Hello, Bailey-

I was delighted to see a new tree and new plants at Covenant this week. Thank you volunteers and Building and Grounds Committee! Click on the photo to see more (including a few bee photos).

As I look forward to the growth happening outside our building, I look forward to the growth happening within. My hope is that we all continue learning and growing as Christians and as humans every week.

Next week, in the spirit of learning and growing, seven of us will be at the Leadership Institute in Kansas City, at the Church of the Resurrection. We’ll have three days of workshops, worship, speakers, and more, plus time together on the drive and at our Airbnb, to discuss, ponder, and dream.

The conference looks great. Click on the logo to learn more.

Among the many good options, I’m signed up for these breakout sessions:

• 7 Ways to Increase Engagement in BOTH/AND (Hybrid) Worship
• Cultivating a Culture of Care
• A Strategic Approach to Children and Family Ministry
• Small Group: Purpose, Belonging, Growth

And I signed up for these two featured sessions:

• How to Live at a Sustainable Pace
• Vision Execution

Other participants are Megan Berry, Derek Handley, Melissa Hinz, Laurie Jones, and Pete & Jane Kolakowski. Feel free to ask them about their sessions!

I’ve been to several previous LI events by myself, and they have all been wonderful. In the years before Covid, we had two years of small Covenant groups attending LI, so I’m glad we can resume that. Please pray for us and for our church.

Over the next week, I invite you to consider being intentional about learning more or trying something new.

Two weeks ago, I preached on INTELLIGENCE, encouraging learning. Last week, Megan preached on IMAGINATION, encouraging us to learn something new.

Maybe try a new TV show or podcast. Maybe walk in a new place. Maybe try a new food. Maybe open your Bible and read the Sermon on the Mount.

Maybe get a copy of What Kind of Christianity? by WIlliam Yoo, who will be preaching and teaching at Covenant on Sunday October 1. Click on the book image to read a free sample of the first chapter. Hardcopies of the book available at church for $5.

Jesus is our teacher, and he calls us to follow into new life. Let’s keep learning and growing!

On the journey together,

Charlie

• In-Person and Livestream worship - 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• Building Blocks Sermon Series - LOVE
• Preaching: Charlie Berthoud | Sermon: "Tattoos and the Most Important Word in the Bible" | Text: 1 John 3:1 and Exodus 34:6-7
• Music 9AM: Jeffrey Phoumyvong, guest pianist
• Music 11AM: Doug McNeel, organist; Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz, leading)
• Children's Time with Marge Resan
• Bradfield Café: 10:00-10:45AM
• 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!

Join us on Sunday at 10:00AM for one of two classes: 

Join us as we take a closer look at how Presbyterians interpret and use the Bible. This week's class will be led by Covenant member John Strikwerda. This class meets in Bradfield Hall and is available on Zoom.

Join us for a chance to dig deeper into the scripture for the week. This class meets in the Library and is not available on Zoom.

All Adult Education classes meet in person and are available via Zoom.

Visit covenantmadison.org/adult for more info.

Women of Covenant - you are invited to the Soul Sisters Kick-Off Potluck! 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 will meet for our kick-off potluck this Sunday in Bradfield Hall at 12:15pm. Bring a dish to share!

Join us for our September Spiritual Stroll at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. These strolls are part of CONNECT, a program of deacon-sponsored events with the intention of fostering connection between Covenant and the community. We visit a different park/green space every month.

We invite you to join a small group for six weeks this Fall! Groups of 6-12 people will meet at church, at Oakwood, and via Zoom, focusing on topics like: food, travel, family, hobbies, and more. Each group will meet for 60-90 minutes and will include some biblical reflection and time to share joys and concerns in prayer. No reading or preparation required between meetings.

Click below to sign up for a group online or sign up on a clipboard in the narthex on Sunday!

Our search is officially on for a second Associate Pastor to join this wonderful Covenant staff! CLICK HERE for more information on this position and please share far and wide!

Sunday morning opportunities

We are in need of some help on Sunday mornings!

Bradfield Café Volunteer:

Click HERE to sign up!



Greeter & Welcome Center Volunteer:

Click HERE to sign up!

New this week: Kathy Armfield, mother of Mandy Bocanegra; Elizabeth Barr & family, sister of Mary Zoroufy.

This week's white rose commemorates the life of Jimmy Gilbertson, brother of Covenant friend Lois Corwin.

This week's red roses celebrate the births of Eleanor Mundy Manansala, great-granddaughter of Basil and Alicia Mundy; Clark Conrad Tilden, son of Anna and Hannah Tilden and grandson of Betsy Saar.

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.



(Click on the image header for full prayer list on Worship HQ.)

On World Communion Sunday, Dr. William Yoo will preach and teach the Adult Education class for the day - “A History of the Gospel Paradox in American Christianity: When the Pursuit of Racial Justice Requires Confrontation.” Dr. Yoo is also the author of the book What Kind of Christianity: A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church and on faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary. Click HERE for more info!

Join us at the Badger Men's Soccer game on Friday, October 6! Admission is FREE. We will meet at 5:30pm for a tailgate, and the game starts at 7:00pm. Hope to see you there!

NAMIWalks Dane County is a day of support, connection, inspiration, celebration and hope, to raise awareness and funds for mental health. It will be on October 7 from 10:30am-2:30pm at Olin-Turville Park. This year, Jane and Gary Bertram lead a team from Covenant and are available in the gathering space Sundays September 24, and October 1 with info on the event and how to sign up or support the Covenant team. For more info or to sign up, click HERE!