Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015
OPEN TABLE @ COVENANT
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Each Wednesday, Open Table @ Covenant will offer opportunities for food, faith and fellowship. Food service, including a 12-item salad bar with varying hot bars, will be provided from 5:30-7 p.m. and most programs will begin at 6:30 p.m. for children  and adults.  Come to eat and stay to socialize and learn. Costs are $5 for children, $7 for adults with a family maximum of $25. You can make standing or one-time reservations here  or contact Debbie Tyson to let us know you'll be coming.
RACE (STILL) MATTERS  
Five-Week Educational Series  
Begins Tonight, 6:30 p.m., FH207  

Covenant continues 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. 28: Race Still Matters ... in law enforcement
Major Bruce Bellamy oversees the Community Engagement Bureau for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Major Bellamy will help us understand how the CMPD trains officers to address issues of racial bias, how the department is responding to heightened social concerns around race, law enforcement and the militarization of policing, and how CMPD partners with other organizations and departments to address public safety concerns best addressed by alternatives to the criminal justice system.

Nov. 11: Race Still Matters ... in voting and elections 
Nov. 18: Race Still Matters ... in the church and theology 

Visit our website to learn more about the series.
INQUIRY SERIES: DREAMS
Led by Sandra Boozer
Tonight, 6:30 p.m., FH203

Each week the Inquiry Series will discuss a different topic of faith and spirituality. Tonight, join Sandra Boozer as she leads a discussion about dreams where she'll explore the concept of Biblical dreams and their unique language. Also, she'll discuss what may our dreams be telling us. Visit our website to learn more on this fall's Inquiry Series.
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 
Stewardship 2016 - Walk With Us
Stewardship 2016 - Walk With Us
WALK WITH US
Commitment Sunday  
Sunday, Nov. 15

Our 2015 stewardship campaign has begun. Please consider a pledge to contribute to Covenant's ministry in 2016 both monetarily and with your time and talents. You can make an electronic pledge or give here and complete this year's time and talents form online. 

COVENANT IMPACTS CHARLOTTE
View Projects and Sign Up Today 
Sunday, Nov. 15

Be part of this exciting and inspirational day of service. On Sunday, Nov. 15 we will worship together in one service at 10:30 a.m. and enjoy lunch as a church family. Then we will head out into the community to support over 30 of Covenant's non-profit partners by completing over 40 projects on this one day. It's a wonderful way to enjoy fellowship and learn more about the ministries Covenant supports throughout the city. Please choose your preferred projects and sign up using VolunteerSpot. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Evan Amo.  
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Donate To Save Lives 
Sunday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 
Your Health & Wellness Committee and the American Red Cross will hold a Blood Drive on Sunday, Nov. 8 in the Recreation Wing, Gym.  We met our goal of 30 pints at our last drive in August and it was a wonderful day. Thanks so much to each of you who took the time to donate. Patients are waiting on our lifesaving blood donations. Please make an appointment by contacting Mary Mattiacci.

ADVENT WORSHIP ARTS RETREAT   
Explore Visual Arts and Creativity in Worship       
Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7      

Come to Fellowship Hall and explore possibilities for visual art and creativity in worship as we prepare to welcome the Christ child during the season of Advent. Participants will delve into the themes and scriptures
of Advent to create art and installations for worship. Sessions will be highly interactive and team-oriented. All are welcome (ages 10 and up preferred), especially those proclaiming to have no "artistic" abilities. Come for as long as you are able, even if you cannot attend both sessions. Join guest worship artist Lisle Gwynn Garrity, a recent graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, who uses visual art to help churches explore and express faith. Learn more about her work at www.sanctifiedart.com. For more information, please contact Daniel Heath. 
TRAVEL, LEARN, CONNECT 
Stained Glass Windows and Sanctuary Carvings      
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.       

Reverend Earle Roberts will teach us some of the meaning behind the stained glass windows and wood carvings in the Covenant Sanctuary. No reservations are needed and all are welcome.
SOUTH CAROLINA FLOOD DISASTER RELIEF
Join Group Traveling to South Carolina 
Friday, Nov. 20 - Sunday, Nov. 22, Sumter, S.C.

Covenant is partnering with Sumter United Ministries and Crisis Cleanup Clearinghouse, a resource we were refereed to by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, in a work trip to assist with aid for those affected by last month's floods. A group will be leaving Covenant Friday afternoon and will return late Sunday, putting in a full day's work on Saturday and a half day on Sunday. If you are interested in joining this work team, please visit our website for more information or contact Steve Helms or Carla Leaf


Cleaning Supplies Needed
Bring Donations to Covenant 

In response to the recent flooding in South Carolina, Presbyterian Women is partnering with Mission and Outreach to collect cleaning supplies (mops, brooms, bleach, hand-sanitizer, etc.). Donations may be brought to the Recreation Wing or Carla Leaf's office. We are also working with two PC(USA) churches in South Carolina to explore the possibility of sending work teams. If you are interested in more information, please contact Carla Leaf.  
MOORE PLACE THANKSGIVING DINNER
Food Preparations, Servers Needed 
Thursday, Nov. 24
 
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Covenant will be serving a Thanksgiving Dinner to residents at Moore Place. Please sign up now to help prepare food in advance or serve dinner on Nov. 24. Please visit our website for more information or sign up now to help make this Thanksgiving special for the residents at Moore Place. 
CARDS AND CALENDARS
For Hope Haven and Crisis Assistance Ministry 
Donate through January 2016

Join us once again in collecting new calendars (2016) and greeting cards to distribute to Hope Haven residents and Crisis Assistance Ministry clients. Last year Covenant collected and delivered nearly 400 calendars and hundreds of cards. Please bring these items to the Recreation Wing.
 
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 our 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 VolunteerSpot or contact Debbie Tyson for more information.
VETERAN'S DAY SERVICE PROJECT 
Sort Food at Loaves & Fishes
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1-3 p.m.

Covenant Kids elementary-aged children are invited to sort food at Loaves & Fishes on Veteran's Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (a school holiday) from 1-3 p.m. If we have a large response, we will also have a group going from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  Numbers are limited, so please email Sally Harriss ([email protected]) if you would like to participate.

For more ways to involve your children in service projects this November, please visit our website.

CHRISTMAS WREATH SALE
Support Early Childhood Education 
Place orders by Sunday, Nov. 15

The Early Childhood Education Committee of Covenant Presbyterian Church is once again selling Fraser Fir wreaths to support our children's programs. The wreaths are freshly made by Stone Mountain Farms in Vilas, N.C.
*32" door wreaths are $20 each   
*12" Advent Wreaths are $15 each (price includes wreath, ring and candles)

Prepaid orders will be taken through Sunday, Nov. 15. You may place your wreath order online or pick up a form in the Education Wing.


Wreaths will be available for pickup on:

*Sunday, Nov. 29, 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
*
Monday, Nov. 30, 9-9:30 a.m.
*
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6-6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Rebecca Nesbitt at [email protected] or 704-609-5535.
SISTERS IN SPIRIT FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST
Guest Speaker: Cristina Wilson 
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7-8 a.m.   
 
This month we will hear from new Covenant member Cristina Wilson, creator of The Morning Stir, a daily podcast to help people ease into their day with messages that inspire, motivate, and calm. As Cristina says, in easy to digest 10-15 minute segments, you can energize your morning during your daily commute, while you get ready or while enjoying those precious sips of coffee.  She even has a podcast on finding Covenant and how she loves the 11 a.m. Contemporary service.

Breakfast is $5. Reservations are not required, but are helpful. If you would like to attend, please contact Michelle Williamson.
 
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S RETREAT
Jan. 22-24, 2016, Pinehurst, N.C. 
Register by Dec. 18  
 
Enjoy two nights with meals and other amenities and listen to guest speaker Sharol Haynor who will explore what it means to be "Living Faithfully in Today's World." Cost is $250 for double occupancy or $400 for single. Please contact Martha Isaacs if you would like more information. You may register online here.
 
JOB OPENING
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
Contemporary: 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary & 11 a.m. Fellowship Hall
Traditional: 9:30 a.m. Chapel & 11 a.m. Sanctuary 
weekly podcasts
mind, spirit, body
memorials, celebrations
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