentecost
  • Pastor Charlie Berthoud preaching on Mark 1:14-15, "A Preacher, a President, and a Patriot"
  • Children's Time with Pastor Jeff
  • Follow our blog to read Pastor Jeff's weekly reflections.

We will premiere the worship service on Facebook at 9:00 am on Sunday.

The Great Unveiling Work Day
POSTPONED to July 10

There's a whole lot of shrubs shrouding the view of our church from Mineral Point Road. From 8:00 am until Noon, Saturday, July 10, we are planning a work day at the church to work on removing those shrubs! We are calling this "the great unveiling" because we want our church to be seen in all of its glory.

Anyone able to provide a trailer or chainsaw, they would be much appreciated! Please come on out to help, and contact Rosemary Jones if you have any questions!

Note: The accompanying picture does not show the shrouding shrubs, but another major project we tackled!