Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015
HOMEGROWN AND HOMECOOKED 
A Farm to Table Meal  
Tonight
Dinner 5:30 p.m./Program 6:30 p.m. 

Bringing local farm vegetables and farm fresh pork to Open Table, we want  you to come enjoy a delectable gourmet meal prepared by Covenant's kitchen staff in collaboration with Friendship Trays' chefs. Our meal will feature vegetables from our very own campus (thanks to John Dickson) as well as from Friendship Trays' garden. Enjoy savory, light scones from our own Fielding Williams and The Scone Shop. Hear about the local food movement and the benefits of including local food in your diet from Thom Duncan, founder of Slow Food Charlotte and co-founder of Friendship Gardens. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.

Tonight's menu: Butternut squash soup, lasagna (meat, veggie, and gluten-free options available), scones and brownies (gluten-free available). 
KIDS AND YOUTH
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Creative Catechism (elementary students), EW 
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Middle School Guys' Group or Girls' Group
6:30-7:30 p.m. - High School Film and Theology or Girls' Group 
RACE (STILL) MATTERS  
Five-Week Educational Series  
Begins Wednesday, Oct. 21 

Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m., Covenant will host a five-week educational series featuring talks by local, community and regional leaders on why "Race (still) Matters" in their lives and the institutions they lead and influence.


We hope this series will help us better understand local histories of how and why racial groups, disparities and disconnects have formed, as well as how and when racial understanding and cooperation have led toward greater parity; why "Race (still) Matters" in our lives, communities, and the institutions we are part of; and how we can work with others in cross-racial collaboration toward greater dignity, parity and opportunity for people of all racial groups.

Oct. 21: Race Still Matters ... to all of us
Bonita H. Porter, MSW, LCSW, will help us explore our identities as people in particular racial and cultural groups, the origins of our ideas about fairness and equality, and the realities of our implicit biases and relationships with unjust and inequitable systems. Porter will also provide strategies for having honest and fair conversations about race and racism among diverse groups of people.  Brenda Tindal, Staff Historian for the Museum of the New South, will help us understand how we -- as Charlotteans in particular -- have been shaped by racial stories, racially-informed practices, and policies born of institutional racism. Tindal will also share with us stories of when and how Charlotteans have confronted racial divisions and injustices in search of a more just and connected future.

Oct. 28: Race Still Matters ... in our justice system 
Nov. 4: Race Still Matters ... in law enforcement 
Nov. 11: Race Still Matters ... in voting and elections 
Nov. 18: Race Still Matters ... in the church and theology 

Visit the website to learn more about the series.
SEEKING PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND
February 25 - March 5, 2016    
Application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 15      

Explore with others how we are called to understand human justice in a world that struggles with peace. Participants will meet and listen to Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders who work bravely and boldly with those who need a voice in our world. As we travel through the places Christ served, we will witness countless blessings in a land filled with turmoil, as we seek hope and understanding. As we learn about the conflicts in this land, and listen to the stories of its people, we may find it disorienting. Trip participants will be offered classes leading up to the trip so that all may enter the trip with a deeper and common understanding of what we will encounter. The trip will be challenging, spiritually and physically, as we travel to seek and to understand the burdens and joys of people living in the Holy Land.

Trip leaders are Bob Henderson, Jessica Patchett and Carla Leaf. For more information, please visit the website or contact Carla Leaf.
 
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
All-Day Build with Covenant   
Saturday, Oct. 17     

On Saturday, Oct. 17 for Covenant's Second Saturday service project we will be joining Habitat for Humanity Charlotte to work on a home just five miles from Covenant. Our team will be assisting with drywall installation from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and we need 15-20 people. If you and your friends would like to participate, please contact Evan Amo or register online. Youth ages 16 and up are encouraged to participate.  
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN'S, YOUTH MINISTRIES
Sundays and Wednesdays

Our children's and youth ministries rely on a team of volunteers to make everything run smoothly each week. As we look to the coming weeks, we'll need greeters to welcome newcomers, shepherds to accompany teachers with large (fabulous!) classes, and hall assistants to help when we run out of goldfish or need to find another pair of scissors. If you would like to participate in Covenant's children's and youth ministries, please visit the website for more information and learn how you can sign up using VolunteerSpot.

FRONT-DESK FRIENDLY FACES, CASHIERS NEEDED
Sunday Mornings, Weekdays

We are in need of friendly faces on Sunday mornings in the church office to welcome people to the church and provide assistance as needed. We are also in need of lunch cashiers on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  To learn more about either or both of these opportunities, please sign up using Volunteer Spot or contact Debbie Tyson for more information.
PORTRAIT OF A GOSPEL NEIGHBOR ... THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Congregation-Wide Sunday School Class 
Sunday, Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m., FH203 
 
All are invited to attend this congregation-wide Sunday School class this Sunday, taught by Hunter Hoover. The class will be using Brian McLaren's "We Make the Road by Walking." 
EDUCATE A CHILD, TRANSFORM THE WORLD   
Discussion with Mary Lynne Calhoun        
Sunday, Oct. 18, 12:15 p.m., FH207  

Join us for a light lunch and conversation as Mary Lynne Calhoun, retired Dean of the College of Education at UNC Charlotte facilitates a thought-provoking challenge to discern how we are called into action to serve and advocate on behalf of our schools as we ask the question, "How do we, as Covenant Presbyterian, insure that all children receive an equitable conversation and that our teachers are supported in those efforts." 

Please contact Carla Leaf if you plan to attend. 
TLC Explores the Future of Covenant 
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m., EW201 
 
Meet for a discussion with Mary Lynne Calhoun regarding the future of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Our leadership is considering a capital campaign in the future and they are seeking your input. What would you like to see in place here at Covenant? What do you see as the proper focus of attention over the next decade? Come express you thoughts and opinions. Join us for fellowship and snacks at 10:30 a.m. No reservations are needed. 
YOUNG ADULTS: SEE THE CITY  
Hike Crowder's Mountain      
Saturday, Oct. 24       

Join the Young Adults as they "See the City" this month with a hike followed by lunch on top of Crowder's Mountain. Meet in the Covenant parking lot at 9 a.m. to carpool. If you would like to go or would like more information, please contact Jen Christianson. 
MEN'S FELLOWSHIP GROUP SPIRITUAL RETREAT 
Blue Ridge Assembly, Nov. 6-8     
Register by Monday, Oct. 26      

Take this opportunity in November to get to know one another through exploring authentic, personal issues regarding the life and faith issues we deal with on a day to day basis. Cost is $150 for the weekend and 25 spots are available. Please visit the website or contact Grady Moseley for more information.  
MEN'S FELLOWSHIP GROUP BREAKFAST    
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7 a.m.      

 All men are welcome to attend the Men's Fellowship Group's monthly breakfast. Please contact Michelle Williamson if you plan to attend.  
CHILDREN'S CHOIR PERFORMANCES

All children grades K-5th are welcome to come to Sunday rehearsals and participate in four upcoming services. Please read the Parent and Singer Handbook for complete details. Rehearsals are Sundays at 5 p.m. Angelus (K-2nd) will meet in EW207 and Chorister (3rd-5th) will meet in EW320.
  • Sunday, Oct. 18 - 11 a.m. Sanctuary service (view details)
  • Sunday, Nov. 15 - Covenant Impacts Charlotte combined service, 10:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 6 - Lessons and Carols, Time TBD
Please contact John Richardson for more information. Please sign up to assist as a Pew Parent and Robing Helper and/or one of the Angelus and Chorister's Choir Rehearsal Adult Supervisors.  
3RD GRADE BIBLES 
Sunday, Oct. 25

All third grade students will be presented with a Bible on Sunday, Oct. 25 in the 11 a.m. Sanctuary service. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Anne Lowrance
ALL SAINTS DAY
Requiem of Gabriel Faur�
Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.

The seven movements will be melded into the 11 a.m. traditional worship service, and Covenant and the community will remember all the saints who have died this past year. This version of choral and orchestral music -- which includes a string section, organ, harp, timpani, french horns, trumpets, bassoons, choir and baritone soloist -- is edited and arranged by John Rutter.

Join the Covenant Choir on Sunday, Nov. 1 as it sings the sublime melodies of Gabriel Faur�'s Requiem, Op. 48. This musical offering, set in the traditional Latin mass for the dead, contains the traditional forms of the requiem mass and will be sung in the Covenant Sanctuary.
 
JOB OPENINGS
Children's Ministry Assistant (Part-Time) 
Covenant is hiring a part-time assistant to support the children's ministry director in providing a sound, faithful and loving environment for children. The children's ministry assistant should be friendly, courteous and dependable with the ability to work well with staff and volunteers. The assistant will work 10 hours per week. Please view the complete job description and contact Anne Lowrance with application materials.

Audio-Video Team Member (Camera Operator) 
Covenant is in need of someone to operate video cameras for its worship services. The camera operator would support our online community, Sunday morning projections and weddings. If you or someone you know is interested in this position or would like more information, please contact Daniel Heath.

SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES
9:30 a.m. Contemporary (Sanctuary) and Traditional (Chapel); 11 a.m. Traditional (Sanctuary) and Contemporary (Fellowship Hall) 
weekly podcasts
mind, spirit, body
memorials, celebrations
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