Volunteer opportunities

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 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

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

Holy Covenant is blessed to have so many volunteers willing to do things – big and small – that help our church grow and thrive.  Annually, we conduct a gifts, talents and interest survey to help match you with opportunities that you may be interested in as they arise. 

The 2009 survey is closed, but please e-mail at office@holycovenantumc.org to find out how you can get involved and let us know what your interests are.

July 25 & 26: ANNUAL MAJOR FUND-RAISER FOR DIGNITY DINER: 10-15 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Taste of Lincoln Avenue is Wrightwood Neighbors Association’s annual fundraiser. Dignity Diner would like to send 10-15 volunteers to the ‘Taste of Lincoln’ on July 25 and 26th so we can be successful again this year. They historically give $1,000 grant to Dignity Diner. The Taste is always held on the last weekend in July, from Noon-to-dusk, both Saturday and Sunday. Located on Lincoln Avenue between Fullerton and Wrightwood, the event includes food and craft vendors, five entertainment stages, and a great Kids’ Carnival Area.

Volunteers register on line at http://www.wrightwoodneighbors.org/tastevolunteers.htm or by calling (773) 298-6800. It is really fun. Besides hanging out with a few friends for 4 hours, you meet other folks who receive service grants and the music is fun! Volunteers arrive a little before the shift you sign up for and go to the volunteers tent-booth for a T-shirt and instructions about how to ’staff’ the entrance gates and ask for donations. Usually you will start out with a seasoned volunteer partner.

If you decide to volunteer, please mention you are from Holy Covenant, or Dignity Diner or both so that we get credit for sending enough volunteers. Send an e-mail to office@holycovenantumc.org to let us know the shift you have signed up for. Questions? Contact Steve Bindrich or Kara Teeple. For more information, see: http://www.wrightwoodneighbors.org/Taste.htm

TUESDAY, JUNE 30
Every Tuesday evening at Holy Covenant, Dignity Diner offers a meal to the homeless and hungry of our community. Usually on the fourth Tuesday of every month, Holy Covenant is responsible for providing volunteers to help cook, serve, and clean up after the meal. Holy Covenant is responsible for providing volunteers on Tuesday, June 30. We have a youth group from Maryland visiting the Diner on June 23. If you are able to help this month or on the fourth Tuesday of any month, please contact Steve Bindrich, Dignity Diner Lay Leader. If you cannot come to the Diner on a Tuesday but would like to find out other ways you can get involved, or with any other questions, please contact Kara Teeple, Director of Dignity Diner.

Let us know if you’re interested in a Beach Cleanup Day in Chicago, and when you’ll be out-of-town this summer. We’d like to accomodate as many vacationers as possible and schedule the day around people’s plans! We’ll be supplying garbage bags, gloves, and sandwiches/drinks, as well as sand toys for the kids. If you could bring a beach-friendly side dish or dessert, we’ll be all set to conquer the litter and save the earth ! We’ll let you all know the day, as well as a “rain day” in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. Contact Jenn Alan with your summer plans.

Kick-off Meeting, Tuesday, June 23, 7pm
Katie Cook has offered to lead the way in planning this event, but is having a kick-off meeting Tuesday, June 23, 7:00pm for anyone who would like to lend a hand. If you’ve planned an event like this before, have some ideas, or would just like to get to know others at the church through planning, please stop by for this brainstorming session. If planning is not your thing, we just ask for your prayers for the fundraiser group as we embark on this project. If you plan to attend please email Katie.

Every Tuesday evening at Holy Covenant, Dignity Diner offers a meal to the homeless and hungry of our community. Usually on the fourth Tuesday of every month, Holy Covenant is responsible for providing volunteers to help cook, serve, and clean up after the meal. Holy Covenant is responsible for providing volunteers on Tuesday, June 30. If you are able to help this month or on the fourth Tuesday of any month, please contact Steve Bindrich, Dignity Diner Lay Leader. If you cannot come to the Diner on a Tuesday but would like to find out other ways you can get involved, or with any other questions, please contact Kara Teeple, Director of Dignity Diner.

As of today, the renovations to the sanctuary walls and floors are complete! We need your help to move stuff back in – chairs, liturgical furniture, pews, banners, technology, etc., all needs to be moved from storage in the gallery and basement. This Thursday evening, June 18, from 5:30-8:00p, can you lend 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and hour? If we get a large group, we’ll get it done in no time. Many hands make for light work. Pizza and soda provided. Stop by after work or school to help. Sign up to join us on our Facebook page.

For more information, email Trustees chair, Allison Chaplain. Also, make sure to join us for one of our three worship services on June 21, when we’ll celebrate for the first time in the renovated space.