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As I write this, I am currently attending The Fellowship Community 2026 National Gathering at Zionsville Presbyterian Church inZionsville, Indiana. The theme invites participants to be “inspired with hope” through worship, encouragement, learning, sharedmeals, and meaningful conversations with ministry colleagues from across the nation.My experience at The Fellowship Community Conference so far has been profoundly inspiring and has reaffirmed my convictionas I preach through Acts at Covenant-First Presbyterian Church. Our church is called not only to cherish the gospel within ourwalls but also to actively carry it outward with clarity, warmth, and urgency. The conference served as a powerful reminder thatfaithful ministry involves more than preserving what we have received; it is about stewarding the grace of Christ to reachneighbors, seekers, skeptics, and strangers whom God is drawing near.The Fellowship Community is a vibrant network of Presbyterian churches and leaders dedicated to proclaiming Jesus Christ’sgospel, encouraging one another in ministry, and strengthening congregations for faithful witness. It describes itself as“relationally connected, missionally motivated, and theologically thoughtful,” providing gatherings, resources, courses, andrelationships that help pastors, elders, and churches stay rooted in Christ and committed to mission. As the conservative wing ofthe Presbyterian Church (USA), it plays a crucial role in shaping faithful participation. The conference unites hundreds of Presbyterians seeking renewal and connection. Notable speakers—including Scott Sunquist,Kara Powell, Mark Labberton, and Drew Hyun—shared wisdom on discipleship, leadership, and ministry in today’s churchlandscape. For congregations like ours, this gathering offers a vital reminder that we are not alone. God continues to call, equip,and encourage his church toward vibrant, faithful ministry. My former professor of Mission, Dr. Scott Sunquist, challenged the church, saying that if the “institution” does not support the“function” of the church, it may be hurting the church. Following Christ means being crucified with him (Galatians 2:20), whichinvolves seeking out and serving the stranger, even at personal cost. This experience encouraged me to think more intentionally about outreach and evangelism—not as isolated programs but as aposture integrated into worship, hospitality, discipleship, and our daily life together. We should consider how visitors experienceour community. Are they welcomed, noticed, guided, and loved? Do they meet people eager to make space, explain what mayfeel unfamiliar, and embody the gracious invitation of the gospel? Prioritizing visitors does not weaken our convictions; itdeepens them. Remember, we were once outsiders brought near by Christ, and now we’re called to extend that same warmwelcome. Finally, I urge you to embrace discomfort as part of our growth process. Engaging with Christ often transforms us, much likemetal being shaped by a hammer. We are never the same when Jesus encounters us. Let the changes he brings turn anydiscomfort into a powerful testimony and praise to Jesus.Rev. Dr. Dan TurisThe Covenant CourierCovenant-First Presbyterian Church May 2026 Vol. 31, Issue 4From our pastor – Rev. Dr. Dan TurisWest End Ministries Summer Program June 1 - July 31Our 58th youth summer program for childrengrades 1 - 6 will be held at Covenant-First, weare very excited! In the past this program wasa ministry of West Cincinnati PresbyterianChurch, and now a ministry of our mergedcongregations. The purpose of our SummerProgram is to expose the urban youth of ourcommunity to the tremendous possibilitiesand activities related to a betterunderstanding of their history of church, thecommunity in which they live and of self. We will provide new learning experiencesthrough speakers, field trips, educationalstudy, Bible study and much more. Look forfuture announcements on how you cancontribute in helping to make this a fantasticSummer Program this year.Questions? See Darlene Nored, Nina Jacksonor Rev. Dr. Turis. Red’s Outing, June 13 at 4:10 PMJoin us as we cheer on the home team!Our annual Reds Outing is set forSaturday, June 13 for a 4:10 PM gameagainst the Arizona Diamondbacks. We have a block of tickets reserved (in a similar locationas last year) and tickets are just $28 each. We do need toconfirm our final count with the Reds by May 17. Toreserve your ticket(s) and sign-up, see Rob Heidenreich.Payment is due in advance. You may pay with cash or bycheck payable to Covenant-First; just place your checkor cash in a pew envelope marked “Reds”. Go Reds!Thank You to Our VolunteersThank you to all who helped with thePresbytery Gathering held at Covenant-First on Saturday, April 18. The meeting,which included box lunches, went verysmoothly thanks to all who helped:Darlene Nored, Karen Stine, GenitaHeidenreich, Barbara Lambing, NancySmith, Cindy Standen, Rob Heidenreich,and Randy Page. (And, Jake Taylor, notpictured.) A big thank you also to thosewho baked cookies for both the ShaneWood Seminar and Presbytery Meeting.

Session NotesYour Session met for its regular monthly meeting on April 13.The business meeting included approval of a faith statementthat will be posted on the church’s website, in response tonumerous inquiries from visitors and others asking about thechurch’s stance on various issues. The elders also provideddelegated authority for approval of the West End MinistriesSummer Program budget. The program will be held in thechurch building this summer. The group also receivedupdates on the planned campus ministry, and the thenupcoming seminar with Dr. Shane Wood and the AprilPresbytery meeting. Rev. Dr. Turis began the meeting with adevotional focused on Colossians 1:28-29, noting that theelders, like Paul, should focus on a spiritual ministry ofhelping believers grow as disciples of Christ. The elders will next meet on May 11. The agenda includes areview of year-to-date financial reports. The Sessionpreviously committed to a mid-year review of the budgetwhich projected a large deficit when adopted in February; ifthe budget trends still project a financial shortfall, theSession will consider potential adjustments to current yearand 2027 spending. Please see me, Rev. Dr. Turis, or any elder with questions orconcerns. Rob HeidenreichClerk of SessionUpcoming EventsMay 10 – Mother’s Day Brunch during Fellowship TimeMay 11, 6:30 PM – Session MeetingMay 24 – Courtyard Cafe with grilled hot dogsMay 28, 5:30 PM – Senior Singles OutingJune 1 – West End Ministries Summer Program beginsJune 13, 4:10 PM – Red’s OutingJune 21 – Brady Block Party at Ezzard Charles ParkYour May Bible Reading and Resolution ReminderRead and Practice, was point number five from my December sermon.I am a Hoosier by birth and grew up about a mile from the fourth turnat the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The month of May alwaysreminds me of the practice, qualifications and the 500-mile race onMemorial Day weekend. Four hundred thousand race fans will gatherto watch 33 of the fastest, most aerodynamic race cars on the planet!Countless hours of dedication, preparation and practice go into threehours of racing.Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to “run with perseverance the race markedout for us". As Christians, we should have more dedication and drivethan those race teams as we run our race! During our daily Biblereading we are gathering information and allowing the Holy Spirit towork in us. Our goals are: 1) to align with God’s will, 2) to live it outdaily through our actions and in the community, 3) to transform ourlives in order to impact others. Charles Spurgeon said … “The ‘worldling’s’ Bible is the Christian. Henever reads the book, but he reads the disciples of Christ and hejudges the Christian religion by the lives of its professors! The worldwill learn better and will more likely be brought to know Christ whenthe lives of Christians are better, and more in accordance with theChristian doctrine of the Bible!”Elder Randy PageWeekly ActivitiesSundays – 10:30 AM WorshipWednesdays – 12 noon Brown Bag Bible StudyWednesdays – 8 PM Evening Bible Study Saturdays – 7:30 AM Men’s Bible Study 5/9 Evie Crousey5/10 Susan Cameron5/10 Angel Hackett5/10 Marilyn Hyde5/11 Genita Heidenreich5/14 Don Ross5/17 Bill Forsstrom5/23 Krissy Bradley5/25 Kelly Millhaem5/28 Addie Landis5/29 Karen Stine5/30 Charlie Millhaem5/31 Jamie Jewell6/1 June Holley6/4 Rod Ford6/6 Hugh Ralston6/11 Cindy Standen6/15 Tom Carhartt6/17 Sophie Horst6/22 Dwight Poffenberger6/25 Maxine HomanUpcoming BirthdaysFarewell to Our Music ScholarsIt is always bittersweet to say goodbye to our music scholars asthey move on to the next phase of their training. Their artistryhas enriched our worship, their dedication has strengthenedour choir, and their presence has become a cherished part ofour church family. Yet even as we feel the sadness of parting,we also rejoice in the opportunities ahead of them and theways God continues to shape their musical journeys.In the coming months, we will bid farewell to three singers whohave blessed our congregation with their gifts: Soprano LeaNayak, Tenor Zach Burnham, and Soprano Lauren Albano.Lea Nayak will conclude her time with us on Sunday, May 10.She will travel to Spain to visit her family before returning tothe United States for performances in Minnesota. This fall, shewill begin an exciting new chapter as she joins the PittsburghOpera, a remarkable milestone that reflects her talent and hardwork.Zach Burnham will remain with us through the summer beforemoving to Texas to continue graduate studies in VocalPerformance and Pedagogy at the University of Houston. Hismusicianship, leadership, and generous spirit have been a giftto our worship life, and we are grateful for the excellence hehas brought to our choir.Lauren will be attending the University of Houston for VocalPerformance. Lea, Zach, and Lauren have been part of our music ministry foryears, and they’ve each left their mark on our worship. We’rereally going to miss them.Please join us in offering them a warm farewell and in prayingfor a smooth transition into the next stage of their musical andspiritual journeys.Yolanda Ortiz- ParkerChoir DirectorShane Wood ConferenceDr. Shane Wood was here April 17 through 19. If you missed theopportunity to hear him speak we still have several copies of hisbook, Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book ofRevelation. If you would like a free copy of this book, see PastorDan or Genita Heidenreich. Senior Singles Outing, May 28 at 5:30 PMThe Senior Singles will be meeting for dinner onThursday, May 28, 5:30 PM at the Silver Spring House,8322 East Kemper Rd, Cincinnati. Please RSVP by noonWednesday, May 27 to Pat Beckman. NOTE: Change inweek and time.