|
An Open & Affirming Community of Faith
We Welcome All Beliefs!
| |
|
UPCOMING NEWS
-
LGBTQ+ Hybrid Discussion Group (formerly Sage) meets every Friday at 1 PM. Check the church calendar here for the link.
- We have updated our Amazon needs list. Please see below!
- Next Board meeting is November 19th via Teams
- November 1 is All Saints' Day - See below
- Worship Team Meeting: Thursday, November 12th, 7 pm via Teams
-
We are now on LinkedIn. Follow us here!
| |
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 15TH IS THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
| | | | | |
Support Holy Covenant MCC
with Your Generosity Today!
| | |
|
Giving Needed Weekly (4 WEEKS) $350
The end-of-the-month difference is -$430
| | |
We are sharing the detailed list of our financial obligations for OCTOBER 2026, which YOU CAN CLICK 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 our church's mission and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Current Designated Bank Balance 10/15/2026 = $1,826.19 (in QB) $1,916.19 (in FNBB)
| | |
Warmth For All:
Clothing Drive & Social
Now - December 11
Bring dignity and comfort to LGBTQ+ community members in need this winter. Donated items will be distributed through the Q-Closet at Kenneth Young Center's LGBTQ+ program.
Items Needed (New or Gently Used):
Hats, scarves & gloves or mittens
Warm jackets & coats
Sweaters, hoodies & shirts
Socks & shoes
Drop-off Locations (Addresses):
West Suburban Senior Center
Kenneth Young Center
AgeOptions
Join Us During October
Disability, Vulnerability and Domestic Violence | Tuesday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Online via Zoom
PCH’s Kelley Manges will lead this professional training on the intersection of disability, vulnerability, and domestic violence. Register for the training.
Take Back the Night | Thursday, Oct. 29, 3–6 p.m.
PCH, 8020 W. 87th St., Hickory Hills
Join us for a small, survivor-centered gathering focused on connection, awareness, and resources. Attendees do not need to register.
|
Book of 366
Daily Queer Prayers
We are creating a book that contains a daily prayer for all 366 days of the year. Help us achieve this goal by submitting your prayer composition.
|
Podcast Boldly Proclaims: You Can Be Both Christian and LGBTQIA+
We are thrilled to highlight a powerful digital ministry that aligns so deeply with MCC’s foundational calling: the You Can Be Both Podcast and YouTube channel, hosted by singer, songwriter, and faith advocate Lauren Lanzaretta.
| |  | |
ANNE LISTER
1791 - 1840
LGBT History Month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender Icons.
Anne Lister (1791–1840) was a wealthy English landowner, industrialist, and prolific traveler from Halifax, West Yorkshire, who is celebrated today as "the first modern lesbian". Highly educated and fiercely independent, she defied nearly every gender norm of Regency-era England. She famously earned the nickname "Gentleman Jack" because she dressed exclusively in black, wore a top hat, carried a cane, and engaged in male-dominated business enterprises.
The Coded Diaries
Lister left behind an astonishing personal archive consisting of 26 volumes and roughly 5 million words. Her diaries stand as one of the most comprehensive firsthand accounts of 19th-century life, covering details on engineering, coal mining, politics, and local geology.
Crucially, about one-sixth of her diaries were written in "crypthand"—a secret code she devised using a combination of algebra, mathematical symbols, punctuation, and ancient Greek. Through this code, Lister documented her absolute self-acceptance, her thoughts on anatomy, and explicit details of her romantic and sexual relationships with women. The code was cracked in the 1890s by a relative, but the diaries were hidden away until they were finally rediscovered and published in the late 20th century, eventually being added to the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register in 2011.
Landowner and Polymath
Lister inherited her ancestral home, Shibden Hall, in 1826 and took full control of managing the estate. Rather than leaving business matters to men, she actively managed tenants, oversaw timber and stone sales, and aggressively dove into the highly competitive local coal mining industry. She was a true polymath who self-educated in medical science, mathematics, landscape design, and classical languages.
Marriage to Ann Walker
After a string of passionate relationships, Lister fell in love with a wealthy neighboring heiress named Ann Walker. In early 1834, they made a pact to combine their fortunes and live together as a couple. On Easter Sunday, March 30, 1834, they exchanged rings and took Holy Communion together at Holy Trinity Church in York. This act is widely celebrated today as the first recorded lesbian marriage in British history.
Mountaineering and Death
Lister was also an elite, boundary-pushing athlete and traveler. Driven by an adventurous spirit, she became the first woman officially recorded to scale major peaks in the Pyrenees, including Mont Perdu (1830) and the Vignemale (1838).
In 1839, Lister and Walker embarked on an ambitious multi-year tour through Scandinavia and deep into the Russian Empire. While traveling in the Caucasus region, Lister was bitten by a fever-carrying tick. She died of a prolonged fever on September 22, 1840, in Kutaisi (modern-day Georgia) at the age of 49. Walker meticulously arranged to have Lister's body embalmed and shipped 3,000 miles back home by sea, where she was laid to rest at Halifax Minster.
| | | |
THRIVE WITH PRIDE/AGING CARE CONNECTIONS EVENTS
| | |
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 Tuesday - English third Wednesday - Spanish at 6-7:30 pm on Zoom
Questions? Email English -mburns@thehapfoundation.org
Spanish - Email mgomez@thehapfoundation.org
| | | LGBT+ PROGRAM MONTHLY BOOK CLUB | |
Join the West Suburban LGBT+ Program for their Monthly Book Club, moderated by Frank Serafino, a lecturer at College of DuPage. Next up will be On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong on November 17th. Those who prefer to join online should email Eric at (evironet@cmsschicago.org) for the Zoom link.
November meeting:
Tuesday, November 17th
Time: 12:00 pm CST
In-Person or Zoom
| | |
POTLUCK: OCTOBER 25TH
SPOOKY HALLOWEEN FAVORITES
| | |
Boo, friends! It’s Halloween month, and nothing is scarier than what happens in our kitchens. Truly — some of our casseroles have jumped off the table before.
We’re inviting everyone to bring your spookiest, silliest, most monstrously creative dishes to share.
Whip up ghostly cupcakes, monster chili, a bubbling cauldron of stew, or that one recipe you only make when the moon is full. If it looks like it might bite back, it’s perfect.
Let’s fill the table with dishes that cackle, wiggle, wobble, or at least make someone gasp, “Oh no… what is that?”
And don’t worry — the only thing truly haunting this potluck will be the empty plates.
NOTE: October is also Tackling Hunger Month.
Bring an extra can, box, or package of one of your ingredients to donate to Share Food Share Love.
Even the zombies are pitching in this year!
| | BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES | |
Celebrate Your Birthday or Anniversary With Us!
Attention, Holy Covenant community members!
You spoke — and we listened! Birthdays and anniversaries deserve to be celebrated and recognized.
If you’d like your milestone included, email socialmedia@holycovenantmcc.org with:
- Your name
- The details you’d like to share
- Your important dates (years are optional for birthdays!)
Let’s make every celebration count and share the joy together! 💛
| | | |
HOLY COVENANT BOARD MEETING
NOVEMBER 19th VIA TEAM MEETING
| |
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, November 19th, 7 pm via Teams meeting. If you would like to attend the meeting, please contact Roxann Victory for the link so you can listen and observe.
You can find all the 2026 Board agendas, minutes, and financials on our website. They are also posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
You can find a PDF of the 2025 Board Meeting agendas, minutes, and church financials here
| | WEEKLY SERVICE INFORMATION | | |
HYBRID - IN PERSON AND ON YOUTUBE
JIM ULISSE - CELEBRANT
10:00 AM CST
| |
Our worship celebration this Sunday is at 10:00 am CST. If you would like to join us, you may do so in person or visit our YouTube page to watch the service or previous services.
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Today's Readings:
Psalm 90: 12-17
Matthew 22: 34-46
Message Title:
“Love Created Us”
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 email board.hcmcc@outlook.com, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
| |
ALL SAINTS DAY - NOVEMBER 1, 2026
Honoring Those Who Live Forever in Our Hearts
On Sunday, November 1, Holy Covenant will celebrate All Saints Day, a time to remember and honor the family members, friends, and beloved pets who have touched our lives and are no longer with us.
All Saints Memorial Video
We will once again create a special memorial video featuring photos of our loved ones.
- Previously submitted photos: If your loved one appeared in last year's video, their photo will automatically be included again unless you request otherwise. There is no need to resubmit it.
-
New submissions: If you would like to add someone new, please email their photo to Board.HCMCC@outlook.com by Saturday, October 24.
IMPORTANT: Please send all new photos ONLY to the Board email address listed above. Do not submit photos through text messages, Facebook, Instagram, or personal email. Using one designated email address helps ensure that no one is accidentally overlooked.
All Saints Remembrance Table
We will also have our traditional remembrance table during worship. Everyone is invited to bring framed photographs, mementos, or other meaningful items honoring their loved ones to display during the service.
Together, we remember. Together, we celebrate the lives and love that remain with us.
| | | |
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 15, 2026
AFTER SERVICE
Mark your calendars for a significant occasion! Our yearly congregational meeting is just around the corner on Sunday, November 15th, and we invite each of you to join us in this vital gathering.
As valued members of Holy Covenant, your voices will be instrumental as we vote on our budget and elect new board members. This year, we have exciting opportunities for leadership with three openings—three for a 2-year term —as the terms of Barbara Adams Latsaras and Roxann Victory are ending, who are thoughtfully considering their options for re-election. If the thought of stepping into a board role resonates with you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our current board members—Roxann, Barbara, Jim, or Laura — for more information.
Applications will be available starting October 18th and must be submitted by November 1st, so don’t wait! Remember, only members can run for the board, so if you’re not yet a member but wish to be, Roxann Victory, our Moderator, would be delighted to assist you. This is your chance to make a difference and help shape the future of our beloved community!
| | | |
Want to help with service: reading, offering prayer, ushering, etc. Click on this link and sign up for OCTOBER!
| | |
Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!
Hello Neighbors! Below is our October 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.
| | |
HELP FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY WITH
SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE FOOD PANTRY
|
💥 Let’s Fight Food Insecurity Together!
Families are feeling the squeeze — SNAP cuts are hitting hard. But we can make a huge impact through our partner, Share Food Share Love.
💛 How You Can Help
- $1 = THREE meals for a local family
- Give at church or through the SFSL website
- Drop off non‑perishables at Tischler’s outdoor box or at church
- Shop their Amazon Wish List or Families First Wish List — items ship
straight to the pantry
🌶️ New: The Spice Rack!
- SFSL has a Spice Rack so families can cook flavorful meals
- Order spices from their Amazon list or buy locally and bring them to church
- Barbara will deliver them or drop them at SFSL
- Any spices welcome!
🎥 Watch Their New Video
-
See the pantry in action here and learn how your support changes lives.
-
Sign up for their newsletter here
🍎 Need Food Assistance?
- Open on Tuesdays: 7–9 PM
- Open on Saturdays: 10 AM–12 PM
- Bring ID if it’s your first visit
- Reusable bags appreciated (bags available if needed)
🙏 Thank You
Your generosity keeps families fed, hopeful, and supported. We’re in this together.
| | 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.
We’ll wrap up the month with a Halloween Costume Party on Friday, October 30, including a costume contest. Come dressed up and ready for some fun! Click here for the flyer on Halloween. Hope to see you soon!
For questions about lunch or activities, please contact Senior Center Director Maggie Dodd at 708-234-1869 or maggie.dodd@cmsschicago.org.
Click the blue links below to view each calendar. We hope to see you soon at 439 Bohland Ave in Bellwood!
West Suburban October Food Calendar - Click Here
West Suburban October Activities Calendar - Click Here
West Suburban Senior Services website - Click Here
WSSS Facebook Page - Click Here
| |
|
AMAZON HAS OUR LIST OF NEEDS!
UPDATED LIST! CLICK HERE TO SEE IT!
| |
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!
| | | |
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.
| |
GRIEF GROUP FOR LGBTQ+
The Center on Halsted offers a specialized Grief Therapy Group designed as a 10-week program for LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Group Details & Structure
-
Target Audience: LGBTQ+ adults (with specific tracks or focus areas often tailored for individuals 50 and older, or general adult groups).
- Format: 10-week structured therapy group focused on processing grief, sharing stories, building coping tools, and connecting with peers.
-
Location: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60613 (Lakeview neighborhood).
-
Cost: Sliding scale fee ranging from $5 to $40 based on income.
-
Requirements: An initial intake screening is required before joining.
How to Register & Contact
Alternative Support Options
-
Grief & Loss Support Group: A separate, peer-led, drop-in support group for older adults (ages 55+) is also hosted weekly at the center (free, no RSVP required).
| | |
|
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
August 2025 marked the statewide launch of Illinois Pride Connect - a new resource hub and free, confidential legal hotline for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans.
The resources can be accessed at:
-
IL Pride Connect Resource Hub www.ilprideconnect.org
- Legal Hotline: 855-805-9200
- (Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.)
| | | | |
NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY OR WILL? | | | | FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN BY CLICKING HERE! | | |
T-SHIRTS FOR HOLY COVENANT
🎉 NOW AVAILABLE — ORDER YOUR SHIRT! 🎉
👕 Get your Holy Covenant T‑shirt today!
Wear it while you volunteer at the garage sale, or grab one simply to show your support for our community. There are many sizes, styles, and colors to choose from, so you can find the perfect fit.
These shirts aren’t just for one event—they’ll be used throughout the year at Pride parades, festivals, and future garage sales so our neighbors can easily spot our joyful, welcoming presence.
💛 A small portion of every sale goes directly to Holy Covenant, helping support our ministries and outreach.
Click here to order! https://www.bonfire.com/holy-covenant-mcc/
| | |
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 of thanks for Barb & Mary Ann's grandson Bryan, whose shoulder has healed and who will be playing football this weekend, which is family weekend at Minn. State.1
Prayers for Laura's friend Karen, whose father has passed on into eternal life.2
Prayers for Pope Leo, who is recovering at the Vatican and will not need any further treatment for lung cancer.1
Prayers for the students and teachers of Bend, OR, their families and community .1
Prayers of thanksgiving that Judy's surgery went ok and she is home healing.2
Prayers for Jim's mom and for Tony.2
Prayers for Holly's dear friend Eric, who is struggling with mental health issues. Help him to have peace.2
Prayers of thanksgiving for an easy procedure for Holly's friend Ana. Prayers for good results this week.2
Prayers of Thanksgiving that Jean B.'s surgery went well and she is home recovering.2
Prayers of thanksgiving that Patti's brother Tim, who sold his condo, and that God will bring him peace.3
Prayers for Barbara A's. friend John C., who was recently diagnosed with AITL Lymphoma and is now undergoing chemotherapy, and for his wife Danielle, that she will have the strength.3
Prayers for John Dumas's Strand Theatre to get new financing.3
Prayers for the family and friends of Roxann's coworker, Jessie A., after his recent passing from cancer, and thanksgiving that he is no longer suffering.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 to stay safe as they help 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? The previous week's sermon is on the website homepage.
Click here to catch up and watch on the Holy Covenant YouTube channel!
| | | |
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
| | | |
Every day brings something new
and God is with us always!
| |
9145 Grant Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone: 708.387.1611
| |
| | | | |
