REMINDER!

Worship is at 9:30 on Sunday, September 1

Worship is at 9:00 and 11:00 on Sunday, September 8

How much time do you spend with your friends?

I’ve seen this study pop up a few times on social media recently, reminding of the sad reality that most of us are spending less time with friends and many of us have fewer friends than we would like. And note: these statistics go through 2020, before the full impact of Covid.

Given these alarming facts, I’m glad to be part of a church community where we value human connection, which is vital for our health and well-being.

I love seeing people greet each other and chat together on Sunday mornings and through the week. I’m thrilled to see people reaching out to visitors and inviting newer folks into their circles. I’ve sensed that our Passing the Peace in worship is getting more energetic in recent months, with handshakes, hugs, and laughter.

Such connecting is great, but it takes effort.

Most of us would rather have chips than a salad, and we’d rather stay on the couch than go to the gym or go for a walk, but deep down we know good nutrition and physical exercise help to stay healthy.

Increasingly, we’d rather stay home and watch TV or play on our phones than interact with people. The lure of our screens and the isolation of Covid have led to the atrophyng of our social muscles. Fall is a good time to get back in social shape, to reconnect with neighbors, old friends, and church folks.

We have several CONNECT events coming up this fall:

• "First Wednesdays" Potluck: Wed, Sept 4 at noon (and most 1st Wednesdays/mo).
• Spiritual Stroll: Sun, Sept 22 at 2pm (and most 4th Sundays/mo).
• UW Men’s Soccer Tailgate & Game: Fri, Oct 4.

And we have small groups forming in mid September, for six weeks of getting acquainted and meaningful conversations about faith and life. Sign up opportunities soon.

Plus, we have a big 70th anniversary celebration concert on Sunday, September 8 at 2:00pm.

To get the fall season off to a good start, I encourage you to connect with a church event, and maybe invite someone to join you. Put something on your calendar right now. We are on this journey together. 

Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have

loved you. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father."

John 15:12-15

Jesus told the disciples they were his friends, and commanded them to love one another. He called the first disciples in pairs, and those disciples formed a community together, which became the church. We need each other to be Christians; we need each other to be healthy and fully alive.



On the journey together,

Charlie

PS--On Thursday late afternoon, I spent four hours with Officer Daniel Parent on a Madison Police Dept "ride-along." I think it's important for us to get to know our neighborhood, since we are in the "love your neighbor" business. We spent the vast majority of the time driving around, as it was an unusally quiet afternoon. Click on photo below to see more pix.

The only call was to talk with a woman with four children who was asking for money at a dangerous intersection. We also stopped for a police-organized neighborhood gathering and a tour of the Midtown station (on Mineral Point Road, not far from church), which used to be a church and kept some stained glass windows.

While we certainly need to deal with abusive police officers and institutional racism, I remain overwhelmingly grateful for the Madison police department and for people faithfully serving public safety. For Madison people, the midtown district is bordered approximately by Gammon Rd., University Avenue, Park Street, and the beltline.

OFFICE CLOSED on LABOR DAY

The Covenant Office will be closed Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day.

• In-Person and Livestream worship: 9:30AM
• Holy Communion
• Sermon: "Canoes, Tradition, and the Spirit"
• Preaching: Charlie Berthoud
• Text: Mark 7:1-9 (read by Katherine Moore)
• Music: Doug McNeel, organist; Melissa Hinz, vocalist
• Children's Time with Marge Resan
• NO Kaleidoscope Kids
• Nursery Care: 9:15-11:15AM
• Bradfield Cafe:10:30AM
• Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!

If you missed a service or would like to watch a service again, all livestreamed services are saved to our YouTube channel. Or you can give the sermons another listen on our sermon podcast!

• We return to TWO SERVICES at 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• Sunday School begins weekly! 10:00-10:50AM
• Kaleidoscope Kids is offered during 9AM worship only
• Nursery hours return to 8:45AM-12:15PM
• Bradfield Café returns to 10:00AM

We are beginning preparation for our congregation-wide devotional on the book of Luke in January and February. Each person submitting a devotion will be asked to also include a short prayer at the end, and a title. Sign up below! Contact Pastor Jess if you have any questions or need guidance. Thank you!

New this week:

Gary Schuster, brother of Tom Schuster

This week's white rose commemorates the life of:

Gordon Shoeman, brother-in-law of Judy Von Bergen and uncle of Nick Von Bergen, Jacqueline Whitley, and Kate Donnelly.

Loving God, in your mercy, hear our prayers for each of these your children. We pray for healing, for courage, and for peace, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Bradfield Café Volunteer

Greeter & Welcome Center Volunteer

Covenant's Racist Anonymous Fellowship will continue its 12-step study on Thursday, September 5 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Anyone is welcome at any time! Contact Jennifer Morgan to receive the weekly emails and Zoom link.

Fall Kick-Off is around the corner! On this special Sunday, here's what you have to look forward to:

• Sunday School year begins: 10:00-10:50AM weekly
• Annual Ministry Fair: 10:00AM in Bradfield Hall
• Return to regular worship schedule: 9:00AM & 11:00AM services
• 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert: 2:00PM

We are looking for volunteers to bake cookies or bars for the reception following the 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert! If you would like to volunteer, please sign up on the bulletin outside of the lounge.

Join us in voting this election season! For KINDNESS, COMPASSION, and JUSTICE. Vote for GENEROSITY, SHARING, RESPECT, and LOVE. These are our campaign slogans for our seven-week Kindness Campaign series which begins Sunday, September 15. As God’s people, we are called to love our neighbors, and to be transformed into new people. Jesus calls his followers to repent and follow, to turn around and go in new directions, to change and live with new purpose. Join us and churches around the nation this Fall for the Kindness Campaign!

Interested in connecting with others and having engaging conversation on a topic that matters? Sign up to join a small group for our upcoming 7-week series to follow along with our Do Unto Others Kindness Campaign.

Bring a dish to share and your own plates, cups, and utensils. Soul Sisters is a group of women who gather once a month for fellowship, interesting discussions and Bible study, always in loving support of each other. We meet monthly from September-May (time tbd). Outings are also a possibility! For more info, please contact Barb Eikenberry. Hope you can join!