A Note from the Pastor

Holy Covenant,

At our Maundy Thursday worship service last week, many of us gathered around tables shaped like a cross, sharing in a simple meal, stories, and sacred worship. It was a tender, powerful night, one that drew us closer to Jesus and to one another as we remembered that final meal he shared with his disciples and the events that would follow.

Earlier this week, a member of our church had asked me if I have ever seen the movie Jesus Christ Superstar and in all honesty I haven't. The reason they asked though was because in the movie Judas is not portrayed as a villain, but as someone caught in a role he cannot escape, perhaps even someone being used by God.

Interestingly their mention of that prompted a conversation between us about how Judas has been understood and maybe even misunderstood throughout Christian history.

Most of us have grown up with the idea of Judas as the ultimate betrayer, the disciple who turned Jesus over to the authorities for a bag of silver coins. But there is another story. A forgotten one. One that was literally buried for centuries.

In the 1970s, an ancient manuscript surfaced in Egypt, called The Gospel of Judas. It’s part of a group of texts often referred to as the Gnostic Gospels, writings that didn’t make it into what we now know as the New Testament. For centuries, this gospel was lost, and it wasn’t until 2006 that a full translation was published, allowing biblical scholars and historians such as Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and others to dig into it (no pun intended!)

What makes The Gospel of Judas so intriguing is that it reimagines Judas’ role. Rather than being portrayed as someone who betrayed Jesus, Judas is shown as Jesus’ most trusted disciple, the only one who truly understands Jesus’ teaching. In this gospel, Jesus entrusts Judas with a secret spiritual knowledge and asks Judas to hand him over, not as an act of betrayal, but as a fulfillment of a divine plan. Yes, that's right, the very act we’ve long seen as treachery is reframed as an act of a disciple's obedience and spiritual insight.

Several scholars have explored this newly revealed text further, including James M. Robinson (The Secrets of Judas), Bart D. Ehrman (The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot), and Herbert Krosney (The Lost Gospel). These works on the Gospel of Judas remind us that early Christianity was not as monolithic as we are led to believe, but a vibrant, contested, and diverse movement filled with different interpretations of who Jesus was and what his life, death, and resurrection meant.

I think these newly discovered texts, while not part of our Bible, invite us to wonder. To ask deeper questions. To recognize that the early church wrestled with some of the same stories and questions we have in different ways, and that there’s always more to learn and be revealed when it comes to our faith.

So as we head into this Easter season, as we continue to reflect on the life of Jesus and his resurrection, maybe we can also hold space for Judas too, not just as a villain, but as a mystery. As someone who, in at least one ancient Christian text, was not a betrayer, but as someone Jesus could have possibly trusted most.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev. Christopher Czarnecki

Holy Covenant UCC

Senior Pastor

Image: CSI_JBarabe_McCrone_LiveScience.com Description: ancient tattered text

United Church of Christ

A New Way to Bank with Our Values:

Generations United Federal Credit Union

We’re excited to share that the United Church of Christ now has its very own federal credit union—Generations United Federal Credit Union

(GUFCU)—born out of our denomination’s deep commitment to economic justice.

First envisioned by the wider church in 2017 as a response to predatory lending practices and financial inequities, GUFCU was created to offer ethical, accessible, and values-driven financial services for UCC members, clergy, lay staff, and congregants.

Through GUFCU, you can access:

Lower interest rates on loans compared to most banks
Financial literacy courses and credit-boosting tools
Surcharge-free access to 30,000+ ATMs and shared branches
Checking and savings accounts with better-than-average returns
Identity theft protection with account opening
Debit card features that support charitable UCC programs

Rooted in care, community, and justice, this credit union exists to serve people, not profits.

To learn more and become a member please visit: www.gufcu.org

Generations United FCU proudly serving the UCC community. Socially Conscious, Community Focused, Justice Driven

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

Holy Covenant Connections

You're invited to be a part of our church Pictorial Directory! May 1-4

Holy Covenant United Church of Christ is excited to partner with Heritage Church Directories this spring to create a pictorial

directory of our congregation. This full color directory will include all our congregations’ photos as well as our rich history

and current ministries. This will be a beautiful heirloom and a functional book for getting into deeper relationship with our

congregation. We ask for your participation in an effort to love our neighbor and get to know each other. You will receive a

free directory as part of our thank-you gift for participating.

To make this endeavor a success, we invite all our congregants to participate.

Heritage Church Directories will offer professionally produced prints of the portraits, candids, and church promotional shots

captured during this event. You may bring family or any other extra outfits for additional photos, you can even bring pets!

Heritage is here to make this event special and would love to photograph what is most important to you. Everyone will

have the opportunity to purchase packages and pictures a la carte at the time of the event. You are under no obligation

to purchase anything. The Heritage Directory will be made available to all of our faith family who are photographed.

Schedule your appointment by the above QR code, or this link:

Heritage Directories at Holy Covenant UCC

Thursday, May 1, 3pm-8pm

Friday, May 2, 3pm-8pm

Saturday, May 3, 10am-1pm, 2pm-7pm

Sunday, May 4, 1pm-5pm

Sojourners Class

The Sojourners resume with Chapter 7 "Saturday", of the book The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem by Marcus Borg and John Crossan.

Hope you can join us either in person or via Zoom—no preparation necessary.

We gather Sundays at 9:45am

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89561758099?pwd=d1gvUmh3K2hCNmdidm1QdjllNkF5QT09

Meeting ID: 895 6175 8099 Passcode: 986788

Bagged Lunch Build, April 27

No experience needed! We are making 100 bagged lunches for the Giles Center on April 27. This center is affiliated with A Roof Above and provides overnight shelter (and bags lunches) for homeless men. Stay after the worship service and join us!

Book Launch Celebration:

East of Apple Glen by Jonathan Heaslet

We are thrilled to celebrate one of our own, Jon Heaslet, whose debut novel, East of Apple Glen, is being released this week! After nearly ten years of writing, reflecting, and refining, Jon’s powerful and timely story is now available in print.

Set in the heart of Ohio's Amish country, East of Apple Glen weaves a poignant narrative of return, reckoning, and resilience. The novel follows Nathan Sherwood, who must confront painful memories and community secrets when he returns home to bury his mother and grandmother. Alongside childhood friend Robbye O’Malley, who herself fled Apple Glen under tragic circumstances, Nathan begins to uncover layers of long-buried injustice. This compelling story addresses themes of sexual assault, religious exclusion, and healing, offering hope and strength to all who strive to move beyond their pain.

Join us in supporting Jon at his official book launch event this Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 PM at Park Road Books (Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte). Jon will be interviewed by the Charlotte Observer and share more about his journey in writing this novel.

Books will be available for purchase at the event, and East of Apple Glen can also be ordered from Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore. To learn more or listen to a sneak peek, visit www.jonathanheaslet.com.

Let’s come together to honor this tremendous achievement and show our support for Jon and the important stories he’s chosen to tell.

Drop In Blanket Making Party, at HC Tuesday, May 13

Join the Project Linus Blanketeers in a drop in day, Tuesday, May 13, from 9am-3pm at Holy Covenant UCC! All are welcome. Materials and tools provided. Let's make some blankets for children needing a little comfort by providing them with blankets made with love.

Compassion Closet

Compassion Closet is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes clothing and linens to asylum-seeking migrant families here in Charlotte. Please donate new or gently used (& laundered) men’s, women’s and children's shoes and clothing, as well as towels and sheets. You'll find the collection box in the gathering room. Thank you!

Mark Your Calendars –

Charlotte AIDS Walk, May 31

Join us for the Charlotte AIDS Walk on Saturday, May 31st, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Truist Field. This annual walk is an opportunity to show support, raise awareness, and help make a difference in the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS in our community. So far, we've raised $340, but we're not yet close to our goal. Thank you for supporting us!

You can walk with our team, sponsor a participant, or make a donation by visiting: Holy Covenant UCC Team Page

Let’s come together in love and solidarity, hope to see you there!

Please consider these invaluable ministries, which play a big part in our extravagant welcome to newcomers, as well as a meaningful part of our congregational family!

Worship Volunteer Sign-up

Greeters and ushers are needed starting at 10:30am every Sunday. Liturgists and readers roles are also available. Please sign up in the Gathering Room or at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAD23A2FE3-ushers.

Fellowship Hour Hosts Needed

Please sign up in the gathering room for light refreshments after worship on Sundays, plus set-up and clean-up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAD23A2FE3-sunday1#/

We welcome all in our congregation to participate in worship leadership. Download the app to make signing up even easier!

https://www.signupgenius.com/mobileapp

Cares and Prayers

Meal Train for Sally Young and Alice Phelan

What is Meal Train?

There are times in our lives when friends and family ask, "What can I do to help out?" The answer is usually to help them with a meal. When many friends provide support through a meal, Meal Train keeps everyone organized.

MealTrain.com is a free meal calendar tool that makes planning meals among a wide group easy and less stressful. Thank you!

https://mealtrain.com/rlqe4l

Please Remember in Prayer

Members

Family and friends in the recent death of Sharon Landis

Mel Andersen, Liz Colton, Kevin Decker, Tina Ettesen, Laura Hankins, Jim & Faye Humphrey, Sue & Bill Pascucci, Isabelle Reedy Powell, Beth Sharp, Anita Taylor, Darline Warren, Sally Young & Alice Phelan

Friends & Family Members

Beth, Michael & Julian Bliss (Robert Shepherd), Melissa Brown, Linda Burby, Jeff Calder (Martha Bomely), Reva Dixon, Kim Dixon VanFleet (Diane Neese), Kent Hansen (Kristen Fuchs), Jeanne Hord (Diane Neese), Cindy Hedrick (Barb Schneller), Henry Hildebrand (Bill & Connie Hildebrand), Dave Johnson, Richard Lease (Barb Schneller), Earl & Susie Morgan (Ed Vickery), Larry & Karen Roark (Ed Vickery), Michelle Sharp (Beth Sharp), Janet Wakefield (Linda Burby), Brian Weddell (Jon Weddell), Kim Wiggs-Gamblin, Scott Whitley (Jay Whitley)

If you wish to add someone to the list, please send a note to

prayers@holycovenantucc.org.