To paraphrase the old song, "the times they keep a-changin," and they do. On June 25 we will say goodbye to Donna Starkey who is retiring after fifteen years of service. Thank you Donna for your faithful commitment, sometimes in difficult situations but always with a willingness to do your best for a place that you love.  
  
We are creating a new position that has some of Donna’s responsibilities. Willie Howard will also take on some of her duties. This new position, Resource Development, will focus first on the internal work of reconfiguring all of our office job descriptions, coordinating our external and internal communications, and helping us meet our deadlines. In addition the resource person will focus on developing our new 501-C3 non profit corporation "Covenant University and Community Ministries." Its establishment will enable us to secure outside support for our Ministry to Students and Community, Tutoring Program and perhaps other new and exciting ministries. It will also give Eileen a place to officially "hang her hat" after ordination without being directly locked into our staff. She will be like a "free agent." Jonathan will oversee the bulletin production excluding the announcements.  

 
Our resource person will work closely with membership as we move to market Covenant. (I know that word irritates some, but if we want to be vital for the next hundred years people need to know that we are here and what we have to offer.) In addition, this person will work with Mildred on member volunteer opportunities. That’s the beginning and we will see where it leads. Who is this superman or woman? Lyn Tomaszewski has agreed to come on board as a partner in ministry with a deep love and commitment for Covenant and a shared vision of where we can go for the long term future. 
  
Looking back for just a moment, the youth service was again excellent. Thank you to all who made it happen. Mothers’ Day was fun and there were a lot of comments on the bulletin. Yes, it did really come from the very first Mothers’ Day celebration in Ann Jarvis’ home church in Grafton, West Virginia. When I think about my newlywed grandparents driving 103 miles from Wheeling, WV in 1912 to attend, I am a little ashamed by my hesitation to travel to some events. It was great to see families visiting from the far corners of the country and to meet some of them. 
  
We welcome our new members who have incredibly interesting life stories. Each of you should make an effort to meet them. Finally, a special thank you to Chris Langmack for six years of service as President of the Society and thank you to all the officers, especially those completing their terms. However, remember that in the Presbyterian Church once ordained always ordained. There are no retirement plans!  
  
By the time you get this Pentecost may be over. I can assure you that it will have been great with the Leonard Bernstein Mass, a real favorite of mine. The Organ Committee will have returned from New York City after taking a long hard look at some products and talking with some companies. They will be ready to make their recommendations in the very near future.  
  
Our Columbarium continues to receive support. We recently received a generous gift of ten thousand dollars. We are moving ahead with much needed restoration on our stone work and great doors. If you have been frustrated entering the church because of being unable to use the Tower Doors, the stone work will be completed soon and the tower made secure for the future. Great buildings are wonderful but they are a never-ending maintenance nightmare.  
  
Looking ahead, we will install officers on Memorial Day Sunday because there is no other time available following the session meeting affirming their election. Then we will welcome Donald Sutherland to the organ and a grand concert, enjoy Juneteenth with Joy Bostic as a guest speaker following worship, and finally find some time to rest but also get ready for fall. Staff will actually be planning for Advent and Christmas in two weeks. Yes, time goes that fast! 
  
Here is an important "heads up" for the fall. Be sure to mark your calendars. On August 29, during the church picnic, we will have a moving Carillon in the parking lot. Perhaps it will even attract visitors who find us interesting. On World Wide Communion Sunday we will (hopefully) open the corner stone as part of our Centennial Celebration. So, get ready because Covenant is again on the move. In the mean time, I’ll see you in church. 
  
Love, Peace, and Great Joy. 
bert