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ALL-CHURCH READ: TRANSFORMING
Join us after worship this coming Sunday, May 12, for an Adult Ed. and the second discussion of our all-church read, Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians by Austen Hartke. As Covenant continues living into and growing our Open and Affirming and More Light commitments, we have already held one discussion around topics raised in this important book, sharing the stories of several trans Christians and inviting readers into trans theology. After our Adult Ed. during Lent, we heard interest in continuing the conversation, especially after more folks are able to finish reading. Rev. Kate will lead the discussion, and we hope you will come ready to participate! It’s not too late to start reading, especially if you grab an e-reader or audiobook version. If you want to buy a paper copy, here are a couple of links for purchasing the 2023 updated edition: on Bookshop or at the PC(USA) Store. Whether or not you came to the first session and whether or not you have read the whole book, we hope that you will join us!
READERS NEEDED FOR PENTECOST!
We are planning a multilingual reading for our Pentecost All-Ages Worship next Sunday, May 19. If you read or speak a language other than English, and would like to read a line of Scripture (in-person or on Zoom), please let Rev. Kate (kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org) know by Wednesday, May 15, at noon. Let us know if you want to use your own Bible or if you would like us to provide the translation for you.
MOTHER’S DAY WALK FOR PEACE: JOIN (OR SUPPORT) TEAM COVENANT!
Diane Lauber is once again leading the Covenant Team this Sunday, May 12, for the 28th Mother’s Day Walk for Peace for the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, whose mission is to serve as a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. Contact Diane (dianelauber@comcast.net) with any questions, or check out the website to learn more: https://ldbpeaceinstitute.org/. You can join the team, or if not, you can donate, at: https://www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org/Team/View/189511/Church-of-the-Covenant.
TOM REID CONCERT ON MAY 18
Pastor of Newton Presbyterian Church and former Covenant member Tom Reid will be singing in “Beyond the Sea: A Musical Journey” at NPC (75 Vernon Street, Newton) on Saturday, May 18, at 6:00 pm. He will be accompanied by Anran Qian on piano. Admission is free.
COVENANT CABARET!
Saturday, June 1, starting at 7:00 pm. Come join us for this lively event with tasty refreshments and fun entertainment (music, poetry, storytelling, standup comedy, and whatever else YOU want to offer). If you are interested in sharing your talent, please contact Karen Henry (kams.henry@gmail.com). And please save the date! The Cabaret is a fundraiser to support our sibling relationship with the Church of the Poor in Dulce Nombre de Jesús, Nicaragua.
ALL-CHURCH PICNIC: SAVE THE DATE!
Join us after worship on Sunday, June 16, in the Boston Public Garden to eat/share food, play games, and chat informally.
OPEN SANCTUARY 2024 SEASON UNDERWAY
Covenant’s sanctuary is now open to visitors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and on Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Last year, more than 13,000 visitors came through our doors from throughout the world to worship, seek shelter, and witness the beauty of our sanctuary. If you are interested in helping out this year, please contact Open Sanctuary Coordinator Simone DeVito (simone.t.devito@gmail.com).
REV. ROB ON EXTENDED REFLECTION LEAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER
Lead Pastor Rob Mark will be away until September 12, taking three months of Extended Reflection/Study Leave, four weeks of vacation, and two weeks of unpaid leave. Rob has shaped his leave around his ongoing love of the deep mystical roots of Celtic Christian spirituality: The Sophia of Anam Cara: The Wisdom of Soul Connections. Rob plans to use this leave to create space to breathe, be, and love more. He hopes this time will allow him and at times his family to pray for the life of our world and take stock of the enormous shifts that have happened and are happening in our world, the Church, and in their lives over these past six years―trusting that these months away may help him refocus, reflect, and refresh in the spirit of Sabbath and Jubilee. Rev. Joshua will shift from half-time Associate Pastor to full-time Lead Pastor during Rob’s reflection leave, ensuring us a smooth transition and pastoral continuity. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Rev. Joshua (joshua.lazard@cotcbos.org).
WELCOME CHILDREN & YOUTH!!
We offer Christian education through Godly Play for ages 3-9, youth classes for ages 10-13 and 14+, and a nursery for the littlest ones. We welcome all children, youth, and families—those we know already and those who are here for the first time. We share CYCE information regularly via email, so please email Rev. Kate at kate.carlisle@cotcbos.org if you want to receive updates!
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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.
- Sunday, May 12: Rev. Kate Carlisle preaching, Transforming Book Discussion After Worship
- Sunday, May 19: Pentecost, All-Ages Worship, Holy Communion, Life Alive Brunch After Worship
- Sunday, May 26: Rev. Joshua Lawrence Lazard preaching
- Sunday, June 2: Reflection on the Word, Holy Communion
- Sunday, June 9: Pride Weekend, Rev. Joshua Lawrence Lazard preaching
- Sunday, June 16: Rev. Joshua Lawrence Lazard preaching, Holy Communion, All-Church Picnic After Worship
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OTHER COTC ACTIVITIES
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
Our weekly morning Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 9:45 am on Zoom. We are studying the Gospel of Mark. If you’d like more information or want to be on the list to get regular reminders and Zoom info, contact Jan Gough at revjangough@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYERS
Join us Wednesdays for our weekly evening prayers 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.
THE MAY ISSUE OF COVENANT NEWS can be read online here.
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