Holy Covenant United Church of Christ
A progressive Christian church
Weekly News & Announcements through
Week ending June 19 , 2016
   
In This Issue
Conversation & Prayer Thursday at 7pm
HC Happenings
UCC Weekly News
Prayer Concerns
Participant Reminders
Film Screening & Discussion
OTC Medicine Available
 Church Information
(Staff details below)


 
 Office Hours: 8AM-4PM
Monday through Friday
Phone: 704-599-9810

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Flat Nancy wants everyone to have their stuff back. Please check the Lost and Found table in the gathering room. Items remaining on June 26th will get new homes.
Reflections
It has been a terrible week. The circles of pain are widespread. Thus this meditation begins with an invitation to hold all those who were killed or injured, including family and friends, in prayer.
 
Tragically, yet once again, the suffering caused by an act of mindless violence has united people in a way that perhaps nothing else can. The massacre in Orlando has ignited a firestorm of reaction. Shared pain has power. What practical, protective measures may arise from this tragedy no one yet knows. Let us hope that something that is practically protective arises from the ashes of grief.
 
This is the fourth or fifth attempt at writing this meditation; previous starts were brought to a halt as new information about the massacre in Orlando came to light. Each new revelation proved the last assumed truth to be false or at least incomplete. And therein lays the planted seed that brought forth this version.
 
Each of us makes judgments every day; some involve other persons. We judge - come to conclusions about - them by their looks, how they speak, the fruits of their labors, their worthiness and aptitude for a project, etc. Courts of law hand down judgments regarding the fate of a defendant. Judgments are with us all the time. Yet Jesus once taught: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged." Did he really mean that? No judging at all? Are we supposed to remain silent in the face of that which denies decency or justice or common sense? Does it not seem that refraining from judging opens the door for humanity's less-than-desirable side to march forward?
 
Jesus' words mean something different than what appears at first glance. The word for judgment that He used had to do with convicting someone in public of some behavior before all the facts were in. In essence, Jesus was talking about making premature judgments. Actually, Jesus was calling for a more intense approach to investigating someone or something. His point was that no public declarations about a person should be made until the search for the truth was completed. Half-truths, distortions, confused memories, personal biases, each can affect how truth is perceived. If one of the changes this tragedy brings about is a decline in premature judgments, then something good will have emerged from it. Let us hope that is the case.
 
~Steve Garvey

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 7pm

Fellowship, Conversation and Prayer        

Dear Friends,

What a heart-wrenching week it has been. I am sure that many feelings have risen to the surface and many thoughts come to mind. First, our prayers are with the victims of the Orlando shooting and their families and friends. The circles of grief and concern are indeed large. In addition, the fact that the attack targeted a nightclub known for its openness to members of the LGBT community means that intense hatred, misguided and awful to be sure, was at least one dominant factor in the attack.

THUS, ON THURSDAY EVENING FROM 7-8:30 P.M. the church will be open for those who would like to come and share fellowship, conversation, and prayer. We will meet in the Gathering Room. Feel free to come for whatever time you may have available. It is a time to be together and to be especially supportive of our LGBT friends.
  
Steve  
Holy Covenant Happenings

ALL CHURCH COOK BOOK
In honor of our Centennial, your Hospitality Team will be coordinating a printed version of a cook book, compiled of the favorite recipes from Holy Covenant and Pilgrim Congregational UCC members! Please submit any tried and true favorite recipe, of any food category, by July 15. Send your recipe to Judi Lord, jklord17@gmail.com or Linda Carver, 2547A Stockbridge Drive, Charlotte NC 28210.  This is a fundraiser for benefit of outreach missions. Details are in progress and more, including date and cost, will be announced in the near future. 

SOJOURNERS CLASS
The Sojourners enjoyed a rich discussion and introduction to our new book TOXIC CHARITY:  HOW CHURCHES AND CHARITIES HURT THOSE THEY HELP by Robert Lupton.  Our class members have such a variety of life experiences and perspectives to bring to the table.  Next week, June 19, we'll be discussing Chapters 2 & 3, "The Problem with Good Intentions" and "The Anatomy of Giving."  Please join us at 9:45--all are welcome and no preparation needed!

BOOK CLUB
We will be meeting on Monday, *July 11*, at 1:30pm at the Sharon campus. Our new choice is A man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, an engaging and quick read! Barbara Stellar will be leading the discussion.
We will meet again on Monday, August 22, at 1:30pm at the Sharon campus. Sue Pascucci will be selected the title for August, and she will notify the book club members and you as soon as she has made a choice.



2016 PRIDE FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
Charlotte PRIDE, the third-largest LGBTQ Pride organization in the American Southeast, will hold its annual festival August 19, 20 & 21. We need all members of Holy Covenant to volunteer in helping Holy Covenant be present throughout the weekend. Please contact Phil Kaveler to let him know when you can volunteer.


KYP 
Keeping You Posted

The United Church of Christ has a weekly electronic newsletter, ongoing blog, and website to share information about where we've been and were we are going as a collective church.   KYP Keeping You Posted  topics today include "White Privilege, Let's Talk"; and "Assisting a Bold Step into the Future". How do you be the church in an ever-changing religious climate? 

You can sign up for the regular email, or to receive a daily devotional, learn about happening  social  justice events. and more! Click here   to get connected and chose your preferences
Prayer Concerns
PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Members
Paul Bomely, Gail Bushman, Leanne Bushman, 
Ginny & Bob Fisher, Marianne Gannon, Karen Griffin, 
Chuck Johnson, Helen Lambert,  Irene Mikkelson, 
Deb & Yvette Ross, Dave Stoimenoff & Jim Germann,
Mamie Stokes, Jean Washburn
 
Friends & Family Members
McKenzie (Sue Godfrey), Rose Bouchonville (John Maze),
Charlotte Carbone, Matthew Christian, (Beth Sharp),
Bill Funderburk (Donna Collins), Frances Helms (Lynn Helms),
Mike Hinson (Kathi Smith), CD & Alice Huskins (Jared Fischer), 
John Jacobsen (Holly Middleton), Aaron Johnson (Joy Johnson),
Barbara Lees (Donna Collins), Pat & JoAnn Murphey (Laura Murphey),
Candy Propes (Sue Rettberg), Luz Soto (Aida Marcial)

Participant Reminders For Sunday
Greeters: Donna Collins, Sue Pascucci
Ushers: Gail Bumgardner, Barry Holcomb, Joy Johnson
Media: Brian Hankins, Joe Craig
Tabulators: Lori Cipot, Terry Raley-Dennis
ELDER FOR JUNE: Yvette Ross, phoenixprojectsr@gmail.com or 704-953-4324
Free Film Screening and Discussion
The film Gen Silent shares the stories of LGBT older adults in Greater Boston dealing with the challenges of growing older.
 
Since 2010, this landmark movie has inspired a world-wide movement of LGBT and aging advocates to create safe and welcoming community experiences for older adults and caregivers.
 
AARP Charlotte & Alzheimer's Association is pleased to offer a free screening of this film at Park Road Baptist Church on June 22 at 6pm. We hope you will join us for the film and discussion.
 
Over the Counter Medicine Available for Uninsured
Free Over the Counter Medicine Give Away
items include cold, cough, and flu medicines, bandages, 
pain and allergy relief, vitamins, and much more.
Friday, July 29 9AM - 2PM
NC MedAssist 704-350-3574
Holy Covenant United Church of Christ
3501 West W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28269
 704 599-9810
 
Dawn Simmons, Executive Assistant:  office@holycovenantucc.org
Nancy Ellett Allison, Pastor: Pastor@holycovenantucc.org  704-621-0235
Steven Burleson, Youth Pastor: YouthMin@holycovenantucc.org  704-706-4170
Jared Fischer, Director of Music: music@holycovenantucc.org 423-443-1676

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey,

you are welcome here.