IMPORTANT DATES


  • Meditation is on Tuesday, September 14th, at 7 pm in the church

  • September is National Suicide Awareness Month. See this link for more information.

  • Thrive with Pride Large group meeting on 9/28. See below

  • Blessing of the Animals, October 2nd. More information below

  • Sage meets every Friday at 1 pm. Check here for the church calendar for the link.
Caterpillars In Our Garden!

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

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.
SEPTEMBER 2021 GIVING

Needed Weekly
(4 WEEKS) $1,166


The Difference is -$1,537.00
Please consider contributing to
Holy Covenant via PayPal, Check, or Square.

Our bills are listed below for the month of August.
Your generosity helps us pay the bills.
Any amount helps us meet our obligations.
THRIVE WITH
PRIDE LARGE GROUP MEETING TUESDAY,
SEPT 28TH

Medicare
The Thrive with Pride Large Group meeting will be Tuesday, September 28 at 11 am via Zoom—see the newsletter for the link. A member of AgeOptions’ Advisory Team will be sharing the latest on Medicare—very important information!

Also, save the date of October 14 for another SAGE Table, a virtual dinner party for LGBTQ+ seniors and adults (dinner is provided!)—registration information coming soon!


Meeting ID: 892 1212 6305
Passcode: 391805
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89212126305#,,,,*391805# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,89212126305#,,,,*391805# US (New York)
SAVE THE DATE!
OCTOBER 14TH!

Once again, we hope to bring together a big, diverse group of LGBT+ folks from around the area for conversation and a free dinner.

Click on the image to download the PDF.
Education Opportunities and Resources Through MCC
MCC HISTORY & POLITY CLASS!
TUESDAY SEPT 14TH THROUGH SATURDAY OCTOBER 2ND

MCC History and Polity Class
Registration is now open. This course will consider the history, structure, and governance of Metropolitan Community Churches. It is open to the laity as well as being a required class for clergy candidates.
Learn Greek or Hebrew
If you’ve ever been interested in learning to read the Bible in Greek or Hebrew or want to learn Classical Greek or Latin, Dr. Jordan Dyck is an experienced biblical language teacher, looking to fund his time pursuing ordination in MCC through his teaching. He has been teaching New Testament Greek since 2007, and would love to teach more people, one-to-one or in groups for a lower rate, in any of the above languages. Check out his website below to find out more and contact him, or join the Facebook group to keep in touch.


Queer History 2021
September 24th - November 5th
The story of our history as a global LGBTQ+ community is often told centering the United States (e.g. Stonewall), western values, and within a Christian context. This history continues to marginalize those in our communities who should be centralized in the narrative of their contribution to queer activism and creating change for queer communities. By employing a flipped classroom model, we will tell the story to each other differently. This class is open to anyone and is a requirement for clergy candidates completing their MAP (Ministry Action Plans).

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Kelby Accardi-Harrison (she/her) is clergy with MCC. She is currently a full-time community college professor in religion and philosophy. Her Ph.D. is in the fields of ethics, gender, and sexuality. She is the author of Sexual Deceit: The Ethics of Passing.
Register and learn more at:

SSOL Classes
Check out all the great classes and resources still available at Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) including MCC-specific classes. Yes, we no longer have the OFLD (Office of Formation and Leadership Development) but SSOL classes are still available.

WATCH THE FEATURE FILM -
THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE FOR FREE
Searchlight Pictures, WIT PR, and MCC are pleased to offer a special preview screening link for the upcoming film The Eyes of Tammy Faye, releasing in theaters on September 17th. There is no cost to preview.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye is an intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall, and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. In the 1970s and 80s, Tammy Faye and her husband, Jim Bakker, rose from humble beginnings to create the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and theme park and were revered for their message of love, acceptance, and prosperity. Tammy Faye was legendary for her indelible eyelashes, her idiosyncratic singing, and her eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life. However, it wasn’t long before financial improprieties, scheming rivals, and scandal toppled their carefully constructed empire. The film also highlights the iconic 1985 interview between MCC minister and AIDS activist Rev. Steve Pieters and Tammy Faye Bakker. 

For MCC members who are interested in receiving a special preview screening link before the national release on September 17th, please email Communications@MCCchurch.net. Your email address will be shared with WIT PR who will send the link and instructions. Any contact information that you provide will only be used exclusively to send you a screening link, and will not be used for any other marketing or promotional purposes. 
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP PORTAL
Holy Covenant has started to use an online software program called SignUp Genius to create volunteer opportunities and for future worship.

With this online software, 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.

Our partner at Share Food, Share Love uses this online software with great success! Let's make it successful for our church too by everyone clicking on the provided link and sign up to help out Holy Covenant as needed.

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

Sign-up Sheets

Blessing of the Animals
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 2 at 11 am for an Animal Blessing service! If your animal companion travels well (leashed, caged, or otherwise contained), you are welcome to bring them! If they don’t do well away from home or with other animals, or if they have crossed the Rainbow Bridge but you would like to remember them in this way, a photo can also be blessed! Cats, dogs, turtles, lizards, birds—all creatures are welcome! 

This will occur outside by the back deck.
SUNDAY ONLINE SERVICES
REV. MARTHA DANIELS!

SUNDAY WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK LIVE
10:00 AM CST
Our worship celebration is every Sunday at 10 am CST. If you would like to join us, you may go to our Facebook page at Holy Covenant Facebook Page and click on the Live button to watch the service.

Sunday Reading:
Matthew 6:9 - 13

Sermon
Rev. Martha Daniels
Sermon Title:
"Prayer"

Have a candle ready to light, cookie or bread, and a glass of your favorite libation for communion.

You can also find previous sermons 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

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
October 14th 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, October 14th.
Pub 78
3733 Grand Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
MEDITATION IN PERSON ON SEPTEMBER 14TH!
Meditation has returned! The next meditation is on Tuesday, September 14th,
7 pm at the church. Mary Ann will be leading the meditation in Fellowship Hall. This event is free and open to all women.

Please be prompt at 7 pm
so there are no distractions.

We will be following CDC/Illinois guidelines.

  • Please bring your mask even if you are vaccinated.
  • If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
  • We ask that you use hand sanitizer as you enter the building
  • You must be vaccinated or have a negative COVID test.

Some more information about meditation:

  • An RSVP is now required via call-in, text, or email verification to guarantee coverage for any handouts or other materials.

  • Meditation gatherings are gratuitously offered, a basket will be present for any gracious “Love Offerings” will be provided to cover any costs for the group.

  • The group is open to Women Only and bringing a friend, or two is always welcomed. Because this is a group format in the support of our community, it is healing for each individual to make a personal commitment to participate in exchanges accordingly to one's ability to share, grow and heal as well as the benefit to the group as a whole.

  • Meditation begins promptly after 7 P.M., doors will be locked at 7:01 to prevent interruptions, maintaining group safety, and upholding everyone’s privacy, however, doors will be opened for “socializing” 15-45 minutes or more prior to 7 P.M. to accommodate community social time, as long as RSVP’s are made to accommodate the needs of the group.

  • Depending on the size of the group, the facilitator's presentation, and the material of the evening, session length averages 90 - 120 minutes,
  • 8:30 - 9:00 P.M., but can, in few and rare cases, extend up to 10 P.M. 

  • Personal/Private meditation sessions are available for individuals or small groups, as well as other Holistic Healing. Discussion of facilitators' scheduling and fees available upon request.

If you have any questions, please email Mary Ann Latsaras at only1amar@yahoo.com.
WE NEED GRASS CUTTERS AND WATERING!
It is now summer and our grass is growing as is our flowers and vegetable garden. We need some volunteers that would be willing to come and cut the grass and water the front and back of the church and the rose garden! You can volunteer to do it once, twice, or whenever you want. If you feel you can help, please let Mary Ann know by dropping her an email at only1amar@yahoo.com or you can sign-up on our new volunteer portal called Sign-up Genius. Click SignUp Genius to Volunteer!

We started with a sign-up date of Saturday, but you can come and cut the grass any day of the week that is convenient for you.

We have a lawnmower and all the lawn equipment you will need! 
NEXT BOARD MEETING September 16, 2021
The next in-person Board meeting will be on September 16th.

You can find the August Board minutes on our website and the September Agenda one week before 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!
You can make an impact while you shop on Amazon. Simply shop here at Holy Covenant Amazon Smile Link and AmazonSmile 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 for Lorraine, Steve, Jackie and Joe for health issues1

Prayers for Eugene T. and Gordon M. for health issues.1

Prayers for Daniell R. for recovery from Covid.1

Prayers for Katie J. for health issues and for Karon her wife.2

Prayers for Ann M. for recovery from knee surgery.2

Prayers for Karen V. for health-related issues2

Prayers for Brenda G. for health issues2

Prayers for Nikkie who moved.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

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH


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!