Message from Pastor Darren
March 2025
As we continue to talk about what it means to be connected as a Christian and as a church, we find ourselves about to enter a very special season in the life of the church: Lent.
In many ways, it would almost seem to be that connection and Lent do not go together. The events that happened during this time would ultimately lead to the worst disconnection of all time: the disconnection of God and humanity when Jesus was on the cross. However, even as Christ was preparing to die, he connected with humanity in such a powerful and meaningful way the stories have become some of our most profound and cherished stories we have of Jesus and His ministry here on Earth. Jesus was the prime example of how even in dark moments, when you are actively trying to connect, you can make light shine for the whole world and see and understand that God is with us even in the darkest of times.
We will be exploring this unique connection in myriad ways throughout Lent. One is an opportunity for you to become directly involved with ministry. As we outlined at the beginning of February, our new visitation team will be getting off the ground to coincide with Lent. This will include a chance to reach out to those in our community that need to be ministered to through visits, phone calls, and texts. I truly see this as a ministry where the staff and laity partner together to connect with those who need to feel our connection most! If you are interested in becoming a part of the team, please reach out to Michelle in the front office or just contact myself or Ellen Coppley.
Also, we will be offering a twist on my usual Pastor ’s Lenten Study. This Lent, beginning on March 19th, we will be doing a Lenten Study on how we connect in a world that seems more disconnected than ever. We will be meeting on March 19th and 26th as well as April 2nd, 9th, and 16th at 6:30 PM. The classes will run about 40 minutes and conclude with Communion each week. It is a way to connect not only with our Communion service but to add another layer to our Lenten Study as well. I think it will be a wonderful time to connect and reconnect!
Lent is almost upon us. This year, consider adding connecting your life with the church instead of giving something up. It might just connect you with God in ways you never could have dreamed!
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Welcome to our newest Covenant Church members!
Mike and Laine Ropson (Left)
Jay and Sandy Eaton (Right)
Make a Joyful Noise!
This is an open invitation to anyone who would like to sing in the upcoming Easter Cantata. Our kickoff rehearsal is Sunday, March 2nd from 2 pm to 4 pm. We will gather in the music room. All are welcome!
Contact Stephen Durr for more info.
March Birthdays
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2 Harrison Strag, Payton Aust
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4 Peggy Kozuch
5 Bob Satterfield
6 Carroll Moseley
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8 Tom Bush, Susan Williford, Kevin Smith, Gail Satterfield
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11 Phyllis Hobson, Bill Schneider, Jenna Burns, Libby Justice
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14 Karla Priska, Ben Strag
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16 Jeff Stewart
17 Fred Harrill, Stephanie Piraino
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24 Gayle Beal
25 Paul Hunter
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29 Susan Johnson, Arjun Patel, Alyssa Sutton
30 Clem Richardson, Barb Collins, Turner Holt
31 Garrett Williams
Northwood Community Center
In the summer of 2021, Covenant was honored to take on an incredible opportunity from the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Northwood United Methodist Church (2409 Ambassador Ct. in High Point) had closed its' doors the previous summer, and the building had been sitting vacant with sacred anticipation of the next step for ministry within those walls. The leadership at Covenant Church discerned and voted to take on the Northwood UMC property and to open a community outreach center as a second campus and missional extension of our mission work at Covenant. Thus, Northwood Community Center was born. The leadership board of Northwood is made up of various Covenant Church committee leaders, community leaders, and various partner organizations in the 27265 area and beyond. In addition, our mission at Northwood is sponsored entirely by private donations, facility rental income, and The United Methodist Church Missional Engagement Grants. At Northwood, we currently offer a monthly community meal, food pantry, and clothing closet as well as special outreach events for the community. We are always accepting donations of clothing or non-expired food to serve our neighbors! Food can be delivered to the Covenant Gathering area and clothes can be donated in the blue box out- side of Northwood. For more info or to get involved, please reach out to Mission's Coordinator Gale Vitamvas at gale.vitamvas@gmail.com or our Northwood staff liaison, Laura Danford.
We are watching God's vision for Northwood unfold before our very eyes. Thank you.
Covenant Community Garden
Like to garden? Did you know Covenant Church has a community garden in the back of our property and we have some spaces available? You can help get the beds ready for or take a bed for the summer. Plant whatever you like. You keep a percentage and the rest goes to Ward Street and Northwood’s food pantries. If you are interested or want more information contact the church office.
Ward Street
Ward Street has regular needs: boxed milk, canned goods, plastic and paper bags, and other items. Remember that hunger is not seasonal. Please deposit donations in the large gray bin under the coat rack in the hallway near the gathering entrance, or in one of the marked bins at the drive-through portico on the left side of the church. For more info please contact Judi Marshall at jmmread@aol.com.
Wednesday Night Lenten Bible Study:
Join us for a 5 week study!
Click here to download the daily guide.
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Prayers to Sarah Haven Tennis who is recovering from arm surgery.
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Prayers for Stephen & Lydia Durr and their family as they mourn the sudden death of Stephen’s cousin, Brian Durr.
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Prayer go out to Rylan Tarrant for continued health improvement
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Prayers for everyone suffering with the flu, RSV, Covid, pneumonia and all things germy.
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Prayers for Richard Bennington who is having health concerns.
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Prayers for Mike Smith who is facing ongoing health concerns.
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Prayers for Audrey Talley who has health concerns.
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Prayers for Gale Slappy, a friend of Audrey Talley, who has unspoken prayers.
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Prayers for Randy Bishop as he is facing health concerns.
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Prayers for Kim Shoemaker as she prepares for a procedure on March 10.
Check out the new white communion paraments!
A special thank you to the New Connections Sunday School class for purchasing this wonderful gift of sacred cloth for our worship space.
Let us know if you’re interested in Cover-to Cover Covenant Book Club! This is open to anyone who loves a good story as much as we do. Our book for March is Sarah Addison Allen’s “First Frost”. Please join us on March 6nd at 6:30pm in Room10. We will continue to meet the first Thursday of each month with a different book.