Inside this issue

Council Update ...................... 4

Discipleship Ministry ............. 5

Youth Ministry ....................... 6

Denomination Update .......... 9

Children’s Ministry .............. 10

Youth Permission Form ...... 11

Special points of interest

• Fall Kick-Off is Sunday, September 9

• Children’s Pancake Breakfast is Sunday, September 9

• It’s Time to Register for Confirmation!

• Red Cross Blood Drive is Sunday, October 14

September 2018 Volume 2018, Issue 9

The Salt Shaker FORGIVENESS is YOUR CHOICE

I forgive you. You took something very precious away from me. I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. You have hurt me. But God forgive you. And I forgive you.

These tearful words brimming with pain were said with conviction and clarity by Nadine Collier to the young man who killed her mother. A mes-sage delivered not after vast time healed the wound, not after countless counseling sessions or seasons of wrestling prayer. But in open court, fac-ing him for the first time, a mere 36 hours after he shot her mother and 8 others. “The first words she uttered were, ‘I forgive you,’” another victim’s family member said, “That was humbling, to say the least. It just showed me how much stronger God’s love is than anybody’s hate.” Many other grieving church members followed her words with their own messages of for-giveness. But was it their own message of forgiveness? How does anyone forgive so immediately without any sign of remorse or apology? When the very intention was to hurt the innocent and incite rage. The shooter espoused hateful words of racism as he opened fire. How does a community of people have a unified message of forgiveness in such a time of chaos—unless it is one they draw together from Someone else. Notice the prayer in the midst of Nadine’s words. “But God forgive you.” Prayer so inherent to her being that she speaks prayer in open court to the unmerciful and unrepentant.

The New York Times described the scene

It was as if the Bible study had never ended as one after another, victims’ family members offered lessons in forgiveness, testaments to a faith that is not compromised by violence or grief.

(Continued on page 2)

Pilgrim Pines Retreats

East Coast Conference Women’s Retreat TRIUMPH Speaker: Jessica F. Carter

September 21-23

Online Registration Ends September 12

Men’s Retreat BE ON GUARD. STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH. BE STRONG Speaker: Peter Ahn

October 5-7

Forgiveness is the only result possible from love. It is the expectation, the command of the God who loves us. There is room to grow, to be taught by those who have been tested and their hearts exposed; exposed as forgiving as God forgave them. On Saturday, September 8th, three people who suffered loss at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC in 2015 will join us for a community event on Forgiveness. Polly Sheppard, one of the three survivors present at the Bible study; Alana Simmons, whose grandfather was killed but now leads a foundation Hate Won’t Win; and Rev. Anthony Thompson, whose wife was killed as she led the Bible study. Sunday, September 9th, Rev. Anthony Thompson is preaching on the healing power of forgiveness. The weekend will launch a series we will continue called FORGIVENESS is YOUR CHOICE. We will examine the foundation of forgiveness, how do we forgive, how do we seek forgiveness, and how do we live forgiveness daily. Forgiveness is so crucial but lacking in our communities and lives. We have been given all we need. It is clear to us that we are supposed to do it. Why can’t or don’t we forgive? May we learn together to be, as one Emmanuel church member put it: “We are the family that love built. We have no room for hating”. May we have no room for unforgiveness.

Pastor Cary Slater

So how can they forgive 36 hours after their loved ones are taken from them, but I keep telling myself I need a little more time to forgive someone who caused me pain years ago?

FORGIVENESS Is YOUR CHOICE

I’ve studied the Bible too. I know the passage “to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. So how can they forgive 36 hours after their loved ones are taken from them, but I keep telling myself I need a little more time to forgive someone who caused me pain years ago? Generally, we think we are good at forgiveness. It’s the specifics that trip us up. It’s easy to love in general, it’s specific people that expose the truth.

(Continued from page 1)

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TEN PRAYERS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS

1. Lord, please fill me with Your Spirit and power to enable me to lead each stu-dent to Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:31)

2. Lord, please convict each students’ hearts of sin and call them to repentance and salvation. (John 16:8)

3. Lord, please show any sin in my heart which would hinder the Holy Spirit from using me. (Psalm 66:18)

4. Lord, please prepare each student to be laborers of the harvest one day. (Luke 10:2)

5. Lord, please give each stu-dent the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You. (Ephesians 1:17)

6. Lord, please allow the eyes of their hearts to be en-lightened. (Ephesians 1:18)

7. Lord, please strengthen each student and teacher with power through Your Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16)

8. Lord, please root and ground each student in love and respect. (Ephesians 3:17)

9. Lord, please help each stu-dent to have humility, gen-tleness, patience and show tolerance for once another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)

10. Lord, please don’t allow anyone to deceive them with empty words and help them to stand firm when confronted with evil. (Ephesians 5:6)

Church Council Update Your Church Council meets once a month, usually on the second Mon-day of the month. If you have questions, comments or concerns or would like to bring anything up for consideration, please contact a Council member, and we will be glad to help you. Here is a brief update of some of the key activities under discussion during the last two Council Meetings. • Thanks to the Capital Needs Committee, with the help of Bobbie

Morgan’s daughter Brittany, who have repainted the PreK room as part of their continuing efforts to improve our facility. It’s beautiful!

• The Ministry Planning Team continues to meet approximately every

two weeks to complete the work on developing practical strategies for the two priority goals:

1. Personal commitment to daily

Bible study and prayer, and 2. Active engagement in other

people's lives to bring them closer to Jesus Christ.

In the case of the first goal, the Team has determined the key strategies to achieve the goal and have developed de-tailed action plans to implement the strategies. The Team has start-ed and made progress on strategies and action plans for the second goal. Please continue to pray for the Team and its work.

• Everyone should have received a letter from the Stewardship & Fi-

nance Ministry setting out details on the Church’s goal to be debt (mortgage) free within a year. Being mortgage free would free up approximately $50,000 per year that could be used for the Church’s Ministry programs and for Missions. Please “take it to the Lord in prayer” to consider if the Holy Spirit is prompting you to make one of the giving pledges suggested in the letter. If you have not re-ceived the letter, please contact Gail in the Church Office. If you have any questions, please speak with Scott Fiscus. As of mid-August the Church had received 24 pledges committing $37,150 (the balance remaining on the mortgage is $197,105).

2018-2019 Council Members

John Anderson, Bill Croasmun (Chair), Krista Dolan John Drummond (Vice Chair), Joyce Fiscus

JoAnn Gibbs, and Gerry Lambert (Secretary)

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I’ve researched and gathered individual or Life Group discipleship resources to consider for our September Sermon Series (9/8 thru 10/7) on “FORGIVENESS is YOUR CHOICE”. These recommenda-tion have also been shared with our Life Group Leaders.

Bob Rieger, Director of Discipleship 203.727.8523 / brieger21@gmail.com

Forgiveness by Baylor University – “Living out the joy of God’s forgiveness, manifest in Jesus Christ, “is all that Christian ethics has ever been or will be.” These contributors offer thoughtful reflection to enrich our understanding of God’s forgiveness and to stir our practice of living out its joy.” Download the free book and study guide:

www.baylor.edu/ifl/christianreflection/forgiveness.pdf www.baylor.edu/ifl/christianreflection/Forgivenessstudyguide1.pdf

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Discipleship Ministry

Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past by Kay Arthur & David Lawson – “Unleash the healing power of forgiveness - as imperfect people living in an imperfect world, we eventually confront in nearly every relationship the need to extend or receive forgiveness. But when the wounds run deep, forgiveness doesn’t come easy. This eye-opening study deals with the difficult questions of forgiveness; including, How can I forgive when the pain is so great? Does forgiving mean I have to forget the past?, and What if I choose not to forgive? As you dig into what the Bible says on this vital topic, you’ll encounter the depths of God’s own mercy and discover how choosing forgiveness can free you from a painful past and propel you toward being all that God intends you to be.”

The New Freedom of Forgiveness by Douglas Augsburger – “Seventy times sev-en...how many times shall I forgive? Our Lord answers us clearly that our forgiveness of those who hurt us shall have no end. This is one of the most difficult things any person has to face. David Augsburger understands this. He knows the outrageous cost—and incomparable val-ue—of forgiving. He also knows this is a believer's only option. Any other course of action will not only be destructive, it will violate the will of God. Dr. Augsburger provides readers with practical guidance on applying forgiveness in our everyday lives. We are commanded to for-give everything. Not just the little stuff, the minor irritations and thoughtless behavior of oth-ers, but everything. When we forgive, we are set free from bondage. The New Freedom of Forgiveness is an essential resource not only for understanding what God requires, but also learning how to apply it every day.”

Forgiveness: Making Peace with the Past by Douglas Connelly – “The truth is we all need to be forgiven. The Bible makes it painfully clear that every one of us has built up an enormous debt of sin to God. Christians rejoice in the forgiveness we receive from God, but when we hurt the people we love, how do we go about restoring the relationship? This study guide follows two themes - God's forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others. As you understand more about God's gracious forgiveness of you, your own capacity to forgive will be expanded and strengthened.”

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Youth Ministry OASIS: Our Youth Group for High School Students that provides FUN, FELLOWSHIP and an opportunity to grow in our FAITH. We meet on Wednesday nights from 7:00-9:30pm, and begin on

Wednesday, September 19th. Invite your friends, they’re always welcomed and encouraged to join us!

JHAMS: Our Middle School Youth Group for 6th, 7th & 8th graders weaves fun, fellowship and faith together in one magical night. We meet on Thursdays from 7-8:30pm beginning Thursday, September 20th. Bring your friends!

All students who would like to attend our Youth Groups must submit a NEW Registration, Permission Skip & Medical Fform (enclosed in this issue on Page 11 or may be downloaded from our church website) to Pastor Debbie.

It’s Time to Register for Confirmation! – Our confirmation/discipleship program for middle school youth will begin meeting on Sundays from 9:30-10:30am on September 9th. Our Confirmation program (called FOUNDATIONS) provides a comprehensive overview of God’s Word while integrating prayer, study and Christian fellowship. Students get a broad scope of both the Old and New Testament. We’ve made some exciting new changes to enhance our Confirmation ex-perience, including pairing each student with a mentor from our church family to offer support on their faith journey. Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are invited to

participate. If you have not done so, please contact Pastor Debbie to register your child.

Looking for Youth Mentors! This year we will be pairing our Confirmation students with a mentor from our congregation. Mentors will meet once a month with students to help support and encourage them on their Confirma-tion “Journey”. Would you be willing to mentor a student? Please contact Pastor Debbie.

CrossFit (Sunday morning Youth Bible Study) – Our High School Bible Study that meets in our Senior Pastor’s Office on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30am (note the NEW time!). Youth are welcome to come any Sunday and encouraged to bring their Bibles and their friends. We’ll begin meeting on Sunday, September 16.

The New Testament...

Save the Dates!

Friday, October 19 to Saturday, October 20

Our crazy night for Junior & Senior High Youth including all kinds of exciting games, activities, participation in a local mission project and more!

Sunday, October 21 10:30am to 12 noon UNDER THE BRIDGE

We’ll serve the food we pre-pared at MishMosh and bring toiletries and warm clothing to people living on the streets in Bridgeport.

POTENTIAL MISSION TRIP SUMMER 2019

The Evangelism Ministry & Pastor Debbie are considering a week-long mission trip for High School youth & adults next summer (July 2019) through Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Check out www.asphome.org to learn more about ASP. We’re look-ing for 10 adults (18 years or older) from our congregation willing to partner with us to help coordinate this mission trip. If interested, contact Pastor Debbie for more infor-mation.

Pastor Debbie Packnick Student Ministry Pastor

203.668.5350 debbie@coveaston.org

Light on the Hill Food Pantry

Summerfield United Methodist Church

Suggested Donations for September:

Rice, Beans

Baby Items: Formula, Diapers, Baby Food, etc.

Items needed regularly:

Cereal (also variety packs) Instant Oatmeal Powdered Milk

Boxed Milk (Parmalat) Peanut Butter

Soups Pasta

Tuna Fish Deviled Ham

Canned Chicken Cooking Oil

Flour Sugar Rice

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5th Annual AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

Sunday, October 14 7:30-12:30 Held in our Fellowship Hall

Sign ups are available on the American Red Cross website: www.redcrossblood.org

Your Giving Can Make a Real Difference . . . Help is needed in a few areas. . .snacks for our blood donors (look for the poster in the Welcome Center) and clean up. Please speak with Charlene Skok (crskok@gmail.com) if you can help.

Through constancy, compassion, quali-ty services and your support, we are able to see positive transformation in the lives of those we serve at Ädelbrook — those like James. James was a late talker, and the few words he knew he would repeat over and over again. Mia knew something was amiss with James when he was four but his father had just been diag-nosed with State 4 cancer. “We knew that autism was on the table, but I couldn’t handle that and deal with Stage 4 cancer,” said Mia. After his father’s death Mia took James, then 5, to a specialist who told her he had classic autism. He was outplaced at a special education school. But at 13, the school could no longer handle his behaviors. Mia herself was struggling with keeping him and his younger sister safe in their home. “He was dangerous to himself and he would attack others; he would kick, pull hair and bite,” she said. After exhausting her options in Con-necticut, she found a residential place-ment for James in Massachusetts. When the Massachusetts program could no longer handle him, James lan-guished in the hospital for eight months, until they were able to stabi-lize him; it was then he came to Ädelbrook.

James has been in residential at Ädelbrook for over a year and a half and is attending the Ädelbrook Learn-ing Center—Cromwell. He has seen incredible improvements with his be-havior and is thriving in school. “His behavior has evened out and he is now so sweet. I’m able to watch him for a night or weekend by myself. . .I’m so pleased Ädelbrook is here in Con-necticut,” said Mia. One of the differences Mia sees with Ädelbrook is how well all the staff know James. “They see the patterns and how to tackle the behaviors. They have meetings with the whole (inter-

disciplinary) team to address any minor issue to keep it from getting bigger,” said Mia, who is often part of these meetings.

“I feel like he’s safe being on campus. I can visit at any

time and see what’s going on with him. He’s part of a little community there.”

Mia recalls the feeling of hopelessness set in as the symptoms of autism and his negative behaviors increased. Now, for the first time in a long time, she is hopeful of James’ future. “I feel like he will be able to live more inde-pendently and hopefully have a small job.” “It’s important to have hope! When you realize your child is disabled you worry about what their adult life will look like. I don’t worry so much now!,” said Mia.

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September Birthdays

9/1 Lillian Valente 9/2 George Mulligan Melissa Otten Linda Civitelli Christian Nilsen Ian Nilsen Lainey Grumet 9/4 Lucia Zager Dan White Frankie Fischetti 9/8 Linda Gustavson 9/9 Barb Meyer Matthew Fiscus 9/10 Jimi Meyer 9/14 Mike Ambrose Quinn Kellerman 9/15 Jake Eckenrode 9/16 Beverly Makar Chris Grumet William Almeida 9/18 Ruth Powell 9/23 Art Giannotti Mark Wirth Elana Fischetti 9/24 Kristian Otten 9/26 Helge Svenson Carolyn Nelson 9/28 Don Sebestyen Evelyn Meyers 9/29 Cheryl Blair Kathy Soderholm Rob Packnick 9/30 Barbara Smetana Darlene Morriss

The Importance of Hope

Ädelbrook Behavioral & Developmental Services, located at 60 Hicksville Road in Cromwell, provides hope and healing for young people and families in a Christian environment. For more infor-mation, visit www.adelbrook.org or call (860) 635-6010.

Yes, we are doing good . . . But we can do better.

Gary B. Walter’s Letter Dear Friends,

This is my last CovChurch Now [newsletter] before retiring at the end of [August]. John Wenrich begins his service as the tenth president of the Covenant on September 1. I know he’ll appreciate your prayers and support just as I have. I really just want to say thank you. The Covenant is not perfect, and our shortcomings and gaps are all too evident, but we do continue to press forward in all

sincerity to go deeper in Christ and further in mission. As a multi-ethnic, mul-ti-generational mosaic of churches, we do indeed seek to be more reflective

of the kingdom of God and more fruitful in the mission of God. We are touching more lives, in more places, in more ways with greater diversity than at any point in our 133-year history. That is to the credit of our churches, pastors in all varieties of service, lay leaders, missionaries, and really good people serving our regional conferences and through Covenant Offices and Covenant institutions. As I leave, I am confident of this: our mission, your mission through this partnership, is strong and will remain strong. The late Dr. Willie Jemison was a pioneering African American pastor in the Covenant, a giant of a leader, a person of integrity whose influence reverber-ates still through both his personal legacy and the ongoing ministry of those he raised up and mentored. A recent example: Catherine Gilliard, new su-perintendent of the Southeast Conference, grew up under his ministry at Oakdale Covenant Church. Dr. Jemison and I would get together occasionally over the course of my 27 years in various ministry roles at Covenant Offices. I’d be eager to tell him of areas of progress. He appreciated the updates, but he knew too well the challenges of real ministry, in real lives, in real places. And so, at some point, usually when I might be sounding self-satisfied with some area of progress, he would invariably say with a seasoned balance of encouraging and urging, “You’re doing good . . . But you can do better.” And so, Covenant, to all of us I say, Yes, we are doing good . . . But we can do better. Thanks for the good. And thanks for the better yet to come. Blessings,

Gary B. Walter, President 9

Denomination Update

September Anniversaries

SEPTEMBER 1 ♥Mike & Brenda Majeski♥ ♥Lee & Sena Povinelli♥

SEPTEMBER 3 ♥Nick & Evelyn Meyers♥

SEPTEMBER 3 ♥Gerry & Judy Lambert♥ ♥Gerald & Nancy Melson♥

SEPTEMBER 6 ♥Carl & Melissa Otten♥

SEPTEMBER 7 ♥Estuardo & Luiza Estrada♥

SEPTEMBER 10 ♥Cary & Roseann Slater♥

SEPTEMBER 12 ♥Larry & Ann Boyle♥

SEPTEMBER 18 ♥Mike & Cheryl Blair♥

SEPTEMBER 19 ♥Mike & Lynne Sullivan♥

SEPTEMBER 25 ♥John & Phuong Heitz♥

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Children’s Ministry

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Kid’s HANG OUT for children

preschool age & up is beginning on Kick-off Sunday, September 9th!

Please help your child grab a snack in the Fellowship Hall after the 2nd Worship Service and join us in the Kid’s HANG OUT Room for a time of fun and fellowship! Please

make sure to sign your child in and out each Sunday. Kid’s HANG OUT will meet (opposite King’s Kids Children’s Choir) on Sundays,

September 9, 23 & 30.

Welcome back to Kid’s Worship! We will con-tinue with the Deep Blue Curriculum this year, where have adventures, hear exciting Bible stories, and learn how to live as disciples of Jesus through service – just like Jesus taught!

Welcome Back! September Lessons Bible Memory Verse “A voice from heaven said, ’This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him.’” - Matthew 3:17

Looking Ahead for Children’s Ministry Tuesday, September 25 — Friends Night Out (our weeknight program for kids Grade K-5) begins at 6:30pm Saturday, October 27 — Family Treasure Hunt Friday, November 16 —Operation Christmas Child (this is a church-wide event, not just for the children)

Looking for Donations

Gently used Bean Bag Chairs Area Rug Board Games and Toys appropriate for Preschool through Upper Elementary Grades

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PLACE STAMP HERE

Loving God, Growing Together, Serving Others

1 Sport Hill Road Easton, CT 06612 203.371.8335 www.coveaston.org