|
An Open And Affirming Community Of Faith -
We Welcome All Beliefs!
| |
|
-
Sage meets every Friday at 1 PM. Check here for the church calendar for the link.
- If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to update our video greetings for the Passing of the Peace! A short (5-10 seconds) video is all that’s needed, and phone recordings are fine! Or Rox can record you after church! Send your recordings to Roxann.victory@outlook.com and she will add it!
- Holy Covenant t-shirts available to order. See below!
- Pot Luck 3/24 after service - see below
- Meditation on Wednesday, March 6th at 7 pm
- Thrive with Pride Cafe meets on Thursday, March 7th, 7pm via Zoom- see below
| |
|
Support Holy Covenant MCC
with Your Generosity Today!
| | |
|
Giving Needed Weekly
(4 WEEKS) $1,170
The monthly difference is -$1,065
| |
|
|
Our bills are listed for the month of FEBRUARY 2024.
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.
| |
MARCH IS WOMENS HISTORY MONTH
Lucy Stone (1818--1893)
Suffragist & Abolitionist
The National Women's History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women's History Month. The 2024 theme celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” This theme recognizes women who understand the need to eliminate bias and discrimination from individuals' lives and institutions.
A leading suffragist and abolitionist, Lucy Stone dedicated her life to battling inequality on all fronts. She was the first Massachusetts woman to earn a college degree and she defied gender norms when she famously wrote marriage vows to reflect her egalitarian beliefs and refused to take her husband’s last name.
Born on August 13, 1818 in rural Massachusetts, Stone was one of Francis and Hannah Matthews Stone’s nine children. Her parents were farmers with deep roots in New England. The first Stones arrived in 1635 pursuing religious freedom and her grandfather was a Patriot captain in the American Revolution. She was raised in the Congregational Church and embraced her father’s anti-slavery zeal.
Much brighter than her brothers, Stone was frustrated by the inequality that encouraged them to attend college while discouraging women from becoming educated. At age sixteen, she worked as a teacher, saving her money so she could attend college. In 1839, she spent a semester at Mount Holyoke, but was forced to return home due to a sister’s illness. Then in 1843, she attended Oberlin College in Ohio. Even progressive Oberlin, however, did not permit Stone to explore her interest in public speaking. When she graduated in 1847, she declined the “honor” of writing a commencement speech that would be read by a man.
Almost thirty when she completed her education, Stone’s career prospects seemed dim since few professions were open to women. Renowned abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, however, hired her for his American Anti-Slavery Society. She wrote and delivered abolitionist speeches, while also becoming active in women’s rights. Like other female abolitionists, Stone was often heckled and at least once was physically attacked by a mob. Nevertheless, she proved so popular that soon she was out-earning many male lecturers.
In 1850, two years after the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention, Stone organized the first national Women’s Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her speech there was reprinted in the international press. For five years, Stone traveled throughout the US and Canada on the lecture circuit. She continued to attend annual women’s rights conventions and presided over the seventh one.
She met Henry Blackwell, the brother of physicians Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell, who convinced her to marry him by promising they could create an egalitarian marriage. Intended for publication, their 1855 vows omitted the then-common reference to wifely obedience and included a protest against marital law. She also set a new standard by retaining her maiden name. While living in New Jersey, Stone gave birth to two children, though the second one did not survive. Daughter Alice Stone Blackwell became a feminist and abolitionist, working alongside her parents.
Stone set another precedent in 1858 when she reminded Americans of the “no taxation without representation” principle. Her refusal to pay property taxes was punished by the impoundment and sale of the Stones’ household goods. At the end of the Civil War, Stone went to Kansas to work on the referendum for suffrage there. She also served as president of the New Jersey Women Suffrage Association and helped organize the New England association, in which she would be active after the family moved to Boston in 1869. At the same time, Stone served on the executive committee of the American Equal Rights Association.
In 1869, Stone broke with suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and others over passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution, which granted voting rights to black men but not to women. Stone was willing to accept this measure for her abolitionist goals while continuing to work for women’s suffrage. Anthony and Stanton formed the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). Stone, Julia Ward Howe, and others formed the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). Stone edited the AWSA publication, the Woman’s Journal.
In 1879, Stone registered to vote in Massachusetts, since the state allowed women’s suffrage in some local elections, but she was removed from the rolls because she did not use her husband’s surname.
Stone lived to see the reunification of the two suffrage associations in 1890; both her daughter and Stanton’s daughter, Harriot Stanton Blatch, played important roles in healing their mothers’ wounds. Stone gave her last speech in 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition, and died later that year at age seventy-five.
Taken from National Womens History Museum
| | |
NEW T-SHIRTS FOR HOLY COVENANT
NOW AVAILABLE! ORDER NOW! Show your support of Holy Covenant by buying a t-shirt. Many sizes, shirt types and colors to choose from. These shirts will be used throughout the year when we attend Pride parades or fests and for our garage sales so we are known to our neighbors. A small portion of the proceeds goes to Holy Covenant. Any questions please see Roxann Victory or email her at roxann.victory@outlook.com.
Click here to order! https://www.bonfire.com/holy-covenant-mcc/
| |
UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST | |
|
PINTS WITH THE PASTOR
MARCH 14TH!
| |
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, March 14th.
Pub 78
3733 Grand Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
| |
|
POTLUCK - MEDITERRANEAN DISHES!
MARCH 24, 2024
| | | |
|
Spring is in the air and we're excited to celebrate with our third potluck of the year! Join us on Sunday, March 24th, immediately following church.
We can't wait to see what delicious dishes everyone will bring, so we suggest bringing a tasty mediterranean dish. This could be anything Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Egyptian, Spanish, Sicilian Etc.
To ensure we have a variety of dishes, we have a sign-up sheet downstairs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share a meal and fellowship with your church family. See you there!
| |
VOTING FOR THE BOARD OF ELDERS
This week, Jim Ulisse and Rev. Martha voted on the Board of Elders and all appointees were affirmed by over 85% in both the Lay and Clergy Houses of the Special General Conference.
To see the vote of Affirmation Results -Record of Actions of the 23024 Special General Conference you can see the detailed results may be in our resource bank at this link.
MCC AND THE FUTURE
In late October 2023, MCC sponsored seven webinars, held in different time zones around the world. Over 60 MCCers attended (plus many of the Council of Elders, Governing Board and staff), symbolizing a good cross section of MCC in terms of nationalities and languages. For the first time, real time, simultaneous translation services were provided by a professional translation service, allowing all MCC attendees to fully participate in the Portuguese/English session and the Spanish/English session.
Ideas were collected and they are summarized here. Those who participated in the webinars form only part of the whole body of MCC. However, there were common themes and threads. Using those common themes and threads, we want to also ask you for your suggestions about the priorities from your perspective.
The dreaming sessions were just that. People were invited to dream without limitations of time, energy, money or other resources. We recognize that there may be constraints regarding resources, when wanting to turn dreams into reality. It takes creativity and a willingness to be open to new possibilities, in order to make best use of the resources that are available.
So here is some good news! Even with the massive impacts of the global pandemic, local churches and donors have been steadfast and generous in their support of MCC’s ministry worldwide. This has allowed the Governing Board and staff to make significant strides to financial health. MCC has stayed within its operating budget for the past 4 years and has built up its operational reserve, which is deposited in a savings account, generating interest income. The Endowment Fund is growing and will be large enough to draw income from in the future. We are changing some of our internal systems, so that MCC is getting better value for money on items like software. All of this means that MCC can begin to fund some of our dreams and growth! And, the Moderator has an important announcement in the video!
Your voice matters! Will you please take the time to offer your ideas now to help us prioritize how we support local churches, as well as regional, national and global needs?
The Moderator's video message is here - please watch it before completing the survey here
MCC Senior Leadership Team
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Moderator
Rev. Elder Héctor Gutiérrez
Kirk Blandford, CPA
| | | |
|
THRIVE WITH PRIDE
BUILDING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS
| |
Join us Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7 pm (CST)!
How do we connect and build meaningful relationships in the post COVID world? This workshop with Jacqueline Boyd of The Care Plan will provide insights around how to shape your social world. In particular strategies to find
and get to know new people and develop intimacy in your life. Increasing intimacy for you may mean dating, more healthy touch in your life, emotional intimacy or self-intimacy, and we'll be covering all these areas together. We
benefit in older age from close relationships in our lives, and we are looking forward to discussing these important issues together.
Join by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6711227765
Meeting ID: 671 122 7765
This event is free; registration is not required.
Download the EVENT flyer here. Click here to sign up.
| | | |
HOLY COVENANT BOARD MEETING - MARCH 21ST | |
The next Board meeting will be held on March 21st, 7 pm at the church.
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
| |
WEEKLY SERVICE INFORMATION | |
|
HYBRID - IN PERSON AND ON YOUTUBE
REV. MARTHA DANIELS PREACHING
10:00 AM CST
| |
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, March 3, 2024
Psalm 19
John 2:13-22
Sermon Title - "Testifying"
Have a candle ready to light, a 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
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.
| |
AGING WELL MARCH PROGRAMS | |
Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!
Hello Neighbors! Below is our June 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!
| |
ARE YOU A MOM OF A
TRANSGENDERED or BINARY CHILD?
Penzy's Spices is working on coming out with their first catalog in quite some time. At the moment they are not entirely sure what this means and what format it will end up in. But what I am sure of is that I want it to be a Mother's Day issue and I want it to feature the moms of transgender and non-binary kids.
To help our nation see transgender and non-binary children as real people, a Mother’s Day catalog of spices featuring the moms of transgender and non-binary kids is a good idea. For young people in most cities of any size this isn’t an issue because they’ve known transgender people their whole lives. But for older people in rural areas this is still just such a dangerous issue for kids. We think seeing young transgender kids through the love of their moms will help.
In the times we live, our catalog is not going to include names, or towns, or identifying information. But it is going to be the recipes moms love to share. And stories of why their kids are so lovable and such good people and know who they are. And ideally a few images now and again of a favorite toy, loved pet, or that piece of art that they did that you will treasure forever.
If this sounds like something you see the value in being anonymously part of we sure would like to hear from you. Maybe you just want to write 4-5-600 words yourself and send it along with a couple recipes. But mostly we are just looking to talk with you and write something up from the conversation.
And perfectly written out recipes are great, but don’t sweat it. We know a whole lot of you cook right from the heart and never measure anything. We’ve gotten pretty good over the years at turning a list of ingredients into measurements that work and are tasty, too.
If you could help us with this, please email us at editor@penzeys.com and we will set up a time to talk. You’re a nice person. We’re nice people. It will be a fun conversation. Thanks!
Taken from a recent email from Penzy Spices.
| | | |
|
SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
| |
Food insecurity has become a public health crisis that continues to affect our communities, with an alarming increase of 19 in the number of households facing hunger compared to pandemic levels. The situation is even worse for Black households, as the number has risen by 37%. With the recent cancellation of extra money in the SNAP program, it is now more vital than ever to support organizations like Share Food Share Love.
By donating to the Share Food Share Love Food Pantry, you can make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling to put food on the table. With just a $1.00 donation, you can help provide 3 meals for a family in need. Your generosity can help ensure that our neighbors do not go hungry.
We are calling on all members of our community to help us fight food insecurity by donating to the Share Food Share Love Food Pantry. There is a food box located in front of Tischler's where you can drop off your non-perishable food items 2/47 or bring your food donations to the church and we will take it over. Let's come together to support each other during these challenging times. Thank you for your support!
If you live in the surrounding area of Brookfield, you may qualify to be our neighbor at Share Food, Share Love. You can stop in on Tuesday evenings 7pm to 9 pm and Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm to apply and gather up some food for you and your family. If you do come, please try to bring your own reusable bags but if you forget, we will have bags for you.
The food box located in front of Tischler's where you can drop off your non-perishable food into this box 24/7!
Thank you!
SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE GIVING PAGE
|  | |
WSSS (SAGE) CALENDAR, EVENTS & MENU | |
West Suburban Senior Services (previously known as West Suburban SAGE) a social support group for LGBTQ seniors, meets both via ZOOM and in person on Fridays at 1 pm. Please contact Eric Eugenio Vironet (evironet@cmsschicago.org) if you plan to attend in person as space is limited.
On April 1 at West Suburban – AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging for suburban Cook County, will host a Legislative Breakfast at West Suburban at 10AM. This event welcomes Cook County federal, state, county, and local officials to discuss issues facing older adults. You are invited to attend! You must register prior to the event – you can scan the QR code on the flyer which can be downloaded below or register here:
AgeOptions 2024 Legislative Breakfasts
West Suburban March Activity Calendar click here
West Suburban March Menu click here
West Suburban Senior Services website click here
WSSS Facebook Page click here
| |
|
PASTOR'S PICK CORNER -
Rev. Daniels Reading/
Listening/Watching Suggestions
| |
|
I am, as all of you probably have noticed, a voracious reader! One of the downsides to reading is the cost of books. Well, here are some suggestions to help you read the books you want to read without breaking your budget!
1. Use your library! As a former librarian, I encourage the use of your public library! Using the free Swan+ app, you can search for any books (video, audiobook, e-book, etc.) and if an item isn't held in your local library, it is automatically requested for you from another library. You can choose where it will be held for you (maybe the library close to your work, maybe one you just like better). Note that if it is a title in high demand, residents of the library district that owns the title have priority. Holds can be suspended, if you need to, and you won't lose your place. Also note that e-books are on a kind of subscription basis for the libraries, and there may be more requests for a title than the subscription permits, or the subscription may have expired. Libraries also allow you to check out e-versions of magazines! Many also have libraries of things--tools, kitchen appliances, etc.--that you can borrow for a project when you don't want to buy the item. Many also have "maker labs" where you can print in a variety of media, including in 3D, create computer graphics, and more.
2. Little Free Libraries! Maybe you've seen those small boxes in a neighbor's yard, maybe painted bright colors. Little Free Libraries operate on the principle of ‘take when you like, leave what you are done with.” They’re a grab bag; you're not likely to find the latest bestseller in a Little Free Library, but there are many other choices! We have our own version in the Fellowship Hall by my office! Check it out!
3. Online booksellers like AbeBooks (owned by Amazon), Powell’s (they have a warehouse here in Chicago, so ordering from them may get you the books a bit faster), Half Price Books, and more. Bookshop.com is a website for independent bookstores--which includes our own local Anderson’s, as well as many women-, LGBTQ+-, and minority-owned bookstores. You won't get the lower prices of the used book stores, but you'll be supporting local, independent stores!
3) Trade with your friends! I've done a few book-swap parties, and they're a lot of fun. Everyone brings the books (or CDs, DVDs, etc.) they want to swap, and everyone gets to choose what they want to take home! I once scored a full boxed version of Angels in America at a book swap, and another time a pile of five lesbian-themed mysteries.
4. Finally, Amazon is not my favorite place to buy books, but if you are looking for used books, you can choose "other buying options" when you are shopping for books, and that allows you to compare the prices for used books from several booksellers.
Happy reading!
| |
MEDITATION WILL BE MARCH 6TH! | |
The next date for meditation with Mary Ann will be on Wednesday March 6th at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you there!
For more information about meditation please contact Mary Ann Latsaras at only1amar@yahoo.com.
| | | |
AMAZON HAS OUR LIST OF NEEDS!
UPDATED LIST!
| |
We have updated our "needs" list online at Amazon. We ask that you look at our list of what items we are in need of and purchase something for the church.
This list is available to see here HC Need List and is updated as needed. 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!
We thank you for your continued support of Holy Covenant!
| | | |
NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY OR WILL? | | | |
|
We mourn and pray for all the families who have suffered personal losses from gun violence at our schools, churches, and hospitals. public venues and other places.
Prayers for Barbara R.'s daughter Bonnie who is having medical issues and for Joyce with pneumonia.1
Prayers for Barbara R., Mary Ann & Jeni.1
Prayers for Rev. Doreen S. who had her knee replaced on Wednesday for speedy healing.1
Prayers for Jim U. for his skin cancer surgery.2
Prayers for the family and friends of Wesley Stover after his sudden passing.2
Prayers for Rev. Jonathan and Dani whose cancer has spread and had undergone surgery on Tuesday.2
Prayers for Bernadette's depression and for Laura's anxiety & depression.3
Prayers of thanksgiving for Mary Ann for healing from her dog bite and the resulting infection.3
Prayers for Roxann's family especially her mother Cheryl and Ron's wife with the passing of her Uncle Ron and for a successful GoFundMe to alleviate the financial burden.3
Prayers for Jim U., Bianca, Barbara, Juan, Alex, Benny and Kim.3
Prayers for those with harden hearts that feel the need to deface places of worship.
Prayers and strength for Ukraine, for those who are relocating, and to end the war and unnecessary deaths.
Prayers for all our first responders that they stay safe while helping others.
Prayers 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 | |
There is a universal help line 211 for Cook County. They can help residents with housing, food, health services and more. It is a 24 hour seven day a week operation and have trained professionals answer the phone and are able to help you | |
Missed a sermon?
Click here to catch up and watch on the Holy Covenant YouTube channel!
| |  |
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
| | |
Every day brings something new—
and God is with us always!
| |
9145 Grant Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone: 708.387.1611
| |
| | | |
