In this week’s One Takes, Grace Lindvall shares her thoughts on new life continuing to spring up all around us as we re-orient ourselves into a new normal and way forward after the past 18 months. Grace challenges us to look for ways we can see and embrace new life in our days, making room for new and beautiful experiences, rhythms and routines instead of recreating what was before. 

Another way Grace invites us to experience new life is by joining her on a visit to the Brooklyn Collective on August 29. This organization has breathed new life into the once thriving Brooklyn neighborhood which was unjustly destroyed in the name of “urban renewal.” More details on this excursion and a link to sign up are below. 

Join Covenant friends for a day outing to Linville Falls this Saturday, August 7. The day will feature fresh air and fellowship as we gather mid-morning to take one of several hiking options around the Linville waterfalls. After the hike, we will meet for BBQ and social time at Bob and Suzanne Henderson’s mountain home.

Click here for more information and to sign up.

This Sunday, August 8, we will host regular 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services in person in the Sanctuary and live online (Sunday School and childcare will be available). Our sermon series, "Beginning Again, Beginning Anew: Lasting Lessons from the Pandemic" will continue this week with "Wisdom Prevails."

Grab a cup of coffee and join us as Bill Hemingway leads Adult Sunday School this week with a discussion "Everyday Theologian," Jimmy Carter.

While historians debate the particulars of his legacy as a President, Jimmy Carter's activities since leaving the White House have certainly made him a great theologian of our time.  Adult Sunday School is held at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall each week. Come, and bring a friend!

After much thought and consideration, the Re-Opening Task Force has made the decision to ask everyone to be masked while participating in events indoors at Covenant. 

This decision is based on recent recommendations from the CDC and Governor Cooper’s office that people wear a mask while attending indoor events whether they are vaccinated or not. Current data shows COVID-19 spread trending toward levels we were seeing in late December (2020) and January (2021).  

Effective immediately, masks will be required indoors at Covenant during worship services, including musicians and worship leaders, with the exception of the preaching minister while in the pulpit. This will also apply to participants in the Rec Wing, Bible Study groups and other committee meetings taking place on campus.  

I am reminded of Bob’s sermon from Sunday as we “reorient" our lives from the “disoriented" past 18 months. Let us look at this new phase only as a hurdle in our way to a healthy and safe future.  

All the best,

Deana Cooper

Chair, Re-Opening Task Force

Read all re-opening updates and information here.

Children's Choirs at Covenant are a cherished piece of our Music Ministry and add special elements to our worship experience throughout the year.  

Choirs are open to children in grades

K-5: 

• Angelus Choir: Grades K-1 
• Chorister Choir: Grades 2-3 
• Jubilate Choir: Grades 4-5 

Weekly rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 8. Please register by September 1 if your child plans to participate. 

Learn more about our choirs here. 



Ready to register? Click here. 

Next Meeting:

Covenant’s Health and Wellness Committee will be meeting Wednesday,

August 11, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. We will meet on the patio outside of the Rec Wing, weather-permitting (Back-up location: Inside of the Rec Wing or Education Wing).

First Aid Supplies Needed:

We are also looking for any extra NON-latex gloves, paper tape or miscellaneous prepackaged gauze bandages you may have at home as we are putting together first aid kits for our youth that are heading to college this fall. Contact Laura Capranica if you are able to donate items.

Medical Equipment Lending Closet Donations:

The Medical Equipment Lending Closet has been busy this summer. If you have any wheelchairs, shower chairs or walkers with wheels, we could use them!

Please bring any equipment donations by the Welcome Center Monday-Friday and contact Laura Capranica, Faith Community Nurse to let her know the items are coming. Thank you for helping folks in our community!

It’s that time of year where we begin focusing on the changing seasons, including the changing season of our youth!

Rising 6th and 9th Graders: Youth Transition Celebration

Next Sunday, August 15, all rising 6th and 9th graders are invited to a formal celebration of their transition into middle and high school. The middle school celebration will be hosted at 2:00 p.m. (youth and parents) and the high school celebration will be hosted at 4:00 p.m.(youth only).

Save the Date: Youth Fall Kick Off

Come and celebrate the beginning of the school year with us on September 12 at 6:00 p.m. We will share more about the great events and fellowship to come throughout the year. Both youth and parents are welcome!

Questions?

For questions about your youth’s transition or on joining Covenant's middle/high school youth, please email:

• Alyssa Pacheco (middle school)
• Martin Pruitt (high school)

Calling all cooks and bakers to help us fill the freezer in the Fellowship Hall in preparation for our August Roof Above meal! Hunger and homelessness continue to be major needs across our community and our freezer stash for Roof Above is running low.

We plan to provide a robust meal to our neighbors at Roof Above on August 31. In preparation to do so, we hope members will help us build up a freezer stash of Texas Hash casseroles and desserts (preferably cookies and/or brownies) to serve.

You can drop off casseroles and desserts in the Fellowship Hall freezer at any time, or at one of the designated times below where a volunteer will be there to greet you.



• August 10: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• August 24: 12:00-1:00 p.m.

More information and the recipe for Texas Hash can be found here.

Questions? Contact Terry Horne or Lucy Crain.

After our summer interns move out of The Landing, we will need help cleaning the facility to prepare for fall Sunday School.

If you are able to help pack, clean and prep this Sunday, August 8 at 11:00 a.m., please contact Lynn Morrow.

Thank you to all who have supported the intern team this summer - we are grateful for you!

Our ongoing partnerships with Highland Renaissance Academy and The Mezzanine provide critical support for students and families in some of the most economically disadvantaged areas of Charlotte.

This year we hope to fill 200 backpacks with supplies and materials for children in both communities.We are collecting supplies from now through August 13 in the Welcome Center. We will bless these backpacks during worship on Sunday, August 22. You can view the Amazon Wishlist and supply needs via the link below.

Learn more about how you can help to fill backpacks here.

Do you have a gift for getting to know folks one-on-one? Our Covenant Visitors program offers a wonderful opportunity to serve our homebound members through one-on-one relationships. We have members who are now ready to see others face-to-face and would love to hear what is going on across our church community.

Interested in being a part of this program? Please contact Laura Capranica.

We are currently seeking volunteers to teach Early Childhood Sunday School (ages 2-K), lead Elementary Small Groups and "Power Up" (the Bible story on steroids!) at 9:30 a.m., September - May.

Teachers and leaders serve in pairs and rotate monthly. Electronic lesson plans, supplies and support are provided. For more information and to express interest, please reach out to Anne Lowrance or Sarah Askins.

An informational meeting for youth singing opportunities will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m.

The Youth Strings Ensemble will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel.

More information and opportunities to come!

Questions? Contact Heather Potter.

August 29 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

The next opportunity to engage in our Summer Racial Justice Series, “See. Grow. Act.” will be a tour of The Brooklyn Collective (229 Brevard Street).

This event will begin with a tour hosted by Executive Director, Monique Douglas. During the tour we will see business, learn about the history of the Brooklyn neighborhood, and visit the newly installed art exhibit. Following the tour, we will enjoy refreshments together at Studio 229. 

Sign up and learn about transportation options to the event here.

Questions? Email Grace Lindvall.