An Open And Affirming Community Of Faith -
We Welcome All Beliefs!
  • Sage meets every Friday at 1 pm. Check here for the church calendar for the link

  • Board Meeting March 16th

  • Meditation with Mary Ann on
March 15th at 7pm

  • Parking Restrictions - See Below

  • Worship Team meeting, March 5th after service. Be prepared to finish planning for Lent.

  • Pints with the Pastor is March 9th

  • Spring ahead is March 12th! Turn your clocks ahead at 2 am on 3/12!
HELP US GROW BY GIVING!
YOUR GENEROSITY IS NEEDED!
Your generosity is needed, now more than ever! You may give via:

PayPal — access it through our website or send your donation on PayPal which takes out a fee, to donations@holycovenantmcc.org

Zelle - You can send your donation directly to the church using Zelle via the email address donations@holycovenantmcc.org. It will go directly into the general account and there will be no fees attached to the giving.

Electronic Check
Send an electronic check from your financial institution, or by sending a personal check. Our address is 9145 Grant Ave, Brookfield, IL, 60513.

Please remember that when giving through PayPal they do charge a percentage fee to the church unless it shows an option to help out the church and for you to pay that fee.

See the weekly giving below. Holy Covenant needs at least $4,672 a month to meet its obligations for bills and salary. We are now showing what the percentage of giving is and how we are doing on a monthly basis.

FEBRUARY 2023 GIVING
Giving Needed Weekly
(5 WEEKS) $1,169
The Difference is -$2,751
Our bills are listed for the month of February 2023.
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. 
HOLY COVENANT GIVING
STATEMENT FOR 2022
The Board has emailed out the link to download your donation statement for the year 2023. If you did not get your statement, please email Barbara at socialmedia@holycovenantmcc.org that you need a copy.
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MEDITATION IN PERSON! WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 15th! MEDITATION IS OPEN TO ALL!
The next meditation is on Wednesday, March 15th, at 7 pm at the church. Mary Ann will be leading the meditation upstairs in the church. This event is free and open to all men and women.

Please be prompt at 7 pm so there are no distractions.

  • Please bring your mask even if you are vaccinated.
  • If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
  • We ask that you use hand sanitizer as you enter the building

For more information about meditation please contact Mary Ann Latsaras at only1amar@yahoo.com.
PASTOR'S PICK CORNER -
Rev. Daniels Reading/Listening/Watching Suggestions
An eclectic collection of books, movies, TV shows, magazines, etc. that I have come across, which I found good or interesting and you might too!

Recently Listening:
"Podcasts"
Podcasts. I haven't been listening to very many (or very much) since I moved to La Grange Park, mainly because I don't have the commute I did in Detroit/Windsor. But I've been finding places they fit in my day (while I'm cooking, or doing some cleaning, on the few longer drives I have). Here are some of my favorites.

The Lo-Fi Gospel Minute, Tripp Hudgins. A little bit of everything. Tripp is a Facebook friend of mine, and we are connected through a network of other clergy and spiritual-type folks. His podcasts are brief--about five minutes--and cover a range of subjects--bluegrass music (Tripp plays banjo, dulcimer, mandolin and a variety of other stringed instruments), theology (he's Episcopal, but calls himself an Anglo-Baptist), child raising (he has an precocious child), and life in general.

Serious Trouble, Ken White and Josh Barro. This duo of lawyers examine the legal cases that are in the news, explaining why the lawyers in these cases do (or don't do) various things, and why judges rule the way they do. This is the brief version, about 20 minutes. For more in-depth analysis, you can join their Patreon group.

Poetry Unbound, Padraig O Tuama .This Irish poet is phenomenal in his own right; here, he lifts up a variety of poetic voices. Each episode (about 15 minutes) focuses on a different writer, sharing their work and discussing it with them in an interview.
The Rest is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. No, not THAT Tom Holland.This is a bit of a longer podcast--about 50 minutes. The topics range from the Nazis to ancient Egypt, from the Crusades to Alexander the Great, colonialism vs nationalism. They discuss the influences on historic events (social, economic, etc) and set them in context brilliantly. Holland wrote Dominion, which is an account of how Christianity affected world history in both large and small ways.
SNOW REMOVAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED OR
DONATIONS TO HELP PAY FOR SNOW REMOVAL
We recently received a quote for snow blowing from another company. The cost for each snowfall is as follows:
  1. $50 to shovel
  2. $40 for return to shovel
  3. $20 for salting

We are looking for donations to the snow removal. If you can, we would be so grateful for any donations to help us pay for snow removal for 2022-2023. Please mark your donation for snow plowing. You can donation via Zelle, PayPal or regular check. The email for PayPal and Zelle is donations@holycovenantmcc.org.

If you cannot donate, can you volunteer for snow clearing? We do have a snow blower! If you are able and willing to assist with either of these, please contact any Board member or email socialmedia@holycovenantmcc.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST
THRIVE WITH PRIDE -
LARGE GROUP
MANAGING STRESS & TRAUMA
THRIVE WITH PRIDE -
SMALL GROUP

Our small group Thrive with Pride gathering will be on Thursday, March 2, at 7 pm via Zoom. Thrive with Pride is a program of AgeOptions in partnership with Holy Covenant, offering resources and connections for LGBTQ+ seniors. Large group meetings are via Zoom on the last Tuesday of the month at 11 am; the small groups, or cafes, take place at various times during the month. Holy Covenant’s café meets the first Thursday of the month.

Join us on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11am (Central) by clicking https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96661294106 or dial (312)626-6799 and enter ID 966 6129 4106 at prompt.

An Evening of Music Benefitting LGBT+ Older Adult Programming
Chicago Methodist Senior Services will benefit from this concert April 27th.

WHEN: Thursday, April 27, 2023
WHERE: Fitzgeralds in Berwyn, IL
PLAINFIELD PRIDE GALA
Please join us for our first annual Pride Gala! We will be hosting our event at Sovereign on May 12th! We have had such a wonderful year filled with a lot of support and community involvement and we would love if you would join us to celebrate! We will have music, food, drinks, some speakers, and an amazing silent auction! Donations due by March 31st.


Sponsorship opportunities available! If you would love to support the cause but can’t make the event you can make also make a donation! https://donorbox.org/pride-gala

We hope to see you there to celebrate our community!
ONLINE WORKOUTS WITH PASTOR DIANE
In March of 2020, Pastor Diane of Pike’s Peak MCC (Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA) began offering online exercise classes and nearly 3 years later, she is still going strong! Join her and a small group of folx for live exercise 3 days a week on Zoom. Most participants don’t even turn on their cameras or microphones—so no one has to feel self-conscious about how much they can do-and the difficulty level of all exercises can be modified. 

Morning Workouts with Pastor Diane
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings
8:30 am Mountain Time (9:30 CST / 10:30 EST / 3:30pm GMT)
Meeting ID: 719 233 8982
Passcode: 654321
WEEKLY SERVICE INFORMATION
SUNDAY WORSHIP
HYBRID - IN PERSON AND ON YOUTUBE
REV. MARTHA DANIELS PRESIDING
10:00 AM CST
Our worship celebration is every Sunday at 10 am CST. If you would like to join us you may join us in person or go to our Facebook page at Holy Covenant Facebook Page and click on the LINK to YouTube to watch the service.

Sunday February 26, 2023
Reading:
Wisdom of John 3:1-17
Sermon Title "Birth & Rebirth"

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.

Rev. Martha is available by email, phone, Facebook Messenger, and text for any pastoral needs you may have revmarthadaniels@gmail.com

  • Masks are now optional. If you want to sing you have to wear a mask.
  • No temperature check required
  • Social distancing required

DO YOU WANT TO HELP WITH WORSHIP?
Do you feel a call to help with worship? To read a prayer, or a reading, or to usher or serve communion? Whether you are here in person or virtually, we need and want your gifts! Contact Rev. Martha or Roxann at roxann.victory@outlook.com.
SNOW RESTRICTIONS - PARKING
Just a reminder to everyone, that if it snows more than 2" overnight, you cannot park on the east side of Maple Ave on Sunday morning. You will get a ticket. Please park across the street on the west side of Maple, in our parking lot or on Grant Ave.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
MARCH 8TH
March 8 is International Women’s Day, which is a day that not only celebrates the achievements of women and the progress made toward women’s rights, but also brings attention to ongoing struggles for equality around the world.

Spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement that had begun in New Zealand, IWD originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century. The earliest version was purportedly a "Women's Day" organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women's Conference to propose "a special Women's Day" be organized annually, albeit with no set date;[8] the following year saw the first demonstrations and commemorations of International Women's Day across Europe. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917 (the beginning of the February Revolution), IWD was made a national holiday on March 8; it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries. The holiday was associated with far-left movements and governments until its adoption by the global feminist movement in the late 1960s. IWD became a mainstream global holiday following its adoption by the United Nations in 1977.


AGING WELL MARCH PROGRAMS
Join us all month long for informative seminars, health programs, fitness, entertainment, and more!
 
Hello Neighbors! Below is our March 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.
HOLY COVENANT BOARD MEETING - MARCH 16TH
The next Board meeting will be on March 16th at the church.

You can find all the 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
SHARE FOOD, SHARE LOVE FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Some families will have a hard time providing healthy, nourishing food. Rising food costs caused by inflation, when combined with the ongoing pandemic, means that many family budgets that were already stretched thin, are no longer adequate to provide for their needs. Sometimes it is even necessary for families to do without essential items like medicine or professional health care, so that everyone has enough to eat.
 
You can make a real difference. Donating now is so important please take a minute to give so we can feed the hungry in our area.
Thank you!

PINTS WITH THE PASTOR
Join us at Pub 78 in beautiful downtown Brookfield for no-host dinner and/or drinks. conversation and good times from 6 pm - 8 pm.

Time: 6 pm, Thursday, March 9th.
Pub 78
3733 Grand Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
SAGE CALENDAR, EVENTS & MENU
SAGE, a social support group for LGBTQ seniors, meets both via ZOOM and in person on Fridays at 1 pm. We hope to resume our lunches in July. Please contact Eric Eugenio Vironet (evironet@cmsschicago.org) if you plan to attend in person as space is limited. Click here to join the meeting

SAGE Events click here
West Suburban Senior Services calendar click here
SAGE CAFE MENU click here
AMAZON HAS OUR LIST OF NEEDS!
We have a "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 Charity Lists 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!
NEED POWER OF ATTORNEY OR WILL?

Contact the Center for Disability & Elder Law at Center for Disability and Elder Law. Click this link to see more information and links.
We mourn and pray for all the families who have suffered personal losses from gun violence at our schools, churches, and hospitals. public venues and other places.

Prayers for Laura & Patti sister Vicki for loss of vision in left eye.1
Prayers for Jim U.'s long time high school friend, Joe Morales, who passed away this week.1
Prayers for Jim U's healing from pneumonia and for his partner Tony who has been ill and has been there for Jim during his sickness.1
Prayers for Kim's quick healing and continued prayers for good biopsy results.1
Prayers for Devis own (the longest living member of GSPMCC) who is in hospice.1
Prayers for Cathy for wisdom, strength, and peace as she takes care of her mother with dementia.1
Prayers for Erica B. and her sons after the untimely death of her husband David who passed away 2/8/23.3
Prayers for Michigan State University students and their families after the mass shooting that killed 3 and injured 8.3

Prayers and strength for Ukraine, for those who are relocating, and to end the war and unnecessary deaths.
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

Missed a sermon?

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
Every day brings something new—
and God is with us always!
9145 Grant Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone: 708.387.1611