IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

  • Sage meets every Friday at 1 pm. Check here for the church calendar for the link.

  • Rev. Martha Daniels awarded a Louisville Institute grant! Read below!

  • Ongoing in-person services vs COVID - more information below.

  • Coming in January is a Vision Board class. Watch this space!

YOUR GENEROSITY IS NEEDED!
Your generosity is needed, now more than ever! You may give via:

PayPal — access it through our website or send your donation on PayPal to donations@holycovenantmcc.org

Electronic Check
Send an electronic check from your financial institution, or by sending a personal check. Our address is 9145 Grant Ave, Brookfield, IL, 60513.

Square
There is a button below to give via Square. Or click this link here

Every.org
This is another way to give which sometimes has a dollar-for-dollar matching program. You can click here to go to the site.

Please remember that when giving through Square and PayPal they do charge a percentage fee to the church unless it shows an option to help out the church and pay that fee.

See the weekly giving below. Holy Covenant needs at least $4,650 a month to meet its obligations for bills and salary. We are now showing what the percentage of giving is and how we are doing on a monthly basis.
December
2021 GIVING

Needed Weekly
(4 WEEKS) $1,165



The Difference is -$2,236
Please consider contributing to
Holy Covenant via PayPal, Check, or Square or Every.org.

Our bills are listed below for the month of November.
Your generosity helps us pay the bills.
Any amount helps us meet our obligations.

If you would like to pay one of the bills below
please designate that in your donation.
REV. MARTHA DANIELS RECEIVES GRANT FROM LOUISVILLE INSTITUTE!

Press Release: Metropolitan Community Church - December 15, 2021


Rev. Martha Anne Daniels of Holy Covenant Metropolitan Community Church recently received a grant from the Louisville Institute to pilot a program for LGBTQ+ people who are or have recently been incarcerated.

The Pastoral Study Project Grant Program awarded Daniels the $15,000 grant to launch a program called Rainbow Bridges: Spiritual Advocacy by MCC for LGBTQ+ People on the Inside.  Holy Covenant MCC is located in Brookfield, Illinois.

“My goal is to create a structure for MCC to set up a ministry with LGBTQ+ people who are or have been incarcerated, a template that other progressive faith traditions may use to create their own such ministries,” Daniels said. “I’m excited by this undertaking and am very appreciative to the Louisville Institute for recognizing our vision.”

In 2019, Daniels spearheaded a survey of incarcerated LGBTQ+ people to assess their spiritual needs; the new program is the next step.

 “MCC is committed to reaching beyond the church doors to make a lasting difference in people’s lives and in the community at-large,” said Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, moderator of MCC churches. “We congratulate Rev. Daniels on this grant and look forward to supporting her in this important work.”

Through its Pastoral Study Project program (PSP), the Louisville Institute enables pastoral leaders to bracket daily work routines in order to pursue a pressing and significant question for the life of faith. Grants of up to $15,000 support independent or collaborative study projects--projects that privilege pastoral perspectives and rhythms and honor grassroots research conducted by skilled clergy. PSP grantees use a variety of platforms to share what they learn with a wider audience, extending their leadership in ways that benefit the broader church and culture in North America. 

Louisville Institute is funded by the Religion Division of Lilly Endowment and is based at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary (Louisville, Kentucky). The Institute's fundamental mission is to enrich the religious life of North American Christians and to encourage the revitalization of their institutions, by bringing together those who lead religious institutions with those who study them, so that the work of each might inform and strengthen the other.

You can download the press release from Louisville Institute by clicking here.

The Board of Holy Covenant MCC congratulates Rev. Daniels on her selection of subject and the award from the Louisville Institute.
EXPLORE BROOKFIELD
WITH JASON BAUMANN
AN INTERVIEW WITH REV. MARTHA DANIELS
Rev. Martha was recently interviewed by Jason Baumann whose podcast is about Exploring Brookfield. Some recent 25-minute podcasts included Share Food, Share Love our food pantry partner, Galloping Ghost Arcade, Laura Atwood Studio Beads, and Trading Company, and The Gift of Music with the singers of the Chicago Park District Hale Theater Company singing Christmas music.

Wednesday, December 22nd, Rev. Martha Daniels was one of the Pastors in the area talking about their churches and who they are, with their thoughts about Christmas time. You can listen to the podcast (and check out the others too) by clicking on the link below. She comes in at about the 37th minute.
SNOW REMOVAL
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP PORTAL

If you see a volunteer opportunity you would like to participate in, then use this online software, and you will be able to sign-up to help with a variety of different events being held at the church. By signing up you will receive reminders for what you have signed up to help with and can keep track of other volunteer opportunities that may arise.

When you see a volunteer opportunity for a sign-up like grass cutting, garage sale, etc. there will be a link that will take you to the sign-up sheet. Please fill it out as needed.

If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Martha or Barbara Adams Latsaras at socialmedia@holycovenantmcc.org.

Sign-up Sheets - Snow Removal
We have hired a company to do snow removal over 2". We can also use some volunteers who would like to shovel the show and stairs if it is under 2". Please sign up below or contact socialmedia@holycovenantmcc.org or Rev. Martha Daniels should you be interested in helping.
IN-PERSON SERVICES & COVID - UPDATE
Please note that the Board of Holy Covenant will be keeping an eye on Covid case numbers and government restrictions. Holy Covenant may return to live-streaming worship if the Board feels it is necessary. The central commandment is to “Love one another,” which means caring for one another and doing all we can to ensure each other’s safety. 

If the Board does decide to move back to live-streaming, we will announce it via Constant Contact (email), on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), and on our website.
SUNDAY IN-PERSON SERVICE
Rev. Elder Cecelia Eggleston!

SUNDAY WORSHIP IN-PERSON
& LIVE ON FACEBOOK
10:00 AM CST
This week Holy Covenant will be blessed with a video sermon by our Moderator Rev. Elder Cecelia Eggleston.

Our worship celebration is every Sunday at 10 am CST. If you would like to join us but can't be in person, you may go to our Facebook page at Holy Covenant Facebook Page and click on the Live button to watch the service.

Sunday Reading:
Luke 2: 1 - 19

Sermon Title:
"Reflection"

Have a candle ready to light, cookie or bread, and a glass of your favorite libation for communion if you are watching online.

You can also find previous services on our YouTube Channel here.

Rev. Martha is available by email, phone, Facebook Messenger, and text for any pastoral needs you may have revmarthadaniels@gmail.com

Our church now has in-person services with the following guidelines:

Please note the following:
  • We will not be singing (although there will be music)
  • We will require masks (we will have some available for those who do not have one) and we will be socially distanced. Temperatures will be checked at the door. Vaccination is encouraged for those who are able.
  • Communion will not be by intinction (dipping) nor will we have a shared cup for now, until health guidelines permit these methods to resume. We will have individual disposable cups and Rev Martha will be placing Communion wafers in each person’s hand (not in mouths).
  • We will continue to live-stream the service.

Our building is looking so fresh and beautiful after the renovations, we cannot wait for you to see it and to share worship in person once again!

Board of Directors, Holy Covenant MCC
CAN YOU HELP WITH WORSHIP!
Do you feel a call to help with worship? To read a prayer, or reading, or to usher or serve communion? Whether you are here in person or virtually, we need and want your gifts! Contact Rev. Martha or Roxann at roxann.victory@outlook.com 
AGE OPTIONS LARGE GROUP MEETING
DECEMBER 28TH AT 11:00 AM

 AgeOptions large group meeting is this Tuesday, December 28, at 11 am via Zoom (link in newsletter, on AgeOptions website, and our Facebook page). With the new year almost here, learn how to make healthier nutrition and activity choices as Thrive with Pride will welcome Margaret Danilovich, P.T., Ph.D., for a discussion on healthy movement at every age and stage of life! Use this link to connect online https://zoom.us/j/96661294106#success.

Holy Covenant’s small group discussion will follow on January 6th at 7 pm
SAGE AND OTHER INFORMATION
SAGE, a social support group for LGBTQ seniors, continues to meet via ZOOM at 1 pm. The senior center in Bellwood needed some repairs, so we are still meeting via Zoom for now. Click here to join the meeting
PINTS WITH THE PASTOR
JANUARY 13th at 6:00 pm
Come have dinner and conversations at a new place in Brookfield called Pub 78 and chat with Rev. Martha and your friends from Holy Covenant about whatever is on your mind!

Join us for a no-host dinner or just drinks, for conversation and socializing. Hoping to see you there!


Time: 6 pm, Thursday, December 9th.
Pub 78
3733 Grand Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
MEDITATION WILL RESUME IN JANUARY 2022!
The next meditation will be in January 2022. Please keep checking the newsletter or your text's for the January date. This event is free and open to all women.
For more information about meditation please contact Mary Ann Latsaras at only1amar@yahoo.com.
NEXT BOARD MEETING January 20, 2022
The next in-person Board meeting will be on January 20, 2022.

You can find the November Board minutes on our website and the December Agenda for our meeting on our website here.

You can find a PDF of the past Board Meetings Agenda and Minutes here
WE ARE AN AMAZON CHARITY!
We recently received monies from Amazon for the 4th quarter of about $43.00. We thank everyone who uses smile.amazon.com and designates us as your charity.

You can make an impact while you shop on Amazon. Simply shop here at Holy Covenant Amazon Smile Link and Amazon Smile will donate to Holy Covenant Church - M C C, at no cost to you.
NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY OR WILL?
Contact the Center for Disability & Elder Law
Click this link to see the information and links.
PLEASE DONATE TO HOLY COVENANT
Click on PayPal or Square to Donate!
Prayers of thanksgiving for the Baptism of Jill and Asher.1

Prayers for Barbara R. to get through the holidays. This is such a hard time--3rd Christmas without Gloria and it just doesn't seem to get any easier around this time.2

Continued prayers for Karen V. and her wife Ann for health issues.2

Prayers for the family of Clarence C. who transitioned. 2

That God will provide for those who are hungry, unemployed, and homeless,
or in financial difficulties.
 
All those affected by HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, COVID-19, and other life-threatening illnesses.
 
All communities of faith
LINKS AND OTHER INFORMATION

SUICIDE HOTLINES

If you or someone you know is in an emergency call 911 for help.

NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Health

Missed a sermon?

Click here to catch up and watch on the Holy Covenant YouTube channel!
Every day brings something new—and God is
with us always!