PEACE BE WITH YOU IN THESE DAYS:
We are so grateful to be connected as a family of faith! As we all do our part to love our neighbor as ourselves to help “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus/COVID-19, our building remains closed; all meetings and events that are offered, including worship, have shifted to an online or conference call format.
We are grateful for the technology that allows the majority of us to gather together online. And in faith and through God’s ceaseless, amazing grace—as we practice “social distancing” we also practice “spiritual nearing” to each other and the Sweet Holy Spirit.
The announcements that follow reflect the ongoing abundant life that is Church of the Covenant.
STAR WORDS: For several years now, we have received Star Words on Epiphany Sunday to serve as guides for prayer and discernment in the coming year. On Sunday, we distributed Star Words virtually. If you didn't get a Star Word last week, email Rev. Kate (kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org) to request one. Whether you write your word on a post-it or cut out and decorate a star, put your star word somewhere you can see it and bring your thoughts back to it over the coming year.
UPCOMING WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS: Please join us each Sunday at 10:30 am as we come together in community through Zoom to pray, sing, share celebrations and concerns, and hear God’s still-speaking Word proclaimed.
- Sunday, January 17, MLK Sunday, Rev. Rob preaching, Communion
- Sunday, January 24, Rev. Joshua preaching
- Sunday, January 31, Rev. Kate preaching
- Sunday, February 7, Rev. Rob preaching, Communion/Annual Meeting
Here are the Zoom details for Sunday:
join by computer/tablet/smartphone:
one tap mobile:
+16465588656,,91025989890#,,#,892502#
join by phone:
+1 646 558 8656, Meeting ID: 910 2598 9890, Password: 892502
Some suggestions to aid in your worship for you to consider:
- Printing the bulletin out in advance so you have it during worship
- Pulling the bulletin up on a second device/phone/screen
- Pulling both the bulletin up and Zoom, and switch between them as needed. The liturgy, songs, and scripture are the important times to have this bulletin visible if possible.
- And if none of these options work for you, no worries—just following the link will be fine – you will be able to worship fully.
SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING: Sunday, January 17, 2021, following worship on Zoom, to finalize the 2021 budget.
PRAYERS ON THE EVE OF THE INAUGURATION WITH ECO-STEWARDS: The recent siege on the U.S. Capitol was a heartbreaking moment, leaving damage, hurt, and the loss of life. As people of faith, we are called to take part in the works of mercy, not the works of destruction and despair. We are called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8). The Capitol siege leaves us with the glaring question: Where do we go from here? It's the same question posed by Martin Luther King, Jr. more than 50 years ago in his final book of the same title. In light of back-to-back celebrations of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and service and the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris, The Eco-Stewards Program would like to extend yet another invitation to gather as a community to continue praying for peace, reconciliation, and a path forward that values both climate justice and racial justice. We hope you will consider joining us for another Connect & Reflect gathering on
Tuesday, January 19 at 8pm EST as we pray for a hope-filled, peaceful future that upholds equality and justice as well as equity and kindness for all. Event Page
here and Zoom link
here.
BLACK CHURCH & WHITE DOMESTIC TERRORISM:
On Dec. 28, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church experienced yet another arson attack. This is the second Black church in Springfield in recent history to be targeted in an act of white domestic terrorism. So, Mass Council of Churches staff held a special Facebook Live talk with Rev. Dr. Terrlynn Curry Avery, pastor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church. You can view the archived video
here. You can still donate to the church's recovery at
this link.
BIBLE STUDY - FRIDAYS 11AM:
Our virtual Bible Study is meeting at 11:00 am on Fridays, and we will begin a study of the Gospel of Mark. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Ammerman at
ntammerman@gmail.com. We gather on Zoom for about an hour for a “BYOB” (bring your own Bible) gathering. Drop in any week!
join by phone: (646) 558 8656, Meeting ID: 104 478 666, Password: 581626
CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING: Each Sunday beginning at 9:45AM we gather using Zoom for Godly Play and Youth Class. Our Godly Play class gathers to sing, share news with each other, pray together, and hear ancient and contemporary stories of our faith. Our Youth Class shares their weekly gathering rituals and explores topics of interest and curiosity in faith and identity. If you need a Zoom link, email
children@cotcbos.org or contact Rev. Kate at
kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org.
20s-30s-40s GROUP AT COVENANT: We are currently planning our calendar of events through the Lenten season. Please be on the lookout for upcoming virtual events. If you would like to be added to our email list, contact Rev. Joshua at
joshua.lazard@cotcbos.org.
ANNUAL MEETING & ANNUAL DENOMINATIONAL MEETINGS: Our Annual Meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 following worship on Zoom. Our annual meetings of each denomination will be on Sunday, January 31, 2021 following worship on Zoom.
THE DENOMINATIONAL MEETINGS of the Central Congregational Society (Barbara Darling, chair) and the First Presbyterian Society (Nancy Holloman, chair) will be held on 31 January 2021 at 11:50 AM for the purpose of electing the nominees - _______ (UCC) and Joe Waters (PCUSA) - to serve on the Nominating Committee for 2 years in the class of 2022.
THE ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION AND CONGREGATION will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2021at 11:45 AM on Zoom for the purpose of adopting the 2021 budget, electing 3 members to the Covenant Council for a 3-year term, 4 members to the Board of Deacons for a 3-year term, 1 member to the Board of Deacons for a 2-year term, and accepting 2 members to the nominating committee as elected at the denominational meetings.
TOM REID'S ORDINATION!
Please join us on Zoom on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 3pm as we celebrate together in a service of the Presbytery of Boston, the ordination of our beloved Tom Reid to become a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Registering is required,
click here.
LENT IS COMING (DEVOTIONALS): Lent begins Feb. 17 with our Ash Wednesday service on Zoom at 6:30pm. In preparation for this season, our Worship and Music committee would like to let you know you will all be provided with a free PDF copy of A Sanctified Art daily Lenten devotional. In addition, for those who prefer booklets to hold, here are some we recommend (please let Rob know if you have any financial limitations and we will purchase a copy for you):
FOOD & FAITH - THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, at 3 PM ONLINE: Join some members of Covenant's Climate Jubilee team a for a free live, online interfaith panel and discussion to explore how we can align our diets with our personal beliefs in justice and compassion for all.
Details and signup. Live streamed on YouTube and Facebook (you do not need a Facebook account to participate.)
EVERSOURCE SCAM: Just so everyone is aware, there are scammers calling claiming to be from Eversource saying your power will be shut off in 30-40 minutes due to a pending balance. The automated call then gives a 866 number to call to make a payment. I called the Eversource customer service line, who said they always call 24 hours before power is shut off. They say there have been several of these scam calls recently. ~ Kathryn
A CHALLENGING WINTER: For many reasons, this will be a challenging winter. One way we can help those experiencing homelessness in downtown Boston is to support our partners Women's Lunch Place who have an ongoing wish list for items, found here: https://womenslunchplace.org/in-kind-donations.
CONTINUED GIVING: Even in face of important, life-giving changes, our COTC ministry remains moving full steam ahead. Our staff and pastors continue to be hard at work. Our building continues to be faithfully stewarded. Our deacons and pastors continue to carry out vital pastoral care in these days. Therefore, your continued generosity and giving to help support the work of our church community is even more valued in these challenging days. And we are deeply grateful for your tangible signs of generosity. Here are a few ways you can continue to financially support the church and its ministries:
-
Directly on our website: http://www.cotcbos.org/give.html
-
Download free app: GIVEPLUS+ (GIVE+ by Vanco Services, LLC) in the App Store, Google Play, or at https://giveplushelp.vancopayments.com. Then, type in our zip code 02116 to find Church of the Covenant. Both online options allow you to make a one-time or a recurring gift.
- If you are uncomfortable with online giving, yes, you can still mail checks!
ZOOM Tutorials: If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, click this link Zoom How To for a video on how to join Zoom Meetings. Here are a few step by step procedures on how to join a Zoom meeting from your specific device.
BUILDING ACCESS: Our church building remains closed except for services connected with Women’s Lunch Place, our Food Pantry, and a subset of our church staff (Rev. Rob, Tom Handel, Bill Brown, Alan Lane, Faith Perry, Nancy Stockford, and Chuck Ferrell), who only enter for specific and limited purposes. All other staff, church leaders, and key holders are required to keep away from the church building until further notice. While we are not opening for our normal Open Sanctuary program this year, we have protocols in place to allow for safe group tours by appointment through Bill Brown.
THE JANUARY ISSUE OF THE COVENANT NEWS can be read online here.
