Malcolm Gladwell, the author of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers is

always an interesting read because of his approach: he mines the dry, dif-

ficult-to-read journal findings in the fields of sociology and psychology and

makes interesting conclusions in everyday life. His strength is in telling

people’s story to back his conclusions.

His latest book is David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants — the struggle of underdogs versus favorites. He set about

writing the book to examine how our perception of advantages and disad-

vantages in some cases turn out to be flipped upside down. He titled the

book David and Goliath because in that story we learn that our

“preconceptions about where power and strength reside are false”.

Ultimately Gladwell’s research led him to Le Chambon, France. Le Cham-

bon is a remote community of Huguenots (French Protestants), who have

had their share of persecution over the centuries. There is a not famous

enough WWII story of the courage and conviction of this community.

The Huguenots of Le Chambon took in Jews in open resistance to their

Nazi occupiers. “The responsibility of Christians,” their pastor, André

Trocmé, had reminded them the day after France surrendered to Nazi Ger-

many, “is to resist the violence that will be brought to bear on their con-

sciences through the weapons of the spirit.” Huguenots sheltered, forged

documents and helped Jews cross the border to Switzerland. It’s esti-

mated Le Chambon saved 3000-5000 lives, sometimes at the cost of their

own. They “could do nothing contrary to the Gospel,” as turning Jews over

would have been.

Of this, Gladwell writes: “What I understand now is that I was one of those people who did

not appreciate the weapons of the spirit. I have always been some-

one attracted to the quantifiable and the physical. I hate to admit

it. But I don’t think I would have been able to do what the Hugue-

nots did in Le Chambon. I would have counted up the number of sol-

diers and guns on each side and concluded it was too dangerous. I

have always believed in God. I have grasped the logic of Christian

faith. What I have had a hard time seeing is God’s power.”

We believe in what we can do under our own strength and resources as

Christians. Because God has made my heart tender, I can love others. But

can we love that bitter neighbor of ours enough to share our faith? Can

you have a long-overdue conversation with that family member, trusting

God for the timing, the words to say, and the response? Can you give, at a

cost to yourself, in which you have to trust in God’s provision? Can you for-

(Continued on page 2)

Seeing God’s Power

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Volume 2014, Issue 6

June 2014

KYLIE FORSTROM Kylie Forstrom is 12 years old, and goes to Madison Middle School in Trum-

bull. She is the daughter of Crista and Chuck Forstrom. She is the oldest in

the family, her younger brother being Tyler Forstrom. In her spare time,

Kylie enjoys drawing, singing, and Rainbow Loom. She is in her school chorus

and was in the school production and even had a solo! After school, Kylie en-

joys Karate and piano. She is currently a Junior Black Belt in Kempo Karate,

and will be performing her 3rd piano recital today. She has had a wonderful

time in her Foundations class this year, and would like to thank her teachers and parents for helping

her achieve her goals.

NOAH SLATER

Noah is a 7th grader at Shelton Intermediate School where he likes English

and History. He is a blue belt in Karate class and a tenderfoot in Boy

Scouts. Noah also likes to write fantasy novels, train his dog, Trigg, and

wants to learn German. He wants to be a writer and/or a lawyer.

A BIG THANK YOU to this year’s Foundations teachers — Bill Austin,

John Drummond and Kyle Lent.

give the unforgiveable?

When we chose and act according to our own finite resources, we are missing out on bringing

Christ to others in a way that only He can do, to His own praise and glory. Do we follow the same

God that took down Goliath through a yielded shepherd boy? Then let us live like it. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and author-ity, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked.” Ephesians 1:18-21

Pastor Cary

(Continued from page 1)

Page 2

2014 Foundations Graduates

Seeing God’s Power

The Sa lt Shaker

Volume 2014, Issue 6 Page 3

The Evangelical Covenant Church national annual meeting is June 26-28. The Gathering is a mix

of worship, celebration of ministry, welcoming new churches, ordaining and commissioning ministers

and missionaries, and together making decisions about our mission and ministry.

This year the Commission on Christian Action is bringing forward a resolution on immigration.

The role of the Commission is to write resolutions on public issues that challenge the church to

think, dialogue and respond biblically to societal issues.

Here is the introduction to their resolution on immigration:

In remembrance of our denomination’s history, at the 125th anniversary celebration of the Evan-

gelical Covenant Church in 2010 we affirmed that we began as an immigrant church and cele-

brated that today we continue to be an immigrant church. The early immigrants of the Covenant

Church faced profound challenges as they entered a new nation. These Covenant ancestors were

strengthened in their journey through faith in Jesus Christ, who

was no stranger to the experiences of immigrants.

We want to consider how both our history as an immigrant

church in an immigrant nation and our biblically rooted faith in

Jesus Christ may speak prophetically to our present context.

How does our history and common faith inform how we under-

stand the difficult and complex issues surrounding immigration?

How do we in the church engage the immigration conversation

distinctly as Christians? How do we resist the political ideolo-

gies, fear, and stereotypes that keep us from engaging in

thoughtful, informed dialogue?

This resolution is about reframing the conversation about immi-

gration, both within our churches and in our communities. It is

about helping us address issues of immigration from a Christian perspective as biblically in-

formed people. As the Covenant Resource Paper on Compassion, Mercy, and Justice reminds us,

the church must pursue God’s justice by asking, “How do we join God in making things right in our

broken world?”

After laying out the Biblical Foundation and the Immigration Reality, the document begins the call to respond thus:

As Christians we are called to be salt and light in the national discourse by imitating Christ’s

spirit of compassion and hospitality alongside an appropriate respect for the law. Our dialogue

on immigration should reflect that we are talking about human beings and families loved by God

and for whom Christ died. At its core, the immigration debate is about real people, many of

whom are members of our Covenant family—mothers, fathers, children, grandmothers, and

grandfathers, each with their own walk of faith and story to share.

The full resolution can be read here:

http://coveaston.org/#/about-us/evangelical-covenant

May we be salt and light together.

Resolution on Immigration

Page 4 The Sa lt Shaker

Treasurer’s Report

The financial results of the Unified Operating Fund for

the three months ended April 30, 2014 were as follows:

INCOME

Unified Receipts $162,872

Investment & Other Income 826

Total Income $163,698

EXPENSES $157,931

Excess of Income over Expenses $5,767

The four-months surplus is practically the same as the

three-months surplus reported last month; moreover, the

change was positive by $173. So far this year, Unified

Receipts have been running behind last year. But the gap

was narrowed by about $2,000 in April, to the point

where it is now only about $500. More importantly, the

weekly average Unified Receipts are behind the amount

required to fund the congregation-approved Financial

Plan by $6,137 at the end of April. At this stage of the

year, this is not a startling deficit; but as you all know

from managing your own personal finances, it is better to

keep up than fall behind. And particularly, it is impor-

tant to avoid falling too far behind. The Church needs

the support of everyone who benefits from its ministries

because it is the Unified Receipts that aid those minis-

tries to serve the congregation. So, please make sure

you are contributing regularly and substantially to keep

those ministries vital and prospering.

Finally, a word about expenses. The Financial Plan was

based on the assumption that we would have an Associate

Pastor on board for the entire year, which of course will

not be the case. Therein lies the major reason we are

showing a surplus. We will at some point engage an Asso-

ciate Pastor. This will in all probability require funding

equal to or greater than that called for in this year's Fi-

nancial Plan. Meeting this year's Plan will not only pre-

pare all of us for the future, but will also allow further

debt reduction if there is a surplus this year.

Bob Fiscus, Treasurer

Birthdays & Anniversaries

6/1 Judy Goyette

6/2 Christopher Sheridan

Trish & Jim Meyers

6/3 Phuong Heitz

6/5 Margo Cobaugh

6/6 Arne Gustavson

Dylan Meyer

6/7 Bill Croasmun

6/8 JoAnn & Dave Gibbs

6/10 Craig Carlson

John Drummond

Barbara Drummond

6/11 Joy & John Mulhall

6/12 Doug Pittera

Anthony Delfino

6/14 Jennifer Anderson

Gregory Fiscus

Lucas Delfino

6/15 Jesse Sharp

6/17 Dan Kellerman

Joe Sharp

Joseph Valente

6/19 Tim Herrmann

6/22 Madison Roman

Carolyn & Craig Carlson

6/23 Tom Wilber

Peter McDonald

Sharon Testa

6/24 Karen Rosa

Kelsey Otten

Ryan Mulhall

Antoinette & Frank DaCruz

6/26 Nancy & Steve Domyan

6/29 Bob Fiscus

Gail Lent

Elise Domyan

6/30 Robert Lingl

Ethan Lingl

Volume 2014, Issue 6

Be a part of the best week of

summer!

July 28 — August 1st!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Join us in bringing the Gospel to the

community children & their fami-

lies. VBS has a place for teachers,

helpers, snack prep, games, crafts,

actors, set design/painting, deco-

rating, and registration.

If you and/or your children are in-

terested in more information or in

helping this year, please contact Ro-

seann Slater; especially Junior

Helpers (entering 7th grade & up).

We do have a limit to how many we

can take, and there will be a brief

“Junior Helper” training.

There will be a field trip to the Egyptian wing

of the Brooklyn Museum on Sunday, June 8th at

3 pm. Dr. Ron Choong will be our guide as we

explore our deep connections between ancient

Egypt and the Old Testament. There is limited

space, so sign up ASAP.

To register for the event, follow this

link: http://events.constantcontact.com/

r e g i s t e r / e v e n t ?

llr=8k8olmcab&oeidk=a07e9bf75tsb2356791

General admission into the museum is $12 for

adults and $8 for seniors and students. Dr.

Choong’s guided tour is free.

Page 5

Children’s Ministry

Discipleship Enrichment Opportunities

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2014 July 28—August 4 9 am to 12:15 pm Ages 4 thru entering 6th grade

We’re having our

Vacation Bible School

Staff Luncheon after

worship on Sunday,

June 22nd, 12:00 pm.

You’ll get a great lunch,

meet other volunteers, pick

up materials, and review epi-pen training. We’ll also go over

helpful information and tips for kids with special needs (such

as ADHD) to make VBS a more meaningful and positive ex-

perience for everyone. And there will be a craft project!

For more information contact Roseann Slater.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar with The

Global Leadership Summit which is Thursday

and Friday, August 14-15 at the new Black Rock

Congregational Church (3685 Black Rock Turn-

pike in Fairfield). Please contact Paul Veerman,

if you are interested. Here is a link to the

Global Leadership Summit website: https://

www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/

This is one of the most outstanding confer-

ences for laymen and clergy in church leader-

ship in the country. It is so close to us; don’t

miss out on this special opportunity.

to have met so many wonderful people like the members of this church in the process of coordinating this program statewide. I could not have kept going for so many years without these incredible con-nections with you and others like you who care about the chil-dren as much as I do. I always re-ferred to you as angels and that is what you are. “We are proud that together we helped families cope with poverty where they felt stuck

in bondage and were living a life of despair, we gave the children hope, and together we were able to send a message to thousands of children that there are people who care about them. You lifted these

chi ldren and families’ hearts and, therefore, you lifted mine too.

“Thank you for your commit-ment to me for all the hours you gave to expand children’s horizons. I appreciate the re-lationship we formed .”

Charlene Skok received a

lovely note from Meral Prewit

who chose to retire from

Covenant To Care for Children

and the Adopt A Social

Worker Program after spend-

ing 20 years developing a suc-

cessful program to help thou-

sands of Connecticut children

increase their self-esteem and

improve their outlook on life.

In her note she said, “I could not have done this without connecting with a kindred spirit like yours who also wants to help children acquire their full potential and accomplish their dreams. I feel blessed

Last month Bob Merritt, our custodian for the past seven years, an-

nounced his retirement. Effective June 28, 2014, the position of

Church Custodian will become available.

If anyone is interested in the staff position of Church Custodian,

p l e as e con ta c t B ob F or s trom v i a h i s ema i l

(bobstrathmoor@gmail.com) or put a written note in his church

mailbox. Qualifications should be included.

Page 6

Covenant To Care for

Church Custodial Position Available

Thank you for your

commitment to me for all

the hours you gave to

expand children’s horizons.

The Sa lt Shaker

FREE Devotional Resources: www.kidsofintegrity.com

Great Activities & Articles from Thriving Family Magazine: www.thrivingfamily.com

Listen to FREE Adventures in Odyssey “Radio Shows”: www.whitsend.com

Parent Resources

Volume 2014, Issue 6 Page 7

High School Graduates

As the school year comes to an end, we spent this

last week at Senior High Youth Group to honor our

11 high school seniors. The soon to be graduates

and our youth volunteers had a celebratory dinner

together followed by a night of youth group where

seniors shared testimonies and words of wisdom to

their younger peers.

Blessings and congratulations to the class of 2014!

Kayla Brito, Cassandra Condon, Brett Gibbs, Jonny Hunter, Thomas Meyers, Nate Nobile, Tina Pane,

Katie Schuessler, Cory Sharp, Alexandra Stewart, Michelle Valente

College Graduates

We also celebrate the hard work and perseverance of our college graduates.

Kelsey Otten Associate Degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Technology from the Univer-

sity of New Hampshire

Erika Michaels Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut University

Erinn Michaels Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut University

Jessica Zager Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical University

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 FOUNDATIONS

SUNDAY

9 am Sunday

School (all ages)

9 & 10:45 am

Worship

2 7:30 pm

Associate Pastor

Search

Committee

7:30 pm AA

3 5:30 pm King’s

Kids

7 pm Prayer

4 9 am 2 Outside

Groups

7 pm OASIS

7 pm Outside

Group

7:30 pm Choir

5 7:30 am Women’s

Life Group

7 pm JHAMS

7 pm Women’s

Life Group

7:30 pm Men’s

Group

6 10 am Joyful

Sisters

7 pm AA

7 6 am Men’s

Prayer

8 am Men’s

Breakfast

8 9 am Sunday

School (all ages)

9 & 10:45 am

Worship

9 7:30 pm

Associate Pastor

Search

Committee

7:30 pm AA

10 10 am CBS

Prayer

7 pm Prayer

11 9 am Outside

Group

7:30 pm Choir

12 7:30 am Women’s

Life Group

13 10 am Joyful

Sisters

7 pm AA

14 6 am Men’s

Prayer

9 & 10:45 am

Worship

12:15 pm

Worship Theatre

Arts

16 7:30 pm

Associate Pastor

Search

Committee

7:30 pm AA

17 SALT SHAKER DEADLINE 7 pm Prayer

18 9 am Outside

Group

3:30 pm Outside

Group

7:30 pm Choir

19 7:30 am Women’s

Life Group

20 10 am Joyful

Sisters

7 pm AA

21 6 am Men’s

Prayer

8:30 am Women’s

Breakfast

22 9 & 10:45 am

Worship

12:15 pm VBS

Staff Lunch

23 7:30 pm

Associate Pastor

Search

Committee

7:30 pm AA

24 10 am CBS

Prayer

7 pm Prayer

25 9 am Outside

Group

7:30 pm Choir

26 7:30 am Women’s

Life Group

27 10 am Joyful

Sisters

7 pm AA

28 6 am Men’s

Prayer

29 9 & 10:45 am

Worship

30 7:30 pm

Associate Pastor

Search

Committee

7:30 pm AA

Mike & Diana Ambrose, Bob Lindquist, Wiley Mullins at Covenant Annual Meeting

www.coveaston.org

Phone: 203.371.8335

Fax: 203.373.9025

Covenant Church of Easton

Rooted in Christ — Reaching Out to the World

1 Sport Hill Road

Easton, CT 06612

JUNE

June Worship TWO SERVICES EACH SUNDAY – 9:00 am and 10:45 am

June 4 FOUNDATIONS GRADUATION

Wisdom’s Dinner Invitation Pastor Cary

Proverbs 9 Holy Communion

June 8 HIDDEN IN THE PEWS — Hiding in Cash Pastor Cary

Romans 1:25; Philippians 3:7-8 Infant Baptism

June 15 FATHER’S DAY

HIDDEN IN THE PEWS — Hiding Our Hurts Pastor Cary

2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 53:5

Infant Baptism King’s Kids

June 22 MISSION SUNDAY

June 29 FINGERPRINTS OF GOD: Mystery Pastor Cary

1 Corinthians 2:1-10