Covenants are a Biblical way for specific communities of faith to order their common life together. Familiar covenants are those made in marriage vows or baptismal vows. Covenants are behavioral norms by which members of a faith community agree to live with one another, lovingly and constructively, under both calm and storm conditions.

We, as members of the Church of the Holy Comforter, enter into the following covenants thus helping to ensure that we are a loving, inclusive, effective and Christ-like community of faith. I ask God’s help and the help of my fellow members in understanding and keeping these covenants and in encouraging others to do so.

1. I will be regular in prayer: opening my heart to God’s guidance, to a deepened spirit of forgiveness, to personal confession, to letting go of whatever I need to let go of, to a spirit of praise and thanksgiving, and to a renewed sense of vision for the mission and ministry of our church.
2. I will make every effort to be informed and knowledgeable about issues and decisions that are before the Vestry of our church. I will not criticize any action until I have received reliable information on the varied dimensions of the issues, or reasons behind certain decisions.
3. I will listen to other members with an open heart and mind – seeking first to understand, then to be understood.
4. I will assume honorable motives and intent on the part of our Vestry and I will support, encourage, affirm and pray for them as they perform their duties for which we elected them.
5. When I have a complaint or criticism, not only will I state my objection, I will also suggest how my concern can be met, or possible solutions or options that would meet or resolve my concern.
6. I will talk directly and first to the person with whom I have a disagreement instead of to a third person.
7. I will attach names to information I give to others. Otherwise, without names, I will not pass the information on.

 

8. I will commit to proportionate giving now to the Lord’s work in and through this parish, and will consider increasing that proportion to a tithe, as I am able.
9. I will engage in some avenue of service outside or within this parish as a way of being God’s servant – either by volunteering or by saying "yes" if asked and if I have the gifts, grace, and time to do what is needed.
10. I will actively seek out visitors and invite them to participate in the life of this parish.