Community life

Dear Holy Covenant Family,

As I write, snowflakes dance gently outside my window. What a fitting way to begin December! As the winter begins in earnest, so too does the Christian New Year. On Sunday we celebrated the beginning of Advent, the season when we prepare for the coming of Christ. It also marks the start of a new year in our Christian calendar. Good news! We don’t have to wait until January to start anew-NOW is the time to prepare ourselves for new life and expect Jesus to change everything. How can we prepare through Holy Covenant? So many ways-see the sidebar for all our services and events. Here’s what’s coming up in the next week:

*Read our daily Advent blog, written by members of our community:

*Advent Retreat: Finding the Sacred in the Christmas Rush
This Saturday, December 4th, 9-12pm at the church
Breakfast, Christmas treats, and a vegetarian lunch all provided, thanks to many busy kitchen elves. Push the pause button and gather with the Holy Covenant community for a time of prayer, silent reflection, and sharing – including a time of worship with the lighting of candles and singing of classic Advent hymns! Join us as we take time to reflect on how to live the Christmas season (and our lives) differently – feel free to invite friends! Please sign up on our Facebook event page or e-mail Kristin Kumpf today!

*Discovery Lunch: This Sunday, Dec. 5th, 12:30pm
In this season of newness, are you new to the church? Been here for a while but want to learn more? Join us in the gallery after church this Sunday for a complimentary lunch and a chance to learn about our community and ask questions. Discover Holy Covenant this Advent.

*Alternative Giving Fair: Saturday, Dec. 11th, 10:30-2pm
Join the Advent Conspiracy for the 2nd year as we spend less, give more, and worship fully. We’ll transform our sanctuary into a place to make and buy handmade gifts with love. All proceeds go to benefit Haiti Emergency Relief. Print out this pdf flyer and post it around your office, school, or neighborhood, and invite people! If you’d like to make gifts ahead of time, stay after church on Sunday morning, Dec. 5th, for another preparation workshop.

How are you preparing this Advent for God’s newness to break in? Please join us on the journey. See you on Sunday, and think about who you can bring with you.

Grace and Peace,

Kate

Get these reflections and more in our weekly eNewsletter

Join us on Sunday evening, November 14th to hear Adam Belcuore’s astonishing story about transubstantiation, among other things. Bring a friend, and plan to stay for homemade pumpkin pie and conversation. Please note: Adam’s funny, challenging, and thought-provoking story is not appropriate for young children.

Adam comes to us from Chicago’s 2nd Story, a hybrid performance event combining storytelling, wine, and music. The idea is that if 2nd Story does their job right, you’ll leave telling your own stories.

If you’d like more information about 2nd Story’s storytelling events, please visit them at www.2ndStory.com

On Monday, November 15, join other HC-ers at Webster’s Wine Bar for 2nd Story’s monthly story-telling event. A typical 2nd Story evening goes something like this: you hang out with your friends and eat and drink and make merry. Three to five times during the night, the lights go down, a spotlight comes up on somebody and they tell you a story. Get your own ticket (and more information) at www.2ndStory.com or bring $12 to the 7 pm service on Nov 1.

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

What do you think of when you hear the word hospitality?

Bringing food or making coffee? This is part of it, but more broadly:

Hospitality means WELCOME.

The root word gives us “hospital” and “hospice”, places of healing and comfort. Hospitality is about sharing food, but it also means offering safety, openness, and acceptance. Christ calls on us to welcome ALL people as if we are welcoming him.

What does this mean on Sundays? Simply that we are called to be a community of WELCOME to all who enter, from handing a newcomer a bulletin to volunteering in the nursery to breaking bread in the gallery. The work of the church is to welcome all in the name of Christ, and as his body, we are called to use our hands to do the welcoming work. What a joy and privilege it is to greet the image of Christ in others!

What can you do? First, pray that we may truly be a community of welcome. As we make some changes in our leadership and vision around hospitality, pray that leaders would rise up to take on this important ministry. Second, lend your hands! We are in need of people to be greeters, provide food and clean up after services, and volunteer in the nursery at 9:30. Contact Rebecca if you can serve. We are especially in need of people to greet this Sunday and next. Third, let me know if you have a particular call and passion around leading this ministry.

May we be a people who take ownership of our community and our mission so that we embody our call to truly love (and WELCOME) all people.

See you Sunday and think about who you can bring with you.

Grace and Peace,
Kate

Get these reflections and more in our weekly eNewsletter

Julie Stevens

Julie Stevens was born and raised in Clearwater, FL and spent 12 years in Atlanta. Julie attended Agnes Scott College and majored in Psychology. She currently works at an Industrial/Organizational Psychology consulting firm focusing on talent management within healthcare organizations. Julie has been in Chicago since last September and lives with her lovable mutt, Waker.

And please welcome…

Bobby and Amy Wagner

Amy is originally from Wisconsin and still visits Wisconsin regularly.  Bobby is from Cary, IL.  Bobby and Amy both attended UW-Madison (Amy for undergrad and Bobby for Law School and MBA), and they met on campus.  After college they moved to Chicago and they’ve lived here for the last 6 years.  Bobby works in finance as a consultant and Amy works at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as an administrator.  In the next few weeks, they are expecting a baby boy!  Although Amy was raised Catholic and Bobby was raised Lutheran, they have never felt more at home than at Holy Covenant, and are very excited to become part of the Holy Covenant family as well as become Methodist.

Read more about becoming a member.

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

Receive these words from the letter to the Hebrews:

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it-Hebrews 13:1,2

We know what it’s like to be a stranger-moving to a new city, starting a new job, venturing nervously into a new church.  What a difference hospitality makes when we are warmly welcomed! This fall, as newcomers enter our doors, let us be a community who welcomes others with open arms.

If you’re new to Holy Covenant, I hope you’ll take advantage of these opportunities and feel warmly welcomed.  If you’re a regular, take a look below and pray about how you can serve our ministry of hospitality so that no one is a stranger in our midst.  How can we provide hospitality?

*Know what to tell newcomers!
-We have a discovery lunch every 1st and 3rd Sunday after the 11:15 service.  This is a time to get to know people, share your gifts and interests, and hear more about Holy Covenant and how you can get involved.
-Welcome Wagon Fellowship Brunch 2nd Sunday of the month after the 11:15 service.  All are welcome to go out to brunch, dutch treat, and enjoy the company of your fellow congregants.

*Sign-up for greeting and hospitality!
Be the friendly face who welcomes people into our doors.  Opportunities to serve include greeting at all 3 services, providing hospitality (food and/or drink), and cleaning up. Check out the calendar of sign-ups and e-mail Ellen to sign-up

*Sing in the choir!
ALL are welcome to sing and you don’t have to commit every week.  Join this fun and gifted group for Monday rehearsal at 7pm and sing in the 11:15 service on Sundays.  Enhance our worship so that everyone is welcomed with music. Contact Andrew for more information.

*Try the “Sunday’s Scripture” small group
Join me on Wednesday evenings at the church, 7-8:30, as we explore the Scripture for the following Sunday. No preparation or sign-up necessary-we’re a drop in format so you are welcome anytime.  A great way to check out a small group format, get a taste of the Bible, and help shape worship.

Don’t hesitate to be in touch with any questions, concerns, or needs.  I’m grateful to be part of a community that welcomes all into our doors with open arms.  Thanks be to God!

See you on Sunday and think about who you can bring with you.

Grace and Peace,
Kate

I Love to Tell the Story: Learn God’s Story

Join a small group at Holy Covenant this fall to learn the stories that change lives and changed history. Connect with God and others as we tap into God’s story, share our own experiences of faith, and are strengthened to tell the stories of God’s presence in our lives to others.

Some people at HC are asking: How do I read the Bible? What are some ways I can pray? How can I include spiritual practices in my everyday life? How can I invite others to church? Small groups won’t answer all your questions but learning God’s story is a good place to start.

Sign up for any of these small groups online.

Short Stories:

Discovery Lunches
Shared leadership, at church
1st and 3rd Sundays after the 11:15 service
New here? Stay after church for pizza, salad, and to find out more about this community. Sessions are planned around our mission statement: Seek God, Love All People, Change the World. After a few sessions, you’ll be well-informed about what HC is all about and will get to know some of the other people sitting next to you on Sunday morning.

Sunday Riders
Led by Chris Shickles, leaving from church
Sundays, after the 11:15 service, Sept 26th until the weather turns!
Calling all bike riders, or those who just wanna go for a spin…Announcing the Sunday afternoon group bike ride! Each week, starting September 26th and continuing as long as the weather allows, we’ll meet at Holy Covenant at 12:30, and head out for a 5-10 mile ride (with a lunch destination), and finish back at HC. The course will be announced each week; we will also learn about minor bike maintenance, riding in a group, bike commuting, and Chicago neighborhoods. Chicago is best explored by bike so bring your helmet, water bottles, and sense of adventure!

I Love to Tell the Story (Group 1)
Led by Brittany Isaac and Dan Hart, in Rogers Park
Mondays, 7 – 8:30, Oct 18th – Nov 22nd (6 weeks)
Live into God’s story by sharing your own. Learn more about one another and our faith as we learn to tell stories of forgiveness, reconciliation, and to bear witness to the action of God in our lives.

Bible Basics
Led by Laura Dean and Corydon Friedrich at church
Tuesdays 7:30 – 9, Oct 5th – Nov 16th
Don’t know where to start? Start here! Come get an overview of the Bible that will leave you wanting more and give you some tips to get going. All questions and questioners are welcome.

Novels:

Learning God’s Stories, Sharing Our Own: Women’s Group
Led by Linda Effinger Quinde at Pompei (Wellington and Sheffield)
2nd and 4th Sundays at 5:15, ongoing and year round
Join this long-running community-within-a-community. Drop-in or become a regular. We provide a fun, casual place for the diverse women of the church to meet, share our stories, and support each other. A great choice for women who would like to feel more connected within the church, especially newcomers to Holy Covenant. Women’s Group can be attended in conjunction with or in between other groups.

Learning God’s Stories with our Children: Wiggle Worship
Led by Rebecca Anderson at church
Sundays, 8:45am, Oct 10 – Nov 21
Participate in a casual, intimate liturgy for children and families (and those who want to work with them). We’ll meet Sunday mornings before the early service for fellowship, singing, prayer, and story-telling. Children of all ages are welcome!

Learning God’s Story around the Table
Food: Spirituality, Sustainability, and Ethics
Led by Mary Colleran, Sarah Klehr, and Megan Whitney, in the facilitators’ Lincoln Square homes
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8, Oct 12th – Nov 30th
Explore the issues of spirituality, sustainability and ethics related to choosing, preparing, eating, and sharing food. Meetings will include a variety of readings, reflections, video and discussion. In addition, we will share food each week. It is not necessary that you bring any food to the group meetings. Come gather in the kitchen with us for conversation and community!

Learning God’s Story: Sunday’s Scripture
Led by Pastor Kate at Holy Covenant
Wednesdays, 7 – 8:30, Begins Sept 29th, runs throughout the year
Meet with the pastor and others 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! 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. Join the conversation as we 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? Grow closer to God and one another through the biblical passages that shape our lives as a community.

Learning God’s Stories: Men’s Group
Shared leadership
1st and 16th of every month (rotating days, rotating locations)
Join other HC men as we attempt to discern what it means to be a Christian man through acts of service and fellowship. We’ll spend our time in service (at the church, Dignity Diner, and possibly the Night Ministry), in fellowship, and in Scripture/life learning. Hopefully, when all is said and done, we’re better for it. Please email Matthew Piechocinski for more information.

Research!

Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
Led by Rachel Harvey and Brit Holmberg
Wednesdays, Andersonville/Edgewater
Informational meeting October 6, group begins October 20th and continues through June
“Disciple: a person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches another.” Bring your experiences and struggles and whole self to the Word of God. Be encouraged, be shaped; be challenged and nourished by Scripture. This group is based on careful study and preparation and asks that you spend about 30 minutes a day reading. As weeks go by, you will move from Creation to the New Jerusalem in the company of fellow disciples. A fantastic introduction to the long arc of God’s narrative.

Durbin Family

Sarah, Rachel and Jonah live in Oak Park and found Holy Covenant through Reconciling Ministries. Rachel is a senior at OPRF High School and Jonah is in 4th grade at Longfellow Elementary. Rachel is an accomplished figure skater who would perform on ice every weekend if given the opportunity. She is really excited about Akwaaba, the teen youth group she started at Holy Covenant, and is hopeful the group will finally take root this fall. Rachel just recently got back from YTI (Youth Theological Initiative) where she had the opportunity to explore important theological and social issues with other teens and consider the power of becoming a “public theologian”. Jonah is your typical boy. He loves sports especially soccer and plays on a traveling team. He is loud and is constantly moving. Which is entirely opposite from what you see at church. For just being nine, he has a big heart and is always making sure that his sister is taken care of. Sarah works in the non-profit world. She is a member of the Children and Families Committee and is on the board of a local LGBT organization. As a family, they have a passion for social justice and providing service in the community.

Read more about becoming a member.

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

In front of God and everybody. How many times have you heard that phrase, usually in a less than positive way (Fred skinny dipped in Buckingham Fountain, in front of God and everybody…). Well, ladies and gentleman, I’m here today to take the rain in that phrase and turn it into a rainbow (ow-did I just say that?). Ok, more specifically, I am here to invite you to share your love of music (and who doesn’t love music?) with God and everybody by joining the Holy Covenant Celebration Choir as we prepare this fall to once again blend our voices together in song and worship and praise. There are no auditions, no scales to sing in order to prove your vocal capabilities. Just a love of God, and the aforementioned love of music. There, see? You’re in. All practice materials are posted on the web, we gather on Monday nights to rehearse and then do a short run through on Sunday morning before singing at the 11:15 service. It’s fun, it’s community, it’s worship, and I truly hope you’ll consider it. In front of God and everybody.

Now if you are just not the singing type, there is still room at the musical table for you. We are looking for all manner of musicians to offer their talents during Communion at our 9:30 service. Guitar, violin, flute, kazoo, (ok-probably not kazoo), classical, contemporary-please accept this invitation to offer your gifts to this community.

Finally, if you are more of a behind the scenes person, please consider joining our Audio Visual team. This VIP position takes care of the Powerpoint and simple audio adjustments during our worship services. I’ll tell you everything you need to know (no previous experience necessary), and ideally, with enough folks in rotation, we only ask one service of you a month.

For further communications, questions, and volunteer hand raising, please contact me by e-mail.

peace,

Andrew Collins

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

It’s no secret that United Methodists LOVE meals. You’d be hard pressed to find a Methodist church without regularly scheduled pot-lucks, ice cream socials, and pie bake-offs. Holy Covenant does our part, from perfecting our chili recipe for the cook-off in the fall, to eating pizza and slurping root beer floats after the evening service, and enjoying delicious home-baked goods on a Sunday morning. We are a community who loves meals!

Is it just that we really love to eat? We do, no doubt. But if that was all there was to it, we’d just go to restaurants, or pack up the baked goods and take them to the park. Instead, we stay and we eat together, because something powerful happens in those moments: the food tastes better, the conversation is more interesting, and our connections are deeper. Jesus knew the power of the table, of a shared meal. That’s why on the last night of his life, he gathered his disciples around a table to eat supper together. Don Saliers, my professor of worship, was fond of saying, “Jesus loved meals so much he became one.”

For in that sacred meal, Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it. The bread becomes his body and the wine his blood, and we, then, through sharing in the meal, become his body. Every time we take communion in worship, Jesus takes and chooses us, God blesses us, our hearts break open, and God gives us the gift of grace and forgiveness. Beginning in August, we will have the opportunity to eat this sacred meal together each week in the morning. Starting August 1st, we’ll have weekly communion at the 9:30am service. We’ll continue to share in this meal monthly at 11:15am and weekly at 7pm.

If you find yourself hungry during the week, I hope you’ll consider coming to the 9:30 service to receive your fill of grace, peace, justice, and mercy as forgiven and grace-filled children of God. After all, the invitation is coming from Jesus—“Let’s eat!”

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

Grace and Peace,

Kate

Andrea Bailiff & Andy Gush

Andy and I are very excited to be part of the Holy Covenant family! This is the first United Methodist church that either of us have joined. I was brought up in a Baptist church and went to a non-denominational church during college, while Andy has an Episcopal/ Anglican background. When we were looking for a church home, it was very important that the church be a blend of both of our backgrounds nad our religious views, and the United Methodist denomination has proven to be just that! And with our up-and-coming October wedding, we are looking forward to starting our married lives at Holy Covenant!