Hello, Bailey-

Rev. Dr. William Yoo got the inspiration for his book’s title from Rev. Katie Geneva Cannon, whom he cites on the first page of his book:

Where was the Church and the Christian believers when Black women and Black men, Black boys and Black girls, were being raped, sexually abused, lynched, assassinated, castrated and physically oppressed? What kind of Christianity allowed white Christians to deny basic human rights and simple dignity to Blacks, these same rights which have been given to others without question?” (page 1)

His book is excellent--but it's hard to read.

Page after page presents documented cases of well-educated and long-time Presbyterians of the 19th century who were not only OK with slavery, but also actively advocated for it. He chastises our Presbyterian ancestors for not wanting to “be political” and/or not wanting to cause disunity of the church. 

Rev. Dr. Yoo will be with us this Sunday to preach and teach. I hope you can join us, online or in person.

We have copies of his book available for $5.00. Click on the book to read the first chapter. He’ll be leading worship at Pres House at UW at 4:30pm as well.

While it might seem easy for us look back and wonder how those 19th century Presbyterians could have been so obtuse, it makes me wonder if there is something that we are missing in our context. Is there some sin we are not seeing, which will cause future generations will think us obtuse? This is why we pray for guidance and wisdom, and it's why I'm glad we're a Matthew 25 congregation wrestling with structural racism and systemic poverty.

May God continue to teach us and guide in faithful living. And may we have the wisdom and humility to follow.

On the journey together,

Charlie

PS--Seven of us spent three days in Kansas City at the Leadership Institute of the Church of the Resurrection learning about church and culture. Ask any of us about it! Click on the photo to see more.

• In-Person and Livestream worship - 9:00AM & 11:00AM
• World Communion Sunday | Holy Communion
• Peace & Global Witness Special Offering
• Preaching: Dr. William Yoo | Sermon: "To Hunger and Thirst for Justice and Righteousness" | Text: Amos 5:18-24 & Matthew 5:6
• Music 9AM: New Day Ensemble; Ben Welch, pianist
• Music 11AM: Covenant Chancel Choir (Melissa Hinz, director); Doug McNeel, organist
• Children's Time with Megan Berry
• Kaleidoscope Kids (during worship)
• 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 this Sunday as Dr. William Yoo teaches a class titled “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!

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

Visit covenantmadison.org/adult for more info.

This weekend, we are collecting one of the special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - the Peace & Global Witness Offering - which enables the church to promote the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice in our own communities and across the world. 25% of this offering will go to RIP Medical Debt, an organization that eliminates medical debt for those in need. Click HERE to donate. Thank you for giving to this special offering!

Help us find our next Associate Pastor for Mission, Spiritual Care & Growth! We are also searching for a part-time Nursery Assistant for 4-6 hours per week. Please visit covenantmadison.org/employment for more information on this position and please share far and wide! If you have questions, email apnc@covenantmadison.org or for the Nursery Assistant position - mberry@covenantmadison.org.

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!

Covenant members have been pen pals with the 5th grade classes at Glenn Stephens for a number of years. This year, there are 56 kiddos in two classrooms in need of a writing pal. We need 22 more people who enjoy connecting with children to join the fun. Please email Lori Conley at loricconley@hotmail.com if you are open to making a new friend!

New this week:

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.)

Join us at the Badger Men’s Soccer game against the Michigan State Spartans! Entry to the game is FREE. We will meet in Parking Lot 60 at 5:30pm for the tailgate. Hot dogs will be provided! Bring your own beverages and a snack to share. This is a CONNECT event, a program of deacon-sponsored events that fosters connection between Covenant and the community.

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!

Our October Spiritual Stroll will be held at Pope Farm Conservancy at 2:00pm. 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.