A Word from Richard (p.1)

Called Congregational Meeting (p.2)

Sarah’s Last Day (p.2)

Central Shelter Volunteers Needed (p.2)

Honoring Jill’s Retirement (p.2)

Session Report(p.3)

Our Church’s Financial Health (p.3) Sunday School News (p.4)

Covenant Chronicle August 2017

Administrative Assistant Needed (p.4) Child Protection Training(p.5) Women’s & Men's Study Groups (p.6) Church Retreat Scheduled (p.6) Bell Choir Boot Camp (p.7) Sanctuary Flowers Donors Needed (p.7) Dinner Groups Beginning (p.8) BCM Donations List (p.8)

A Word from Richard Last month at Jill’s retirement celebration, she drew our attention to Ecclesiastes, “For every season there is a time to plant and a time to uproot…a time to tear down and a time to build…” And this summer we are in the midst of planting/uprooting and this is an exciting time for Covenant as well as a summer of changes.

First of all, I want to thank Will Simson and Sue Colussy for gearing up our Adult Educa-tion Conversations on Race for the month of July. I was surprised by such robust attend-ance for our Sunday School classes and the Wednesday movie night series. We have also enjoyed reading Waking Up White as a summer book club of sorts. It has spurred interest and we are exploring how to continue to deal with the racial, interfaith, and socioeconomic divide.

Our Associate Pastor Search Team has also been hard at work or maybe it is more accurate to say that our gracious God has been at work and our Team has been responding. We presented Katie Owen Aumann to the Session which overwhelmingly approved to offer Katie the position as Associate Pastor. This is a special “Contract Call” that allowed us to move quickly, however, the position is intended to function fully as an Associate Pastor in the same manner as Jill. The job description has shifted to fulltime and does not include the Women’s Spirituality Groups. Katie will be a pastor to all but will have more focus on Young adults and Family Ministry including devel-oping our program for children and youth. Katie is incredibly gifted and has been the Presbyterian campus minister at Duke University for six years where she built the program from 2 to 75. You can begin to get to know her on her site http://katieowenaumann.weebly.com/ before her start date on September 1. Katie has just moved back to At-lanta with her 9 month old, Mollie and her husband, Wait, who is a new pediatric oncologist with Children’s Health at Emory. We are so fortunate to have Katie, Wait, and Mollie joining us.

This certainly is a season of changes and God is certainly smiling on Covenant. I am looking forward to the Fall and restarting all our activities and especially welcoming Katie and her family and seeing what God has in store for us in this coming year. With gratitude and excitement, Richard

August Newsletter

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Sarah’s Last Day Sarah Godbey will conclude her Supervised Ministry on August 6th and since Covenant is suspending the Youth Director Internship for this year while assessing, this will be Sarah’s last Sunday on staff with Covenant. Members are encouraged to send a card or note of encouragement and let her know how much we have appreciated her work here at Covenant.

CENTRAL NIGHT SHELTER Dear family & friends: For years Covenant has assisted in staffing “overnight” volunteers for the Central Night Shelter at the Shrine, November through March; however, the past two years have been a struggle to do so. Therefore, I’m putting forth this appeal to see how many of you would like to see us continue this ministry and are willing to sign up for the upcoming year. We will need to let the folks in charge know by September if they can count on us to continue in this capacity. For those of you who have not participated may wonder what it entails? 1) check in our guests for the evening; no more than “30”, men only; 2) serve dinner, prepared by members of our con-gregation or another group; 3) take a shift of no more than 1 ½ - 2hrs to hand out sinus medicine, Tylenol, etc. as requested, 4) distribute breakfast & lunch bags the following morning; 5) make certain that all guests leave the premises and the facility is locked; usually one person does this. If you’re willing to participate, please let Rena know @ renaj.abu46@gmail.com. Need at least “4-5” persons per night. Brent/Lee, correct me or let me know if I’ve left anything out. Rena

Honoring Jill’s Retirement On Saturday, August 19, the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta will meet at McDonough Presbyterian Church, 427 McGarity Road, McDonough, GA 30252. The meeting will begin at 9 am and at approximately 9:28 a.m on the day's planned agenda, Jill Ulrici will be honored in her retirement. It is customary for represent-atives from a congregation to present a 5-minute (or so) tribute to their retiring clergy and your elders - Will Simson, Lisa Taylor, Peggy Fillio and Karen Turney will be hand to do that. If you are interested in also attending the meeting to stand with us in honoring Jill, please plan to be at McDonough Presbyterian by 9:10 am in order to register as guests. If you have questions, please contact Karen at kt2654@gmail.com or phone 913-620-2278.

A Note from Sarah I want to say thank you to Covenant! Thank you for welcoming me into this family. I have had the chance to grow my leadership skills in such a welcoming and supportive community. I was walking into a new state knowing no one, and unsure of how I would make it when I arrived. But, walking through the doors of a small but mighty church, I truly could feel the love of God. Thank you for picking me up when I stumbled and celebrating with me when I succeeded. I wish you all the best as you continue to grow as a strong body of Christ.

Peace of Christ be with each of you,

Sarah Godbey

Congregational Meeting Called for August 6 There will be a called meeting of the congregation on Sunday, August 6, at the conclusion of worship, for the purpose of dissolving the Associate Pastor position. This is a procedural action that will allow Cove-nant to let the Board of Pensions know that we will not be paying the vacancy dues on this posi-tion. This action pertains to the Board of Pensions' definition of a called clergy position and will not af-fect the terms for our new Contract Call Associate Pastor.

Chronicle August Newsletter

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Report from Session - July 2017 The Covenant session did not have a regularly scheduled meeting in July; however, we met for a called special meeting on Sunday afternoon, July 23, to hear the recommendation from the search committee for the Contract Call Associate Pastor position. The search committee has been meeting for the past few weeks to consider candidates for the position. Search committee members are Martha Chanaberry, Kate Colussy Estes, Richard Jaynes, Mikki Hubbard, Brooke Taylor and Richard Hill. The search committee's recommendation for the position is Kathryn (Katie) Owen Aumann. Katie is a lifelong Presbyterian from Topeka, Kansas, a graduate of Duke University and a 2011 graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary. While studying at Columbia Katie served as an intern for two years at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church where she preached monthly, led worship weekly and engaged in regular worship planning and liturgy writing. As a Chaplain Intern at Central Outreach and Advocacy Center Katie preached and led weekly wor-ship and taught Bible study for homeless guests. For the past six years following her ordination in 2011 she has been the Executive Director and Presbyterian Campus Minister at Duke University where she preached, lead mission trips, fundraised and grew the ministry for undergraduate and graduate Presbyterian students from 2 to 75. Notable in that process Katie founded a mentoring program between college students and local church members. Following a question and answer period, Katie left the room for the session to have its discussion and vote. Richard explained that the job description for the Contract Call Associate Pastor position is considerably changed from Jill's ministry. Katie will be focusing on families and young adults and how we might grow and support our membership in those areas. We voted unanimously to offer her the position. Respectfully submitted, Karen Turney, Clerk of Session

As part of an ongoing effort to increase communication and transparency on all matters of the Church, the Administration Committee plans to include monthly high-level updates on the current financial status of the church in the bulletin. If you have any questions about the information presented or any other finan-cial-related matters, please feel free to contact John Greeley or Pinckney Straughn.

July 2017 Financials

MTD Actuals YTD Actuals YTD Budget

Pledged Revenue $ 37,075 $ 253,985 $ 266,588

Non Pledged Revenue $ 1,970 $ 14,615 $ 12,000

Other Revenue (rent, etc..) $ 19,167 $ 85,985 $ 94,361

Total Revenue $ 58,212 $ 354,585 $ 372,950

Total Expenses $ 44,604 $ 349,261 $ 365,902

Net Total $ 13,608 $ 5,324 $ 7,048

August Newsletter

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SUNDAY SCHOOL: Out for the Summer Rally Day August 20

Join us for breakfast at 9:30 on August 20 to begin a new Sunday School year.

Hear about new programs, meet new teachers, and new staff. The adult classes will

have begun, but Will Simson will tell us about all that is to come this fall. Jeffrey

will introduce the new chime choir program and Sue Colussy will introduce our

new teachers in the children’s program. We are looking forward to a year of

thoughtful and innovative study.

Administrative Assistant Needed Covenant is actively seeking resumes for this position which is 16 hours with paid vacation and some medical

benefits. Looking for skills in Word, Excel, Publisher, and able to learn other software applicable for the of-

fice; organized; good communication skills; and some ability with website design. Contact Richard if you

know of someone who may be interested. In the meantime, please be patient in contacting the church office

as volunteers are focusing primarily on the bulletin and newsletter until this position is filled.

The Son of Laughter Adult Sunday School Series

All are encouraged to attend this 5-part series drawing from the book “The Son of Laughter” written by Fred-erick Buechner who creatively retells the Genesis story from the eyes of Jacob. This adult Sunday school series will be led by Dr. Richard Hill from August 20-September 24 (no class Labor Day). What stories did he hear from his father, Isaac (which is translated as “Laughter”) about his grandfather

Abraham? How might a grandson respond to the horrifying account when his father was almost offered as a human

sacrifice? Who was this God they addressed as “The Fear” ? What did this God promise and want for his family and progeny? This is a unique and Biblically faithful plunge into the historical and mythical beginnings of our faith and reli-gious traditions with excerpts and readings from Buechner’s own writing. Order your own copy to read along: https://www.amazon.com/Son-Laughter-Frederick-Buechner/dp/0062501178/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501176971&sr=8-1&keywords=son+of+laughter

August 20 Session 1: “Choosing the Right Gods”—Do we trust the one called “The Fear” over all other Gods?

—The world scene to which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived.

Continue the Conversation on Race September 3—Labor Day Weekend

Adult Sunday School: Waking Up White Follow-up Discussion

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Sunday School Teachers Needed! It’s hard to believe that in 2 weeks Sunday School will begin ! Please look at the list of needed teachers below and see if one of the slots appeals to you. You are needed! 3-5 year olds : 2 teams of 2 teachers each. Grades 1-3: We have one stand-by leader, and hope to need 3 more people. Grades 4-8 : We have one team of 2 teachers, need one more team. High school : To be determined. We only need six people to begin. If you can help, please contact a member of the CE committee: Sue

Colussy, Condit Lotz, Kelley Day, or Jenna Meredith.

"Take Me Out to The Ballgame" Just a reminder: the annual congregational outing to a Braves game is coming up on Saturday, August 5th. Join us to watch the Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins. Seats are located in Section 317, Rows 9 & 10 on the 1st base side. There is a website for reserved parking: www.braves.com/groupparking. When the site comes up, click on the date desired; it will ask for the promo code; enter: GRPPARK (all uppercase).

Child Protection Policy Training Scheduled Anyone teaching children and youth or volunteering with children and youth at Covenant Church is asked to plan to attend child protection policy training following worship on August 27. In February, the Session adopted a Child Protection Policy in accordance with instructions from the General Assembly of the Church. Sue Colussy drafted the policy with input from the CE committee and JoAnn Har-tin, a retired school social worker and Peggy Fillio, a retired school principal and school consultant. Exem-plars from the General Assembly, The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, a church on Long Island and one in this Presbytery were used. It is by no means perfect, but it is an attempt to think about issues that arise as we lead and teach children, how to prevent problems and what to do when they arise. It is important for the whole church to understand this policy, and in fact, training in the policy will become mandatory in September 2017 for anyone teaching children and youth or volunteering with children and youth. This includes staff as well. This is a growth focused policy. Right now we know and respect those folks who care for our children but as we grow that will be different. So to be fair, all teachers, new and long time members, will be asked to complete the same training and paperwork. The training will cover four main segments:

1. What constitutes child abuse or neglect. 2. How must we operate to prevent abuse and neglect. 3. What do we do if abuse or neglect is suspected.

And an unrelated segment: how to use our AED or defibrillator. Again, this training will occur after church and a quick lunch on Sunday, August 27. Activities for younger children will be provided, but it is hoped that older children, at the discretion of their parents, will want to join the training. Please watch for more details.

Adult Sunday School Resumes August 20th!

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Church Retreat Scheduled! A Special Date to put on your Calendar

The Congregational Life Committee has planned a retreat at Camp Mikell in Toccoa Ga. on April 6-8, 2018. It is a very special place to worship and play together. Members who have been on previous retreats at this site guarantee attendees are in for a very special treat. We will go in time for dinner on Friday night and return after breakfast on Sunday. There will be time for learning together as well as hiking in the woods and reading in a rocking chair over-looking the flowing creek. Spring is not as far off as it seems and this gives us all something to look forward to!

Women’s Spirituality Small Groups Women’s Spirituality Groups will start again in September. With Jill’s retirement, Covenant has contracted with three spiritual directors to lead the groups. Each group will also have a member to serve as a Coordinator to com-municate with the groups and office. Anyone interested in joining a group can contact Richard (richard@covpresatlanta.org) for coordinating placement in a group. The Monday morning group meets weekly from 10-11:30 am. Coordinators: Jennifer Manning (jennifermanning@comcast.net and Nancy Cox (add6871@comcast.net); Spiritual Director: TBA; (The spiritual director who was lined up had to back out due to family issues) 1st and 3rd Tuesday group meets alternate weeks from 6:15-7:45 pm Coordinator: Mary Allen (allen.maryallen@gmail.com) Spiritual Director: Julie Johnson (holycreek@aol.com) The Thursday morning group meets weekly from 10-11:30 am.

Coordinator: Condit Lotz (conditlotz@gmail.com )

Spiritual Director: Kimberly Broerman ( kgbroerman@yahoo.com)

Wednesday Men’s Bible Study is again meeting every Wednesday

morning from 7-8am starting August 2nd. All men are invited as we con-

tinue our foraging into an overview of Christian beliefs (Systematic The-

ology from our Reformed perspective). Basically, what is it that we be-

lieve about God, about humans/creation and the interaction between them. What is God

up to?

1st & 3rd Tuesday Men’s Luncheon—starting up 12:00-1:00 on Tuesday August 1st and

again August 15th at Roxx Tavern on Cheshire Bridge. Invite someone to join us. Good

food and lively conversation around our theological heritage and how it relates to us and

the world today.

Chronicle August Newsletter

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Don’t Forget to Sign up for Bell Choir Boot Camp!

New Ringers will be introduced to bells, polish their music reading skills, and learn the ringing technique in intensive training sessions on Sunday, August 6 and 13, 8:30 –9:30 in the Handbell Choir rehearsal room next to the youth room.

On August 20, the ENTIRE handbell choir will meet for the purpose of refreshing ringing and reading skills, heavy rhythm drills and looking ahead at some music. The following Sunday, August 20 will be for the ENTIRE handbell choir. This session will be for the purpose of refreshing ringing and reading skills, heavy rhythm drills, and looking ahead at some music. Regular rehearsals will start on Sunday, August 27, skipping the following weekend for Labor Day. Please put these dates on your calendars. Contact Jeffrey for more information.

It’s Time to Pick Your Date

To Donate SANCTUARY FLOWERS!

You may put flowers in the sanctuary to the Glory of God in honor or in memory of a loved one. Flowers placed in the Sanctuary for all Sundays are $60.00 for two arrangements. Flowers for the first Sunday of each month are white. You may use this form or a Pew Card for your flower request. Please list your first, second and third choices of Sundays. Please check the list below for available dates. (Dates will be selected on a first come basis, so please make your requests early.) If you have a special flower that you would like to have included in the arrangement, please note it on the request. Please keep in mind that some flowers are available only during certain seasons. Please include a check payable to Covenant Presbyterian Church with your order. Order forms and checks may be mailed in or dropped in the offering plate. YOUR NAME: ___________________________________________________ IN HONOR OF: ___________________________________________________ or IN MEMORY OF: ___________________________________________________ Announcement you want printed in the bulletin: _____________________________________________________________________ Special flower request:___________________________________________________

UPCOMING AVAILABLE SUNDAYS FOR FLOWERS IN 2017

September * * 17 24 October * * * 22 29 November 5 * 19 * December (Advent begins through Christmas) January * * * 28 February 4 11 (Lent)

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BCM—Food Collection The Mission Committee has a monthly collection of food for BCM's pantry on the first Sunday of each month. If you forget to bring on the first Sunday, the following Sunday will be fine. There are two designated bins marked BCM; one outside the sanctuary on the Terrace street side, the other near the doorway in the Westminster Room off the parking lot. The suggested shopping list below will feed a family of four: Instant oatmeal or grits - 1 box Peanut Butter - 2 small jars Jelly - 1 small jar Cornbread mix - 2 boxes Soup - 4 cans Macaroni & Cheese - 4 boxes Dried beans - 1 bag Spaghetti - 1 medium box Rice - 2 bags Spaghetti Sauce - 2 jars Canned Vegetables - 4 cans Canned Beans - 3 cans Canned Tuna - 4 cans

Upcoming Events September

Dinner Groups STARTING IN SEPTEMBER!

Participating in a Covenant Dinner Group is a great way to meet with fellow members for food, fun and fellowship. Contact Linda Jones to sign up. Call 404-250-9148 or email li-daej@bellsouth.net. All members are encouraged to participate. Each dinner group meets once a month in one of the group member’s home. You may sign up as a couple or a single. If your place is small, you may co-host with another person when it is your turn to host. It is a wonderful way to make new friends! Look for a group email late in August.

September 4 Labor Day Holiday September 8 Parents’ Night Out #1 September 17 All Committees Meet after worship September 22 Parents’ Night Out #2 September 26 Session Meeting 7:00 PM Dinner Groups and Women's’ Spirituality Groups will start this month. And farther out: World Communion Sunday & Global Potluck (October 1), Stewardship Presentation & Stewardship Dedication (TBA), All Church Retreat at Camp Mikell April 6-8.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

August 2017

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6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

Rally Day August 20TH! Child Protection Policy Training Scheduled for August 27th! Are you willing to take a turn as an “overnight” volunteer for the Central Night Shelter?

The Spanish Academy

Teacher Training

Living with

Tinnitus 6:30

Scout Hut

The Spanish Academy

Work Week Tai Ji Class 1 pm Yoga Class 6:30 pm

Tai Ji Class 1 pm Yoga Class 6:30 pm PH Board Meeting

Presbytery Meeting 11th Step Program Scout Hut 6 –7-pm

The Spanish Academy

Orientation 6:30 Session Meeting 7 pm

Living with

Tinnitus 6:30

Scout Hut

Tai Ji Class 1 pm Yoga Class 6:30 pm

Choir Rehersal

7:30 PM

Parents’ Night Out #2

9th Sunday

After Pentecost

10th Sunday

After Pentecost

11h Sunday

After Pentecost

Rally Day

Bells Rehearsal 8:30

All Committees

Meet

12th Sunday

After Pentecost

AED Training

Bells Rehearsal

8:30 AM

The Spanish Academy School Starts Tai Ji Class 1 pm Yoga Class 6:30 pm

The Spanish

Academy

Work Week

Choir Rehearsal

Resumes

The Spanish

Academy

Work Week

Parents’ Night Out #1

11th Step Program Scout Hut 6 –7-pm

Living with

Tinnitus 6:30

Scout Hut

Atlanta

Schools Start

11th Step Program Scout Hut 6 –7-pm Braves Game 7:10 PM

The Spanish

Academy

Work Week

The Spanish

Academy

Work Week

Living with

Tinnitus 6:30

Scout Hut

Choir Rehersal

7:30 PM

The Spanish

Academy

Open House

11th Step Program Scout Hut 6 –7-pm

The Spanish Academy

Teacher Training

Brave’s Game

August 5

7:10 PM

Remember to keep praying for Shelvis Smith-Mather. Nancy says that Shelvis is recovering from a second bout with malaria. The illness has been in his system for over a month, yet his doctors feel we are getting the correct treatment at this point. We thank God for the improvements we are seeing daily. Please pray that the damage to his body will be completely healed.

Lynn Peterson traveled to LaGonave with us this March and made a huge contribution of his talent and time to make us a video. enjoy! Here you go. Please Share it with everyone! http://youtu.be/Ej5loJ_uhYM

21 Sandy Philp

23 Aaron Jones

24 Jerry Barnes

24 Collin Lines

27 Jeanne Ratliff

28 David Linnen

28 Susan Conger

30 William Miller

31 Nancy Cox

1 Luanne Miller

2 Jean Bender

2 Kelly Douglas

3 Andrew O’Callaghan

5 Sue Colussy

5 Judy Windham

11 Heidi Squires

16 Andrea Howells

17 Linda Jones