Sundays

September 3rd ~ 8:30 & 10:00 am

~ Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost ~

Matthew 16:21-28

“The Peculiar Way of Salvation”

Rev. Chris Weichman

September 10th ~ 8:30 & 11:00 am

~ Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost ~

~ Communion ~

Romans 13:11-14

“Clothed with Christ”

Rev. Chris Weichman

September 17th ~ 8:30 & 11:00 am

~ Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost ~

Matthew 18:21-35

“The Mathematics of Forgiveness”

Rev. Chris Weichman

September 24th ~ 8:30 & 11:00 am

~ Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost ~

Matthew 20:1-16

“The Upside Down Kingdom”

Rev. Chris Weichman

The Caring Church in the Heart of the City!

September 1, 2017 / Volume 34, No. 9

* Childcare now available from

9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

On September 10th we will kick-off our Faith Formation year with food, fun, and our faith family underneath the bell tower. You and your family will be able to sign-up for mission and faith formation opportuni-ties, classes, and small groups.

See below for a preview of Fall Faith Formation:

~ Pre-K through 5th Grade: Children will be singing, baking, experimenting, and crafting their way through the Bible starting with Genesis. Join us every Sunday, starting September 17th during Faith Formation hour (9:30-10:30 AM). Once they begin rehearsing for the Christmas Pageant in October, Kids’ Church will continue the curriculum during the 11 AM Service while 9:30-10:30 AM will be spent preparing for the pageant.

~ 6th Grade-8th Grade: Youth will experience hands-on investigative learning that leads to deep engagement with the Bible, faith, and what it means to be a Christian through Colaborate Bible Study. Students in grades 7th and 8th Grade are invited to participate in Confirmation this year beginning in January during the Faith Formation hour. Participat-ing in Faith Formation beginning Sunday, September 17th is important for Confirmation! ~ 9th Grade-College: Youth and Young Adults will be watching videos from today’s leading theologians and pastors like Nadia Bolz-Weber, Shane Claiborne, and Rachel Held Evans as they discuss big questions about faith, Jesus, and living as a Christian. Get ready to be trans-formed starting September 17th during Faith Formation hour. ~ 6th Grade-12th Grade: B2SB2YG (Back to School, Back to Youth Group) Join us every Sunday, 4:30-6:30 beginning September 10th!! A whole new year, a whole new look! We will be having a meal as a group every Sunday, so don’t worry about grabbing dinner before you come!

Continued on page 9!

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THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5

September means getting back into the swing of things. The freedom of Summer has given way to the routine of Fall. There are many opportunities to grow and serve at First Covenant this Fall. Participating in the life of the church is the best way to be encouraged and equipped to become a fully devoted follower of Christ. Faith Formation begins on September 17th. There are a variety of adult classes

between the 8:30 and 11:00 AM worship services

The Covenant Connections dinners are a great way to meet our neighbors, they begin on September 20th at 5:15 in Knox Hall.

Sunday Suppers continue every Sunday evening at 4:00 PM. We are grateful to host other Erie churches to serve those in need in our community. You can sign up in the Parlor after worship to volunteer.

The Deacons of the church will host a Blood drive with the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsyl-vania on Saturday, September 16th.

Covenant Choir and Bells begin rehearsals on September 14th. All are Welcome!

The College Ministry Team will be kicking-off TGIF (Thank God it’s Franks) on Fri-day evenings (except September 15th) at 10:00PM as an outreach to Gannon Students.

Everyone is welcome to participate in these ministries. They are a great way to serve the church, get to know our neighbors, and develop relationships with other members.

VOLUME 34, NO. 9 THE COVENANT CHIMES

PAGE 2

Our mission at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

is:

“To awaken all people to our need for a life-changing encounter

with the living Lord Jesus Christ, and to encourage and equip each one to become His fully-devoted follower.”

From t he De sk of Pas tor Chr is

Have you been attending First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

for a while?

If you are interested in joining the church or would just like more information about First Cove-nant, we will be holding New Member Classes on October 8th, 15th and 22nd during Faith Formation time (9:30AM). If you would like to participate please contact the church office at 814-456-4243 and speak with JoAnn.

I am excited to be teaching a class this Fall dur-ing Faith Formation in the Fidelis Room. We will be covering a variety of interesting topics.

As of September, the Fall calendar looks like this:

September 17th to October 1st ~ “What is the Gospel?”

October 8th to 22nd ~ guest teacher (I will be leading the New Members Class)

October 29 ~ “Happy 500th Birthday Reformation”

November 5th to 19th ~ “The Stewardship of Life”

November 26th – guest teacher (I will be on vacation)

December classes will include: The Genealogy of Jesus, Jesus in the Manger, and The Wise Men. This class is not about how much or how little you know, but about asking questions and growing in faith. All are welcome!

Pastor’s Class New Members Opportunity

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VOLUME 32 NO. 5

*Please pray regularly for our ministry.

We have listed below some of our

congregational joys & concerns as

The Covenant Chimes goes to press on August 24, 2017:

Prayer Concerns…

for God’s healing presence for those

discharged from hospitals since

the last edition of The Covenant Chimes:

Joan Koppelman, Ellen Shifler,

& Judy Anderson.

* If you know that you are going to be

hospitalized & would like to be visited

please contact the church office.

VOLUME 34, NO. 9

Congregational

Joys & Concerns

PAGE 3

Articles Due by: Friday,

September 15th

Mailed on: Monday,

September 25th

September

Issue…

Church

Calendar

To all Elders, Heads of Committees & Groups: please keep Anne informed when planning or changing a meeting date, time or location. It is helpful for scheduling other church functions, out-side meetings & a night host. ~ Thank you!

Volunteers Needed!

Interested in helping others? If so, please con-tact Vic Glembocki at 864-9096 to volunteer your time to prepare & serve the many guests they see daily at the City Mission Kitchen, 1023 French St. the first Thursday of every month between 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

September date is the 7th!

The Communion Table

will be set by God for you

on... Sunday, September 10th

Communion

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday,

or one that is listed that should be removed,

please help us by calling the church office at

814-456-4243 so that we can

update our records.

Thank you!

19 Sophia Ginader Mark Gorman 21 Deanna Lindner Kennedy Hildebrand

22 Jennifer Koebe

23 Janet Coryell

25 William Cowell Fleda Ferraro John Gorman Sandra Herman David Young Chelten Smith

26 Marian Sundback

27 Margaret Herrod Chad Vilushis

28 Ava Eggleston Patrick Headley

30 Katherine McKinley Debra Johnson Kelli Wienecke

1 Mary Ann Sesler Lina Thomas

2 Seph Kumer Xavier Stollatis Caroline Estrich

3 Andrew Spriegel Jennifer Sesler

4 Carol Beach

5 Velma Gunselman Richard Long

6 Lynne Linhart

7 Alverna Jones

8 Madeline Robertson Judy Stollatis

10 Shirley Nelson

12 Mary McDonald Nancy Cross

13 Georgeta Bogdan Jessica Jung

14 John Kloss

15 Ryan Sesler

16 Joseph Kumer

18 John Leretsis

The church office will be closed

Labor Day, Monday, September 4th,

to enjoy the last unofficial day

of summer.

Looking for a few good drivers!!

The Deacons are looking for church members to volunteer to give members a ride to church to experi-ence FPCC worship & fellowship.

If you are willing to help with this outreach please call Debbie or Rick Bernardini at 825-5937 for more details.

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VOLUME 34, NO. 9

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THE COVENANT CHIMES

Don’t forget to sign up to give blood for when the next blood drive is in our church park-ing lot on Saturday, September 16th from 8:00 a.m. until Noon. Invite a friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member to donate with you! Then please mark your calendar for Nov. 18th to finish out the year. Call Tim Campbell at 814.397.8570 or visit him in the Wel-come Center after worship. You are always welcome to go into the Community Blood Bank located at 2646 Peach Street & donate blood on behalf of Church of the Covenant.

Give Life!

Cl erk ’s Cor ner

~ August Meeting ~

At the stated meeting on August 21st Session:

Acted to accept the audit report of Felix & Gloekler, our outside auditors, for the years ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016.

Elected elders Scott Sesler and David Doupe as our commissioners to the September meeting of Lake Erie Presbytery in Pleasantville.

Approved a request for a Letter of Transfer for Ronald and Patricia Hoffman to the First Presbyterian Church of Irwin, PA

Voted to hold a joint meeting with the Board of Trustees in September.

Continued discussion on possible changes to First Covenant wedding policy and fees.

Had an extended discussion regarding our need as a church to understand, develop, and implement a workable policy which provides for the safety of our children and youth. Background checks on all em-ployees and volunteers working with children and youth are now mandated by law.

Approved numerous people to teach and assist in a variety of classes and programs during the coming year.

Received a positive update and feedback from the Kirk House kitchen renovation project.

~ W.D. Holmes, Clerk of Session

“E r i e Gi ve s Day” T hank s

First Covenant’s first year of par-ticipation in “Erie Gives” resulted in contributions of $13,947.16 from 30 donors on August 8! Thank you to those who gave. Thank you to those who organized and promoted the church’s participation.

“Erie Gives” began in 2011 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Erie Community Foundation. 2017 was a record-breaking year for “Erie Gives” with $4.4 million dollars being donated to 376 or-ganizations by 7,700 individuals in 12 hours.

Whether through “Erie Gives”, your regular week-ly or monthly contributions, or special gifts/bequests, you make exciting ministry happen in downtown Erie! Thank you!

Congratulations to Marsha MacKinnon McKinley, the new Webmaster for the Presbytery of Lake Erie.

Since joining the Presbytery earlier this year, Marsha has spearheaded the launch of a new web-site that went live in June. The new Presbytery of Lake Erie website can also accept donations to mis-sions and ministries online at https://pbylakeerie.org.

As many of you know, Marsha is also the Web Editor for First Covenant. If you have content for the FPCC website, email her at Marsha.MacKinnon@gmail.com.

New Pre sbyter y We bm as ter

PAGE 5

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VOLUME 34, NO. 9

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THE COVENANT CHIMES

We are ready to begin a new season of music at FPCC!! On September 10th, come and visit the music table under the Bell tower

after each service for more information!

The Covenant Choir will resume rehearsals on Thursdays beginning, September 7th, in the music room. The first anthem they will sing will be during the 11 am service on September 10th. Interested to see what choir is all about??! Please join us at 7:15 pm in the music room on September 7th. The Covenant Bells will begin their rehearsals on Thursday September 21st at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary-see you there!

Beginning on September 17th we will resume a Spiritual Formation/Music hour for ages 4 through 5th grade from 9:30-10:30 on the third floor. All are welcome!! The music will both reinforce the lessons taught and in October this time will be when the children learn and explore the message of Christmas by beginning to learn the Christmas Pageant which will occur in December, more details to follow.

On September 17th, Greater than the Sum, for grades 6-12, will resume meeting directly after the conclusion of the 11 am service until 1 pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome regardless of previ-ous experience! Please feel free to come with suggestions for music that helps you to feel and explore your faith. This group will continue to sing, ring bells and explore a wide variety of genres and instrumentation as we together explore the music that the Spirit uses to speak to us.

I am very grateful to have been brought on board as the Coordi-nator of Missional Music. In this new role I will be endeavoring to help our church become a place where anyone would feel comfortable walking through the door and be met with the opportunity to discover what their musical interests are and then develop them in order to discover more about who and whose they are. I will be exploring various ways to meet this goal, including talking to many of you about what gifts you have that you might like to develop and share, both during worship services and perhaps in other ways with our community.

Join us for a music-filled Fall! ~ Monty Service

Covenant Connections dinners return on Wednesday, September 20! Gather each Wednesday for a delicious dinner ($6). Connect with church and neighborhood friends. Explore and celebrate “community”. Dinners are served from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. (We’ll save you a meal if you alert us that you will be late!) A 45-minute “program” or “activity” begins at 6:15 p.m.

Here’s what’s in store for September:

September 20 ~ What a difference a mural makes! See photos of the new church playground mural crea- tion & hear from our summer artists of all ages! Did you see the mural was men- tioned in Pat Bywater’s Erie Time-News “Heard & Seen” column Sunday, August 13?

September 27 ~ What a difference a walk makes! Take a leisurely 8-block prayer walk through the neighborhood west of the Church… What do you notice walking, that you miss when driving? What prayers can we pray for the com- munity adjacent to our worship site? We’ll end our walk at Virgil’s Plate (ice cream!) with transportation back to the church provided. (Driving tour in case of inclement weather.)

Music Programs Resume

Covenant Connections Kicks-off with Mural & Walk

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VOLUME 34, NO. 9

PAGE 6

Habitat for Humanity “A House of WISDOM”

PLARN TEAM ALERT !!

This year’s build is scheduled for Sept 7th thru Oct 28th. We have 2 slots on Friday Sept 15th and 5 slots for Saturday the 16th. Then we have 2 more slots on Friday Oct 6th and 5 slots on Saturday Oct 7th. Lunch is provided to the worksites on each day of the build at 11:45. If you would like to do this please let me know the dates you could pro-vide. Thursdays are also build dates and if this works out better for you please let me know and I will see if they need help on those days. You could also help by providing snacks and delivering them by 9:45. If you are working on any of these days, please bring a sandwich and the other lunch items will be provided. This house will be built at 2717

Pear Street. No experience is required - just a Servants Heart! Tools are provided.

If you would like to work and/or get more information on this Habitat for Humanity build, please talk with Tim Tracy or Norman Olson.

We will be celebrating the dedication of the home on Sunday Nov. 5th at 3pm. All volunteers who worked on the House of Wisdom are invited to attend the dedication.

Thank you for sponsoring this important outreach ministry to provide affordable housing for another one of our neighbors.

Please keep the date for the CROP/Hunger Walk on your calendar… Sunday, September 24th starting at 2pm at Presque Isle, Beach One.

I trust that all of you had a great summer. Now we return to the real world which

for some of you I know will be just fine.

A note to our new folks. What is PLARN? Plarn is convert-ing recyclable shopping bags into PL-astic y-ARN Thus the word PLARN. Then the plarn is used to crochet useful items for Our Neighbors Place. Last year we were (thanks to me) a bit too ambitious, as none of us knew what we were getting into. The sleeping mats are 40” X 72” and very labor intensive . But we did it! We collected shopping bags, folded them, cut stripes out of them, rolled them, and crochet approximately 25 mats thanks to all of the team including the Springhill team.

This year will be a lot easier. We will make neck rolls/pillows measuring 40” X 18” for our guests. We made a few last year and they were really in demand. Thus, the decision was made to make neck rolls/pillows. Good idea! YES? It is such a privilege and blessing to use our talents to give our guests at Our Neighbors Place some measure of comfort. Don’t you agree?

I know we have enough plarn for our crocheters to begin. But frankly I am unsure of how much plarn we have ready to go. I know there are a few totes full of ready plarn that some of you have been making all summer. Thank you! You have been busy beavers. However, I know the plarn will go fast once our crochet-ers hands get a hold of them. Thus, I am asking the whole Plarn Team to meet on Sept. 20th after Connec-tions in room 119. We can then decide who we will need to collect, fold, cut and roll the plastic bags. We will meet every third Wednesday after Connections from September to March 21,2018. Your Mighty Captain,

~ Julie Copen

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VOLUME 34, NO. 9

PAGE 7

THE COVENANT CHIMES

We lc ome B ack !

Sunday Suppers

It has been a challenge to get churches to volunteer during the summer months, but this has challenged me to cast a net to some new churches and a few came on board, so there is a blessing in this challenge. Meals during September will be served by FPCC on Sept 3rd (thanks to our deacons for their support), and Emmanuel Presbyterian Church will serve on September 10th. September 17th is a Koinonia weekend so the meal will be hosted at and served by the Cathedral of Saint Paul Episcopal Church, and the month will end by Millcreek Community Church serving the meal on the 27th. We are so grateful to all the congregations that partner with us in this ministry.

If you missed out on serving on August 27th or September 3rd and you want to help, please feel free to sign up on the Sunday Supper poster in the parlor and come take part in this exciting and heartfelt ministry.

Love great music? Love great orchestras? Love to hear both in the church sanctuary? The Erie Chamber orchestra, under the auspices of Gannon University, will provide beautiful sounds in the First Covenant sanctuary for a number of its concerts once again this season.

The season opener is September 9, 2017, and is the inaugural performance of ECO’s new Music Director, Bradley Thachuk. The 7:30 p.m. concert will feature music by Richard Wagner (Siegfried Idyll), Camille Saint-Saens (The Muse and the Poet) and Maurice Ravel (Ma Mere L’Oye, complete). Violinist Maureen Conlon and cellist Danielle Cho are guest performers.

FPCC is glad to partner again this year with Gannon University and the Erie Chamber Orchestra to provide quality music, acces-sible to all. ECO concerts are provided without admission charge. On September 9, there will be a pre-concert talk about the music to be performed beginning at 6:30 p.m. (ECO will return to First Covenant on December 9 for its annual Christmas Concert). (Photo copyright 2015 Linford Toy)

Erie Chamber Orchestra Returns September 9

Tracey Townsend was recognized during worship on Sunday, Au-gust 20, as a transfer from First Presbyterian Church of North East

2017-18 Our Neighbors’ Place

This fall we will embark on our 6th season for ministry with people who are homeless through the overflow shelter. The dates for our con-gregation are November 14- December 6, and March 14 – March 21. The United Methodist Churches will host the shelter in our space Janu-ary 3 – 24 and March 21-28. See Dale Sweet to sign up for a volunteer shift or Pat Tracy to sign up to prepare and serve a shelter meal.

Toiletries that are always needed at the shelter are travel size deo-dorant, toothpaste, shaving cream, toothbrushes, washcloths and dis-posable razors. We need new men’s boxer briefs, men’s undershirts, and men’s white socks. Used clothing items that are appreciated are men’s jeans, sweatshirts, sleep pants, winter coats, gloves and boots. Please do not donate summer clothing, blankets, hats and scarves. The giving tree will go up in early October for you to select food items to donate. Financial do-nations are always appreciated also.

Help be a piece of the puzzle!

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VOLUME 34, NO. 9

Fall Faith Formation Continued...

Adults... ~ Faith Formation on Sunday 9:30-10:30 AM ~

* Protestants: Faith that Made the Modern World ~ (Room 116) Join Rob Baker as he journeys with you from the Reformation, discovery of the New World, Abolition, Apartheid, and more as you learn about the Protestants (many of them Presbyterian!) who transformed our world, our history, and the story of human-kind. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the Wittenberg Castle Church door!

* Pastor’s Class ~ (Fidelis Room) September 17th to October 1st – “What is the Gospel?” October 8th to 22nd – Guest teacher October 29th – “Happy 500th Birthday Reformation” November 5th to 19th – “The Stewardship of Life” November 26th – Guest teacher December classes will include: The Genealogy of Jesus, Jesus in the Manger, and The Wise Men. This class is not about how much or how little you know, but about asking questions and growing in faith. All are welcome!

* Ephesians ~ (Room 313) Join Bill Holmes as he teaches on the Letter to the Ephesians by looking at his-torical criticism, exegesis, and discussion.

~ Small Groups During the Week ~

* Wednesday Morning Bible Study ~ (Library) Beginning September 6th, our group will look at the books of the Minor Prophets. Hosea and Amos will be our first prophets. Britney Knight leads this class at 10:30-11:30 AM every Wednesday.

* Wine & the Word ~ On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month @ 7:00 PM, a group of women gather to-gether to discuss, share, and reflect on the ways at which God is present either at home, work, or the world. On September 12th, we will gather at Britney Knight’s house to kick-off our fall book discussion on Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Books available in the Library to borrow and Office to purchase ($5). For more information or the address, contact Britney Knight (britney.knight@firstcovenanterie.org). All women are welcome!

* Men’s Bible Study ~ Join a group of men, which includes Jack Jones, Seph Kumer, Steve Osborn and more, as they gather in the Parlor every Friday morning at 7:00 AM to pray and reflect on scripture. All men are welcome!

Be sure to join us September 10th under the bell tower after each service to experience the full scope of classes, mission teams & small groups that will be starting up in the Fall!

Invite a friend! Do something different!

Try something new! How is God at work in your life?

PAGE 8

~ Sunday Morning Worship Times ~ The times for worship on Sunday mornings

at 8:30am & 10am will conclude on September 10th.

Worship times beginning on September 17th will be 8.30am & 11am.

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THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5 VOLUME 34, NO. 9

PAGE 9

Peacemaker from Mexico Coming in October

A “Presbyterian Peacemaker” from Mexico will be visiting the Presbytery of Lake Erie October 4-11. She is the third Presbyterian Peacemaker to visit us in recent years, following visits from a Syrian Pastor and South African racial reconciliation agent.

Lydia Cordero Cabrera serves as General Director for “Casa Amiga Centro de Crisis” (Friendly House Cri-sis Center) in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The Center offers hope to women and their children who live in violence daily. It provides a full range of services by professionals in psychology, social work, legal services, and women’s medicine. There is also a secure, undisclosed shelter that is part of the Casa Amiga system.

Lydia also participates in a number of networks and movements advocating women’s rights. She is a civic leader and has played a major role in collaborating with other institutions to create law enforcement protocol when dealing with cases of violence against women in her community. She has presented at sever-

al forums on violence against women in universities across Mexico, and Lydia is published in Mexico’s Clinical Journal about Violence and Health with an article titled “Prevention and Intervention in Domestic Violence against Women”.

First Covenant will host Lydia at Covenant Connections on October 4 and she will visit with other churches, nonprofits and universities for presentations across Erie. Lydia will reside in the church apartment during her stay in the area. Would you like to invite her to your home or out to a restaurant to share a meal during her visit? Know an organization or group who might enjoy a presentation? Contact Seph Kumer in the church office at 814-456-4243 x105.

Children & Youth Protection Policy

We are a congregation that is dedicated and motivated to make this space a safe place for all people to feel welcome to have a life-changing encounter with our living Lord Jesus Christ. In order to make this space a safe place for all, the P.C. (USA) requires all churches and faith communities to draft and implement a Child and Youth Protection Policy. Currently, the Personnel Committee is working with Britney and an-other organization through our Presbytery to finalize our church’s policy, but there are a few changes par-ents can expect this fall:

1. All faith formation classes for children and youth must have two adult teachers including the nursery.

2. Parents will be required to sign-in and out when dropping off and picking up their child who is in 5th grade or younger.

3. Parents will be required to pick up their child within 10 minutes of any activity, faith formation, or worship service ending. If they are not picked up by then, teachers will bring the child to the front office and parents will be contacted. (Only applies to children in 5th grade and younger)

4. All classes and activities for children and youth must take place in rooms with observation window or door open.

5. All classrooms and rooms in the church not in use will be locked. After the Faith Formation hour, all doors on the second and third floor will be locked.

It will be a challenge to adapt to these changes, but all staff and volunteers will be required to enforce these new policies. Help us make this transition as smooth as possible by spreading the word about the new rules for dropping off and picking up children starting September 17th. These new polices protect chil-dren, youth, and adults. If you have any questions, please direct them to Britney Knight or the Personnel Committee.

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THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5

Prayer for a College Student

Kirk House Korner

The new kitchen in the Kirk House is almost complete and we could not be more thank-ful! You continue to bless us in your willingness to support our work to love college stu-dents and help bring them into a relationship with Jesus Christ and walk alongside them as they learn what it means to seek the Lord in every area of life. We envision that the kitchen will be used not only for cooking personal meals but a space where we will share fellow-

ship, laughs, deep conversations, tears, hugs, food/snacks and much, much more!

Thank you for your continued support of Gods work at Gannon through the ministry of the Kirk house!

With love ~ Abby & Kyle

VOLUME 34, NO. 9

PAGE 10

Meet Two of the Kirk House Krew

Leilani King ...

I'm a senior mechanical engineering student from Vermont. I'm on the women's lacrosse team for Gannon & I like getting out in nature whenever I have time.

Brianna Brennan ... but everyone calls me Brie! I'm a 5th year senior & I will be graduating this December with an Early Childhood & Spe-cial Education degree. I played on the wom-en's basketball team my first 3 years at GU, but I am now entering my 2nd season on the women's volleyball team. A fun fact is that donuts are my favorite food!

Serve at TGIF (Thank God It’s Franks!) ~

Be a night-owl & greet Gannon students on Fridays beginning September 8th. Share grilled hot dogs, veggie burgers & water bottles with students as they walk through the church neighborhood from 10 p.m. to mid-night. For a few seasons this has proved to be a very significant way to engage students on the students’ turf. First Covenant brings God’s love to students where they are, instead of waiting for students to show up in worship. It has led to long-standing relationships with students. And it has given FPCC a

reputation of renowned hospitality & service among Gannon faculty & students.

Contact Abby Blankenship (724-561-4482) or Kyle Schumacher (330-631-7948) to offer your help with TGIF or any upcoming Campus Ministry events.

Campus Ministry is all about relationships, meeting & greeting & hanging out with students. This is not only Abby & Kyle’s “job”…it’s God’s call for each of us at First Covenant.

And by the way, it is hardly a “job”…it is so much fun!

TGIF!

Heavenly Father, please be with students as they go where they do not know. As the seek to grow in knowledge, we ask that they grow in faith.

As they start to conquer the world, we hope that they conquer their fears. As they strive to find their place, we pray that they find You.

Please go where we cannot, protect when we cannot, give strength that we cannot, and bring them safely home… Amen!

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THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5

Two from First Covenant to Travel to Ghana

www.

Firstcovenanterie.org

VOLUME 34, NO. 9

PAGE 11

FPCC will participate in a Presbytery Partnership trip to Ghana in September. Bill Tauber and Seph Ku-mer will join Rev. David Oyler, Rev. Chuck and Donna Cammarata, Rev. Dave Edmunds and a team from CHOSEN Medical Ministries on a September 5 through 16 trip to Ghana in western Africa.

Presbyterians have a historic and significant presence in Ghana. In the early 1800s missionaries from Germany started two different Presbyterian denominations in Ghana. Lake Erie Presbytery is partnered with the Upper Northern Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Ghana). FPCC has enjoyed preaching from Seth Agidi and Josh Heikkila from Ghana in recent years as a result of the partnership. Lake Erie Pres-bytery churches have provided motorcycles for partner pastors, laptop computers for a learning center, as well as refurbished a medical clinic.

The Lake Erie Partnership is one of many partnerships that form the Ghana Mission Network in our PC-USA denomination. Each year GMN churches and presbyteries from across the U.S. gather with their part-ners from Ghana. Every third year the gathering is in Ghana. Bill and Seph will attend this year’s Ghana Mission Network gathering.

The group traveling from Lake Erie Presbytery has been meeting for prayer and preparation since February. One goal of this trip is to explore how our Ghana Partnership can expand in both directions. That is, “How can our broth-ers and sisters in Christ from Ghana encourage our ministries in Erie?” And “How can the churches of Lake Erie Presbytery support churches in northern Ghana?” As we have been learning at FPCC, ministry best occurs “with” (reciprocal) not “to” or “for”.

Bill Tauber is an IT (computer guy) with General Electric (and an FPCC Trus-tee). Bill will be watching for ways that the Lake Erie Presbytery can support its Ghana partner pastors and congregations with tech and communication-related assistance. Seph Kumer, FPCC Director of Community Engagement, is looking forward to seeing what can be learned from how the churches in northern Ghana work so peaceably and cooperatively with their numerous Muslim neighbors.

For more than 25 years Christian Mission leaders have been predicting that as “Christendom” declines in the West, former “mission sending” countries will ironically begin to be “mission recipients” from Asian, African and South American Christians. Might this be occurring now across Europe and the United States? How is God at work in new, surprising ways across the globe?

Keep the team from Lake Erie Presbytery in your prayers. Among the travelers is a professional videog-rapher who will document the partnership, and what this can mean for churches in Erie and Ghana. In addi-tion to attending the Ghana Mission Network conference and visiting churches of the Upper Northern Pres-bytery, the group will visit a coastal “slave castle” and learn about Ghana’s 300 years of connection to Amer-ica via the slave trade. Bill and Seph are eager to share what they learn from their travels when they return and are grateful for the church’s prayerful and financial support.

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The weather was perfect for the August 1 National Night Out at Gridley Park. 1,000+ people showed up! Including 20 volunteers from FPCC who knew some church neighbors by name from their associations with Sunday Suppers & Our Neighbor’s Place. Firetrucks, police cruisers, guests from neighborhood block watch groups & non-profits, live music & amazing pulled-pork hot dogs from 3-B’s Restaurant were enjoyed by all. First Covenant provided two bounce houses (with supervision), plus a water balloon toss game & potato sack races. This was our third year of participation in National Night Out. It has become a significant way for FPCC to care for & hang out with church neighbors. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Have you noticed the orange dumpster outside on the 7th Street side of the church? Updated and upgraded showers and toilet facilities are coming to the Knox Hall bath-rooms! These bathrooms are now perhaps the most-used in the building since the win-ter emergency shelter and Sunday dinner ministries began a few years ago. Hundreds of guests visit Knox Hall on Sunday afternoons and appreciate a place to use the facili-ties and/or to wash their hands before dining. Hundreds of overnight guests shower and use the bathrooms when “Our Neighbors’ Place” moves in for 3 or 4, two-week ses-sions during the winter.

Jackhammers were heard in early August… The project moved from the “demo” phase to the reconstruction phase in mid-August. Sesler, Inc. is the general contractor who designed and is executing the bathroom improvements and expansions. Our own Scott Sesler anticipates completion of the job in late September, just in time for the busy 2017-18 programming year.

The new bathrooms will be enjoyed by AA and NA groups, Koinonia, university and youth groups spend-ing a night or two at the church, Covenant Connections diners, shelter and supper participants and volun-teers, and the many others who use Knox Hall each month. And YOU. Thanks to God for the resources to make ministry-enabling improvements to the church building!

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Knox Hall Bathrooms Being Improved

A Beautiful August Night with Neighbors

LOOK!

On Sunday, September 24th, First Covenant will once again participate in the CROP/Hunger Walk at Presque Isle. The walk’s main purpose is to alleviate hunger locally and throughout the world as 842+ mil-lion people still find themselves coping with daily hunger and malnutrition.

Please consider joining Team FPCC in walking this year. This congregation has reached out in combat-ing hunger through Sunday Suppers. Let’s continue to show our concern and support for the hungry by walking in the CROP/Hunger Walk. If you can’t walk six miles, a one mile walk is available. The walk is for everyone; young and old. If you cannot walk on September 27th, you can walk at another time.

First Covenant has a long history of being a leader in Erie County in sup-porting the CROP/Hunger Walk. Help us keep this tradition alive by generous-ly sponsoring those who walk on Team FPCC. Donations will be received in the Church Office during the week or online at www.crophungerwalk.org . Questions? Ask Tim Tracy regarding the CROP/Hunger Walk at 814-864-6118.

Erie County CROP Hunger Walk

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VOLUME 34, NO. 9

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If you haven’t checked out the mural on the playground wall, you are missing out on a beautiful specta-cle that over 50 people had a hand in. Throughout the summer, children, teenagers, and adults from the neighborhood and First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant gathered in the Third Floor Lounge for an art history lesson, drawing exercise, and painting that reflected the beauty of the Creation story in Genesis. Professional Artists Tom Ferraro and Ed Grout led the children through the story of Creation day by day each week and taught art techniques like shadow and light, symmetry, movement, and shape that were pre-sent in the story. Children learned about Michelangelo, Georgia O’Keefe, and Van Gogh among others. We spent a majority of our time focusing on the paintings in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. The wall of the playground was divided into sections similar to ceiling of the Sistine chapel and each division depicts a different scene of creation. Also, the shape of each part of the mural is based off of a familiar shape in our church’s architecture—see if you can spot it! This project is a perfect reflection of the Creation story: “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of waters.” In the beginning, when we began to create a mural for the playground, the wall was a formless void and a blank canvas; but the Spirit from God swept over us. Once there was nothing, now there is something beautiful just like the Crea-tion story. As we look at creation, we see God’s handiwork in it all. As I look upon this wall, I see the work of hands, both big and small, inspired by the creativity of God. ~ Britney

Very Best Summer: The Mural Project is Complete!

“Our Mural Crew”

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I begin this article by confessing that I take on too much. It has been my weakness for over two dec-ades. In fact, in this moment I am doing too much already. I feel overwhelmed and restless right now which is why I have decided to write this. We live in a world that is all about better performance and more production. I often wonder what the alternative is. As we launch into another year of faith formation and small groups, I wonder if we must see the Sabbath differently and perhaps our own spiritual lives in a new light. Walter Brueggemann writes about God’s call to the Hebrews in Exodus 5:12-14, “In a society defined by production and consumption, there are huge gradations of performance, and therefore, of worth and significance…But Sabbath breaks that gradation caused by coercion [because] on the Sabbath:

You do not have to do more. You do not have to sell more. You do not have to control more. You do not have to know more. You do not have to have your kids in ballet or soccer. You do not have to be younger and more beautiful. You do not have to score more.”

This is often the problem. Our faith often takes a back burner to the other things in our lives. As a stu-dent in seminary and college, I experienced it. As a person who works in ministry now, I witness it. We think that church is one more place to go or thing to do instead of a way of life. Unfortunately, if it is one more thing “to do,” we can trade it in for something that is more tangible—a couple more hours to get ahead in my profession, the football game of the season, or just a few more hours of sleep. If it’s one more place “to go,” the impact of our time at church is already soured because it lacks engagement with God and others.

But Brueggemann goes further, he envisions Sabbath as not just a pause button for our week or some-thing that refreshes us, but “a pause that transforms” and an “invitation to receptivity.” The Sabbath is a time to be with God and others. Sabbath was created for the Hebrews as an alternative to Pharaoh’s de-mands of more, more, and more. Jesus is our living example of trading our world for an alternative life. Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This involves relation-ship with our living Lord Jesus Christ and this also involves learning from the body of Christ to give, to re-ceive, and to be transformed.

One of my favorite sayings from my friend Maggie is “We are human beings not human doers.” What if, for this year, church is not just something to do or someplace to go; but a time to be with God and others?

What if we scheduled out three hours of our time on Sunday morning to unplug, put work down, and take part in a discussion about our faith with others? What if we worshipped on a Sunday morning and carved out 1.5 hours to be with a small group during the week? Maybe we don’t just pencil it in, but instead, permanent marker it in. In order to receive and to transform, we must be willing to give ourselves and our time; or we just become human doers doing it all on our own, or “practical atheists.”

This transformation is not just for us as individuals. Theologian and Christian Educator, C. Ellis Nelson talks about spheres of influence in our lives and the greatest sphere of influence upon our faith is the con-gregation. So I conclude with this quote from Nelson, “We are to love God with the heart, soul, and strength as well as with the mind, and the elements which relate to the affections come through, and are made meaningful in, a community of believers.” ~ Britney

**** Be sure to join us September 10th underneath the bell tower after each service to experience the full scope of classes, mission teams, and small groups that will be starting up in the Fall!

Invite a friend! Do something different!

Try something new! How is God at work in your life?

Faith Formation for a 21st Century Congregation

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I am in a season of my life where I attend rallies against racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, misogyny. And rallies for community unity. I have to. Hoping it all goes away without taking action seems futile. As a father of two black sons, and grandfather of black grandchildren, I can’t stomach a rise in white suprema-cy. I want better for my family, for my city, for my country. My faith compels me to act. To not speak up, not speak out, not move my feet according to what I know to be Truth…seems the opposite of Jesus’ actions and words.

If a rally similar to that held in Charlottesville is held in Erie, I will be there taking a stand with others against neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Saying, “That’s not the Erie I want. I love my neighbors. No race or ethnicity is supreme.” And after Charlottesville, I now realize it could get me run over. Or my brother Jackie Kemp Jones, my friend and unofficial neighborhood mayor Candace Battles. Or Rabbi Emily from Temple Anshe-Hesed. Or one of the Benedictine Sisters or Sisters of Saint Joseph. Or a Gannon facul-ty, staff or student. Or one of our campus ministers. Or another church staff colleague or church member.

To me it seems there if there ever was a time that forming relationships with “others” was crucial, it is now. Christ compels us to overcome barriers and walls like race, religion, gender. To love the “stranger” or “enemy”. To build bonds across lines. When your closest high school friends are Jewish, you can’t hear Jewish jokes the same. When a beloved co-worker is black, and you live in a very mixed-ethnicity neighbor-hood, racial slurs take a different meaning. When your Muslim friend invites you for dinner regularly and offers to help you buy a new car, though he is more broke than you, you re-think your biases against Islam. At least that’s how it has been for me. Significant relationships across ethnic boundaries have forced me to rethink stereotypes and prejudices I hold. God has also challenged me to consider how I participate in sys-tems and economies that protect my privileges as a white male and marginalize “the other”.

How do Christians respond to racism? How do we offer leadership on this topic? How do we uncover and address our racist biases? What will the world around us think of our God and our church if we are silent? Fortune 500 CEO’s have spoken out and tak-en action. Will the Christian Church have a voice in this national discussion? Will First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant? What did Christians and churches do in Nazi Germany? Are we complicit by not speaking up, not taking action? Difficult ques-tions. Worth discussing. Worth taking action.

Yep, friends. Next time it might be me.

(As you can see, this has urgency for me. In 20 years at First Covenant I have not written such a personal reflection for the Chimes. I don’t mean this to be a “bully pulpit.” If what I said here puzzles or offends you, please let’s talk. If what I’ve shared here rings true with you, please let’s brainstorm-and take action-together. Thanks, Seph Kumer)

It could have been me…

Students from First Covenant families are back to school. Does FPCC have your son’s or daughter’s college address? These addresses are used primarily to: ~ Keep in touch through the mailing of Covenant Chimes. ~ Provide care packages from our Youth & College ministry committees.

Please be sure to confirm or provide updated address information for your children if they move away from home for college, the military or any other reason.

Send Updates to: the Director of Youth & Family Ministries, britney.knight@firstcovenanterie.org.

College Address Updates

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Have you liked “First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant” or friended “First Covenant Church” on Facebook? This is one way to share good news about God’s work with FPCC. Also, if you take photos you think help tell our ministry story, be sure to share them to the church pages and/or tag the church!

David Bennett, Weekend Host Abby Blankenship, Campus Minister Helen Greider, Sunday Morning Host

Ian Headley, Weeknight Host Lisa Hiegel, Director, Covenant Preschool

Seth Hiegel, Weeknight Host Jackie K. Jones, Covenant Cook

Britney Knight, Director, Youth & Family Ministry Luba Kovalchuk, Custodian

Seph Kumer, Director, Community Engagement JoAnn Peters, Finance/Records Administrator

Anne Sauer, Administrative Assistant John Scepura, Building & Maintenance Mechanic

Kyle Schumacher, Campus Minister Monty Service, Coordinator, Missional Music

Kevin Stevenson, Covenant Cook Leslie Weber, Organist & Choirmaster

Rev. Chris Weichman, Pastor/Head of Staff

Church Staff

AMS

Rev. Chris Weichman, Moderator of Session William D. Holmes, Clerk of Session

Dale Sweet, Associate Clerk of Session

Trustees

Class of 2020 Charlotte Foresther

Charles Kibler

Allen Sheasley

Derek Sweet

Class of 2019 Bill Holter

Jennifer Koebe

John Marsden

Greg Sesler

Class of 2018 Camilla Decker

Ron Fabich

Gloria Knox

Bill Tauber

Deacons

Class of 2020 Linda Altof

Deborah Bernardini

Lorie Fritts

Melany Kramer

Scott Steva

Class of 2019 Julie Copen

Jason Fisher

John Gregory

Cindy Kerchoff

LuAnn Shidemantle

Class of 2018 Rick Bernardini

Mary Lou Neithamer

Mary Ann Sesler

Sheila Sweet

Ellie Zimmer

Elders

Class of 2020 Gregory Cooper

Nancy Irwin

Linda Majewski

Dale Shidemantle

Diane Sutton

Class of 2019 Patricia Bieber

David Doupe

Paul Diefenbach

Andrew Spriegel

Scott Wright

Class of 2018 Sandra Herman

Scott Sesler

Marlene Spires

Richard Sheasley

Phyllis Tarno

Church Officers

Have you moved? Have a new phone number or email address? If you’ve changed any personal information, please update your church

records by contacting JoAnn Peters at 456-4243 x110 or

joann.peters@firstcovenanterie.org

Keep Us Up To Date

Check Us Out

Totals are both pledge & non-pledge revenue

2017 YTD Budget = $250,188 2017 YTD Actual = $226,829

(as of 08.20.17)

Direct Access Office Phone Directory

Blankenship, Abby 113

Hiegel, Lisa 102

Knight, Britney 112

Kumer, Seph 105

Peters, JoAnn 110

Sauer, Anne 100

Scepura, John 101

Schumacher, Kyle 104

Service, Monty 107

Dial 814.456.4243

then enter the appropriate extension

Weichman, Chris 103

VOLUME 34, NO. 9

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THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5