October 31, 2024
10001 Coldwater Road Fort Wayne, IN 46825
A NOTE FROM PASTOR CHRIS - RENEWAL 2025
You may have heard about it in a recent sermon, or read it in the church newsletter, but I have reached a milestone in my ministry. This year I am celebrating the 25th anniversary of my ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church (although I have been serving in ministry for 31 years). As part of this celebration, I was invited to participate in a series of mini-renewal retreats in 2024 to prepare me for an extended Renewal (Sabbatical) in 2025, which includes a small grant to help provide for travel and renewal activities. The Covenant UMC Leadership Board and the Staff Parish Relations Team have provided great guidance and encouragement for this time away.
My Renewal Leave will take place next summer (July/August 2025) for approximately six weeks and be focused on contemplative prayer, writing, travel, rest, and family. I will participate in at least one course on contemplative prayer, visit a monastery in Kentucky, read several books, and attend an immersive workshop on writing in California. I will also take advantage of the time away to visit with family, attend my home church, worship with Peggy (at Robinson Chapel), and end with a trip just for Peggy and me.
PROJECT 216 PACKING EVENT
Saturday, November 2 from 8:30 a.m. to noon
We will start the event at 8:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary for an instruction video and prayer before moving to Fellowship Hall. You may wear a ball cap instead of the lovely hair nets Project 216 provides. Gloves will be provided. We look forward to preparing more meals than we’ve ever attempted to help feed the hungry in Haiti and Fort Wayne. Thank you for giving up your Saturday morning to help feed the hungry!
FAMILY NIGHT OF LIGHTS
Join us for a family outing at Parkview Field on Sunday, November 24. We'll meet there at 6:15 p.m., and families can stay as long as they'd like. Cost for tickets is $9 per person (three and under are free).
More information about the event can be found here: milb.com/fort-wayne/news/tincaps-parkview-fieldholiday-lights-2024
All ages welcome! Be sure to RSVP at tinyurl.com/FamilyNightOfLightsRSVP by Friday, November 15.
Questions? Contact Pastor Allison Yankey at pastorallison@covenantumc.net or Anita Eggleston at children@covenantumc.net.
2025 CHRISTMAS CANTATA
"Everlasting Light: The Promise of Christmas" Our annual Christmas Cantata will be presented in both services on Sunday, December 15. The Cantata will include drama, an orchestra, and of course, our choir.
You are invited to join the choir to make this year's Cantata a memorable experience for you and the congregation. Please make as many rehearsals as possible and come share your talent.
11/6 Wednesday from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.
11/13 Wednesday from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.
11/20 Wednesday from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.
12/4 Wednesday from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
12/11 Wednesday from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
12/14 Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon
12/15 Sunday for both the 8:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Worship Services
If you have any questions, please contact Music Director John Kratzat at johnk@gregson-haywood.com.
FINANCE REPORT - SEPTEMBER
“Thank You!” We begin here because we are grateful for your continued commitment to the work of Christ through Covenant UMC. It’s been a good year so far. We have seen generous giving through the first half of the year and were able to reach some great goals such as begin paying our Conference and District Tithes (apportionments) again. In the last two months, though, our income has slowed somewhat. This is often our experience over the summer; it has just come a bit later this season. Currently, we are $25,000 behind where we would like to be. Fortunately, we have a cash reserve to carry us through these lean months. And we continue to live within our budget, too; being good stewards of the resources we receive.
The last quarter of the year is the most productive financially for most churches and Christian organizations. It’s the time when people are most thankful and generous. We at Covenant UMC experience the same, year after year. It’s also time to consider next year’s giving and budgeting with Commitments for 2025. We just celebrated Commitment Sunday, and we encourage you to return your completed Commitment Card as soon as possible. An online version is available at covenantumc.net
As we enter the last two months of 2024, we simply request your continued generosity. God has been faithful, and you have too. Please fulfill your commitment for 2024, and consider an additional gift to help us catch up and end the year well.
Prayer List Week of October 28, 2024
HUNTERTOWN OUTREACH
In 2022, Covenant UMC unveiled its updated vision to: Connect people with Jesus; Build communities; and Take our next steps of faith together. It’s a simple statement that has far reaching implications. In fact, we didn’t start with this statement. Rather, we began with the picture of what Covenant UMC ministry should be. From these images, we began to dream about ministry beyond the Covenant community and begin reaching the communities around us, specifically toward one of the fastest growing communities in Indiana, Huntertown.
At about the same time, we began to see churches across our United Methodist connection disaffiliate, including some churches around us: Bethel UMC, Taylor Chapel UMC, Leo UMC, and Lifehouse Church (Huntertown UMC). This took a great toll on many people who did not want to leave their United Methodist heritage.
So, we began several initiatives in the Huntertown area such as conversations with people, gatherings, holding an alternative Christmas Service (in 2023) partnering with the District, a booth at the Huntertown Community Market, gathering for our church picnics at the Huntertown Family Park, and participating in Huntertown events (like last weekend’s Treat Trail where we served over 1,500 families and 4,000 kids!). We are making an impact!
At present, we are not sure what final form our ministry outreach in Huntertown will take (a campus, a new church, or something else), but what we do know is that we are reaching people and fulfilling our vision. Our name is recognized. We’ve had families participate in our Kids’ ministries. We’ve welcomed visitors. All from Huntertown.
We ask for your continued prayer and commitment to the vision of Covenant UMC as we extend our ministry beyond the walls of our church building, into our neighborhood, and into the neighboring communities without a United Methodist presence. We are connecting people with Jesus; building communities; and taking our next steps of faith together!
• Jane Wells would like prayers for Gary Wells who had open heart surgery.
• Jeff and LuAnn Erickson pray for Diane Shoppell who had appendix surgery on Tuesday, October 29.
• Please pray for those involved in the car accident on Sunday, October 27.
• Steve and Peg Roser would like prayers for Sally who’s recuperating from back surgery.
• Lori Jinnings would like prayers for Scott Jinnings who had his second knee replacement surgery on Wednesday, October 30.
• Erik Fenstermacher praises the birth of Emberlin Ruth Fenstermacher to Andy and Dani Fenstermacher. The mother and baby are doing well. They are adjusting to welcoming another life at home.
• Please pray for Jan Wolford’s family, and the staff and students at Lincoln Elementary School. Jan was a first grade teacher at Lincoln who passed away on Monday, October 28 unexpectedly.
• The Mission Team would like prayers for the Life For Children Ministry as they share the love of Christ with Kenya’s orphans. May we as a church continue to invest our support and prayers to provide opportunities for this mission.
November 1
Julie Hyndman
Sam Gaff
Sam Parnin
November 2
Rebecca Blume
November 4
Claire Nelson
Marion Gill
Tony Cronk
November 5
Cindy Weddle
Judith Knouse
November 6
Olivia Schoeph
Natalie Blume
Tim Frey
November 7
Ken Hyndman
Esther Wilcox
Linda Alexander
November 8
Benjamin Mains
November 9
Patricia Burk
Janice Richards
Kyla McClain
Bentley Bermes
Elijah Pulawski
November 10
Nora August
William Otter
Lauren Height
ADULT FUN & FELLOWSHIP INFORMATION
Adult Fun & Fellowship is a new ministry for people who want a daytime fellowship. The next meeting is on Thursday, November 14 at 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall and will include a carry-in soup lunch (with bread and dessert). If you want a beverage other than water, bring what you want. Please RSVP to Gail Burk (momburk71@gmail.com) with what you will bring. Also bring canned soup for the church food bank collection. See a description of this new Fellowship opportunity on the church’s website under Learn, Adult Ministries, Join a Group, Adult Fun & Fellowship. This is a new fellowship, everyone is new. Please come.
NEW CIRCLE FOR COVENANT’S WOMEN
ATTENTION COVENANT LADIES!!! The Covenant United Women in Faith are interested in starting a new circle for women in our church who are not available during the day. Our main focus as United Women in Faith is mission mission in our community and around the world. The day of the week and time of evening for the circle meeting would be negotiable. Please contact Judy Moore at (260) 343-1751 or Barb McCoy at (260) 637-1842. We are looking forward to involving more women in the church by holding a meeting in the evening.
ATTENTION COVENANT COOKIE BAKERS!!!
The Covenant United Women in Faith will again be participating in making cookies for the Allen County Jail Ministry. Last year, we contributed 95 dozen cookies to this ministry and we want to top that this year. Now is the time to start baking and putting the cookies in your freezer. They can be brought to the church on Sunday, December 7, and put in the kitchen. Volunteers will be bagging the cookies on Monday, December 8, and anyone can help with this project as well. We cannot accept any store bought cookies so just bake, bake, bake! Questions? Please contact Barb McCoy at (260) 637-1842.
ADOPT A COLLEGE STUDENT
Have a college student? Want to connect them with one of our congregation members for mentoring and support? Fill out our quick form at tinyurl.com/ CollegeAdoption2024 to get them started! Questions? Contact Pastor Allison at pastorallison@covenantumc.net.
GIFTS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE BYRON WELLNESS COMMUNITY
Pick up a gift request in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, November 3, and return wrapped gift by Sunday, November 17. For more information contact Peg and Steve Roser through the church office. Help make the “most wonderful time of the year” even more enjoyable for the residents, many who have no one else to show them love.
CHURCH OFFICE
Open: Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Email: office@covenantumc.net
Phone: (260) 489-1888
PASTOR CONTACTS
Lead Pastor Chris Nunley: (219) 771-2875, leadpastor@covenantumc.net
Pastor of Connections Allison Yankey, (260) 414-5692, pastorallison@covenantumc.net
Covenant Leadership Board Information
If you are ever interested in serving on the board, you can speak with any current board members or Pastor Chris. You can contact the board at any time via email at leadershipboard@covenantumc.net. For a list of current Leadership Board Members, see covenantumc.net/pages/leadership-board.
WEEKLY CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 10, 2024
Friday November 1
8:30 am Women’s Fellowship Breakfast / Lunch Box Café
4:00 pm Project 216 Set-Up / FH
Saturday November 2
8:00 am Project 216 Meeting / Sanctuary
8:30 am Project 216 Event / FH
Sunday November 3
8:45 am Traditional Service
10:15 am Connection Service
2:00 pm Grace Assembly of God / Sanctuary / 110
5:30 pm Middle School Youth Group / FH / the Cove
5:30 pm Scout Leadership Meeting / 110
6:30 pm High School Youth Group / FH / the Cove
Monday November 4
10:00 am Staff Meeting / 104
6:30 pm Hospitality Task Force / 105 & 107
Tuesday November 5
9:00 am Men’s Breakfast Ministry / Sun Rise Café
1:00 pm Koinonia Circle / 105 & 107
1:00 pm Morning Glory Circle / 110
Wednesday November 6
PRESCHOOL CLOSED
5:15 pm YMCA Youth Cooking Class / FH / Kitchen
5:30 pm Covenant Chimers / Sanctuary
6:15 pm Covenant Ringers / Sanctuary
7:15 pm Chancel Choir / Sanctuary
Thursday November 7
9:00 am Preschool Chapel / Sanctuary
10:00 am Pastors’ Study / 105 & 107
6:00 pm Connection Band / Sanctuary
6:30 pm Cub Scouts Meeting /FH / 110 / the Cove
Friday November 8
NO PUBLIC SCHEDULED EVENTS
Saturday November 9
NO PUBLIC SCHEDULED EVENTS
Sunday November 10
8:45 am Traditional Service
10:15 am Connection Service
11:30 am Membership Class / 110
2:00 pm Grace Assembly of God / Sanctuary / 110
5:30 pm Middle School Youth Group / FH / the Cove
6:30 pm High School Youth Group / FH / the Cove
Adult Classes: 9:00 a.m.
Faith Café / 110
Faith Builders / Cove 10:00 a.m.
Agape Class / 203
Discovery Class / 105-107
Faith Discovery Class /110
Children’s Classes: 9:00 a.m.
Connected Kids / 307-308 10:30 a.m.
Connected Kids Live / 307-308
• The AA group meets Monday - Friday at 9 a.m. in Room 110, Fridays at 6 p.m. in the Cove
FALL BACK FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Make sure you turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 3 after 2 a.m.
MISSION NEWS
Click here for the November Mission Newsletter. Read about Covenant’s Christmas Angel Projects, how UMCOR is responding to recent hurricanes, about the Peacemakers Academy and how you can become involved, and more.
RESCUE MISSION IN NEED OF MEN’S WINTER WEAR
Believe it or not, cold weather is just around the corner! The Rescue Mission’s is in need of men’s underwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, winter gloves, and winter coats. Please leave donations at the Mission Collection Center.
NOVEMBER FOOD BANK COLLECTION - CANNED SOUP
Leave soup donations at the Mission Collection Center (please, NO glass containers). You can make a financial donation to Covenant by writing a check (indicate “Soup Collection”), or donate online, or on the Covenant app.
Your financial donation will be given to Associated Churches to purchase soup for their food banks. When the weather is cold, soup is a great way to warm up and satisfy a hungry stomach!