Sunday, August 02, 2026

Hello, everyone! I'm Reverend Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, and I just want to give you a quick health update before I go on leave. I'm about halfway through my chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer. It's going well, and I'm also starting to feel that fatigue that so many of the medical team have told me about. So, I'll be finishing the rest of my treatments and taking some time off for August. I just want to thank all of you for your prayers, your support, your positive news, and for giving me a bit of space and privacy. I really appreciate that.

And what great news—all sorts of things are going on! We had the People of African Descent Conference in Brazil, which was a huge success. Part of the conference was the ordination of Reverend Haroldo André Garcia, so congratulations to you, Reverend Haroldo! We've also had news that MCC Detroit has finally gotten the keys to its new property—go, MCC Detroit! At Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, USA, the food program that the church supports has just been growing, and the outreach program to young people is flourishing, too. These are amazing things taking place around the world.

Additionally, we have two delegates to the World AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro: Reverend Paul Mokgethi-Heath and Doctor Léo Rossetti. MCC is out and proud; AIDS and HIV are part of our heritage and ministry, and it's wonderful that we have two delegates there to give our voice.

It takes all of us to be MCC. Remember the story of our founding, when Reverend Troy Perry heard that still small voice of God saying, “Troy, I love you. I don't have any stepsons or stepdaughters”. Troy put that advert in The Advocate, the national LGBT+ magazine for the USA, and nearly 60 years later, The Advocate is still rating MCC as the top church for the LGBT+ community and allies. You are making a huge difference where you are every day.

You're not going to hear from me for a little while, but the Governing Board, the Council of Elders, the MCC Staff, the Network Leaders, the Flourish Coordinators, and the Vocational Leadership Coordinators are all there to serve, support, and resource you—so be in touch with them for what you need, and keep sharing your positive news.

I also want to give a big shout-out to my colleagues on staff who have been getting up for meetings at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 in the morning their time just to meet with me and continue the ministry of MCC before I go for my daily treatment at the hospital. Thank you so much for doing that, because that's what it means to be global, to be in each other's time zones, and to support each other.

I'm so excited to continue receiving your positive news. Email me (RevCeciliaEggleston@MCCchurch.net)—and enjoy your ministry knowing that you are making a difference. I look forward to coming back in September and learning all about it.

Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston

Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches

Giving Needed Weekly (4 WEEKS) $350 

The end-of-the-month difference is -$906


We are sharing the detailed list of our financial obligations for July 2026, which YOU CAN CLICK ON TO DOWNLOAD for your convenience. Your generosity plays a crucial role in ensuring that Holy Covenant MCC can meet these obligations and continue to thrive as a welcoming community.

We truly appreciate any contribution, no matter how small, as it collectively adds up to make a significant impact. If you feel moved to support a specific bill, we invite you to designate your donation accordingly, fostering a spirit of collaboration within our community.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity; together, we can uphold the mission of our church and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Current Designated Bank Balance 6/17/2026 = $2,301.19 (in QB)  $2,301.19 (in FNBB)

MEDICARE & TRANSGENDER OLDER ADULTS: WHAT ADVOCATES NEED TO KNOW: SAGE AND JUSTICE IN AGING

Transgender older adults are navigating health systems that can be complex. This resource explains what to expect from Medicare coverage. 
Click here to download the fact sheet in PDF.

POTLUCK AUGUST 30TH

"MAKE A SUGGESTION"

WHAT SHOULD WE HAVE??

August potluck is coming up and our brains are fried after this hot July! So what is your suggestion for our July potluck?

Attention all members of the Holy Covenant community! We've heard your voices loud and clear - birthdays and anniversaries deserve to be celebrated and recognized. That's why we're excited to announce that we will begin posting these special occasions in the upcoming weeks, using the records we have at hand. If you want your milestone to be included, 
simply drop us an email at socialmedia@holycovenantmcc.org with your name, the details you want to share, and the important dates. Remember, years are optional for birthdays. Let's make every celebration count!

WEEKLY SERVICE INFORMATION

Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!

Hello Neighbors! Below is our July 2026 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!

For questions about the programs listed, please email AWN@agingcareconnections.org.

FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN BY CLICKING HERE!

We mourn and pray for all the families who have suffered personal losses from gun violence at our schools, churches, hospitals, public venues, and other places.

Prayers that everyone who has no power from the storms on Monday will have power soon.₁

Prayers for Cathy, whose mother with dementia is not doing well.₁

Prayers for Laura M., who has been sick lately with vertigo.₁
Prayers that Jim's mom will come to Chicago to live with him and Tony.₁


Prayers for Jody Muzika, who had to lay to rest her precious cat, Wembly.₂
Prayers for all detained by ICE.₂
Prayers for Barbara A.'s family as her Uncle Jim was recently placed in hospice in MD.₂

Prayers for continued healing for Jim's mom.₃
Prayers that Barbara R.'s surgery on Wednesday to remove the basal cells from her face goes well and she isn't left with any scarring.₃
Prayers for the Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston as she starts her battle with cancer.₃

Prayers for Katie as she leaves the hospital and now goes into rehab, and for her partner Karon.₃
Prayers for JW and Bev.₃

Prayers for the family and friends of Senator Graham.₃
Prayers of thanksgiving that Roxann V. has found a job that fits her.₃

Prayers for all who are ill.

Prayers for all who are traveling.

Prayers that all who are unemployed or underemployed find gainful employment.

Prayers for those with hardened hearts who 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.