An Open And Affirming Community Of Faith - We Welcome All Beliefs! |
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SAVE THE DATE!
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - NOVEMBER 20TH!
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Sage meets every Friday at 1 pm. Check here for the church calendar for the link
- Book group, Sunday Oct. 23rd
- Fall Dance returns on 10/29!
- Pints With the Pastor 11/10
- Congregational forum 11/13
- Click on the Pink Ribbon to learn
more about Breast Cancer Awareness
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Dear Friends—
Recently Holy Covenant MCC, along with several open and affirming churches in LaGrange, had signs placed on our doors with homophobic language drawn from the literature of hate groups. Video footage was obtained of the perpetrators, and law enforcement (both Brookfield and LaGrange) began an investigation. One of the other churches contacted the Chicago field office of the FBI, at the suggestion of their denominational offices, and the FBI is now investigating these incidents as possible civil rights violations. The FBI have identified the perpetrators, who are known to them.
The Board of Directors and myself are in touch with the investigators and will keep you, the congregation, informed as to the progress of the investigation. We are also in touch with MCC’s office of Congregational Support and our Moderator, Rev. Elder Cecelia Eggleston; they are aware of the situation and stand ready to support us as needed.
In the meantime, we will be taking the following safety measures:
- Installation of a camera at the Grant Ave. entrance (one is already present at the Maple Ave entrance)
- Special training for ushers and other worship leaders
- Brookfield Police Department will be increasing their night-time & Sunday patrols around Maple/Grant.
There is no indication at this time that the individuals will escalate their harassment. That said, if you notice anything out of place or unusual, please do not hesitate to contact me or a Board member. If more signs are placed, please do not remove them, but take a photo and contact me or a Board member immediately.
We have notified AA (who frequently use the building late in the evening) and they will be on the lookout as well. BPD is aware of their presence in the building.
The dance will go forward on October 29. The intent of the perpetrators seems to be harassment, and it seems unlikely they would confront a large group, such as we would have at the dance.
Please know the Board is taking this very seriously and balancing the need for safety against the reality of a church being open to all who are willing to come, both for worship and other events. You have the option of watching worship via livestream on YouTube, if that feels more comfortable to you.
Most of all, we remember that we do not have a spirit of fear, but of courage and hope. We know that all people are beloved of God and made in God’s image. We rely on God’s love and our own faith in that love. We remember the saints who came before us, who also resisted hate and lies, and we know that we do not stand alone—not only other congregations of faith, our denomination, and each other give us strength, but the knowledge of God’s blessing on all who speak for divine truth.
Please pray for the Board, for Holy Covenant, for the other churches, and for each other—for strength and courage.
If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of the Board or myself.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Rev Martha Daniels
Roxann Victory, Vice Moderator
Barbara Adams Latsaras, Clerk of the Board
Joanie Baird, Treasurer
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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 which takes out a fee, to donations@holycovenantmcc.org
Zelle - You can send your donation directly to the church using Zelle via the email address donations@holycovenantmcc.org. It will go directly into the general account and there will be no fees attached to the giving.
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.
Please remember that when giving through PayPal they do charge a percentage fee to the church unless it shows an option to help out the church and for you to pay that fee.
See the weekly giving below. Holy Covenant needs at least $4,672 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.
OCTOBER 2022 GIVING
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Giving Needed Weekly
(4 WEEKS) $1,168
The Difference is -$2,340!
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Our bills are listed for the month of October 2022.
Your generosity helps us pay the bills.
Any amount helps us meet our obligations.
If you would like to pay one of the bills,
please designate that in your donation.
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING NOVEMBER 20th
AFTER SERVICES
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Interested in running for a board position? Are you a member of Holy Covenant, if yes then you can run for the Board.
The application form is now available by clicking on this link, and is due by October 23rd. We have three openings on the Board. Barbara Adams Latsaras and Roxann Victory are up for re-election and will be running in November and there is an at-large position available on the Board. We also have an opening for a Lay Delegate. If you are interested in being a Lay Delegate, please email revmarthadaniels@gmail.com stating your desire and the reason why.
Our Congregational Forum (preview of budget and introduction of Board candidates) will be November 13, and the Congregational Meeting will be November 30. Both will be in person. If you are a member, you will be receiving an email the first week of October via Constant Contact. You will be able to review the minutes from 2021 and the 2023 Operating Budget.
Any questions, please contact Martha Daniel or any Board members.
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CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH |
October is National Clergy Appreciation Month
Clergy Appreciation Day is always the second Sunday in October, and all of October is celebrated as Clergy Appreciation Month. The celebration was established in 1992 with a mission of uplifting and encouraging pastors, missionaries and religious workers.
Take time to show honor and appreciation to Rev. Daniels. She puts in more hours than asked of her. She spends time visiting the sick or calling them and dealing with crisis situations that cannot wait until the next day. Showing your appreciation lets her know that the work the Lord has called her to do means something to you as a congregant.
If you feel so moved, please drop Rev. Martha Daniels and email, card, call or however you would like to express your appreciation of her.
The Board of Holy Covenant thanks Rev. Martha Daniels for all she does for the congregation.
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CHURCH DANCE OCTOBER 29TH |
Fall Dance returns! October 29, 7 pm--and it's a costume party! $15 ticket is all-inclusive—food, drinks, including beer and wine, a photo booth, and dancing!
We will also have a silent auction, including items such as putting your least-favorite worship song on pause for a year (Jan- Dec 2023), Pride baskets, baked items, a sci-fi basket, and more! We are also looking for more items for the auction—if you or someone you know can donate items (gift certificates from restaurants, hair stylists, nail salons, etc.) we would appreciate them!
If you have anything to donate to the auction, please let us know by emailing socialmedia@holycovenantmcc.org.
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PASTOR'S PICK CORNER -
Rev. Daniels Reading/Listening/Watching Suggestions
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An eclectic collection of books, movies, TV shows, magazines, etc. that I have come across, which I found good or interesting and you might too!
Recently Reading:
Hell is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement
A collection of essays written by individuals who have experienced solitary confinement for shorter or longer periods. Sometimes restorative, sometime harrowing, these pieces speak the truth of those who have been confined in a "very small space."
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
So how did we get to this place, where politicians are pushing the exact opposite of what the Bible says Jesus taught, and white supremacy is a badge of pride for some people? Du Mez's history of white evangelicals' involvement in politics, and that history may sadden or enrage you--or both. I have just begun this book (c.1/3 into it) and I am fascinated. Highly recommended.
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UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST |
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THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE |
Thanksgiving dinner will be served for the homeless, senior citizens, sick & shut-in, and the less fortunate at the LaGrange Community Center. For more information, please call Lynn or April. Click on the flyer to download.
WHEN: November 24, 2022
TIME: 12:00 pm to 4:15 pm
WHERE: LaGrange Community Center
200 Washington St, LaGrange, IL
Contact: Lynn Lacey at 708.983.4613 or
Aprill Hill at 708.674.3233
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BOOK/MOVIE DISCUSSION GROUP - OCTOBER 23RD
WHO IS BRINGING THE POPCORN?
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Diana Rigg, why say more? Sunday, October 23, we will discuss “In This House of Brede,” a book by Rumer Godden made into a BBC movie starring Diana Rigg. The book is available on Amazon, ABA, Powells, and in many local libraries. The movie is available in full on YouTube and runs about two hours. https://youtu.be/tJTvbTmv5Yw
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SUNDAY HYBRID WORSHIP
IN-PERSON & LIVE ON YOUTUBE
REV. MARTHA DANIELS PRESIDING
10:00 AM CST
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Our worship celebration is every Sunday at 10 am CST. If you would like to join us you may join us in person or go to our Facebook page at Holy Covenant Facebook Page and click on the LINK to YouTube to watch the service.
Sunday Reading:
Wisdom of Luke 18: 9-14
Sermon Title: "Letter or Spirit"
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
- Masks are now optional. If you want to sing you have to wear a mask.
- No temperature check required
- Social distancing required
ALL SAINTS DAY
On Sunday, November 6, Holy Covenant will observe All Saints Day. We invite you to bring in a photograph of one or more of your saints, or an item that symbolizes them to you. You may also email those photos to me or Roxann at roxann.victory@outlook.com. We will use those photos and a table display as part of our All Saints remembrance
DO YOU WANT TO HELP WITH WORSHIP?
Do you feel a call to help with worship? To read a prayer, or a 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.
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MEDITATION IN PERSON! WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND! MEDITATION IS OPEN TO ALL! NEW DAY! |
The next meditation is on Wednesday, November 2nd, 7 pm at the church. Mary Ann will be leading the meditation upstairs in the church. This event is free and open to all men and women.
Please be prompt at 7 pm so there are no distractions.
- 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.
For more information about meditation please contact Mary Ann Latsaras at only1amar@yahoo.com.
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AGING WELL OCTOBER PROGRAMS |
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Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!
Hello Neighbors! Below is our October schedule. Join us all month long for informative seminars, brain health programs, fitness, history, entertainment, and more online and in person! Just click here for the list of classes.
We encourage you to share our class schedule with friends, family, and neighbors, near & far, of any age – everyone is welcome to join us! All of our classes are free & no advance registration is required. We hope to see you soon on Zoom!
Thank you all for being a part of the Aging Well Neighborhood!
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HOLY COVENANT BOARD MEETING - NOVEMBER 17TH |
The next Board meeting will be on November 17th.
You can find all the Board agenda, minutes and financials on our website. They are also posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
You can find a PDF of the past Board Meetings Agenda, Minutes and church financials here
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SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP! |
Some families will have a hard time providing healthy, nourishing food. Rising food costs caused by inflation, when combined with the ongoing pandemic, means that many family budgets that were already stretched thin, are no longer adequate to provide for their needs. Sometimes it is even necessary for families to do without essential items like medicine or professional health care, so that everyone has enough to eat.
You can make a real difference. Donating now is so important please take a minute to give so we can feed the hungry in our area.
Thank you!
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Join us at Pub 78 in beautiful downtown Brookfield for no-host dinner and/or drinks. conversation and good times from 6 pm - 8 pm.
Time: 6 pm, Thursday, November 10th.
Pub 78
3733 Grand Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
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SAGE CALENDAR, EVENTS & MENU |
SAGE, a social support group for LGBTQ seniors, meets both via ZOOM and in person on Fridays at 1 pm. We hope to resume our lunches in July. Please contact Eric Eugenio Vironet (evironet@cmsschicago.org) if you plan to attend in person as space is limited. Click here to join the meeting
West Suburban Senior Services calendar click here
SAGE CAFE MENU click here
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WE ARE AN AMAZON CHARITY WITH A LIST! |
As of June 2022, we have received over the years a total of $727.75 from Amazon Smile because of your purchases and designates us as your charity.
We now have a list of items that we need at the church. This list is available to see here Charity Lists. You can order and pay for anything off this list and have it shipped directly to the church. We appreciate anything you can order for us!
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.
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NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY OR WILL? |
Contact the Center for Disability & Elder Law. Click this link to see more information and links.
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We mourn and pray for all the families who have suffered personal loses from gun violence at our schools, churches, hospitals. public venues and other places.
For Patti & Laura friend Bernadette who suffered a mild heart attack and for their dog Rocco's eye.1
Prayers for Rev. Gordon McCoy on the death of his longtime partner Dr Eugene Thomas.1
Prayers for Bob R., his husband Frank S. and Bob's mother Margaret and their family as they mourn the passing of Bob's father James.1
Prayers for Mary Ann L. who recently fractured her left shoulder.2
Prayers for Barbara R.'s grandchildren Melanie & Peter to have wonderful, successful first years in college.1
Prayers for Donna W. for successful surgery and recovery.1
Prayers and strength for Ukraine, for those who are relocating, and to end the war and unnecessary death
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
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LINKS AND OTHER INFORMATION |
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Missed a sermon?
Click here to catch up and watch on the Holy Covenant YouTube channel!
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If you or someone you know is in an emergency call 911 for help.
Need someone to talk to? Call the suicide lifeline by dialing 988.
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Health
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Every day brings something new—
and God is with us always!
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9145 Grant Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone: 708.387.1611
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