CornerstoneCovenant Presbyterian ChurCh | DeCember 2012

ii

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 calen-dar of upcoming events. Find more information on the events online and in Covenant Matters.

Download the paper version of Cornerstone online at covenant.org/publications. We will update the Cornerstone blog as we receive con-tent at blog.covenant.org.

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

InterIm senIor PAstor

Paul Parsons

Clerk of sessIon

Joy Durrant

busIness AdmInIstrAtor

FreDerick l. clement

edItor

stePhanie schultz

desIgn And lAyout

aaron arnolD

ContrIbutIng WrIters

Jack kern, tom mitchell, Dorothy taylor

PhotogrAPhy

aaron arnolD, Beth BishoP, Whitney Bell,

Jack kern

sPeCIAl thAnks to

kay austin, Paul moWry, Brian sParks, Jan

VanDerPool

1

About Cornerstone2 deAr frIends

Pastor Paul considers Advent

4 memorIes Are mAde of thIsPastor Tom Mitchell says farewell

6 multI-dImensIonAl mAry helen16 years and going strong

8 ChrIstmAs eveCovenant staff loves Christmas Eve

9 WAtChIng over PeArlDorothy Taylor remembers a message from God

10 An honorAble lIfeJulie Stillwell receives PW lifetime honor

12 helPIng street youthTerry Cole explains Street Youth Ministry

14 CubA, over And over!Jack Kern moved by Cuba experiences

15 ChAllenge!April Kelly remembers the Challenge Bowl

16 thAnks for your 2013 PromIsesStewardship is off to a fast start

17 fInAnCe rePortFor the month ended October 31, 2012

18 Clerk’s CornerJoy Durrant reports on Session

20 CAlendAr of eventsCheck out what’s coming up

tAble of Contents

2

deAr frIends

3

It would be fair to say that Christmas falls on a liminal edge—that is, on a boundary between loss and hope. The event comes only hours after the shortest day of light, the darkest day of the year. For our world, this Christmas ar-rives on the heels of a brutal year of devastating storms, collapsing economies and slaughters of the innocent. In the United States, we are increasingly aware that no matter who the President is, he cannot unite the two polarizing visions that threaten to undo us as a nation. And within our congregation, we are broken-hearted to release from our staff both our beloved Fred Clement and Tom Mitchell after years of distinguished service. We stumble into Christmas having paid a high cost. And who knows what the future will hold?

But it is at this very edge that I am reminded that the Christian year actually begins four Sundays before Christmas with the season we call Advent. Advent means “coming,” and it refers very specifically to the coming of Jesus. It is a coming that we may miss:

“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. . . What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance. So stay. . . Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.”

Jan richarDson, night Visions: searching the

shaDoWs oF aDVent anD christmas

How easy it is to stumble into Christmas, hearts heavy with losses, eyes half shut with weariness, captured far more by darkness than by hope.

So I invite you to join me in trying to do the one thing I resist as much as I long for: Slow down. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. While not ignoring the costs of this past year or the challenges of the next, stay; wait. Because something wonderful, something full of glory, something better than you have hoped for or dreamed of lies ahead. Something on the horizon.

That’s where I’m going this Advent, this Christmas and this New Year, and I hope you’ll come with me.

4

Sunday, May 20, 2001, was the day that I first met Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. Mary Helen and I were married on May 16 in Wichita, Kan. We drove to Austin on May 17 to bring me home! From the moment of my arrival, I was lovingly welcomed as part of the Covenant family. The following week I intro-duced myself to the Covenant community of faith by playing Great Is Thy Faithfulness during the Gospel Night celebration. It was the begin-ning of a marvelous season in my life.

Just months later in December, Tom Brown and I offered the first of our holiday music programs for the VISIONS Luncheon—a program that became an annual part of the holiday season for 11 years. Every year, I remarked that playing that performance was like entertaining all of my favorite aunts and uncles. I’ve never performed

for a more loving and supportive group of fam-ily and friends. After the first year, Tom Brown and I discussed the possibility that we were actually twin sons of different mothers.

The ministry of music continued to be an important part of my life at Covenant. I reac-tivated the Journey youth choir, a name we borrowed from an anthem by Allen Pote that begins, “Awake, arise, the journey’s begun—we travel on together as one—we know not where the road will lead—but we move in faith mak-ing love our creed—as we follow—the journey is our home.” That first year the choir included four high school senior men; the remainder of the group was primarily seventh grade young ladies. I have enjoyed watching those young musicians continue their service. The first of them graduated from high school last year.

memorIes Are mAde of thIsA look bACk WIth PAstor tom mItChell

5

The invitations from families and friends to participate in memorial services, weddings and baptisms have each added a story line to my memories that will always be an impor-tant chapter in my scrapbook of life. I wrote in my letter to the congregation that as I prepare for retirement at the end of this calendar year: “Covenant Presbyterian Church will always hold a special place of gratitude in my heart and life.” So please receive God’s blessing:

May the road rise to meet youMay the wind be always at your backThe sun shine warm upon your faceThe rain fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet againMay God hold you in the palm of God’s hands.The Lord bless you and keep youCause his face to shine upon youAnd give you peaceNow and forever and forever.Amen. �

When Covenant started the 11:15 worship service in Eaton Hall, I was invited to serve as worship and music leader. During that time, I developed numerous close relationships that I continue to hold as precious memories. It was then that I also began the process of respond-ing to God’s call on my life to get my seminary education and, after many years, to at last real-ize my dream of becoming an ordained pastor.

Another important marker in my journey cen-ters around the Service for Wholeness. I first shared leadership with Rick Myers and later Rick MacArthur, and more recently with a number of musical and pastoral colleagues who have greatly enriched my life. I believe this con-templative time of sung prayer, reflection and feasting at The Lord’s Table has made a real dif-ference in the lives of some people. I know that is certainly true for me.

Nothing, however, could be more memorable than the weeks, months and years since I was taken under care of Session in 2005 in order to pursue my training to become a teach-ing elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I completed my Master of Divinity degree at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in May 2008, and in February 2009, responded to Covenant’s invitation to become one of your associate pastors – a process that culminated in March 2009 when I was ordained and in-stalled as Associate Pastor of Discipleship. I will always be grateful to Jim Barnette, Andrew Chapman, Avis Davis, Jack Kern, Tammy Linn, Shirley McGee and Don Zappone – the members of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee who placed their trust in my gifts to become a pastor here with a congregation of people I had already grown to love deeply.

suBmitteD By tom mitchell

Come bid your farewell to tom on January 6 at 6 pm in

fellowship hall. watCh for more details in Covenant matters.

6

works. Mary Helen’s knowl-edge of the congregation has been essential. She’s an extra set of ears and eyes. Mary Helen is a great sounding board, a great counselor and advisor. She extends my office and my influences.”

Two Days to an Offer

Sixteen years ago, Mary Helen actually moved to Austin without a job and without a place to live. She had just moved back to Texas from Nashville after working at First Presbyterian Nashville for seven years. She spent a couple weeks in Houston, but it felt too big. She packed up and came to Austin where two of her three kids lived.

“When I think now about putting everything I owned into my car and driving here, it seems crazy!” Yet, in less than a week, Mary Helen was busy assisting then-Covenant Senior Pastor George Cladis. “I interviewed at Covenant two days after I arrived in Austin and I got the job. They asked when I could start, and I said, ‘tomorrow.’”

That was six pastors ago. After assisting George Cladis, Mary Helen has gone on to to be the right hand for Doug Harper, Jim Singleton, Gary Stratman, Rick Murray and current Interim Senior Pastor Paul Parsons.

multI-dImensIonAl mAry helen

Mary Helen Mitchell cannot name one thing she dislikes about her job. Not one! After 16 years as Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor, Mary Helen is still excited to come to work every day, and is hap-piest when she is in contact with the congregation.

“I love the worship part of my job and everything that has to do with it. I love interacting with the congregation; I love preparing the bulletins, getting the ashes for Ash Wednesday. It’s fun helping to make wor-ship happen.”

For Interim Senior Pastor Paul Parsons, Mary Helen’s assis-tance has been “multi-dimen-sional.” He said, “She’s really a kind of partner in the way she

7

Tom said, adding (when prod-ded), “Yes, I will be making dinner much more often than in recent months and years.”

Kay Austin, Mary Helen’s office mate for the last five years, says that every day with Mary Helen is enjoyable. “Mary Helen has taught me so much about caring and giving, and has been such a willing trainer of all things Covenant. Her memory of the last 16 years of members, staff and events is amazing and I have relied on it many times. We are a good team. We look out for each other and our office on most days is filled with laughter and stories of kids, grandkids and cats!” �

Tom Mitchell’s daughter lives in Maryland so they see her less often, but are close to her as well.

“I love living close to my fam-ily,” Mary Helen said. “The other day two-year-old Hazel threw a little fit when her mom was ready to take her home. That hadn’t happened before. It was kinda fun,” she laughed.

With Tom’s upcoming retire-ment as Associate Pastor for Discipleship, Mary Helen will miss having her hubby next door during the workday, but is happy that he can rest more often.

“We will certainly miss work-ing in the same building but we will find a way to compensate,”

“My attitude is that I support the office as much as the per-sonality of the pastor,” Mary Helen said. Depending on the individual, Mary Helen’s job has mutated. “One pastor will add more to my job; another will take off. The changes that I experience are based on whatever that particular pastor wants and needs done. Parts of it always stay the same, though. We’ll always have deaths and baptisms.”

Through all the changes in the senior pastor’s office, Mary Helen has remained flexible – a trait she carries over to her personal life, often helping out with her grandkids who live in Austin and seeing the two older grandchildren in Houston as often as she can. Husband

multI-dImensIonAl mAry helen

8

connecting feel. I think kids enjoy their services. They feel included.”

Associate Children’s Director Stacey Grooms agreed. “The children’s services are short, early and the kids have a good time. It’s church on Christmas Eve that meets kids and their families where they are.”

Music Director Tom Brown laughed. “I’m happy when they are over!” He explained, “It’s a hard night for choir directors; you don’t have all the choir members and there are more services than you can handle.”

lessons in carols. It’s a remind-er that we stand in the middle of a story that really matters.”

Kay Austin, who works in Congregational Care, said that Christmas is her favorite ser-vice of the year. “It’s calm and peaceful. I love the candles and hymns. The service of-fers a connection to growing up; a sense of belonging. I see people I haven’t seen all year.”

Maureen Crawley, Lay Ministry Assistant, echoed Kay. “I love the candlelight services for its solemn, qui-et, peaceful, emotional and

ChrIstmAs eve

Remembering Our Loved Ones

Every year, Covenant arranges poin-settias throughout the Sanctuary to honor loved ones. Do you have someone in your life you’d like to recognize? Use this order form to re-quest poinsettias in his or her honor. The person’s name will appear in the Dec. 23 worship bulletin.

Covenant offers six services on Christmas Eve—one for every age and every worship preference. The first service is at 2 p.m.; the final service, our candlelit service, is at 10:30 p.m. In between, we offer con-temporary, 3:30 p.m.; services for kids at 5 and 6:30 p.m.; and the full choir at 8:30 p.m.

Covenant employees talked about what makes Christmas Eve Services special. Pastor Paul Parsons said that due to his many moves, he ap-preciates the stability of the services. “I love the structure and form and especially the

9

Dorothy Taylor is a Deacon at Covenant and an avid reader of Guideposts. In the maga-zine, one of her favorite sections is called, “His Mysterious Ways.” For this month’s Cornerstone, she submitted a story that she’s been thinking about for over a decade.

More than 10 years ago, our pastor, the Reverend Dr. George Cladis, had just started the funeral service for a dear friend who had been a faithful member of Covenant for many years. Pearl was friendly, outgoing and loved by everybody. She often greeted members and guests at the door for Sunday worship and seemed to know everyone by name.

After Dr. Cladis acknowledged the family and members present and was commenting on Pearl’s love of bird watching, a bird perched on one of the horizontal braces of the stained glass

window that dominates our sanctuary. Because of the window’s size, there are many horizontal and vertical braces on the outside of the glass.

Immediately the bird started rapidly pecking on the window. Since our pastor had his back to the window, he laughingly said, “I trust that’s a bird!” He turned around only to have the bird peck a little harder. As we all silently watched, the bird fluttered its wings and flew away.

Perhaps others in the congregation remember this incident. I have attended Covenant for over 25 years and never witnessed a bird near the window before or after that funeral. God want-ed us to know that Pearl was safely home.

Do you have an interesting experience at Covenant? Submit it to the publications team and have it published in the next Cornerstone.

Watching Over Pearl

suBmitteD By Dorothy taylor

10

An honorAble lIfeJulIe stIllWell reCeIves A PresbyterIAn Women honorAry lIfetIme membershIP

A surprised Julie Stillwell received an Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Presbyterian Women in early September. The commenda-tion is given to a special wom-an in recognition of faithful service to God and Covenant.

“I never dreamed I would get this honor,” Julie said. “So many women work so hard in the church in so many different capacities. “

Julie is the third generation in her family to receive the honor. Her mother and grandmother were honorary lifetime PW members. The Presbyterian faith is rooted in her fam-ily. Her grandfather was a Presbyterian minister and mis-sionary to Korea.

Though Julie’s church ac-complishments are many, she is most proud of her work to raise the awareness of Presbyterian Women. Since Julie married Gary Stillwell, moved to Austin, joined the church and became active in

11

An honorAble lIfeJulIe stIllWell reCeIves A PresbyterIAn Women honorAry lIfetIme membershIP

Julie was PW Moderator in 2004-05, bringing new ideas including Girls’ Night Out and Honorary Life Membership participation. She updated by-laws and lobbied for dedicated PW space. The group now has a room in Covenant Hall. As PW Historian, Julie orga-nized a backlog of pictures and records.

Julie’s loving support of PW has shown through in all she does,” a friend said. “Covenant’s PW would not exist in its present condition without Julie’s involvement.”

Julie volunteers outside of PW as well, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, has helped with communion and greeting visitors, partici-pates in intercessory prayer, and is a regular volunteer at Manos de Cristo.

“Julie is someone people turn to in crisis and joy,” Susan said. “Behind the trust that people feel with her is her faith.” �

Covenant women’s groups in 1999, she has campaigned for Covenant to increase in-volvement in the national PW organization and worked to help Covenant members better understand what PW is.

Longtime friend Susan Holman agrees. “Julie reinvigorated Covenant’s involvement with Presbyterian Women. With Julie, you see a pattern repeat-ed over and over. As the Holy Spirit plants an idea in Julie’s head, she then inspires every-one else to come along,”

At Julie’s urging, Covenant women have participated in Synod of the Sun Gatherings, the Mission Presbytery Women’s Retreat and Austin Area Cluster events. She en-couraged Covenant women to attend the Church-wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in 2003, and has at-tended each meeting since. She organized scholarships for a New Covenant Fellowship woman and a Luyano member to attend the Gathering.

The Christmas Giving Tree is a great way

for Covenant members to help the less

fortunate each holiday season. The tree is

located in the Fellowship and Education

Building or on the patio every day of the

week. Tree ornaments describe the needs

of Covenant’s many programs, so come

take a look and see how you can help. For

more information, contact Paul Mowry at

paulmowry@att.net or 795-9371.

Look for a feature on PW Circles in the February issue of Cornerstone! Christmas GivinG tree

12

Covenant member Terry Cole runs Street Youth Ministry (SYM). Terry became interested in the needs of street-dependent young people after volunteering for Daily Bread, a once-a-week commitment to serve dinner to the homeless.

Oddly enough, Terry initially planned to quit this volunteer gig. “I hated it! I was frustrated by the lack of relationships,” he said. “Mealtimes were structured to be only about the food. We passed out food quickly with no interaction.”

helPIng street youth

13

Campus church. Daily Bread serves a meal on Tuesday night. Wednesdays are for fellow-ship. Some street youth come to Covenant. Thursday is self-care day. Street youth visit a clothing closet at University Methodist Church, or browse for maternity clothing at the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center. Partners come, tell their stories and talk with street youth about different ways to approach places that offer social services and recovery assistance. Fridays are intern day. SYM’s internship program teaches how to lead a poverty-informed urban ministry.

SYM Highlights

The Street Youth and Terry will lead an informal prayer service on Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. “Because our clients get to lead scripture and songs, and because we do it together and get the congre-gation involved, we call it a share concert. It’s a fabulous equalizer,” Terry said. “Rarely are our Covenant people praying for a place to stay, but when a kid says that he’s praying for his mother to understand him, that strikes a similar chord. It’s a very beautiful service.”

Terry said that “SYM prays and waits for the day that each client has the stability, the sobri-ety, a God-fearing nature and a connection to a Christian community.”

Until then, support is needed. There are many financial and service opportunities: praying for the youth, providing pet supplies, serving and preparing food, running errands and more. “It’s easy to drop in and easy serve dinner once,” said Terry. “And our clients love getting to know people who come more often.” To volunteer, go to streetyouthministry.org. �

Because the organization was in a bind, Terry agreed to serve meals for a month. During August 2003, Terry implemented some “tricks” to interact with clients. “We learned their names. We asked the cooks to make two meal choices so we could ask what they wanted, and too much dessert so we could pass out extra. By the month’s end, dinners were interactive enough that I wanted to stay,” Terry said. “I’ve never stopped serving that meal.”

About SYM

SYM assists a rotating group of street-depen-dent young people and travelers, most between the ages of 17 and 25. Terry estimates that SYM has contact with about 100 individuals every week, averaging 10 new clients weekly. High turnover means that the organization sees about 200 unique clients each month. On aver-age, three to four clients graduate every month.

The needs of this demographic are different than a typical older homeless person. Studies show that the human brain continues signifi-cant development until age 25. “We believe that the brain maturity model has something to do with people getting off the streets,” Terry said. “We see our clients gain new coping skills around 25. Some problems disappear; some are more regulated. It’s a prime age to help them.”

Terry said that SYM clients like predictability. “All the days of the week are different, but we have a solid rhythm that we try not to change.”

On Monday, SYM has prayer time. Terry spends time with young clients at LifeWorks. On Tuesday, the focus is Bible study, where clients encounter the Bible for themselves at a West

14

• The Cuban Presbyterian Church’s response to emigra-tion issues, a huge challenge for Cuba and for the Cuban Presbyterian Church suffering many pastor departures.

Please pray for this encoun-ter of 33 U.S. and 30 Cuban church representatives as we continue to witness through service and ministry to each other and to our communities.

We at Covenant receive profound spiritual renewal from this ministry, and are repeatedly told of the encour-agement God sends to our brothers and sisters in Cuba through us. That is why I go back to Cuba, over and over.

The newly installed clean wa-ter treatment system at our sister church, where water demand far exceeds supply, creates ministry opportunity. When asked if people are join-ing the church because of the clean water treatment system,

I have just returned from my 15th trip to Cuba. It was an-other glorious trip in which the very real presence of Christ tangibly embraced us in full-ness and richness.

In December I will return to Cuba for my third time this year to attend the Presbyterian Cuba Partners Network meet-ing that takes place every four years. The Cuban church synod (national) IV Institutes developed the theme for this meeting. This is only the fourth “Institute” since the Cuban church separated from the U.S. church and our govern-ments formed the autonomous Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba in January 1967. These same themes will likely be shared at the December Cuba Partners Network Meeting.

• The Cuban Presbyterian Church’s response to Cuba’s rapidly changing economic realities.

we learned that the church provides free water out of obedience to Christ. We were reminded that new members come from the movement of the Holy Spirit, not by things we do. Obedience to Christ. Yes, that too is part of why I go back to Cuba, over and over.

The newly installed pastor at our sister church, Daniel Izquierdo, will be in Austin Jan. 18-24. On Jan. 22, Tammy Linn and Tom Brown will perform the Concierto Cubano II.

Learn more about Covenant’s Cuban travels in Emily Taylor’s article in the February Cornerstone. Maybe God is calling you to spiritual renewal and Cuban outreach. �

CubA, over And over!

suBmitteD By Jack kern

15

The new kids attending might have learned about D*Now, Core Student Ministries’ in-town retreat where students stay in host homes, explore the city and study the Bible. D*Now is Jan. 18–20. Students receive registration infor-mation by mail. Sign up by Dec. 12 for a price break. For more information, contact Whitney Bell at 334-3008 or wbell@covenant.org. �

McFarlane. This year’s referees were Derek Nafe and Andrew Bell. Calls, both by the coaches and the refs, were important, as the game was a nail-biter, being decided only in the last minute.

“The game is a bonding time for students. We had a senior football player from McCallum blocking for seventh grade boys. We had new kids come who were into sports. It’s a great time!” Whitney said.

The Core Student Ministries Challenge Bowl is a great op-portunity for boys and girls from all different grades and skill levels to come together. But the best part about the touch football game played an-nually in early November, ac-cording to Student Ministries Assistant Whitney Bell is, “it’s just really fun!”

The teams are divided evenly and coached by Core volunteer leaders Joe Muck and Russell

ChAllenge!

suBmitteD By aPril kelly

16

“I invite you to pray, to ask God what would He have you give to and through Covenant Presbyterian Church this year, and to commit that in a promise. …Providing that information to the church gives us the opportunity to make a realistic spending plan for the coming year.”

Pledge cards may still be picked up and/or turned into the church office during business hours. Or members and friends may pledge on-line at covenant.org/donate.

Paul reminded Covenant members that the stewardship season isn’t really about money. “It’s about spiritual transformation, if you are willing. It begins by actively transferring own-ership of everything you are and have to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. This surrender means you are willing to stop playing God and to let Him call the shots.” �

More Covenant members and friends are pledging more dollars than in recent years in the 2013 Stewardship campaign. During the first week of our campaign at the end of October, Covenant was promised more than $1.4 million. By mid-November, pledges totaled nearly $2 million. Members and friends are pledging at higher rates than in nearly a decade, with the average pledge of more than $5,800.

“I think part of the reason this campaign has been successful is due to the really great talks we had leading up to Stewardship Sunday,” said Stewardship Co-chair Thais Kilday. “Our speakers were so genuine and authentic. They were honest about their giving and it seemed to make people want to pledge this year.”

With nearly 40 percent of the congregation already pledged, the stewardship team is still aiming for more participation. As Pastor Paul Parsons wrote in a letter to the congregation:

thAnks for your 2013 PromIsessteWArdshIP CAmPAIgn off to fAst stArt

Did you know?

Your Contributions to Covenant can be facilitated electronically through Covenant’s eStewardship program via electronic funds transfers; pre-authorized recurring or one-time ACH transactions; or credit card payment. For more information, visit covenant.org/donate or contact Covenant’s staff accountant at 334-3001.

17

fInAnCe rePortfor the month ended oCtober 31, 2012

Budgeted Revenues

AnnuAl budget budget ytd ACtuAl ytd ytd vArIAnCe budget vs Actual

Pledged offerIngs

$2,287,000 $1,794,684 $1,704,717 <$89,967>

unPledged offerIngs

600,000 398,010 438,290 40,280

mIsCellAneous 90,000 75,927 41,629 <34,298>

totAl revenues 2,977,000 2,268,621 2,184,636 <83,895>

budgeted exPendItures

2,977,000 2,498,016 2,490,955 <7,061>

rev over <under> exP

0 <229,395> <306,319> <76,924>

18

Clerk’s CornerAt our October meeting, Session honored our Business Administrator Fred Clement. Fred has worked closely with the current Session and nu-merous past Sessions. We approved a resolution honor-ing Fred, presented him with gift certificates to a restaurant and a clothing store, and gave him the game Episcopopoly so that he can get caught up on all things Episcopalian! We celebrated with dessert and shared our memories of Fred.

The Committee on Ministry (COM) is a commit-tee of Mission Presbytery. Covenant’s COM representa-tive is Rita Livingston. A mem-ber of Central Presbyterian Church, Rita met with our Session to let us know that she would like to be pro-active helping Covenant

and our Pastor Nominating Committee, the group seek-ing our new senior pastor. She is meeting weekly with our PNC. Please feel free to contact her at 401-0575 or rlivingston6@austin.rr.com.

Because of changes intro-duced by the New Form of Government (nFoG), Session is working to determine the questions to ask next year’s officer candidates and the can-didate training process. We’re excited about our progress and are looking forward to exam-ining the officer candidates. Please remember to pray for Covenant’s Nominating Committee as they work to identify officer candidates.

Last spring, a group of in-terested folks met to re-view the previous Annual

Congregational Meeting, where we elected officers and reviewed the FY 2011 finan-cials, programs and pastoral report. Covenant has decided to extend these two meetings, both of which have been ap-proved by Session. Meetings and agendas for 2013 are:

• Jan. 13: Officer nomina-tions, approval of pastors’ terms of call and approval of bylaw changes

• Apr. 7: Annual meeting, including financial reports (pending bylaw approval)

By nominating officers earlier in the year, we will have more time for training, examination and installation. With a later Annual Meeting, Covenant will be able to present the audited financial reports. Previously,

19

covenant.org/donate. As al-ways, we genuinely appreciate the thoughtful and dedicated stewardship of your time, tal-ent and money, and especially your prayers!

With your help, income for September and October was ahead of our projection. At October’s end, Covenant was ~$65,000 behind in YTD in-come. At the end of June, we were $260,000 behind. We are continuing to close the gap. Thank you! Also, thank you for turning in your 2013 pledges. It is so helpful to have that information for next year’s budgeting. If you haven’t yet turned in your 2013 pledge, you may still do so by turn-ing your cards into the church office or pledging online at

all of the financial informa-tion presented at the Annual Meeting was noted as “unau-dited results.” Changing the date of our Annual Meeting re-quired a change in our bylaws. A Bylaws Task Force reviewed the bylaws in their entirety and recommended only a change in wording to allow the Annual Meeting to occur later in the year. See the bylaw changes at covenant.org/bylaws. The congregation will vote on the bylaws changes in January; a three-quarters majority is needed to accept the change.

Highlights from the Mission Presbytery Meeting•The General Assembly-recommended changes to the Book of Order will be voted on in March; the new translation of the Heidelberg Confession will be voted on in June. View changes at mission-presbytery.org.

•Covenant was represent-ed at the meeting, with a total attendance of 292, by five commissioners: Donna Barksdale, Jane Gamel, Bretna Hackert (our es-teemed driver), Joe Muck and Joy Durrant.

•An offering of $3,336 was collected; the money will support the Mission Presbytery Youth attendees to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 16–20, at Purdue University.

• Jack Kern was nominated to the Mission Outreach and Justice Committee, Class of 2015.

•The COM noted in its report that Paul Parsons’ interim contract had been renewed for 12 months, ef-fective Aug. 15, 2012.

•Rev. Neal Presa, Moderator of the 220th General Assembly, will hold a Town Hall Meeting in San Antonio on May 2.

Joy Durrant

clerk oF session

JoyFully Praising goD With you,

Upcoming mission presbytery meetings

March 1–2 at Shepherd of the Hills in Austin

June 14–15 at Shreiner University in Kerrville

Oct. 25–26 at Mo Ranch in Hunt

20

senior aCtivities dayBe wary when you read that a hotel is newly

restored like “The Best Exotic Marigold

Hotel” (2011). This movie will be shown

at 1 p.m. at the Dec. 4 Senior Activities

Day. British retirees played by Judi Dench,

Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson

and others travel to the Marigold Hotel in

India for less-expensive retirement living.

Although the hotel has certainly seen better

days, it eventually charms and affects the

retirees in unexpected ways. Bingo, games

and puzzles start at 10 a.m. in FE 200 and a

buffet lunch is provided at noon.

Come for all or any part of the program.

Guests are welcome. Donations are ac-

cepted for lunch and reservations are not

required. For more information call Martha

Bombaugh at 345-5916.

hAngIng of the greenDec. 2 at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. Traditional Services

senIor ACtIvItIes dAyDec. 4 at 10 a.m. in FE 200Movie: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

ChurCh-WIde CArol sIng WIth Journey youth ChoIrDec. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

ArmChAIr trAvelersDec. 6 at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

youth And ChIldren’s ChoIrs sPeCIAl PresentAtIonDec. 9 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Traditional Services

ChrIstmAs ProgressIve dInnerDec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship HallBring an appetizer, a dessert, or host a dessert and gift trade

grACenotes And Pro musICA ChrIstmAs ConCertDec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Bastrop Opera House

grACenotes And Pro musICA ChrIstmAs ConCertDec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

student mInIstrIes ChrIstmAs PArtyDec. 12 at 7 p.m. in FE 400

sAnCtuAry ChoIr And brAss ensemble ConCertDec. 16 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Traditional ServicesFeaturing Rutter’s Gloria and other seasonal music for choir and brass

ChrIstmAs PrAyer servICe led by street youth mInIstryDec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

CAlendAr of events

21

CAlendAr of eventsexplore membership

ClassAre you considering membership at Cov-

enant? Do you know of visitors who would

be interested in attending a class on mem-

bership? Covenant’s Explore Membership

class is a great way to learn more about the

church and get connected. Explore Member-

ship’s six classes give you the chance to:

•Make new friends and grow relationships

•Learn more about Presbyterianism

•Discover how to get involved at Covenant

•Discuss tips for growth and study

•Gather ideas on how to care for others

We want you to be known and cared for

in the Covenant family. Each of us is in

different place in our lives and has different

spiritual needs. A church family recognizes

this and together we foster relationships,

encourage growth and care for others. We

know that God meets us where we are. The

next class begins on Jan. 6 and meets for

six Sunday mornings through Feb. 10 in CO

208. To register, contact Maureen Crawley

at mcrawley@covenant.org or 334-3057.

For childcare, contact Jaclyn Black at

childcare@covenant.org or 334-3020 at

least 48 hours in advance.

ChrIstmAs eve servICesDec. 24 in the Sanctuary2 p.m. for traditional service, 5 p.m. for young children, 6:30 p.m. for older children, 8:30 (full choir) and 10:30 for candlelit services

ContemPorAry ChrIstmAs eve servICeDec. 24 at 3:30 p.m. in Fellowship HallSmall ensemble with strings and piano

fAreWell gAtherIng for tom mItChellJan. 6 at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

WednesdAy nIght dInners resumeJan. 9 at 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

uPWArd bAsketbAll gAmesSaturdays from Jan. 19 through March 9

WAlkIng the mourner’s PAthSaturdays from Jan. 12 through March 10 at 9:30 a.m.Grief recovery groups, for information contact kaustin@covenant.org

student mInIstrIes d*noWJan. 18–20Visit corestudentministries.org for details

ConCIerto CubAnoJan. 22 at 7 p.m. in Sanctuary Hall

3003 Northland Drive Austin, TX 78757

offICers And stAff of CovenAnt PresbyterIAn ChurCh

ClAss of 2015Susan AshtonJill BaumhoverWendell BellSylvia BettsRusty BurnettCarolyn CarmichaelSteve CaskeyAllison CrutchfieldDianne ErlewinePansy FlickJane GamelKeith GingGarrett HallPatti HansenElizabeth HarrellBill HawkinsShannon KniselyJack KriensLoretta KriensLarry LoessinTom MagruderJames MarroquinEmily McGinnisGwen MortonPatrick SchmidtGary VlietBecky WellsSharyn WestmorelandPaul Wynkoop

ClAss of 2013Breece AdamsUrsula AlleyMike AustinJune BeckNancy BissellDeatra BoeseAmanda CowanJane CrowePeggy CuevasKay DavenportBonnie HartmannFred HartmannAbby HemphillSusan HutchisonTammy LinnSteve MartensKen MooreSarah OttRyan PalmLaTrelle PetersonMegan PooreCharles RidingsJim RobinsonJim RumboNancy RumboLynn SmithShannon Windham

ClAss of 2014Marilyn AdamsMatt BairDonna BarksdaleLynn BellSteve BissellJulie BouAllen CarmichaelLynda ChapmanJay CorderCara CothamJim FosterJacquez “Joc” GainesBretna HackertElizabeth HiltonBarbara KniselyBill MangeLacy RuwweCarol SheppardLisa SledgeSharon SmithTom SmithBrent StoverDiane SwansonBeth Voorhees

deACons

ClAss of 2015Don DavisEvangeline HerringChuck RuesinkMelanie WilliamsonCindy Young

ClAss of 2013Christy GreenTom HutchisonJoAnne McIntoshJoe MuckTom Sunstrom

ClAss of 2014Joy DurrantJeff HornJan SkaggsLaura TumaClark Weatherby

elders

ClAss of 2015Dave FergusonJack KernMary Teeple

ClAss of 2013Noel DurrantDoug HartmanTana Taylor

ClAss of 2014Dianne Erlewine

foundAtIon trustees

ProgrAm stAff

Paul Parsons, Interim Senior PastorBeth Bishop, Director of Lay MinistriesThomas W. Brown, Director of Music MinistryFrederick L. Clement, Director of AdministrationWilliam Leonhardt, Director of Student MinistriesChristy Milam, Director of PreschoolTom Mitchell, Associate Pastor for DiscipleshipJohn Schmidt, OrganistStephanie Schultz, Director of CommunicationsJill Williams, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care MinistriesGayla Stuart, Director of Children’s and Preteen Ministries