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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, March 5th, 7pm via Teams
- Next Board meeting is March 19th via Teams Meeting at 7pm
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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 -$1,050
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Our bills are listed for the month of February 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.
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SEASON OF LENT - SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
BY REV. ELDER RICH HENDRICKS
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Reading 1: Genesis 12: 1-4a
Reading 2: Matthew 17: 1-19
Greetings dear friends,
I am Rev. Elder Aaron Miller, the Sr. Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford in Hartford CT USA and I bring you greetings from the Council of Elders, our Moderator, the Governing Board, and MCC Staff.
I was delighted to discover that I would be offering a reflection on the Transfiguration of Jesus. As someone who identifies as transgender, this is perhaps my favorite epiphany in the Bible. And, it is something that resonates deeply with me, given my gender transition led to a transfiguration.
The scripture in Matthew 17:1-9 invites us to imagine us climbing with the disciples Peter, James, and John as they follow Jesus up to the mountaintop. Keep in mind this is late in the gospel and Jesus will soon head toward Jerusalem to face the events of Holy Week.
No one has ever been able to fully explain what actually happened to Jesus during the transfiguration. Unlike Moses, whose face radiated the divine glory as a result of speaking with God on a different mountain--Mt. Sinai (Ex 34:29), Jesus' transfiguration emanates from within. He is physically transfigured and his clothes became radiant. And, in that moment, Jesus revealed his true and authentic self to his closest friends’ (much like ‘coming out’ -- without words) and provided a glimpse of divine glory while confirming his identity as God's Beloved.
The Transfiguration is a moment, like no other, and truly unimaginable in human terms. Or is it?
Maybe this is possible to imagine…especially if we have experienced God’s presence in some way. As I live my life in truth and with authenticity --- as WHO I am---and after realizing that I, too, am beloved of God, I know this glory now emanates from within me, as well.
Jesus changed physically and even his clothes were changed to dazzling white. I know what it is to ‘dazzle’ --- when blouses became shirts and skirts become pants. It may well be that when we are authentically WHO we are and created to become----that we can fully open to a divine experience of God’s glory. And, yes, DAZZLE!
To quote Toba Beta “When higher beings allow us to see them, that's the very moment we begin to be one of them.” I imagine that Peter, James, and John were forever changed --- even radiating---as Jesus did.
Like those early disciples, we may want to stay on the mountaintop – which is glory-us (glorious). And yet Jesus and the disciples had more to accomplish in the short time remaining. So, down the mountain they went…just as WE must, too.
What sticks with me though---especially in the perilous times we are in----is what God spoke on that mountain. God spoke the same words that were spoken to Jesus’ at his baptism in the Jordan River---at the very beginning of his ministry; God saying "This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased” Only---this time, God adds the directive: “listen to him!"
I believe this has become a ‘clarion call’ for this very ‘moment.’ In Matthew’s gospel, some 5 chapters later, Jesus will be asked by one of the scribes “which commandment is the most important of all?
And Jesus will reply “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus made it crystal clear. The greatest command is to LOVE….LOVE….God, ourselves, and one another.
There were many false prophets during the time of Jesus just as there are today. Honestly, I don’t recognize the Jesus that many Christians speak about. If it is not of love----it is not of God---for God IS love.
Jesus is still speaking today----the question that remains is…. are we listening?
Or are we listening to the love-less and even hateful words that are spoken in his name?
As we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday, my prayer is that we do what God has directed us to do – listen to Jesus. Then let’s to come down the mountain to share his heart and love with the world. I believe this will make us radiant…and who knows…. perhaps even dazzling! May it be so, Amen.
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THRIVE WITH PRIDE/AGING CARE CONNECTIONS EVENTS
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INTERGENERATIONAL COOKIES AND CONVERSATIONS
Join us for this special intergenerational event where people of all ages can come together for cookies and conversation, particularly about LGBTQIA+ topics. We will be exploring queer history with Gerber-Hart LGBTQ+ Library and Archives.
Monday, March 9 | 12:30pm | Oakton College – Skokie Campus (RSVP required)
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 10 to March 31st 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 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 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, March 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 MARCH 22nd
"FOOD FROM YOUR HERITAGE"
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PIEROGI'S? TACOS? IRISH STEW? LASAGNA? KIBBIE?
Food has a beautiful way of telling our stories. Every recipe carries memories — grandparents in the kitchen, holiday tables filled with laughter, and traditions passed from one generation to the next. A Heritage Potluck gives us the chance to honor those memories and celebrate the diversity, history, and culture within our church community.
Each person is invited to bring a dish that reflects their family background, ancestry, or cultural traditions. It might be a recipe passed down through generations, a favorite childhood meal, or something that represents the country or region your family calls home. When we gather this way, an ordinary shared meal becomes a powerful experience of storytelling and connection.
A heritage‑themed potluck does more than fill plates — it builds bridges.
- It honors identity — reminding us that every person has a story worth sharing.
- It fosters understanding — as we taste and learn about one another’s cultures.
- It strengthens community — because gathering around the table helps us remember that we belong to one another.
- It sparks conversation — where “What’s in this?” becomes “Tell me about your family.”
In our faith community, sharing food reflects hospitality, unity, and gratitude. When dishes from around the world come together, we catch a glimpse of the beauty of diversity. The table becomes a place where differences are celebrated and common ground is discovered.
A Heritage Potluck is more than a meal — it’s an opportunity to listen, to learn, and to love one another more deeply.
So set the table, open the doors, and bring a piece of your story. Together, we’ll create a meal — and a moment — worth remembering.
| | 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
MARCH 19th VIA TEAM MEETING
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The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 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
Lent 2 - "Power of Faith"
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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, March 1, 2026
John 3:1-17
1Peter 2:9-10
Message "Born Again? What?"
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 MARCH!
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Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!
Hello Neighbors! Below is our February 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.
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PANERA FUNDRAISER FOR
SHARE FOOD SHARE LOVE
We're excited to invite you to join us for a Panera Fundraiser in support of Share Food Share Love Food Pantry on March 4, 2026, from 4:00-8:00 PM at 439 North LaGrange Road, LaGrange Park, IL.
This is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with fellow volunteers, friends, and family while also supporting the important work of the pantry. Whether you dine in, take food to go, or place an online order, your participation helps make a meaningful difference in our community. Please share with your friends and family!
When ordering in person, please be sure to show a printed copy of the flyer or a picture of it on your phone so your purchase counts toward our fundraiser total. I encourage you to take a quick photo of the flyer now so it makes things easy when you arrive!
You may also order online or through the Panera app using the fundraiser code listed on the flyer.
| | 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 February Activity & Neighborhood Events - Meal Calendar
West Suburban Senior Services website 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 Barbara R's sister-in-law, Mary who is very ill and her sister Donna, who is caring for her.1
Prayers for safe travels for the St. Ledger family as they move to England.1
Prayers for Roxann gets the role that will be best for her.1
Prayers for Karen B. who has discontinued her chemo and wants to enjoy her life with her dog Skye.1
Prayers for Connie to heal from her knee replacement surgery.2
Prayers for Cathy who is overwhelmed with her job.3
Prayers that we will find funding to buy out my brother for his part of the house.3
Prayers for Tony's back.3
Prayers for all who are ill.
Prayers for all who are traveling.
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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