Holy Covenant United Church of Christ
A progressive Christian church
Weekly News & Announcements through
Week ending June 26 , 2016
In This Issue
HC Happenings
UCC Weekly News
Prayer Concerns
Participant Reminders
Film Screening & Discussion
OTC Medicine Available
 Church Information
(Staff details below)


 
 Office Hours: 8AM-4PM
Monday through Friday
Phone: 704-599-9810

Like us on Facebook


Please check the Lost and Found table in the gathering room. Remaining items  will get new homes
after June 26th.
Reflections
It is interesting, often surprising, to note how the tide of time ushers in unexpected changes. For instance, I recently discovered that Andover Newton Theological School, my graduate school alma mater and the oldest Protestant graduate school of Theology in the U.S., will be closing! The expenses of maintaining its beautiful campus, coupled with faculty costs and a diminishing student body, have outstripped the school's financial resources. And three weeks ago, I learned that the thriving church of about 850 members in which I grew up in the Boston suburb of Medford, MA, had been sold! There were simply not enough members left to sustain it.
 
One of the fastest growing religious groups is called the "nones." No, I have not misspelled "nuns!" The "nones" are people who consider themselves to be spiritual but who have no use for or interest in being aligned with a religious institution. Not too many years ago, to suggest that any of the above would occur would have seemed like the height of foolishness. The realities of demographic shifts, financial limitations, and changes in how people feel they can express their religious beliefs, however, can catch up with and markedly affect even the most seemingly durable of institutions.
 
Lest anyone become nervous, none of the above is a veiled reference to anything going on at HCUCC! But we will find ourselves moving into a future in which the role and shape of "church" may well undergo significant change. The challenge for every church is to be proactive, to try and make those creative adjustments that will prepare it to meet the inevitable cultural shifts that the passage of time brings. Here's to the future!

~Steve Garvey
Holy Covenant Happenings
ALL CHURCH COOK BOOK
In honor of our Centennial, your Hospitality Team will be coordinating a printed version of a cook book, compiled of the favorite recipes from Holy Covenant and Pilgrim Congregational UCC members! Please submit any tried and true favorite recipe, of any food category, by July 15. Send your recipe to Judi Lord, jklord17@gmail.com or Linda Carver, 2547A Stockbridge Drive, Charlotte NC 28210.  This is a fundraiser for benefit of outreach missions. Details are in progress and more, including date and cost, will be announced in the near future. 

SOJOURNERS CLASS
This past Sunday in the Sojourners class, we first discussed an article that Jean Berg brought from the New York Times entitled "City's Collections to Go Directly for the Victims", which was certainly related to our book study of Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help. The city of Orlando is going to bypass the non-profits and instead, set up a board to disperse the funds that have poured into the city to the families of those killed and the injured. We then began a discussion of Chapter 2 and stopped on p. 16. So for those who missed it for Consistory or Father's Day, we'll finish Chapters 2 & 3 next Sunday, June 26. Hope to see you there!

BOOK CLUB
We will be meeting on Monday, *July 11*, at 1:30pm at the Sharon campus. Our new choice is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, an engaging and quick read! Barbara Schneller will be leading the discussion.
We will meet again on Monday, August 22, at 1:30pm at the Sharon campus. Sue Pascucci will be selected the title for August, and she will notify the book club members and you as soon as she has made a choice.

  HCUCC Pride logo 2012

2016 PRIDE FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
Charlotte PRIDE, the third-largest LGBTQ Pride organization in the American Southeast, will hold its annual festival August 19, 20 & 21. We need all members of Holy Covenant to volunteer in helping Holy Covenant be present throughout the weekend. Please contact Phil Kaveler to let him know when you can volunteer.

KYP 
Keeping You Posted

The United Church of Christ has a weekly electronic newsletter, ongoing blog, and website to share information about where we've been and were we are going as a collective church.   KYP Keeping You Posted  topics today include "White Privilege, Let's Talk"; and "Assisting a Bold Step into the Future". How do you be the church in an ever-changing religious climate? 

You can sign up for the regular email, or to receive a daily devotional, learn about happening  social  justice events. and more! Click here   to get connected and chose your preferences
Prayer Concerns
PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Members
Paul Bomely, Gail Bushman, Leanne Bushman, 
Ginny & Bob Fisher, Marianne Gannon, Karen Griffin, 
Chuck Johnson, Helen Lambert,  Irene Mikkelson, 
Deb & Yvette Ross, Dave Stoimenoff & Jim Germann,
Mamie Stokes, Jean Washburn
 
Friends & Family Members
McKenzie (Sue Godfrey), Rose Bouchonville (John Maze),
Charlotte Carbone, Matthew Christian, (Beth Sharp),
Bill Funderburk (Donna Collins), Frances Helms (Lynn Helms),
Mike Hinson (Kathi Smith), CD & Alice Huskins (Jared Fischer), 
John Jacobsen (Holly Middleton), Aaron Johnson (Joy Johnson),
Barbara Lees (Donna Collins), Urban Linn (Julie McLelland),
Pat & JoAnn Murphey (Laura Murphey), Candy Propes (Sue Rettberg),
Luz Soto (Aida Marcial)
Participant Reminders For Sunday
Greeters: Gail Bumgardner, Sue Rettberg
Ushers: Joe Craig, Peter Jawidzik, Sue Lamorey, Alice Phelan
Media: Brian Hankins, Joe Craig
Tabulators: Tina Dickens, Sally Duffy
ELDER FOR JUNE: Yvette Ross, phoenixprojectsr@gmail.com or 704-953-4324
ELDER FOR JULY: Michael Baldonado, michaelbaldonado@hotmail.com or 502-541-5957
Free Film Screening and Discussion
The film Gen Silent shares the stories of LGBT older adults in Greater Boston dealing with the challenges of growing older.
 
Since 2010, this landmark movie has inspired a world-wide movement of LGBT and aging advocates to create safe and welcoming community experiences for older adults and caregivers.
 
AARP Charlotte & Alzheimer's Association is pleased to offer a free screening of this film at Park Road Baptist Church on June 22 at 6pm. We hope you will join us for the film and discussion.
 
Over the Counter Medicine Available for Uninsured
Free Over the Counter Medicine Give Away
items include cold, cough, and flu medicines, bandages, 
pain and allergy relief, vitamins, and much more.
Friday, July 29 9AM - 2PM
NC MedAssist 704-350-3574
Holy Covenant United Church of Christ
3501 West W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28269
 704 599-9810
 
Dawn Simmons, Executive Assistant:  office@holycovenantucc.org
Nancy Ellett Allison, Pastor: Pastor@holycovenantucc.org  704-621-0235
Steven Burleson, Youth Pastor: YouthMin@holycovenantucc.org  704-706-4170
Jared Fischer, Director of Music: music@holycovenantucc.org 423-443-1676

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey,

you are welcome here.