Community life

Holy Covenant asks you to bring in a wide variety of items to support us in our quest to reduce, reuse, recycle, provide for our congregational community, and care for our greater community.

If you have any of these, bring them in!

CINDER BLOCKS NEEDED
Holy Covenant needs cinder blocks for a Lent project! Have a few in your basement? Willing to schlep them to church by February 20th? Let Rebecca Anderson know.

HOT CUP SLEEVE DRIVE
The Green Team and Hospitality have partnered up to start a coffee sleeve drive at Holy Covenant. Please bring in your used hot cup sleeves so we can offer them at the coffee station during hospitality! When using a sleeve during church, please remember to return the sleeve to its basket before tossing your cup. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

BRING US YOUR CORKS!
The Green Team will be collecting wine corks, both natural and synthetic, in the coming year. For every cork collected, Terra Cycle will donate 2 cents to Holy Covenant United Methodist Church. There is a box in the gallery labeled “Cork Collection”. Please bring in any wine corks you have (or your neighbors have, or your local restaurants have) to be donated to this worthy cause!

COAT DRIVE
Holy Covenant is collecting coats for those in need that will be distributed to Dignity Diner guests every Tuesday. Please bring adult coats (L-XL), mittens and gloves (no scarves or hats) to the church and place at the bottom of the basement stairs. We will collect coats through the winter so that as many as possible will receive the gift of warmth. Questions? Please contact Walter Treash.

HAVE PICTURES OF HOLY COVENANT? SEND THEM IN!
We would love to look through your photos and possibly pick out a few for the church’s website! Mission events, social events, hospitality or small groups — if you have any, send them to Katie Cook.

In addition, something you do every day can benefit Holy Covenant:

SEARCH THE INTERNET, GIVE TO HOLY COVENANT!
Every time you search the internet through www.goodsearch.com, the site will donate 1 cent to HCUMC. Just go to the site, enter Holy Covenant to verify, and then search away! It’s free and easy to use for you, and Holy Covenant receives a donation at the end of the year. Many sites also offer a % donation if you make a purchase. So search away, which you do anyway, and give to the church. Their motto is: You search, we give.

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.

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.

Over the next few weeks, Holy Covenant is joining in the Advent Conspiracy challenge to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all this holiday season. We believe that taking some of the consumerism out of Christmas and focusing in on what really matters is one way we can live out Holy Covenant’s mission to seek God, love all people, and change the world.

You can find out more about Advent Conspiracy by visiting www.adventconspiracy.org. To find out more about what the Holy Covenant community is conspiring to do this season or how you can get involved, visit the Advent page on our website at www.holycovenantumc.org.

Guest Blogger : Olivia McCain

As a member of the Green Living Small Group, I wanted to be sure to share some of our wonderful recipes.  Some are food, some are cleaning products, all help you get in touch with the beautiful earth God gave us.

This laundry detergent has only three ingredients, all environmentally friendly!  And, what’s left of the ingredients can be used around the house for other cleaning, too.

Also, while it takes a little elbow grease to make, this laundry soap comes in at just 4-cents per load, compared to 24 cents for store-bought laundry detergent.  It doesn’t create suds, so it’s great for HE/front-loading washers, too.

The group hasn’t tested it on all fabrics yet, but I did a load of towels and dish rags with no issue!

Laundry Detergent:
32 ounce (think big yogurt) container
1 bar of shaved Fels Naptha soap
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

You can shave the Fels Naptha with a cheese grater, or, if you prefer, can buy it online at SoapsGoneBuy.com (along with the other ingredients).  If you can’t find it, Ivory soap will work as well.

Mix the three ingredients in the container for a few minutes and use 1 tablespoon per load of laundry. All ingredients can be found at Strack & Van Til (in Logan Square), Ace Hardware stores, or on SoapsGoneBuy.com.

I’m planning on making a few as Christmas Presents and putting in a jar with a bow!

From Children & Families Minister Donelle Sommer

It’s hard to believe in just a few short weeks we will begin our rehearsals for the next CHRISTMAS PAGEANT! This will be held on Sunday, December 13th during both morning services!!! REHEARSALS will begin on each Sunday morning starting November 22nd, during the Sunday School time-frame.

Like last year, we will invite the children choose what character they would like to be in the pageant. They will choose from the following speaking or non-speaking roles: Narrator/s, Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Angels, & Shepherds. Please let your child choose what s/he would like to be in the pageant.

Here is the rehearsal schedule:

SUNDAY MORNING Rehearsals:
November 22 – During the 9:30 & 11:15am services after TFYC (your child may come either)
November 29 - During the 9:30 & 11:15am services after TFYC (your child may come to either)
December 6 - During the 9:30 & 11:15am services after TFYC (your child may come to either)

DRESS Rehearsal & Performance:
Saturday December 12th – 9am – 11am: We will rehearse in the sanctuary, in full costume and will run through the pageant twice. Children will need to arrive in costume so we can begin promptly as there are always a few things to work through!

Sunday December 13th – 9am – 12:30pm –  Children need to arrive no later than 9am; a light breakfast will be available. The children will gather in the basement to get ready, and  they will perform at BOTH MORNING SERVICES. In between services they will have an opportunity to snack & play downstairs to get their wiggles out before second service.

PAGEANT VOLUNTEERS – We will need a variety of volunteers to help with several aspects of the pageant including but not limited to: costumes, hospitality, “shepherding” during the performance and behind the scenes, and publicity. To help, please contact: donellesommer@holycovenantumc.org

Come see the first concert series in the United States dedicated to American tap and contemporary percussive arts companies. This year, Chicago Human Rhythm Project presents the Chicago debut of Washington D.C.’s celebrated Step Afrika! while sharing 50% of the proceeds with more than 50 Chicago area non-profits through the innovative Thanks4Giving program.

Mention/enter code CHRP-UMC to get a 10% discount and ensure half the proceeds come back to the church

Performances:
Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 7:30 PM
Friday, November 20, 2009 @ 8:00 PM
Saturday November 21, 2009 @ 8:00 PM

To find see a video, and purchase tickets, check out the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s event page. Or call 312-334-7777.

Guest Blogger:  Katie Cook

My name is Katie and about a year and a half ago, in the middle of January, I moved to Chicago from sunny and warm Austin, Texas.  I had no friends in town and no family save a 90 year old great aunt, whom I hadn’t ever met until I arrived.  I was pretty freaked out.

At my home church in Austin, I’d been pretty involved, so when I started church shopping here, I knew I wanted and needed a place where I could quickly get into a group setting.  Holy Covenant was the 4th stop on that shopping trip and I was blown away by the white bulletin insert, full of of ways to get involved.

A couple of weeks late, I found my way to Women’s group–a small group that has been meeting twice a month for several years att he Starbucks just around the corner.  A few weeks after that I was in a faith sharing small group not too far from the church.

I’m not going to lie.  Like landing in Chicago with no friends or family, attending small groups was a little freaky for me.  It was like going on a blind date:  What will they think of me?  What will I think of them?  And what do I wear?  Well, in both small groups, everyone was warm, friendly, open, and encouraging.  Over the weeks, we laughed, cried, and ate a ton of rice crispy treats.

A little over a month ago, I found myself needing knee surgery.  Again, freaked out. How was I going to manage this without family near me?  I couldn’t do this alone.  But see, the thing about small groups in this church is they really build community.  A friend from that very first faith sharing group, a year and a half ago, was there with me at the doctor as I was walked through the procedure and she was there with me at the hospital.  Another friend from Women’s Group invited me into her home during recovery.

I didn’t stop there.  The friends I had made walked and watched my dog, checked in on my very mean cat, brought me lasagna, chili, pizza, and empanadas, watched movies and TV with me, brought me lip balm, washed my dishes, and most importantly, prayed for me.  I really could not have gotten through that time without the community I’d built here.

So, if building a community here at this church is something you are looking for, I highly recommend you look into small groups.

Some have already started, but several are ongoing so it’s not too late to get involved.

Truly, small groups are the best way to get connected here at Holy Covenant.  If you’re new, come.  If you’re seasoned, bring a friend.

And, if I’m any example, you’ll be freaked out and that’s OK.

This Sunday, we will celebrate Children’s Sabbath at Holy Covenant with a guest preacher, Gennifer Benjamin Brooks. This will be a Sunday when the children are more involved with the leadership of the morning services and those who are in 3rd grade (or older if they are new to Holy Covenant) will receive a copy of the NRSV translation of the the Bible. However, all the children will be recognized that morning and will receive a gift of love from Holy Covenant UMC.

Gennifer Benjamin Brooks is the Styberg Associate Professor of Homiletics and Director of the Styberg Preaching Institute at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is an ordained elder and full clergy member of the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church. Before coming to the seminary, she was the pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York for eight years, having previously served in two cross-racial appointments in the New York Conference. She was also the Assistant Dean of New Brunswick Theological Seminary for four years.

Gennifer holds a Bachelor of Business, cum laude and a Master of Business Administration from Pace University, a Master of Divinity, summa cum laude, and a Doctor of Ministry from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and a Master of Philosophy and a Doctor of Philosophy in Liturgical Studies from Drew University.

Gennifer is a Harry Hoosier member and has served at the local, jurisdictional and national levels of Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR). She is a founding member of Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church (BCWUMC).

For more information about the Children’s Sabbath, contact Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd.

Dear Holy Covenant Family,

Recently, I’ve had many people ask me about membership in the church: What does it mean to be a member of Holy Covenant? Why should I join? How do I join? What are the vows? My guess is many of you may be wondering the same thing.

The book of Acts, which comes immediately after the Gospels, chronicles the earliest community of those who were trying to follow Jesus. They ask similar questions about community: Who is welcome? How are we in relationship with each other? How do we organize ourselves as a family? In the 2nd chapter of Acts these early followers figure out what it means to be the church with one another. It concludes this way:
43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds* to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home* and ate their food with glad and generous* hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Don’t worry-membership at Holy Covenant doesn’t mean that you sell all your goods or that we all move in together! But, there is truth, beauty, and wisdom in the early church, which helps us today organize ourselves as followers of Jesus. When people join Holy Covenant, they participate in a ritual during worship and vow to support the church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Anyone who joins a United Methodist Church makes these same vows. The foundation of these vows, of what it means to live in Christian community, are found in this passage from Acts: The first Christians prayed by praising God in all they do, just as we vow to pray for and with this community and those who are hurting all over the world; those in Acts participated with their presence, by coming to the temple each and every day, just as we vow to make our presence known in worship, as often as we can; they offered their gifts, sharing what they owned for the common good of all those in their midst, just as we offer our gifts so that the ministry of Holy Covenant can thrive and grow; they served one another by sharing a common meal, just as we vow to be in service through Dignity Diner, the Green Team, Mission Projects, and LAC; they witnessed to others about the joys of faith, because many joined them and added to their numbers, just as we vow to witness by telling our story of how Holy Covenant has made a difference in our lives.

Anyone, member and non-member, can participate fully in the life of the church; membership doesn’t open up special privileges. Membership does, however, encourage us to deepen our level of commitment, so that we are in a mutual covenant with this community and vow before God and one another to live out our life together as people of faith. If you are interested in learning more, you can read our new membership document.

As always, I’m open to conversation, questions, and disagreements; don’t hesitate to be in touch. We are all privileged to be part of this unique community that lives out love in relationship with one another. Thanks be to God!

Grace and Peace,
Kate