Archive for January, 2010

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about bread. Daily bread.

What comes to mind when you pray: “Give us this day our daily bread”? Actual bread? Other material needs: shelter, clean water, nourishing food? A call to give to others? Or perhaps daily bread resonates as a desire for spiritual food, asking God to fill up our emptiness. And what does it mean to ask for “this day’s” nourishment, not tomorrow’s or next year’s? What kind of longing is this part of the prayer addressing in your life right now?

This small phrase is packed with richness and meaning; there is no definitive answer to the questions above. Join us on Sunday as we continue moving through the Lord’s Prayer and explore what Jesus meant by “daily bread”. As we continue to meditate on this phrase, I leave you with this thought-provoking prayer by biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann:

Waiting for Bread…and for God’s Future

We are strange mixtures of loss and hope.

As we are able, we submit our losses to you.
We know about sickness and dying,
About death and mortality,
About failure and disappointment.
And now for a moment we do our
Failing and our dying in your presence,
You who attend to us in loss.

As we are able, we submit our hopes to you.
We know about self-focused fantasy
And notions of control.
But we also know that our futures
Are out beyond us,
Held in your good hand.

Our hopes are filled with promises of well-being, justice, and mercy.
Move us this day beyond our fears and anxieties
Into your land of goodness
We wait for your coming,
We pray for your kingdom.
In the meantime, give us bread for the day.

See you Sunday, and think about who you can bring with you to church.

Grace and Peace,
Kate

Kingdom Come
Holy Covenant UMC, January 24, 2010
Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd
Matthew 22:1-14

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Don’t you love just love to receive an invitation?

I’m always delighted, when I check the mail, and find amidst the bills and junk an envelope with a handwritten address on beautiful paper. I toss everything else aside and dive in—perhaps it’s an invite to a birthday party, a baby shower, a wedding invitation—a save the date from a friend you haven’t seen since college. You know that feeling, when there’s a fun event to anticipate.

When you log into facebook and a notification pops up…you hope it’s something really good, not just another invite to join Farmville…and you have an invitation. Not an invitation to Holy Covenant’s congregational summit (which I’m sure fills you all with immense joy), but an invitation to a fabulous night out of dinner and theater. Or your e-mail reveals an e-vite with margaritas lining the top…you click to go to the whole invitation, knowing this is going to be one good party. (more…)

Dear Holy Covenant community,

Thank you for your generous response to Haiti, through prayers and gifts. We will continue to collect items for health kits through The United Methodist Committee on Relief. You can bring toothbrushes, soap, and combs to the church. There’s a box in the gallery for donations, and you can bring items Sunday and throughout the week. If you’d still like to donate to UMCOR, you can give online.

We continue to move through the Lord’s Prayer in Sunday morning worship, and this week we explore the line: Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. When we think about the “kingdom of God,” it’s easy to picture a bejeweled throne holding a man with a crown, staff, and long white beard, ruling the world with absolute power. This is not the kind of kingdom Jesus is talking about. As we discussed on Sunday, God is beyond gender, not a man in the sky. And God is intimately with us, not solely over and above distantly sending us orders.

Why, then, do we use this phrase to describe God’s reign? In fact, some choose to use the word kin-dom instead of kingdom, to reflect our human relatedness as God’s beloved community. Kingship was the way the world was run in Jesus’ day…ultimate power and authority rested with the king. Jesus came to completely subvert the ways of the world and bring the good news of God’s ways, God’s power, and God’s authority, which are antithetical to the world’s. For God’s power comes in vulnerability, giving instead of getting, love instead of laws, peace instead of violence, mutuality instead of hierarchy, and life instead of death.

So by using the world’s word, “king,” in reference to a completely different kind of power, Jesus was radicalizing the term and taking ruler-ship away from human systems of legalism and oppression.

Come on Sunday to learn more about what this kingdom looks like, how we can help bring about the kin-dom, and live into God’s reign instead of the world’s reign. This is government we can all believe in (no crowns or beards in sight).

See you then, and think about who you can invite to come along.

Grace and peace,
Kate

Parents and members of the church are invited to attend Sunday School with our children of the church on Sunday, January 24 at both morning services. Come find out more about Sunday School and offerings for children and families at Holy Covenant. Our new Minister for Children and Families, Jeff Dodson, and members of the Children and Families Committee will be present to share what we are doing and to answer your questions. For more information contact Jeff at jeffreydodson@holycovenantumc.org.

Hallowed Be God’s Name
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Holy Covenant UMC
Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd

Exodus 3:13-15

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We gather this morning with heavy hearts for the people of Haiti. As we watch the coverage, in horror, things seem to get worse: more names added to the tally of the dead, more survivors with wounds that cannot be healed, chaos and desperation as people are in need of food and water that does not exist. We grieve with our brothers and sisters in Haiti, and for those here and across the world who are grieving for friends and family.

The tragedy is confounding. There aren’t answers for why or how; no pat solutions or pretty words to make things better. We can’t make sense out of what is happening. I’m not here this morning to give you answers…it’s not why we gather. We ARE gathered to worship God with one another…the God of love and life and hope and justice…even in the midst of our doubts and questions and anger, we worship. (more…)

Dear Holy Covenant family,

Our hearts are heavy for Haiti, and all those connected to this horrendous tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you, especially those who are connected to Haiti and waiting to hear from friends and family. As we face this unimaginable disaster, we do so as a family of faith and love. Here are some ways we are responding as a community and you can get involved:

1) Give
On Sunday, we will be taking a special offering for the United Methodist Committee on Relief for their work in Haiti. If you are looking for a way to contribute, consider donating to UMCOR. 100% of your giving goes to relief efforts, and UMCOR is one of the first responders in a disaster and stays long after the immediacy of the crisis. Please make checks out to UMCOR International Disaster Relief Advance #982450, Memo line: Haiti. Or, you can contribute on-line.

2) Assemble Health Kits
One of the ways Holy Covenant is helping right now is by assembling health kits to send to Haiti through UMCOR. Read about this ministry. Emma Cushman Wood is leading Holy Covenant’s effort and you will hear more about this on Sunday. Please contact Emma with questions or to volunteer to help.

3) Pray
As our we grieve, mourn, weep, and seek out ways to act, we also turn to prayer. I offer you this prayer, written by Dr. Pamela Lightsey, in response to the devastation:

O God, we have been stunned once again by an event
Which seems so unnatural and yet is called “natural disaster.”

We have no words to answer the “why” which we feel,
No wisdom to explain away the unexplainable areas of life.

Keep us from attributing this event as a heavenly reprimand,
Or from a certain haughtiness that tempts the distant soul.

Give us to be compassionate and gentle, servants to those in need.
Remind us of your gracious love in the midst of sorrow,
And your ability to work miracles when hope is faint.

We pray for those who suffer in Haiti even now
And for those who await rescue.
For relatives, for the children,
For mothers and fathers,
Sisters and brothers,
Grandparents, aunts and cousins.
For the survivors who question what more they might have done.
And for those who must keep on keeping on, in spite of.
For the leaders,
For those who bring aid
And those who await news.
Strengthen and encourage them we pray.

Now unto you, O God, we take the burdens of this hour and place them in your divine care.
For all you do and are doing, seen and unseen, we give thee thanks, Eternal God of All Creation.
Amen.

Grace and Peace,
Kate

Dear Holy Covenant community,

What’s in a name?

If a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, would God, by any other name, be as holy? On Sunday, we begin the first of five weeks exploring the Lord’s Prayer. This is the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, and the central prayer of our Christian life and practice. The prayer begins: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Hallowed be God’s name: God’s name is holy. But what, exactly, is God’s name? The Bible and the Christian tradition are full of diverse images and names for God. Including:

Mother hen, wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, Jehovah, YHWH, Lord, savior, creator, redeemer, sustainer, shepherd, , lover, shield, defender, ancient of days, alpha and omega, Word, king, eagle’s wings, helper, giver, healer, liberator, refuge, strength, deliverer, rock, ruler, forgiver, righteous judge, just ruler, teacher, light, companion, womb of life, mother and father, protector, guider, caller, observer, hearer, keeper, source, nourisher, sower, restorer….

This innumerable list of images and names, which I’m sure you can add to, speaks to the human inability to capture God in a word. What a gift, that we can name God in so many ways, in so many times and places, from our diverse human experiences and locations. But how humbling, too, to know that whatever names we place on God are ultimately limiting. For God is beyond human categorizations. God is indeed holy. Consider, this week, as you prepare for worship, what names and images you use for God, and why. What images make you uncomfortable and what images help you find a home in the divine?

I hope that as we dig deeper into the Lord’s prayer, we can all deepen our own prayer lives. Our congregational care committee has begun a new prayer ministry, receiving your prayers as offerings each Sunday during worship, and praying for you throughout the week. Inspired by this prayer team, may we be a congregation of prayer…looking for a place to start? Begin by saying the Lord’s prayer each day throughout this series, and then see how your life is transformed.

Join us on Sunday as we worship, sing, read Scripture, offer our gifts, and pray together, in the name of the One who is beyond all names. See you then, and think about who you can invite to come with you.

Grace and Peace,
Kate

Sign up to join any of these small groups using this online form or by e-mailing groups@holycovenantumc.org.

New groups:

Sundays

Seeking God…at the Cineplex
Many of us love movies for the entertainment and escape that they offer.  However, this small group will be approaching film from a different perspective. We will watch a recent video together and then pause to how the movie “spoke” to us; what spiritual aspects might the film awaken.  Reflecting on these themes, we will discuss the “teachers and lessons” that help us to see God in the everyday lives of ourselves and others.  Please join us to watch, share or just listen!  This group will watch movies as a way of opening conversation about our faith journeys. The group will meet four times for three-hours to allow time for screening and conversation.

Feb. 7th, 1pm: Phoebe in Wonderland

Feb. 21st, 1pm: Amreeka

March 7th 1pm:  Waking Life

March 21st 1pm: Precious

Leader: Julie Holmberg
Contact: holmbergjulie@gmail.com
When: Alternate Sundays, 1:00 – 4:00; February 7 and 21; March 7 and 21
Where: Holy Covenant gallery

Mondays

“Come Unto Me:” an invitation to a deeper life – REGISTRATION FULL
We invite you on a small group journey to discover the joy of life lived deeply. We will explore and practice spiritual disciplines that enrich our spirits and deepen our relationship with God. We will also practice intentional community and accountability in covenant with each other.  As we grow as a group, we will listen for God calling us by name to a mature life of faith, and explore extending our commitment meeting together as community.

Leaders: Kristin Kumpf and Lisl Heymans
Contact: klkumpf@yahoo.com, lislheymans@hotmail.com
When: Monday evenings, 7:30 –  930 pm, BEGINS February 8^th
Where: TBA

Tuesdays

The Spirituality of Food – REGISTRATION FULL
Come explore spirituality around choosing, preparing, eating, and sharing food.  There will be two readings per week, including one scriptural reading and one reading chosen from literature, non-fiction, and poetry pertaining to our topic.  The readings will be provided in advance and participants will come prepared to discuss.  Along with group discussion, we will also share a meal together each week.  Can preparing and consuming food be an everyday spiritual practice?  How do our food choices impact God’s creation?  How does food create community? Can feeding and nurturing ourselves connect us to our Mother/Father God? Come hang out in the kitchen with us. We’ll chew on these questions and some delicious food as well!

Facilitators: Anne Cumings, Cassie Meyer
Contact info: annecumings@comcast.net, cassiemeyer@gmail.com
When: Tuesdays, 7:30 pm, February 2 – March 23
Duration: 8 weeks
Where: 2536 N. Kedzie Apt. 304

Wednesdays

Newcomer Orientation and Small Group
This weekly gathering on Wednesday nights is designed to introduce newcomers to each other and to give some basic information about Holy Covenant, the United Methodist Church and the Christian faith. Each session covers a different aspect of our mission statement: Seek God, Love All People, Change the World. After three visits, we hope that visitors will be well-informed about what Holy Covenant is all about and will get to know some of the other people sitting next to them on Sunday morning.

Sign-up is not necessary, and all are welcome to visit for any or all sessions.

Facilitator: Matt Kuzma
Contact info: matt.kuzma@gmail.com, 773-419-1146 cell
When: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30, beginning Feb. 3
Duration: Ongoing
Where: Holy Covenant

Thursdays

Freed-up Financial Living
Times are hard.  There are big questions to figure out.  But we’re not in it alone and our finances are not separate from our spiritual lives.  Come for this 6-week video and conversation series.  Using the Good $ense curriculum, we’ll each come away with a budget for our households and maybe even a renewed sense of our priorities.  Participants who are able are asked to contribute $18 for participant workbooks but that fee shouldn’t keep anyone away.  Please contact Rebecca if financial assistance is needed.

Facilitator: Rebecca Anderson
Contact: groups@holycovenantumc.org
When: Thursday evenings, 7:30 – 9:15 pm, February 4 – March 11
Where: Holy Covenant Gallery

Sign up to join any of these small groups using this online form or by e-mailing groups@holycovenantumc.org.

On-going groups:

Sundays

Women’s Group, 2nd & 4th Sundays <NOTE NEW LOCATION>
The Holy Covenant Women’s Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at Pompei, at the corner of Sheffield and Wellington, right at the Wellington Brown Line stop.  Pompei offers wonderful, inexpensive food and beer/wine. 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
Contact: effinger@umich.edu, 630.670.8774.
When: 2nd and 4^th Sundays of the month, 5:00 – 6:45, on-going
Where: Pompei at Sheffield & Wellington, right at the Wellington Brown Line stop

Wednesdays

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
Contact: revkate@holycovenantumc.org
When: Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm
Where: Holy Covenant Gallery
Duration: On-going throughout the year.  You are welcome to drop in.

Thursdays

Holy Covenant Book Group – January 28^th but usually 2^nd 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!  You are welcome to come even if you don’t finish.  There is grace in our group.

Leader for January meeting: Ali Mostrom
Contact: ali.mostrom@gmail.com
When: January 28th, 7:30 – 9:15
Where: 1100 W. Wolfram St
The January book: A. J. Jacob’s The Year of Living Biblically (available at libraries and bookstores)

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.  Look for us on Facebook at T.o.T. (Chicago).

Facilitator: Jonas Grey
Contact: jonasdavid@me.com
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Hidden Shamrock on Halsted at Diversey
Duration: On-going.  Drop in, or commit to going every week for a season.  Bring a friend!

Celebration Choir
Join other singers in preparing music for Sunday’s services – whether you’re an old hand at choral singing, or have mostly sung in the shower.  Bring your own dinner and share a time of fellowship and practice, all with an eye and heart towards worship.  You can check it out any Thursday; commit for a month, a season, or the year.

Leader: Andrew Collins
Contact: acmusic@andrewcollinsmusic.com
When: Thursday nights, dinner and chatting at 7; practice 7:30 – 9
Where: Holy Covenant Gallery

Sign up to join any of these small groups using this online form or by e-mailing groups@holycovenantumc.org.

“Waters of Grace: Celebrating Baptism”
Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd
Holy Covenant UMC, January 10, 2010
Luke 3:15-22

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The heavens are breaking open. Breaking wide open.
Can you hear the voice of God?

Imagine with me that we are part of the crowd, gathered around the Jordan River, witnessing the baptism of Jesus. Witnessing the heavens opening…
We’re expectant…filled with great expectations of what might be happening. We’ve been following John the Baptist, this wild and woolly prophet who promises us better days ahead. Who assures us that God is with us and we will be saved.
We’re tired of the government…the government who uses violence and militarism against its own people; abuses us with taxes; discriminates based on religious belief.
We are in desperate need of salvation….not some kind of salvation that only comes to us when we die, but salvation in the here and the now…some hope that we can be saved from tyranny and oppression and find a new way of life. (more…)

Guest Preacher: Rebecca Anderson

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