Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016
Congregational Meeting 
Sunday, Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary
The Session has called a meeting of the Covenant Congregation and Corporation for Sunday, Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary for the following purposes: 1) presentation of the 2016 budget adopted by the Session; and 2) vote of proposed changes in the terms of call for the installed pastors.  
Learn More About Covenant and Our Mission
Sunday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m., Parlor
If you're seeking more information about Covenant and would like to take part in the life of faith here, you are invited to join us at Starting Point for an informal dinner with Senior Minister Bob Henderson. Please come and invite a friend to this relaxed time of fellowship and an opportunity to learn more about our congregation. For more information, please contact Lora Borrelli (704-804-7562).

Note: Starting Point was previously scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24, but has been rescheduled for Sunday, Jan. 31.
Help Covenant Youth Tackle Hunger
Through Sunday, Feb. 7, EW312 
As the Carolina Panthers advance to the Super Bowl to take on the Denver Broncos, our Covenant youth are participating with youth around Charlotte and the nation in the Souper Bowl of Caring to tackle hunger. Charlotte youth have challenged Denver youth to a food drive to determine who can donate more for those in need. View the promo video. High school youth will bring their canned food donations to their Super Bowl party and Middle School Youth will bring items to Sunday school on February 7. Want to be part of the team? On Sunday, Feb. 7, youth will be huddled in the Circle collecting money (cash or checks) and canned goods or you may drop off canned goods in the Rec Wing lobby before. Can't do either? Please consider an on-line contribution here. Donations benefit Urban Ministry Center and Loaves and Fishes. Contact Chaz Snider for more information.
 
Ash Wednesday Services  
Feb. 10, Noon, Chapel and 7 p.m., Sanctuary 
Ash Wednesday services with imposition of ashes will be offered on Wednesday at noon in the Morrison Chapel and at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Dinner will be served in Fellowship Hall from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Open Table @ Covenant - Wednesday Evenings 
Dinner: 5:30-7 p.m., Programs: 6:30 p.m. 

Join us tonight and each Wednesday for Open Table @ Covenant for food, faith and fellowship. Dine anytime between 5:30-7 p.m. (Adults: $7; Kids: $5; Family maximum: $25). Please contact Debbie Tyson
or Michelle Williamson if you plan to attend.

Tonight's Menu: Baked Potato Bar, Chili, Salad Bar, Cookies, Ice Cream, Fruit Cups

Youth Small Groups: Meet at 6:30 p.m. and Creative Catechism begins at 6:30 p.m. in EW218.

Where Do Christians Come From?  
Wednesdays through Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m., FH203 
This educational program takes a look at Christianity's roots and features speakers who will offer lessons on peace and hope from the Holy Land. Please visit our website for more information.

Jan. 27: This week, join Bob Henderson, Anne White, Ariel Gritter and Amy Capitano as they share what they learned in Israel and Palestine as members of Covenant's "Holy Land Peace-Seekers Exploratory Team." The group's presentation will include information and insights about our mission partners in the region, including Rev. Mitri Raheb and Rev. Kate Taber from Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, and the work they do to keep hope alive for their families and neighbors.

Feb. 3: Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, professor of Bible at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte campus, will present on the distinctions between the biblical Israel and the contemporary nation-state of Israel. Among other things, Sadler will explore the biblical narratives that point to an ancient Israelite claim to a promised land and how to understand them today.   

Body Matters: Resolutions to Health 2016
Jan. 27: Change your Mind to Change your Brain. 6:30 p.m., FH207
Join us for our final evening in this series with therapist, Tricia Fisher, MSW, LCSW. Tricia is a therapist at Presbyterian Psychological Services and a certified teacher of therapeutic yoga. She previously was a Clinical Family Social Worker with Charlotte Family Housing where she developed expertise across a wide range of diagnostic populations, ages, and cultural backgrounds. Tricia will focus on incorporating mindfulness, meditation and neuroscience to improve well-being.  
Sign Up Now for 2016 Mission Trips
Experience the joy of traveling with Covenant friends on a trip in 2016 as we serve our neighbors in Mexico or work with children in Kenya.  Join us on one of these offerings this year as we build community both within our own church and with those who we will work alongside. For more information about any of the trips listed below, please contact Carla Leaf (704-804-7578).

Kenya: April 29-May 7.  Application Deadline: Feb. 1, Cost: $1800
Do you have a love for education and children? We are excited about new energy at the Renguti School, a small rural school outside Nairobi that serves orphaned and vulnerable children. If you would like to help with building repairs, have a love for teaching and education, experience in music and the arts or just a simple love of working with children please consider joining us as we serve the children at Renguti.

Yucatan, Mexico: June 12-18. Application Deadline: Feb. 1, Cost: $760
This summer, we will return to this culturally rich destination to build a roof for members of Sinanche Church near the village of Yobain. While working alongside the children in the village during Bible School, to slinging concrete as we pour and build the roof, these trips forge friendships and community that last decades within our own community.

Reynosa, Mexico: Sept. 25 - Oct. 1. Application Deadline: March 1, Cost: $675, 12 Participants
How do we deepen our faith through service? What does it mean to be called into community? What does it mean to serve our neighbors who live at the border of our own country in abject poverty?  Explore these and other questions as we seek to understand our faith through acts of service. An intentionally different mission trip designed to deepen faith through service, we will prepare ourselves for this trip by the constant asking of the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Partnering with Faith Ministry, we will build a home for two families that will move them from substandard housing into a place of hope.

People In Mission Internship Opportunity
Application Deadline, March 1

Four Covenant college students will be awarded a $3,000 stipend this summer and an opportunity to explore where faith and poverty meet. Interns will work alongside our neighbors in Charlotte who may be homeless, hungry or perhaps even with children who are at-risk. In doing so these individuals will see another side of our city with which we are not so familiar. This 10-week internship that will shape your life and faith begins May 25 and goes through Aug. 4. You will work with church staff Carla Leaf and Evan Amo as we explore our faith, read fantastic books and create a community that will form lasting strong bonds. If you are or know of a college student who might be interested, please contact Carla Leaf or Evan Amo for more information.

Applications can be found on our website as well as notes from last year's interns Morgan Ferone and Abbey Rogers who highlight their experiences.  Phone interviews will be conducted by March 15.
Room In The Inn Hosts Needed Tuesday Nights Through March
Looking for an easy yet meaningful way to serve others with family or friends? Every Tuesday night through March, we will open our doors to welcome 14 neighbors who are experiencing homelessness where they can enjoy a meal and find a restful and renewing space in a night of warmth and shelter on our campus. We need a host group for every week, including: driving a van to pick up our group from Urban Ministry Center Tuesday evening and drop them off early  Wednesday morning, welcoming our neighbors into our space and helping them settle in for the evening, and preparing or bringing dinner to serve and share. We will also need volunteers (two each week) to spend the night and assist with getting our neighbors up and ready to go early on Wednesday morning. Please contact Evan Amo if you are interested.
Cards & Calendars For Hope Haven and Crisis Assistance Ministry 
Donate Through the End of January
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.

Clearing a Path for New Life: Temptation and Transformation Sunday, Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m., FH203
First Sunday Talks on the Christian Life - former Urban Ministry Center program director Paul Hanneman explores the spiritual practice of clearing away the things that haunt, tempt and distract us from deeper connections with God and each other. Rev. Hanneman will explore the biblical text of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, and share insights from contemporary spiritual writers.
Travel, Learn, Connect - Meet John Richardson 
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m., Peek Music Room
Join us as we get to know Covenant Organist and Director of Traditional Music John Richardson. He will perform for us in the Peek Music Room in the Sanctuary Building from 11 a.m. until Noon. He will share his expertise on piano, fiddle and saw.  Yes, a saw, the tool you use to cut wood! John is creative and enthusiastic and a delight to be around. Come meet him and enjoy his varied and unusual talents. Join us for fellowship and snacks at 10:30 a.m.. No reservation needed.
Covenant Advocates for Education
Covenant Advocates for Education is an interest group, affiliated with the Mission & Outreach Ministry, committed to act, with God's grace, to help all children learn,succeed and fulfill their God-given potential.

In response to this call, Covenant Advocates for Education will serve as an informal network of Covenant members and friends who will stay informed about emerging issues and opportunities to support education in our church and within our community.

If you would like to be a part of this interest group, please contact Mary Wood Stallings
Women's Fellowship Breakfast
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 a.m., Fellowship Hall 
Covenant member Cheryl Hoover will speak on the topic of Bless This Food To The Nourishment Of Our Bodies. Cost is $5. Email Michelle.Williamson if you'll be attending.
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 a.m. Fellowship Hall 
Join the men of Covenant for a monthly breakfast filled with fellowship.  Email Michelle.Williamson if you'll be attending.
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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