Windows on Covenant, April 20, 2016

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Join Us For The Children's Annual Dinner & Musical: BBQ for Ben!

Sunday, April 24, 5:15 p.m. Dinner, 6 p.m. Musical

The Angelus and Chorister's Choirs of Covenant are excited to present their annual children's musical based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. You and your family are invited to join the choirs for BBQ dinner (with mac & cheese, baked beans & slaw) at 5:15 p.m. before the (free) performance at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Dinner: $7 for adults, $5 kids, $25 per family maximum. *Children should arrive at 4:45 p.m. for warm up * If you have any questions please contact our Interim Children's Music Assistant, Ms.Tracie Parker.

Confirmation Sunday, April 24, 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary

QUEST Celebration Brunch 9:30 a.m. in the Rec Wing - Gym

All QUESTers, their families, and QUEST mentors are invited to a special celebration brunch in the gym at 9:30 a.m. prior to the confirmation service in the Sanctuary. Volunteers are needed to help set up Saturday, April 23, from 2 - 3:30 p.m. for the Sunday service. If you are able to help, please contact Chaz Snider (704-804-7569).

Interested in Joining Covenant?

This Sunday, 12 p.m., Fellowship Hall Library

In addition to our regularly scheduled weekly meeting to accept new members at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor of the Sanctuary building, you can also join on the 4th Sunday of each month (this Sunday) at 12 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Library.

A Very Good Friday with The Park Church

Many of us are still talking about our wonderful worship experience on Good Friday at The Park Church. We are pleased to share that $8,000 was collected to aid Bishop Warda and the St. Joseph's Church in purchasing medical supplies for refugee families. Thank you to all who participated in the community service together and for your generous offerings. We look forward to our congregations connecting again through The Park Church 5K Run/Walk Against Domestic Violence on May 21 and Covenant's Beach Bash on Sunday, May 22.

Open Table @ Covenant - Wednesday Evenings through April 27

Dinner: 5:30-7 p.m., Programs 6:30 p.m.

"Rekindling Intimacy, Deepening Connection, Growing Together: A Practical Course for Couples" with Wendy Balconi & Allan Bacon in the Parlor
Learn how to cultivate deeper intimacy, how to dissolve unhelpful communication patterns, how to handle pressures from life transitions, and how to envision a future together that honors each of your dreams.

"A Spiritual Practice: The Role of Dreams in Our Lives" with Sandra Boozer in FH203

The role of dreams, their unique language and what our own dreams might be telling us. We will include an exploration of dreams in the Bible, often as a means of God's guidance.

"Prayer in Our Sacred Pastimes" with Claire Tomkinson in FH205

Discover how God speaks through your daily enjoyment and habits by exploring the sacred voice in art, music, writing, exercising and cooking/eating. Learn how to open your heart to the Spirit within our daily pastimes and delight in God's divine encounters.

View full program details here.

Tonight's Menu: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad Bar. Desserts: Cupcakes, Ice Cream & Fruit

Youth Small Groups: Youth Meet at 6:30 p.m. in EW301 and Creative Catechism begins at 6:30 p.m. in EW218.

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). You can make standing or one-time reservations here or contact Michelle Williamson to let us know you'll be coming.

Join Us for First Sunday Talks with Suzanne Henderson
"Christ and Community: The Gospel Witness to Jesus"

Sunday, May 1, 9:30 a.m. in FH203

What if being a "Christian" is less about what you believe about Jesus and more about taking your place in the movement he started two thousand years ago? Join us for a lively conversation exploring the gospel stories as narrative mission statements for Jesus' followers in every age. By understanding what it means to call Jesus the "Christ," and by paying close attention to the gospels themselves, we just might be inspired to live more fully into this uplifting call to messianic community today. Suzanne Watts Henderson is the author of Christ and Community: The Gospel Witness to Jesus, which you can find on Amazon in Kindle or paperback formats.

Men's Fellowship Breakfast with Neal Emmons

Tuesday, April 26, 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

Our speaker for next Tuesday's breakfast will be Neal Emmons. Neal is the executive director and founder of Project One Scholarship Fund. Project One provides mentoring and tuition assistance to at-risk young adults to assist them attending and graduating from college. RSVP via email or call the church office.

Taizé Mid-Day Centering Worship Service

Wednesday, April 27, 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. , Chapel

This Taizé model of worship includes sung and spoken prayers, silent reflections on scripture and other writings, and the celebration of Holy Communion. In the often hectic and busy space of the week, this half-hour time of centering offers a welcome respite. Join us for lunch in Fellowship Hall from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

PW Local Mission Grants & Birthday Dinner

Monday, May 2, 6 p.m. RSVP by April 27

Celebrate spring with PW as we honor our 2016 PW local grant recipients.
We'll also be collecting contributions for our annual PW "Birthday Offering."
Arrive at 6 p.m. for punch and socializing. Dinner at 6:30, program starting at 7.
RSVP via email by April 27 or call the church office. Cost: $8

Women's Fellowship Breakfast with Millie Snyder

Tuesday, May 10, 7-8 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Join us with Millie Snyder, Executive Pastor, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, for "The Rhythms of Rest: Embracing God's Gift of Time." RSVP via email or call the church office. Cost: $5

Weekly Lunch and Fellowship at Covenant

Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Enjoy lunch and fellowship with friends or colleagues. We offer a
nutritious and delicious lunch in our Fellowship Hall, open to all. Lunch includes soup, salad bar, entree, dessert and drink for $7. Visit "Lunch & Dinner Menus" at the bottom of the Covenant web site for the latest updates or subscribe to our weekly menu email.

Hike Crowder's with Covenant!

Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.

Join Covenant friends and family on Saturday, May 7. We will carpool from Covenant at 10 a.m. After the hike to the top of the mountain, we will have a picnic lunch. Bring enough to share. If meeting at the park, call James Huffman Saturday morning (803-743-6157) for picnic location.

Red Cross Blood Drive - Help Save 3 Lives!

Sunday, May 8, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Rec Wing

Covenant's Health and Wellness Committee invites you to donate on May 8. Every unit we collect can help save up to three lives. Each donation recipient could be an accident or trauma victim, cancer patient, a mother giving birth, a premature baby or transplant recipient. And, donor impact goes beyond that patient - it is multiplied by the impact it has on that person's thankful loved ones. Contact Mary Mattiacci (704-804-7561) to sign up. We look forward to your participation and seeing you there!

New Body Back Workout Program for Moms of Any Age

Tues/Thurs 6 a.m.-7a.m. & Mon/Wed 7 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Rec Wing

Body Back is a results-based workout program for moms of any age. It offers high intensity, interval workouts along with before and after fitness assessments, meal & food coaching and support so that you will see weight loss, increased strength and energy. View details on the Rec web page.

Massage Therapy at Covenant

Mondays and Tuesdays, Education Wing 218

Services include relaxation massage, deep tissue massage and joint mobilization. Contact Debra Toth (704-236-4402) to schedule. $80/hour, $110/90mins, ($225 for 3 one-hour massage packages available).

Spring Foundations Workshop, April 29-May1

The next Foundations in Christ Workshop will be held on April 29-May 1. (Fri. 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at ICSM's new location, 7615 Colony Road, in Charlotte. This interactive two-weekend workshop is a safe space to explore core issues of faith and daily life with God. Could the Holy Spirit be calling you to this Foundations? Space is limited, so reserve your spot. To learn more or register, visit ICSM's website, or contact Rev. Sarah Kromer or Melissa Harding (704-554-2490).

TLC Trip to Catawba Cultural Center and Gift Shop

Wednesday, May 18, 9 a.m. RSVP by May 11

Join Travel, Learn, Connect as we head to Rock Hill to explore the Catawba Cultural Center and learn more about the Catawba Indian Nation. Buses depart from the Covenant parking lot at 9 a.m. Our program will include history, pottery demonstration, drumming and dancing. The gift shop will be open and features crafts from native artisans. We will lunch on our return and arrive back around 2:30 p.m. Your check for $9.00 (made out to Covenant Presbyterian Church) reserves your spot and is due to Mary Mattiacci by May 11. Drop it off at the parish nurse office in the education building or mail to the church office.

Vacation Bible School Registration is Open

VBS at Covenant, Aug. 8-12, 9 a.m. to Noon

Vacation Bible Study "Animal Crackers" will be held at Covenant Aug. 8-12, from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 3 (as of 8/31/2015) though 5th grade. Register online here or you can pick up a registration form in the Education Wing office. Cost: $25 for members. "Animal Crackers" is a Heifer Project International global education curriculum for rising 4's (preschool) through 5th grade.

Activity leaders and class shepherds are needed! Contact Anne Lowrance to volunteer or for more information.

Volunteers Needed For Children's and Youth Ministries

Sundays and Wednesdays

Our children's and youth ministries rely on a team of volunteers to make everything run smoothly each week. In the coming month, we need hall greeters on each floor, shepherds to assist teachers, and Crib and Toddler room assistants to help our babysitter staff. You can sign up for the date and activity of your choice using VolunteerSpot.com.

Servers Needed for The Men's Shelter

Tuesday, May 31, Statesville Ave.

Serving 400 men who are experiencing homelessness every night, the Men's Shelter of Charlotte is a vital part of the fabric of our city. There are simple ways to aid our neighbors whom we may not often encounter: Serving dinner at the Statesville Ave. shelter every first Monday, and every 5th Tuesday (May 31). You can also make Texas Hash for our group to take to the Tryon St. location. It is easy and fun to make with family or friends, and can be made any time and placed in the Local Outreach freezer at Covenant. Recipes can be found on our website.

Part Time Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Job Opening

Recreation/Education Wing

The Rec Assistant will perform all necessary front-office duties which include greeting and providing announcements to all guests in the Recreation and Education Wings, maintenance of office equipment and supplies, serving as contact for equipment and supply vendors, processing of all Rec Center use requests, assistance in training and scheduling of volunteers, coordination of affiliate membership and assisting with payroll, payables, and accounting. For a full job description, visit the website. Apply to jobs@covenantpresby.org.

Part Time Children's Ministry Assistant Job Opening

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 and available to work 20 hours per week. For a full job description, visit the website. Apply to Anne Lowrance.