News and Events
Clarion Newsletter for JULY 2010
|
All concerts, which are held in Covenant's sanctuary,
are
presented free to the community. |
|
High
Seas Expedition Vacation
Bible
School
We have had a another
successful VBS at Covenant! Thank you
to all the volunteers who made it happen.
Also, thank you to all of the parents that
allowed us to spend a wonderful week with
your children. See you next year!
|
2010
|
ACES SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASS
What if FAITH, NOT FEAR, was your
default reaction to threats?
ACES (Adult Contemporary Education Studies) is studying
Max Lucados book
Fearless at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday.
Books are $15 each. Join the class
any Sunday upstairs in Room F201.
ACES will be on break for the summer. See you in
September!!
 Cedarkirk Family Camp
We have
reserved the weekend of October 22-24, 2010, for our Covenant Family!
Registration begins August 8th - $50 deposit is required.
Approximately thirty-five campers joined their Covenant family at Cedarkirk Family Camp
last year. There was a lot of fun, fellowship, and relaxation during the weekend! Activities included swimming, canoeing, a hay ride, campfire, skits, and games. At Cedarkirk, campers
can explore paths through the woods, enjoy river adventures, and bask in the natural beauty. They can also experience challenges like the ropes course. Activities during family weekends include mixers, games, creative Bible study, swimming, canoeing, hiking, and square-dancing. Hayrides and campfires are also available. Cedarkirk, which is accredited by the American Camping Association, is a year-round camp and conference center located in Lithia, Florida. The facility is owned by the Presbyteries of Tampa Bay and Peace River. For further information, please visit their website: www.cedarkirk.org.
Photos from Last
Year's Campout!
|
|
SCHOLARSHIPS
AWARDED
ALICE CROWE ALLEN
TO
CAROLINE TAYLOR ROTHENBERG
The
Alice Allen Scholarship has been awarded to
Caroline Taylor Rothenberg. Taylor is the
daughter of Amy and Brad Rothenberg. She
is graduating from Fort Myers High School and
will be attending New College of Florida.
Taylor's major is undecided at this time.
The scholarship is a gift
from a memorial endowment honoring the late wife
of Covenant's second pastor, Claude I. Allen,
Jr.
The award is given to a woman who
evidences promise of success in higher
education, with at least a 3.0 average in
previous academic work. Priority will be to
members of Covenant; age will not be used in
determination of the awards, but participation
in the programs of the church may be a
consideration.
Previous recipients have
been Chelsea Carter, Margaret Bastar, Keely
Seaman and Caroline Barclift.
DAVID G.
ROBINSON
TO
MERCEDES BUNNER
The David G. Robinson
Scholarship has been awarded to Mercedes Bunner.
Mercedes is the daughter of Cynthia Bunner Gumm
and the granddaughter of Suzi Bunner. She
is graduating from Cypress Lake High School.
While in high school, she received the Do the
Right Thing Award from the Lee County
Sheriff's Department in 2009. This year
she was student chairperson for Be A Buddy,
Lee County's Special Olympics. She
plans to attend Edison State College for her
first 2 years then transfer to West Virginia
University School of Medicine where she will
specialize in Pediatrics with a focus on
challenged children.
|
Book Scholarship for College Students
College students who are members of Covenant
are eligible for our Book Scholarship program.
Please call
the church office at 334-8937 for information.
VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY
NEEDED!
With summer almost here the Snowbirds have begun to go North
and some permanent "regular" volunteers have plans to be away
this summer. At this time the Soup Kitchen is in great
need of volunteers, especially during the summer months when
many volunteers will be gone. Covenant has committed to
volunteering at the Soup Kitchen on Wednesday mornings.
There are two shifts: 6:30 to about 9:00 and 9:00 to about noon.
The first shift prepares the meals for the "Meals on Wheels"
program and the second shift prepares and serves the lunch for
those who come to eat at the Soup Kitchen (located at 3429 Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Ft. Myers). The need is
greatest (as you might expect) for the 6:30-9:00 shift, but
volunteers are greatly appreciated at either shift. We
have committed to Wednesday mornings but, volunteers are needed
for all other weekdays as well, so if Wednesday doesn't work for
you, feel free to volunteer on another day. The Soup
Kitchen is one of the agencies of Community Cooperative
Ministries Incorporated (CCMI) which Covenant helps to support.
If you have any questions contact Jon Van Ernst by email (JonVanErnst@Comcast.net)
or phone (694-3905), or sign up on the sheet in the courtyard.
Thanks in advance for volunteering!
Faith in Action, a ministry of CCMI, is in need of drivers to
transport meals and people to doctor visits.
Please contact Jon Mayheugh 332-0441 or Fran Elson
332-1159
Misiσn Peniel
Stay tuned for the date of the next outreach!
Misiσn Peniel allows you to experience a fulfilling mission outreach close to home! Please meet at the church to travel by van to help serve a
hot meal and distribute canned goods and clothing to the migrant
workers in Immokalee. Ten to twelve volunteers needed. Sign up at
the Connection Station in the courtyard. Comfortable attire is a
must as it will be a long day, returning to Covenant about 7:00 p.m.
For further details, contact Bill Whitaker.
Also, we request donations of clothing for men (pants in short lengths, sizes 30-36, and long-sleeved shirts), women, children, and infants. Canned goods, packaged cookies, and diapers are also appreciated. Please bring your donations to the church office. Thank you for helping!For more volunteer and ministry opportunities,
please see the listings below.
Going North for the Summer?
Please let the church office know when you will
be leaving for the summer so we can change your mailing address.
We must pay for mail which is returned to us, and this will be a
true savings to the church. Enjoy your summer!
Singles' Group Seeks Leaders!
Don Munch, who was with our singles' group
since its reorganization in September of 2003, has decided to step down
from a leadership role in the group due to his many
commitments at school, including new graduate studies. Don
was wonderful to work with, and we appreciate his TLC on behalf of
the singles' group! If any
singles are interested in helping out with the leadership of
the group, please send an email to
thesinglessource@yahoo.com.
More info. on the singles' group
Mission Spotlight on
Bangladesh
Letter From Dr. Cindy Morgan
Read the Update
|
|
|
 |
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.Psalm 91:14-16
|
|
|
|
What a Great Year for
Stephen Ministry at Covenant!
Eight of our members have received a calling from God and have
completed the fifty-hour training program. This training series was developed in 1975 by Dr. Kenneth Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist, to train laypeople to provide one-to-one Christian care for hurting people. Our training
was led by Linda Sinclair with assistance from the other Stephen Leaders. We praise God for the following members who
were
commissioned on February 21 as Stephen Ministers:
Dale Christie, Janet Church, Ed Gale, Jane Kaserman,
Jim Kaserman, Sue Robinson, Betty Serra, Dick Taylor
More on
Stephen Ministry and how you can receive care
|
You're Welcome to Browse the Church Library
Did you know that Covenant has a library featuring a variety of books, including
Christian-oriented fiction and non-fiction as well as secular best-sellers? The library is located on the south side of the courtyard and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays. Books may be signed out for two weeks. When you come to church, the library gives you a convenient way to pick up a book and then return it on your next trip here. Thank you to Librarian Sally Maurer for overseeing this marvelous selection of books for book lovers of all ages! |
Book Nook |
ORGAN FESTIVAL
at the
NAPLES PHILHARMONIC CENTER
 Director of Music and Organist, Mary Mozelle
will be a featured organist
at the annual Organ Festival at the Naples Philharmonic Center.
For more information:
http://www.thephilorg/buytickets/calendar/view.aspx
| | | |
|
| Announcing Covenant's New
Children's Choir!
We are so blessed to have Dorothy Graham
to lead the children's choir at Covenant, the "Exaltation Singers." At various services and events throughout the year, our new children's choir will help in leading the congregation in worshipping God. This choir is open to children in second through fifth grades. It's a great opportunity for children to serve and to grow in musicianship at the same time! Details are below. For more information, please contact Dorothy Graham at 239-332-8963 or by email at
grahamprs@aol.com. EXALTATION SINGERS
All Elementary-School Ages
Rehearsals will resume
on September 12th
|
| | | | |
Sunday School Classes for 2010
Join them any Sunday at 9:00 A.M.! | Children's Classes*
K-1st Grade Rooms D-1 & 6
Grades 2,3,4 Room D-2
Grades 5,6,7,8 Room F-2
High School Gather in the Library*A nursery is provided for younger children, including infants.
Adult Classes for 2010
Bible Fellowship Class Room F-207, Calvin Hall
(Studying Chuck Swindoll's book Simple
Faith)ACES Contemporary Class Room F-201
(Studying
Fearless
by Max
Lucado)
Discovery Class (Formerly Boomers' Class) Room F-204
(Studying The Secret of Happiness,
Billy Graham's commentary on the Beatitudes) |
Y o u t h M i n i s t r i e s
High
School Youth will not be
meeting during the summer months.
Middle School Youth Group
Stay tuned for upcoming events!
For more
information, please call the church at 334-8937. |
Women's Circles
You're Invited to Join One of the Small Groups
That Meet Monthly, September through May.
Women of all ages are invited to join one of the Circles that meet once a month . Circles are GREAT support groups, and the Bible studies are pertinent to our lives. Join us for new friendships, prayer, missions, community projects, and fun! Day or evening Circles are available. Please call the church at 334-8937 for more information.
We will begin studying the Book of Revelation this September.More on the Circles and Our Women's Ministry!
 | On Sunday, August 16,
the congregation
celebrated the first
anniversary of
Dan and Jaye J.
Hagmaier's ministry
at Covenant! We praise the Lord for blessing us with
their caring leadership!
More on Dan and Jaye J. |
Care for Hurting Persons
In these challenging times of economic uncertainty,
job loss, health concerns, and relationship
difficulties, Christian care is provided through the following ministries. | Stephen Ministry | Stephen Ministers are members of this congregation who are gifted in compassionate caring and who have been trained to walk with hurting people in their time of need. Each hurting person is invited to meet regularly with a Stephen Minister, who listens compassionately while maintaining confidentiality. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or therapists but are Christian caregivers uniquely equipped to support others. This ministry is offered without charge. Persons (including friends and relatives of Covenant members) seeking support from a Stephen Minister are invited to contact the church office at 239-334-8937. | | Life Education and Counseling Center of Southwest Florida | The Center provides professional counseling for individuals, families, and groups to help improve the spiritual, mental, and emotional quality of lives in Lee County. Counseling is provided at a reduced fee, depending on income. The Center has two locations: one on the campus of Covenant Presbyterian Church at 2439 McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers (239-334-4277) and one at Faith Presbyterian Church at 4544 Coronado Parkway in Cape Coral (239-542-7375). | Grief Group If you have ever experienced a loss and would like to join others working through grief, a group meets each Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Covenant House next to the church facility. The group is led by Kathryn Cochran, licensed therapist. Please call the church office, 334-8937, for information. More Information on Covenant's Care Ministries
Encouraging Verses |
Prayer Garden
Have you seen the new Prayer Garden by Covenant House? Our thanks to Michael Graham, who built it as his Eagle Scout project, using funds from Covenants Memorial Gifts. It is a wonderful place to go for some quiet time for prayer and meditation or to play with Socks, the church cat!
 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
All moms with children who are infants through kindergarteners are WELCOME to join us any time! We meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM to enjoy new friendships, food, guest speakers, service projects, crafts, and more! If you have any questions or would like to register for MOPS, please contact the church at 334-8937. More about MOPS
Nursery care is provided for each MOPS
meeting by the Covenant nursery staff. Parents' Day Out!
A Special Program for Members of Covenant Presbyterian Church
Parents, if you'd like some free time, we'll care for your kids on most Fridays* from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.! Programs are designed for children ages three months to kindergarten (please see the next paragraph for expanded summertime ages). Children enjoy a Bible lesson, art project, play time, and lunch. Parents, please provide each child with a sack lunch, and we'll do the rest! Except for our summertime Parent's Day Out (see paragraph below), advance registration is not required. Simply show up and sign in your children! *The program usually takes a hiatus during holiday weeks.
Community ItemsSoup Kitchen: An Exciting New Development
in Our Fight to Feed the Hungry in Our Area
In the past, we have asked for food donations; however, we have since found out that the Soup Kitchen and the Harry Chapin Food Bank can provide more food with our monetary donations than we can provide with our food donations. When Sarah Owen, director of CCMI, recently spoke with our children during the Childrens Time, she said that as little as $2 could feed a family for four days. Covenants Local Mission Committee would like to request that, instead of food, we give monetary donations and let the food banks do the purchasing. A red donation box is located in the narthex for your contributions. Any amount is appreciated! The amount collected will be divided between the two agencies on a monthly basis. Soup Kitchen volunteers are urgently needed.Maintenance Services to Help You and to
Help People Who Have Lost Their Jobs
Habitat for Humanity is now offering outside maintenance services to homeowners, churches and businesses in Lee and Hendry Counties. This program will not only allow these services to be available at below-market pricing, but it also follows Habitats mission of giving Gods people a hand up and not a hand out. They are hiring homeowners who have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, Now they can keep their homes and also serve our community. They are offering the following services: lawn mowing ($60 per month for a normal size lot), junk removal, general handyman services, house/ office cleaning, and more! Please contact: JASON SMITH with their Maintenance Sales division at 652-0434, ext. 1208, or cell 218-3208 to arrange a free estimate. |
Welcome, New Members!
2009-2010 | Patricia "Patti" Adams
Justin & Megan Bent
John & Lois Borgman
Lee Bovey
Harold & Dorothy Campbell
Raimonda Childress
Gale Cook
Sheldon & Janet Church
James & Marcie Curnutt
Thomas & Melinda DelNay
Robert & Patricia Erwin
Scott & Susan Fewell
Hazel Geier
Mary Ann Haragan
Jimmie Harper
Adair & Carol Heath
Margaret Helen Hilliker
Deborah Kelley
Ronald A. & Mary L. Kellner
Ben & Tish Kendall
J. Russell Kilgore, Jr.
Bruce & Blanche King
Marcia Lopata
Peter & Lianty Latuhihin
Ken & Elaine Maley | Burton & Angela Marsh
Amber Martin
Bradley & Barbara Maxim
Lois McAllister
Todd McAllister
Randall & Nancy McGruther
Jeffrey Merritt
Bob & Mary Plageman
Marty & Betty Serra
Kent & Barbara Sheets
Jennifer Smith
Bill & Peggy Spencer
William (Terry) & Roselynn Stewart
Selmajane Stuchel
Richard & Cora Taylor
Charles & Paula Tebbetts
Jack & Patty Tilson
Jon & Glenda Van Emst
Amanda Walk
Wellington Ward, Jr.
Donna Washburn
Gerry & Sally Wilson
Alan & Judy Woodford | May God bless you!
We're delighted you've joined our Covenant family! |
Men's Prayer Breakfast at Mel's Diner
Each Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
The Covenant Men's Breakfast group meets each Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. (the group previously met at 8:15) at Mel's Diner on U.S. 41 next to Rooms To Go. The men meet in the back room, enjoy breakfast, sing a hymn, pray, hear a devotional, and have a discussion. Interested men may contact Frank Harlacher at 481-3937 or at harbud1@comcast.net.  Prayer
Shawl
Ministry
If you have a family member or a friend who is in need of comfort and who would like a prayer shawl, please call the church office at 334-8937, and the receptionist will forward your name/number to a member of the committee. Arrangements will be made with you to receive a shawl that has been prayed over. Our sincere thanks to all who have knitted and crocheted the beautiful prayer shawls that have already brought heartfelt comfort to many, including those who are ill or hospitalized.
This ministry is open to everyone, especially to those who love to knit or crochet! Members meet monthly to knit/crochet shawls, which they donate to the ministry. Many work on the shawls at home and then turn them in to be prayed over at the monthly meeting. If you wish to become involved in the Prayer Shawl Ministry, please contact the church office at 334-8937, and the receptionist will forward your name and number to a member of the committee. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, August through May. Please join them in room F207! Check out their bulletin board in the south hallway! |
The SINGLES Source
Check out activities for adult singles! Many churches are participating in this wonderful outreach! More
Volunteer & Ministry Opportunities Opportunities at Covenant
Leadership of the
Singles' Group
If any
singles are interested in helping out with the leadership of
the group, please send an email to
thesinglessource@yahoo.com.
More info. on our singles'
page
DO IT CENTER OPENS!
Visit the Do It Center at the Welcome Center before or after our
Sunday morning worship service to inquire about your chance to help
with the work needed to keep the church property clean and in good
repair. There is something for everyone to do! Have you ever had a
desire to try a pressure washer? Paint a wall or a door? Count
chairs and tables? Dust and straighten the sanctuary? Sort and
evaluate tools? Trim trees and shrubs? Plant flowers? See us on
Sundays: Warren Mead, Gary Brothers, and other Property Committee
members!
Stephen Minister Training to Care for Hurting People
We invite any member of the congregation who feels called to this ministry to inquire about the training. The pastor or a Stephen Leader can answer your questions and give information about the ministry. More on the Stephen Ministry
One Congregation and a Truck
This ministry, which helps people who need assistance with moving, is looking for volunteers to help on an as-needed basis. Please sign up at the Connection Station (mobile unit with clipboards). If you have questions, please contact Gary
Brothers via email.Hospital Visitation
Members of the congregation are invited to become involved in hospital visitation. If you're interested, please leave your name and number with the receptionist in the church office.
The Chancel Choir
If you are interested in joining Covenant's choir, please leave your name and phone number in the church office (334-8937), and we'll have someone from the Music Dept. contact you. Handbell Choir
If you're interested in playing the handbells, please leave your name and phone number in the church office (334-8937).
Memorial Service Receptions
Were seeking people with smiling faces to serve punch and other refreshments. No food preparation is required. The goal is to have enough volunteers so that no one has to serve more than once through the year. If you are interested, please call the church office at 334-8937.
Sunday Morning Greeters
If you are willing to serve as a greeter on Sunday mornings, please sign up at the Connection Station in the courtyard.
Visitation Volunteers
If you have a couple of hours a month to visit and pray with a member of our church who might not receive any other visitors that month, please contact Deacon Ed Christenbury and let him know of your availability.
Sanctuary Care Givers
Volunteers are needed to straighten up the pew racks and to return lost items to the office. Care givers are welcome to work together any time during the week as long as the sanctuary is not in use. If youre interested, please call the church at 334-8937. Money Counters Needed
If you would like to help our Counting Committee on Monday mornings, please contact Barry Metzger in the church office at 334-8937 or email Barry Metzger, Business Administrator.
Opportunities in Our Community and BeyondA Mission Opportunity in Your Own Community!
We are seeking volunteers once a month to go to Misiσn Peniel in Immokalee to serve a hot meal and to distribute clothing and toiletries to the farm workers. Please call Bill Whitaker, 466-7228, if you are interested in serving. More Habitat for Humanity
Several PC(USA) congregations in Lee County are working together on the Presbyterian House now in progress. To volunteer, please contact Covenant member Don Berglund at 454-0534. Mentors
The Edison Park mentoring program requires a minimum of one hour per week during school hours. This excellent program offers you the opportunity to reach out in Christian love and touch the life of a child. Interested? Please leave your name and number at the church office (334-8937), and we will contact Lydia Christie or Nina Carpenter, who are overseeing our mentoring program. Mentoring Program Brochure
Transportation for Seniors
If you are under seventy and can spare several hours once a month to drive residents from the Presbyterian Apartments to the grocery store in our church van, please call the church.
Community Cooperative Ministries, an organization supported in part by our church, is the umbrella agency for the Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Faith in Action, and a new Montessori preschool. The following notices list the volunteers needed by these agencies.
Soup Kitchen Volunteers Urgently Needed
Covenant has pledged to have volunteers help out in the Soup Kitchen (located at 3429 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Ft. Myers) every Wednesday morning. There are two shifts: 6:30- 9:00 a.m. (when meals are prepared for Meals on Wheels) and
9:00 a.m.-noon (when lunch is prepared for those who come for a meal). The summer months are when help is needed the most. Please volunteer; youll be glad you did! You can sign up on the Soup Kitchen signup sheet in Covenant's courtyard or please
contact Jon Van Ernst at
JonVanErnst@comcast.net
or 694-3905.
Assistance for Seniors
Faith in
Action of SW Florida is comprised of interfaith volunteers who
provide non-medical assistance to many senior residents in our
community. This assistance includes providing transportation for
people who can no longer drive themselves to see their doctors,
to purchase groceries, or to visit a loved one in a nursing
home. If you are a handyman/woman, your assistance may be
helpful for minor repairs. If you can help, please contact Jon
Mayheugh 334-0441 or Fran Elson 332-1159.
Here's the Best News of All!
"God showed His great love for us by sending
Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Romans 5:6 Encouraging Verses How to Be Sure Youll Go to Heaven! |
| |
|
Summer Office Hours
Please note that the church office will close
at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays during the summer.
The office will close at 4:00 Monday through Thursday. Thanks!
Sunday
Bulletin
(Worship Portion)
August 1, 2010
The Clarion
Newsletter
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
Schedule of
Events Calendar Annual
Meeting2008 Annual Report Session
Highlights Please see page
two of our newsletter.
May 2010 Session
Members and Deacons
Names of Officers Ongoing
NoticesVolunteer and Ministry Opportunities - Please see opportunities for service listed at the bottom of this page! More
Sunday Bulletin -
Please remember that information for the Sunday bulletin must be submitted
on Mondays no later than 5:00 p.m. Clarion Newsletter - Please submit Clarion articles by the fifteenth of the month prior to the publication month (for example, information for the August issue is due July 15). Please
email information to Dawn
Castner Communion Visits - If you know of any member who is unable to attend church, please call the deacons and let us know. We will contact the person who is homebound and set up an in-home visit to receive Communion. Contact the church office (334-8937) or Ed Christenbury (985-5713).
Visitation Ministry - If you know of any member who is unable to attend church, please call Ed Christenbury, Visitation Coordinator, at 985-5713 or the church office at 334-8937. We have a number of Christian callers who take this commitment seriously. They will visit and pray with your loved one and keep the visit confidential. The pastors will be contacted if there is a need. Online Sermon Audio - The sermon page has been updated to improve the speed for those with dial-up modems! Do you have a friend or relative who has suffered a loss or is going through a difficult time? Tell them about our Stephen Ministry Program. Stephen Ministers are Covenant members who have received special training to provide high quality, confidential, one-on-one Christian care to hurting people. Its free, and its a powerful way to help a hurting friend. More Prayer Gram Ministry - If you would like to have prayer grams mailed to someone in need of prayer, please fill out a purple prayer card located in the pew and drop it in the offering plate. Our prayer volunteers will pray for the person in need and mail encouraging notes. Sharon Odom Burges oversees our prayer gram ministry. Military Personnel - We continue to pray for our men and women in uniform as they serve our country at home and abroad. If you know of anyone in the service, please place his/her name on the board at the Connection Station. Sanctuary Flowers - If you would like to donate flowers in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please contact the church office at 334-8937. We will order the flowers for you. The cost per arrangement is $25. Members, please help us save on postage! Please fill in your email address, if available, on the blue pew pads. This will allow us to save a considerable amount on postage throughout the year and reduce the amount of mailings in your mail box each month. Join the Covenant Group E-Mailing List. You will receive e-mail messages from other members and be able to send your messages to all members on the list. More Please let the church staff know if members are in the hospital. Changes in state law went into effect April 14, 2003, informing hospitals that they will no longer be able to give out the names of patients to their respective pastors or denominations. Thanks for your help. Church History - Any information and/or copies of photos you may have regarding events should be placed in the historian's mailbox in the church office. |
