Archive for September, 2009

Hear the music of U2 in a whole new way. All are welcome at Holy Covenant’s annual U2 Eucharist. Two performances: 9:30 and 11:15 a.m., Sun., Oct. 4, at 925 W. Diversey, Chicago. You won’t want to miss it–a full band, solo performances by Holy Covenant and other musicians and a house packed to the balcony.

Check out the Facebook event page to RSVP and invite friends.

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You Should Pray
Rev. Kate Floyd
Holy Covenant UMC, September 27, 2009
James 5:13-20

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Are any among you sick? Are any among you suffering?

Well, if the answer is yes, today is your lucky day, because James gives us a quick and easy answer to our problems: “You should pray”.

That’s right….if you’re suffering, just say a prayer to God, and you will be healed.

Listen to what James tells us: the prayer of faith WILL save the sick; the prayer of the righteous IS powerful and effective.

Well, for those of us who are suffering, these words aren’t much comfort.  In fact, they can serve to trivialize and minimize our experiences.  Now, I’m all for prayer.  But what’s troubling about this passage is the suggestion that prayer solves all our problems.  Because we  know that just because we pray, suffering won’t automatically end. (more…)

Welcome Wagon
Holy Covenant UMC, September 20, 2009
Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd
Mark 9:30-37

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There’s a United Methodist retreat center in North Georgia, where I moved from, about 20 miles north of Atlanta. It’s called Simpsonwood, and sits on acres and acres of beautiful lush green trees and grass with slight rolling hills. There’s a quaint chapel in the woods, trails for walking and running, and plenty of rooms where people can stay for meetings or retreats. There are many buildings, but there’s one that’s central to the whole center: it’s the place where you check in to your room, have large gatherings in conference rooms, and of course, the best part: it’s where you eat; this building houses the dining room. Everyone who comes to Simpsonwood must enter this building. (more…)

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

This Sunday we have an exciting opportunity to do something special together. The Green Team is holding an event called Curb Your Ride, Green Your Ride. Our goal is to have as many parishioners as possible travel to and from church by walking, biking, CTAing, or car-pooling. Why? Because it ties into every aspect of Holy Covenant’s mission.

First of all, it honors our commitment to “Seek God.” Contrary to popular belief, ‘being green’ did not come into fashion after Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth was released in 2005. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, commitment to earth stewardship has been around for thousands of years (since Day Six to be exact!) – as evidenced by God’s commandment in Genesis 1:28 to be stewards of all Creation. When we live in sustainable ways, it brings us closer to the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of our world.

Curb Your Ride, Green Your Ride is also a way of “Loving All People.” By reducing our oil consumption, we can help prevent wars over nonrenewable resources. Such conflicts traumatize individuals and families, devastate communities, and pit nation against nation. Furthermore, the consequences of global warming have been shown to disproportionately affect the poorest among us.

Finally, Curb Your Ride, Green Your Ride provides us with a chance to “Change the World” by making it a cleaner place and building a movement for sustainable living. Too often, the green movement focuses on what individuals can do to live more sustainably when in reality it’s our institutions – churches, organizations, businesses, and governments — that need to come together to take collective action on the environment. The success of this event hinges on a community-wide effort. It illustrates what we can accomplish together as the Body of Christ in the world.

So this Sunday when you lace up your sneakers or pick up a carpooler, and leave a bit earlier for Church, take comfort in the fact that you are acting as a member of a broader community that is committed to a more faithful and sustainable earth.

Enjoy your walk, bike, CTA, or carpool to Church!

Peace,
Brit Holmberg
Holy Covenant Green Team Member

Small groups are a great way to get more fully involved in the Holy Covenant community: grow in your relationship with God and with others in an informal but structured setting. You can sign up or ask questions at groups@holycovenantumc.org

Sundays

College Group, Sunday nights (including recent grads)
Stay after evening service or come and meet folks afterwards for pizza, sharing, prayer, and discussion about what it all means: what did you think of the sermon? What does it mean to you to take communion? To choose not to take communion? Did you grow up in the church or are you just testing the waters now for the first time? All of that aside, how was your week? Spread the word: all are welcome, recent graduates included.

Leader: Devin Donaldson
When: Sunday nights, 8:15 – 9:15
Where: Holy Covenant Gallery
Duration: Beginning October 18th, on-going through-out the school year. Consider
serving as a substitute leader!

Faith-Sharing, Sunday nights
Get to know other folks from Holy Covenant and beyond as you discuss life, Scripture, and what it all adds up to.

Leader: Scott Reid
When: Sunday night after worship, 8:15 – 9:30, runs through Advent, with the
possibility of extending through the spring
Where: Scott’s home at 2930 N. Sheridan, #508
Duration: Beginning October 11th, this group will meet through the end of Advent,
with the possibility of running through the spring. You do not need to
commit for the entire year and you can also join later in the year.

Women’s Group, every other Sunday night
The Holy Covenant Women’s Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at Starbucks, Diversey and Sheffield. It is a drop-in group – no sign up or commitment is required. The purpose of the group is to provide a fun, casual place for the diverse women of the church to meet, share our stories, and support each other. It is a great choice for women who would like to feel more connected within the church, especially newcomers to Holy Covenant. The Women’s Group runs year round and can be attended in conjunction with or in between other groups.

Leaders: Linda Effinger Quinde
When: 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, 5:15 – 6:45
Where: Starbucks at Sheffield and Diversey
Duration: On-going.

Tuesdays

Faith-Sharing, Tuesday nights after Dignity Diner
Get to know other folks from Holy Covenant, Dignity Diner, and beyond as you discuss life, Scripture, and what it all adds up to.

Leaders: Michael Bates and Casey Wittekind
When: Tuesday nights, 7 – 8
Where: Holy Covenant
Duration: 6 weeks, beginning October 13th, running through November 17th

Faith-sharing, Tuesday nights
Get to know other folks from Holy Covenant and beyond as you discuss life, Scripture, and what it all adds up to.

Leaders: Carlos Rios and Wyatt Sheeder
Host: Rob Rawls
When: Tuesday nights, 7:15 – 9
Where: Rob’s home, 1403 W. Rascher
Duration: 6 weeks, beginning October 13th, running through November 17th

Wednesdays

Nia
Nia is a workout, lifestyle and personal growth program. Nia is a way to condition, heal and transform your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Nia is a system that blends Eastern and Western movements, concepts and philosophy derived from three main movement forms: Martial Arts (mindful precision), Dance Arts (personal expression) and Healing Arts (self-healing). The philosophy of Nia is based on the pleasure principle: If it feels good, keep doing it; if it hurts, stop and adapt what you do to feel better. The group will also include a time of checking in, sharing, and praying with one another.

Leader: Emily Moore
When: Wednesday, 7:30 – 9:00
Where: Holy Covenant Sanctuary
Duration: Beginning October 14th, running through the end of November, with the
possibility of running through the spring, based on interest. You do not need to
commit to the entire year!

Sunday’s Scripture
Sunday’s Scripture is a group that meets with the pastor to discuss the text that provides the center of our Sunday worship. Are you interested in engaging scripture outside of weekly worship? Asking questions of the text? Hearing the insights of others? Going deeper into the word of God? Then this is the group for you! Each week, we will study, explore, and imagine with the Scripture lesson for the Sunday a week and a half away. Your contributions will help shape the sermon and worship services. We will ask ourselves: What’s the history and context of this text? How do we relate to the characters in the story? How does this speak to our lives today? Where is God’s voice for us, here and now? Join us as we grow closer to God and one another through the biblical passages that shape our lives as a community.

Facilitator: Kate Floyd
When: Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm
Where: Holy Covenant Gallery
Duration: Beginning October 14, on-going throughout the year. You are welcome to drop
in when you can.

Thursdays

Theology on Tap
Theology on Tap is an independent gathering of men and women who share an interest in Christian theology and, of course, beer. We are committed to an open discussion of the life and teachings of Jesus and the doctrines that developed in the aftermath of his death and resurrection. ALL are welcome, with the caveat that each individual be respected and treated with dignity and kindness. (We also want to respect the staff and build relationships with them, so please budget in order to leave at least a 20% tip.) NOTE: This is an on-going group. Drop in any week, starting this week and continuing through the end of December. Look for us on Facebook at T.o.T. (Chicago).

Facilitator: Jonas Grey
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: The Hidden Shamrock on Halsted at Diversey
Duration: On-going; it’s happening even now. Drop in, or commit to going every week for
a season. Bring a friend!

Green Living
The Green Living Small group will provide a safe and supportive space to consider our role as stewards of God’s Creation. We will explore scripture, ancient theologians on Creation, and contemporary writers on the connection between faith and eco-justice in an effort to claim our own voices around Creation Care. In addition, group members will have an opportunity to implement their discoveries by learning practical skills for living more sustainably in their homes. Each week will focus on a different part of the home, including: energy use, food/cooking, cleaning products, pets, and transportation.

Leaders: Brit Holmberg and Olivia McCain
When: Thursday, 7 – 8:45
Where: Holy Covenant
Duration: 5 weeks, beginning Oct 22nd through Nov 19th
Cost: ~$15 depending on group size

HC Choir

Leader: Andrew Collins
When: Thursday nights, 7pm-9pm
Where: Holy Covenant Gallery
Duration: Ongoing

Holy Covenant Book Group – 2nd Thursday of the month
Gather to discuss a book with other folks. The book will be listed in the eNews, on line, in the bulletin. Drop in for one month, or plan on coming every month and getting to know your fellow book-lovers. Spread the word and bring a friend. Consider hosting in months to come or suggesting a book!

Leaders for October meeting: Brittany and Monica Isaac
When: First meeting, October 15th, 7:30 – 9:15
Where: Brittany and Monica’s home, 7527 N. Damen Ave
The October book: Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead
(widely available at libraries and bookstores)

Adam is a hair stylist and manager at Robert Jeffrey Hair Studio in Andersonville. He has been doing hair for over 5 years and in that time has traveled the country styling and teaching people how to do hair. The highlight of his career was working at Fashion Week in New York. Adam moved here from Bloomington, IL over a year and a half ago. He lives in Lakeview with his best friend, Deanna. He enjoys running and working out, and he is new to each. In his (limited) spare time, he loves reading, tv, and movies. But, most of all, he loves to be around people. His favorite way of describing himself is that he could talk to a brick wall! He looks forward to growing and meeting more people at Holy Covenant. (Please note that the photo is pre-recent-coloring.)

**

Theology on Tap is an independent gathering of men and women who share an interest in Christian theology and, of course, beer. We are committed to an open discussion of the life and teachings of Jesus and the doctrines that developed in the aftermath of his death and resurrection. ALL are welcome, with the caveat that each individual be respected and treated with dignity and kindness. We currently meet Thursday evenings at The Hidden Shamrock on Halsted at Diversey. 7:00p.m.

Join the Theology on Tap Facebook group to get updates and connect with other attendees.

Psalm 133
How very good and pleasant it is
when brothers and sisters live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Holy Covenant,

I love the image of Aaron (Moses’ brother, his co-leader, and a priest) being anointed with oil in such quantities that it runs down over his head, through his beard, and onto his robes! Imagine the decadence and the richness of such a generous blessing. Living in unity with one another is just such a saturating, overflowing blessing. (And, yes, sometimes it can be as messy as an oily beard to be in relationship with others.)

At Holy Covenant, Small Groups are one of the ways we live together in unity. And being in community together is one of the ways we can get to know God better. Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” So it is in the presence of God that we get to know one another and in the presence of one another that we get to know God. (more…)

Who am I?

Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd
September 13, 2009
Holy Covenant UMC
Mark 8:27-38

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“Who do you say that I am?”

This is the question Jesus asks his disciples.  “Who do you say that I am?”

If you asked people this question, what would they say about you?  Have you ever tried it, asking another: who do you say that I am?  Well, in our culture, we’re constantly answering this question of ourselves; We define our identity over and over again. (more…)

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

Hear these words from the hymn For Everyone Born:

“And God will delight, when we are creators of justice and joy”

This hymn was the theme song for the Reconciling Ministries Convocation in Colorado over the weekend, and the title for the gathering was “Justice and Joy”. RMN’s Mission Statement is: Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love. Holy Covenant is proud to be a Reconciling Congregation, a place that proclaims welcome and full participation for all God’s children. It was a true joy for me to be there with so many other Holy Covenant members and represent you as your pastor. (more…)