COVID UPDATE
We have resumed in-person worship. Masks are required regardless of the Dane County rules, with N95 and KN95 masks recommended. Social distancing is recommended and half of the sanctuary continues to provide distanced seating for worship.
Greetings!
The doors are open! We had in-person worship on Ash Wednesday this week--our first in-person service since early January. Hooray! The doors will be open on Sunday for worship at 9:00 and 11:00, and we continue to livestream worship as well.

We begin our "Let's Talk About Jesus" series this Sunday--the first Sunday of Lent. We have several SMALL GROUPS planned in this six-week cycle--some in person, some via zoom, some figuring it out. I hope you'll consider joining one for friendship and faithful conversation over the Lenten season. You will be blessed, and your presence will be a blessing to others.
Lent is traditionally a time for fasting and prayer and spiritual renewal, although in my Ash Wednesday message, I invited us to consider giving up Lent for Lent in this unusual year. Read it here: Give up Lent?

With our online and print devotional and with our Wednesday online vespers service (info below) as well as small groups and sermons, you have many ways to reconnect with God and Covenant in this Lenten season.

Please note: At the recommendation of the Reopening the Building Task Force, the Session approved a policy still requiring masks in the building. I know some people are unhappy with that, and I know we're all tired of Covid, but please know we are trying to be cautious as we navigate new terrain. The Task Force meets again later this month and will consider all policies.

I pray that this is a season of renewal and growth for you and for our community.
On the journey together,
Charlie 

PS--This has been a challenging week for our church, with the departure of Associate Pastor Jeff Fox-Kline. After five-plus years on staff, his last day was Monday, February 28. As we heard at the congregational meeting, many people are surprised, confused, and sad. I have spoken and emailed with many people this week, and if you’d like to be in touch, please reach out. 

After much discussion and prayer, our personnel committee reached this unanimous decision, and this was mutually agreed upon by Jeff as well as the John Knox Committee on Ministry. 

We all wish Jeff and his family the best. Contact the church office if you want his address. In case you missed his farewell message in the Caravan newsletter, you can read it HERE.

I am working with the Personnel Committee and other staff to ensure our ministry remains strong, and I remain hopeful about our common future, learning and living God's love.
Worship
  • In-Person and Livestream services at 9:00 & 11:00am
  • Visit our Worship HQ for everything you need to worship with us online!
  • Let's Talk About Jesus Lenten Sermon Series begins!
  • Pastor Charlie Berthoud - "I Am the Bread of Life" (John 6:30-35)
  • "Talking About Jesus" testimony from Melissa Schmidt
  • Communion (please have bread & juice or similar if you are worshiping with us online)
  • Music from Doug McNeel, Handbells, and Exodus Youth Band
  • Children's Time with Jo Wiersema
  • Sunday School and Kaleidoscope return! (see below)

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 OR on Zoom for Adult Education! Sunday’s class will be “What is Lent?”, led by Pastor Charlie Berthoud. There will be a discussion on what Lent is and the many ways it can be observed.
 
Missed a previous class or want to re watch one? Adult Ed classes are recorded and shared on our Adult Ed page and YouTube page.
Sunday School (3 years old through 8th grade) is back (yay!) and meets Sunday from 10:00-10:50am. Follow the footprints to the classrooms! Kaleidoscope (3 years old through 1st grade) meets during the 9:00am service immediately following the Children’s Time Video. Children can follow teachers to room C208 at this time.
 
We ask that children wear a mask as best they can. Please visit covenantmadison.org/children for more info or contact Jo Wiersema, Children’s Ministries Coordinator if you have any questions.
To learn more about small groups and to sign up, click here:
Click on the image for a pdf, pick a copy up at church and/or opt in to receive daily emails HERE!
Resurrection Window for the Columbarium!
 You will soon see beautiful stained glass at the columbarium, located across from the lounge.
The glass will help us remember the promise of Jesus who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Other imagery reminds us of Jesus identification as the bread of life, the good shepherd and the light of the world.

We hope to dedicate the stained glass near Easter, after more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. A small plaque in the columbarium will acknowledge that we at Covenant have lost four members of this congregation, while millions have died world wide.
These windows will help us remember those lost to Covid, while affirming our resurrection hope for all people. The windows are being constructed and installed by Conrad Schmitt Studios in New Berlin. Funding has been provided by the Gifts, Memorials and Bequests Committee. The Stained Glass Window Committee has included: Ann Athas, Laurie Jones, Rosemary Jones (Chair), Donna Monson, Melissa Hinz, and Charlie Berthoud.