A WORD ABOUT THE VIOLENCE
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6TH
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From Rev. Martha,
All of us—in the US and beyond—were shocked and saddened by the violence that took place at the US Capitol building on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. We are used to a calm and uneventful transfer after an election—how many of us even knew about Congress certifying the election results before now?
The disruption of what is supposed to be an orderly democratic process—and always has been before, even with fiery political speeches—is antithetical to basic US democratic principles. But it raises many questions: Why did so many people distrust the election results? Who is responsible for the violence that occurred? How do we prevent this from occurring again? And there is more for us to reflect on: if the crowd had been mostly Black or Latinx people, would law enforcement have responded differently? How do we reflect on this riot when we consider the times our government has been complicit in interference in other nations’ governments?
But there are even larger questions: how do we respond as people of faith, as Christians? There is nothing specifically Christian about democracy—or any other political ideology. Our faith is separate from our politics, although if our faith does not inform our actions in the world, including our political lives, then it is an ineffective faith.
How we treat other people reveals the most basic truth of what we believe. Jesus said, “Love God with all your mind, spirit, and self, and your neighbor as yourself.” It does not get more basic than that for Christians.
While we await further developments, I am confident that God will be present with us. As with so many people before us, we don’t know what lies ahead. But we are here in testimony that they made it through—our grandparents, our ancestors—sometimes by the hardest, but here we are. We will make it through, too—with tenacity and courage, if that is needed, or with joy and celebration, if that is called for. We make it through, as we have found in recent months, if we did not know before, with the help of others. Like the stones of an archway, we lean on each other, with our faith as the keystone in the center.
Rebecca Wilson, a staff member at UFMCC, wrote the following prayer. I think it sums up where we are very well.
O God, listen to your children praying this day for peace and justice. Throughout Creation, people are experiencing fear and anxiety. For many in the so-called “developed world”, this level of division, violence, and chaos is a new experience. For some, this has long been a reality. Wherever we find ourselves today, send your comfort and assurance.
Guide us and encourage us as we work towards finding commonalities in the midst of our diverse situations and circumstances. Educate and empower us as we discern what it means to be a global denomination. Embolden us to condemn acts of hate and terror. Equip us and challenge us to share the good news and bring forth your beloved community around the world.
Listen to our prayers lifted up from places of
Confusion, uncertainty
Shock, shame
Anger, disbelief
Fear, despair
Loss, resignation
Hope, commitment
Gratitude, determination.
Hold us together, God, so we know we are not alone. Help us to be present for one another in these difficult times. Fill us with a desire to be vehicles of goodness and change. Steer us in the direction that our gifts can make the most difference.
We need you! We need each other.
In your many names, and especially in the name of Love, we pray.
Amen.
With blessings, in hope and in the service of Love,
Rev, Martha Daniels
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MCC ANNOUNCING CANDIDATES
FOR ELDER IN MCC!
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Elders are volunteers who, as a Council with the Moderator, offer spiritual and pastoral support and leadership to the churches, pastors, and people of MCC.
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston received 22 applications from individuals in 5 different countries. In the application process, individuals were invited to share their theological background, some of their spiritual practices, their international experience, their current efforts to make MCC more racially equitable, diverse, and inclusive, and their thoughts on the
role of Elder.
One person is not able to accept the appointment at this time, so eight appointees will be presented for affirmation to the Special General Conference. Their photos and biographical information are on the PDF that is available to download here. There’s more information on the MCC website, or contact Rev. Martha.
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Looking ahead to the new year, Rev. Martha would like your input on what kind of studies or discussion groups would be most interesting for you. It could be a Bible study (history of the Bible? a specific book of the Bible? A specific topic like ecology or wisdom or salvation?), or a book study (what book or books?) or a discussion/support group (physical health, finances, prayer, etc). Drop an email revmarthadaniels@gmail.com or text to Rev Martha! |
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SUNDAY WORSHIP ONLINE 10:00 AM CST
ZOOM &
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Our worship celebration on Sunday, January 10th, at 10 am Central, if you would like to join us, you may go to our Facebook page at Holy Covenant Facebook Page and clink on the Live button to watch the service. Or you may join via Zoom: Rev. Martha Daniels is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Sunday Reading:
Genesis: 1: 1 - 5
Mark 1:4 - 11
Sermon
Rev. Martha Daniels
"Water Everywhere"
Topic: Holy Covenant Worship Celebration!
Time: January 10, 2021, 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Add to Calendar Weekly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYlduGqqT4qGNOU7tKZ5pTLo3R17dYyH0XC/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqpjoiGNOQsBuARpwQGoj4WerwtiVfjY1yqUjxKBoGcjfaObFwY-V7KcH4
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82818275027?pwd=VkNYZmFVbUdqQ3dXenBka001MnVlZz09
Meeting ID: 828 1827 5027
Passcode: 299339
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82818275027#,,,,,,0#,,299339# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,82818275027#,,,,,,0#,,299339# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 828 1827 5027
Passcode: 299339
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb1pgOacn
Have a candle ready to light, cookie or bread, and a glass of your favorite libation for communion.
You can also find the sermon 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
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PINTS WITH THE PASTOR 01/11/21 - ONLINE WITH ZOOM |
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Join us on Zoom for Pints with the Pastor on Monday, January 11, 2021, anytime after 6 pm!
Grab your dinner (carryout from Irish Times?) and a beverage and come chat with Rev. Martha and your friends from Holy Covenant about whatever is on your mind!
The link and information to join us on Zoom:
Topic: Pints with the Pastor
Time: 6 pm, Monday, January 11, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 834 5199 2699
Password: 022725
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83451992699#,0#,,022725# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,83451992699#,0#,,022725# US (New York)
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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.
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. To make sure your Amazon purchases benefit Holy Covenant MCC, go to smile.amazon.com to login and select Holy Covenant Church - M C C (exactly as spelled) as your organization of choice and then bookmark Amazon Smile so that you give each time you order.
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Proud to Thrive provides legal services and outreach for LGBT seniors in Cook County.
If you need any legal help and are a senior, please call 312-376-1880 Monday through Friday 9 am to
12 pm.
See the image to the left or download it here!
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THRIVE WITH PRIDE CAFE - JANUARY 26TH |
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Zoom link for the Pride Plenary Gathering January 26th, 11 am meeting of this small group:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 892 1212 6305
Passcode: 391805
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89212126305#,,,,,,0#,,391805# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,89212126305#,,,,,,0#,,391805# US (New York)
Link for the end of year survey for Thrive With Pride:
If you attended ANY Thrive with Pride meetings (Cafes or Plenary), please respond to the survey. Thank you!
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Meditation & women’s group life skills (FREE) Wednesday's at 7:00 pm
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Dear Meditators and Those Interested,
Meditation will be be on hiatus because of Mary Ann's surgery until further notice.
I love you All!
Mar'
✨🙏🏼✨💞❤️💞✨🥰✨✌🏼✨
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BOARD MEETING ON 01/21/21 - VIA ZOOM
The monthly Board meeting is Thursday, January 21th at 7:00 pm. We will be doing the meeting from our homes using Zoom.
If you would like to attend the meeting and listen in, the information is below.
You can find the December Board minutes on our website and the January Agenda one week before our meeting on our website here.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 827 2702 2872
Password: 726104
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82727022872#,,,,0#,,726104# US (Chicago)
+13017158592,,82727022872#,,,,0#,,726104# US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 827 2702 2872
Password: 726104
You can find a PDF of the Board Meetings Agenda and Minutes here
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YOUR GENEROSITY IS NEEDED!
Your generosity is needed, now more than ever! You may give via:
PayPal — access it through the our website or send your donation on PayPal to: donations@holycovenantmcc.org
Text To Give
Text GIVE to 7083506577 to set up your account
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, Text to Give, 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. If you would like to give to help with the flooding funds, then please notate that in your message so that money will go to that designated fund.
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.
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JANUARY GIVING
Needed Weekly (5 WEEKS) $930
The Difference is -$880.00
There were additional donations for December that are noted below.
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PLEASE DONATE TO HOLY COVENANT
Click on PayPal or Square to Donate!
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LINKS AND OTHER INFORMATION |
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SUICIDE HOTLINE -
If you or someone you know is in an emergency call 911
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Health
Holy Covenant YouTube channel click here
Missed a sermon? Click here to catch up!
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Prayers for Karen V. for her upcoming surgery in February1
For our nation as we deal with the aftermath of the violence at the Capitol on January 61
That God will provide for those who are hungry, unemployed, and homeless,
or in financial difficulties.
All those affected by HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses.
All communities of faith
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Every day brings something new—and God is
with us always!
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