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COVENANT RENEWAL THIS SUNDAY
Please join us this Sunday (November 8) in worship as we take on the annual task of renewing our covenant with God, God’s earth, and each other. We will get the chance to answer this question once again: “Are we up for being church of the covenant once again?” This year, as we celebrate 40 years of being an Open and Affirming congregation, we will also reaffirm our commitment to a wholehearted LGBTQ+ affirmation as a beloved community. Join us!
ALL-CHURCH POTLUCK & NICARAGUA COMPANIONS SPIRITUAL EDUCATION SESSION ON SUNDAY!
Immediately after worship this Sunday, November 8, please join us downstairs in Bates Hall for a plant-based potluck (all are welcome even if you can’t bring a dish!), quickly followed by a Spiritual Education session (in person and online) led by our Nicaragua Companions. They will be providing information about the planned delegation in January to our hermanamiento community in Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Nicaragua. Bring your curiosity and questions and enjoy snacks and drinks.
ALL-CHURCH READ DISCUSSION
The Climate Jubilee Team is offering an online Wendell Berry Celebration on Thursday, November 12, at 6:30 pm. We encourage people to familiarize themselves with Berry either through his books (Hannah Coulter, a novel, or Given, a poetry collection), a short interview entitled “Wendell Berry on Small Farms, Local Wisdom, and the Folly of Greed,” an article about his legacy by a friend of Rob’s (Willis Jenkins), or a video of him speaking his truths. Click here for the Zoom link.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS WORSHIP ON NOVEMBER 15
Next Sunday, November 15, we will hold our annual Blessing of the Animals service. We encourage families with children and youth of all ages to come and stay in the sanctuary. We invite you to bring dogs, cats, bunnies, or other beloved non-human companion animals to worship! Please think carefully about what is best for them; we understand that many will be more comfortable at home. If you have animals you’re not bringing in person or you are worshipping online, please bring a photo, collar, toy, or other small item for a blessing. We will also raise a prayer of thanksgiving for those pets to whom we have recently said goodbye, and we invite you to have a picture of a beloved pet ready during that time.
LIFE ALIVE BRUNCH AND HONORING HISTORY AT KING’S CHAPEL
After worship on Sunday, November 15, Life Alive will walk to King’s Chapel for a shared meal, followed by “Honoring History. Inspiring Action,” an afternoon of community, remembrance, and reflection as King’s Chapel marks the next chapter in their Journey Toward Reconciliation. Life Alive is a small group for adults navigating career, family, and life transitions. Contact Rev. Sara (sara.garrard@cotcbos.org) if you are interested or need more information. The next brunch will be held on December 20.
KING’S CHAPEL HONORING HISTORY. INSPIRING ACTION
On Sunday, November 15, at 2:30 pm, King’s Chapel is offering an afternoon of community, remembrance, and reflection as they mark the next chapter in their Journey Toward Reconciliation. Click here for more information.
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 Rev. Sara Garrard at sara.garrard@cotcbos.org.
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.
- November 8: Covenant Renewal, Rev. Rob Mark preaching, All-Church Potluck & Nicaragua Companions Spiritual Education Session After Worship
- November 15: Rev. Dr. Sara Garrard preaching, Blessing of the Animals, Holy Communion, Life Alive Brunch After Worship
- November 22: Rev. Kate Carlisle preaching, Dedication of Pledges
- November 29: 5th Sunday Selah Service, 1st Sunday in Advent
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OTHER COTC ACTIVITIES
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAYS
Our Bible Study gathers on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 on Zoom. Bible Study has turned to the Psalms to explore the many ways these songs express both the rage and despair we often feel and the joy and thanksgiving we experience. If you are interested in joining, email Jack Ammerman at jwacooks@gmail.com for more information and the weekly Zoom link.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYERS
We 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 NOVEMBER ISSUE OF COVENANT NEWS can be read online here.
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OTHER EVENTS
PEACE & JUSTICE ARTS CAFE IN CAMBRIDGE ON NOVEMBER 8
The Peace & Justice Arts Cafe connects music students from Berklee, Boston Conservatory, and New England Conservatory with the local community to share cross-cultural experience and engage in intergenerational and interfaith conversation. On November 8, at 4:00 pm, at Old Cambridge Baptist Church, 1141 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (enter at the 400 Harvard Street entrance). Musicians will speak out for peace and justice through their songs of hope and courage. The evening will conclude with an interactive discussion on how the arts can inspire social transformation through creative community building. Light refreshments provided. Donations sliding scale: $10-30 – funds will go to musicians and Native Land Conservancy. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
CORO ALLEGRO’S TRANS REQUIEM AT COVENANT ON NOVEMBER 22
Coro Allegro, Boston’s LGBTQ+ and allied classical chorus, presents the Boston premiere of Andrew Yee’s Trans Requiem on Sunday, November 22, at 3:00 pm, in our sanctuary. Featuring two-time GRAMMY Award-winning cellist and composer Andrew Yee, soprano Breanna Sinclairé, and tenor Sam Crosby-Schmidt, this moving work celebrates the beauty, resilience, and diversity of the trans experience. The program also features Ola Gjeilo’s gorgeous Sunrise Mass and the presentation of Coro Allegro’s Pinkham Award to The Theater Offensive Executive Director and Boston Trans Day of Remembrance vigil co-chair Giselle Byrd. Covenant is sponsoring this performance. Use the code REQUIEM for $5 off any ticket here. Coro Allegro is also looking for volunteers to usher for free admission; send email to rmiller@coroallegro.org.
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