CORNERSTONECOVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | APRIL 2015

Covenent youth and their families traveled to Belize to partner with a church there that

is poor in wealth, but rich in spirit. God worked in incredible ways and leaders saw very

visible changes in our students and their families. We will feature this trip in our next

issue of Cornerstone. Find out about our student ministry program on page 14.

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ABOUT CORNERSTONECornerstone 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.

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.

We need you!

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.

CORNERSTONE CONTRIBUTORS

SENIOR PASTOR

THOMAS DANIEL

CLERK OF SESSION

MELANIE WILLIAMSON

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

DUANE DUBE

EDITOR

STEPHANIE SCHULTZ

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

HILARY PITTMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

JACO BOTES, CLAIRE KURIO, EMILY MCGINNIS

PHOTOGRAPHY

JACO BOTES, CLAIRE KURIO, TOM MCCLURE,

HILARY PITTMAN, STEPHANIE SCHULTZ, AMY

SKAGGS

COVER PHOTO

MAGGIE TATE

SPECIAL THANKS TO

PAUL MOWRY, BRIAN SPARKS

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ABOUT CORNERSTONE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 OURS IS A GRITTY HOPEGod is not absent in times of difficulty

3 NEW FACES ON STAFFBeth and Jennifer look forward to their roles

4 FOCUS ON CHILDRENZambia team sees opportunity to reach kids

6 WELCOME TO COVENANTNew members help grow the Kindgdom

8 YOUTH STEP UP FOR IHNCovenant students encourage IHN kids

9 DRIVING HAPPINESSTransportation services meet growing need

10 STEPS TO CURB HUNGERCovenant team raises $3,600 for CROP

11 GOAL: ENERGIZE PWNola Ross is eager to publicize good works

12 LESSONS FOR LIFEScouting provides strong foundation

14 GOD AT THE CENTERStudents offered many ways to build faith

15 CLERK’S CORNERSpring brings new leaders, new growth

16 FINANCE REPORTFor the period ended February 28, 2015

17 CALENDAR OF EVENTSSave the dates for these fun events

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Steve Hayner, my mentor who recently passed away, closed each worship service that he preached with the same benediction. The text comes from Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all genera-tions, for ever and ever. Amen.”

I have heard Steve recite these verses many differ-ent times. They are words of hope and faith. When I listen to them, my mind comes alive at the possibili-ties of all that God can do in our world, and within each of us. These verses offer an amazing promise for the future.

However there are times that I question whether they hold true—times when we encounter death, pain and injustice. Where is God in these dark places? Where is God when we suffer? When we watch others suffer? And where is God when prayers for deliverance appear to go unanswered?

OURS IS A GRITTY HOPE

THOMAS DANIEL

SENIOR PASTOR

WITH HOPE,

When Steve was a few hours from death, family and friends gathered around his bed to celebrate the sacrament of communion. As we all ate a piece of bread and drank from the cup of salvation, it was apparent death was near. Steve could not stand up and was feeling very ill. The hospice nurse told us that his condition was rapidly deteriorating. There were many tears. The shared sorrow in the room was palpable.

Suddenly, after a brief closing prayer, Steve unexpectedly proclaimed the benediction from Ephesians that he had spoken hundreds of times before. His voice was strong and clear. Immediately I was reminded that God, and thus hope, is not absent in times of difficulty; not even when we are awaiting death. Rather our hope is that the struggles we face, even death, have been redeemed. Ours is a gritty hope—“a hope with scars” as one theologian states.

I invite you to hold onto this hope today. To offer up your places of struggle, addiction, temptation, disappointment, abandonment and illness. To trust that God has not abandoned you. Offer these things before God and watch with hopeful expectation as He, “who can do abundantly far more than anything we can ask or imagine,” breathes new life into these desperate places.

NEW FACES ON STAFF

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Beth McMullen Daniel is Covenant’s new Parish Associate for Older Adults. In this role, Beth will work primarily with our older adults and she is excited for the opportunity.

“The job is specific to a demo-graphic yet broad in scope,

providing opportunities for both pastoral care and teaching,” Beth said. “I look forward to getting to know better this active, vital, faithful and fun group of people. I am eager to learn from them, walk and talk with them, and encourage them on our journey of faith and life together.”

Beth said older adults have always been an important part of the ministries she has served. “I have been a director of Christian education at a church with an aging congregation, an associate pastor of adult discipleship at a large urban church with people of all ages — a church which housed a ‘Center for Positive Aging,’ and a founding co-pastor of a church where older adults were the fast-est growing demographic in new membership.”

Beth added that regardless of her professional experience her best qualification for the job is that she grew up surrounded by older adults. “My mother works in a residential home for the elderly. As a child, I spent countless days visiting the residents and help-ing out. I still visit every summer when we go to Wales, and now I take my girls with me.”

Beth works well with her hus-band, Senior Pastor Thomas Daniel, because, she said, they have very different personalities, interests and gifts. “The key is for us to have distinct and clearly defined roles. Twice before, I have worked on the same staff as Thomas, but I have always been his equal in terms of posi-tion. The different job structure at Covenant will be a new experi-ence for us, but one that could be good for this particular season of our family and ministry.”

After being in Austin for a year, Beth likes the city and said that Atlanta prepared her for the heat, traffic and allergies — all things she was warned about before her arrival. “The people are friendly, the food is good, and Covenant Presbyterian Church is a gift.”

Jennifer English is Covenant’s new Recep-tionist and Schedul-

ing Coordinator. Jennifer started March 9 and has quickly gotten up to speed with the multiple responsibilities of the position.

Jennifer is the first point of con-tact with Covenant members and visitors to the office. She also holds the keys to all the events scheduled on campus. Learning the software system for the lock-ing schedule and heating/cooling systems is a tricky part of the job.

“I’m really glad to be a part of something where we are striving toward a common good and to feel like I can make a difference at work,” she said.

Jennifer previously has worked in office management and customer service positions. In her free time she likes to read. In fact, she reads so much (260 books last year!) that publishers send her books to review.

FOCUS ON CHILDRENMwashibukeni! I used this Bemba word to greet the congregation of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) Mulfuira in Zambia on a win-tery July day. The smiling faces of those gathered were a testament to the wonderful things God put on everyone’s heart. As we sang, danced and wor-shiped, it was clear that many great things would be accomplished during the week!

Covenant Presbyterian Church began short-term mission trips to Zambia in 2004 to help establish “daughter churches” and to minister to the physi-cal needs of the people through medical clinics and free medication. Each year, local pastors provide leadership for this mission. From the beginning, one pastor—Rev. Lovemore Nyirenda—captured the vision for evangelism. He’s been part of virtually every trip and every activity.

Covenant’s 2014 mission to Zambia changed from a sole focus on church planting to include support for children’s curriculum. Throughout scripture, we are encouraged to have “childlike faith” and to become “children of God,” yet most evangelism focuses on adults. Studies show:

• 1 percent of faith professions occur before age 4• 85 percent of professions of faith occur

between age 4 and 14• 10 percent of professions of faith occur

between age 15 and 30• 4 percent of professions of faith occur after 30• 46 percent of Zambia’ population is 15 years or

younger: fertile ground for the Gospel!

After completing his divinity degree, Rev. Nyirenda returned to his church in Mufulira with a passion

for spreading the Gospel, especially to children. Through Covenant, he met Arthur and Liezl Pienaar, missionaries posted to Livingstone, Zambia, who share his passion for children’s ministry.

On the first Saturday of our 2014 trip to Mufulira, more than 40 leaders attended training taught by Arthur Pienaar on freedom in Christ. Pastor Amon Chiwasa from the Evangelical Church in Zambia translated into Bemba for five hours. The lead-ers were transfixed, hungry for training, and asked many questions.

That afternoon, we traveled to the church plant sites where the local congregations would lead evange-lism efforts. The closest site was Kawama East, a shanty compound southeast of town. The second site was a rural village, Kansuswa. Third, we visited a village called Zimba. Here, the evangelism team would work and meet at the school every after-noon for Bible study. The final site, Murundu, was between Mufulira and the border with Congo.

Early each morning, our buses rolled off to the vil-lages with eager teams of evangelists. In one village,

Rev. Lovemore Nyirenda and Jaco Botes

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Liezl taught six hours of teacher training each week-day. Children’s group leaders were trained to:

1. Use different methods to share the Gospel message with children.

2. Teach on a level that is enjoyable, yet challenging and life changing.

3. Conduct Bible studies on a child’s level.4. Involve children in meeting community needs.

On the last day of children’s ministry teacher train-ing, the first group of kids met. Coined ‘The Good News Club’ by Rev. Nyirenda, 85 children partici-pated in what continues to be a fun weekly meeting.

Prudence, a trainee, wrote this letter to Liezl: “I thank the Almighty God for giving me the privilege to acquire this knowledge on how to teach children the Gospel. I also thank God for sending you to Mufulira to train us on how to do children’s minis-try. …I have grown because of what you taught. You emphasized telling children that God loves and that

children need to know that they are also sinners because they are born with a sinful nature, hence the need for the Savior. When they accept Christ they will be justified and regenerated.”

After worship services on Sunday, we shared glow-ing reports and recognized all for their work. We praised the work of the Holy Spirit in and around Mufulira for bringing people to faith in Christ and for provision for future discipling. Covenant will continue to minister to children in Africa and will increase efforts over the next three years in Zambia.

Would you consider: Joining the prayer support team? Being a mission team member? Supporting a teacher in training by praying, and writing letters or emails of encouragement? For more information, contact Cheryl Banks (csebesta@austin.rr.com) or Deb Rieber (debrieber@hotmail.com).

SUBMITTED BY JACO BOTES

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Covenant welcomed 38 new people into the church family in mid-March. Covenant’s next new member class will take place Wednesday, May 13 and 20, from 6–8 p.m. If you are interested in becoming a member, contact Amy Skaggs at askaggs@covenant.org or (512) 334-3081. Welcome to Covenant, new members! We are so excited that you are here.

WELCOME TO COVENANT

Heather Bailey

Suzanne Bell

Chrissy Cornelius and Drew Fuller

Leslie Ballanfonte

Becky Brock and James Steckel

Kathryn Davis

Sally Barber

Ethan and Cherrylynn Burris

Cori Ervin

Jim and Liz Bayless

JIB and Becky Butterworth

Gray and Emily Fuller

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Brock Harper

Brian and Monique Penner

Thaw Sint

Whitney and Will Withers

Cynthia Kimble

Kristine Poland

Meghan Still

Nicole Witzel

Judy Monroe

Richard Poland

Nicole Timms

Chris and Michelle Young

Elaine Parks

Rodney and Cynthia Schmidt

Jim and Maris Troiano

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YOUTH STEP UP FOR IHNDid you know that Covenant hosts homeless families on our campus four to five weeks every year? For many years, Covenant has been an integral part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), which provides temporary housing in host churches and synagogues to families experi-encing homelessness. Covenant volunteers host families who stay in Eaton Hall during their stay.

IHN returned to Covenant in late February. Something was differ-ent this time—something really wonderful! A loyal and dedi-cated group of adult volunteers has always hosted the families. Missing were youth volunteers to serve as hosts for the children who are part of this program.

This time, Covenant added a Youth Mentorship Program to the services that we provide these families. Each evening between 6 and 8 p.m., two high school students volunteered to tutor, mentor and hang out with the kids. Seven kids stayed at Covenant ranging in age from seven months to 12 years old. The youth volunteers played games and ate dinner with them, escorted them to the Wednesday night children’s programming (with the awesome help of Stacey Grooms and her crew) and even took them to the Saturday night talent show hosted by the Journey Choir. These kids had an amazing week because of the love, encouragement and care shared by these high school

students. Club 56 members added another component to the IHN program, decorating and displaying posters and banners to welcome the families and make them feel more at home.

This has truly become an inter-generational mission project at Covenant and the impact on these families is undeniable. If you would like to become a part of this team of volunteers, it’s never too late! Covenant will host IHN families the week of May 17. We need adult volunteers to be evening and overnight hosts, provide a warm dinner, set up for their arrival, clean up after their departure, launder sheets, towels and blankets, and more. We will again need high school volunteers and we can’t wait to see how Club 56 will touch the lives of these homeless families!

If you would like to get involved (or simply to get on the e-mail list so you’ll know when families are coming and can think about get-ting involved), send an e-mail to ihncovenant@gmail.com.

SUBMITTED BY CLAIRE KURIO

John Schurlock (Left) and Drive a Senior Client

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Many seniors who want to continue to live healthy and active lives in their own homes, but do not drive, are able to do so thanks to Drive a Senior. The organization started in 1985 and this year, marks 30 years of providing rides throughout the Austin area.

Covenant was one of the initial congregations to financially support West Austin Caregivers, as it was called in its early days. Transportation is the key offering; volunteers also perform small home repairs and offer short visits for seniors in need.

Covenant member Chuck Cooley takes advan-tage of the service, getting rides two times a week. “Drive a Senior-West Austin is a wonderful service and has helped me in many ways. I enjoy conversa-tions with the drivers who take me to appointments and wait for me for the drive home. All the volun-teers are wonderful, caring and very prompt.”

Covenant member John Scurlock, a former board member and driver, created structure for the organ-zation’s Board of Directors, incorporating bylaws and standards. So instrumental was John that every year, the organization recognizes an outstanding volunteer with the John C. Scurlock Volunteer of the Year Award. Today, John is a Drive a Senior client, enjoying the ease and reliability of rides offered from the program he has long supported.

Covenant members Kit Chenault and Jean Zappone are current board members. Kit said John asked him to consider joining the board several years ago. “I decided to join because the mission and principles were consistent with missions in our community. They were not far-flung ideas,” Kit said. “Drive a

DRIVING HAPPINESSSenior serves a real need and it somewhat parallels my experience in medicine.

“It is quite gratifying to know that we make the difference between someone being able to live in their own home or having to move into a retirement home. Home is where their memories are.”

Jean described the program. “It’s being out in the community and doing life together with the clients.”

Jean said the group finds volunteers at Covenant in several ways. “We invite Drive a Senior Executive Director Jean Teel to our Party on the Patio, and Kit brings a model convertible car. We typically sign several volunteers up that day.”

The spring choral concert is a big Drive a Senior event. The Covenant Sanctuary Choir performs with several other choirs in February. “It’s a great time to see the other churches that are involved and hear them sing. While we make some money for the organization, that concert is about the camaraderie of those who support Drive a Senior.”

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During the holidays, Covenant’s MoMs group mem-bers make and deliver Christmas cookies to clients. The moms check to make sure the clients are doing well in their homes and don’t need additional help.

The organization’s growth represents the great need for the service. A recent Brookings Institution report showed that Central Texas has the fastest growing percentage of individuals age 54-65, and the second fastest growing percentage for people 65 and up. Today, nine organizations with the same mission make up the Drive a Senior network, serv-ing Austin and surrounding areas. In 2013, Drive a Senior volunteers provided more than 40,500 rides.

With all services included, the network devoted almost 80,000 volunteer hours to 3,200 older Central Texas citizens.

“This program is an answer to prayer for me,” said one client. “I have multiple doctor appointments and a very limited income. If it were not for this pro-gram, I have no idea where I would be.”

If you would like to volunteer to drive, go to the organi-zation’s website volunteerdriving.com/volunteer. For more information about Covenant’s involvement, con-tact Jean Zappone at jzappone@grandecom.net.

STEPS TO CURB HUNGEROn March 1, 13 Covenant mem-bers stepped out in the cold and rain at Camp Mabry as part of the CROP Hunger Walk to raise money and increase awareness in the fight against hunger.

This year the Covenant team collectively raised more than $3,600, thanks to contribu-tions from Covenant members. Laura Hargrave, the Presbyterian Women Mission Coordinator, led the team and thanks everyone who made donations and walked. Laura is “thankful for God’s faith-fulness and the fellowship experi-enced on the walk.”

The funds raised by the walk are distributed via the Capital Area

Food Bank to include helping Healthy Options for the Elderly, Fresh Food for Families and St. John’s Community Mobile Food Pantry, among others.

Visit austincropwalk.org to learn more about CROP.

SUBMITTED BY EMILY MCGINNIS

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GOAL: ENERGIZE PWCovenant member Nola Ross will attend the 2015 Triennium Meeting of the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women this July. She will repre-sent the West Central Region on the Churchwide Coordinating Team (CCT), arriving in Minneapolis two days early for the business meeting and orien-tation. Delegates will decide the PW focus, budget and leadership for the next three years.

Nola’s goal as a member of the CCT is to energize PW in churches. “My hope is that the national CCT members inject some new energy into PW so more people care about it. I’d love women to want to be a part of this and want to be involved in doing good for the whole world.”

Some of Nola’s ideas for the CCT include investigat-ing a new PW structure and considering modify-ing its name to attract new participants. “Perhaps blitz marketing would encourage increased atten-dance at the Churchwide Gathering,” Nola said. “I’d also like introduce optional templates for smaller churches to promote PW at the local level.”

While never before a CCT delegate, Nola has par-ticipated in several Churchwide Gatherings. PW holds a Gathering once every three years. More than 2,000 Presbyterian women from all over the world come together to pray, address injustices in all areas of life and advocate for peaceful solutions to conflict. Nola would like more people to know about the workings of PW worldwide.

Nola describes the Gathering as a “magical five days.” Members attend business meetings, install new officers, and learn about all PW projects through demonstrations and keynote speakers.

There’s a song leader, standout daily plenary ses-sions, educational opportunities, spirituality cen-ters, tours, skits, communion and many vendors and exhibits. Covenant members also attending are Joy Durrant, Susan Holman and Julie Stillwell.

Nola explained that when she joined PW, every woman in the church was assigned to be in a circle. “PW Circles took care of people like today’s dea-cons do. We provided comfort and food for church members. Even if you didn’t participate in a circle, you were cared for by the members.”

Circles meet monthly and have Bible studies, fel-lowship, and receive PC(USA) information passed down from a Presbytery Cluster Leader to the indi-vidual church, making them communication vehi-cles to all women members of each church. Today some churches are dropping circles and moving to Bible studies and social time. Many churches now have a diaconate to “care for the flock.”

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Nola, who learned of her election to the CCT in late 2014, is very qualified for the position, having served on numerous church committees, traveled on mission trips, served on Sessions, and has been PW Moderator and the Austin Cluster Leader for Mission Presbytery. In 2010, she was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in recognition of faithful service to God and church.

She will work on the CCT for the next three years. The delegates meet regularly to vote on issues, plan for new processes, budget for all PW, change or amend rules and secure delegates for the 2018-2021 CCT.

To find out more about the Gathering, visit covenant.org/2015pwgathering.

LESSONS FOR LIFE“Cub Scouting helps parents — especially dads — learn how to be parents, how to teach little lessons about life, and how to persevere and problem-solve under stress,” said Covenant member and Scout volunteer Tom McClure.

Tom is Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner and Covenant’s Chartered Organization Representative to Pack 59. In this role, Tom is a liaison between the pack and Covenant. He started volunteering as an adult Scout leader when his son, Grant, was a Cub Scout in the late ’90s. He has been a troop commit-tee chair and a wilderness first aid instructor (with Grant serving that same role), and has also served in many volunteer roles with the Capitol Area Council of the Boy Scouts.

“I love being a Scout volunteer because it’s my chance to mentor other leaders who, in turn, lead a pack or who deliver the Scouting program to the boys,” Tom said. “Parents today are wrestling with so many demands. If I can make Scouting easier for the parents and leaders to understand, it will be more fun for the boys and I will have done my job.”

Chris Szaniszlo, another Covenant member, is one of the leaders Tom mentors. Chris is a Cubmaster.

He leads the pack and, with other leaders, plans and carries out the pack’s Cub Scout program. Chris’

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pack has about 60 “cubs” or boys in grades one through five. Scouts are boys in sixth grade through 17 years, and are in a troop; their leader is the Scoutmaster.

Chris was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout. “Outside of my parents and the church I attended grow-ing up (Covenant), Scouts played the biggest role in shaping who I try to be today. The fun it pro-vides kids, the core values it attempts to instill and my son’s involvement moti-vate me to be involved.”

Tom agreed, “Duty to God and respect for others’ beliefs and faith systems is part of the foundation of Scouting. A boy can learn some of these things in sports, school and other activities, but I think the best investment of adults’ time and talents is Scouting because I don’t know another program that brings all of that learning together for the boys and their parents like Scouting.”

Being pack leader is Tom’s favorite Scout activity. “I see boys overcome challenges and get back up and try again. We have annual Pinewood Derby races. One year, it was heart-warming to see a Cub Scout who, the previous year, was just devastated when his Pinewood Derby car lost the race to enthusias-tically return the next year with a better-designed car. His positive attitude was infectious, and last year’s ‘failure’ was a distant memory.”

Chris added that Scouting is one of his son’s favor-ite activities and his least favorite thing to miss. “He and the other boys work on all sorts things designed to be fun, challenging and impactful. From duty to God to duty to country, from helping others

to personal responsibility, from doing their best to knowing the importance of being prepared, the list of things boys learn through Scouting is long. In short, however, what we hope the boys learn is what it means to become an outstanding young man.”

Lucas Baer has attended Boy Scouts at Covenant for six years. After his first Scout meeting, Lucas asked his mother, Therese

Baer, “Why don’t we try going to church here?”

Therese said many Scout families have joined Covenant after seeing the campus for the first time through Scouts. “Most important, however, is the number of lives touched by each Scout Covenant sponsors,” she said. “Our boys perform service proj-ects such as stuffing socks for homeless teenagers, donating and wrapping gifts for Brown Santa, plant-ing trees in public lands, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and much more. Learning to love and respect God, and to give back to society at a young age are character-building traits that will stay with our boys the rest of their lives.”

Chris added that it’s never too late to join Scouts. All activities are age-appropriate. New and return-ing Scouts do the same new things each year. “A number of activities for kids (sports, music, etc.) are difficult to start at a later age because the kids who have been doing the activity for a while are significantly advanced in their skillset. Scouting is not the same. Whatever age a boy wants to get involved is the perfect age to start.”

Contact Tom for more information about Scouting at mccluretom@aol.com.

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GOD AT THE CENTERCreating a partnership with par-ents is the goal of Covenant’s Student Ministry Team. The team strives to dialogue with families, encouraging students and their parents to start and continue dis-cussions about religion and God.

“No one formula works with all kids and all classes. Youth min-istry is fluid. Our goal is to build up our teens and send them back home. We want to provide a place where other adults know them well—know their hearts. We want to give them a peer group where God is the center,” Director of Student Ministry Nathan Richards said.

This spring, Covenant students have had access to numerous opportunities that provide such a dynamic – including a family mission trip to Belize, confirma-tion class, spring celebrations and plans for summer worship confer-ences and mission trips.

The team returned from Belize as this issue of Cornerstone was going to print. Nathan said, “This was the most incredible trip I’ve ever gone on with a church. We saw very visible changes in stu-dents and their families. I can’t wait to share the stories.”

(We’ll share the team’s experi-ences in the next Cornerstone.)

Back in Austin, 39 kids are attending Covenant’s 12-week confirmation class. “Our cur-riculum starts at the beginning. We want students to know what they are confirming. Participants leave each week with questions to discuss with their parents, who receive weekly news about what kids are learning,” Nathan said.

“Confirmation is a great oppor-tunity for students to ask the questions they’ve had all along and not felt comfortable enough to ask. It’s a time where they claim their faith. They have to step away from what their par-ents and friends believe, and say, ‘This is what I believe,’” Assistant Director Whitney Bell said.

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CLERK’S CORNERThis is my last Clerk’s Corner as Clerk of the Session. New elders begin their service on May 1, and the current class of 2015 will roll off. Please thank Don Davis, Evangeline Herring, Chuck Ruesink and Cindy Young for their service to Covenant through the last three years of change and transition. It has been an inter-esting, healing and exciting time in the life of our congregation. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for us as we move for-ward with a new leadership team.

Session has recently had the pleasure of receiving 38 new members to our congregation. We hope they will feel welcome

and will quickly plug into groups and activities. We have also approved baptisms of infants, children and youth, and are so happy to see the church expand. Next month, we will listen to faith stories of youth participating in the confirmation class and invite them to become full members of the church. Spring is a time of wonderful growth!

In March, we approved the Personnel Committee’s recom-mendation for a Parish Associate for Older Adult Ministries. Rev. Beth Daniel will fill this part-time position. When Thomas was called to be Senior Pastor, Beth was not part of the package. The

Confirmants will be celebrated as part of Youth Sunday on May 17. “We will celebrate leaders, seniors and confirmants all in one day at the worship service that each person attends, and have a party. It will be a great commu-nity building time,” Nathan said.

In July, Covenant high school students will again travel to South Padre to Fun in the Son. “This is a good trip for students for many reasons,” explained Whitney. “It’s low risk and high fun. It’s close by

and not very expensive. Students come and stay at a hotel, play on the beach and we have a confer-ence with great speakers.”

Covenant 7th and 8th grad-ers will take a mission trip to Oklahoma City. Working with Vine Community Church and a non-profit called Hope House, Whitney and Nathan set up sev-eral missions throughout the city. “Our students will help put on a VBS-like camp, work in a soup

kitchen and do tornado relief work. Covenant kids will do many things in a city that is much like Austin. Oklahoma City has a nice downtown and many commut-ers. We hope they will be able to translate what they see and do back to Austin,” Nathan said.

While there’s no formula that works for all students and all classes, Covenant youth have a lot from which to choose where God is at the center.

Personnel Committee followed a thoughtful process to discern who might be a good fit for that active ministry. Beth has a heart for this group and felt this was her calling (and she had other options).

The Sunday Morning Task Force presented its findings in February. Staff reviewed the recommenda-tions and sent back comments in March. We expect a vote on

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FINANCE REPORT

Financial Update For Period Ended February 28, 2015

YTD YTD

Actual Budget GENERAL FUND Revenues $ 615,887 $ 691,657 Expenses 437,156 537,588 178,731 154,069 BUILDING FUND Total Loan Balance $ 6,477,962 Principal Reduction YTD 33,856

the Sunday morning schedule in April. We will tweak the current schedule to address issues raised in the input gathering phase. A few main points will be put into effect: We will continue to have four services on Sundays during fall, winter and spring, and one pastor will preach all four most of the time. We will report more on this after our April meeting.

Finally, Session approved several financial items. We are currently renegotiating one of our loans at Frost Bank to a more favor-able interest rate. Session com-mitted, upon the recommenda-tion of the Finance Committee, to continue to make the same monthly payments in order to pay down the principal faster. We accepted a generous gift from the

Foundation that will be matched by church funds to increase the Permanent Pastoral Housing Fund so we can attract and retain pas-toral staff by offering loan assis-tance on housing purchases. This fund will benefit Jill and the new associate pastor when called, and it has already benefited the Daniel family. We are grateful to the Foundation Trustees for their leadership in this effort.

BLESSINGS,

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CALENDAR OF EVENTSMAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP SERVICEApril 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE SERVICEApril 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES APRIL 5 • 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 a.m. (Please ride the shuttle if you are able.)

SENIOR ACTIVITIES DAYTuesday, April 7, 10 a.m. in FE 200

DEVELOPING A SPIRIT-FILLED HEARTWednesday, April 8, 15, 22, at 6:30 p.m. in FE 200

ARMCHAIR TRAVELERSThursday, April 12, 7 p.m. in FE 200

VISIONS TRIP TO AUSTIN-AMERICAN STATESMAN AND MORETuesday, April 14, 9:15 a.m., meet at the church

WALKING THE MOURNER’S PATHThursday, April 9 – May 28, 6:30 p.m.

CAREER TRANSITIONSThursday, April 16 – May 21, 7 p.m. in FE 100

JOURNEY YOUTH CHOIR: GODSPELL JR. Sunday, April 19, 1;30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

VISIONS LUNCHEONTuesday, April 21, 11:45 a.m. in FE 200

TOWN HALL WITH MAYOR STEVE ADLERWednesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m. in FE 200covenant.org/mayor

CHILDREN’S MUSICAL: GOD IS MY ANCHORSaturday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the SanctuaryEncore presentation Wednesday, May 6, at 6:15 p.m.

ALL-CHURCH PICNICSunday, May 3, 4 p.m. at the Skaggs Ranch

VISIONS ACTIVITIES DAYTuesday, May 5, 10 a.m. in FE 200

PW SPRING LUNCHTuesday, May 12, 10 a.m. in FE 200

FOLK-CELTIC CONCERT: HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING? Wednesday, May 13, 6:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary

EXPLORE MEMBERSHIPWednesday, May 13 and 20, 6 p.m. in CO 208

YOUTH SUNDAYMay 17 at Sunday Worship services8:15, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Contemporary

VISIONS LUNCHEONTuesday, May 19, 11:45 a.m. in FE 200

LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERWednesday, May 20

3003 Northland Drive Austin, TX 78757

OFFICERS AND STAFF OF COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CLASS OF 2016Mike AustinJennifer CarsnerJane CroweKay DavenportDustin JohnsonMichael KniselyBill McCalebAndrea MoenJulie MooreKen MooreJennifer PalmRyan PalmBob PetersonCherry RaleyJack SkaggsAllison SmallBridgette StahlmanEmily TaylorGwyn TheodoreDonna ThomasSteve ThomasKristen TritleKathy WillisShannon Windham

CLASS OF 2017Pat BeckhamCharlene ColeDaphne CorderAl DiCristofaroAllison DwyerMarv HackertTom HutchisonBarbara KniselyDorothy LaynePatsy MartinA.V. OotseyKathleen ReishMike RhoadesRuth RhoadesWill SchmidtCarol SheppardFlorita SheppardBrent StoverLee TerrellLorrie TerrellAdele TriggGreg WilsonSandy YoumanWesley Young

CLASS OF 2015Susan AshtonJill BaumhoverWendell BellSylvia BettsRusty BurnettCarolyn CarmichaelSteve CaskeyLynda ChapmanAllison CrutchfieldDianne ErlewinePansy FlickJane GamelKeith GingGarrett HallPatti HansenElizabeth HarrellBill HawkinsShannon KniselyJack KriensLoretta KriensLarry LoessinJames MarroquinEmily McGinnisGwen MortonPatrick SchmidtGary VlietBecky WellsSharyn WestmorelandPaul Wynkoop

DEACONS

CLASS OF 2016Paul AskenasyJennifer MahamDeb RieberJohn RuwweFrank Sheppard

CLASS OF 2017Joe DentonSusan HolmanThais KildayJames MarroquinClark Weatherby

CLASS OF 2015Don DavisEvangeline HerringChuck RuesinkMelanie WilliamsonCindy Young

ELDERS

CLASS OF 2015Dave FergusonJack KernMary Teeple

CLASS OF 2016Larry FaulknerTana Taylor

CLASS OF 2017Dianne ErlewineJoanne McIntosh

FOUNDATION TRUSTEES

PROGRAM STAFF

Thomas R. Daniel, Senior PastorThomas W. Brown, Director of Music MinistryDuane Dube, Director of AdministrationJill Williams, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care Ministries Christy Milam, Director of PreschoolJohn Schmidt, OrganistStephanie Schultz, Director of CommunicationsStacey Grooms, Director of Children and Preteen MinistryNathan Richards, Director of Student MinistriesJerry Wise, Contemporary Music LeaderDerek Nafe, Creative Arts Producer

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