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PASTORAL EMERGENCY COVERAGE
During the month of August, while Rev. Rob is practicing his Summer Sabbath (and since Rev. Joshua has left and is not able to provide coverage), we have arranged for a backup pastoral emergency coverage thanks to our dear friend Rev. Tom Reid. In the case of any pastoral emergencies, the protocol will be to reach out directly to our wonderful chair of Deacons, Anita Gram, via email (anigram781@gmail.com), or via cell (781-439-3956) or home phone (781-942-1372), and she will then be in touch with Rev. Tom.
OPEN NEWBURY THIS SUNDAY
Newbury Street is closed to motor vehicle traffic on three Sundays in August: August 2, 9, and 23, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. That means no parking on Newbury Street and Berkeley Street. Please plan your travel to church accordingly.
WELCOME CHILDREN & YOUTH!!
Welcome to all children, youth, and families—those we know already and those who are here for the first time. During the school year, we offer Christian education through Godly Play for ages 3-9 and youth classes for ages 10-13 and 14+. During the summer on typical Sundays, families are welcome to drop off young ones in the nursery or to stick around or come and go as you feel comfortable. We share CYCE info regularly via email, so please email Rev. Kate at kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org if you want to receive updates.
SACRED RECKONINGS UPDATE
During July, the Sacred Reckonings Truthdiggers team explored the Covenant archives and historical resources from staff and church members. We were glad to have Sally Pomeroy and Liz Vizza join our effort, and Nancy Stockford to guide us in the archives. We “Booked a Librarian” at the BPL to learn about research tools available through them. And
some of us visited the Museum of African American History, on the north slope of Beacon Hill. We learned a great deal from this initial digging and we look forward to learning more. Understanding and learning about Covenant’s early days will help us in the Truth- Telling strand of reconciliation. Please contact any of us and let us know if you can join us: Betty Southwick, Christine James, Holly Humphreys, Kathy Bull, Rev. Rob, and Trudi Veldman. On September 13, the Sacred Reckonings team will lead a Spiritual Education session after worship, focused on anti-racism. Hope you can come!
STAFF VACATIONS
Current schedule for staff vacations based on Sundays:
Tom: August 2, 9, and 16, September 6
Rev. Rob (summer sabbath): August 2, 9, 16, and 23
Rev. Kate: August 9 and 16
Nancy: August 2, 16, and 23
WORSHIP IN BATES HALL THIS SUMMER
To take advantage of air conditioning, we are worshipping in Bates Hall in July and August.
COVENANT CONNECTIONS
Are you in college? Just moved to the Boston area for grad school? Are you early in your career and looking for a spiritual home? Covenant Connections is a small group for those looking for a spiritual community to discern what God has next for them through Bible studies and connecting over meals. If you want to know more, email Jon Schwarz at jschwarz@mit.edu.
PARKING NEAR CHURCH OF THE COVENANT
Parking is available at the Back Bay Garage (Clarendon Street, between Boylston and St. James) on Sundays between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm for the first three (3) hours for only $5. To get this rate, please ask an usher before or after the worship service for a parking discount voucher. A weekend discount is also available for longer periods: $10 for up to eleven (11) hours. A scannable parking voucher is available from an usher and at this link: https://tinyurl.com/cotcsundayparking2.
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UPCOMING WORSHIP
Please join us each Sunday at 10:30 am and during the special services listed below as we come together in community to pray, sing, share celebrations and concerns, and hear God’s still-speaking Word proclaimed in these hybrid services (in-person and Zoom options). Zoom link for each service.
- August 2: Rev. Kate Carlisle preaching, Holy Communion
- August 9: Guest Preacher Rev. Jack Ammerman
- August 16: Sunday Worship
- August 23: ZOOM ONLY Service, Rev. Kate Carlisle leading worship
- August 30: Fifth Sunday Selah
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OTHER COTC ACTIVITIES
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAYS
Our Bible Study gathers on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 on Zoom. The group is currently exploring the Apostle Paul’s treatise on God’s faithfulness in the book of Romans. If you are interested in joining, email Jack Ammerman at jwacooks@gmail.com for more information and the weekly Zoom link.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYERS
Evening Prayers are on hiatus for the month of August. We will reconvene on Wednesday, September 2. We typically meet for Evening Prayers on Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 6:30 pm with intentional liturgy, contemplative song, psalms, and sharing of prayers with our siblings from Newton Presbyterian on Zoom (link on http://www.cotcbos.org).
THE JULY/AUGUST ISSUE OF COVENANT NEWS can be read online here.
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