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Greetings,

I do not give titles to my monthly newsletter postings, but if I did I would entitle this one: “Our Stupid

Humanity.” Let me tell you what I mean. On Wednesday of Holy Week I found myself in my usual routine

of pulling together the material I needed to write three successive messages: Maundy Thursday, Good

Friday and Easter Sunday. First of all, I have always found it challenging to be in the flow of writing about

the betrayal and falling away of Jesus’ closest friends one night, the story of the crucifixion and death of

Jesus the next day, and then the victory of Resurrection “on the third day.” You have to emotionally shift

from the worst news ever to the very best as you are writing these messages almost simultaneously. It

just feels weird.

In addition to this regular routine, Ruth has been in recovery from foot surgery which required that she

not put weight on that foot for six weeks (which is still a continuing saga), so I was needing to jump in as

her support during one of the busiest periods of church life.

Then, on the Wednesday when I was pulling things together for the busy Holy Week observations at

Covenant, I noticed something I had never experienced. I was seeing spots and squiggles and flashes in

my left eye. I googled all that on my iPhone and found out that this is called “floaters and flashers” and

could range from a “not so serious” condition to being as serious as my retina beginning to detach. So

here I am worrying about my eye health (and worrying about health has never been an agenda item in my

life) and feeling too busy to try to arrange an appointment with my eye doctor during Holy Week. So I

just proceeded with business as usual, and watched strange things dance across the field of vision in my

left eye, sometimes frequently and sometimes not, throughout the busy-ness of our week’s observances.

Then my mind began to free-associate so that even while I was trying to write three very different

sermons I was also thinking about Ruth and me being in our 60’s and having some physical challenges we

never before experienced…and you wonder where your 30’s and 40’s and even 50’s went, and… and…

and… During Holy Week I was in an unexpected personal reflection mode while I entertained the thought

that it is stupid and unfair that we have bodies that get older, and not younger. It is indeed strange what

floaters and flashers make you think about.

The good news is that Ruth’s foot is healing well and her six-week sentence from her doctor is growing

shorter and shorter. I did go to the eye doctor. He warned me he was going to dilate my eyes more than

I had ever experienced before, and then shined a lot of bright lights at me, telling me that ultimately

there was nothing serious going on (but the ensuing 24 hours of very dilated pupils was quite the

adventure). Afterwards he pointed out that I am experiencing the natural progression of albeit healthy

eyes aging anyway. My floaters and flashers will eventually subside, I guess… but then I wonder if the

other eye will decide to do the same at some point.

Up against the events in the life of Jesus in Holy Week just observed, and ongoing struggles of so much

suffering humanity in our world today, I have to be honest and say that Ruth’s and my relatively small

challenges are not that big a deal… Except when you are in the middle of it, it seems that way. And that’s

what I call “our stupid humanity” because stuff gets in the way when we have better, more important

plans to carry out. I call it “stupid” because it does what it is going to do regardless of what I think or

wish at times.

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Please remember these members and friends

of Covenant in your daily prayers:

Nancy Albright, Lloyd Balsley, Stephanie Barclift, Pete Bercaw, Ann Fairbairn, Doris

Flaitz, Joan Halpern, Nora Harmon, Tish Kendall, Sue Loman, Jean Miller, Pete

Sommer, Charles Tebbetts, Sonia Wagner, Mel Wert, and Anne Wills

God Bless You!

The Easter event we just celebrated reminds us that Jesus, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, had to face

and endure his own humanity in all its stupidity. Because of that he necessarily had to have had moments of stress,

tension and worry. And yet, he made it clear that knew he did not go the journey alone. God, in all God’s power and

strength and hope, went that whole journey with him. I know from being a pastor for almost 40 years that Ruth’s and

my 60’s, 70’s and 80’s will bring new challenges and surprises yet unbeknownst to us; it’s about being human. But the

post-Resurrection message is that whoever we are, in whatever stage of life we live, and no matter what the challenges

may be: God goes that journey with us even in the midst of what, with tongue in cheek, I refer to as my stupid

humanity. And in that is my Easter hope once again: We never go it alone.

In Christ, Jeff

March 2019 Financial Report

Income for March $66,770

Income Year-to-date $172,220

Expenses for March $54,849

Expenses Year-to-date $158,123

Year-to-date overage $14,097

Principal & Interest Paid in April $4,094

Current Balance on Loan $341,959

A complete finance report is available in the church office.

EXCITING CUBA PARTNERSHIP NEWS! COVENANT IS SENDING A TEAM TO OUR SISTER CHURCH JULY 17-22!

Plans are underway for eleven Covenant members to share in a partnership trip to our sister church, El Fuerte, in the city of Cárdenas in the Matanzas Province of Cuba this summer. They will be flying from Miami direct to Varadero, Cuba and then be transported by the Matanza Presbytery’s bus to the church for a week of partnership experiences with the youth and members of the El Fuerte Presbyterian Church. They will be staying at the church in their dormitory rooms. Those participating in this unique experience include: Eric Nanz, Youth Director Adult Support: Skip Laukemper, Dave Negip and Debbie Evans Youth & Young Adults: Caroline Evans, Libby Jones, Tatiana Maurer, Kori Myers, Maddie Negip, Megan Schorle, and Lydia Willock. Additional information about their planned activities will be shared in the next Clarion. In the meantime, please keep these individuals and the El Fuerte church in your prayers! Covenant established a sister-to-sister church partnership in November of 2018 through the existing partnership between Peace River Presbytery and Matanzas Presbytery in Cuba. For those wondering if there are future partnership trips being considered, the answer is YES: the two presbyteries are in the early stages of planning another trip to Matanzas, Cuba in February 2020! Additional information will be shared this summer by Covenant’s mission committee.

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Well done and BRAVO Covenant! On Sunday, April 7th, the

generous Covenant congregation collected and filled two

SUVs for our Food for Families Drive. The donations were

delivered to COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE the following

day. We collected over a half ton of food

and toiletries, sixty seven can openers

and boxes of plastic recycled bags PLUS

over five hundred dollars in cash.

THANK YOU,THANK YOU!!

The Mission Committee

IT WAS HUGE‼

Palestine Olive Oil Sales Thank You

Thank you Covenant members and friends for

continued support of Palestine olive oil sales at the

special sales event on Palm Sunday. It was another

“sell-out”. We sold 26 bottles of oil and eight packets

of Thyme spice mix. Proceeds from these sales

support planting of olive trees; production, bottling

and packaging of olive oil; art based emotional

therapy for Palestinian children traumatized by war

and occupation and start-up of new businesses in

Palestine. Our next olive oil special sales event will

be on World Communion Sunday, October 6.

Covenant's Book Club... Brown Bag 'n' Books meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in F205. Bring your lunch or cup of tea and join us!

Here are the upcoming selections: May 16, 2019 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens June 21, 2018 Silent Spring by Rachel Carson July 18, 2019 Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline August 15, 2019 A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner Book selections are available for lending in the CPC Library. For more information, stop by the library or email Beverly Campbell at campbell.beverly@gmail.com

STEPHEN MINISTRY

My friend and I thoroughly enjoy cooking and enjoy tasting each other's culinary treats trying to identify the different

ingredients or spices used to produce a particular flavor to the recipe. It's a delightful mental and sensory game, if not

altogether calorie-less pursuit, with delicious results. Yet some recipes fall flat or don't turn out as we envisioned. We are

missing an important ingredient. In cooking it might be a spice, an incorrect amount of an ingredient but whatever the

reason it leaves us less than pleased with the results.

Daily prayer is quite similar. To draw a parallel, God is the friend; prayer is the spice and ingredients. With our friend we

taste, enjoy, enrich our lives with a deeper repertoire of flavors, share time together and there is an added bonus:

although rich, it is calorie free.

If you would like to share your love of prayer, or would like someone to help you discover how God's ingredients in your

recipe for life might enrich your life, please, ask for a Stephen Minister.

Pat Arner: 997-9108 Barb Sheets: 995-8881 Sarah Jane Essebaggers 616-502-7086

Lyn Sisti-Sommer: 656-1595 Rev. Dr. Jeff DeYoe: 334-8937

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER?

Summer is rapidly approaching and camp is just around

the corner! Another exciting summer of ministry is about

to begin and we want you to be part of the fun! Camp

programs offer a variety of activities and adventures:

swimming, archery, canoeing, games, high ropes, climbing

the rock wall, and forging new friendships. All of that,

combined with energetic worship and engaging Bible

studies make for an incredible and life-changing week.

There is still time to register for a summer you’ll always

remember. Pick up a camp brochure in the church office or

visit Cedarkirk online at www.cedarkirk.org. Online

registration is fast and easy. We look forward to seeing

you at camp this summer!

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SESSION HIGHLIGHTS FOR APRIL The Session met on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 with Rev. Jeff DeYoe moderating the meeting and eleven elders in attendance. Others present: Gary Brothers, Facilities Manager, Barbara Heflin, Clerk of Session and John Anderson, Deacon.

Approved the Sacrament of Baptism for Everly Rose Jesswein, daughter of Emily Coyne and Zachary Jesswein, on Easter Sunday, April 21st.

Approved the PCUSA Director of Christian Education Ministry Form to be submitted to General Assembly as an avenue in seeking a Director of Christian Education.

Approved a Capital Funding Investment Policy for the purpose to provide funds for small to medium sized capital projects that are necessary to maintain CPC’s physical plant and/or to greatly enhance CPC programming.

Approved the Wednesday Morning Live Committee’s inclusion of Rev. Dr. Carolyn B. Helsel as a WML speaker the weekend of January 18 - 19, 2020. Dr. Helsel is a PCUSA minister and a professor at Austin Theological Seminary in Austin, TX. She is the author of a book titled “Anxious to Talk About it, Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully About Racism”.

The Presbyterian Women’s Gathering on May 5, 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, will feature Lubna Alum, a neighbor and friend of Covenant, who will be sharing the role of women in Islam. Lunch will be provided by Sue Coffman and luncheon tickets may be purchased for $10 in the courtyard on Sunday morning.

The Fish Banks for One Great Hour of Sharing totaled $515.

A big thank you to everyone who provided Easter baskets for Eggstravaganza. A total of 265 Easter baskets were distributed to foster children in the area.

Join us for May’s Sunday Morning Adult Classes! Covenant offers two choices every Sunday morning from 9 to 9:45 am, upstairs (via the elevator or stairs). You are invited to come and see/come and share in what God is doing through those who gather for enrichment on Sunday mornings: Faith Connections” meets in room F207 A new focus begins May 5th Exploring Matthew 25 “The PC(USA) has extended an invitation for congregations across the country to look into what it means to be a “Matthew 25 Church” in 2019 and beyond.

Throughout May, we will take an in depth look at the text and what it means to live into its call today. With resources provided by the PC(USA) we will : 1. Study the scripture— its relevance then and now; 2. Identify how and where we are presently engaged in Christ’s call; 3. Explore the opportunities we have to continue growing into Christ’s vision and call for serving one another in our lives of faith personally and in community.

Please join us for one or more Sundays and invite the person sitting next to you in the pew or in the courtyard on Sunday mornings! Adult Bible Fellowship meets in room F201 The Book of James continues to be the topic of discussion for May. Various Covenant members lead the discussion.

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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

SPRING GATHERING

The annual meeting of Presbyterian Women will be held on Sunday, May 5 in the Fellowship Hall following the worship service. The program will be presented by Lubna Alum.

Luncheon will be catered by Susan Coffman.

$10 per person Everyone is welcome, regardless of gender.

Peacemaking Commitment

LIFE Welcoming Statement (recited at every LIFE event). “We come from many places, many beliefs and

many experiences. All are welcome at the justice table. What we have in common is bigger than what could

divide us. We celebrate today and every day our differences. We speak, pray and think differently, and we welcome each

other’s authentic expressions of faith. We do this because we know that bringing diverse congregations together allows

us to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face our community. LIFE for justice, justice for LIFE.”

Covenant Presbyterian Church hosts a full calendar of events for all youth in 6th through 12th grade! Youth Bible Study is held every Sunday morning at 9:00 am before worship. Youth fellowships take place every month and include meals, games, activities, music and discussions. A variety of trips, retreats, mission and outreach opportunities are available as well. Youth do not need to be members of Covenant to participate and are always welcome to invite friends! For specific information regarding dates and times of youth activities please contact Eric Nanz at nanzet@gmail.com.

May Youth Activities 5/5 Sunday School, Afternoon Youth Group (11:30am—1:15pm) 5/12 Sunday School and Confirmation Celebration (9:00—11:45am) 5/14 Tuesday Night DQ Fundraiser (5:00—8:00pm) 5/15 Wednesday Youth Band Rehearsal (7:00—8:00pm) 5/19 Graduation Sunday, Youth band plays & All Church Luncheon in FH (9:00am—12:30pm)

L E A S U R E M E M O R I A L F U N D

The Presbyterian Women of Covenant Presbyterian

Church have started a Memorial Fund for youth mission

trips, camps and conferences in honor of JoAnn Leasure.

JoAnn was a dedicated member of the Presbyterian

Women and gave abounding love and encouragement to

all of Covenant’s youth.

The Presbyterian Women have requested that monies

already given in JoAnn’s memory be the start of the new

fund. Administration of the fund will be directed by Eric

Nanz (or current youth director) and the Rev. Jeff DeYoe

(or current Senior Pastor).

Please consider honoring JoAnn’s memory and

supporting Covenant’s youth by contributing to this new

Memorial Fund.

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Covenant Returns to Misión Peniel on May 24th! Once again, Covenant is building a team of at least, but not limited to 14

people of any age to serve the farm worker community in Immokalee on

Friday, May 24th. Covenant sends a team of volunteers about every six weeks

to help with the mission. This month, volunteers will help organize and

distribute non perishable food items, a carry out meal and clothing to the

farmworker community in Immokalee. Volunteers who sign up at the Connection Station board in the

courtyard (or by calling the office) are asked to clarify whether they will drive themselves or join a

carpool. Volunteers are asked to arrive at the mission, located at 208 Boston Avenue, at 2 p.m. and

plan to stay until 6:30 pm. Please bring your own water bottle (water cooler refills available) and a

hearty snack to eat; and be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Those wishing to carpool from the church

will depart from Covenant at 1 p.m. and return by around 7:15 p.m. Please visit the mission's website

and if on Facebook, check it out for the latest photos of service

teams! website: www.misionpeniel.com and Facebook page: "Mision Peniel". Additional information

about donations and serving guidelines are on the website under “Current News”. Questions? Contact

Ruth DeYoe at: ruthdeyoe@gmail.com

L.I.F.E. Nehemiah Action Outcome April 9

L.I.F.E. did justice at their annual Nehemiah Action gathering last month. Covenant is part of a coalition of 12 congregations in Lee County called LIFE (Lee Interfaith for Empowerment) that works on local social justice issues. The 2019 Nehemiah Action “Ask” (request) was Affordable Housing, a critical issue with widespread community support. At the Nehemiah Action, almost 1,000 citizens met with Mayor Henderson of Fort Myers and representatives from the Lee County Department of Children and Families, the Lee County School District and the Lee County Board of Commissioners. These groups agreed to work with LIFE on building affordable housing in Fort Myers and Lee County. The also agreed on LIFE’s 2018 “Ask” - the need for coordination and availability of health, safety and early education services for children and families. This Nehemiah Action was a great example of ‘People Power” . Thank you for your support of LIFE.

May 4 at 9 am

Oasis Restaurant

We just wanted to say THANK YOU for the Easter baskets! They were fun and festive! And honestly, with all the running around we already do for all these kids, it was so nice to have one element simple & ready to go for us! We appreciate you all! Warm regards, Kalon & Jesus Foster Parents

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ROAR ! L i f e i s W i ld ! God i s Good !

July 29—August 2, 2019 * 9 a.m. to 12 noon

At Roar VBS, kids discover that even though life gets wild, God is good.

Roar is filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear,

touch and even taste! Sciency-Fun Gizmos, team-building games, cool

Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the standout activities

that help faith flow into real life. Plus, we’ll help kids discover how to

see evidence of God in everyday life—something we call God Sightings.

Registration forms are in the front office or you can register online at

www.covpcfm.com/covenant/vbs. VBS is for kids entering Kindergarten (must be 5 by August 31,

2019) through completed 5th grade.

Leaders: Here is the opportunity you have been waiting for...we need you to

minister to children in our community and in our church. See Dawn Castner

to determine where your talents can be put to use! We are looking for Center

leaders and assistants, crew guides, decorating crew, and kitchen assistants.

Dates to Remember:

VBS Promo Day on June 16th

VBS Leaders Lunch—July 14th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

VBS Decorating Days:

July 24-26 from 9 am to 1 pm

July 27 from 10 am to 3 pm

Dinner and Ice Cream Social—July 31st at 6:30 pm (All are welcome!)

Clean-up Crew on August 2nd from 12:30 to 2 pm

(We need extra volunteers that will NOT be involved with VBS to help us out!)

Items we need:

Look out for items you can lend us for our safari themed VBS. Think: African animals,

fabric prints, baskets, huts, binoculars, African printed rugs, etc. On Sunday, June 16th,

in the courtyard, you can volunteer to purchase or donate items to help make VBS

another successful program at Covenant. We appreciate all of your support for this

wonderful summer event!