Pastor Letter
Ashley Anderson, Sabbatical Supply Pastor
Dear Church of the Covenant,
As we enter the month of June, we shed our dingy winter layers and open ourselves to a new season of sunshine and renewal. A few weeks ago, I offered a sermon imagining God as a gardener persistently picking at the weeds of our lives, the things that try to choke us at our roots: our busyness, our false images of ourselves and others, the systems that poison the soil of our hearts. As I've been picking at the actual weeds popping up in my community garden plot in JP, I've noticed the tenderness I feel for the fragile little plant-starts. They're small, just trying to sink roots and spread leaves. The weeds that surround them attract pesky pests that pick at their vitality and endanger their lives. I have a special kind of anger that is provoked only by these pests. I go after them, trying to heal the damage and squishing them with a fierceness that surprises me. As I do the work of gardening, picking the weeds and squishing the pests, I wonder if God feels a similar tender fierceness toward us. A deep desire for our flourishing and a quickening anger at all that threatens our vitality. Being outside helps me to connect with the Holy and learn about God.
What are you learning from the wild, blooming world lately? Where are you finding God this month?
with joy,
Ashley
|
My Study Leave
by Tom Handel, Minister of Music
Dear Church of the Covenant,
I am excited and grateful to be taking a study leave during the months of September, October and November. During this time I will revise and complete several choral arrangements that I have created over the past two years, making them accessible to future Ministers of Music at Covenant and to the larger community of church musicians. In addition, I will develop new arrangements for the Covenant Choir which will also be made available to church musicians at Covenant and elsewhere.
Over the past two years, I've arranged several choral pieces including two hymns with texts written by the Covenant Choir (both with brass accompaniment), two Easter anthems arranged for choir and brass, and two shape note hymns. These works are in varying states of completeness. Many of the scores have been "cobbled" together from a variety of sources and they often lack expressive markings and piano reductions to be used during rehearsal. My plan is to create complete scores that include all of the necessary markings so that other music directors can use them. I believe they will be particularly useful for small volunteer choirs such as ours.
In addition, I plan to create a new hymn, collaboratively with the choir who will write the text, and also transcribe additional shape-note hymns into modern notation so they will be more accessible to church musicians.
During my time way, Kate Salfelder will lead the music program at Covenant. Kate has been filling in for me for many years and Rob, Julie and the Choir love working with her. For more information on Kate, check out her
website.
I'm very grateful to Church of the Covenant for this opportunity. I believe that this project will reflect well on the unique musical traditions at Covenant and provide useful resources for other church musicians.
Sincerely,
Tom Handel
|
A Place of Wide Welcome for the LGBTQ Community, A Two Part Series
By Marnie Warner
The Rolling the Stone Away Conference brought together eighty pioneers in the Welcoming Movement from thirteen Christian denominations. Marnie Warner and rosi olmstead attended and want to share some of what they learned at the conference with COTC.
We are planning two Christian Education events after church on October 14 and 21. The first session will focus on COTC's history of inclusion of LGBT folks into the congregation and the congregation's advocacy within both denominations. The second session will focus on the unfolding issues of gender fluidity: what are these new descriptive terms like non-binary and what do they mean and how do we support people and their families in their journeys to find their gender identity. If you are interested in helping with the planning or have questions you would like to see addressed in the sessions, please contact
rosi olmstead cotcrao@hotmail.com
Marnie Warner marnie_warner@hotmail.com and
Rev. Julie Avis Rogers rev.julieavisrogers@gmail.com
Most of the presentations at the RTSA Conference are available on YouTube so you can experience the conference. Go to www.rollingthestoneaway.org . Marnie recommends listening to session #8 to get a sense of the power of storytelling and a mix of presentations from the pioneers and the future leaders.
|
Covenant Contingent in Boston Pride Parade
by Barbara Darling for Mission & Advocacy
Saturday, June 9, is the annual
Boston Pride Parade! The parade itself starts at
noon from Copley Square, and there is always an interfaith worship service ahead of time at Old South Church in Copley Square. We always have a motivated and excited group marching together.....please let me know if you'd like to join us. Contact
barbarakdarling@yahoo.com
|
Our Visit with Ely Castro Rosales
by Christine James for Mission & Advocacy
Photos: 1) Reception for Ely after church on May 13. 2) visit with the staffs of U.S. Senators Markey and Warren in their Boston offices.
From May 10-16, Boston hosted a visit from
Ely Castro Rosales, a human rights defender from Honduras, who came to the U.S. as part of a five-person delegation focused on educating policymakers, faith communities, and others here about what is happening in Honduras in the wake of the illegitimate re-election of President Juan Orlando Hernandez (JOH).
Covenanter Christine James went to Honduras from January 24-30 of this year as part of an Emergency Ecumenical Witness Delegation whose aim was to provide accompaniment, solidarity and protection to Father Ismael "Melo"  Moreno and staff of the Jesuit organization, Equipo de Reflexi
ón
, Investigaci
ó
n y Comunicaci
ó
n
(ERIC)
and its radio station, Radio Progreso. Father Melo and the brave journalists and human rights defenders he works with are under constant threat of assassination by the repressive JOH regime, a regime supported financially and militarily by the United States. Father Melo, Ely and three other human rights defenders visited different regions of the U.S. during their one-week sojourns, and then reconvened as a group on Friday, May 18, for a National Day of Prayer for Peace and Justice in Honduras in Washington, DC. Covenant's Associate Pastor, Rev. Julie Avis Rogers, and her wife, Alyssa Avis Rogers, participated in the Day of Prayer and accompanied Ely and the other Honduran human rights defenders to Congressional hearings and meetings with elected officials in DC.
Ely visited with Covenanters several times while in Boston, once as part of worship service on Sunday, May 13, and during a reception for him following that service. At that reception, Ely told the group gathered about himself and the situation in his beloved Honduras. When he was just 13 years old, Ely's elder brother, Marlon, a dedicated human rights advocate, was assassinated by Honduran security forces. As the second eldest in his family, Ely was the one who had to identify his brother's body. Thus involved in this terrible incident,  Ely then became a target of those same security forces and so was forced into hiding for many years. After several years in hiding and once it was safe for him to start a more public life, Ely went to college and became a student leader of the movement for peace and justice in Honduras. He has continued this work ever since, now as a member of ERIC and as a leader of nonviolent resistance movement seeking JOH's peaceful removal from office and a renewed commitment to democratic governance in Honduras.
This message of peace and justice for Honduras-free of U.S. intervention-was the one that Ely brought to various audiences in Boston while he was here, not only Covenant's congregation, but also the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Brighton, the staffs of Senators Markey and Warren and Congressman Capuano, a convening of clergy from around Boston that Rev. Avis Rogers organized (thank you, Julie!), and the Unitarian Universalist School of Social Justice in Cambridge and First Parish UU congregation in Brookline. Ely was also interviewed on local Spanish language radio, thereby reaching thousands of other immigrants to Boston from Latin American countries, far too many of whom came here to escape violence and repression by corrupt governments like that in Honduras.
Wherever Ely, Padre Melo and the other Honduran delegates went in the U.S., they shared these recommendations and appeals for support:
To the Honduran government, we demand the following:
1. Stop the Repression
- Free protesters who have been jailed for participating in peaceful demonstrations.
- Cease repressing peaceful public protest.
- Cease the use of live ammunition.
- Cease the use of tear gas against protesters and against civilians in their homes.
- Stop the illegal search, seizure and prosecution of peaceful protesters.
- Stop the misuse of the justice system to convict and sentence peaceful protesters to long jail terms.
- Stop the militarization of Honduran civil society and remove the military and the military police from the streets.
- Ensure investigations and judicial accountability for those responsible for the assassinations of protestors from November 27, 2017, to the present.
- End the violence, character assassination and death threats directed against Rev. Ismael "Melo" Moreno and the staff of Radio Progreso/ERIC, as well as other human rights defenders and leaders of social movements.
To the U.S. government and other governments, we ask that you:
- End support for the current central government of Honduras and the illegitimate presidency of Juan Orlando Hernandez.
- Support the call for national dialogue to address the fraudulent election and current crisis--with an international mediator.
- End military and security aid to Honduras as per HR 1299, the Berta Caceres Act.
- End the militarization underway in the region.
- Stop deportation of Hondurans and other Central Americans, and support immigrant rights.
To people of faith and good will everywhere, we ask that you deepen efforts to build solidarity and sister relationships with the people of Honduras. Get educated, participate in delegations, and lend support for the social movements and human rights defenders at risk.
Most immediately:
- Donate to an emergency fund set up by the SHARE Foundation (www.share-elsalvador.org) to support the vital work of Radio Progreso/ERIC and the Honduran faith communities working with victims of the repression
- Educate your elected representatives and invite them to visit Honduras.
- Join accompaniment delegations to Honduras sponsored by the SHARE Foundation:
- December 2, 2018, for a Women's Delegation
- March 2, 2019, for the 3rd anniversary of Berta Caceres's assassination
- July 4, 2019, for a Young Adults' Delegation
Please connect with Rev. Avis Rogers or Christine James to learn more about how you can help in efforts to respond to Ely's and his compatriots' appeal for solidarity and "hermanamiento" with Honduras.
|
Covenant Contingent in Boston Pride Parade News from the Pews
Complied by Linda Pursley
Wendy Woodfield is grateful to have traveled to Chicago for the first time in May to see many interesting sights including the musical "Hamilton." A real treat was seeing one couple in the group she's known for fifty-three years when they met in her family's home.
Barbara Darling sends a photo of her Wheaton POSSE, where she celebrated the May 18 and 19 graduation of ten Wheaton College students, the class of 2018's Posse Scholars! The Posse program is a wonderful initiative which grants competitive merit scholarships to multicultural students to attend college. It also provides moral and psychological support for the scholars while they are in college. https://www.possefoundation.org/ Barbara had the privilege of serving as faculty mentor to these students during their four years at Wheaton, and all of them, including Barbara, became very close!
Denice Thornhill shared the news that she has just returned from Ireland from a tour with the American Library Association for nine days, plus four days on her own. Many photos were taken and some will be shared at a later date.
Ashley Anderson shared the following news with thanks for this ministry: "Last Sunday, I passed
my ordination council with The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts! I am now ordained, pending call.
Kay Thomas
sends a photo of Mother's Day in Bend, Oregon with daughter
Johanna
and grandsons
Hunterand Sydney
!
Sunny Davidson reports that "On May 20 I turned 68 (how has this happened?), and this birthday truly marks a new beginning as I step further out of the last 17 months-with four surgeries, a car wreck and two unrelated legal matters. One of them was my sister buying me out of the house we'd inherited from our parents in 2005. As I write this the sun is shining brightly here in Boston; figuratively the sun now shines every day!"
|
Under the Mango Tree 
by Mocky Day
Note: This column will be a monthly sharing of stories from our sister church community, Dulce Nombre de Jesus, in northwest Nicaragua.
In recent weeks there has been increasing unrest and an uprising of anti-government protests in Nicaragua. It has received very little media coverage in the U.S.; we have gathered information from our Nicaraguan connections. A brief summary follows.
In early April, there was a huge fire in the Indio Maiz Rainforest in Nicaragua. Not only did the government make no move to stop the fire, it also turned down help from other countries. Rains and hard work by Indigenous peoples of the region finally stopped the fires. In response to the lack of action, protesters, many of them University students, convoked a civic, non-violent protest. They were met with violence by Police and Sandinista Party supporters bearing bats and rocks. Tensions were building.
On April 18th
President Daniel Ortega announced that there would be reforms to Social Security that included an increase to workers' and employers' contributions and a reduction in pensions.
On April 19th , people took to the streets, led by University students, to protest in Managua and other cities across the country.
They were met by riot police and paramilitary sharpshooters, resulting in multiple deaths, injuries and disappearances. In addition there have been attacks on Catholic churches being used for shelters. The death toll is at least 65 people.
Daily marches have occurred since then...on some days growing to as many as four hundred thousand participants across the country.
It is now obvious that the movement includes many who are not only outraged about the deaths of the students, but also increasingly discontented with government actions over the years, including the canal project, penalization of abortion, reforms to the electoral process, control of communications, and the recent handling of the Indio Maiz Reserve fire.
While many people, including the students, are asking for Daniel Ortega and Police heads to step down, there is still much confusion as to what the future would hold, and as to who is leading the current movement. People see the
old, once popular, leadership turning to power and greed.
The government agreed to accept the demand of the movement to invite the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) and a national dialogue began on May 16.
The situation has caused tremendous suffering for Nicaragua. All of the staff at Between Cultures report gratitude for the safety of their families, and are reflecting on what this means for the country in the near and long-term future. Our sisters and brothers in Dulce Nombre de Jesus send word that they are doing fine; they are concerned for those in Managua and other urban areas.
We ask what can we do? How can we help? Here are some ways:
Tell the story - share what you know about Nicaragua
Send letters and voice support to those you know in Nicaragua
Connect with other groups such as Sanctuary and immigrant support organizations
Dialogue with people with differing points of view
Give local Nicaraguans a safe place to share and feel supported
Call your U.S. Senators:
A
serious concern for U.S. activists is that right-wing forces will use the disinformation around this struggle to force Senate passage of the
NICA Act.
(S.2265) that would have the U.S. vote against multilateral loans to Nicaragua. Call your Senators now and tell them not to vote for a law that would hurt both Nicaraguan workers and U.S. relations with Nicaragua. Reach the offices of Senators Warren and Markey via the Capitol switchboard at
(202) 224-3121 with the message to vote NO on the NICA Act S.2265.
|
All Church Retreat
Our 2018 All Church Retreat will be Friday, September 28, to Saturday, September 29, at the Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury MA. Stay overnight, or go just for Saturday, but plan to be with us!
|
Council Report
by Trudi Veldman
May 2018 Council Meeting
At its May 8 meeting Council listened to a devotion shared by Phyllis Galt. Council approved
Barbara Darling as a delegate to the
Tri-Conference Annual Meeting of the UCC on June 15-16,
2018.
Jessica Ciottoni and Nancy Hollomon will attend the next Presbytery Meeting on May 21, 2018, at the Korean Church of Boston as commissioners.
Council recorded two motions that were approved by email prior to the May meeting:
- To authorize Betsy McAlister Groves as President of the Corporation of the Church of the Covenant to make, enter, sign, seal, and deliver in behalf of this corporation a contract for repairs to the exterior of the Church of the Covenant, with the City of Boston, and a performance bond in connection with said contract.
- To approve that Ashley Anderson and Jack Ammerman serve communion on Sunday May 6, 2018. Since Jack is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Church and Ashley is licensed to serve communion in the ABC they are also eligible to serve communion in UCC churches. However, since the ABC is not in full communion with the PCUSA this is not true for a PCUSA church. Therefore council specifically approved that they would be able to serve communion.
As Ashley is scheduled to celebrate communion on June 17, 2018, Council recommended that if possible, a person who is in full communion with the PCUSA be a co-celebrant with her. In any case Council did approve the following motion:
- That Ashley Anderson serves communion at Church of the Covenant on Sunday, June 19, 2018, in the event that a person who is in full communion with the PCUSA is not available to be co-celebrant.
Personnel Committee noted that our Building Manager / Parish Administrator Ben Crosby is leaving in mid-July and Council approved the following motions:
- That Bill Brown be hired as interim Building Manager for three months, from mid-July till mid-October for 24 hours per week at a compensation of $30/hour; as an independent contractor if he can in that position be covered by Workman's Comp, otherwise as an employee. Personnel Committee will also review the job description for the Building Manager / Parish Administrator and make a recommendation whether to split it into two positions or not.
- That cleaning up around the building and inviting sleepers to leave on Sundays be added to the tasks and responsibilities of the Sunday sexton for a period of 4 months (with reevaluation in September 2018) and that he be compensated for one additional hour per week to enable him to perform this task. Council acknowledged that Fred would need to be paid for the work if it is added to his responsibilities, however, Council also valued the involvement of parishioners in this task/ministry to the un-housed people that sleep outside.
Standing Committee reports included:
- Building Committee: a grant has been submitted to the Boston Preservation Project
- Worship and Music Committee: A new hand-held mike is available; a summer series on less well-known characters in the bible is being prepared
- Membership Development Committee: A new 2018 church directory is in progress
- Mission and Advocacy: COTC is hosting Ely Castro from Honduras on Sunday May 13
- Committee on Youth and Children's Education: CYCE is brainstorming about a program for 10-13 year olds
- Adult Education: A schedule is in place for the next several months
|
3
EJ Huston, Christine Reinders
5 Shelly Rambo, Betsy McAlister Groves
15 Julie Avis Rogers
17 Calvin Sutcliffe
24 Ed James
25 Kathy Bull
27 Enid Watson, Simone DeVito
30 Alicia Bull
Note: If your June birthday does not appear on this list, please notify Ben in the church office so we can include you next year!
|
June  2018
Calendar
most up-to-date church calendar.
|
About This Issue
June 2018 Covenant News
Editor and Graphics: Evelyn Kimber
Template: Harry Forsdick
Deadline for the July 2018 Covenant News is Sunday, June 24. Please email your submissions to Evelyn Kimber at
ebkimber@gmail.com
.
|
|
