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OUTDOOR WORSHIP THIS 5th SUNDAY SELAH
Our worship this Sunday will not be at our usual 10:30 am slot. Instead, join us in person at 12:00 NOON outside at the Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters memorial in the Boston Public Garden (at the corner of Charles and Arlington Streets). We will gather for some simple fellowship and prayers, enjoying that corner of God’s beautiful creation. Then at 12:30 pm, those willing will walk together to the Arthur Fielder Dock, where starting at 12:45 pm we will join BICA (Boston Interfaith Climate Allies) in solidarity with the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul’s, who will lead us in some prayers and song to honor the Feast of Creation (see below for details). For those worshipping online, please join us at 11:00-11:30 am for a simple sharing of Celebrations & Concerns. Zoom link here.
FEAST OF CREATION ON SUNDAY!
All are invited for ecumenical prayers and songs, prayer with the Charles River, and fellowship. Bring a picnic blanket and snacks to share afterwards.
Meet near the Arthur Fiedler Dock on the Esplanade at 12:45 pm, Sunday, August 30. Look for the white flag! Organized by the Cathedral Church of St. Paul with support from Boston Interfaith Climate Allies.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Join us on Sunday, September 6, in worship at our usual 10:30 am slot in Bates Hall for a service where we will enjoy some time of song, prayers, gathering in small groups, commissioning our new Transitional Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Sara Garrard, and the celebration of Communion. We will return to the sanctuary starting September 13 for the fall season.
OPEN NEWBURY
Open Newbury is *not* happening this Sunday, August 30, so parking should be easier. Newbury Street is closed to motor vehicle traffic on September 6, 13, and 20, 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!
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 30: Fifth Sunday Selah, Zoom-Only Concerns & Celebrations Service at 11:00 am, Outdoor Worship in Public Garden at 12 noon
- September 6: Commissioning of Transitional Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Sara Garrard, Holy Communion
- September 13: Rev. Rob Mark preaching, Sacred Reckonings Spiritual Education After Worship
- September 20: Rev. Dr. Sara Garrard preaching, Holy Communion
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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 return on Wednesday, September 2! 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 JULY/AUGUST ISSUE OF COVENANT NEWS can be read online here.
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