We have two kids in college and the older one is studying in Madrid this semester. Chris and I were lucky enough to visit him recently; it was great to see that he is doing well, to meet some of his friends, and to have him show us around the city. |
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After a few days in Madrid, Chris and I went to Valencia and Barcelona. We enjoyed bike tours, great food (especially the artichoke tapas and seafood paella), bustling markets, majestic cathedrals, historic museums, and more. We dipped our toes in the Mediterranean.
Click on the photo of us in the market if you want to see more photos. (If you ask me in person, "how was your trip?" be warned, as I might talk for an hour.) It was a fantastic trip.
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On the plane ride home, I was reading recent issues of “The Christian Century”—one of my favorite magazines. Editor Peter Marty had a fascinating reflection on racism which ended surprisingly by quoting from a conversation between Marty and travel expert Rick Steves. |
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“Travel is a way to broaden perspective,” said Steves cheerfully. “It puts us in solidarity with people whom we otherwise wouldn’t appreciate. It makes us more tolerant. It challenges our ethnocentricity. It inspires us to celebrate diversity.”
Digging deeper into the crisis of people scared by diversity, he continued: “Fear, to me, is for people who don’t get out very much. If you take the most frightened people we know in our communities, I bet they’re the people who travel the least. They’re not interested in enlarging their understanding of others. They don’t know what it means to be surrounded by other people who look and think differently.” Then, with deep seriousness, he added, “Travel is fatal to bigotry, prejudice, and narrowmindedness. It’s not for wimps.”
--Rick Steves, in conversation with Peter Marty
"The Christian Century," January 12, 2022
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If you get to travel this summer, I encourage you to learn about your destination—the history, the culture, the daily life for the people. Ask questions and be open to learning.
I fully realize how privileged I am to be able to take a trip to Spain. Lots of people cannot travel for health or financial or whatever reasons.
But we all can have a sense of curiosity and openness and exploration about the world. We can learn about people and culture and history by what we watch and what we read.
It’s a big wonderful world out there.
Enlarging our worldview helps us to do what Jesus commanded: love our neighbors.
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Now the Lord said to Abram [and Sarai], “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."
--Genesis 12:1-2
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God called Abraham and Sarah to enlarge their worldview, to go to new places, to meet new people, and to make a difference, to be a blessing. Us too--across the world, across the street, across the dinner table. Happy travels!
On the journey together,
Charlie Berthoud, Pastor
PS--This Sunday is Pastor Clara Thompson's last Sunday with us. I'm very grateful for her presence in our time of transition. Thank you Clara! We aren't saying goodbye, as I've already got her lined up to offer a sermon in September!
PS#2--In case you missed it, we had two baptisms last Sunday! Thanks be to God.
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Charlie Berthoud preaching- "Real Love" (John 13:31-35)
- Mission Update from DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services)
- Video update from Betsey & Eric Moe in Guatemala
- Music from Exodus Band (9:00), and Doug McNeel, Melissa Hinz, and the Covenant Chancel Choir (11:00)
- Life In All Its Fullness Easter Sermon Series Week 4
- Children's Time with Nick & Claire Von Bergen
- Kaleidoscope Kids during 9:00 service
- In-Person and Livestream worship at 9:00 & 11:00am
- Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!
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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!
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Join us on Sunday at 10:00am in person (Bradfield Hall) or on Zoom for an informative class about DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services). Executive Director Shannon Barry will share with us the great mission work of DAIS.
Note: Sunday, May 22nd will be our final Adult Ed class until the Fall.
For more info on Adult Education at Covenant, visit covenantmadison.org/adult. There, you can watch past classes, or access class resources.
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"We are not to roll over and let the world pass us by as we drink our iced coffees and say, 'what a darn shame'. We are called to look at the world and say [...] 'is there a table I should be flipping?'."
Take a few minutes to muse along with Jo about improv, drawing lines, flipping tables, and more. Click on image above.
Midweek Musings is a weekly Covenant blog with a variety of authors and spiritual topics. Feel free to leave a comment as you are moved. We are excited to be reviving this blog, and hope that it blesses you this week and the weeks to come.
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Heifer Celebration
Our Heifer Celebration was a great success! Children and families gathered in Bradfield Hall on May 1st, we had snacks, we played games, we learned fun facts about animals, and collected $2,932.97 to support Heifer International in the process. Thanks to all that donated their time and money to support this fantastic organization! Click on the image above for more pics.
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Special Offering Updates
Some more donations trickled in for our recent special offerings. One Great Hour of Sharing is an annual offering through the PC(USA) to aid families in need globally. Our grand total to date for this offering is $2,968.39. And Presbyterian Disaster Assistance took on an offering to support the people of Ukraine. To date, our grand total for this offering is $28,699.01. Thank you again for your generosity!
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Come along for the another stroll around the Madison area! Join family and friends from the church for meaningful movement at Military Ridge Trail (2585 Old PB Road, Verona).
Spiritual Strolls are hosted by CONNECT, a program of events sponsored by the deacons of Covenant Presbyterian Church with the intention of fostering connection within the congregation and community.
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The VBS theme this year is Playing with Parables, where kids ages 3 years old to 5th grade can learn the stories of the Bible in a new and exciting way! We will be joining alongside Bethany United Methodist Church this year. REGISTER HERE or pick up a paper registration form outside of Jo Wiersema’s office. It will be $5 per child, or $10 for families. Friends of Covenant are welcome. Click on the image above for more information. If you have an interest in volunteering or questions about Vacation Bible School, please contact Jo Wiersema.
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Our next RAF Book Study begins June 2 at 7:00 via zoom, and runs for six weeks. We will study Dr. Martin Luther King’s last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” To subscribe to the email list, contact Jennifer Morgan, so you can get the zoom link! In this prophetic work, which was unavailable for more than 10 years, Dr. King lays out his thoughts, plans, and dreams for America’s future, including the need for better jobs, higher wages, decent housing, and quality education.
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