Greetings!
On Tuesday, about 25 Covenant people were at Stephens Elementary School to meet our pen pals of the past year. It was absolutely wonderful to meet face to face (mask to mask) and share conversations. Click on photo to see more!
On Tuesday evening, I joined about 100 people at a Vigil for Peace at an eastside church, to reflect on gun violence. Pastor and Judge Everett Mitchell (pictured below) spoke passionately about caring for kids, reminding us that Jesus said “let the children come to me.”

A LaFollette High School teacher followed Everett, sharing about how her students are traumatized by school shootings, and reminding us that Jesus also said “If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6) Click on photo to watch channel3000 report. 
Families are struggling now. Kids are struggling. We have to help each other. We are called to love one another, and Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

As I mentioned in the sermon last Sunday, I’ve become a fan of the Good Faith podcast. “Why Are Teens Growing More Anxious” was the topic a couple weeks ago. One sample of the excellent content: the guest speaker shared her ABCDE model for how to help young people. 
How to help young people
  • Ask “On a scale of 1 to 10, how anxious are you” is a good conversation starter.
  • Breathe: Slow down and take deep breaths, parents and kids
  • Center: “Peace” or “Immanuel” or “it’s going to be OK” might be words or phrases to hold close
  • Develop a team for everyone. “It takes a village…”
  • Empathize with the young person. Say “that stinks” and if appropriate “I think you can handle it”
Check out the whole podcast here: Why are young teens growing more anxious? Click on the Good Faith logo to explore episodes on abortion, white replacement theory, technology, democracy, and more.
Let's do what we can to bless any and all children, as Jesus teaches us. I encourage to be intentional about listening to and encouraging any young people you have contact with this week.

On the journey together,
Charlie 
PS--Mary Kieta is retiring this month, after 34 years as Church Administrator. She has been a huge blessing to hundreds of people!
We have a special celebration after worship on Sunday, along with a brief recognition in worship. We are hoping to stream the celebration on Youtube or Facebook live.

Click on the photo to see more photos of Mary through the years.

More info on the celebration below.

Thank you Mary!

Our new Church Administrator starts on Monday, June 13. More info coming soon.
THIS WEEK
This Sunday and Sundays throughout the summer,
we have ONE worship service at 9:30AM!
Worship
  • Charlie Berthoud preaching: "Summer School" (John 14:26)
  • Day of Pentecost - WEAR RED!
  • Craig Wilson flies his kites during worship!
  • Weekly Memory Verse
  • Music from Melissa Hinz, Doug McNeel and Ben Welch
  • Holy Communion (have bread and juice available if worshiping at home)
  • IN-PERSON Children's Time with Jo Wiersema
  • Kaleidoscope Kids during worship following Children's Time
  • Mission Update from Extended Hands Pantry
  • Special PC(USA) Pentecost Offering - 40% goes towards Extended Hands!
  • Nursery Hours are 9:15-10:45am for the summer!
  • In-Person and Livestream worship at 9:30am (ONE SERVICE)
  • Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!
After more than 30 years working faithfully at Covenant, Church Administrator Mary Kieta is retiring in mid-June. On Sunday, June 5, there will be a retirement celebration for Mary in Bradfield Hall immediately following the 9:30am Summer worship service. A special program to honor Mary will begin at 10:45am. We hope you will join us! If you would like to give Mary a card, you can send it to church or just bring it with you to the party. See you there!
Bring your furry (or not so furry) friends with you for this special service and potluck to follow! Bring any animal you want blessed and get ready for a great time. Stuffed animals welcome also! Dogs and cats must be on leashes or in carriers. Other animals may be in whatever container they're most comfortable in. 
Summer is here, and that gives us an opportunity to focus together on the Bible text for the sermon that day. We will begin meeting on Sunday, June 5 and continue through August at 8:45–9:25am in Bradfield Hall. Each Sunday will be an informal group who read and discuss the scripture passage of the day. A different person will facilitate each week, opening with prayer, reading the scripture passage, and asking a couple prepared questions to initiate the discussion. 
"It’s when we mix up individual ideologies and traditions with Christian love, we can lose sight of the Christ-like love we are meant to embody in our work as Christians."

Today, Jo muses on ideology, idolatry, and love. Take a few minutes to take in our weekly blog, and even continue the conversation in the comments on our website or in the Facebook comments. Click on image above.

Midweek Musings is a weekly Covenant blog with a variety of authors and spiritual topics. Feel free to leave a comment as you are moved. We are excited to be reviving this blog, and hope that it blesses you this week and the weeks to come.
COMING UP
RAF has begun a book study on Dr. Martin Luther King’s last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” To subscribe to the email list, contact Jennifer Morgan so you can get the zoom link! In this prophetic work, which was unavailable for more than 10 years, Dr. King lays out his thoughts, plans, and dreams for America’s future, including the need for better jobs, higher wages, decent housing, and quality education. Join the study any time!
Formerly known as BIKE4BGC, MOVE4BGC is back with a new name this year! Every year, a group from Covenant - the Presbywheelians - register to bike for a good cause! Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is a long-time mission partner of Covenant. For more information on MOVE4BGC, click HERE. If you are interested in joining the Presbywheelians, please contact Pastor Charlie or Eric Girard.