Covenant News
Presbyterian Church USA
United Church of Christ 

January 2025

Pastor Letter

by Rev. Rob Mark, Lead Pastor


Beloved Church,


A New Year―a New Breath.


Breathe it in. Inhale grace, exhale love. Peace in, compassion out. It is a gift to unfurl together into something new once again. As community. As part of the beloved

body of Christ. And yes, perhaps this year we find ourselves poised on a precipice of fear and uncertainty that might feel more sharp than other years. In our personal lives, in the political landscape of our country and the chaos of our world. In the facing of uncertain health journeys, in the face of new retirements and job changes, or in the face of ups and downs of parenting and

parenting our parents―there is much that can worry us. Without downplaying these discomforts, I invite us to keep the angelic refrain top of mind and heart. Do not be afraid. As I lifted in our Christmas Eve service, the Greek root word for fear used here (phobos) is “to put to flight” or “withdraw.” So I am in favor of a year where we remind ourselves to keep the angel voices singing―don’t be afraid, and do not withdraw. Keep coming together. Keep connected. Keep plugged in. Keep in solidarity and community. Keep on being the very body of Jesus in this world. For as that body, there is nothing that can separate us from love.


Here are a prayer and a spiritual step shared by UCC pastor Rev. Cameron Trimble of Convergence:


A Prayer for the New Year

God of New Beginnings,

We stand at the threshold of a new year,

Grateful for the gift of time and the hope of renewal.

We bring to You our fears and dreams, our regrets and aspirations.

Meet us here, in this in-between space,

And remind us that You are already making all things new.

Teach us to walk in faith,

To trust in the unfolding of Your grace,

And to carry Your light into this new year.

Amen.


Spiritual Practice: Naming Your Intentions


Spend some time with the Year Compass.

But if that feels overwhelming, here is another idea…

Start by lighting a candle and sitting in quiet reflection. Write down three words that capture your intentions for the year ahead—words like courage, compassion, or trust. Let these words become a touchstone for you, reminding you of how you want to move through the year.

Next, write down something you want to let go of—an old fear, a regret, or a burden you no longer need to carry. Offer it in prayer, asking God to help you release it and make space for something new.

Finally, spend a moment in gratitude. Name one thing from the past year that you’re thankful for, even if it was hard-won. Let that gratitude ground you as you step forward, knowing that the God who has carried you this far will continue to guide you into what comes next.

May this year be one of growth, renewal, and abundant grace.


In peace & love on earth,

Rob

Building Committee Report

by Lucy Williams


In September, the Building Committee announced that COTC had received a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission to begin roof repair on the alley side of the church which would be matched by $50,000 from our Building Committee budget and rental income. We are moving forward to begin this work. Our architects are reaching out to minority firms, as well as other firms, to get bids. Bids will come in on January 17. The newest member of our Committee, Chris Gilrein, is working with our contractors to ensure sustainable reuse of the slate roof tiles so that they will not go into landfill.


The work on this phase of the roof project will occur between March and June 2025.


We have also submitted a proposal under the Community Preservation Act for $500,000 to expand this roof work. We will learn whether we have received this grant in March. Please pray for your Building Committee as they work diligently to raise money to maintain our building for our mission and especially as we seek to maintain it in a sustainable fashion in order to support climate justice.

Climate Jubilee Team Report

by Betty Southwick & Barbara Darling, co-chairs


On December 15, a lively group gathered in Bates Hall for our All-Church Read book discussion of Jesus for Farmers and Fishers: Justice for All Those Marginalized by Our Food System.


On December 20, a hardy group of Covenanters, joined by some of our Allies for Climate Justice in other Back Bay churchesOld South and Trinitygathered on the Arthur Fiedler dock of the Quinobequin (Charles) River. Our Winter Solstice Evensong celebration welcomed winter on an appropriately wintry day in the middle of a snowstorm! We all had a wonderful timesnow and dusk notwithstanding. We were happy to keep our tradition of celebrating the solstices and equinoxes alive and thriving. Climate Jubilee has been doing that since June 2022!

News from the Pews

compiled by Linda Pursley


Denice Thornhill shared highlights from her recent trip, which began in San Juan where she embarked on an eight-day cruise aboard the Rhapsody of the Sea, which docked in St. Croix, St. Thomas, St Martin, St. Lucia, and Barbados. Visiting Old San Juan she learned that staff of the Museo de San Juan (Museum of San Juan) have a monthly crochet group and had made this lovely tree (pictured) with enough squares to continue yarn-bombing other trees in their courtyard. While she had been to St Martin previously she had not been to the Old Amsterdam Cheese shop―so many choices―yum! St. Lucia was completely new to her so she did a tour that included the local chocolate shop and the views of the Pitons (pictured). Also pictured are the harbor at St. Croix and a mural at the dock in St. Thomas.

Under the Mango Tree

by Karen Henry for Nicaragua Companions


This column is a monthly sharing of stories from our sister church community, Dulce Nombre de Jesus, in northwest Nicaragua.


This has been a season of celebration for Dulce Nombre, as it has been for us. In mid-December, Dulce Nombre had a great celebration―Purísima, honoring the immaculate conception of Mary. Catholics all over celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, but it is a special celebration in Nicaragua―nine days of praying, decorating altars, and singing. According to the Quixote Center, Purísima is like a combination of Christmas, Halloween, and carnival. We received many photos and videos of the celebration from Dulce Nombre. Here are two:

People travel from altar to altar throughout the community. Everywhere, you can hear the shout, “What is the cause of so much joy? “¿Quién causa tanta alegría?” And people answer: “The conception of Mary.”


We also received photos and videos of their Christmas celebrations. One showed two young men racing to climb a vertical pole as the gathered crowd shouted and cheered. A highlight for the village was their annual end-of-year visit from the Catorce community in Managua, their sister community. On many of our delegations to Nicaragua, we have visited Catorce and celebrated a liturgy of the Word with them. The two communities worship together, engage in dialogues, and also play―the people love games. On our delegations, we spend time getting to know each other by playing games. During this visit from Catorce, the children had a chance to whack a piñata―but there is an added element to the way they play. The crowd around the child trying to break the piñata can cry out at any moment, “bailar,” dance, and the child must do a few fancy steps before whacking away again.

We also saw photos of our friends playing “Secret Santa” with each other. This is one way they say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new year.


The Nica Companions going on the delegation to Nicaragua in mid-February are looking forward to seeing these friends in person. If you are interested in learning more, please speak with a member of the Nica Companions, including Diane Lauber, Mocky Day, Tim Groves, Debbie Howland, Kathy Bull, and Karen Henry.

Nica Companions’ Soup Sale—Help with Making Delicious Soup


For the past few years, the Nica Companions have held a soup sale to benefit future delegations to and from Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Nicaragua. We are once again planning to cook mouth-watering soups for your purchase in February. We will have order forms at Covenant’s Annual Meeting on February 2. In the meantime, if you would like to show off your soup-making skills and help a good cause, please offer to make soup for the sale. Contact Karen Henry at kams.henry@gmail.com or call 781-784-4165, to let her know what kind of soup you would like to offer. Thanks for your help!

Council Report

by Trudi Veldman for Council


December 2024


Council met with Sandra Gratto May and welcomed her as PCUSA member of Church of the Covenant by affirmation of faith. Council also met with Melissa King, who requested to transfer her membership to Fourth Presbyterian Church in South Boston by letter of transfer. Melissa expressed her love of Covenant and we sent her forth with a blessing. Upon recommendation by the Membership Development Committee and by request of Nathan Pursley, Council moved the membership of Ron Lacey, April Haines, and Nathan Pursley to inactive. Upon request, Council voted to remove Ken and Katy Bitner from the membership roll as they have joined Theodore Parker Church.

Rev. Rob shared that discussions are ongoing about the Missional Plan for 2025-2030 and the final plan will be presented at the Annual Meeting. He also reported a concern that due to bike lane changes on Berkeley Street there is limited access for the delivery truck from the Greater Boston Food Bank. As a

result the COTC food pantry is no longer a delivery site for GBFB.


Council received several committee reports:

  • Climate Jubilee Team: Last June, four members of the Climate Jubilee Team attended The Claiming Your Call Retreat in Schoodic, Maine. The Radical Intent that the four of us envisioned at the end of the retreat included our goal of awakening the City of Boston to our vision of climate and racial justice. The CJT started that awakening by inviting 12-15 different faith communities in Boston to join us for our “Allying for Climate Jubilee Lunch” on November 10. We told them that we were interested in working with other faith communities in order to increase all of our impacts for climate justice. Thirty-two individuals from seven different faith groups joined us (two more responded but couldn’t attend), including some faith groups who rarely come to ecumenical/interfaith gatherings - indicating that the hunger to gather and act for climate justice seems deep. Individuals came from UCC, UU, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Episcopalian churches, and Central Reform Temple. The group enjoyed lunch and shared the work they were already doing on climate justice and shared ideas and visions of how we could move forward together. This portion of one of the emails following the lunch expresses the energy of the afternoon: “You have encouraged ripples! I also thank you and your fellow Church of the Covenant group who put together an informative and inspiring meeting. We have already begun to learn from each other, and I hope that this will be ongoing. Now more than ever we must support and encourage each other. Now an even greater responsibility rests on those of us who recognize what trouble the environment is in. We need one another.”
  • The Committee on Youth and Christian Education shared that Soyoung Cho, our new child care provider, started on November 17.
  • The Mission and Advocacy Committee recommended, and Council approved, that the MIRA Coalition will be the recipient of the Christmas Eve offering.

January Birthdays


1

Merlin Southwick


3

Will Forsdick


4

Brian Bigler

Lucy Williams


6

Brad Day


11

Rob Mark


14

Jesus Vargas


22

So Jung Kim


28

Betty Southwick


31

Austin Burns

January 2025 Calendar


Click here for the

most up-to-date church calendar.

About This Issue

January 2025 Covenant News


Editor and Graphics: Nancy Stockford 

 

Deadline for the February 2025 Covenant News is Tuesday, January 28. Please email your submissions to Nancy Stockford at nancy.stockford@cotcbos.org.

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