Jan 23-29 2023

This Weekend! Confronting Whiteness Conference

You don't want to miss the second annual Confronting Whiteness Conference, Jan 27-28, 2023! Join others on the anti-racist journey & hear from Black authors, thinkers, & theologians as we seek to understand our role in racial injustice & our part in dismantling it.

The two-day conference will include speakers, breakout sessions, & a pop-up market featuring locally-owned Black businesses, food trucks, & artisans. This year's speakers include Rev. Dr. Angela Parker, Dr. Ijeoma Ononuju, & keynote speaker Danté Stewart, author of Shoutin’ in the Fire: An American Epistle (Purchase the book here or at the event).

To learn more, sign up to receive the Confronting Whiteness Newsletter at confrontingwhiteness.com.

“Tell Me Our Story” - Dr. Boswell's 80th Anniversary Initiative

Beginning after worship on Founder’s SUN, Jan 22, 2023

Our Banners Have Served Our Mission! 

Pictured | a mockup of the new banners

Good Times at the MLK March & Wreath Laying Ceremony

WORSHIP

SUN, Jan 22, 2023

SERMON

"A Community of Healing"

ANTHEM

"O God, Our Help

In Ages Past"

Highlighted Musical Selection | "My House" | Madeline Beitel, soloist | Click here to watch the video

FEB is Black History Month

Our Theme will be "Sharing Our Stories"

We hope you will join us every Sunday in FEB as we share stories of our celebrations, sufferings, healings, & hopes. | Read more  

Proclaimers during FEB

Rev. Dr. Flag | Rev. Daniel Cobbins (Mayfield Memorial Baptist, Charlotte) | Rev. Chalice Overy (Pullen Memorial Baptist, Raleigh) | Rev. Tara Gibbs

Thanks to Those Who have Signed Up for Room In The Inn (RITI)! Have You?

Friendship Garden Winter Harvest Feeding Those in Need

Biscuits & Bonding with Rev. JJ Flag

SUNs, Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb 26 | 8:45-9:45a | Parlor

Lunchtime Meditation

WEDs | 11:30a - 12p (EST) | Zoom | Password: breathe (case sensitive)

Children's Music & Creative Arts at MPBC

WEDs | 5:30-6:30p | Room 209 & SUNs | 10:15-11a | Room 209

Looking Ahead

• Jan 25 | Children's Music, Movement, & More (no dinner)
• Feb 1 | WED Community Dinners Resume
• Feb 11 | Children's Ministry Families serve at Room In the Inn

The Mission of Friends of the Covenant is the Future

Here are some of the many ways we have used endowment funds at our church:

• J21 & F21 speakers
• Guest musicians in worship
• College scholarships for youth
• Mission trips
• Facility improvements
• and much more.  

As a matter of fact, many of the programs & events we enjoy each year could only be possible with endowment funding. Consider making gift to the endowment fund! Contact Leigh Anne at [email protected] to learn how.

Certification Training & Speaker Series in Social Justice & Community Organizing

Queens University | Stan Greenspon Center

Program runs 8 weeks | Feb 18 - Apr 15

UPDATE FROM THE DEACON CHAIR

January 2023

2023 objectives were identified as:

1. Church Sustainability both short & long term,
2. Reimagining Stewardship , a new approach to our efforts,
3. Community Engagement building on last year's theme of rebuilding community

Budget Review process was reviewed with presentation. Fiscal Year End had not been completed as of Jan 9 meeting.

Deacons met in small groups & by specific committees to discuss 2023 meeting dates & overview of their purpose.

The Deacon engagement assignment was explained. Deacons will be contacting newer members to introduce themselves & will begin these calls in the next few weeks.

Requests for help with Room In The Inn (RITI).

The full minutes of the meeting are available by contacting Caroline Manning at [email protected].

We welcome any feedback or questions.

Karen Taylor, Chair, Board of Deacons

Who Do I Contact for . . .

Youth | What It Means To Be Young & LGBTQ+

As we continue to learn all the nuances, vocabulary & topics around gender, identity, sexuality & more, we encourage you to read & or watch the resources from Identiversity.

Looking for Free At-Home COVID Tests?

Masks are encouraged 

We encourage you to make the best decision for yourself and your family. 

Masks will be available in the Narthex & in Heaton Hall Foyer for those who may want one. If you or someone in your home isn't feeling well, we encourage you to join us virtually.

John Richardson Accepts New Position

John Richardson, has accepted a new position at Providence United Methodist Church. John has been an essential part of our music ministry for more than 5 years & has generously given his musical gifts to make beautiful sacred music that has deeply enriched our worship & our lives as a community of faith. We will miss John dearly & we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.  

Read more to learn who will be supporting our worship during this transition.

Want to be sure you are not missing out on anything related to Spiritual Growth? We'll email you periodically about any new opportunities.

Kicking Off in February 2023

From book studies, guest speakers, and Lenten studies, we are excited to offer enriching, engaging, and timely classes for your spiritual growth needs!

Save the Date

Women's Retreat with Meta Commerse

March 11-12

Holy Conversations in the Holy Land

June 13-23, 2023

Here's What's Happening for Children 

Take A Peek at the Youth Beach Retreat

Of course 16 teenagers had to learn first-hand that yes, the ocean is still cold on a warmer winter day. But, this was just the beginning of all the learning & fun that our youth had on our annual youth retreat. This year, our theme was "Building at the Beach," a curriculum focused on identity. According to one youth, "it was a 10 out of 10. I loved connecting with my friends, being given the freedom to hang out, & have fun. And I learned that my identity is not something I need to have all figured out right now." -Brady, grade 6.

From a sandcastle building competition, team taco making, to Emmy worthy skits, our youth truly enjoyed learning more about who they are, & that God loves them no matter what. A newer youth family said, "She hasn't stopped talking about it since she's been home!" -Flag family. "I truly enjoyed hearing our youth begin to use affirming language for one another, & ask deep questions around how to help their friends who are also figuring this thing called life out." -Rev. Tara Gibbs. Special thanks to our youth families for snack donations, our chaperones for keeping our youth safe, & to the church for all of your support!

Annual Gathering 2023

This year's gathering will focus on the relationship between police brutality, mass incarceration, & the new abolitionist movement. Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell will be a speaker. The Gathering will take place in Atlanta, GA April 20-23.

Registration is not yet open, but sign up for this list to show your interest in attending. Then stay tuned. We will share more details as we get them.

Being in community, journeying through life together means making sure we know the joys and concerns of one another to the best of our ability.

We have recently learned that our notification process is a little behind, so we have taken the necessary steps to correct this. In the event of a death of a member, the congregation will be notified as soon as possible in email form.

All other Congregational Joys and Concerns will be included here in the Weekly.

In Need of Help?

We are here for you. The Ministry of Congregational Care provides care, support & encouragement to all members in times of joy, bereavement, illness, & crisis. Information about Health & Safety, Grief, Stephen Ministry, as well as helpful resources are available on our website. Just search "In need of help?"

Prayer Requests

You can submit a request by emailing [email protected].