Greetings,

WhenIthinkofWorldCommunionSunday,IthinkofrelationshipsbecauseCovenantPresbyterianChurchisallabouttherelationshipswemaintainwiththepeopleofGodaroundtheworld.ThroughourMissionsBudgetwesupportourPCUSAMissionCo-WorkersinBangladesh,LesandCindyMorgan,aswell asministries in Nicaragua led byMartinaWilson,withwhomwe have had a long-time relationship.Additionally,wesupportPresbyterianWorldMissionthroughourdenominationalgiving.Butthisonlyscratchesthesurface,becausemorethanallthat,weareengagedinmission.InFebruary,IwillbeleadingmyfifthCPCtriptoPalestineaspartoftheKeepHopeAliveOliveProgramofthePalestineYMCAandYWCA.IrecentlycounteduphowmanypeoplefromCovenanthavetraveledonthesetripssince2014,andwehavehadupwardsof20fromourcongregation,alongwithotherPresbyteriansfromaroundthenation.Thistripwillbethethirdtimeweareplantingolivetrees,andwehavealsoharvestedolivesontwootheroccasions.ThesearemeaningfulexperiencesbecausewehavetheopportunitytoengagewithPalestinianswhoarecitizensofIsrael(withlimitedrights)aswellasthoselivingintheWestBank(whohavenocivil,orevenhumanrights).ItisalsointerestingtobeengagedwithChristianandMuslimPalestinians,wholiveandcooperatewitheachotherverywell,aswellaswithIsraeliJewswhoshareintheworkofachievingjusticeforallintheirnation.ThereisalwaysadisconnectbetweenourexperienceinPalestineandwhatthenarrativesaboutthatarein U.S. culture. But the spirit of World Communion is alive and well in all our encounters with ourIsraeli/Palestinianpartners.ThispastSundaywehadawonderfulcrowdoffolksinthefellowshiphallfollowingworshiptohearfromouryouth(andadult leaders)about theirmeaningful timespent inCardenas,Cubathissummerwithourpartnercongregation,ElFuertePresbyterianChurch.ThisrelationshipispartofabiggerrelationshipbetweenourPeaceRiver Presbytery and the Matanzas Presbytery in Cuba, which is part of an even bigger relationship in ourdenominationthroughtheCubaPartnershipNetworkofthePC(USA).IremembergoingtoCubaononeofourfirstPresbyterytripsacoupleofyearsagoandfoundittobeapowerfulexperienceamongourCubanPresbyterianbrothersandsisters.Thisisanongoingpartnershipthatwillcontinuetogrowbetweenourtwopresbyteriesandcongregationsforyearstocome.IshouldalsomentionthatevenoursupportofMisiònPenielis, in important ways, an international relationship, albeitrightinourownbackyard!WhenweworkatourPresbyterymission for farmworkers in Immokalee, we are inrelationshipwithpeoplefromCentralAmericaandHaitiwhohave wonderful cultural gifts to share with us. There aremany social/political issues attached to all of that in oursocietythesedays,butthemissionitselfisaboutrelationshipandunderstandinghowweareallchildrenofGodwhocareaboutGod’sjusticeintheworld.

The Clarion

The Newsletter of Covenant Presbyterian Church October 2019

2 OurcelebrationoftheLord’sSupperonOctober6thisallaboutwhatitmeanstobeGod’schildreninaKingdomthattranscendsthestrugglesofthisworld(inthecontextofourspecificcultural/national/ethnicloyalties)evenwhileweseektoberelevantinitasservantsofGod.Thismeansthatwetrulymaketheefforttobebothphysicallyandspirituallypresentwitheachothereverywaywecan.Soevenasweuseourhandsandresourcestohelp,wealsoremembertoprayforourbrothersandsisterswherevertheyreside.

To help represent these truths about God’s Kingdom,many in our church family once again gathered for anintergenerational Sunday School experience to make breads from around the world to celebrate WorldCommunion.HerearethebreadswewilluseforthiscelebrationonthefirstSundayinOctober:GreekChoreki,IrishBrown,JewishChallah(glutenfree),ScottishButtermilk,CubanWhite,andPalestinianFlatbread.ThesearesymbolicproclamationsabouthowallthepeopleofGodareconnectedtoeachotherinmanywaysthroughthepresenceoftheHolySpiritamongus.IinviteyoutolookatthepicturesofourWorldCommunionBread-makingexperience,andmostimportantly,tocomeandcelebrateonOctober6whoweallareintheKingdomofGod!

PeaceandGrace,Jeff

HurricaneDorianmadelandfallintheBahamasasaCategory5hurricaneonSeptember1standstalledovertheislandsfor24hours,causingmassivedamage.PresbyteriesintheU.S.areassessingtheneedandPDAstandsreadytoassistasneeded.

AsUSAID indicates, “Cashdonationsare themostefficient formofassistance.Unlikematerialdonations,cashinvolvesnotransportationcosts,shippingdelays,orcustomsfees.Italsoenablesrelieforganizationstospendmoretimeprovidingaidbyspendinglesstimemanaginggoods.Cashdonationsalsoallowreliefsuppliestobepurchasedinmarketsclosetothedisastersite,whichstimulatesthelocaleconomy,therebyboostingemploymentandgeneratingcashflow.”

IfyouwanttosupportPDA’sresponse,pleasedesignategiftstoDR000194onlineorbycheckwith“DR000194-Dorian”onthememolineto:PresbyterianChurch(USA),P.O.Box643700,Pittsburgh,PA15264-3700

PeacemakingCommitment

Weareheretoheal,notharm.

Weareheretolove,nothate.

Weareheretocreate,notdestroy.

PublicationsTheSessionishappytoannouncethatAlanaNanzwillbeournewPublicationsDirector!AlanawilloverseepublicationoftheClarion,aswellasotherimportantpublicationsforourchurchcommunity.ArticlesfortheClarionareduebythe20thofeverymonthandshouldbe sent to cpcpublications@gmail.com. If complete information isnotsubmittedbythe20th,itwillhavetowaituntilthenextclarion.

3 CovenantPresbyterianChurchhostsafullcalendarofeventsforallyouth in 6ththrough 12thgrade! Youth Bible Study is held everySundaymorningat9:00a.mbeforeworship.Youthfellowshipstakeplaceeverymonthandincludemeals,games,activities,musicanddiscussions. A variety of trips, retreats, mission andoutreachopportunitiesareavailableaswell.YouthdonotneedtobemembersofCovenanttoparticipateandarealwayswelcometoinvitefriends!ForspecificinformationregardingdatesandtimesofyouthactivitiespleasecontactEricNanzatnanzet@gmail.com.YouthEventsinOctober10/6 SundaySchool&AfternoonYouthGroup(9:00am–1:15pm)10/13 FallBreak(NoYG/Sundayschool)10/20 SundaySchool&OperationChristmasChildEvent(6:00pm-8:00pm)10/23 WednesdayYouthBandRehearsal(7:00pm–8:00pm)10/27 SundaySchool,YouthBandplaysandFall-Festival(9:00am–1:30pm)

CovenantReturnstoMisiónPenielonFridayAfternoon,October4th!Onceagain,Covenant isbuildinga teamofat least,butnot limitedto14peopleofanyagetoservethefarmworkercommunity in ImmokaleeonFriday,October4th.Covenantsendsateamofvolunteersabouteverysixweekstohelpwiththemission.Thismonth,volunteerswillhelporganizeanddistributenonperishablefooditems,acarryoutmealandclothingtothefarmworkercommunityinImmokalee.Volunteerswhosignupatthe

ConnectionStationboardinthecourtyard(orbycallingtheoffice)areaskedtoclarifywhethertheywilldrivethemselvesorjoinacarpool.Volunteersareaskedtoarriveatthemission,locatedat208BostonAvenue,at2p.m.andplantostayuntil6:30pm.Pleasebringyourownwaterbottle(water coolerrefillsavailable)andaheartysnacktoeat.Wearcomfortableshoes.ThosewishingtocarpoolfromthechurchwilldepartfromCovenantat1p.m.andreturnbyaround7:15p.m.Pleasevisitthemission'swebsiteandifonFacebook,checkforthelatestphotos of service teams! website: www.misionpeniel.comand Facebook page: "Mision Peniel". Additionalinformationaboutdonationsandservingguidelinesareonthewebsiteunder“CurrentNews”.Questions?ContactRuthDeYoeat:ruthdeyoe@gmail.com

Joinusforthisfun,familyweekendoffellowship,canoeing, swimming, line dancing and more. A$30per-person,non-refundablefeeisrequiredtoregister.Thecostofthecampis$115(ages13toadult)and$101(ages5to12).Childrenunder5are free. The registration fee includes lodging,activitiesandallmeals.Themaximumperfamilyunitis$345.Registrationislimitedandyourspotisonlyreservedwiththerequireddeposit.ContactBarbSheetstoseewhatCedarkirkhastoofferyourfamily!

Youth Events

4 LeasureTimeBookClub Covenant's Book Club, Leasure Time Book Club, meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. in room F205. Bring your lunch or cup of tea and join us! Book selections are available for lending in CPC Library. For more information, stop by our CPC library or email Beverly Campbell at campbell.beverly@gmail.com

Herearetheupcomingselections:

• SnowflowerandtheSecretFanbyLisaSeeforOctober17,2019• TheLibraryBookbySusanOrleanforNovember21,2019• ThereTherebyTommyOrangeforDecember19,2019• AnAmericanMarriagebyTayariJonesforJanuary16,2020

Covenant's Presbyterian Women invite all our congregation to their FallGathering Luncheon onSunday, October 13(immediately followingservice).OurspeakerwillbeYvonneConte,amotivationalhumorist,stressreductionexpertandauthor.Ms.Conte'stopicwillbe"LaughteristheLord'sMedicine!" The luncheon will be catered by our very own Chef SueCoffman.SignupforthiseventinthecourtyardonSunday,September29orSunday,October6.Luncheoncostis$10perperson.

PresbyterianWomen(PW)havemadesomechangesinourCirclesfor2019-2020.WenowhavethreeCirclesthatmeetatthechurchonceamonthatdifferentdaysandtimes.Whichtimewillworkbestforyou?(IfyouareinterestedinaThursdayeveningCircleMeeting,pleasecontactMarionValeat239-689-4681.)

ForOctober,ourcircleswillbelookingatthesecondlessonofthestudyentitled,LoveCarvedinStone:AFreshLook at the Ten Commandmentsby Eugenia Anne Gamble. (Bible Study booklets available for $10 at CircleMeetings.)

Octobermeetingtimesare:

• Tuesday,October8.DeborahCirclemeetsonthe2ndTuesdayofeachmonthat10a.m.inRoom205,ledbyEllenMoore401-474-6593.

• Thursday,October10.LydiaCircle(unitedtheElizabethCircleandtheRuthCircle)meetsonthe2ndThursdayofeachmonthat9:45a.m.inRoom205,ledbyBarbSheets239-850-9697.

• Monday,October14.NaomiCirclemeetsonthe2ndMondayofeachmonthat12:30p.m.inRoom201,ledbyJaneKaserman239-939-4845andMaryMcKenzie239-246-4754.

CallingallBakersandCraftPersons!"Circle"yourNovembercalendars!PW'sAnnualBakeandCraftsSalewillbeheldtheSundaybeforeThanksgiving,November24!

August 2019 Financial Report Income for August $34,105 Income Year-to-date $417,368 Expenses for August $56,642 Expenses Year-to-date $423,963 Year-to-date overage $6,595 Current Balance on Loan $327,031 Principal & Interest Paid in August $4,094 A complete finance report is available in the church office.

Pleaseprayforourfriendswhoareinneed:

NancyAlbright,LloydBalsley,StephanieBarclift,PeteBercaw,DonFjellin,JoanHalpern,

NoraHarmon,SueLoman,JeanMiller,

CharlesTebbetts,SoniaWagner,MelWert,andAnneWills.

GodBlessYou!

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CovenantChurchPictorialDirectoryInformationThe2019ChurchPictorialDirectoriesareavailableforpickup.Watchforinformationin the Sunday bulletin for when the directories will be available for pickup afterchurch.Anyonewhohashadtheirpicturetakeniseligibleforanew2019directory.The2019directoryhassomemissinginformation,whichislistedbelow.Pleasereview

yourdirectoryassoonaspossibleandnotifyKentSheetsorBarbHeflinofanymissinginformation.TheCovenantChurchPictorialisavailabletobedownloaded.ContactEricatthechurchofficeorvisitthechurchwebsite.

Inthedirectory,onthelefttopcornerofyourpicture,istheyearyourpicturewastaken.Youmusthaveyourpictureupdatedafterfouryears.Thosepeoplewhohadtheirpicturetakenin2016needtoupdatetheirpicturetobeincludedinthe2020directory.November8&9Lifetouchphotographerswillbeheretohaveyourpicturetaken.Afterallthephototimesarefilled,moretimeswillbemadeavailableinFebruary2020.Anyonewhowantstobe included in the2020directorycansignupontheCovenantwebsite,starting inOctober. Lifetouchhaschangedtherequirementstoupdateachurchdirectory.Achurchmusthaveaminimumoftwenty-fivemembersorchurchfriendssignuptohavetheirpicturetaken.Thename,addressandphonenumberinthebackoftheDirectoryaretakenfromthechurchdatabase.Ifyouarenotachurchmemberthatinformationmustbeprovidedtothechurchoffice,soitcanbeincludedinthedatabase.AnyquestionscontactKentSheets(Phone239565-7790orE-mail:Sheetskent@aol.com).

AdditionsandCorrectionstotheCovenant2019ChurchDirectory:HeatherOrtegaBlakely&ElizabethShane BuchenShane PhyllisHackettandLynneHolden DaveandLindaNelson735HomesteadRoadSouth 16900S.TamiamiTrail,#16 5534NewPineLakeDrive LehighAcres,FL33974 FortMyers,FL33908 FortMyers,FL33907321-354-8038 239-437-2926 Nophonenumber

DonandJoanCady DarciHillyerandLisaOlson NanetteSmith2104W.FirstStreet,#703 2735VereoCourt 32BarkleyCircle,#253FortMyers,FL33901 CapeCoral,FL33991 FortMyers,FL33907239-672-8978 636-248-5275 239-770-4852

PamelaCoyne TeddyHogle MarleneandDaveSuter 2107SunriseBoulevard 8661WesleyDrive,Apt.8-07 3234FullMoonDriveFortMyers,FL33907 FortMyers,FL33919 NorthFortMyers,FL33903239-834-3230 239-898-9712 Nophonenumber

DoreenFraser EliseMissall JamesandLeilaniUlrich12563CoconutDrive 13163TallPineCircle 5800NorthSd.,Route80,#231FortMyers,FL33908 FortMyers,FL33907 LaBelle,FL33953708-609-9707 239-851-2497 315-369-8431

L.I.F.E.AnnualAssembly-October29L.I.F.E.isanacronymforLeeInterfaithforEmpowerment,acoalitionof12LeeCountychurchcongregations,includingCovenant,workingforlocalsocialjusticeonmanyissuesintheCounty-health,safety,education,lawenforcement, employment and housing. The next LIFE "big event" will be the LIFE Annual Assembly onTuesday, October 29@ 7 PM at Fort Myers Congregational UCC Church (8210 College Parkway betweenWinklerRoadandSummerlinRoad.)Atthisevent,wewilldiscussandvoteonwheretodirectourattentionandfocusforthe2020NehemiahAction.WewillalsoreceiveupdatesonpreviousNehemiahAction"asks".AllCovenantmembersandfriendsarewelcometoattendthisevent.

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Fromchildrentoseniors,peoplepackshoeboxgiftseachyeartoblesschildreninneedaroundtheworld.Parentsoftenuse theproject to teach their kids about giving.Year-roundvolunteers support these efforts across thecountry.Churchesandgroupsofallsizescollectboxesfromtheircommunities.Somechurchesalsoserveasdrop-off locations for shoeboxes the thirdweek of November every year. Thousands of volunteers serve annuallyinspectingandpreparingshoeboxesforinternationalshipping.Everyhourworkstopsforafewminutestoprayforthechildrenwhowillreceivetheboxes.Longbeforeshoeboxesarriveinmorethan100countries,volunteerNationalLeadershipTeamstrainpastorsandcommunityleaderswhowanttosharethemessageoftheGospelandblesschildren.Theleaderslearnhowtohostchild-friendlyoutreachevents,andhowtoimplementTheGreatestJourneyfollow-updiscipleshipprogram.

Youcanparticipateinseveralways.Youcandonatemoneyforshippingorpurchaseitemsfortheboxes.Youcanpackaboxyourself.Youcandonateitemswhichwillbeusedtopackboxeshere.YoucanjoinusonSunday,October20topackboxeswithouryouth.Itemswhicharemostneededrightnowarecrayons(24pack),barsoap,pens,pencilsharpeners,plasticcupsandcombsandbrushes.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecallBarbSheets850-9697.

Covenant’s Concert Series continues the tradition of glorifying Godthrough music. Our concerts are designed to enrich listeners and toaffectagreaterawarenessofGod’spowersothatHemaybeglorifiedaswecreativelyusethegiftsHehasgivenus.Pleaseinviteyourfriendsandneighborstoanyorallofthesewonderfulconcerts.

2019/2020CovenantConcertSeriesNovember1,2019 March1,2020AngelaMassey—Flute WashingtonSaxophoneQuartet

December6,2019 March13,2020CovenantChristmasConcert U.S.CoastGuardAcademyCadetChorale

January10,2020 March27,2020FredMoyer—JazzTrio CovenantSpringConcert

February21,2020 DavidBurgess—Guitarist

TheAmazingJourneyofaSimpleShoeboxGift

OperationChristmasChild

PalestineOliveOilSales–WorldCommunionSunday,October6ThenextspecialsaleseventforPalestineOliveOilandThymeSpiceMixwillbeonWorldCommunionSunday,October6, intheChurchCourtyardbeforeandafterWorshipbymembersoftheCovenantmissionteamsthatwenttoPalestine.Proceedsfromthesaleof olive oil and spice mix benefit planting of olive trees; production, bottling, andpackaging of oil and spice; art based emotional therapy for Palestinian childrentraumatized by war and occupation; and start-up of other businesses in Palestine.Participatinginthiseventisanon-violentstatementofsupportforPalestinianjustice.

7 Covenantoffers twochoiceseverySundaymorning,9 -9:45am,upstairs(viatheelevatororstairs). Youareinvitedtocomeandsee/comeandshareinwhatGodisdoingthroughthosewhogatherforenrichmentonSundaymornings:“FaithConnections”meetsinroomF207AnewandengagingseriesbeginsonOctober6th:CHURCH:ACOMMUNITYCALLEDFORTHEFUTURE

Thisclassstudyismorethanjustawaytogaininsightbutaimstohelpdeepenfaithandpromoteconversation.AsthebodyofChrist,thechurchlivesandbreathesnotthroughself-survivalandprotection,butthroughself-givingandconnectiontotheweboflifethatexistsintheworld.ThisishowChristcontinuestobeincarnateintheworld,throughtheassemblyofChrist’sfollowerswhoarecalledtoliveouttheirlivesingenerosityandgrace.ItisanexcitingtimeforChrist’scommunity!Comeandshareintheseweeklydiscussions:1. THECHURCHOFPOSSIBILITIES//TheChurchthatweSee,PastandFuture2. FLOURISHINGINBABYLON//HowWeWillShowUpintheCrowd3. THEIAMOFTHECHURCH//HowWeWill"Do"Evangelism4. EUCHARISTICCOMMUNITY//HowWeWillConnect5. ORGANICCHURCH//HowWeWillGrow6. THESELF-FORMINGCHURCH//HowWeWillClaimOurChristianJourney

PleasejoinusforoneormoreSundays…andinvitethepersonsittingnexttoyouinthepeworinthecourtyardonSundaymornings!

MeetinginRoom201:“GuidelinesforDiscipleship”byGeraldJacksonThis new study for October focuses on I and II Timothy and Titus and will engage the class in meaningfuldiscussionaboutthetopicofdiscipleshipfromabiblicalperspectiveanditssignificanceforourlivestoday.Classleaders include:MaryellenFrost,BarbaraShafer,RichardShaferandJohnnySheppard. Booksareavailable inclassforall.

Adult Sunday School Classes

SessionHighlightsforSeptemberTheSessionmetonTuesday,September17,2019withRev.JeffDeYoe,moderatingthemeeting,andeleveneldersinattendance.Otherspresent:GaryBrothers,FacilitiesManager,BarbaraHeflin,ClerkofSession,andRosemaryWallace,Deacon.

• Approved hiring Alana Nanz as a contract employee for church publications. Theworkwill be doneremotely with printing on church site. The approval was by email vote. Date of employment beganSeptember9,2019.

• PresbyterianWomen’sGatheringwillbeheldOctober13,11:30a.m.followingtheworshipservice.ThespeakerwillbeYvonneConte,amotivationalhumorist,stressreductionexpertandauthor.Hertopicwillbe“LaughteristheLord’sMedicine!”SueCoffmanwillcaterthemealandcostis$10perperson.

• AlternativeChristmasMarketwillbeheldonSunday,December8,inthecourtyard.• TheTogetherWeGrowGarden isbeginningtoproducefood. Fivehundredpoundshasbeenharvested

recently.• GaryBrothershasfinalizedthepurchaseofanewchurchbus.Itisveryattractiveandhasaseatingcapacity

of15.Italsohasmanysafetyfeaturesandastoragespaceforluggage.Theoldbuswillbesold.• GaryhasnegotiatedwithFloridaPainterstopressurewashandrepaintthesteepleonthesanctuary.Also,

theyhavebeenretainedtorepairroofleaksinthevicinityofthesteeple.

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CovenantPresbyterianChurch2439McGregorBlvd.Ft.Myers,FL33901

Phone:239-334-8937Website:www.covpcfm.comEmail:info@covpcfm.com