THE COVENANT CONNECTION Volume XIX No. 11 April 1, 2015

Covenant United Methodist Church

Four Corners Mission Celebration April 9, 2015 A Program with Bishop Hope Morgan Ward Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of North Carolina will visit four corners of the PNW conference in April of 2015. Bishop Ward, as the Chair of Global Ministries is most knowledgeable about the state of UMC mission in this country and the world. She is also an inspiring speaker with stories as Bishop of Mississippi during and after Hurricane Katrina.

Spokane Valley UMC will host this event on Thursday, April 9th. There will be a Mission Fair at 5:00pm, fol-lowed by 6:30 banquet, worship and program. Tickets are $8. Purchase advance tickets online at: 4cornersmissioncelebra-tions.eventbrite.com Or email: revkeithjoin@hotmail.com Phone: 360-696-1615 Call Elizabeth Williams,994-3302, for more information, or if you would like to carpool to the event.

Sunday Lay Readers Looking for volunteers for Read-ing scriptures on Sunday morn-ing during church. Anyone interested please contact Betsy Hartman 325-3342 or manateeluvr277@yahoo.com I would love to add you to the list.

Adult Education

New Series on Ethical Dilemmas Guess what? Life is complicated. It doesn’t fit

into nice boxes. We all have ethical dilemmas in

our lives. Should I tell the truth in this situation

or hedge it? Is this information going to be helpful or harmful for

this person? If I give so and so this money, is this going to be help-

ful or harmful? If I invest in this company, am I hurting or helping

workers overseas who are working in difficult conditions? Should I

buy this product or take this vacation or give the money to the poor?

Should I buy this particular food product that has been genetically

engineered or put it back on the shelf?

The adult education committee is offering a series of sessions on

some of the ethical dilemmas we all face in our daily lives. Dr. Pat

McCormick, professor in the religion department at Gonzaga Univer-

sity, is going to start the series with a session on ethical dilemmas

from a Christian perspective. What is our anchor as Christians when

we face these dilemmas?

There is no Adult Education on Easter Sunday. Plan to join us for this series on Sunday mornings at

10:45am, beginning April 12th. April 12, 2015 A Platform for Christian Ethics presented by

Dr. Pat McCormick, religion professor at Gonzaga University

April 19, 2015 Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine presented by Dr. Jim Shaw, Retired Physician at Sacred Heart Medical Center

April 26, 2015 Ethical Dilemmas in Biology presented by Dr. Craig Tscuchida, biology professor at Whitworth University

May 10, 2015 Ethical Dilemmas in Human Sexuality present-ed by Pastor Gregg Sealey, Pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church

May 17, 2015 Ethical Dilemmas in Politics and Law presented by Tom Robinson, attorney, and political science professor at Gonzaga University

May 31, 2015 Ethical Dilemmas in Business presented by a panel of business men and women at Covenant United Methodist Church

Worship Servants: Thank you for offering your

gifts & service to our morning worship experience. You are

appreciated!

April 5 - Easter

8:30am

Reader: Bob Iller

Greeters: Ted & Diane Ketcham

Ushers: Margy & Jerry Fey and Rick & Diane Thomas

Welcome Table: Jacquie Hilpert-Belzman

Easter 11:00am

Reader: Linda Karalfa

Greeters: Jim & Sue Shaw, Diego & Gabriella

Ushers: John & Dian Zahner

Welcome Table: Gordon Miscoi

April 12

Reader: Mahlon Dirks

Greeters: Dale & Toni Gilliam

Ushers: Rick & Teresa Sherman

Welcome Table: Pam Tsuchida

April 19

Reader: Betsy Hartman

Greeters: David & Louise Yarbrough

Ushers: Randy & Linda Hahn

Welcome Table: Jackie Richardson

Book Review Group

If you love to read, you will fit right in! We welcome new people to join us for discussion and fellowship. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30am. Contact Jeannie Peer for directions or more information. April 14 Seven Frontier Women and The Founding of Spokane Falls by Barbara Cochran, edited by Suzanne and Tony Bamonte Hostess: Gail Harris Reviewer: Marge Ruby May 12 The House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson Hostess and Reviewer: Barb Miscoi June 9 Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline Hostess: Dian Zahner Reviewer: Cheryl Vaughan

Nursery Helpers A Great Way to Serve Your Church! Covenant

is currently in need of nursery helpers during the

worship service. We need one more adult and two

youth in addition to our current staff who are will-

ing to help 1 or 2 Sundays per month. These are

paid positions and a fulfilling way to serve at Cove-

nant. If interested, call Nancy Reser, 467-0869.

Camps are Registering for Summer Registration has begun at the Four United Method-

ist Camps in our conference. There are camp bro-

chures available on the counter next to the office.

Pick one up and invite a friend to camp this sum-

mer. There is money for camperships available

through our missions committee. If you would like

to give a gift to the campership fund that enables

Covenant kids to attend camp, your gifts are sin-

cerely appreciated! Early bird discount is available

if you register by May 1st. Go to pnwcamps.org

for more information, or contact Elizabeth Wil-

liams with questions, 994-3302.

Thank You, Thank You! Many thanks to all who contributed to the Adult Choir over the past few weeks. We are small but mighty, and made a joyful noise! Thank you for your time and efforts. Also, a huge "Thank You" to those who helped with the Kids' Choir for the Youth Service, adults and children! We had a marvelous showing on March 22, and you made a lot of people happy with your song. Let's do it again soon! Love, Mary Jo

In our Prayers Doris Dyer, Rhonda Greco, Winifred Jacob-son, Jack Lee, George Newell, Harlan Peer,

Judy Reed’s mom & Barb Thornbrugh

“The Meaning of Easter”

Hello Friends,

Easter is almost upon us, and every year I find myself ask-ing the question, “What do we mean when we talk about the Resurrection?” Often people answer that question with, “Well, Jesus rose from the dead,” but I find that an-swer doesn’t automatically convey any meaning or con-nect with how we live our lives… So what that Jesus rose? What does that have to do with us today? Hopefully my sermon on Sunday will help illuminate this topic without giving simplistic, pat answers. To get us thinking about it ahead of time, I want to share a bit more with you. This past month I have had the privilege of stopping in for some of the recent Adult Education offerings and there have been some incredibly lively discussions of topics that are particularly appropriate for the Lenten and Easter sea-sons. Two different sessions immediately come to mind when thinking about the “meaning of Easter” that I would like to share with you (or remind you, whatever the case may be). The first was a discussion talking about the meaning of death and resurrection, in which a metaphor was presented in this way: “All that we know about Res-urrection is, at best, a sign pointing into the fog.” I sin-cerely appreciated the attention to Mystery, and not hav-ing to have all the answers spelled out for us. The other was a discussion a few weeks prior related to Saint Fran-cis that talked about the difference between “orthodoxy” (“right beliefs”) and “orthopraxy” (“right prac-tices”), and the discussion seemed to implore us to worry more about how we live our lives and less about figuring out all the right answers. To me, Resurrection and Easter are less about “figuring it out” and instead finding ways to authentically “live it out.” We are Easter people and we should live like it! We have a lot going on this week with our various ser-vices, and we are looking forward to seeing you soon. I am continually grateful for the privilege of serving here as your pastor. Prayerfully,

Gregg

Pastor Gregg

Contemplative Prayer Practices A class on contemplative practices and centering prayer will be offered for 4-6 Wednesday evenings beginning April 15th. In this class we will learn about and practice classic Christian contemplation in a variety of forms. We will learn to quiet our minds and access our hearts. Marty and Jayce Keeling will present background and specific guidelines for entering into the silence that brings us home to ourselves and to the truth of our lives in God. If you are interested in taking this class, please contact the Keelings at 466-1027. It is important that you make every effort to be present at each class, as the experiences and teachings build upon each other. All who wish to participate are most welcome, but a total class number is needed by Sunday, April 12th.

Fun, Useful and Enriching Classes

at Covenant

The Community Colleges of Spokane offer

a wide variety of classes for adult learners of

all ages at locations throughout the Spokane

area. Affordable classes, sponsored by

Community Colleges of Spokane, are close

to home, & close to work.

Course offerings at Covenant UMC include

watercolor painting, drawing, writing, yoga,

cardio cross training, and other fitness clas-

ses. For more information and registration,

contact the community college at 279-6027

or browse their online class catalog on their

website at:

www.sccel.spokane.edu/ACT2

Ice Cream Socials! At our first ice cream social in March, we raised about

$180! There will be three more opportunities to sup-

port this mission and enjoy an ice cream treat

after worship!—YUM!

Our next Ice Cream Social is April 12. You can purchase a scoop of vanilla ice cream

with toppings. Your donation will help homeless

people stay warm and dry.

If you would like to further support this mission, we

would appreciate donations of your favorite ice cream

toppings for use at these events. Some ideas are, car-

amel syrup, Butterfinger pieces, chopped nuts, sliced

berries, peaches, chocolate chips, etc. Toppings can

be left in the kitchen and marked “Ice Cream Social”.

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Ice Cream So-

cials! April 12, May 10 & June 7.

Update on Bubble Wrap Mats

On March 27, 2015, a group of about 15 from vari-

ous organizations helped to share God’s love with the

homeless in downtown Spokane. They provided 450

peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, Hostess

Twinkies, water, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sweet rolls,

socks, shoes, pants, shirts, blankets, and bubble-wrap

mats.

Because this ministry has been in the neighborhood

so faithfully 3 weeks out of each month, the result has

been a certain community of ongoing communication.

Established volunteers visit with them in relaxed mo-

ments of caring. On this starry night, 70 degrees, one

sees the pain, mental illness in some, injuries, poor

health, but still a spirit of God in each face.

The bubble wrap mats reputation has moved beyond

“What’s that?” to being requested a lot. Covenant’s ef-

forts are well received, and the homeless like them be-

cause the rest of their bedding stays drier. A warm

friendly presence with “good will and goods” says a lot.

Contact Tom Latimer, if interested in opportunities.

Thank you for supporting this mission project!

Thank you! The Boy Scouts, Troop 218 would like to express their sincere appreciation for the weekly use of our building for their meet-ings and for the support they received at this year’s auction and spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Thank you!

Calling All High School Seniors Covenant’s United Methodist Women are committed to nurturing all Covenant Youth. We have scholarship funds available for ALL graduating high school seniors to help continue their education. Please fill out the Application, furnish two letters of recommendation and write a short (not to exceed 200 words) essay on “Why I want to further my education.” One letter of recommendation should come from any church staff or church member or Christian affiliated organization. The 2nd letter of recommendation may come from school, neigh-bors, associations you belong to or have volun-teered with or an employer. Applications are available on the table in the living room or from the church office. The deadline for all requirements to be completed and turned in is Sunday, May 10 at 12:00 noon.

New Hope Resource Center Thank you for your overwhelming re-sponse to our New Hope donation suggestions over the past two months. The delivery of your donations have been met with grateful smiles and many words of thanks. Our focus item for the month of April is: paper towels. Your donations can be left in the barrel at church and we will deliver them to New Hope for north Spokane families in need. All donations of toiletry items, paper prod-ucts and cleaning supplies are appreciated at any time. They are currently out of: denture cleaner, band aids, Kleenex, paper towels, & dryer sheets.

Again, thank you for your generosity!

Sunday Schedule

Worship .......................................................................... 9:30am

Sunday School for all ages ........................................... 10:45am

Covenant Staff Pastor .......................................................... Rev. Gregg Sealey

Music Leader ................................................... Mary Jo Woods

Pianist....................................................................... Jim Brown

Church Secretary ..................................................... Karen King

Custodian ................................................................... Bob Ratts

Youth Ministries Coordinator ............................. Kevin Keenan

Youth Ministries Intern .................................. Jeanette Vasquez

Nursery Supervisor ............................................ Marcy Hansen

Preschool Director ............................................ Angie Canavan

Office Hours: Mon-Fri... ........................................................ 9:30am -3:00pm

“The Covenant Connection” is printed twice a month by Cove-

nant United Methodist Church. Deadline to turn in arti-

cles for the next newsletter is Tuesday, April 14

Covenant United Methodist Church 15515 North Gleneden Drive

Spokane, WA 99208-9743

Phone (509) 466-1768

Email: info@covenantmethodist.org

Website: www.covenantmethodist.org

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Holy Week & Easter Services At Covenant

The Covenant worship committee has carefully planned a week of services to walk us through the events of holy week that lead up to the resurrection on Easter Sunday. We hope you will make plans to attend these special services.

Maundy Thursday Worship April 2—@ 7:00pm Our meditative worship service will commem-orate the Last Supper with scripture, prayer and communion.

Good Friday Worship April 3—@ 7:00pm This service of remembrance of Jesus’ cruci-fixion will include a Tenebrae service with the Sta-tions of the Cross readings.

Easter Sunday April 5

8:30 Worship Service 9:30-11:00 Breakfast 11:00 Worship Service 12:00 Children’s Egg Hunt

Christ is Risen! We will celebrate with two identical worship services at 8:30 & 11:00am on Easter morning. A breakfast will be available in the multi-purpose room between the services, there are no reservations required, everyone is welcome! Donations are gladly except-ed to offset the costs. Children are invited to an Easter Egg hunt in the church yard at noon. Easter Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to invite visiting family and friends to worship with you.