CONNECTIONS: Homemade Ice Cream, A New Moderator, and Candidates for Ministry!

Greetings!

A bike ride in Wisconsin farmland, a joyful meeting of Presbytery, a Covenant member taking on a significant role, as well as fajitas and homemade ice cream—all within 24 hours! I had a great time Monday and Tuesday!

On Tuesday morning, about 35 people gathered in person at Vesperman Farms, just outside of Lancaster, Wisconsin for a meeting of John Knox Presbytery —our first in-person meeting in over two years! We also had about 40 screens on Zoom, and we did our best with a blended meeting. The meeting was hosted by FPC Lancaster, led by Pastor Mark Hoehne.

I drove to Lancaster on Monday afternoon, so I could do three things I enjoy: ride my bike in a new place, take some pix, and eat at a Mexican restaurant. I went three for three, even with lots of wind on the bike ride. Plus I had time to write in my journal.

The Lancaster courthouse building is spectacular. And I was blessed to have fajitas with some Presbyterian colleagues, including our beloved Stated Clerk, Alyson Janke.

At the meeting on Tuesday, our own Laurie Jones was installed as Moderator of the Presbytery for 2022. Initially Laurie was scheduled to be Vice Moderator this year, but after the sudden and unexpected death of the 2022 Moderator, Laurie stepped into this role. We unanimously approved Teaching Elder Loren Schellenberger from Dubuque to be Vice Moderator for the remainder of 2022 and thus be Moderator in 2023.

Laurie joins several other people from Covenant who served in this important role: Rev Bill King (1986), Jane Arbogast (1995), Marsh Finner (2000), and Sally Lorenz (2004).

(click to see more photos)

Clara Thompson was moderator in 2013, a few years before her “retirement job” at Covenant. It was great to see Laurie wearing the moderator’s stole that she made several years ago! I visited Marsh on my way home Tuesday afternoon, and he was delighted to hear about Laurie.

THIS WEEK

Worship

Chelsea Cornelius preaching: "A Place for Peace" (John 14:23-29)
Mission Update from Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development
Music from New Day Ensemble, Ben Welch (9:00), and Doug McNeel, Melissa Hinz, and the Covenant Chancel Choir (11:00)
Life In All Its Fullness Easter Sermon Series Week 5
Children's Time with Katie Mace
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!

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!

Adult Education

Join us Sunday at 10:00am in person (Bradfield Hall) or on Zoom at for the class “Dismantling Structural Racism: Ally Options for a Matthew 25 Congregation” led by Rev. Tyler Nylen, Faith Community Relationship Manager at Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development.

Nehemiah is celebrating 30 years of Black community impact. Covenant has been a mission partner, and many members have engaged in programs that Nehemiah offers. On Sunday, Covenant members who have participated in the Black History for a New Day course will share reflections and will answer questions about their experience. Join us to learn about the ways this organization has impacted the larger community and what opportunities exist for allies to become a part of their efforts.

Note: This 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.

"If you don't leave any cracks in the façade, there is no room for authenticity to show itself."

Derek Handley offers this week's Midweek Musings, contemplating perfectionism and certitude within the music and church worlds. Take just a few minutes out of your day to receive, consider, and reflect. 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.

Attention Gardeners!

It’s that time of year again! If you’d like to get your hands dirty and help to make our church grounds more beautiful, please consider joining us for gardening weekly at church. Susan Lauffer and Rosemary Jones have been gardening and can always use more help. Join them Mondays at 9:00am! If you want to help but that time doesn’t work, they can assign you a time that’s more convenient. Your help is greatly appreciated – by the members and all the people who use our facility! Please contact Rosemary if interested or if you have questions.

Ice Cream at Oakwood and Attic Angel

Charlie, Melissa, and Clara recently enjoyed a time of ice cream, music, and fellowship with the Covenant members at Oakwood Village and Attic Angel. Click HERE to see more photos!

COMING UP

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.

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.

Celebrating Mary Kieta!

After more than 30 years working faithfully at Covenant, Church Administrator Mary Kieta is retiring in mid-June. On Sunday, June 5, there will be a retirement celebration for Mary in Bradfield Hall immediately following the 9:30am Summer worship service. A special program to honor Mary will begin at 10:45am. We hope you will join us!