While reading the book, The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld to her daughter, Serenitye was reminded to be present with people and to offer encouragement and hope, especially as we start the holiday season.

This week, Nikki Zimmermann, Pastoral Resident for Mission & Outreach, shares with us her daily practice of gratitude journaling. After listening to Dr. Shawn Achor, author of "The Happiness Advantage," in a Ted Talk, who focused on the positive things in life, Nikki started to journal 5 things a day she was grateful for. As Nikki continued her journaling, she noticed how it helps her consistently look for the good in life. She hopes that you can try it yourself and find it as meaningful as she does.

This week, Grace Lindvall, Associate Minister for Education speaks about a podcast that she listens to about building community through storytelling. A few weeks ago, she shared a quote with us from Brene Brown, "People are hard to hate close up. Move in." Storytelling helps us do that by sharing about life and all its complexities, we move closer together.

Lucy Crain, Director of Mission & Outreach, and Nikki Zimmermann, Resident Pastor of Mission & Outreach share with us what is new with Covenant Impacts Charlotte this year and the many different ways that you can get involved and serve in our community.

In this week's One Takes series, pastoral resident, Molly Smerko shares Psalm 42. She talks about her love of the psalms of lament because of how real the expressions of emotions are. She sees how it relates to our lives of faith today. Even through times of sorrow, we can still praise God. She speaks of hope in God, that in our times of grief and loss, God is always with us, helping us on our journey.