THE SEASON OF LENT: This year we will be recognizing the sacred season of Lent through our exploration of a "SLOW Lent." Our Lenten worship services will include expanded opportunities for reflection and prayer, particularly through an invitation at the end of each service to reflect on how God may have been speaking to you through your worship experience. This Sunday, a brochure outlining all the special services and programs for Lent will be available by the entrance to Bates Hall. If you would like a copy of the brochure electronically, please email Julie Rogers at julie.rogers@cotcbos.org.
This Sunday, there will also be a Lenten Meditation Booklet available for everyone to take home with them. This wonderful resource, compiled by Nancy Hollomon, includes daily meditations written by members of the Covenant community.
'COMMUNION CONVERSATIONS' CONTINUE AFTER WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY: After church this Sunday, we will continue our exploration of the sacrament of Communion. This past fall, we had a session learning about the history and theologies of Communion and today we will talk about it's meaning in our lives as people of faith and how we practice it here at Covenant. Whether you were part of last fall's conversation or whether it's your very first time here with us at Covenant, we invite you to join us!
COVENANT'S BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP will meet on Sunday, March 1, at Faith and Lucy's home to discuss Harold Kushner's When Bad Things Happen to Good People. As always, we begin with a potluck at 6 pm; and everyone is welcome whether or not you have ever come before and whether or not you have read any of the book. Please contact Barbara Darling for more information at barbarakdarling@yahoo.com
WORSHIP WARMLY IN BATES:
Friends, for the next few Sundays, we will be worshiping in Bates Hall in order to be in community in a new and comfortably warm way. We all are full aware now that our beautiful and new radiant floor heating system is not yet working up to design, and we thank our faithful Building Committee that is working incessantly on our behalf to address this challenge. We have no doubt these efforts will lead us soon enough back into a beautiful and warm sanctuary space. But in the meantime, it makes great sense for us to take up the not-too-distant "tradition" of worshiping in Bates for a few of the coldest winter Sundays while things get sorted "upstairs". As we know well from our 2 months in Bates last year during the construction process, this is a wonderful option for us as a worshiping community, as we get to be physically closer and hear each voices and see each others' faces in a closer way, while still creating a non-intimidating yet welcoming space for new comers. As I did last year during this process, I'd humbly ask that we extend some extra grace to one another in this shifting of space as we again get used to this shift. Thank you!
In these utterly cold days, I am reminded of how rare a gift it is for us as a community to have multiple places to hold meaningful worship. May our hearts, action and service be focused this winter on the still too many in our own city who lack adequate and safe spaces to sleep and simply be - and may our worship in these weeks inspire us in this call of Jesus so to serve.
In peace,
Rob
AN IMPORTANT UPDATE AND INVITATION ABOUT THE BOSTON WARM DAY SHELTER:
The Boston Warm Day Centers at Old South Church and Emmanuel Church are open! The atmosphere has been peaceful. Guests have rested, read, slept, chatted. We've gone through a lot of coffee and snacks! And we've filled 60 storage lockers with people's possessions, so far. This is a HUGE service we've been able to offer to those who otherwise would have to carry all of their possessions with them to doctor's appointments, job interviews, and work, and people have been so thankful for it. We need your help as we continue to collect needed items for our guests.
BIBLE STUDY 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., Second Floor, Williams Library.
NURSERY CARE FOR CHILDREN: Nursery Care is provided by our wonderful caregivers downstairs off of Bates Hall. Please ask an usher for directions if you need help finding it.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
LENTEN TAIZÉ MIDWEEK SERVICE THIS WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 PM:
UPCOMING LENTEN MID-WEEK GATHERINGS:
Food Chains Documentary, Friday, March 13 at 7:00 pm The Food, Faith, Fellowship Young Adults group invites the entire congregation for a film screening and discussion about this thought-provoking film about where our food comes from. Location TBA!
Interfaith Experience at the Roxbury Mosque,Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 pm We will visit the Roxbury mosque (ISBCC), meeting with a community leader and experiencing the sacred in a neighboring house of worship. Location: The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, 100 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02120
UPCOMING ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:
March 8: Sharing Stories from the Boston Warm Day Center
March 15: Reflections from the Hendricks Family Delegation to Nicaragua and all-church potluck.
March 22: From 1-3 pm, the Children and Youth Committee will be holding a "Organizing Party" of their closet and classroom space. All hands are welcome and requested.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR USING THE CHURCH BUILDING:
Please be reminded that when church groups use the church's facility your cooperation in some important steps would be greatly appreciated:
Always lock up all stairway and exterior doors upon leaving after your meeting. Elevator needs to be locked as well at the end of the evening.
Turn off interior lights and turn heat down NO LOWER THAN 60 DEGREES to avoid freeze ups in wintertime.
Kindly return the space used to the way you found it ie: trash disposed of and kitchen areas free of clutter and food items.
Parking is at a premium due to the accumulation of snow; please use public transportation where possible.
Thanks so much for your cooperation!! - Brian Reardon, Building Manager
