Sunday, February 01, 2026 | | |
An Open & Affirming Community of Faith
We Welcome All Beliefs!
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UPCOMING NEWS
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LGBTQ+ Hybrid Discussion Group (formerly Sage) meets every Friday at 1 PM. Check here for the church calendar for the link.
- We have updated our Amazon needs list. Please see below!
- Worship Team Meeting Thursday, February 5th, 7pm via Teams
- Next Board meeting is February 19th via Teams Meeting at 7pm
- Do not PARK on our side of the street (Grant & Maple) when there is over a 2" snow fall on Sunday morning. See Below.
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Support Holy Covenant MCC
with Your Generosity Today!
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Giving Needed Weekly (4 WEEKS) $350 -
The end of the month difference is -$305
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***Notes
A. Approved to pay via Board group text
B. Auto deduction with card on file.
Our bills are listed for the month of January 2026.
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.
| | PARKING RULES OVER 2" of SNOW | | |
Hey there, wonderful Holy Covenant family!
As we embrace the beauty of our Chicagoland winters—complete with snowflakes that may remind us of fluffy marshmallows—we’d like to gently remind you about Brookfield's parking policy: when Mother Nature blesses us with more than 2 inches of snow overnight, parking on EAST side of Maple Ave. church side is a no-go as is the SOUTH side of Grant! We promise it’s not just an arbitrary rule; it’s all about keeping our space safe and accessible for everyone, especially those who might need a little extra help navigating the winter wonderland especially the Town of Brookfield clearing the streets! So, let’s work together to keep our church operations running smoothly and our events accessible, even on snowy days!
Thank you for being the amazing, compassionate community that you are, and let’s continue to support one another while enjoying our church experience—just remember to park wisely!
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THRIVE WITH PRIDE/AGING CARE CONNECTIONS EVENTS
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VIRTUAL COMMUNITY
ROUND TABLES
FOR LGBTQ+ and ALLIED OLDER ADULTS RESIDING IN SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY, IL
What does thriving as you age mean to you? Share your needs, wants and ideas for affirming aging experiences, programs and services during one of these structured listening sessions. We hope you will join us and be a part of the changes you wish to see in your community!
· Wednesday, February 25 from 6-7pm on Zoom – Session 1
· Friday, February 27 from 11am-12pm on Zoom – Session 2
Pre-registration is required. Participants may choose their preferred date/time. Click on the image to download the PDF.
| | PARENTING A SECOND TIME AROUND - WORKSHOP SERIES | | |
FREE 8-week series designed to provide support to grandparents and relatives who have stepped into a parenting role. This workshop will provide support, connection, tools, and resources. Topics and themes discussed include mental health, legal concerns, developmental stages, communication, parenting styles, living with teenagers, and more!
Where: Zoom
Time: 11 am - 1 pm
When: February 3 to March 24th on Tuesdays
Click on the image to download the flyer.
For more info or to register, please call Cynthia Ayala at 708-934-2229!
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Are you grieving the death of someone you cared about? Do you feel like you could use support and community with others who are grieving?
Join our friends at The HAP Foundation for their monthly virtual grief circles offered in English and Spanish. These groups, facilitated by HAP Community Health Workers (CHWs), utilize a peer support model for honoring and processing grief. This group is open to any adult who is grieving the death of any person.
Held on the third Thursdays 6-7:30 pm
Questions? Email mburns@thehapfoundation.org
| |  | LGBT+ PROGRAM MONTHLY BOOK CLUB | |
Join the West Suburban LGBT+ Program for a new Monthly Book Club, moderated by Frank Serafino, lecturer at College of DuPage.
Click on the image to download the flyer.
February meeting:
Tuesday, February 17th
Time: 12:00 pm
In-Person or Zoom
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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.
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POTLUCK FEBRUARY 1ST
"ITALIAN FOODS & DESSERTS "
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"Mangia Bella" or Eat Eat!
Ah, who can resist the allure of Italian cuisine? It's a universal truth that we all have our beloved favorites—whether it’s the comforting layers of lasagna, the twirling strands of spaghetti and meatballs, or the indulgent sweetness of tiramisu that dances on our taste buds!
As we gear up for our fabulous Italian potluck on February 1st, let’s sprinkle in some culinary charm with delightful terms like Antipasti (starters), Primi (pasta/risotto), Secondi (meat/fish), Contorni (sides/veggies), and Dolce (dessert). Picture the table adorned with tantalizing dishes like Bruschetta, Risotto, and of course, the crowd-pleaser, Tiramisù! And as we gather around, let’s not forget the essential ingredients: Prosciutto, Mozzarella, Olio d'oliva, and Basilico to elevate our feast!
So, as we say "Buon Appetito" (enjoy your meal) or perhaps even the more casual "Mangiamo!" (Let's eat!), let’s remember that this potluck is more than just a meal; it’s a heartfelt celebration of our community, reflecting the beautiful tapestry of backgrounds and stories that make Holy Covenant MCC so special. We can’t wait to see what delicious delights you’ll bring to the table, so let’s make this gathering one for the books—join us and let’s create memorable moments together!
JANUARY SIGN UP HERE
| | BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES | | |
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!
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HOLY COVENANT BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 16th VIA TEAM MEETING
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The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, February 19th, 7pm via Team Meeting. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact Roxann Victory for the link so you can listen and observe.
You can find all the 2026 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
Jim Ulisse - Celebrant
10:00 AM CST
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Our worship celebration this Sunday is at 10:00 am CST. If you would like to join us, you may join us in person or go to our YouTube page and click to watch the service or previous services.
Sunday, February 01, 2026
Micah 6:1-8
Matthew 5:1-12
Message "Protest"
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.
If you have any pastoral needs, please send an email to board.hcmcc@outlook.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Want to help with service: reading, offering prayer, usher etc. Click on this link and sign up for JANUARY!
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Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!
Hello Neighbors! Below is our January 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.Click here to download the calendar.
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.
| | SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE FOOD PANTRY | |
Hey there, amazing community! Let's get real for a sec food insecurity is a major deal right now, and its hitting families hard, especially with those recent SNAP cuts. But guess what? We're not just going to sit around and let this happen! We have an incredible opportunity to come together and make a real difference through our awesome partner, Share Food Share Love. This organization is like a superhero for those in need, and they need our help more than ever!
Can you believe that with just a buck, you can provide THREE meals to a family? That's right! Your small change can become a big game-changer for someone struggling to put food on the table. It's not just about giving; it's about creating a lifeline for our neighbors who are facing hunger every single day. So, lets rally together and support the Share Food Share Love Food Pantry because every little bit helps, and together, we can totally smash food insecurity!
You can drop off your non-perishable food items at super easy locations like the outside box at Tischler's or right here at the church. Let's show our community that were all in this together, hand in hand, heart to heart. Thank you for being a hero in someone's story. Your kindness matters, and we appreciate every single one of you! Let's do this!
They have also launched an Amazon Wish List which a link is below and their new Families First Wishlist that provides essential early needs for mothers and young children. Anything you order for them on the wish list is automatically shipped straight to the pantry. Check out the list and see if you can help out with any needs.
Check out the new video from Share Food Share Love here.
If you are in need of food, you can stop in on Tuesday evenings 7 pm to 9 pm and Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm to apply and gather up some food for you and your family. If this is your first time, please have some identification with you. Please try to bring your own reusable bags but if you forget, we will have bags for you.
Thank you!
| | 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 here and in person on Fridays at 1 pm.
For questions about lunch or activities, please contact Senior Center Director Maggie Dodd at 708-234-1869 or maggie.dodd@cmsschicago.org.
You can click on the blue links below to bring up each of them to see what is going on. We hope to see you soon at 439 Bohland Ave in Bellwood!
West Suburban January Activity & Neighborhood Events - Meal Calendar
West Suburban Senior Services website click here
West Suburban Senior Services solutions for care click here
WSSS Facebook Page click here
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AMAZON HAS OUR LIST OF NEEDS!
UPDATED LIST! CLICK HERE TO SEE IT!
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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!
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MAYO CLINIC
IMPROVING CANCER OUTCOMES FOR
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES
Cancer experts know a lack of specialized care has contributed to poorer outcomes for people in the LGBTQ+ community. Mayo Clinic is working to change that. You can read more here.
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GRIEF GROUP FOR LGBTQ+
Center on Halsted is starting a new 10-week LGBTQ+ Grief Therapy Group. The group is for those 50+, is offered a no cost and will be held in-person at Center on Halsted starting in mid-January.
An intake is required for participation in the group. Please see additional info on the attached flyer and share with your networks. Click on the image to download the flyer.
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NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY OR WILL? | | | |
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/
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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 for Michelle P. and her family as her mother has peacefully transitioned.2
Prayers safety for Jim, peace and comfort for Barbara.2
Prayers that Jeni's VISA gets approved.2
Prayers for internal peace and happiness for Colin.2
Prayers for Tony and for Jim's mom.2
Prayers for peace in Minneapolis and other cities where ICE is invading homes.2
Prayers for Patti and Laura's friend Carol who had a breast lumpectomy and that it all cancer has been removed.3
Prayers of thanksgiving that Patti's procedure went good this week and the outcome is good.3
Prayers for financial help for Tony and for his back pain.3
Prayers for Kimberly's mental and physical health.3
Prayers that all that are unemployed or underemployed find gainful employment.
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!
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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
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Dial 988
Other Useful Links
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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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