Hello, Bailey-

Last Sunday, we celebrated All Saint’s Day and remembered all of the saints in our lives that have gone before us. This upcoming weekend, we will honor and recognize the veterans in our life and all they have done for us and our country. These are two important yet grief-stained days in our lives and it makes me think about all of the ways we could be, should be grieving right now in the world. 


Whether you are mourning the loss of a family member, mourning the state of the world as more war rages around us, or simply mourning all of the "what if’s" of life, there is truly a lot to grieve right now in a country where grief so often is shoved down, put aside, or forced to take up as little space as possible so we can continue to be "normal." 


As I think about this grief and what to do, I’m reminded of a quote from Amanda Held Opelt from her book A Hole in the World. Amanda writes, "The self-help industry has convinced us that we can 'life-hack' our way to ease and blessedness. If we are self-care savvy and adequately mindful, then we can circumvent any of life’s inconveniences and promptly experience well-being… But there is no life-hack for grief."

What strikes me in her writing is how poignantly she names there is simply no life-hack for grief. In a world where we are constantly trying to improve ourselves and find the savviest way to cut corners and still be productive, grief simply doesn’t play by those rules. It forces us to stop and pay full attention to it, whether we like it or not. 


So even though these Sundays are heavy and may bring up feelings we’d rather keep buried down, I invite y’all to instead truly sit in that grief. Invite others into that grief with you, whether it’s very fresh grief or has been buried deep down for a long time. There may be no life-hack for grief, but having a community around you to talk with, laugh with, cry with, simply be with can certainly make the grief a little less overwhelming.

Megan

In case you missed it...


In his sermon last week, Charlie referenced a Washington Post article about a teen who died, and his friends had breakfast with his grandma every week. We also shared it on Facebook. Click below or on the image to read the article!


Read more...

Worship

  • In-Person and Livestream worship - 9:00AM & 11:00AM
  • Honoring Our Veterans (Covenant Honor Roll)
  • Guest Preacher: Rev. Sue Melrose | "Making Choices" | Text: Joshua 24: 1-3a; 14-24
  • Music 9:00: New Day Ensemble, Ben Welch leading
  • Music 11:00: Doug McNeel, organist; Covenant Handbell Choir, Melissa Hinz directing
  • Children's Time with Nick Von Bergen
  • Nursey Care: 8:45am-12:15PM
  • Kaleidoscope Kids (during 9:00 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!

Our Guest Preacher - Rev. Sue Melrose

The Rev. Sue Ellis Melrose grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma (BA), Union Theological Seminary in New York City (M.Div.) and McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago (D.Min). She was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament in 1973, celebrating 50 years this July 1. Sue has served as Pastor/Head of Staff for churches in the Bronx, New Jersey, and Detroit. She retired from full time ministry in 2014 but since then has served as a part-time interim or supply pastor for six congregations including Covenant as Interim Parish Associate in 2020. She and husband Paul, a pastor in the United Methodist Church, moved here in 2015 to be closer to family in Sun Prairie. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Children's & Youth Education

Kaleidoscope Kids

During 9:00 worship following Children's Time


Sunday School & Children's Choir

10:00-10:50am

Confirmation (Grades 9-10)

10:00-10:50am


Youth Connection

No regular gathering today! Join us at Game Day (Sunday 3:00pm).

Join us for a conversation with retired PC(USA) pastor and retired Chaplain of the U.S. Navy Reserves, Rev. Kirk Morledge, as he shares about his experiences as a Chaplain caring for our men and women serving in the armed forces. Rev. Morledge also served as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at FPC Waunakee for many years.

All Adult Education classes meet in person and are now available on YouTube. Click HERE for more info on this change. Visit covenantmadison.org/adult for more info.

Women of Covenant are invited to a discussion on the topic “How do you experience God in your life?” led by Nancy Gunder. Please bring your own lunch! Soul Sisters is a group of women who gather on the 2nd Sunday monthly (Sept-May) for interesting discussions and Bible study, always in loving support of each other. For more info, contact Barb Eikenberry.

We will be holding a discussion on What Kind of Christianity? A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church. Bring your reactions and insights on the book! Leaders will present an overview of the book, quotes, and background. Come even if you didn’t read the book! Snacks will be provided.

Come enjoy some snacks, games of all kinds, and fellowship – Backgammon, Euchre, Apples to Apples, Blockus, Guess Who, Scary Bingo, etc… Come join the fun and bring your own games and snacks to share as well. This is a CONNECT event. CONNECT is a program of deacon-sponsored events with the intention of fostering connection between Covenant and the community.

Generosity Update

Here is a financial snapshot of how far along we are with commitments:

Week of

2023

# pledges

Week of

2022

# pledges

11/8/2023

$690,520.96

140

11/8/2023

$576,659

127

Please return commitment cards as soon as you can or fill out forms online. Also, please fill out a serving survey to let us know what ministries you are interested in serving with.

Note: if you check the “Please arrange payments for me” box on your commitment card/form, please remember to submit an ECT form as well.

Racist Anonymous Fellowship's next book study is a 4-week study on "Dixie's Daughters" by Karen L. Cox (2019 edition) beginning on November 16 on Zoom. If you are curious to know why and how so many Confederate monuments were built after the Civil War and why the myth of the "Lost Cause" became so entrenched in the South, this book is very enlightening. Email Jennifer Morgan for more information or for the link to the Zoom meeting.

Love working with infants/toddlers? We have a position open for a Nursery Assistant, 4-6 hours/week, two Sunday mornings per month. Visit covenantmadison.org/employment for more information on the position and help spread the word if you know someone!

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!

This week's white rose commemorates the life of Jean Swanson, mother of Beckie Fulton.


This week's red rose celebrates the birth Lena Vaughn Reynolds, great-granddaughter of George and Louise Douma.


New this week:

Karen (Milner) Petty, daughter-in-law of Joyce Petty; Sarah Deluca Petty, daughter of Joyce Petty; Bill Bradshaw, grandfather of Brie Bradshaw.


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.)

An ecumenical service of Gratitude with churches from the Near-West side of Madison will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church this Thanksgiving season. There will be a combined choir welcoming singers from all participating congregations, and even a combined handbell group. The service will be followed by a Pie Reception and a time of fellowship. All are welcome! Contact Melissa Hinz if you are interested in singing or playing the handbells - or bringing a pie!

Covenant’s Guatemala Auction is set for Sunday, December 3! Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, November 22. Last year, the auction raised $11,118.18, including purchases of auction items and in-kind donations. As the auction approaches, we are looking for creative donations of new/pristine items with a minimum value of $10 - event tix, experiences, vacation stays, lessons, artwork, food/drink baskets, etc… For more information, visit covenantmadison.org/guatemala-auction.

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