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Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020
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One Take: What nourishes your soul?
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In today's edition of One Takes, Bob describes uplifting scenes from Covenant's campus - young adults making sandwiches for people in need and youth filling the parking lot for a festive kickoff night.
"It's worth paying attention to what nourishes our soul, what gives us passion and energy to face the challenges of our days," Bob says.
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 Congregational meeting to elect elders
Sunday at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom
The Elder Nominating Committee will recommend 10 adult elders for the Session class of 2023 and two Youth Elders to serve one-year terms beginning Jan. 1. You are asked to vote via Zoom balloting.
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 Confirmation Sunday: Milestone for eighth graders
With guidance from Alyssa Pacheco and a team of adult mentors, eighth grade students have spent many months exploring their Christian faith as part of the Quest experience. Now we welcome them as adults into the Covenant community.
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Tonight: Hear from Rodney Sadler on role of protests
 Open Table at 6:30 p.m.
A series called "Making Justice a Habit: Three Challenging Conversations on Race" will bring us together via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. each week.
- Tonight: Race and the Role of Protest led by Dr. Rodney Sadler, Director of Union Presbyterian's Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation
- Sept. 23: Race, Housing and Reparations led by Laura Belcher, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region
- Sept. 30 Race and Voter Suppression led by Ray McKinnon, Minister and Principal Consultant for Repairing the Breach
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 Bonus program: Talk on enduring grief
Tonight at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom
Our Stephen Ministers invite you to hear from Kandy Cosper on her recently published book, The Defense Rests: Lessons Learned Through Illness and Grief. This is part of continuing education for Stephen Ministers, who provide a listening ear and friendship to people facing life challenges. Click here for the Zoom link.
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Order a Grab-N-Go meal for next week
Place your order by Friday
Take home a meal to heat up in the oven for you and/or your family prepared by our kitchen staff. Here's how it works:
- Click here to order online.
- Next week's menu features Chicken or Beef Pot Pie; Rolls and Brownies.
- Orders must be placed by noon on Friday. There is no drive-up or walk-up ordering.
- Drive-thru pickup is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the upper parking lot. Volunteers will bring the food from the kitchen to your car.
- Most of the disposable containers are recyclable.
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 Come to the Circle for outdoor concert
Bagpiper on Sunday at 6 p.m.
An outdoor concert series features beautiful music and an opportunity to pray for the life of our community and world. This week, join in praying for the healing of racial injustice and hear from bagpiper Dave McKenzie.
A carillon prelude begins at 5:45 p.m. with the concert at 6. Feel free to bring a chair, blanket or picnic to the Circle in a socially distanced setting. RSVP here.
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 Welcome, Pam Smith
A friendly presence at the front door
Pam Smith joined the staff on Monday as our Morning/Friday Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. Pam has over 20 years of administrative experience, including positions at UNCC in the College of Education, the University Career Center and the Office of Alumni Affairs.
Pam and her husband, Antonio, are co-founders of Smith Bios Group, a non-profit providing workshops on diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease. She is a licensed associate minister at The Park Church in Charlotte and became acquainted with Covenant at our joint Good Friday service several years ago.
Pam is looking forward to serving as the first face at the Welcome Center and meeting and assisting our Covenant community including our CDC, Preschool and Epiphany children and families. Please join us in welcoming Pam to the staff and supporting her as she begins her work among us.
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 Serenitye Taylor is our seminary intern
A focus on worship, pastoral care
Serenitye Taylor has a heart for pastoral care and an interest in how God uses worship to bring people together. Serenitye joined us this week as a seminary intern, part of our commitment to be a teaching church for young people embarking on careers in ministry.
Serenitye attends Union Presbyterian Seminary and works in wealth management at Wells Fargo. She and her husband, Carlin, are the proud parents of a 2-year-old daughter, Eliana.
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 Farewell to Becky Stout
Thank you for your service to the preschool
Becky Stout offered considerable talent to our preschool community with her enthusiasm for children and a passion for ensuring they knew their worth as beloved children of God.
In her letter of resignation, Becky shared these words, "Thank you for the opportunity to direct such a strong and vibrant Preschool this past year. I am very proud of what we accomplished together in service and ministry to our families and community. "
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 This week! Join hiking group at McAlpine Creek
Morning and evening options
Join the Fresh Air and Fellowship group on Saturday at 9 a.m. or Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for a 3-mile hike along a shaded trail through woods and by a pond and marshlands before looping back to the parking area. Details and RSVP here.
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Get help with Medicare drug plan 
Carol Baxter, David Isaacs available to help
Are you or a loved one enrolled in Medicare? If so, you should review your drug plans (Part D) and your Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) to determine the best choice for your health coverage. Open enrollment begins Oct. 15.
SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) counseling will offer virtual sessions. There will be no in-person appointments at Covenant or Sharon Towers. Call the Shepherd's Center at 704-365-1995 to schedule a time to meet with a SHIIP counselor.
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 Ministers add new show to Covenant podcast
Old Stories/New Takes will come out on Tuesdays
A podcast called Old Stories/New Takes offers contemporary twists on familiar stories in the Bible, starting Tuesday with a look at Jesus feeding the 5,000. Grace Lindvall and Ian Clark are your hosts.
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 Young Adults host Coffeehouse
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom
Grab a cup of coffee and join us for the first Coffeehouse gathering of the fall! This month, we'll explore questions related to romantic relationships: dating, engagement and marriage. Contact Allison Kieb to learn more or access the class here.
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Mission partner spotlight
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A lifeline for people at risk of losing their homes
Latest from Crisis Assistance Ministry
Facing a big increase in needs, our partners at Crisis have pivoted to meeting with clients in the parking lot or in drive-in and walk-up settings.
Many families are experiencing a great deal of stress as they navigate the effects of the pandemic (distance learning, separation from family, etc.) combined with the fear of losing their homes.
Crisis is Mecklenburg County's lead agency providing emergency rent and utility assistance.
Staff members also are experiencing stress as they cannot meet with clients face-to-face and must rely on phone conversations. The Free Store has re-opened and is welcoming volunteers. Covenant's Young Adults group will serve there in October.
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 Bagged lunches for neighbors staying in hotel
Next drop-off date is Tuesday
Our church is providing lunches for neighbors staying at an off-site Men's Shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll send you the guidelines when you sign up. Please drop off between 10 and 10:15 a.m. in the Circle drive. Click here to learn more and sign up.
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 Help newcomers get settled
Welcome bags for Mezzanine neighbors
Covenant will provide welcome bags to residents moving into Mezzanine at Freedom, the mixed-income community on Freedom Drive. Our goal is a positive, consistent and equitable experience for all neighbors.
Click here to see a list of recommended items (deadline extended through Sept. 30). You can either pick up a bag at the Welcome Center or bring loose supplies and we will place into bags.
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 Needed: Texas Hash, desserts for Men's Shelter
Our next meal is Sept. 29
Help the mission team fill the freezer with Texas Hash casseroles and desserts for an upcoming meal at Roof Above (formerly Men's Shelter). Below are drop-off times. Please call the church office to arrange a different time.
- Today from 4:30 to 6 p.m. during Open Table meal pick-up
- Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to noon on the Fellowship Hall patio
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 Missions team seeks project leaders for CIC
Covenant Impacts Charlotte in October
Please consider leading a small group of volunteers during socially distanced projects throughout October. There are projects to do at home, on campus and outdoors. Contact Julia Watkins to learn more.
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