We are no longer asking people to sign up for worship. See info below. Join us on Sundays at 9:00 or 10:30!
Greetings!

Saturday is Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in the US. And it’s the first time this day has been recognized as a federal holiday.

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. Independence Day, July 4, is just a couple weeks away, and it also is a celebration of freedom. I give thanks for those who have given their lives and those who continue to work hard for the freedoms we enjoy and celebrate.
If you need a toe-tapping song for Juneteenth, I recommend Jon Batiste’s “Freedom.” Click on the image and turn up the volume, and enjoy the colorful outfits!

If you want a whole Spotify playlist of songs for Juneteenth, check out the 25 songs here from NPR: A Juneteenth Playlist From Pianist Lara Downes. The list includes “Amazing Grace,” “Lift Every Voice,” and artists like Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, and Mahalia Jackson.

Our commitment to following the One who calls us to love our neighbors means we need to continue doing the hard work of working for freedom for everyone. Happy Juneteenth!

On the journey together,
Charlie

PS—Our theme this month is “CELEBRATE CHURCH.” This Sunday our focus comes from Romans 12, where we learn that the church is one body with many parts. Those parts have been physically separated for the past 15 months. So I have a request for you.

Reach out to someone you know from church, just to say hello and check in.

This could be someone who usually sits near you in the sanctuary. Or someone who has been in a class or small group or on a committee with you. Or someone in your new member class. Give them a call, send an email, write a note… Just say hello, how are you, happy summer, etc.

We are one body with many parts and we’re stronger together. Thanks for being part of the Covenant body.
The sanctuary is open for Sunday worship!
Join us at 9:00 or 10:30 on Sundays. Click on the photo to see more photos from our first in-person service since March 2020, on June 6.
We are no longer asking people to sign up for Sunday worship, but please continue to keep your distance from each other and keep your masks on. Thank you!

NOTE FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 27: The 9:00 service on each 4th Sunday of the month will be held in the parking lot (weather permitting). Please bring a chair if you can, although chairs will be provided. The 10:30 service will be held in the sanctuary.

Online worship videos will continue to be offered. Read our guidelines for in-person worship HERE. A Family Worship Bag will be available for families with children aged 3 years to 5th grade.
Introducing Covenant’s Quarantine Cookbook!
 
We are so excited to share our new congregational cookbook, filled with delicious recipes that have gotten Covenant members through this challenging year.

Join Pastor Jeff for a Zoom Cook-Along on June 24 at 5:30 pm! The Recipe of Honor will be Kim Huff’s “Couscous Yumminess” (p.46).

Visit covenantmadison.org/cookbook or click the photo to get cooking!
Presbywheelians Ride Again on July 17th!
+ Pre-ride 50-mile walk on July 10

Members of Covenant Presbyterian, Pres House, and other Presbyterian denominations have been putting together teams for Bike 4 Boys & Girls Club since 2012. In total we have raised $72,441 for the charity. We will be fielding another team for the ride at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg on July 17th.
 
The Boys & Girls Club is active in our community and making a difference every day. Our local chapter does a lot beyond the great work of providing after-school activities. In 2021 and beyond, BGC is developing a Skilled Trades Training Center to mitigate the opportunity gap and provide long term skills training for youth. Our offering supports a brighter future for youth in our community.
 
Runners and walkers also welcome!
There are many options for participating in this event. You can register for an 8-mile, 20-mile, or 50-mile bike ride, or for a 2-mile walk/run or a 5-mile run. Register HERE (classy.org/team/354312 ) and make sure you're joining the Presbywheelians team.
 
Not comfortable with large groups just yet? Pastor Jeff will lead a smaller group that same day on a more socially-distanced ride or walk through the UW Arboretum. Contact Jeff for more details. (jfoxkline@covenantmadison.org)
 
Feeling MORE adventurous?
To raise awareness for the ride, as well as for issues of racial justice in Madison, there will be a pre-event 50 mile walk on Saturday, July 10th. The walk will start and end at the Sun Prairie club and touch every Boys & Girls Club property in Dane County. Steve Whayland and Eric Girard will be representing the Presbywheelians and Covenant Presbyterian on the walk. Others are welcome to join for all or part of the walk. Contact Steve Whayland (swhayland@tds.net) or Eric Girard (ericdavidgirard@gmail.com) for more information.

Please consider joining the team or supporting a virtual rider. Visit the website or email Eric Girard or Pastor Jeff with questions. You can also search @presbywheelians on Facebook.
Summer Church Carry Out
Compassion Camp: Changing the World with Lovingkindness
Compassion Camp's goal is to cultivate compassion for each other, ourselves, and the world. The practice of lovingkindness serves as the foundation for five lessons which can be done anytime during the summer.

  • The lessons are for 3-year-old through 5th grade children
  • Order your FREE family take out bag online HERE
  • Place your order soon so we know how many bags to prepare!
  • Pick up your bag on Sunday, June 20; anytime during the week of June 21; or Sunday, June 27.
  • Contact Donna for more information (dmonson@covenantmadison.org)
The Carry Out Menu Includes:
  • 5 Bible stories which show compassion.
  • Movement Yoga, Compassion in Action, and Music.
  • Crafts include journey sticks, self care bingo, nature weaving rock, coloring sheets, and more!
Worship for Sunday, June 20

  • 4th Sunday after Pentecost
  • Pastor Charlie Berthoud preaching on Romans 12:1-8, "One Body, Many Parts"
  • Children's Time with Cindy Lovell
  • Follow our blog to read Pastor Jeff's weekly reflections.

We will premiere the worship service on Facebook at 9:00 am on Sunday.

The Great Unveiling
Saturday, June 26

There's a whole lot of shrubs shrouding the view of our church from Mineral Point Road. From 8:00 am until Noon on Saturday, June 26, we are planning a work day at the church to work on removing those shrubs! We are calling this "the great unveiling" because we want our church to be seen in all of its glory.

Anyone able to provide a trailer or chainsaw, they would be much appreciated! Please come on out to help, and contact Rosemary Jones if you have any questions!

Note: The accompanying picture does not show the shrouding shrubs, but another major project we tackled!