Sunday, August 16, 2026

A Spiritual, Scriptural and Indigenous Call to Peace, 
Justice, and Global Solidarity

We gather as a people who believe that every human being is created in the image of God, and that every life—every family, every child, every community—is sacred. In this moment of global turmoil, we lift our voices as followers of Jesus to proclaim a justice-centered peace in the face of war.

Today we lament the suffering caused by the war involving Iran. We grieve for families torn apart, for communities displaced, and for the deep wounds inflicted upon God’s beloved. Yet our lament does not end there, because the pain of war is not confined to one region.

We remember the people of Ukraine, living under invasion and bombardment. We remember the people of Gaza and Israel, enduring cycles of violence that shatter lives and futures. 

We remember communities in Sudan, where civil war has brought famine and displacement. We remember the people of Myanmar, struggling under military violence and persecution. We remember those suffering in Syria, where years of conflict continue to devastate families. 

We remember the forgotten wars—Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia’s Tigray region, and others—where suffering persists even when the world’s attention fades.

In all these places, God’s children cry out. And we hear them.

Scripture teaches us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) This blessing is not passive—it is a calling. It demands that we see the suffering of God’s people and respond with courage, compassion, and truth.

The prophet Isaiah gives us God’s vision: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares… nation shall not lift up sword against nation.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Indigenous peoples across the world remind us that violence against people is also violence against land, and that war tears apart not only human communities but the ecosystems that sustain life. 

Indigenous wisdom teaches that:

• Land is not a resource—it is a relative.
• Children are not casualties—they are future ancestors.
• Care is not charity—it is covenant.

From this perspective, war is not only a political failure; it is a spiritual rupture. It breaks relationships—with land, with ancestors, with future generations, and with the Creator who entrusted us with stewardship.

Indigenous teachings echo the Psalmist’s call: “Seek peace, and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) Peace is not merely the absence of conflict—it is the presence of right relationship.

So we honor Indigenous voices who call us to:

• protect the land from destruction,
• safeguard water from contamination,
• shield children from trauma,
• and uphold the sacred web of relationships that war seeks to unravel.

As a denomination rooted in the liberating love of Christ, we declare:

• War is a failure of imagination and a betrayal of God’s dream for humanity.
• Violence cannot bring peace; only justice can.
• Every person caught in conflict is our neighbor, and their suffering is our concern.

We call upon global leaders to turn from retaliation and toward diplomacy. We call upon faith communities to resist narratives that dehumanize entire peoples. We call upon ourselves to be witnesses of peace—in our prayers, our advocacy, and our daily lives.

Jesus reminds us: “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Today, the “least of these” are those whose lives are being torn apart by war. Our solidarity with them is not political, it is spiritual. It is the Gospel lived out loud.

So let us commit ourselves:

• to pray for peace with persistence,
• to speak against injustice with clarity,
• to support humanitarian relief with generosity,
• to stand with all who seek safety, dignity, and liberation,
• and to honor Indigenous teachings that call us back into right relationship with land, people, and Creator.

May the Spirit of the Living God strengthen our resolve. May Christ’s peace guide our actions. May our witness be bold enough to matter and tender enough to heal.

This is our stance. This is our prayer. This is our justice.

Ashe, Aho, and Amen.

In Peace, the MCC Council of Elders:

Elder Hattie Alexander-Key

Rev. Elder Mark Byrd

Rev. Elder Nokuthula Dhladhla

Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston

Elder Velma Garcia

Rev. Elder Rich Hendricks

Rev. Elder Aaron Miller

Rev. Elder Elaine Saralegui Caraballo

Rev. Elder Stuart Sutherland

Giving Needed Weekly (5 WEEKS) $280 

The end-of-the-month difference is -$258


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

"SCHOOL LUNCH BOX ITEMS"

WHAT DID YOU BRING TO SCHOOL FOR LUNCH?


RECREATE YOUR SCHOOL LUNCH BOX ITEMS FOR OUR NEXT POTLUCK!

Our next potluck is officially a three‑decade field trip, so buckle up. We’re diving into the 60s, 70s, and 80s school lunch box experience, which means you should prepare for culinary flashbacks, questionable food choices, and the kind of nostalgia that makes you say, “I can’t believe we ate that.”


From the 1960s, expect the classics: metal lunch boxes decorated with The Jetsons, The Beatles, or whatever TV show your parents claimed was wholesome. Sandwiches wrapped in wax paper, apples that somehow bruised themselves, and milk that came in tiny glass bottles if your school was fancy—or in cartons that tasted like the carton if your school wasn’t. If someone brings a Spam sandwich, just nod respectfully. That was a whole personality trait in 1964.


Sliding into the 1970s, things get groovier and slightly more suspicious. Bologna sandwiches were still a thing, but now they came with a side of “Is this safe?” The rise of the thermos meant you could bring soup, chili, or whatever your mom thought was appropriate to pour into a container shaped like a rocket. And of course, fruit cocktail—with that one lonely cherry—was practically a food group. If someone brings Tang, salute them. They’re honoring the decade that believed powdered orange drink could take us to the moon.


Then we hit the 1980s, where lunch boxes became neon, hair was big, and snacks were even bigger. This was the golden age of Lunchables, Capri Sun pouches that required Olympic‑level straw precision, and pudding cups that finally came with foil lids instead of paper you had to gnaw off. Chips were louder, cookies were sweeter, and every kid had at least one friend who packed a Pop‑Tart and called it “breakfast AND lunch.” If someone brings a Hostess cupcake, please refrain from reenacting the dramatic “I’ll trade you my Twinkie for your Ding Dong” negotiations of 1987.


Trading is encouraged, but please keep it civil. We do not need a reenactment of the Great Milk Carton Explosion of ’78, nor do we need anyone dramatically slamming their lunch box shut like they did in 1982 when someone stole their cheese stick. We’re older now. Our backs crack when we sneeze.


So come hungry, come nostalgic, and come ready to laugh your way through three decades of lunchroom memories. Whether you bring something groovy, funky, or totally rad, it’s all welcome at the table. After all, nothing bonds a community like shared memories of cafeteria chaos.

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 for Jim's Mom, Judy, Ann, Susan, Mary, and Tony.₁

Prayers for Laura P.₁

Prayers for Jim's Mom, Judy, Ann, Susan, Mary, and Tony.₁
Prayers for Jen and Brad.₁

Prayers for Debbie G. & Lisa that they get their power back in Indiana soon.₁

Prayers of thanksgiving that Roxann's first week at work was successful.₂

Prayers for Colin, who turned 19 on August 3rd.₂

Prayers for Bianca, Laura, and Jim.₂

Prayers for Cathy, whose mother with dementia is not doing well.₃

Prayers for Laura M., who has been sick lately with vertigo.3
Prayers that Jim's mom will come to Chicago to live with him and Tony.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.