February 2016

CORNERSTONE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | FEBRUARY 2016

D*Now weekend retreat for Covenant’s youth group was a huge success! Early in January, more then 100 students stayed in members’ homes and bonded over worship, games, time together and serving through mission projects.

Student Ministry Director Nathan Richards said the projects are what the kids most appreciate about the weekend. “The mission projects are about living into our call,” Nathan said. “The goal is to find Covenant members who need help. Our hope is to work with people outside of our little circles and form relationships with members we wouldn’t usually meet.”

ABOUT CORNERS CORNERSTONE CONTRIBUTORS SENIOR PASTOR THOMAS DANIEL

Cornerstone is the bimonthly publication of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Cornerstone provides in-depth articles on the events that take place on and off campus, and the people who make them happen.

CLERK OF SESSION CLARK WEATHERBY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR DUANE DUBE EDITOR STEPHANIE SCHULTZ DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Content includes the pastor’s letter, Session news, member and staff spotlights, and a calendar of upcoming events. Find more information on the events online and in Covenant Matters.

Download the paper version of Cornerstone online at covenant.org/cornerstone. We will update the Cornerstone blog as we receive content at covenant.org/blog.

HILARY PITTMAN

We need you!

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JOY BASKIN, KIT CHENAULT, CARA COTHAM, SUSAN HOLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY JOY BASKIN, ANN BROWN, TOM HUTCHISON, THAIS KILDAY, DAVID PENA, STEPHANIE SCHULTZ SPECIAL THANKS TO PAUL MOWRY, BRIAN SPARKS

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To make Cornerstone better, we need your help!

The content will be more interesting and more fun with more writers. If you have something you want to write about or want us to write, let us know. While we can’t promise that every submitted article will appear in the printed version of Cornerstone, we will publish all appropriate stories on the blog. We also need photos of events.

If you have suggestions for Cornerstone, email us at publications@covenant.org or stop by the office in Covenant Hall.

STONE 2

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS

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Choosing healthier patterns for our lives 3

RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY

Exploring our grief with understanding friends 13

Refugee Welcome Team sees God working 4

PUT COMMUNITY FIRST!

BE THE CHANGE

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PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

ALL THAT JAZZ!

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FINANCE/PLEDGE UPDATE

Stewardship pledges exceed 2015 mark 16

Covenant combines great music with jambalaya

CLERK’S CORNER

Looking forward while counting our blessings

One family’s story about insurance choices 9

THERE’S NO “I” IN TEAM

Upward basketball players live the lesson

Seventh graders donate coins to help girls 7

BEST FACE FORWARD

Covenant’s new photo directory coming soon

Men build house, strengthen bonds 6

WONDERING MOURNERS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Mark your calendars for a busy spring

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Bigger commitment means bigger rewards

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS The study of Scripture is one of the four daily devotions that the first Christians practiced in Acts 2. They immersed themselves in the narrative of God’s love for the world that is perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. In much the same way, 2,000 years later here at Covenant, we affirm that we are a community that lives under the unique and authoritative Word of God. This living Word shapes our lives and as it does, we are filled with joy.

This year for Lent, we will engage a sermon series titled “Journey To The Cross.” The entire six-week series will focus on a single chapter of the Bible—the 22nd chapter of Luke. Throughout this season and through the series, we will be invited to use this small section of the Gospel to guide us into reflecting upon our lives and on specific areas where we need turn in a new direction.

For example in Luke 22:24-30, we will study a moment just after the Last Supper when the disciples ask Jesus which among them is the greatest. While that

may sound like a silly question to many of us, my bet is that you and I also spend a great deal of time and energy worrying about how we measure up to our siblings, friends and coworkers. Our success, or at least the perception of our success, can determine our sense of worth. Another example comes from verses 39-46 when Jesus is praying on the Mount of Olives and awaiting the soldiers coming to arrest Him. Even though Jesus is greatly troubled and asks the disciples to pray with Him, they fall asleep because they are tired. You and I might read this and think that we would act differently in the same situation. Yet how often are we too tired and preoccupied by life to devote ourselves to the discipline of prayer?

My hope for this series is twofold.

First, that these lessons would lead us all to repent and choose healthier patterns for ourselves and our families. Lent is a time to slow down and examine the choices we make daily. Second, that we would remember not much has changed about the

human condition in the last 2,000 years. As we see the faults and failures of many people in Luke 22, we will hold up a mirror to ourselves and we will have the chance to recognize that Creation needs more than rules, good intentions and resolutions for self-improvement. Such initiatives are well-intentioned but fail to bring real change. Ultimately, we will encounter our need for grace and encounter again the God who loves us enough to offer it through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. I look forward to joining you on this Lenten journey—a “Journey to the Cross.”

JOYFULLY,

THOMAS DANIEL SENIOR PASTOR

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RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY My personal journey as part of Covenant’s first Refugee Welcome Team has been a lesson in watching God multiply, minimize and magnify as He shines His light into a very dark and difficult situation. We welcomed our first family, a young couple from Afghanistan and their two-year-old son. It took three years for them to complete paperwork, and while they left a dangerous situation and were grateful to feel safe, they left much family behind.

Three things stood out to me as I saw God work through us in this ministry.

First, it was amazing to see how He has taken our donations and multiplied them to provide so beautifully. On apartment set-up day, our group arrived with many odds and ends. After four hours, we left a very put-together apartment. I imagined the family’s wonder and excitement as we stocked the home and the refrigerator, and staged a welcome to make them feel loved. The family asked why we did all this. I told them that our church wanted to welcome

and support refugee families. I told them it was our honor and privilege to help.

God’s provision continued to be immediate and above expectation. Mere mentioning of specific needs brought donations—new strollers, a car seat, even a new washer and dryer. I was served food on the beautiful set of pottery that was “too good” to donate before, yet sat in a box in the garage for years. I saw decorations that my family didn’t need but are now making this apartment feel like a home.

I realized how many people could be served simply from the excess in our homes. What a gift to see how God is using our small gifts in such a personal way. And what a beautiful, creative way our God can orchestrate our small efforts.

Second, I learned that when I get too invested in what “I” am doing, God lovingly puts me in my proper place. Learning to work in a team and being too much of a perfectionist in my goals for this family were challenges that reminded me that God is the hero and I am the helper. For example, I decided to make a special first meal for the family. I did it out of love, but then went to crazy efforts to get it there after work—hot, delicious and perfectly presented. But there was some miscommunication and they were not there! I waited two hours. I prayed a lot. I realized I was trying to be the hero. God minimized my ego and reminded

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me that He is in control. Instead of feeling defeated, I left realizing God has this.

I returned the next day during my lunch hour with a cold meal and a more humble spirit. My time with them was about them. Minimizing my ego was a great learning experience. Being “right sized” in the presence of our God is a stress reducer.

Third, and most important, this ministry is much more than providing food and a well-stocked apartment to a family in need. This is sowing God’s love and peace between nations by building relationships. This is about leaning in with my heart and watching God magnify. God’s big love shows us that people from very different cultures and beliefs aren’t so very different. I am distressed from the fear talk and misunderstanding in the media. I do

not understand the hatred and violence. How many people would change their minds if they knew their “enemies”? I’ve had authentic conversations with this Muslim family about our cultural differences.

We have shared thoughts that are different and prayed before meals. God made us all in His image.

I truly believe that working with refugee families, and demonstrating love and care is one way God will bring peace. This family continually relays to its Afghan friends and family how kind we are. They are as respectful of my faith as I am of theirs. Who knows what God will do with all this? He is multiplying my small gifts, minimizing my big ego and magnifying my little heart to serve HIS purpose in this world.

BY CARA COTHAM

PUT COMMUNITY FIRST! Community First! is a 27- acre master-planned community that, when complete, will provide affordable, sustainable housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically

homeless in central Texas. The community, run by Mobile Loaves and Fishes, is largely being built by volunteer groups from around the city. Each group that volunteers starts by buying a housebuilding kit for $20,000.

When Covenant member Harold Skaggs heard about the project, he felt it would be a

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great opportunity for Men in the Word. He approached Covenant’s Mission Committee in 2014 and asked the committee to match $10K, which he was certain that Men in the Word could raise.

True to Harold’s word, the men exceeded their goal, raising $11k for the project. With the Mission Committee’s donation, Men in the Word were ready to buy the kit, which comes from Estonia.

Harold explained: “The kits remind me of Lincoln Logs. The houses come in a variety of styles

but they are basically the same.

The neighborhood will have these micro-homes for one person. My understanding is that residents will pay about $75/month in rent.

The houses have electricity, but no water or plumbing. There will be an area for a common shower, restrooms and a shared kitchen.

The houses will have microwaves and fridges like you find in a dorm. They will come furnished, have pots and pans available and will be landscaped before move-in.”

“This project seemed ideal for Men in the Word and it was even better than I thought it would be!”

Harold said. “There was a camaraderie in the fundraising, and such a strong bond that occurred among the men working.”

On a late November morning, a team of about 15 Covenant men quickly put the house together.

Later, licensed electricians and others will wire the house, and add insulation on the outside and sheet iron on the roof.

Harold said the team easily could have brought 40 volunteers, but groups were limited to 10.

Covenant had 15 men show up.

“When we got there, nobody seemed to care. I wasn’t planning to work; I was going to stand and cheer, but we all had something

Men in the Word member Monroe Talley agreed. “This project had the usual good-natured and positive attitudes, if not more so, as our other endeavors. When so many gather and lend a hand, the synergy is magnified.”

to do. We were called pickers and pounders. The pickers picked up the boards and handed them, at the right time, to the pounders, who pounded them in.”

The biggest surprise of the day was the rain, Harold recalled. “It had been wet, wet, wet that week and was supposed to rain more with a cold front coming through.

I told the leaders to pray for ‘passover’ – that the rain would pass us over.”

When that area gets fresh rain, it’s slick and work has to be called off. Community First! organizers actually planned to call Covenant’s work day off the night before, but Harold talked them into making the call in the morning. When Harold arrived at the worksite around 7 a.m., house kits

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had already been broken up for the teams that day.

“The best part of the day came at about 9:30 when the weather changed from gusting winds and rain clouds to calm skies with sunshine,” Monroe said. “We were assured of beautiful weather to finish our project. Until then, it was touch and go...and cold!”

The “Covenant Cottage” still needs be to landscaped. Ken

Moore and family will lead that effort, and there may be opportunity for more members to get involved. However, that phase won’t start until the spring, and the house will not be occupied until after Easter.

Looking forward, Harold said that group will definitely do another similar project. “The guys really seemed to respond to something that was finite. We started with a bare slab and when we left, there

BE THE CHANGE Last fall, a crafty group of seventh grade girls decided to make piggy banks and “put change in to change the world.” From September until December, the girls and their D-group leader, Evangeline Herring, collected change and indeed, that change is now helping to make the world a better place.

The coin collection culminated with a fancy brunch at Evangeline’s house for the girls and their mothers. According to Evangeline, a bit of fortuitous timing was involved. “The week before we met, the girls were part of a larger youth group meeting at Covenant where the kids and leaders discussed Syrian refugees and ways to pray for them. When the girls got together at my house later that week, I asked them: ‘What else can we do? If we don’t do something else, how are things going to get fixed?’”

The girls pondered those questions and over fine china and a finer meal prepared by Evangeline, they started looking at a World Vision catalog. After 6

was a little house. We finished in a short period of time and we had a sense of completeness,” Harold said. “Somebody’s gonna live here. They’ll be off the streets and will live in this snug little spot.”

Harold hopes that Men in the Word and Covenant “kind of adopt” the person who lives in the Covenant Cottage. “I hope we can continue to minister to who is there and use it as an opportunity to share God’s grace.”

going through it, the girls had some different opinions about how to use the money.

Evangeline said she loved the education idea.

“When I saw the education offering in the catalog, I thought about how much these girls complain about “I wanted to help girls get an education and buy school. If they can see how many girls cannot go to bikes for them,” Victoria Tritle said. Victoria was school, maybe they would appreciate their educaquite successful in filling her jar and according to tion more. For $35 a year, we bought a whole year of her grandmother, Marijean Tritle, she was relentless school for a girl in a Third-World country.” in her pursuit of extra change. “She looked in the bottom of our purses, in the sofa cushions, in the The group also learned that many girls have to car, all over the house. She’s been finding change commute several miles on foot to get to school, since they started the project in September.” and many are kidnapped enroute. Thanks to the D-Group, one girl will now have a bike to make the However, the long list of ideas gathered by the girls commute more safely and more quickly. seemed like it would be too costly to carry out.

Though they had yet to count the change, the girls Finally the girls provided money to pay for medical guessed that they would have about $100. supplies and help, vocational training, counseling and more for girls who have been sexually exploited.

After the money was counted, the girls had raised $235. The group could fund all their favorite ideas!

The girls aren’t done changing the world. They are They would help educate girls and get them to still collecting change in their homemade banks school safely, work to stop exploitation of girls in and will have a similar get-together next December. crisis like child labor and sex trafficking, and provide Here’s to changing the world, a little bit at a time. job training and counseling. They could also afford to make sure a girl their age could get an education.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Not long after the Covenant Presbyterian Foundation launched its education campaign on financial planning, Joy Baskin offered to write a story on the importance of family planning. The Foundation is honored by her wish to share her story with you, and hopes it will prompt conversations within your own families.

My husband, JJ Baskin, passed away in March 2015 after a yearlong fight against lung cancer.

Before his diagnosis in April 2014, he had been a relatively healthy non-smoker. Sure, he could have lost a few pounds and exercised more regularly, but his terminal diagnosis came as an utter

shock. Thankfully our family had made some advance preparations that safeguarded our financial well-being. Our walk down this surprising and difficult path has been stressful and sad, but we have not added the risk of losing our home, as many families in our position do.

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Health Insurance Health insurance was, of course, essential to ensuring JJ could get the treatment and care he needed. JJ was self-employed, but we were insured through my employer. This was an enormous Godsend. If JJ had gone out into the marketplace to secure coverage for himself, he might have chosen a less expensive plan with less coverage. Instead, through my employer, we had outstanding coverage; several times during JJ’s journey through the healthcare system, medical personnel commented that we were able to access medications or care because of the quality of our coverage that others would have been denied.

Significantly, my employer offered a high deductible health savings plan that covered all medical expenses 100 percent once

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we met our deductible. During the year of JJ’s cancer treatment, our out-of-pocket medical expenses were no more than we had originally budgeted to spend that year. When you consider the totality of JJ’s experience—all of the tests and scans, doctor visits, medications, surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, hospitalizations, rehabilitation and ultimately endof-life care—we felt very blessed to be in a position to understand our costs.

Life Insurance

far-fetched. Now that I have actually gone through the process of filing a claim, I will confess an uneasy relationship to the proceeds; I wish we had JJ instead.

But the proceeds let me sleep easier at night without worrying about paying for college or providing for my own medical care or other needs. I also get to honor JJ by continuing to support his favorite causes.

Short- or Long-Term Disability

When we purchased life insurance, our agent told us that Another important decision we statistically we were more likely made long before JJ’s illness was to experience a disabling condito get life insurance for both of us. tion than death and we would be When our children were born, we wise to have disability insurance. knew that if something happened Typically disability insurance proto us, we did not want the care vides income replacement up to of our children, including paying a set percentage of the insured’s for living expenses and college, to pre-condition wages. We said we be a burden on the family memwould think about it, but we never bers who would make a home for acted on it. I had disability coverthem. At the age through my employer, and time, life insur- the chances seemed remote that ance seemed something would happen to JJ. like a necesSo, what did it mean to be withsary obligaout disability insurance during tion, but the JJ’s cancer treatment? It’s hard to thought of ever say exactly. JJ was self-employed, actually using and if he didn’t work, he didn’t the insurance get paid. Throughout his treatduring the ment, he was constantly trying 20-year life to feel well enough to get back of the polito work; but the effects of the cies seemed treatment were so relentless, he

never really did. Our household income dropped by half that year.

Nevertheless, I am not certain he would have consented to filing disability claims if it would have meant saying that he was not able to work. The idea of being productive and having a job was worth more to his emotional well-being than recovering a portion of his lost income. We were able to stay afloat because I am fully employed. If I had been a part-time or full-time stay-home

parent, the loss of income could have been overwhelming.

None of these topics is comfortable in polite conversation, but if our story encourages anyone to shore up their planning, I am happy to share it. In retrospect, many of our most important choices, like selecting the high deductible HSA, were made without much forethought. No one thinks these things will happen to them, and hopefully we will all

reach a healthy, ripe old age. That said, I am reminded of the advice JJ’s oncologist gave us on our first visit: Take a couple of weeks to set your affairs in order, then set those worries aside, and turn your attention to living life as fully as possible. I think that is great advice for us all.

For more information, please visit covenant.org/foundation.

BY JOY BASKIN

ALL THAT JAZZ! Fat Tuesday is often marked with a last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual of fasting—or at least giving something up —for Lent. At Covenant, our own kind of Fat Tuesday comes early when we feast on jambalaya on Jazz Sunday.

Served on the patio in between and after services on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, which this year is Feb.7, jambalaya became a Covenant tradition 20 years ago when Director of Music Tom Brown was hired. A Louisiana native, Tom said, ”Traditionally, jambalaya in southern Louisiana was a cheap, quick and easy meal for many, with the wife throwing into the pot whatever meat the husband had killed that day.”

Jambalaya is different than gumbo or other meat and rice dishes, as the rice is prepared with the other ingredients. Tom still has the recipe he brought from Highland Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge where he worked in the mid-’80s—a

recipe he passed on to the Covenant chef. A note on the bottom of the greasy, wrinkled recipe reads: “Mike Leonard has graciously prepared this recipe every year... It is always widely anticipated, greatly enjoyed and adds immeasurably to our celebration.

It’s the best jambalaya ever!”

The recipe has been altered to serve the hoards of people who turn out for Covenant’s Jazz Sunday, a day that almost didn’t get approved. “We had a hard time convincing some worship committee members to support Jazz Sunday, but it’s not just entertainment,” Tom said. “Jazz music can be sung a worshipful style. We mix in the gospel element, which comes from New Orleans. The music has influences from the Black church.”

Twenty years later, the annual event is a favorite among many congregants, just as it has been at

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many churches where Tom has worked. He had his first Jazz Sunday in Hattiesburg, La., in 1986. “It was a day for the whole congregation; it’s a fellowship event and worship, and we liked the alliteration— jazz and jambalaya.”

Tom’s history with music is fun. At 17, he was a parttime director of the Gray’s Creek Baptist Church in French Settlement, La. “I guess they liked me because after about a month, they raised my pay from $25 a week to $35.”

Like Tom’s band growing up in Louisiana, the musicians who play with Covenant on Jazz Sunday have morphed, but most come back year after year. This year, Covenant will have the 11:05 Contemporary Service. In year’s past, we’ve combined services to worship together, but increased attendance requires that we offer the fourth service. So come early, or simply stay late for more music on the patio at noon—and, of course, jambalaya.

When asked how they knew they could trust a 17-year-old, Tom said he was known as a musical mover and shaker in his small town. He sang, played piano and the French horn, and from fifth grade on played guitar and sang in a rock band. “Every Saturday night in Homer, La., my friend David and I would play at the Hillbilly Hayride. It was a country music jamboree, but David and I would only play Beatles songs that we learned by sitting with a turntable.”

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR On any given Sunday morning in the preschool 2’s room at Covenant, you can find at least 10 preschoolers and almost as many members of the Maham family. Jennifer and Michael Maham volunteered to lead the class, and it soon became fun for the whole family.

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“It’s a family affair!” Jennifer said. “I like bringing the kids because it’s not about them being served; it’s about how they can serve the preschool kids.”

“The girls come from 9:15 until 9:30,” Michael said.

“If one of us can’t be here, they’ll stay for the class.”

In October, Michael helped lead the new member class, and each of the four Maham kids took a turn helping in the preschool class. “They all like being here,” Jennifer said. “Now, on Sunday afternoons, we have a family pow-wow. The kids ask who was there, even Rehm asks questions.” (Rehm is the family’s high school freshman, who also took a turn in October.)

Sixth grader Charlotte said, “I just like little kids, and lots of these kids were in my VBS group so I already knew them.”

Eliza Jane, a fourth grader and twin to Ruby, said.

“I like it because they are like little brothers and sisters. It’s a new experience for me because I’m the youngest.”

Without two-year-olds of their own, one might wonder why Jennifer and Michael took on this class.

“We told Stacey (Director of Children’s Ministry Stacey Grooms) that we would help any place she needed us,” Jennifer said. “She was having a hard time finding volunteers for this age. I think it’s because it’s these kids’ first time that they are not in the nursery. As a parent, being with a two-year old all day is tiring, so it can be overwhelming to spend time with 11 of them. But they’re not our kids. We just get to be with them; it’s easy for us,” Jennifer said.

Covenant children’s ministry moved to having one consistent leader for preschoolers this fall after surveying parents last spring. “It seemed like a radical idea at first,” said Stacey. “It’s hard to get one

person (or couple) to commit to every week, but we found three couples to teach the preschool classes.

Now, the flow works better. The leaders are doing creative things, and the kids and parents are less anxious.”

“Yes, being here every week is a bigger commitment, but we are getting more out of it,” Jennifer said. “It’s really been fun. We know the kids’ names and see them on campus during the week.”

Jen and Michael, on average, spend about 20 minutes during the week getting the lesson ready, which consists of a basic Bible story and a simple craft or game. Mostly, they aim to keep the kids occupied. On this day, Michael was telling the Bible story with pipe cleaner people and the kids were throwing bean bags to see if their aim was as good as David’s.

“Our expectation is that the kids enjoy being here.

That’s the first step to regularly coming to church,” Jennifer said.

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WONDERING MOURNERS Covenant hosts three Walking the Mourner’s Path classes each year. Participants in this Christ-centered, spiritually directed grief recovery group are mourning the death of a loved one and experiencing grief.

Participants learn ways to honor loved ones, seek spiritual direction and discover Christ’s promise of comfort as they move forward. Two trained facilitators run the class and Jill Williams attends as the pastor.

Eight people attended the fall class. Participant Kit Chenault wrote this poem describing his experience with the group, which classmates commented was spot on. If you are interested in learning more about Walking the Mourner’s Path, contact Kay Austin at kaustin@covenant.org. The next session starts April 7.

Wondering Mourners Wondering a world of grief and loss, We were frustrated by our seemingly slow recovery.

We had vacillated in our mood and energy And were out of sorts with those around us.

We had lost parents and their care, Missed siblings and long journeys together, Mourned partners and long lives together, And children too young for us to understand.

It was hard to know how to respond When asked a simple “How are you?”

As there is loneliness, guilt, fear, suspicion, Dread, moodiness, restlessness and sadness.

With prayers, holding hands, listening and symbols, We found respite in the understanding of others, Made progress in one of life’s difficult walks And transited the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

We were called to join strangers and friends To explore stories and feelings.

Seeing what God might say to us through The voices and experiences of these others.

Our experiences were surprisingly similar in This community that strengthened and guided us forward.

New friends were kind and understanding And old friends were praying for our journey.

With some fear and apprehension, We started a journey of exploration And through tears, laughter and mostly stories Came to understand our similarities.

In the end, communion symbolized our salvation.

Light from the candles twinkled in our softening eyes.

Our hearts were nourished by the bread and juice, And we felt hope as we reached across a chasm.

KIT CHENAULT 2015

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BEST FACE FORWARD Covenant has a tradition of making a picture directory available to all members to encourage getting to know “our church family” by matching names with faces. It has been five years since a directory has been published: Our babies have grown up, the children are young adults and some of us are a little grayer. It is time for an update!

Covenant did the last two directories in house. Covenant staff took the pictures and oversaw the publishing. For this directory, a team of volunteers is leading the effort and has contracted with Lifetouch (formerly Olan Mills).

This company has done many directories for Covenant in the past.

Lifetouch will come to Covenant and set up a studio in CO 202 for two sessions: February 23–March 2 and April 13-23. The company will schedule photography sessions from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. No photos will be taken on Sunday or Monday.

Members and interested visitors may schedule sessions online at covenant.org/photodirectory, or sign up on the patio on Sundays and at other Covenant events.

Those people with flexibility are encouraged to sign up for early afternoon and leave after-school slots open for families with children. After the photo sessions, members will be invited to the church to view proofs and order pictures. Each family unit will

receive a free 8 x 10 portrait.

Lifetouch will offer a 20 percent discount on all pictures ordered.

Prior to the sessions, Covenant members will receive phone calls to encourage portrait scheduling, and to provide information about how to prepare for the photo shoot. The directory picture will be taken using a blue backdrop; other options are available for custom portraits.

If you have any questions or would like to help with calling, scheduling or hosting during the sessions, contact Susan Holman at jaholman@swbell.net or (512) 452-6890.

BY SUSAN HOLMAN

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THERE’S NO “I” IN TEAM I love basketball, so it’s no accident that I have been one of the biggest proponents of Covenant’s Upward Basketball league. What’s especially fun for me is that my entire family gets involved.

Seven years ago—the first year of Upward at Covenant—my daughter Gracie was a third grader.

She played and I coached. We had fewer kids back then and our team was made up of first, second and third grade girls. It was quite a range of sizes and talents. My only first grader was Tessie, a small but mighty force. I still remember the game when she finally scored. All our girls and parents, and all the fans in the gym, went crazy cheering for her bucket.

The next year, we got the Smith boys involved. My son Drew, then a first grader, signed up to play and my husband Andy signed on to be assistant coach.

Over the next few years, Andy and I started taking on leadership responsibilities—soon devoting all day Saturday to basketball. When Gracie aged out of the league, she donned a referee shirt and started blowing her whistle, refereeing the younger kids.

We have so enjoyed meeting all the great people who help. Beth Bishop kicked off Covenant Upward.

(I chuckled when she’d send her daughter Maggie to “rehearsal.”) Later, we teamed with several members, working togther to make our league stronger. Through our common mission, we formed tight bonds with the basketball-savvy group that included Keith and Patty Ging, Joc and Yokko Gaines, John and Kathryn Sedberry, and Regina Schlotter. And where would we be without our dedicated referees? Rob Bishop and Dave Ashton have shown up every Saturday for years, offering guidance to new refs and leading by example. Mike Barnes has reffed the first two games every week since the beginning. This year, we have a Covenant staff person, Ashley Ellison, leading Upward. But it’s still a cast of many that make the league successful.

This past Saturday, the team that I coach with my husband easily won its game. But what made us proud was the extravagant generosity of our kids on the court—young boys are not known for passing up open shots and instead setting up the boys who haven’t scored to get a bucket. But these boys did, tossing the ball to their teammates again and again.

One thing that makes Upward special is our weekly mid-practice devotion. Last week, we learned about gratitude. And while I was teaching at practice, I was the student at the game, overwhelmed with gratitude for that group of generous boys. In the same way, I am filled with gratitude to Covenant that we support such a great league!

BY STEPHANIE SCHULTZ

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CLERK’S CORNER We are in a new year, a time when we are often looking forward to what is to come. But after our fruitful December, it is also worth looking back to where we have been.

Our December meeting is always a big one, as it is there that we pass the budget for the upcoming year. While the budgeting process had been going on for several months, it is at this meeting that we actually make the final decisions that will guide the 2016 ministry. In 2015, we had unprecedented growth in our pledges that left us with more in gifts than our committees had requested in their budgeting process. These unexpected blessings enabled us to increase both our mission giving and our debt reduction on the Fellowship and Education Building. Our committees had even bigger dreams for 2016, and our stewardship campaign showed once again God is faithful. We were able to pass a balanced $3.3 million budget with a full 10 percent, $330,000, dedicated to mission! This return to 10 percent of our pledges going to mission is several years ahead of the (rather aggressive) schedule Session adopted in 2011! Any pledges

over our expected amount will be split evenly between debt reduction and mission as we “love our neighbors as ourselves.”

We entered December significantly behind on our pledges, but once again your faithful stewardship provided an incredible month of giving. We ended the year more than $220,000 in the black.

We started our January meeting discussing the great news from December. In addition to the general fund, we were able to reduce our debt by over $600,000 in 2015, including almost $90,000 from our “love our neighbors as ourselves” funds. We also entered into a partnership with the Q Conference to host a Q Commons event, a meeting of Christian leaders intent on learning and collaborating about the church’s future role in society.

This October event is an exciting opportunity to host a TED-like Christian conference.

Jim Rumbo, Kathryn Sedberry and Harold Skaggs. If you see any of these Elders-elect around, please be sure to thank them for their service and add them to your prayers as they enter training and prepare to join us in May. As we move in to Lent, we are excited to see how God will lead the 300-plus people who have signed up for Covenant Groups.

Whether you are in an existing small group or are starting with a new group, I pray that each of you will experience the joy and growth that is only possible when we let down our guard and choose to do life together!

GRACE AND PEACE,

In late January, we held a Congregational Meeting to elect our next class of Elders and Deacons. Those of us on Session look forward to working with Cheryl Banks, Dustin Johnson,

CLARK WEATHERBY

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FINANCE/PLEDGE UPDATE Almost 60 percent of Covenant households have responded to our call for 2016 pledges. We have surpassed last year’s amount by $137,000. Thanks Covenant for your extravagant generosity! More than $2.8 million has been promised to the church for 2016.

Covenant Director of Administration Duane Dube is excited for Covenant’s ministry to grow and expand thoughout the city and the world during the next year. “I am so inspired by the generosity of

the congregation,” he said. “There’s a lot of positive energy moving into the new year. People are excited and encouraged to keep the momentum going.

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the Covenant community.”

Covenant is still hopeful to reach 100 percent member participation. If you would like to make a 2016 pledge, pick up a pledge card in the narthex or in the Covenant office, or contact Duane Dube at ddube@covenant.org.

Financial Update

For Year Ended December 31, 2015

GENERAL FUND Revenues* Expenses

Actual

Budget

$3,318,537 3,097,111 221,426

3,320,426 3,320,425 1

BUILDING FUND Total Loan Balance Principal Reduction YTD

$6,058,648 453,170

*Thank you for your generous contributions and support during 2015. We ended the financial year very well. Praise be to God!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP CLASS

Sundays in February, 9:30-10:45

VISIONS TRAVEL TO TRAVIS COUNTY ELECTIONS DIVISION/BLANTON MUSEUM

Thursday, Feb. 4, at 10:30 a.m.

VISIONS ACTIVITIES DAY

Tuesday, Feb. 2, in FE 200 at 10 a.m.

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ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME STARTS

Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. in FE 200

March 13 at 2 a.m.

COVENANT GROUPS FACILITATOR MEETINGS

BELIZE MISSION TRIP FOR YOUTH

Thursday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 6 nmcnabb@covenant.org

March 13-19 JOURNEY YOUTH CHOIR TOUR

JAZZ SUNDAY

March 13-19

Sunday, Feb. 7, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Traditional Services Jambalaya lunch after services

VISIONS LUNCHEON

Tuesday, March 15, at 11:45 a.m. in FE 200 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES

Wednesday, Feb. 10, at noon and 6:30, Sanctuary

PALM SUNDAY

March 20 COVENANT GROUPS KICK-OFF

Week of Feb 7 nmcnabb@covenant.org

HOLY WEEK NOON SERVICES, SANCTUARY

March 21, 22 and 23 Followed by light lunch

VISIONS LUNCH

Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 11:45 p.m. in FE 200

PRESCHOOL EASTER CHAPEL

March 24 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary LAST DAY OF UPWARD BASKETBALL GAMES

Saturday, Feb. 20

MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary COVENANT DIRECTORY PHOTO SESSIONS

Tuesday, Feb. 23, - Thursday, Mar. 3 sign up: covenant.org/photodirectory (additional dates in April) COVENANT’S GOT TALENT

Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. (doors @ 6:30) in FE 200 CROP WALK

Sunday, February 28 VISIONS ACTIVITIES DAY

GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE

March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES ON MARCH 27

• Sunrise Service on the Patio at 6:30 a.m.

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

• Contemporary Service in FE 200 at 9:30 and 11:05 a.m.

(Please ride the shuttle if you are able.)

Tuesday, March 1, 10 a.m. in FE 200 CAREER TRANSITIONS PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER

Thursdays, March 31- May 5, in FE 100 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 5, at Chez Zee 17

3003 Northland Drive Austin, TX 78757

OFFICERS AND STAFF OF COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DEACONS

ELDERS

CLASS OF 2016

CLASS OF 2017

CLASS OF 2018

CLASS OF 2016

CLASS OF 2017

CLASS OF 2018

Mike Austin Jennifer Carsner Jane Crowe Kay Davenport Dustin Johnson Michael Knisely Bill McCaleb Andrea Moen Julie Moore Ken Moore Jennifer Palm Ryan Palm Bob Peterson Cherry Raley Jack Skaggs Allison Small Bridgette Stahlman Emily Taylor Gwyn Theodore Donna Thomas Steve Thomas Kristen Tritle Kathy Willis Shannon Windham

Pat Beckham Charlene Cole Daphne Corder Al DiCristofaro Marv Hackert Tom Hutchison Barbara Knisely Dorothy Layne Patsy Martin A.V. Ootsey Kathleen Reish Mike Rhoades Ruth Rhoades Will Schmidt Florita Sheppard Carol Sheppard Brent Stover Lee Terrell Lorrie Terrell Adele Trigg Greg Wilson Sandy Youman Wesley Young

Rhonda Brink-Green Diane Davis Sue DiCristofaro Judy Gunnels Laura Hargrave Christy Heimsath Margaret Hobgood Marsha LeGrand Lori Magruder Laura Marra Dave Maxwell Karen Maxwell Elizabeth McBride Susie McCaleb Emily McGinnis Marta Meyer Jim Palmer Alice Sessi Bill Short Richard Swallow Doug Vreeland Deon Wright Larry Zatopek

Paul Askenasy Jennifer Maham Deb Rieber John Ruwwe Frank Sheppard

Joe Denton Susan Holman Thais Kilday James Marroquin Clark Weatherby

Matt Dow Kelly Dwyer Jack Kern Regina Schlotter Sharyn Westmoreland

FOUNDATION TRUSTEES CLASS OF 2016

CLASS OF 2017

CLASS OF 2018

Larry Faulkner Tana Taylor

Dianne Erlewine Joanne McIntosh

Elizabeth Christian Everard Davenport Megan Poore

PROGRAM STAFF Thomas R. Daniel, Senior Pastor Thomas W. Brown, Director of Music Ministry Duane Dube, Director of Administration Jill Williams, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care Ministries Jon Wasson, Associate Pastor of Discipleship Christy Milam, Director of Preschool Stephanie Schultz, Director of Communications Stacey Grooms, Director of Children and Preteen Ministry Nathan Richards, Director of Student Ministries Jerry Wise, Contemporary Music Leader Derek Nafe, Creative Arts Producer

Sunday Worship Times: Traditional Services 8:15, 9:30, and 11 a.m.

Contemporary Service 11:05 a.m.