CORNERSTONE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | JUNE 2013 Jana Ruesink, Elizabeth Beetley and Kat White celebrated their graduation with volunteer D*Group leader Lisa Gray at the Core Student Ministries Senior Celebration. Congratulations graduates, and may God bless your future!
ABOUT CORNERS CORNERSTONE CONTRIBUTORS INTERIM SENIOR PASTOR PAUL PARSONS
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 JOY DURRANT 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/publications. We will update the Cornerstone blog as we receive content at blog.covenant.org.
AARON ARNOLD
We need you! CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SUSAN HOLMAN, DON ZAPPONE PHOTOGRAPHY AARON ARNOLD, SARAH CRAWLEY, SUSAN HOLMAN, JEREMY AND ASHLEY PARSONS, STEPHANIE SCHULTZ SPECIAL THANKS TO KAY AUSTIN, PAUL MOWRY, BRIAN SPARKS, JAN VANDERPOOL
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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
DEAR FRIENDS
10
The scary business of faith 3
WELCOME MUNN
A special place for loved ones 11
Covenant fills the corner office 4
PICTURESQUE PICNIC
12
HELLO SUMMER
13
VBS TEST DRIVE
15
ARMOR UP!
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REEL MINISTRY FILMS
FINANCE REPORT
For the period ended April 30, 2013 17
Moving films prompt deep discussion
CLERK’S CORNER
Session is busy this spring
Summer adventure educates dads 8
MANOS DE CRISTO: BACK TO SCHOOL
Making the first day of school great
Children’s staff shares knowledge 7
CWU HONORS EVANGELINE HERRING
Best part? The amazing people
Three months of fun and sun 6
CULTURE OF GENEROSITY
Joyfully giving to support church vision
Could there be a better day? 5
COLUMBARIUM CONSTRUCTION
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
See what’s coming up this spring/summer
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1
DEAR FRIENDS Standing in the dark, just inside the sliding door of the tobacco barn, I peered out until my eyes focused on the 170 people seated on folding chairs in the bright sun. The height of the day’s warmth gathered to them in that Missouri meadow, awaiting the bride. And here she was on the right arm of her mother and on my left arm, listening for the song that would call us across that 100 yards. It was April 20 and for the second time in 2013, I was about to entrust the wellbeing, life and dreams of one of my daughters into another man’s hands. This, I reminded myself, is the stuff of faith. Faith comes on different levels, of course. Martin Luther reminds us that a thin form of faith happens when we agree with the data of life. Moreover, he said, we enter a deeper level of belief when we assent to the existence of God. Even the demons do this, terrified. But faith that saves requires that we throw ourselves in complete abandon upon Jesus Christ. It’s personal. It means my full confidence in Him, such that, if he doesn’t come through, I lose everything. This is scary business when it comes to the giving away of a daughter.
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And when it’s about leaving a congregation. I have held in an open hand the possibility of becoming your next called Senior Pastor. I have been as honest and forthright with you as I could be. I have waited to see whether Mission Presbytery would change the traditional rule that does not permit an interim pastor to become a church’s next called pastor, and to date, they have not made that change. I have dedicated myself to helping you as a congregation get as fully prepared as possible for a new senior pastor, and you have responded wonderfully. In the midst of the last few months, I have heard God speaking to me, “Paul, I am calling you away; I am preparing
you for another congregation.” This is scary business when it comes to the leaving of a congregation I dearly love and will always treasure. My intention is to stay until you call your next senior pastor. In the meantime, there is still much to be done. I will be helping the Session as they seek God’s vision for Covenant. We have the challenge of moving away from being so staff-dependent and moving back toward what has made Covenant great in the past, an empowered laity that is staffcoached and resourced. I hope to play a part in creating even more of a culture of generosity in this
congregation, working with the Stewardship ministry.
year of dreaming new dreams in line with God’s dream for this church. All of this requires saving
faith. That’s where I’m going, as long as I am with you, and I hope you will come with me.
My challenge to you is this: Come with me in what God is doing right here, right now at Covenant. Throw yourselves upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and surrender your will to His will. The future of this congregation is bright and you are a key part of it. This is the
WELCOME MUNN Munn Hinds Jr. will occupy the corner office at Covenant starting June 1, becoming our Interim Associate Pastor for Age and Stage Ministries. Munn says the first question he usually gets isn’t about his pastoring philosophy, rather, “How did you get that name?” Munn, which is the maiden name of his Scottish grandmother, is excited about his new job. His position, created by Session as part of the staff restructuring, puts him in charge of many Covenant ministries. “My primary gift is in the area of teaching and pastoring,” Munn said. “I look forward to helping each of Covenant’s ages and stages to grow in their relationships with the Lord. I’m also excited that I will have primary responsibility for adults.” Though Munn has worked as a pastor for more than 40 years, this is his first gig as an associate. He’s been a senior pastor, a co-pastor and twice served as an interim. “I know what I like in an associate
pastor,” Munn said. “I hope to provide that to Paul. I think this will be a very interesting time.”
A Little Munn History Munn comes to Covenant from New Orleans, where he was co-pastor at Woodland Presbyterian Church. “When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, more than 60 percent of our members moved or were transferred, and the church could no longer afford to have two full-time pastors,” Munn explained. “Since 3
we had been with the church for 18 years, we felt that it was time for us to move on.” Prior to New Orleans, Munn served for 16 years in Colorado as pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church, which was the merged parish of three churches. During that time, Munn finished his Doctor of Ministry in Denver. With New Orleans and Colorado—two long-term pastoring jobs—behind him, Munn decided to embark on a new adventure: interim pastoring. He has since served as interim pastor in Branson, Mo., and Rochelle, Ill., each for two years. Munn was born and raised in California, the oldest of four kids. “I was one of those active little boys and we had the same church school teacher for eight years. I found out later that she was the only one who would take our class. One of the things I am grateful to God for is Hazel Thompson and that she knows I became a Presbyterian minister.”
Munn drifted away from the church while at the University of California, Berkeley, until he encountered Ted McReynolds, a Campus Crusade for Christ representative. That meeting motivated Munn to seek a scholarship to go to Campus Crusade for Christ’s headquarters over Christmas break. “I gave my life unreservedly to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. At that time I felt called to go into the ministry, but I had to first fulfill a four-year commitment to the Marine Corps,” Munn said. During Officer Training in Quantico, Va., Munn met his wife, Patricia, who was attending college nearby. While Patricia finished her degree, Munn was deployed to Vietnam. Asked whether he still has his Marine edge, Munn answered with the slogan of one of his favorite bumper stickers: “I’m not as mean, I’m not as lean; but I’m still a Marine.” Munn and Patricia have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
PICTURESQUE PICNIC A family that recently joined Covenant parked their car at the all-church picnic. The door opened and a young child jumped out. “I love this church!” he exclaimed, running toward the creek. Rope swings, swimming, softball, horseshoes, golf carts, a bouncy house, rocking chairs, music and just plain good fellowship were all 4
found at the picnic at the Skaggs ranch on May 5. The day was beautiful, not too hot, not too cold. The creek was frigid, the company warm.
together in such a fun and casual environment. I have great memories of my church picnics growing up and I am so glad that my kids will have those same memories.
“The water is really cold!” said Seth, a four-year-old who came prepared with his swim gear and toys. “But you can run around a lot and get hot before you jump in!”
“I think my favorite thing this year, along with the amazing music and company, was watching the kids have so much fun in the creek,” Amy continued. “I loved hearing their squeals and laughter. It made me realize how important a church is to our youth. You can be exactly who you are
“I look forward to the Covenant picnic every year,” said member Amy Skaggs. “I love how everyone gets
around your church family and that is such a good feeling.” Covenant employee Maureen Crawley summed it up: “I thought the picnic was fantastic. The weather was stunning, the people were fantastic and the band was amazing. It couldn’t have been a better day!”
HELLO SUMMER Summers are fun…especially for kids at Covenant! Our older kids, those entering 7th through 12th grades, have much to look forward to over the next three months as the Core Student Ministries staff has littered June, July and August with special activities to cool off and heat up the summer. Every Wednesday, this group leaves behind its usual meeting place at the church and heads to a pool. Covenant’s middle and high school students will splash and dive, and hang out with friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at these members’ pools: • June 12, 19 and July 3: Stuart House (5207 Rico Cove) • July 17 and 24: Smith House (6713 Valburn Dr.) • July 31, Aug. 7 and 14: Burnett House (5810 Lookout Mountain Dr.)
And if swimming’s not their thing, students will get the chance to perfect their layout double d’s playing Ultimate Frisbee at Lucy Reed Park from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 30, July 28 and Aug. 11. Student requests to “Take me out to the ball game” will be answered. Covenant students will watch the Round Rock Express take on the Albuquerque Isotopes 5
on June 10. Students will gather at the church at 5 p.m. to make the trek to the Dell Diamond. Lastly, if it’s a lazy river kids are looking for, they got it! Covenant students will float down the Comal River on July 22. The group will gather at 9 a.m. The wave returns to church at about 3:30 p.m.
Children and Preteens Younger kids don’t miss out on the fun. Check out our story on VBS below, which starts June 17. Sundays in the summer find Covenant kids watching films and eating popcorn. The Zone K-4 kids watch episodes of Veggie Tales each Sunday, which, according to Children’s Director Gayla Stuart, have lots of good Christian lessons. Covenant’s Club 56 kids watch different secular movies each week and in their discussion, they find biblical meaning in the
popular movies. Preschool kids stay in their classrooms and enjoy the individual attention and fun that their teachers plan all summer long. In July, it will begin to look a bit like Christmas. Well… not really, this is Central Texas, but the children’s team will haul out the holly, the hymns and the water slide for Christmas in July during Sunday School on July 28. There will be no snow, but there will be snow cones. Finally, Mission Camp for Club 56 kids is August 12–14. During these three days, Covenant kids give back, performing various mission projects at the Austin Food Bank, at the church and elsewhere. Find out more about this camp for incoming fifth and sixth graders at covenant.org/club56.
VBS TEST DRIVE Vacation Bible School is June 17–21, but children’s staff leaders Gayla Stuart and Stacey Grooms took the curriculum for a test run in early April, hosting VBS Fun Shop at the church. About 35 children’s ministry leaders from 16 different churches around Texas attended the event, which Covenant has hosted for the past four years. VBS Fun Shop is a half-day of training that gives children’s staffs from other, often smaller, churches an overview of VBS. Gayla, Covenant’s 13-year veteran, 6
explained: “We show what we’ve learned in VBS for over a decade. It’s fun to inspire others!” Stacey said that Group Publishing, the VBS curriculum company, gives Covenant
VBS merchandise for hosting the event. But, she said, a more important reason for Covenant’s participation is sharing knowledge. “We feel really good about how we run VBS. We want to share that with other churches.
Lots of times, the staffs at these churches feel nervous about VBS. We provide concrete examples of stations so they can really picture how the week will go. In fact, Gayla leads them through a day of VBS as if they are participants. “And then, there’s the whole networking aspect,” Stacey continued. “The participants tell each other what they’ve tried. They share the information...and the burden. It’s nice to have contact with people who have the exact same challenges.” Gayla added that Covenant benefits too. “VBS Fun Shop helps jump-start our VBS week. We start thinking about decorations and all the things we’re going to do come June.”
Snack on This Another fun element of the VBS day is snack time. In years past, Gayla, Stacey and the group sampled one of the week’s snacks, but this time around Staff Accountant Maria Tostado lent a hand and made the snack for every day of the week. Maria believes that staff members should volunteer to help other areas. “The children’s ministry is one that can always use extra support,” she said. “At this event, I helped the community of Covenant believers and also the community outside Covenant. Many different churches were represented at the training.”
Fun Shop attendees. “I tell the VBS leaders not to worry about recruiting volunteers, but to make their families work. That’s the reason that our VBS goes so smoothly; we have so much volunteer help.” Gayla expects that this year’s VBS will be no different than the last 12 she has led. “It’s always great; it’s always huge and it’s always a ton a fun!” VBS is open to kids age two (2) to incoming fifth graders; older students can volunteer. To find out more, visit covenant.org/vbs.
The week of VBS provides ample opportunity for volunteering. That is one thing Gayla preaches to the
ARMOR UP! Hey Dads! Are you absent, involved or strategic in your sons’ lives? Raising a Modern Day Knight is a class being offered Thursday mornings at 6:30 this summer that outlines what it takes to raise sons to be real men, godly men: men with character, conviction, and vision. The curriculum, by Robert Lewis, focuses on fathers with sons from 6 to 20 years. From June 6 through July 25 in FE 200, men will discuss the adventures of raising sons. Rusty Burnett is one of the men responsible for organizing the class.
“I would say that a ‘Modern Day Knight’ is a young man who has been helped by his father to understand the true meaning of manhood and all it entails. This class will give dads a road map and a plan for being a more strategic dad and to help their sons understand the true meaning of manhood.”
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What kind of dad are you? Materials for the class define three types of dads mentioned above: • Absent dads are invisible and only shadows in boys’ lives. • Involved dads participate in their sons’ lives but without a plan. These dads are often a visionless or shapeless dads. They have overlooked investing a core of clear, masculine directives into their sons’ lives. • Strategic dads have a well thought out plan and vision. They understand the true sense of masculinity and know how to deposit it in their sons’ lives.
The class challenges participants to interview their sons for a status report on how they are doing as a dad. According to the materials, “there’s no better place to size yourself up as a dad than to talk directly to your son.”
responsibility of men. Using the knight theme, the class instructs dads to “armor up,” which means to be strategic, purposeful and assertive in raising sons. Rusty said that the sons are involved outside of the class meetings. Dads have weekly “challenge” assignments to complete outside of class. During small group class time, they share how it went. The six-week class session closes with a commitment ceremony for all dads and sons. “I’ve never heard a man say after the class that he’s sorry he took it,” class organizer Skip Crowe said. “In fact, most say they wish they’d taken it sooner.” Raising a Modern Day Knight is open to all men looking to make a bigger difference in their sons’ lives. Men can join the adventure on Thursdays at 6:30 a.m. by registering at covenant.org. Learn more about the class at rmdk.com. For additional questions, contact Skip Crowe at skip.crowe@searchministries.org.
One chapter is titled “The Drift of Sons.” It outlines how society and culture have diluted the role and
REEL MINISTRY FILMS Covenant will show six films in FE 200 on Wednesday nights this summer. Participants will then discuss themes like moral courage, forgiveness, love, faith, grace and redemption. Shows start at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Don Zappone at dzappone@grandecom.net or Patrick Schmidt at ptricks@yahoo.com. 8
A Man Named Pearl
7/3 Grand Canyon
This film tells the true story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar, whose unlikely journey to national prominence began with a bigoted remark. In 1976, Pearl took a job in a can factory in Bishopville, S.C. New to this rural southern town, he and his wife Metra looked at a house for sale in an all-white neighborhood. Neighbors were unwelcoming; a homeowner voiced the collective concern that black people don’t keep up their yards. Stung by the racial stereotype, Pearl is motivated to prove the misguided man wrong and in the process changes the town. Rated G. (IMDb)
The Way
7/10
This film is an inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this everchanging and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, a cantankerous American doctor who visits France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in a storm while walking The Camino de Santiago. Rather than return home, Tom embarks on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son. Rated PG-13. (Christian Film Data Base)
High Ground
7/17
This award-winning documentary is about 11 veterans who set off to climb one of the tallest peaks in the Himalayas to heal the physical and emotional wounds of war. Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to summit Mount Everest, guides this team of wounded veterans on an astounding journey of body and mind. Not Rated. (Wikipedia)
7/24
This 1991 film directed by Lawrence Kasden revolves around six residents from different backgrounds whose lives intertwine in modern-day Los Angeles. At the center of the film is the unlikely friendship of two men from different races and classes brought together when one finds himself in jeopardy in the other’s rough neighborhood. Stars Kevin Kline, Danny Glover, Mary McDonnell and Steve Martin. Rated R (IMDb)
Silent Night
7/31
A fact-based World War II story set on Christmas Eve, 1944, finds a German mother and her son seeking refuge in a cabin on the war front. When the cabin is invaded by three American soldiers and then three German soldiers, she successfully convinces the soldiers to put aside their differences for one evening and share a Christmas dinner. Rated PG. (IMDb)
An Unreal Dream*
8/7
The prospect of unjust imprisonment is a terrifying plight, and we all wonder how we might fare in such a grim circumstance. In 1986, Michael Morton’s young wife was brutally murdered in front of their only child, and he was accused and convicted of the crime, spending a quarter century in Texas prisons. Watch his powerful journey through despair and abandonment to a greater freedom than most of us know. Not Rated. (IMDb) *Note: This film debuted at SXSW 2013 and is not yet publicly available. Should the film not yet be available by showtime, we will substitute the film Tender Mercies, an American drama that focuses on Mac Sledge, a recovering alcoholic country music singer seeking to turn his life around through his relationship with a young widow and her son in rural Texas. Rated PG (Wikipedia)
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COLUMBARIUM CONSTRUCTION In early May, the church began construction on the Covenant Memorial Plaza, which will provide a special place to inter the cremains/ashes of loved ones. Initially, the plaza will be a columbarium with 84 niches and a wall for memorial plaques located outside the first level of the Fellowship and Education Building. Columbarium niche rights are available for $2,000 per niche; memorial wall plaques will be available later. The size of the niches is roughly 11x11x11, which will handle various sizes of urns and boxes to accommodate two people in separate containers. The niches will have granite cover plates engraved to identify the cremains of the person(s) inurned. The locations of the niches sold will be assigned based on date of purchase. All niches are the same price. Those eligible for inclusion in the Covenant Memorial Plaza are members or former members of Covenant; pastors and staff who have served Covenant; spouses, parents, children and their spouses, and grandchildren of members, former members, pastors and 10
staff; and others formally approved by the pastoral staff or the Session. Construction of the Covenant Memorial Plaza is
self-funded. For more information, contact Darleen Kleinhenz at dkleinhenz@covenant.org.
CULTURE OF GENEROSITY Covenant is a generous church. Cultivating that spirit into a culture of generosity that touches every member, visitor and ministry is a church goal. Generosity is seen in gifts that are free, joyful, spiritdriven and fully engaged in God’s work. It is about financial giving AND blessings of time, passion, skills and education. The Stewardship Committee is eager to work with the staff and congregation to promote this spirit of giving. “Our hope is to connect with all our members and visitors, and inspire people to give where they can,” said Thais Kilday, Stewardship Committee Co-Chair. “We want everybody to see where the needs are, how their gifts of money and time can bless others, and to give as they are able. Giving should be fun and exciting! If it’s not, the volunteer is not doing the right thing, or maybe the church hasn’t really communicated its mission in a way that touches that person’s heart and soul. God has given us all great gifts, we just need to discern how and where to use them.” Session is working on a “vision-casting” process to discern what God sees for Covenant at this time. This vision will become the basis for a new budgeting process to be implemented this year. Rather than base budget requests on prior years, church committees and program staff will be asked to create vision-based budgets. Starting at “zero” (rather than last year’s numbers), each budget request will show how a ministry area proposes to use money and volunteers to work toward achieving the vision set by Session. From these requests, Covenant’s Session will adopt a “dream” budget based on its
vision for the future. It will support the unified goals of the church and the agreed-upon direction. The new budgeting system is designed to accommodate change, growth and priority shifts. This new budgeting system also better enables Covenant to communicate what gifts are needed and why. “By encouraging Covenant to dream, we start leaning more fully into God’s vision for our church,” Thais said. “The dream budget will outline the things ministries need and want for the coming year to achieve a certain vision. A pledge or gift to the church will then be a concrete step in that direction. Church members will know what we are giving our time and money for and why it matters so much.” This year, individual amounts of Covenant pledges are up about 12 percent, but the percentage of Covenant household making pledges is not where it could be. For the past three years, the percentage of member households pledging has hovered at about 49 percent. “We are missing opportunities for Covenant to do God’s work,” Thais said. “We need to recognize and channel gifts of time, and better explain the different avenues for giving – the Covenant Foundation, the annual fund, capital campaign donations and gifts to support designated missions.” Look for more information about the vision in the next issue of Cornerstone. If you have questions about stewardship, contact Thais Kilday at thais.kilday@alumni.utexas.net or Matt Dow at mdow@jw.com.
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CWU HONORS EVANGELINE HERRING Covenant’s Evangeline Herring received the Young Church Women United Award at the May Friendship Day meeting at Holy Cross Catholic Church. The award recognizes ecumenism contributions made by younger sisters in Christ, affirming their work in church, school and community. These women live up to the Church Women United motto: “Agreed to Differ, Resolved to Love, United to Serve.” Evangeline, who was honored along with two other women, Rebecca Lambdin-Abraham Knipe of Austin Mennonite Church, and NaKayla Temesgen of Grant A.M.E., said, “I was very excited and feel honored to have won this award. But more important, I’m so grateful for all the amazing people who I have worked with throughout the years.” Evangeline was nominated because of her dedicated and enthusiastic Christian service at home and abroad. She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and graduated from the University of Puerto Rico. She moved to the United States in 1996 and taught middle school in San Antonio. In 2001, she married Rob Herring and moved to Austin. They have two children, Catalina, 9, and David, 6. Evangeline is a part-time math teacher at Anderson High School and serves as a Covenant Elder. She helped found the Rock-a-Bye Ministry to provide meals and moral support to church members with new babies. Since 2007, she has made an annual trip to Cuba, first as part of our mission team and subsequently to help with Vacation Bible School at Covenant’s sister church. Evangeline plans the crafts and takes all materials to Cuba for as many as 80 12
children who participate. “Right now,” Evangeline said, “the Cuba VBS trip is my biggest passion.” She also has served as Mission Coordinator for Presbyterian Women and motivated Covenant to its all-time giving record for CROP Walk. While a
member of MoMs Group, she helped organize retreats and prepare delicious homemade meals for all to enjoy. She is well-known for her fabulous flan, which she makes as a fundraiser for the Cuba VBS. All in all, Evangeline is a dynamic young woman,
deserving of this recognition, and a valuable asset to Covenant and all the other recipients of her ministry.
SUBMITTED BY SUSAN HOLMAN
MANOS DE CRISTO: BACK TO SCHOOL For 15 years, Manos de Cristo (The Hands of Christ) has been making the first day of school more fun for thousands of kids across Austin. The non-profit, supported by Covenant since its beginning in 1988, has been providing backpacks, clothes and school supplies to kids who can’t afford them. Julie Ballesteros, executive director at Manos, explained the Back-to-School (BTS) project’s beginning: “A small group of volunteers from our clothing closet wanted to do something more to help prepare children for returning to school. The first year only a few children were served with a few school supplies.” “But what started with a few children has turned into an enormous program!” said Karen Green, the education service coordinator at Manos. Karen currently oversees the program, 13
which since 2010 has grown to serve more than 2,000 elementary school children each year.
clothing and supplies are transported from the Manos office to the event center.
“We even grew out of our own building!” Julie said. Manos now holds the two-week event at the North Austin Event Center.
In the past, volunteers collected and purchased different styles and sizes of clothing throughout the year, but it became too difficult to have enough variety for all the children Manos wanted to serve. Then when most of the schools moved to uniforms, it became easier and more cost effective to order the clothing in bulk.
The program’s growth has created challenges with storage space and volunteers. “Since our program has grown so large, it takes a lot of space to store and organize all the clothing and school supplies prior to the event,” Karen said, adding that this year’s move of the Manos dental clinic to the main office has further reduced BTS storage space. “Another challenge is coordinating volunteers,” Karen continued. “It takes about 30 volunteers each day to make the program run smoothly during the full two weeks. We also have many volunteers for two weeks prior to the event, who help sort and organize items. Not surprisingly, BTS program growth has necessitated volunteer growth. Partner Presbyterian churches, including Covenant, collect money and school supplies during late spring and summer. The Travis County Sheriff’s Department provides several volunteers and moving trucks to ensure that all of the boxed 14
All the program challenges are worth it when Manos and its volunteers start giving away the supplies. “Working with the children during distribution is so much fun,” said Karen. “Each child encounters at least five volunteers during the hour or so that they are in the building moving from the entertainment area, to shopping for clothing, and finally to get their backpacks and choose books.”
Covenant Supplies Volunteers “Covenant has many members who consistently volunteer and donate to Back to School and other programs at Manos de Cristo. We couldn’t have such a successful program without them,” Julie said. Julie pointed out a few: “Gloria and Tony Moreno have always played a role in Back to School.
For many years, Gloria rounded up volunteers for registration, and although she is no longer ‘in charge’ of registration, she and Tony still help. Paulette Kern was the official ‘buyer’ for the Back to School Program for many years; we credit her for establishing a system that is now easy for other volunteers to follow.” “Covenant was instrumental in the first BTS closet,” Gloria recalled. “When we ran out of t-shirts in two or three days, we realized the huge need. And the needs are still phenomenal,” she continued. “To see the mix of people, both clients and volunteers, who come together to do this is a wonder. All this teamwork happens because of the grace of God.” Covenant members and visitors are encouraged to help in two ways: Sponsor a child for $30 or donate gently used books pre-K through middle school reading level. Donate and find out more about the program before and after the 9:30 a.m. service on the patio until June 9, or call Cheryl Banks at 789-2696.
CLERK’S CORNER Over the last couple of months, Session has focused on financial oversight, Covenant staff structure and visioning. We’ve had several special called meetings in addition to our regular meetings. Due to the shortfall in pledged revenue last year, Session has made difficult decisions to eliminate positions or decrease the hours of selected staff— individuals whom we love. We’ve revamped our staff structure so that the Senior Pastor has four direct reports, reduced from nine. We invited all interested members and friends to a Town Hall meeting on March 24 to discuss the changes. Session had the privilege of hearing the individual faith stories of members of the STAND class and welcomed 26 youth into membership at Covenant. We also welcomed 11 new members to Covenant in March and April. Session reviewed and accepted the auditor’s report performed by Atchley and Associates, LLP. Ronnie Armstrong, CPA, reported that the 2012 audit has an unqualified opinion on the financial statements, the highest ranking a CPA may give. Session approved a joint recommendation from the Stewardship Committee and Covenant Presbyterian Foundation for a year-round stewardship education and inspiration program. Session also authorized the Stewardship Committee to pursue a visionbased budgeting process, based on Session’s vision for Covenant, beginning with the 2014 budget. The Annual Meeting was held April 7, where we distributed the Annual Report and the organizational chart. Covenant Administrator and COO
Duane Dube presented our 2012 financial statements. Dave Ferguson gave an update on the Covenant Presbyterian Foundation. The congregation elected the following members to serve on the Congregational Nominating Committee: Daphne Corder, Bob Morton, Linda Southwick and Stuart Young; Deacon and Session representatives will be determined at a later date. With the congregation’s gratitude, Russ Sartain was re-elected Treasurer. Both the Senior Pastor Nominating Committee and Interim Associate Pastor Search Committee provided updates about their progress. Thais Kilday gave a Stewardship Committee update. Finally, Jill Williams led us in remembering and honoring the Covenant members who died in 2012. At its April meeting, Session honored outgoing elders: Tom Hutchison, JoAnne McIntosh, Joe Muck and Tom Sunstrom; Christy Green was also remembered. The bulk of our time was spent on beginning Session’s vision process, with all elders present sharing their ideas. 15
Session approved the Interim Associate Pastor Search Committee’s (IAPSC) recommendation to hire Rev. Munn Hinds, Jr. as our Interim Associate Pastor for Age and Stage, effective June 1. Session commended the IAPSC for their prayerful diligence in the search. Lastly, additional cuts to the personnel budget were considered and approved. JOYFULLY PRAISING GOD WITH YOU,
The elder class of 2013, left to right: Tom Sunstrom, JoAnne McIntosh, Tom Hutchison and Joe Muck JOY DURRANT CLERK OF SESSION
FINANCE REPORT
16
CALENDAR OF EVENTS AUSTIN HANDBELL ENSEMBLE CONCERT
PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP SESSION III
June 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
July 22–26
SENIOR ACTIVITIES DAY
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
June 4 at 10 a.m. in FE 200 Movie: Parental Guidance
July 28 at 9:30 a.m. outside OPEN MIC NIGHT
RAISING A MODERN-DAY KNIGHT
August 2 at 7 p.m. in FE 400
June 6 to July 25 on Thursdays at 6:30 a.m. in FE 200 More information at rmdk.com
PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP SESSION IV
August 5–9 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
June 17–21 at 9 a.m. in FE 200
SENIOR ACTIVITIES DAY
GREAT ESCAPE (7–8 GRADE)
August 6 at 10 a.m. in FE 200 Movie to be announced in Covenant Matters
June 22–28 in Gunnison, Colorado For more information, visit corestudentministries.org
CAMP MISSION CLUB 56
PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP SESSION I
August 12–14 Contact gstuart@covenant.org
June 24–28 ZAMBIA TRIP
June 27 to July 13
REFRESH YOUR SOUL THIS SUMMER
SENIOR ACTIVITIES DAY
Go deeper during the June–July sermon series on Eccle-
July 2 at 10 a.m. in FE 200
siastes with companion materials for small groups or individuals. Using the book of Ecclesiastes as the starting
DAYTONA BEACH (9–12 GRADE)
point, short weekly videos reflect on the sermon scripture,
July 7–13 in Daytona Beach, Florida For more information, visit corestudentministries.org
and daily devotionals walk through nine essential spiritual practices. The book of Ecclesiastes is about the complex, exhausting ways we try to find meaning and fail. The nine
PW GATHERING: SYNOD OF THE SUN
spiritual practices are simple, ordinary ways to let God
July 18–21 in Houston Contact suzanne78746@gmail.com
transform us, one day at a time. Materials (including a small group guide) are available online and in hard copy. Find materials at blog.covenant.org. For more information,
PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP SESSION II
contact mcrawley@covenant.org.
July 8–12 17
3003 Northland Drive Austin, TX 78757
OFFICERS AND STAFF OF COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DEACONS
ELDERS
CLASS OF 2014
CLASS OF 2015
CLASS OF 2016
CLASS OF 2014
CLASS OF 2015
CLASS OF 2016
Breece Adams Marilyn Adams Matt Bair Donna Barksdale Lynn Bell Steve Bissell Julie Bou Allen Carmichael Lynda Chapman Jay Corder Cara Cotham Jim Foster Jacquez “Joc” Gaines Bretna Hackert Bonnie Hartmann Elizabeth Hilton Barbara Knisely Bill Mange Lacy Ruwwe Carol Sheppard Lisa Sledge Sharon Smith Tom Smith Brent Stover Diane Swanson Beth Voorhees
Susan Ashton Jill Baumhover Wendell Bell Sylvia Betts Rusty Burnett Carolyn Carmichael Steve Caskey Allison Crutchfield Dianne Erlewine Pansy Flick Jane Gamel Keith Ging Garrett Hall Patti Hansen Elizabeth Harrell Bill Hawkins Shannon Knisely Jack Kriens Loretta Kriens Larry Loessin James Marroquin Emily McGinnis Gwen Morton Patrick Schmidt Gary Vliet Becky Wells Sharyn Westmoreland Paul Wynkoop
Mike Austin Jennifer Carsner Jane Crowe Kay Davenport Dustin Johnson Michael Knisely Bill McCaleb Andrea Moen Julie 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
Joy Durrant Jeff Horn Jan Skaggs Laura Tuma Clark Weatherby
Don Davis Evangeline Herring Chuck Ruesink Melanie Williamson Cindy Young
Paul Askenasy Jennifer Maham Deb Rieber John Ruwwe Frank Sheppard
FOUNDATION TRUSTEES CLASS OF 2014
CLASS OF 2015
CLASS OF 2016
Dianne Erlewine
Dave Ferguson Jack Kern Mary Teeple
Larry Faulkner JoAnne McIntosh Tana Taylor
PROGRAM STAFF Paul Parsons, Interim Senior Pastor Beth Bishop, Director of Lay Ministries Thomas W. Brown, Director of Music Ministry Duane Dube, Director of Administration Munn Hines, Interim Associate Pastor for Age and Stage Ministries William Leonhardt, Director of Student Ministries Christy Milam, Director of Preschool John Schmidt, Organist Stephanie Schultz, Director of Communications Gayla Stuart, Director of Children’s and Preteen Ministries Jill Williams, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care Ministries
