Faith in Action
Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. James 2:18b

2011 Vision
During the last year many members of our congregation came together to brainstorm new ways to do God's work in our Congregation, Community and the World. After much discernment and discussion about these ideas, several goals have been identified for the coming year. These goals are exciting possibilities that form our program called, Faith in Action.

This special annual program is designed to focus everyone in the Covenant Lutheran family to be purposeful and motivated in our ministries. To accomplish any one of the program goals requires our commitment of our financial support and time. Even more importantly, this program is about all of us putting our Faith in Action!

Why this Special Program?
The following goals for our Congregation, the Community and the World are steps to further our ministry to which we feel God is calling us. The Leaders of the Program, Pastors and Church staff all invite you to join together and give your time, talents and finances to reach out to others and proclaim the grace of God for all people.

Three things must happen before we can expand current programs or add programs:
1. Our church expenses are met.
2. Volunteers have stepped forward.
3. Funds or pledges are in hand.

Ultimately, our church council will determine where funds are spent. You'll see monthly progress reports and a review of our goals all along the way.

Goals
Congregation
Begin a Parish Nurse Program
$850/month
Fund a paid part-time nursing program to minister to the health needs of our congregation.

Projection Ministry Worship
$700/month
Purchase and install projection equipment in our sanctuary enhance worship.

Accelerate Debt Payment
$1,000/month
Pay down Covenant’s mortgage so that we can devote those resources to other program needs.

Community
Transportation Assistance
$250/month
Provide transportation for those under 55 and coordinate transportation for those over 55 with existing services for appointments and shopping needs.

Youth Center Partnership
$l00/month
Provide people and money resources to enhance Youth Center programming.

Family Mentoring & Parenting Class/Counseling
$100/month
Provide and coordinate resources for families who need help coping with the challenges of parenting.

World
Expanded Mission Trip Experiences
$500/month
One international mission trip every three years and at least one domestic mission trip every year.

Resettle one Refugee Family each Year
$100/month
Help a family make a new home in Dane County.

Mid-Wife/Hospice/Education Kits
$200/month
Send 500 kits to ELCA per year.

 God's work. Our hands.

Faith in Action Newsletter
Click the date to download a Faith in Action newsletter.
September, 2011
August, 2011
July, 2011
March, 2011

Lenten Faith in Action: Offering Food to the Hungry
“…if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10. Not only do we help meet the needs of others but our own spirits soar as we care for others as God cares for us! During Lent 2012, Covenant encourages all to offer food to the hungry. This FAITH IN ACTION emphasis gives us opportunities to express our trust in the God who meets our needs. You are invited offer food to the hungry in one or more ways. Click here for details.

February 2012 Faith in Action Highlights
At this time of year we are reviewing, celebrating and thanking God for the past year and looking forward to a new year together. We wish to thank you for your contributions to Covenant Lutheran Church during 2011. On account of your generosity and gifts, it was an exceptional year of Faith in Action: We have added a new Parish Nurse, Sue Richards, to our staff. We have contributed over 9% of our gifts beyond our walls to the local and global communities. We have assisted families in Stoughton through START as well as refugee families settling in Dane County. We have provided Health and Midwife Kits for people around the world. People from our congregation have traveled on mission trips to bring God’s love to others. We will add new technology with a projection ministry to enhance our worship.

These are wonderful indicators of financial health at Covenant. Frederick Buechner once said, "Your call to ministry is where your deepest gladness meets the world‘s greatest needs." Covenant is meeting those needs because of your faithful response to Christ‘s invitation and the result is joy! Each of you are a treasure to our church and appreciated for your regular attendance at worship, your financial contributions, and service.
God‘s blessings,  Faith in Action/Stewardship Teams

Newborn Health Kits
Advent Gifts
The birth of a baby should be a happy experience. In some countries, however, it brings new worries and problems. What if the baby is ill? How do we keep the baby warm? How do we feed another mouth? When the newborn arrives it may be with the assistance of the local midwife - if there is one in the area, and if the family will accept her assistance. We at Covenant have the opportunity to provide "Newborn Kits" to areas in the world where they are needed so that the midwives and the new mothers may feel that they are not alone, that someone cares, and that they can welcome the babies into a safer world.

Covenant has given many Newborn and Health Kits as partners with the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin to support Global Health Ministries. Our Faith-In-Action emphasis seeks to double what we’ve done in the past. Our generous gifts during Advent to this special Faith-In-Action goal will enable our Social Justice Ministry Team to purchase needed items and assemble kits to take to Synod Assembly in May. Please help Covenant meet and perhaps even exceed our goal of 500 kits!

Brochures with details of kit contents are available on the table in the narthex. The cost for one Newborn Kit is $12 and the cost of one Health Kit is $15. These amounts are based on purchasing in “bulk” through cash donations.
For kit instructions, click here.

Lose a Child to Malaria??
Not in MY Household!!
A child dies from malaria every 45 seconds!
That is a startling statistic, but true. To most of us in the United States, mosquitoes are usually no more than a nuisance. And for us the mosquito “season” is nearly over. But in many parts of Asia or Africa, the season is year-round where a bite from an infected mosquito could transmit malaria and lead to death.

We are in a special moment where we could turn this around. The ELCA has “declared war” on the mosquito, hoping to end its livelihood. Working through Lutheran churches in Africa, the ELCA Malaria Campaign is uniquely positioned to provide mosquito nets, insecticides, medication, health care, education and more to eliminate death from this disease by 2015….for good! Mosquito nets have proven to be very effective in saving lives of children, pregnant women and whole families, but most persons being attacked cannot afford to purchase a net.

Covenant through its Faith in Action goal-setting is committed to being a part of this life-saving campaign.

The Sunday school has already launched its campaign to help other children around the world! Just $10 will provide a “tent of safety and protection” for several family members!

JOIN US in this venture to put FAITH in ACTION, for the care and well-being of our brothers and sisters. Mark donations for MOSQUITO NETS.