In this week's One Takes series, Bob speaks to the rich period of life and worship we will soon head into as we look to the fall. Bob and the team will introduce a new "Welcome Home" sermon series and make announcements on major affordable housing initiatives our community will be participating in this fall. Bob also asks us to persevere as we face new COVID-19 variants, and encourages us to strengthen our friendships, relationships and connection to one another as a way to sustain ourselves through these continued challenges.

Join us for the last Open Picnic Table of the summer tonight under the Magnolia tree from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Sweet treats are provided and in the case of inclement weather, we'll meet in the Fellowship Hall.

This Sunday, August 22, we continue our sermon series, "Beginning Again, Beginning Anew: Lasting Lessons from the Pandemic," and will host regular 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services in person in the Sanctuary and live online.

Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to worship. During Sunday School, children will spend time filling backpacks for students affiliated with our mission partners: Renaissance Highland Academy and The Mezzanine. All backpacks will then be blessed during a special portion of the worship service.

Grab a cup of coffee and join us as Grace Lindvall leads this week's Adult Sunday School discussion of "Everyday Theologians," focusing on acclaimed author, Anne Lamott.

Adult Sunday School is held at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall each week. Come, and bring a friend!

Young Adults are invited to join us this Sunday, August 22 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as we reconnect at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery with food, drinks, and welcoming conversation.

Hear from our leadership about ways that you can get meaningfully connected to our ministry and what makes our YA community so special. RSVP here (encouraged but not required), or reach out to Molly Smerko to learn more. 

High School Youth are invited to join us this Sunday, August 22 at 6:00 p.m. for a Back to School Celebration at The Landing @ Covenant.

Connect with friends new and old as we enjoy food, fun and a look forward to the year to come!

Contact Martin Pruitt (High School Youth Director) with questions.

Thank you to the many adults, youth and community volunteers who made our 2021 outdoor VBS week - Great Big Beautiful World - such a positive, safe and wonderful experience for the nearly 100 children who participated.

A particularly special part of VBS this year was a series of lessons on hunger needs across our community. Children learned about the ways they can help to reduce hunger in our city from Covenant leaders and guest speakers who are passionate about feeding Charlotte.

The VBS food drive raised a grand total of 1,054 pounds of non-perishable food (including 31 pounds of tomatoes harvested from our Covenant garden!) for our community partner, Loaves & Fishes / Friendship Trays.

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

Children's Choir: Register by Sept. 1

Choirs are open to children in grades

K-5: 

• Angelus Choir: Grades K-1 
• Chorister Choir: Grades 2-3 
• Jubilate Choir: Grades 4-5 
• Learn more about our choirs here. 

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

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Youth Music Opportunities

Youth music includes a variety of opportunities this year.

• Youth Singers: An informational meeting for youth singing opportunities will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. in Education Wing room 315.
• Youth Handbells: The Youth Handbell Ensemble will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 8 at 5:15 p.m. in the Education Wing, Room 320.
• Youth Strings: The Youth Strings Ensemble will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel.

Questions on Children's Choir or Youth Music? Contact Heather Potter.

Support our college-age students through our Secret Saints Program. Each student who signs up is matched with an anonymous Secret Saint who will send care packages and uplifting notes throughout the school year. We hope you'll consider signing up to support a college student (this can be done by an individual or a group).

• College Students: Sign up to be matched with a Secret Saint here.

• Volunteers: Sign up to be a Secret Saint here.

Questions? Contact Leslie Ford, Chair of the College Council.

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. Please help us to do so by building our freezer stash of Texas Hash casseroles and desserts (preferably cookies and/or brownies).

You can drop off casseroles and desserts in the Fellowship Hall freezer at any time, or next Tuesday, August 24 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. where a volunteer will be there to greet you. More information and the recipe for Texas Hash can be found here.

Questions? Contact Terry Horne or Lucy Crain.

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.

The final opportunity to engage in our Summer Racial Justice Series, “See. Grow. Act.” will be a tour of The Brooklyn Collective next Sunday, August 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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.

Next Sunday, 8/29 is Promotion Sunday, a day for children to visit their new Sunday School classes for the 2021-22 school year. Preschool through Kindergarten rooms are located on the first floor and grades 1-5 are located on the second floor of the Education Wing. Parents, please sign your child(ren) in at the classroom door and answer a few quick health questions. Drop-off and pick-up must be done by parents (not siblings).

Reminder:Masks are required for anyone inside our buildings who is over the age of 5.

Join Covenant friends for a three-mile hike along the banks of Lake Wylie at Seven Oaks Preserve (6900 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012) on Saturday, 9/11. This hike offers plenty of shade and opportunities to spot wildlife. 



Learn more and sign up.

Plan to attend our Convocation Sunday program on 9/12 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This year's speaker is Jaime Clark Soles who will present on Knowing and Being Known: Experiencing God Near or Far?

Sept. 12 | 6:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall

Our 2021 Fall Youth Kickoff will feature a friendly and fun Olympics-themed competition - you won't want to miss it! Youth are encouraged to bring friends, parents, siblings and anyone else with a knack for competition.

Youth will also have a chance to hear more about retreats, fellowship and programming for the year ahead.

Questions?

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