Cornerstone | Aug – Nov 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Chef Paulette: More than just Cooking Pg. 8 August–November | Ordinary Time I

Covenant's Vision Pg. 11

Need a Lift?

Pg. 13

Table of

CONTRIBUTORS

Contents

SENIOR PASTOR Thomas Daniel CLERK OF SESSION Clark Weatherby

{FROM THE LEAD}

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR Duane Dube

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Pursuing Jesus, Together

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Session Update

EDITOR Stephanie Schultz

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Financial Update

DESIGN AND LAYOUT Hilary Pittman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DeDe Church, Paul Mowry, Jon Wasson PHOTOGRAPHY DeDe Church, Terry Cole, Hilary Pittman, Stephanie Schultz, Will Taylor SPECIAL THANKS TO Paul Mowry, Brian Sparks

{LIFE} 4

Ordinary Time I

{FEATURES} 8

Chef Paulette

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Covenant's Vision

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Need a Lift?

pg. 8

{COMMUNITY} 16

Road to Recovery

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Hello, New Members

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Welcome Home, Billy!

{EVENTS} 21 Calendar

pg. 13

pg. 16

{ FROM THE LEAD}

PURSUING JESUS, TOGETHER One of the families from our small group in Atlanta has a daughter who is entering her senior year of high school and is actively exploring her college options. This young woman, Fiona, is a competitive rower and is being recruited to certain schools with strong rowing programs. Fiona has spent years exercising, and building strength and endurance, as well as working to perfect her technique as a rower. She is an incredible athlete.

Through knowing Fiona, I have learned there are different competitive races for rowing based on the number of rowers per boat. Some races have two rowers per boat; others have four. The largest crafts allow for eight rowers; four have oars on one side of the craft, the other four have their oars on the opposite side. In these boats of eight rowers, there are actually nine individuals. The last person is the “coxswain.” The coxswain has two primary responsibilities. The first is to steer the craft to ensure the team stays on the shortest possible course to the finish line. The second is to shout in rhythm to coordinate the rowing motion of each individual rower in the boat. It is essential that each rowing motion is perfectly timed between all eight oars. Without the coxswain, the rowers might not pull in unison, resulting in the boat losing speed, veering off course or even tipping over. If the coxswain is not doing her job, the race will be lost—no matter how strong and capable the eight rowers might be.

Earlier this summer the Session of Covenant unanimously adopted a new vision statement for our congregation: Encouraging one another to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play.

Covenant is a strong and dynamic community with many wonderful programs and opportunities for growing and serving. However, it can be easy for

these strengths to start functioning on their own, lacking a sense of timing or coordination with one another. Like a racing boat whose rowers are out of sync, our resulting lack of coordination means that we may not function as well as we desire. We will not be able to pursue Jesus in a vibrant and holistic forum.

The leadership of Covenant has spent a great deal of time exploring various words to capture the unique values of our community. We believe this statement does just that. Through our fall series, “Together,” we will talk about and demonstrate all the ways we are unified and well positioned to journey together into the exciting days ahead. We hope this statement will serve as a kind of “coxswain” for our congregation to help us all pull together in a clear and common direction.

Friends, please take time to carefully review this new and exciting format for Cornerstone. In it is a new “Life Guide” that will help each of you determine the best ways to live out the collective vision of Covenant and experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit in your daily life. It also includes stories of Covenant members and friends doing amazing things and shining God’s light all over Austin and the world.

I look forward to continuing on this journey with each of you as together we encourage one another to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play!

Joyfully,

Thomas Daniel Senior Pastor

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ FROM THE LEAD}

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SESSION UPDATE

Session met one time this summer, in mid-June.

The elders covered lots of church business. The following items were discussed and/or voted upon: • Session unanimously approved a new vision for Covenant. "Encouraging one another to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play." Read more about the statement, how Session interpreted it and how it will help guide us into the future on page 11. Thomas Daniel will lead a three-part sermon series on the statement starting Sept. 11.

• The Session celebrated a successful Capital Campaign. Pledges received during the quickstrike, two-month campaign totaled $4.9 million. These contributions will go toward reducing the debt on the Fellowship and Education Building. The money saved will enable us to put more toward mission and the Institute for Missional Leadership.

• An Eaton Hall Task Force was created. The group will look at our values and different criteria to figure out how to best use Eaton Hall. We’ll ask the question internally and also determine how we can best serve the City of Austin though Eaton Hall.

• Session voted to enter into a cohort with Fuller Seminary. The cohort will include six

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churches and will be a two-year experimental program to form and train lay leaders. Covenant pastors will be trained first, followed by staff and elders, and members.

• Covenant will host a Q Commons event on Oct. 13. Together with Q, Covenant will welcome people from around Austin for TEDlike discussion on how to work together to make Austin a great city. All are invited for this thought-provoking evwent.

• Tod Bolsinger will lead our Session retreat in early October. The author of "Canoeing the Mountains," Bolsinger will talk about changing church leadership and will also be our guest preacher on Oct. 2.

• Covenant said good-bye to Director of Student Ministries Nathan Richards and Director of Children’s Ministry Stacey Grooms in July. Billy Streu was hired as the Director for High School Ministries and will start Sept.

1. Ashley Ellison will serve as interim Director of Children’s Ministry while we conduct a search for a new children’s director.

By Clark Weatherby Clerk of Session

FINANCIAL UPDATE

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Building Fund

Offering Receipts: $1,634,280 Budgeted Offering: $1,742,632 Difference: -$108,352

Total Loan Balance: $5,194,183 Principal reduction YTD: $864,466 Capital Campaign Pledge Total: $4.9m

Actual Expenses: $1,538,615 Budgeted Expenses: $1,662,467 Difference: $123,852

Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

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General Fund (YTD)

{ LIFE }

O R D I N A RY T I M E I

The Life Guide is an invitation to join the congregation on our journey during this season.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

–J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Our lives consist of the turning of years, and you may often find yourself wondering where the time has gone. With all of the activity that regularly fills our schedules, you may too busy to even notice.

It’s no secret that we live in a culture that touts crazy busy-ness as a virtue. As a result, our time is more valuable than ever before. The question we need to ask ourselves is: Are we living intentionally as disciples of Jesus?

Christ in the routine of everyday life reveals how seriously we take the miracles of Christmas and Easter.

How we keep track of time is a matter of our discipleship. How we spend our time forms and shapes us.

For centuries, the church has lived according to an alternative order of time known as the liturgical calendar. This calendar helps us attune our lives to the life, death and resurrection of Christ so that we might follow Jesus and participate in His mission each new day and in each new season. The calendar invites us into a rhythm of feasting and fasting, lament and celebration, and ordinary and extraordinary events, all of which center on the memory of the cross and the meaning of the resurrection for our lives.

We invite you to pray, study, share and give.

In this season of Ordinary Time, we invite you to pay attention to the beauty of each and every day and moment. We invite you to look for the significance in every Sunday worship service. And we invite you into four practices that will help you follow in the way of Jesus.

By Jon Wasson Associate Pastor of Discipleship

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The liturgical season of Ordinary Time reminds us that we live the majority of our lives in between highs and lows where nothing of overwhelming significance takes place. Nothing particularly exceptional happens during Ordinary Time; there are no spectacular feasts, fasts or extraordinary events. Ordinary Time offers a simple and profound reminder: Life is more ordinary than extraordinary, more usual and predictable than unusual or surprising. Yet how we follow

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The liturgical calendar hinges on two major seasons — Advent leading to Christmas and Lent leading to Easter. Ordinary Time — the two periods of time between Christmastide and Lent, and then between Eastertide and Advent — translates the life of Jesus into the very ordinary practice of everyday life.

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Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ LIFE }

PRAY STUDY

COMMUNING WITH GOD

Prayer is the primary way we experience communion with God. We do this each week as a congregation when we meet for worship. We do this when we break bread together as a family, in the quiet moments of each morning, when dropping our kids off at school, before an important test or meeting, or right before we lay our heads down to sleep at night. Prayer is the regular practice of seeking God’s presence in our lives.

At the core of what it means to be a disciple is to be a learner. We learn in many different ways, but one of the most important is the regular study of scripture in pursuit of the truth. Christians pursue this truth in community rather than alone. We invite you to join others to continue your journey as a learner.

Opportunities:

MEN IN THE WORD: Men's Bible study will study Exodus and Joshua, tracing the journey of God’s people to freedom. Thursdays at 6 a.m. starting Sept. 8. FE 200.

VESPERS: All are welcome to gather in the Sanctuary for a short service of prayer and worship to pray for the needs of the world, our church and community. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. starting Sept. 14 DAILY EXAMEN: The Daily Examen is a guide to help you reflect upon God’s presence throughout your day. At the end of each day, the examen leads us to give thanks to God for the gifts we have received during the day and to pray for the needs of the next day. Use the Daily Examen to pray each night (see page 10).

DRIVE-THRU PRAYER: This innovative ministry is designed to engage the surrounding community in prayer. Our neighbors have an opportunity to bring prayer requests to our prayer team in the Covenant parking lot. Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 to 9 a.m., Aug. 23 – Sept. 30.

WEDNESDAY SERVICE OF MORNING PRAYER: This brief, midweek lay-led worship for early risers is held in the chapel of the Fellowship and Education Building. Wednesdays at 7 a.m.

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RENEWING OUR MINDS

Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

Opportunities:

LAMPLIGHTERS: Women's Bible study will study Exodus and Joshua, tracing the journey of God’s people to freedom starting Sept. 7. Find times and locations: lamplightersbiblestudy.com.

DOWNTOWN MEN'S BIBLE STUDY: Members, friends and downtown workers escape their busy day to gather with other Christians to eat lunch and chew on scripture. Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. starting Sept. 14, Sullivan’s Steakhouse.

SUNDAY MORNING LEARNING COMMUNITIES: Meet each Sunday at 9:30 for Bible study, book discussion or conversation at the intersection of faith and culture. See covenant.org for a full list.

COVENANT LABS: These intensive learning experiences are designed for spiritual and cultural renewal. Reservations required. Learn more and RSVP at covenant.org. Three different labs to be offered Sundays in October, 9:30 a.m.

FAITH AND CULTURE SERIES: Join us for engaging conversations focusing on the intersection of faith and culture. We will host documentary film makers, authors, activists and national speakers.

For a list of topics, see covenant.org. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in FE 200.

SHARE GIVE

RESPONDING TO GOD

SHARING IN CHRIST

Christian community lives by Christ’s promise to be present whenever two or three are gathered in His name. Covenant Groups are small intentional communities in our congregation in which participants find support, encouragement and spiritual friendship. We invite you to pursue an authentic relationship to God and others in the context of Christian community.

Opportunities:

{LIFE }

Each and every act of generosity begins with the realization that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Acts of hospitality in which we seek Christ in all people, volunteering time and resources, and giving away financial resources are all ways to respond to God’s gracious generosity to us. During this season of Ordinary Time, we invite you to take an inventory of how you spend your time, resources and money in response to God’s grace and generosity to you.

MIDWEEK CONNECT MEAL: Relationships are the most important components of our life together at Covenant. Midweek Connect is an opportunity for children, students and adults to check in with one another over a meal and participate in age-appropriate discipleship opportunities. Wednesdays at 5 p.m. starting Aug. 31. FE 200.

Opportunities:

COVENANT GROUPS LAUNCH EVENT: Whether you already belong to a Covenant Group or plan to join one, we invite you to this Covenant Group kick-off event. We'll share our vision for community at Covenant, tell stories and connect with one another. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 6:30 p.m. FE 200.

PLEDGE SUNDAY: On Pledge Sunday, we are invited to reflect on God's faithfulness to us, and make a financial promise to the church for the upcoming year. All worship services on Sunday, Oct. 30.

EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP: Explore Membership classes offer the chance to meet new people, learn more about Presbyterianism, discuss tips for spiritual growth and gather suggestions on how you can care for others. Covenant's next fourweek class will be offered Sundays in October, (Oct. 2 – Oct. 23), from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Q COMMONS: This live learning experience equips Christians to engage our cultural moment.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 13, from 7–9 p.m., as we gather at Covenant Presbyterian Church to learn and consider how to advance good in Austin. Find out more and register at qcommons.com/Austin.

SHAPED TO SERVE: Shaped to Serve is Covenant's all-church day of service. On this day, members form teams to do proj­ects in the community that benefit our mission partners and our neighbors. We set up fun and rewarding activities with plenty of opportunities for people of all ages and capabilities. Saturday, Nov. 5.

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ LIFE }

DAILY EXAMEN 1) Become aware of God’s presence. Spend time in silence in the company of the Holy Spirit, asking God to bring clarity to your day.

2) Review the day with gratitude. Gratitude is essential to our relationship with God. What gifts did you receive today? What people or experiences stick out? What gifts did you give?

3) Pay attention to your emotions. St. Ignatius of Loyola observed that we can sense the presence of God by paying careful attention to our interior life. Reflect on how you felt today. Were you angry or joyful? Did you feel compassion? Did you experience exhaustion or frustration? Surely we all experience moments when our emotions overwhelm us. What is this telling us? Whom do we need to ask for forgiveness? What steps do we need to take toward the person for whom we felt compassion?

4) Choose one experience of the day and pray from it. Ask God to lead your prayer to something specific about that day. It might be a significant encounter or a feeling you experienced. Whether the prayer be repentance, gratitude, praise or intercession, spend a moment praying.

5) Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to grant you the wisdom, courage and grace you will need to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Again, pay attention to your feelings about tomorrow. Are you anxious?

Stressed? Cheerful?

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Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

{ FEATURES}

Chef Paulette more happening than just cooking

Ë Ê On a Thursday afternoon in early June, Pau“I felt like God was telling me I needed to do it,” lette Kern was checking recipes and grabbing Paulette said, reflecting on her six-month tenure as ingredients from the Covenant kitchen pantry, Frank Covenant chef. Her attitude, coupled with her caterSheppard stirred sugared almonds, and Frank’s ing and kitchen experience, led her to discuss the wife Carol and Brynn Anderson chopped vegetables. idea of serving as interim chef with Covenant leaders, The foursome chatted amiably as Paulette offered and ultimately to the kitchen. the kitchen helpers queso samples from a large pot bubbling on the stove and commented that it would After filling that role from January to the second taste better with her favorite chips, which she would week of June, Paulette, rather than feeling exhausted, pick up later from El Mercado. The group was getfocused on all she had gained. ting a head start on the last large meal of Covenant's 2015-2016 program year.

“There were so many gifts in all of this,” said Paulette,

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ FEATURES} who said the best part was getting to know the numerous volunteers who pitched in—from chopping vegetables to washing dishes, aprons and towels, to Paulette’s husband Jack relaying messages and filling out invoices. “Time is one of the hardest things for people to find and to give,” she said. “By having this need and asking people to give their time—to come in and work on a project with you—you receive the wonderful side benefit of getting to know people.

And it’s so natural when you’re working together.”

“I felt like God was telling me I needed to do it”

Paulette’s early involvement with the church happened in much the same way— working on committees side-by-side with people.

“That’s what we’ve done over the past months. The kitchen group has created a bond. I know I can count on them."

Church members, more volunteering than needed on most days, now understand how much work goes into the kitchen, and many know where things are located. “I’ve always believed that the members should own the church. We should be able to pitch in and find the things we need and help. A number of people told me they never realized how much work went into a meal,” Paulette said.

One who volunteered in the kitchen almost as often as Paulette was Brynn Anderson. As she helped prepare the June meal, Brynn said, “I love helping in the kitchen. I love the camaraderie. I’m busy all the time at home, but I’m by myself. I didn’t realize how isolated I was. I’ve gotten to know people whom I now consider friends.”

Brynn, a natural in the kitchen, was the eldest daughter in her six-child family, always cooking and helping with her siblings. Motivated to help because she didn’t want Paulette to burn out, Brynn said the friendships established were among the many “unexpected bonuses.” She reflected, “Like any mission, you usually end up getting more than you give.”

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Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

Pictured above is Brynn Anderson (back) and Carol Sheppard ( front)

Carol Sheppard agreed. “It’s more fun to do things together and to have a purpose with friends. In the kitchen, we've moved out of our comfort zone and really our homogenous-groups paradigm. We’re meeting people from different age groups and different areas of the church.”

One very loyal kitchen helper was Carol’s husband Frank Sheppard, who was in the kitchen every time Paulette called. “My mom was a home-ec teacher,” Frank said. “I enjoy cooking; the church needed help and it’s nice to have a man, occasionally, to lift big things.”

Getting Started Paulette said Covenant Chef Mark Toussaint had planned the meal calendar for the year, but one of the biggest challenges in cooking in a church setting is preparing the right amount of food. “You throw a dart and go on history, and hope you get it right."

“The first thing I had to do was figure out the lay of the land. Mark had done a great job of stocking the freezer, fridge and pantry. But I had to figure out what was there and in what amount, and put things together.

{ FEATURES} “Also, I didn’t feel comfortable with some of the menus and starting filling in with recipes I knew."

Paulette relied on her vast experience in different aspects of catering. "A lot of this job is knowing the details—what you need when and how to get it out there. It takes bringing a lot of little pieces together to get the meal to the table."

The worst part, for Paulette, was leftovers. She was constantly asking herself: “Where can I take them before they’re no good? How can we repurpose them? Is there enough to freeze for another meal?”

Moving Forward As the new season in the kitchen gets under way, both Paulette and Frank commented how lucky Covenant is to have Mark. “Mark is a gem,” Frank said. “The church has an incredible asset with him as our chef. He’s caring and generous, and very hard to replace.“

Thanks Paulette!

For her months in the kitchen, Covenant members and guests are most appreciative. Paulette just laughs when she is thanked. “I love to cook. I have the background. Whether my body and brain would do it was the question.”

As she hustled from stirring a pot of queso and chatted with Frank about the best way to sugar almonds, Paulette clearly proved her brain and body could handle the full-time kitchen job. And as Frank heaved a heavy pan from a high shelf, and Brynn and Carol continued chopping, it was clear there was more happening here than just cooking. And it was lovely.

By Stephanie Schultz Director of Communications

“When Mark said he needed personal leave, I wanted to make sure he could come back to a kitchen well cared for. This job is so different than working in a restaurant. It takes a different kind of person to interface and deal with everything that happens here,” Paulette said, adding that she, Frank and some others will start a kitchen committee.

Pictured below is Frank Sheppard.

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ FEATURES}

Early this summer, Covenant’s Session unanimously approved a new vision statement to help guide our church into the future.

“This statement does many things,” Senior Pastor Thomas Daniel said.

“It captures the core values of Covenant. It’s short enough to be remembered and it positions us to move into the future.” He added that it gives us common language to articulate who we are.

Thomas explained. “The statement starts with our life together.

In the first part – encouraging one another – we convey the values of family and community that members and staff often use to describe Covenant.

“Followers of Jesus,” he said, “captures our unifying mission. It’s who we are: we are disciples. Encouraging one another to follow Him is how we think.”

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The last part, Thomas said, emphasizes our missional sending. “This is the idea of being pointed outward, not just doing this for our own sake. As a missional church, we are sent to show others what following Jesus looks like. We are role models where we live, work and play. It’s exactly what we’ve been talking about with the Institute for Missional Leadership. The mission field is now our schools, and workplaces and neighborhoods. The last part of the statement captures that.”

where we currently live, work and play,” she said.

EACH SECTION, IN DEPTH The Session spent several months discussing and getting comfortable with the statement. To help with the discernment process, Thomas, Jill and Associate Pastor Jon Wasson each presented on a section of the statement. Thomas kicked it off with an overview of the statement. Jill discussed what it means to follow Jesus and Jon covered the last part­—wherever we live, work and play.

The most discussion among members of Session focused on the last part, according to AssociJill said her part was easy. She ate Pastor Jill Williams. “Session simply went to scripture, where members wanted to make sure there are countless examples that the missional sending into follow Jesus. She explained: cluded places outside our usual “Jesus’ initial summons to this routes, outside our comfort zones. participative life of imitation was As a church, that means Cuba a simple, ‘follow me.’” and Zambia, and places in Austin where we don’t usually go, such “Be compassionate as your Father as the Drag or being a mentor at is compassionate.” (Luke 6:36) Webb Middle School. It’s not just

Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

{ FEATURES} “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

language that conveyed the right theological tone. Finally, members of Session finessed the language Jill cited Dissident Discipleship, a landing on a statement that capbook written by David Augsburger, tures our key values and positions Covenant for the future. to highlight knowing God. “True Spirituality is a spirituality of the Thomas said the process was long, road. We know Him by following as we make the road by walking but he is pleased with the outcome. “Our people will know this it, discover the way in obedient imitation, and participation in his statement and be able to tell you what it means,” Thomas said. life with us.”

Jon Wasson covered the missional part of the statement: wherever we live, work and play. “The statement is personal and practical,” Jon said. “Our vocation is our call to be witnesses, to be a faithful presence in the world God loves.

“The mission statement will hopefully motivate each member of our community to reconsider his vocation as a witness. It also functions as a theological description of the entire church community. To be a church is to be a sent community,” Jon said.

He further said the four practices —study, pray, share, give—are the things we do together and individually in our everyday lives.

They are things we are called to do as a church community and as followers of Jesus that enable us to live out this vision.

Finally, Thomas said this statement positions Covenant for the future. “Because the world is changing so quickly, organizations today are moving away from making long-range plans, and instead, are creating strategic positions based on their values, which don’t change.

During his presentation, Jon also backed his discussion with scripture and books, specifically: “Jesus "None of us knows what the next calls his followers to go into all the five years will bring. When someworld." (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark thing comes at us—even hard issues—we can step back and say 16:15) 'these are our values.' Our common langauge will make a huge THE PROCESS difference; it positions us to have critical conversations. We are During Thomas' first two years thrilled to have a statement like at Covenant, members shared this now.” their thoughts about Covenant with him, and relayed what values make it special. A couple Coming this September, Covenant will have a five-week sermon sestaff members created a stateries on the vision statement. The ment that conveyed that general series starts Sept. 11. feeling, which was used to kick off discussion. The pastoral staff then worked together to put in

SESSION BRAINSTORM:

What it means to follow Jesus Jill enjoyed her task, leading a brainstorming session with Session. Together, the group created a list of what it means to follow Jesus:

• Obedience • Imitation • Jesus’ agenda, not ours • Love your neighbor • Requires action and sacrifice • Reorientation of goals • TRUST • Element of surprise in the journey • Keep moving; don’t quit • See others through the eyes of Jesus • Abandon to Him • Submit and reflect • Take risks • Encouragement, community • No credentials needed • Involves the cross • Seek to know Jesus • Listen to and act as the Spirit leads

By Stephanie Schultz Director of Communications

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ FEATURES}

Need a Lift?

Here’s how God changed my life this year. It’s almost like He had it all planned…

We all have our “church friends,” right? They are the people we look for across the patio and rush to catch for a few minutes of laughter before everyone disperses on Sunday mornings. Maybe they are the people we bump into at dinner and introduce to others as our “friends from church.”

Have you ever wondered how to transform your church friends into real-life friends?

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Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

{ FEATURES} My church friends include some very cool people —nice women I always look forward to seeing on Sundays. After church, we linger on the patio as long as our kids will let us, and then we talk and laugh all the way to our cars in the parking lot. At some point last fall, God showed me I was at my happiest when I was with these women. I didn’t see them as a group at first because they didn’t all know each other. But they were at the heart of the joy I feel when I am at Covenant. Throughout the months, I watched these women, and I saw them lift up people around them in big and small ways. And I wished that I had more time with them.

So I mentioned to one of them, Amy Skaggs, that I wished there was a way to gather these women together outside of church. Amy, with her trademark eye twinkle, said she’d heard there would be an opportunity to form “small groups.” See what God did there? He had been working on this project from a completely different angle. I had no idea what an “official” small group would look like, but I was excited about spending more time with these women.

When the call went out in January 2016 to start forming Lenten small groups, I was ready. I sent a request to six women—Amy Skaggs, Veronica Divine, Kathryn Sedberry, Sarah McCracken, Emily McGuiness and Christian Meyer. They all said yes. In emails shared those first days, it was clear how excited and ready we each were. We wrote about “helping each other fill our buckets spiritually and supportively,” and the opportunity for “deeper relationships” and “more intentional, supportive friendships.” I know now that God had been stirring up this need in each one of us.

short reading assignments and questions for thought were just enough to give us a solid topic for discussion but not so deep that we’d be lost if we didn’t prepare ahead of time. The goal for each group was to create a “Rule of Life,” a guide for providing support, intention and structure so our spiritual life would flourish in an orderly fashion. That was the intent.

We ultimately turned out not to be very orderly.

We met for the first time at a restaurant on Ash Wednesday. That meeting was even better than I had hoped. We thoroughly introduced ourselves and tried valiantly to stick to the curriculum. But it was just so easy to laugh together, and our conversation quickly took a warm, personal turn. We were friends instantly. I know beyond a shadow of doubt the Holy Spirit was with us that night—we all felt His presence. We ended the night by saying out loud that we would pray for each other throughout the week, and that felt just exactly right.

Here’s the other thing God was doing at the same time to change my life. Six days before our first Lift meeting, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. One of the many frustrating things about this disease is that after the initial bad news, no one can tell you how serious your case is until a full pathology is completed. This can take several grueling weeks. It is hard to stay positive during these long days, especially when the initial biopsy indicates a very aggressive cancer, as in my case. Hearing these women say they would

We were seven very busy, fairly successful women who spent jam-packed days juggling husbands and kids, parents, jobs, commitments, concerns, etc. We had plenty of social events on our calendars. Yet we each carried the same undeniable awareness that things could be even better. We knew we needed a different kind of friendship circle. We agreed to call our group “Lift” because we felt a lift each time we saw each other at church and because we planned to lift up each other during our time together.

Pictured below Emily McInnis, Kathryn Sedberry, Veronica Divine,

The small group curriculum was perfect. The very

Christian Meyer, Sarah McCracken, Amy Skaggs and DeDe Church

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ FEATURES} pray for me was incredibly meaningful. And important.

In an effort to prevent our group from becoming all cancery, I waited until our second meeting to tell about my diagnosis. They responded just exactly as you’d think—concern, compassion and just the right amount of humor. I had named my tumor “Bernice,” so humor was in order and greatly appreciated.

In the weeks that followed, our group continued to meet on Wednesdays and grew closer. We always spent a few minutes discussing the curriculum, and we started to rely on our time together. I think we knew something special was happening. Each of us went to great lengths to make it to those Wednesday meetings. We came to need that time when we were laughing together and lifting each other up.

A lot happened! In those short six weeks of Lent, we faced two surgeries, kids’ broken bones, sick husbands, employment concerns and one huge international work event. It was a very busy time with lots of opportunities to grow together.

Shortly after our first meeting, someone had the great idea that our husbands should form their own small group. It took a few weeks to get them off and running, but they started meeting on Sunday nights at various establishments of imbibement. Seeing some of them begin to rely on each other and look forward to their time together was one of the greatest and most unexpected joys of this small group experience.

In March, I began six weeks of daily radiation as part of my cancer treatment. My Lift friends responded with the perfect plan. Each week, one of them would take me to radiation and also to lunch or shopping or on a little outing. They called this plan “Driving Ms. DeDe.” See how clever they are? These were some of my very favorite days ever—and that’s saying quite a lot since these days also included being blasted with radiation from a linear accelerator.

These Covenant Groups were designed to last for the six weeks of Lent. When Easter arrived, our group had a discussion about whether we should continue.

It wasn’t really a discussion—it was more of a quick, 15

Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

Pictured: ( first row) Christy Terrill (DeDe's sister), Carolyn Wilburn (DeDe's mom), DeDe, Sarah McCracken, (second row) Veronica Divisne, Kathryn Sedberry, Christian Meyer, Emily McInnis, Amy Skaggs, Jenny Lee (DeDe's sister)

firm acknowledgement that we would of course continue to gather.

As my last day of radiation approached in early May, there was no question about who would be there to celebrate. These six women had traveled through the entire journey with me, and I really wanted them there to take the final step. There was a lot of joy among us that afternoon. I’m not sure that Texas Oncology really appreciated the raucous nature of our group; they didn’t seem overly impressed with the “Bye Bye Bernice” tiaras and glow in the dark necklaces, the loud whoops and big hugs! But for me, it was one of the most memorable days of my life.

The Season of Lent, as I understand it, is intended to be a time when we prepare ourselves and find ways to draw closer to God. I have no doubt that God brought our group together to serve His purpose. I think He loves hearing our laughter and feeling our genuine compassion for each other. I think He always intended for us to find each other and lift each other up in His name. He’s like that, isn’t He?

By DeDe Church Church Member

{ COMMUNITY}

Road To Recovery Clients served by Street Youth Ministry (SYM) generally take one of three paths to escape the streets: find a job, reunite with family or go to school.

In this story, one of a series and written by missionary and SYM founder Terry Cole, constant encouragement from the SYM team over a period of months helped one street-dependent youth end an addiction, adopt a positive outlook and renew a relationship with his father.

Joe appeared on the street in late November 2014. He seemed nice, but little did we know what was about to take place in his life, and what role Street Youth Ministry would play—just by being there.

Joe appeared to us as a traveler.

Travelers are usually high-functioning and focused, intent on getting what they need before moving on. He said he was leaving in just a few days, but those days came and went, and he was

still with us. There was always something else he needed before leaving town.

Then Joe fell into a serious drug habit. He began to smoke K2, a new and cheap synthetic drug that has invaded the streets of Austin.

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ COMMUNITY} He used heavily. We checked on Joe periodically. He wasn't mean or violent like some of our clients on K2. In fact, he grew quieter and more distant. He rarely talked to us, and his actions broadcast his priorities: find drugs, do drugs, find money for more drugs.

Occasionally he would talk, and when he did, we would remind him of the good things he wanted for himself: new glasses, better gear, warmer clothing.

Joe snapped out of his stupor as spring came near. He got new glasses and began to question his direction. Our inquiries were often met with, "I just don't know.

I just don't know what I'm doing with my life." He seemed to realize that the journey of self-discovery that had brought him to the street had derailed, and he was lost.

Then, finally came the admission: He was depressed.

Calls for prayer went out to our prayer team. We followed up with guidance counseling. We walked

alongside him and helped him examine his thoughts. Soon, we saw a marked difference! Joe became aware he was no longer a kid. His juvenile behavior looked wrong to him. He began to reappear at some of our indoor events. He opened up more, sharing how a series of family difficulties during his childhood led to rebellion, misbehavior and ultimately two years in prison. Sitting on the streets doing drugs was just an extension of that downward spiral.

Now, Joe's outlook is changing.

He wants an adult relationship with his father. He realized his father was also shaped by his own family, and Joe now has compassion for him. He sees that living on the street has been an important part of his self-discovery, but that he can no longer stay in Austin. He acts differently now.

He may struggle with depression, but he's having great days. He's thinking more and discovering new desires for his life. He's encountering spirituality and hope.

We're not fixers per se. We offered guidance and encouragement each of the more than 50 times we met Joe. It's planned into every encounter, daily activity, giveaway and special event we hold. It’s no accident there are hundreds of stories like Joe’s. Celebrating transformation is one of the many joys of this ministry. Thank you, Covenant Community, for being a part of it!

The opportunities we offer street youth—to wash clothes, eat a sandwich, get an ID, study the Bible, find a shirt that fits or a sleeping bag to protect them from the cold—help us make inroads into their lives. Positive results often follow! Volunteers who give of their time and in-kind donations play important roles. For information on helping with SYM, visit Volunteer.StreetYouthMinistry.org.

By Terry Cole Church Member, SYM Founder and Missionary Terry Cole and volunteers handing out goods to the street dependent youth on Guadalupe Street ("The Drag").

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Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

{ COMMUNITY}

Hello, New Members

Covenant offered interested visitors and friends a condensed new member class in May, which resulted in 12 new people joining the church.

We welcomed the new members at worship services over the summer. We are so happy you are here!

The next session of Explore Membership will run four Sundays in October, starting Oct. 2, and run-

ning through Oct. 23, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in CO 208. Those who attend can expect to learn about our denomination, hear opportunities for mission, classes and Covenant Groups, meet new people and hear from our pastors. Childcare and/or Sunday school is available. For more information, contact Amy Skaggs at askaggs@covenant.org.

Dennis Donley

Lori Donley

Pat Gow

Thomas D. Murphy, Jr.

Brittany Owens

January Pfiester

Winston Pfiester

Tom Sellers

Kelly Tarun

Allisa White

Patti and Phil Wilhite

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ COMMUNITY}

Welcome Home, Billy!

Billy Streu, Covenant’s New Student Ministry Director for High School, is coming home. The Lubbock, Texas, native interned at Covenant after he graduated from college.

language learning, team conflict, heating and cooling issues, deep poverty and need, creating healthy life boundaries and cancer.

“We grew through every challenge,” Billy said. “It’s al“Covenant holds a dear place in my heart,” Billy said. ways hard to understand a different culture, but this “It's an honor to get to serve here again. God has never means that your own is better. God created worked on me in so many ways since my time at Cov- culture; the differences can be such a beautiful asset. enant. I feel I have a firm foundation having learned from my own failures and successes. I am excited “Bosnia has an unemployment rate of 43 percent. In the town where we lived, it was probably more than to share my life and experience with students and their families, and all the volunteers. This is a dream 80 percent. People asked for genuine help a number come true.” of times daily and we had to learn how to consistently seek the Spirit’s guidance and usually expect that It has been more than 10 years and thousands of guidance within minutes of asking for it.” miles since Billy interned at Covenant. Since then, he and his wife Jess spent five years with Operation After five years in Bosnia, Billy was diagnosed with Mobilization in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The couple has cancer and opted to have surgery in Zagreb, Croatia. also done mission work in the Czech Republic and He and Jess decided he should have treatment in the Romania. And they twice became parents to Anabell, United States. During the five months of care, the four, and Auggie, one. couple had a lot of time to evaluate their next move.

“This began a journey of God giving us His blessing LIFE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA to pursue a desire for our daughter and for us to be closer to family,” Billy said.

Billy and Jess had a passion to do mission work overseas. A friend referred them to Operation The small family relocated to St. Louis. A key goal of Mobilization. When the organization asked where the move was to be intentional about using experithey’d like to go, the couple didn’t have an answer. ences they had gained. St. Louis is the city with the During a prayer meeting, they saw a presentation on largest Bosnian population in the world outside of work being done in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Both knew Bosnia-Herzegovina. instantly that God was leading them there.

YOUTH DIRECTOR ROOTS Life in Bosnia was full of challenges, Billy said—so many in fact that it was hard to narrow his list, As youth director at Westminster Presbyterianwhich included: culture shock, language barrier, Church in Lubbock for two years, Billy gained stu19

Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

{ COMMUNITY} dent ministry experience, prompting Bosnian mission leaders to ask Billy and Jess to pioneer a youth ministry at a small town church near the Croatian border.

which resulted in a yearlong tenure starting in 2004.

“I've known Billy since 1998,” Whitney said. “When I was thinking about and describing my dream coworker, Andrew said ‘that sounds like Billy!’”

“I thought I was a veteran ready to go. Student ministry in a foreign culture was a whole new ball game!” Whitney is excited to work with Billy for many reaBilly said. “Being able to build these new experisons, a few of which include: ences and lessons onto my previous experiences has certainly prepared me to see student ministry much • “He is gifted in so many ways that will compliment more comprehensively and holistically. I gained inmy gifts. I know the Lord will give us an incredible partnership. sight in working to understand, empathize and love someone very different from myself. The small town we lived in was about 90 percent Muslim.”

• Billy's heart is so passionate for families and for the gospel and I can't wait for our kids and parents to get to know him.

Billy is excited to work with Middle School Director of Student Ministries Whitney Bell. “We go all the way back to being youth students together at • Billy's experience doing ministry in Bosnia will be Westminster Pres!” he said, adding that Andrew Bell such a great perspective for us. We can easily fall into youth group culture and Billy's experience will was his roommate at Texas Tech University. Andrew challenge that.” encouraged him to apply for the Covenant position, Whitney’s list went on and on, with the final thought, “He will be a wonderful high school director.”

Added Billy, “I am overjoyed to be coming back to Covenant and feel blessed that my family will experience the love of this church as well."

By Stephanie Schultz Director of Communications

Just In

Kathryn Sedberry is Cov“Kathryn's life has been impacted by a Covenant enant’s new Associate Director Group,” Senior Pastor Thomas Daniel said. "She’s of Discipleship. Kathryn, a gone through the process and sees how it is making Covenant member since 1996, has worked as an edu- a difference in her life. It’s a unique perspective.” cator for many years. At Covenant, she has served as an Elder, a deacon, a children’s choir director, an In the next issue of Cornerstone, we’ll feature KathUpward Basketball organizer and more. Over the ryn in an article, and find out what she’s learned in next few months, Kathryn will be developing this her first few months on the job and more about her. brand new role, among her chief duties will be creating curriculum for discipleship activities.

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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{ EVENTS}

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST 21

SUN

Party on the Patio 9 to 11 a.m

SUN

Four Worship Services Resume • Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary at 8:15, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

• Contemporary Worship in FE 200 at 11:05 a.m

23

TUE

Drive-Thru Prayer starts, 7-9 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday until Sept. 30

27

SAT

Preschool Work Day

28

SUN

Sunday School Starts

28

SUN

J ourney Choir Rehearsals start at 4:30 p.m.

28

SUN

GraceNotes Rehearsals

31

WED Children’s Choirs Start at 4:30p.m.

31

IDWEEK CONNECT Kick-off M WED Event • Dinner 5–6:30 p.m.

31

WED

21

THU

Women’s Fall Kick-off Brunch at 10 a.m. in FE 200

01

THU

Preschool Starts

01

THU

Armchair Travelers 7 p.m. in FE 200

06

TUE

Senior Activities Day 10 a.m. in FE 200

07

WED Lamplighters Kick-off

08

THU

Men’s in the Word at 6 a.m. in FE 200

11

SUN

"Together" Sermon Series starts

14

Downtown Men’s Bible Study at WED 11:30 a.m. Email Maureen at mcrawley@covenant.org

Austin Presbyterian Pilgrimage 15– THU– Camp Buckner, Marble Falls 18 SUN Contact Kyle Danehy: kyledanehy@hotmail.com 20

TUE

Session Meeting 6:30 p.m.

20

TUE

VISIONS Senior Luncheon

31

hildren’s What-a-Wednesday C WED starts at 6 p.m. in FE 300

25

SUN

Choir Dedication Sunday 9:30 in the Sanctuary

31

tudent Ministry: Middle School S WED and High School D Groups at 6:308 p.m. in FE 400

29

THU

Walking the Mourner's Path starts 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, Thursdays through Nov. 17

31

anctuary Choir Rehearsal Starts at S WED 7:30 p.m. in FE 100

29

THU

Career Transitions starts 7 p.m. in FE 100, Thursdays through Nov. 7

ovenant Groups Launch Event at C 6:30 p.m. FE 200

VBS 2016: Pictured Left to Right: Kennedy Weatherby, Elena Aventa, Lael Weatherby, Ben Baskin, Hannah Daniel

21

01

Cornerstone | August–November | Ordinary Time I

{ EVENTS}

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

02

SUN

Explore Membership starts 9:30-11 a.m. every Sunday through Oct. 23

01

TUE

Senior Activities Day 10 a.m. in FE 200

02

SUN

Meet Your Deacon on the Patio

05

SAT

02

SUN

uest Preacher Tod Bolinger at all G Services

Shaped to Serve/Day of Service All over Austin. Sign up on the patio

TUE

Senior Activities Day 10 a.m. in FE 200

FRI– SUN

Youth Retreat, Camp Champions

04

11– 13 15

TUE

VISIONS Senior Luncheon 11:45 a.m. in FE 200

15

TUE

Session Meeting 6:30 p.m.

23

WED

Thanksgiving Worship and Light Lunch 12 p.m. in the Sanctuary

06

THU

Armchair Travelers 7 p.m. in FE 200

11

TUE

Parent Education Night

13

THU

Q Commons 7 p.m. in FE 200

16

SUN

"Thy Kingdom Come" Sermon Series starts

24– THU– Office Closed for Thanksgiving 25 FRI

16

SUN

First Graders Receive Bibles Contemporary Service 11:05 a.m.

27

SUN

Hanging of the Green 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

18

TUE

VISIONS Senior Luncheon 11:45 a.m. in FE 200

27

SUN

"And the Soul Felt its Worth" Sermon Series starts

18

TUE

Session Meeting 6:30 p.m.

28

MON

20

THU

Dad's Preschool Pizza Night 5 p.m. in FE 300

Upward Practices Start 5:30 p.m. in FE Gym

30

WED

20

THU

Upward Evaluations 5:30–7:30 p.m.

FE Gym

Journey to Bethlehem 5:30 p.m. in Eaton Hall

22

SAT

Upward Evaluations 8:30 – 11 a.m.

FE Gym

22

SAT

Hopefest, Reagan High School

23– SUN– IHN at Covenant, Eaton Hall 29 SAT 27

TUE

Girls Night Out 6:15–9 p.m. in FE 200

26

WED

Trunk or Treat 5 p.m. in the parking lot

30

OCT Pledge Sunday All Services

Covenant Kids Care Twenty kids and eight adults gathered to re-stock the freezer for RockA-Bye Ministry, which delivers meals to church members who have recemtly had a baby. The group cooked and assembled 10 meals, made cards, and prayed over the food and all of the young families in our church. (Pictured: Ainsley Burris and Charlotte Skaggs)

Ordinary Time I | August–November | Cornerstone

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3003 Northland Drive Austin, TX 78757

Covenant Prebyterian Church October 13, 2016 7pm in FE 200

Equipping Christians to Engage the Cultural Moment

Register Online

qcommons.com/Austin