Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!

During General Assembly in late June, I took part in one of the Bible studies which covered Lamentations 5:20-21, the last few verses of this book that make so much sense this year in the midst of all of our challenges. The teachers of the study, James and Mary Florence Taneti, told participants that in the scriptures hope is often tinged with lament, and lament is regularly surrounded by hope. Whether you find yourself in the midst of lament or of hope right now, I pray you’ll feel Christ’s presence and follow him out into the world as we move into the last half of 2020.

I have heard from many of you that you found the Sunday Service from the Synod a great way for your preachers, worship leaders, musicians, and tech gurus to have a Sabbath after working so very hard in the days since the pandemic began. I’m very grateful to the nearly thirty people who participated, and also to Matt Skolnik, General Presbyter of Muskingum Valley Presbytery, for harnessing the tech. It’s available for you and your churches to use any Sunday you would like; you can download it or watch it here.

The Synod’s efforts to re-establish communications with you are starting to take shape. Beyond this newsletter, you can find and like us on Facebook @synodofthecovenant, and subscribe to our YouTube channel – here! In the near future the website will be updated and other social media efforts will begin.

Thanks for looking through this newsletter for information about the Woman of Faith Award received by Synod leader Ruth Azar at the past General Assembly the re-establishment of the Grants and Scholarship program, and the search for a Stated Clerk for the Synod.

Your partner in ministry,