COVID UPDATE: January 6, 2022
Due to the sharp rise in Covid cases, we will NOT be gathering in-person on Sunday mornings through the end of February. All worship will be on YouTube, and Adult Education will be on Zoom. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the physical health of our congregation and community is important. 
Greetings!

Imagine yourself spending months in training to run a marathon. You work hard, you eat well, you get in shape, and you finish! You did it! You’re excited, and you’re exhausted. Now you can relax.

So you take your shoes off and find your favorite beverage and think about a massage. But how would you feel if someone came by and said you had to run a second marathon, that right then and there you had to put your shoes on and get moving?

I don’t run, but that sounds terrible.

That’s kind of how we might feel with Covid. Things were getting better. We were able to visit other people and travel. Some people were coming to church in-person.

But now the church building is closed on Sunday mornings, and other activities are limited. It feels like we’re starting a second (or third or fourth?) marathon, with Covid and all the other challenges in our society, without time to rest and refresh. 

I read about this “second marathon” (click) image last summer in a blog post for pastors about Covid and other social issues. (And I did share the link in an August email, but it’s worth sharing again. Her words are not only for pastors.)

The good news is that we have run this race before, at least kinda-sorta. We know about masks and distancing. We know about pivoting and adapting. We’re all learning new technology. We know that we're called to love our neighbors.
And as far as I’m concerned, we don’t have to run. We can just walk…and we can walk together (in spirit, if not in person).

Hang in there, friends. We will get through this. One step at a time. One day at a time.

On the journey together,
Charlie

PS This Sunday January 9 we begin our series, "Let's Talk About Sex." Join us for worship via livestream at 9:00 or 11:00 (and you can watch/worship later on our YouTube page). The adult ed class is LIVE via ZOOM at 10:00 am.
Worship
  • Livestream services at 9:00 & 11:00am
  • Let's Talk About Sex Sermon/Adult Ed series begins
  • Pastor Charlie's sermon "Beloved Children of God" (1 John 3:1)
  • Children's Time with Jo Wiersema
  • Sermon Talk-Back Opportunity at 12:00pm on Zoom
As services have moved to virtual, Adult Ed has as well. Click on the image above for Zoom link to this class at 10am on Sunday!

In this class we will explore our assumptions about sex, sexuality and sexual identity. And we’ll discuss ways to become more comfortable talking with and welcoming people with diverse sexual experiences, orientations, and identity. Be prepared to do some honest reflection privately, to ask questions, and to practice ways to create a more welcoming environment for those who have different sexual identities and experiences. Below are some handouts for Ellen's class "Let's Be Comfortable Talking About Sex:
Pastor Jeff reflects on 2021, his Epiphany Star word from last year, and WONDERS about 2022... Click above to read Pastor Jeff Fox-Kline's latest blog post.
Special Offering Totals
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our special offerings in December! The Christmas Joy Offering supports current or retired church workers, as well as serves to raise up a new generation of leaders with a special focus on equipping leaders of color. Our Christmas Eve Mission Offering is in support of the essential work of the River Food Pantry, who helps to alleviate hunger in Dane County. Your support changes lives. To date, we have raised $3,475.00 for the Christmas Joy Offering and $4,556.32 to support the River Food Pantry. Between those two special offerings, we’ve been able to share over $8,000 to show God’s love to our neighbors. THANK YOU!
Meet Richard Griffin!
Introducing Richard Griffin, our new Custodian at Covenant! We're glad to have Richard on board. He'll be working Monday thru Friday from about 7:00am to 3:00pm.

We also want to bid a farewell and say thank you to former Custodian Ken Corbett, who came out of retirement filled in as our Interim Custodian. Thank you Ken!!!
Generosity Campaign Continues

The Generosity Campaign asks people to support Covenant’s ministry with their time, talents, and treasures. If you have not yet gotten your pledge in, please do so soon.

Every gift helps our common ministry be stronger.

Here is a quick snapshot of where we currently stand financially as of 12/31/2021 (and the same week in previous years):
2022215 pledges = $957,927
2021: 212 pledges = $923,912
2020: 234 pledges = $946,909