|
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING ON SUNDAY
This Sunday, April 13 (Palm Sunday), Covenant joins with thousands of other congregations―Presbyterians, UCC, American Baptists, Methodists, and more―in One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). As Christians, we are connected to people who suffer, and sometimes we are overwhelmed by contemplating the needs of those who have been the victims of natural and human made disasters, especially now that US government aid has been so severely cut. By giving through OGHS, we can support the victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and drought, as well as those who have been displaced and traumatized by war and violence. Our OGHS dollars support the victims of mass shootings and other forms of violence, like the Boston Marathon bombings twelve years ago. They help those who are recovering from disasters and those who are simply working to alleviate poverty and hunger through sustainable development projects in the US and around the world. Together through OGHS, we can each make a big difference in the lives of those who suffer, so let’s give generously. If you are worshipping in person, you may put cash or a check in the provided offering envelope and put it in the offering plate. You may also mail a check payable to Church of the Covenant to 67 Newbury Street, Boston 02116. Or you may donate online at cotcbos.org/give.html. Select the One Great Hour of Sharing option. Thank you!
LIFE ALIVE LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
Life Alive (20s-30s-40s) will be meeting at 12:00 noon for Bible study on Saturday, April 12, in the Williams Library on the 2nd floor. For more information, please contact Rev. Joshua: joshua.lazard@cotcbos.org.
HOLY SATURDAY EASTER VIGIL
Join GLOW on Saturday, April 19, at 5:00 pm, at Newton Presbyterian Church for our Easter Vigil Intergenerational Dinner Church. This is a safe and loving space that is intentionally queer and trans affirming. We’ll light the new fire of Easter, and share scripture and song, time for discussion, Communion, and a potluck dinner. Adults, youth, and kids of all ages are invited―everyone is welcome! Please bring something vegetarian to share if you are able, and let Jen Slater (newenglandglow.rym@gmail.com), Kate Carlisle (kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org), or Tom Reid (revtom@npc-ma.org) know if you have any questions.
AMERICAN TEENAGER AUTHOR NICO LANG BOOK READING AND Q&A ON APRIL 17
Nico Lang, author of American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era, will read from his book and answer questions on Thursday, April 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Just Book-ish, 1463 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester. Moderated by Porsha Olayiwola.
SPEAK FOR THE TREES ZOOM TALK ON APRIL 22 (EARTH DAY)
David Meshoulam, founder of Boston’s Speak for the Trees, will speak as part of King’s Chapel’s Environmental Justice program on April 22 at 5:00 pm. Details and registration for the Zoom: http://kings-chapel.org/environmentalaction.html.
GBIO ONE TO ONES
The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) is encouraging congregation members to engage in one to ones over the next three months. Covenant’s GBIO team will be reaching out to people in the congregation to set up one to one meetings. These can be in person or on zoom. You are also invited to think of someone you would like to get to know better and arrange a one to one. Our upcoming potluck on April 27 would be a good time to have a one to one. Questions to ask could include: What drew them to Covenant? What keeps them here? What keeps them awake at night? What experiences have made them who they are? What do they wish they could change?
SACRED RECKONINGS SPIRITUAL EDUCATION SERIES - FIRST SUNDAYS OF THE MONTH
Join us each first Sunday of the month (15 minutes following worship) as we will gather (in person and online) with our Sacred Reckonings Team to engage in a timely series related to the beauty of repair through truth-telling, spiritual practices, relationships, advocacy, and wealth return. This series will be a collaborative effort and community learning opportunity that we pray will help us in these challenging days move from overwhelm to action. Save the dates as best you can: May 4, June 1, September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7. Attendance at each session is not required (though helpful) as we learn together. Questions? Kathy Bull: kaxianna@yahoo.com or Rev. Rob: rob.mark@cotcbos.org.
WELCOME CHILDREN & YOUTH!!
Welcome to all children, youth, and families—those we know already and those who are here for the first time. Everyone is encouraged to participate in our all-ages worship service for Palm Sunday as we process with palms and gather for Communion. The nursery is open today, and families and young ones are welcome to come and go between worship and the nursery as it works best for you. Most weeks we offer Christian Education for ages 3-9 (Godly Play) and youth 10+. 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!
SEEKING FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEER FOR 4TH SATURDAY
Did you know the church operates a weekend emergency food pantry for low-income folks in the basement of the church? We do! And we are looking for a regular volunteer to staff it on the fourth Saturday of each month. The hours are from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The work involves checking people into a computer, getting their signature, stocking the food, and making sure the people take the food they want. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Faith Perry at flejpw@aol.com.
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.
________________________________________________
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.
- April 13: Palm Sunday, All-Ages Service, Holy Communion
- April 17: Maundy Thursday, Garden Walk, 5:30 pm
- April 18: Good Friday Tenebrae Seven Last Words, 7:00 pm
- April 20: Easter, Rev. Rob Mark preaching, Brass Quintet, Easter Egg Hunt After Worship
- April 27: Rev. Kate Carlisle preaching
_________________________________________________
OTHER COTC ACTIVITIES
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAYS
Our weekly Bible Study meets on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 on Zoom. We are studying the book of Genesis, reading the origin stories that shaped the lives and faith of ancient Jews and exploring their meaning for contemporary Christians. 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
Note: There will be NO Evening Prayers during Holy Week, on April 16. On Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 6:30 pm, join us for our weekly Wednesday evening prayers with intentional liturgy, contemplative song, psalms, and sharing of prayers with our siblings from Newton Presbyterian, on Zoom.
THE APRIL ISSUE OF COVENANT NEWS can be read online here.
| 
