Jericho Covenant Community Church - Come as you are http://www.pubassist.com News for and about the Covenant Community Church of Jericho Road in Essex, Vermont. en-us Come as you are. http://www.jerichocovenantchurch.org/images/woodcut.jpg http://www.jerichocovenantchurch.org 201 133 Covenant Church Hosts C.A.R.E. Dinner http://wiki.jerichocovenantchurch.org/tiki-index.php?page=Fellowship http://wiki.jerichocovenantchurch.org/tiki-index.php?page=Fellowship1 On May 15th, we hosted a C.A.R.E. Dinner. This was a hunger awareness event. C.A.R.E. stands for "Community Awareness and Reflection Experience". Sixty five people attended and were asked to assume a role. Some were treated to a restaurant meal. Some were fed at a soup kitchen. Some had to shop for their meals with a "VT Three Squares" card. And some found their meal in the dumpster! Several hunger- relief agencies were invited to participate and to offer up information on their programs. I think it is safe to say that this event was an eye-opener for all of us. Covenant Church 2010 Summer Music Series http://wiki.jerichocovenantchurch.org/tiki-index.php?page=Fellowship http://wiki.jerichocovenantchurch.org/tiki-index.php?page=Fellowship2 On Friday nights, starting June 25th through mid-August, our church will once again host our Summer Music Series. These concerts will feature a variety of local musicians in a coffee-house setting. This year, we're looking to create a setting that is a little more conducive to socializing. So, in addition to music, there will be games, a concession stand, and of course our homemade root beer! So, plan to spend some Friday nights this summer with us. Bring along some friends. This is an evening that will be both affordable and fun for the whole family. Another Covenant Church Coffee House http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item7717 http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item7717 It sounds like we are not alone in getting creative about how to invite people in. Here's a story from the denomination about a Covenant Church that opened as a coffee house! Hmmm... food for thought? A Day in the Park http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item7752 http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item7752 A very cool idea that is connecting a Covenant church in Oakland, CA to their community. Pastor Bobby Lee says that, "No one has started attending the church because of the events." I wonder whether what we call "church" might be changing. Check it out. What is a Biblical Understanding of Justice? http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item7884 http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item7884 The Covenant denomination is asking for feedback on a new Covenant Resource Paper. The paper was introduced at the 125th Annual Meeting. Peter has already mentioned this paper and I expecte we will be hearing more about it this fall. Understanging this topic and participating in this discussion is one important link to our parent denomination. A "Ministry of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice" also seems right in line with some of the conversations happening in our church right now. Take a look. Beer and Theology? Maybe not so far out. http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=8544353 http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=8544353 Another very cool idea--this one from the United Methodist Church. I know that for some, we are walking "close to the edge" with our own "Beer and Theology" group. But it seems ever more clear to me (Ron) that the world is hungry for meaningful theology. As followers of Christ, we are called to go out and meet the world. This seems like one very effective way to do it.