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August 2020
Call for the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, Part II and the Corporation: The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant calls for Part II of the Annual Meeting of the Congregation and for the Annual Meeting of the Corporation to be held on Sunday, August 9, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 CRISIS, these meetings will be held in the church parking lot beginning at 11:45 a.m. and the agenda for these meetings will be limited to the necessary business of electing elders, deacons and trustees to the class of 2023 and filling other vacancies as necessary. Rev. Chris Weichman – Moderator/W.D. Homes – Clerk of Session
Virtual Worship at 10 a.m. on Sunday on Facebook Live: To view the live streaming, go to www.facebook.com/FirstCovenantErie/ You can also see the live stream of Bible Study Wednesdays at 12 noon on www.facebook.com/FirstCovenantErie/ The elders and staff of First Covenant have determined that in-person gathering of any kind, including worship, will be deferred at First Covenant until at least the end of November. The earliest in-person worship might return is the first Sunday of Advent – November 29. Live-streaming will continue even when in-person worship does resume. Expect the church to move forward cautiously and deliberately with the health of the congregation, staff, and community as a priority.
Freeze pop mini-parades: Join First Covenant as we partner with Our West Bayfront for another freeze pop mini-parade through our neighborhood on August 4 from 6-8 p.m. Since we cannot gather in large groups, we are taking it to the streets and observing safe practices and social distancing while reaching out to our neighbors. We will stock a First Pres Freeze Pop van, then pass out freeze pops. The mini-parade will also have a DJ playing tunes on the back of the church pick-up, a bunch of fun vehicles, a clown, police motorcycles, Gannon students handing out masks, and more! 6-8 freeze pop helpers are needed. Walking (with ride breaks) required. 2 vehicle drivers needed. Can you help? Email [email protected] or text 566-0287 to sign up!
Unexpected Places and Faces Small Groups studying Acts: Beginning June 24 on Facebook LIVE bible study at noon, Pastor Britney will be kicking off our 8-week summer journey through the book of Acts. Small groups will be meeting every other week to explore questions around the stories we have covered so far in worship and to go deeper. On the weeks groups don’t meet, join us at noon on Wednesdays on Facebook LIVE to continue the story (also available on the Facebook page after airing.) Groups will meet the weeks of August 2 & 16 on Zoom. Small groups to sign-up for:
- Praise Band group led by Monty Service: Thursdays 4:30 p.m. If you have played or sung with the praise band
or are interested in possibly joining them when possible again. [email protected] - Covenant Choir and Bells group with Leslie Weber: Wednesdays Bells-6:30 p.m. & Choir 7:00. If you have
sung in the choir, played hand bells, OR are interested in joining when possible again. [email protected] - Women’s group with Britney Knight: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Interested? [email protected]
- Wednesday morning group with Britney Knight at 10:30. Open to ALL. [email protected]
- Men’s group with Chris Weichman: Time/Day TBD-group preference. [email protected]
- Church Neighborhood group with Seph Kumer: Thursdays at 6 p.m. Live downtown near the church, or close
by, and want to be a part of a small group discussion? [email protected] - Young Adult (18-30 yrs.) group with Rachel Moldovan: Thurs. at 6 p.m. [email protected]
- Honeymooners…Still on It! group with Geoff and Darcy Ginader: Monday or Wednesday nights based best
night for couples who sign up! Interested? Sign up with Britney, [email protected] - Do you want to participate in a small group but none of these group times/days or descriptions speak to you?
Ellie Zimmer, Elder/Chair C.E. Committee, is interested in hosting a group. Contact Britney Knight if interested! - Kids’ Faith Formation: Kids’ Church Zoom Meetings will be July 12 & 26, August 2 & 16 at 11:30 a.m. – 12 noon. On those Zoom meetings, we will be digging deeper into the Acts Story. Activities/crafts for the kids who join those Sundays will be delivered to them during the week to complete at their house.
Take a walk! Themed, self-guided “West BayWalks” will be offered at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning July 15. Themes include: Parks & Gardens, Black History, Houses of Worship, Murals & Public Art. Register (free t-shirt for first 100) & more info. at: www.ourwestbayfront.org/walks Grab your mask and friends, and take a West BayWalk! Route maps available “on the clothesline” outside, and in the vestibule inside, at the church!
“Passport through Acts” Kids’ Faith Formation:” Kids’ Church Zoom Meetings will be August 2nd & 16th at 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Zoom. We will dig deeper into the Acts Story. Activities/crafts for kids who join on Sundays are available “on the clothesline” during the week. Contact [email protected]
Flamingo Summer! Have a pre-K to grade 5 child? Dress up Frances the FPCC Flamingo and take him on your favorite summer activity, sharing photos with us on Facebook. Details: [email protected] Grown-ups, want to get in on some Flamingo Fun? Rob Baker is passing “the other flamingo” around: [email protected]
Your gift means even more on Erie Gives Day! On Tuesday, August 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. you can give to the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant by going to www.eriegives.org. The Erie Community Foundation will enhance your gift by providing a prorated match to each gift made to the church. The minimum gift is $25.00. There is no limit to the amount of money you may give. To learn more go to Erie Gives – August 11.
Blood Drive – Give the gift of life: The Community Blood Bank’s bloodmobile makes another stop at First Covenant on Saturday, August 22, 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Donations are encouraged and are by appointment only. Masks required and temperatures taken prior to donation. Occupancy inside the bloodmobile is limited for social distancing. Contact Tim Campbell at 397-8570 to make an appointment.
Summer Sunday worship at 10:a.m. now through Labor Day weekend: This is the traditional time shift for the summer months. The first Sunday of the month is also Communion Sunday. Be sure to gather “bread” and “cup” at home for remote Communion on the first Sunday of each month. Join us on Facebook Live Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. You can watch or listen to worship services at any time on this website. You can listen to the audio or go to Facebook Live videos.
What is a “Matthew 25 Church?” After a few months of discussion, the church Mission Committee registered First Covenant with the Presbyterian Church (USA) for this designation. Three thrusts of being a Matthew 25 Congregation: 1) Building congregational vitality by challenging people and congregations to deepen their faith and get actively and joyfully engaged with their community and the world. 2) Dismantling structural racism by advocating and acting to break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color. 3.) Eradicating systemic poverty by working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor. Signing up was easy. Living into these is the challenge.
Connecting with Pastor Chris: When you wish to contact our First Covenant Pastor, Rev. Chris Weichman, he can be reached in the church office Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 814-456-4243 ex.103 or anytime at [email protected]
Update the church office with your new contact information: If you have moved, changed your phone number or email address please update your contact information and let the church office know by contacting JoAnn Peters at 456-4243 Ext 110 or at [email protected]. If you have a question, send your email to [email protected]
