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WALK FOR HUNGER ON SUNDAY
Please pray for all the walkers this Sunday, May 3, who are raising money for Project Bread’s work to fight hunger in Massachusetts. Click here to support Team Covenant; 60% of what the team raises will support our own Food Pantry.
SACRED RECKONINGS SPIRITUAL EDUCATION SESSION ON SUNDAY
Join us immediately after worship this Sunday, May 3 (in person and on Zoom), for our Sacred Reckonings Team’s Spiritual Education session. We need and value your input! Covenant’s Sacred Reckonings Team is learning about how built spaces, including churches, can perpetuate White supremacy through their design and use practices (i.e., locked doors, restricted hours, entry by invitation only, etc.). For example, historic churches like Covenant that are designed in a Neo-Gothic style with vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, and multiple large-format stained-glass windows are awe-inspiring among many people, especially those of European ancestry. But for people with other frames of reference, these same features might seem intimidating, ostentatious, or exclusive. Because we want 67 Newbury Street to be as welcoming as possible to those seeking a faith home, our
Spiritual Education class today will look at the outside of our church and the sanctuary with accessibility and welcome in mind, with the goal of helping our space feel more inviting to a wider diversity of people.
MOTHER’S DAY WALK FOR PEACE ON MAY 10
Would you please consider supporting the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace? Funds raised from the Walk support families of homicide victims through the programs and services of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, including immediate and long-term care for survivors, youth and multigenerational arts/education programming, advocacy for survivor-centered policies, trainings focused on peace-making, and reentry support for formerly incarcerated people. Diane Lauber has done this walk for years, but this year she’ll be at her son, Jon’s, graduation, so Kathy Bull be walking in her place. If you’ve already donated, thank you! If you’d like to donate, just go to https://www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org/Donate and find the team, “Kathy and Diane for COTC,” or make a general donation.
LIFE ALIVE BRUNCHES
Every third Sunday, Life Alive meets immediately after church for monthly fellowship. Life Alive is a small group for adults navigating career, family, and life transitions. If you want to join or have questions, see or email Rev. Joshua at joshua.lazard@cotcbos.org. Next brunch will be May 17.
CLIMATE JUBILEE BIRD WALK ON MAY 20
Join the Climate Jubilee Team on a bird walk in the Arboretum on Wednesday, May 20, at 6:00 pm. We will be led by Nora Rasanen (a friend of Nancy Stockford’s who led an excellent bird walk last year!). Meet in front of the Hunnewell building at the main entrance to the Arboretum on Route 203. Questions? Email Nancy (nancy.stockford@cotcbos.org).
FORMATION WITH OUR SIBLING COMMUNITY IN NICARAGUA
On either May 20 or 27 (date to be finalized soon), starting at 4:00 pm, we have a very special, first-time opportunity for the whole congregation to participate in an online formation with our sibling community in Dulce Nombre de Jesús, Nicaragua. It will be through Zoom and will be facilitated by Entre Culturas, the Nicaraguan organization that facilitates our relationship. The focus will be on the history of our relationship. Participating in formation has been a highlight of the delegations that have traveled to Nicaragua. The formation will replace Evening Prayers.
ALL-CHURCH READ ON JUNE 16
Tuesday, June 16, 6:30-7:30 pm, via Zoom. The Climate Jubilee Team will host an online discussion of Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth by Debra Rienstra. The book explores how Christian spirituality and practice must adapt to prepare for life on a climate-altered planet. Plan to read as much of the book as you can and join us on June 16! Contact Betty Southwick with any questions (southwickbetty@gmail.com).
WELCOME CHILDREN & YOUTH!!
Welcome to all children, youth, and families—those we know already and those who are here for the first time. We offer Christian education through Godly Play for ages 3-9, youth classes for ages 10-13 and 14+, and a nursery for the littlest ones. If you need help finding us, please ask an usher. We share CYCE info regularly via email, so please email Rev. Kate at kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org if you want to receive updates.
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. Joshua at joshua.lazard@cotcbos.org.
WORSHIPPING IN BATES HALL
We will continue to worship in Bates Hall for at least the next several weeks, while the roof work continues.
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.
- May 3: Rev. Rob Mark preaching, Holy Communion, Sacred Reckonings Spiritual Education After Worship
- May 10: Rev. Dr. Joshua Lawrence Lazard preaching
- May 17: Rev. Rob Mark preaching, Holy Communion, Life Alive Brunch After Worship
- May 24: All-Ages Pentecost Service
- May 31: Fifth Sunday Selah Service, Deacons’ End of Life Planning Session After Worship
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OTHER COTC ACTIVITIES
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAYS
Bible Study meets weekly on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 on Zoom. The Wednesday morning Bible Study is exploring the Gospel of Matthew. If you would like more information or want to be on the list to get regular reminders and Zoom details, contact Jack Ammerman at jwacooks@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYERS
Join us for our weekly Wednesday evening prayers 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 APRIL ISSUE OF COVENANT NEWS can be read online here.
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