Feb. 17, 2021
In today's Ash Wednesday edition of One Takes, Bob introduces the Lenten theme Room to Grow, based on the idea that God learns, changes and thinks differently after seeing things happen.

It can feel like a threatening concept. But it explains why God understands the human plight so well - our lack of clarity, our tendency to get it almost right, but never completely right.

Or, as Bob puts it: "Nobody has ownership of the whole truth -- we all have room to grow."


Prepare to enter the wilderness
Noon and 7:30 p.m.
Begin the Lenten journey with stirring music, scripture and prayer led by Julia Watkins and Bob Henderson. Prepare at home with a candle and anointing oil. While we are apart, we are not alone but accompanied by both the Lord and a great cloud of witnesses.
Begin your day with a heartfelt reflection
Devotional series begins Sunday
Room to Grow features candid, heartfelt reflections from ministers and members on what it means to embrace discomfort, uncertainty, friendship, change and hope. Printed copies will be available in the Welcome Center. Click here to subscribe via email.


Lenten Bible study: Leaning into...
Begins next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Open Table resumes as Covenant ministers prepare our hearts and minds for the Lenten journey. There will be time for questions and small group breakouts.

Week One: Grace and Katherine - Trust - Leaning into discomfort 
Week Two: Grace and Bob - Expand - Leaning into what we don’t yet know 
Week Three: 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



Make paper butterflies for Easter worship
Add beauty to the Sanctuary
The butterfly is a symbol of the resurrection. During the Lenten season, you are invited to make simple origami butterflies for a colorful art installation to adorn the Sanctuary on Easter.

We will need hundreds, if not thousands! This activity is great for individuals, families and children (ages 10+) and you can even make butterflies as prayers for those you love. 

Kits will be available in the Welcome Center in packets of 10. Please return by March 15. To have packets delivered or mailed to you, please click here to contact Carla Leaf.



Needed: Jars, vases for floral arrangements
A gift for our older members
Congregational Life will deliver floral arrangements to our older members in March. We are looking for small jars and vases that can be used to hold the bouquets.

The ideal size is between a jelly jar and spaghetti sauce jar. Please drop off in the Welcome Center before March 15.




New to Covenant? Start here
Newcomers gathering is Sunday at 6 p.m.
Join Lora Borrelli and members of the engagement team for casual conversation with people who are on the journey. We'll deliver a charcuterie box to you the afternoon of the event. RSVP to Lora.



Preschool director to be named
Welcoming children ages 1 to 5
We had hoped to introduce our new preschool director, but because of unforeseen circumstances in this COVID-19 world, we are delaying until next week. The director will now begin on March 8.

As a result, we also will extend priority registration to March 8.





See new menus for Grab-N-Go
Prepared meals on Wednesdays
The kitchen staff offers prepared meals to heat in the oven at home. February specials are chicken Caesar salad, pimiento cheese by the pound and sugar cookies. Here's a look at upcoming menus:

Feb. 24: Smothered boneless pork chops, risotto, green beans, butternut squash bisque, strawberry shortcake

March 3: Beef stew with steamed white rice, mixed vegetables, French onion soup, cornbread muffins, s'mores squares

March 10: Chicken cacciatore with bow tie pasta, spaghetti squash, lobster bisque soup, garlic bread, cheesecake

March 17: Shepherd's pie, Brussels sprouts, loaded baked potato soup, bread pudding

March 24: Taco casserole, black beans & rice, chicken tortilla soup, churros

Operation Sandwich is March 1
First Mondays every month
You can make 25 sandwiches and bring them to church,
where Julia and Lucy will be outside to collect and deliver directly to Roof Above's day services center. Sign up here.




Habitat build coming up in March
Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6
We respond to Charlotte's affordable housing crisis through our work with Habitat. Spots are limited for safety due to the pandemic.

Eight volunteers (ages 16+) are needed to install siding on a home from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We also need volunteers each day to pick up and deliver boxed lunches and bottled waters. Learn more and sign up.

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