THOUGHT FOR REFLECTION
Friends in Holy Covenant,
I heard from someone earlier this week that his $600 tax rebate arrived over the weekend. I confess that since I heard about all of the “extra” money, I've been thinking about how I would spend mine: I've got bills to pay, savings to save, clothes to buy. I could use a digital camera. I also must confess that, though I am no economist, I find it ironic, to put it gently, that the government has chosen to “give us our money back” at a time when there are dire food shortages all over the world (you know it's reached a new level when Costco is rationing rice) and apparently our nation's commitment to combat AIDS in Africa is severely under what we promised it would be.
As Christian people of faith, can we use all or part of our rebate in a different way? Jesus said, Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. He didn't talk specifically about what to do when Caesar renders it back, but I presume it'd be more of the frustrating, ridiculous, life-freeing “lay it all down and follow me” kind of invitation he gives in both pointed and parabolic speech throughout the Gospel. Give it up, give it away -- not because we have to, but because we can.
My challenge to us all at Holy Covenant and beyond is to consider giving away some, or maybe all, of this money that we didn't expect to receive. To give it to something beyond yourself. I was crunching the numbers. At Holy Covenant, lately around 135 people worship with us on Sunday. If 130 people just gave it all away, that'd be $81,000. If 1305 people gave $100 of the $600 away, we're talking $13,500. As you're planning, would you consider something on that spectrum? Think about what you really need and what the world really needs. You can get that new pair of shoes or the i-Phone or whatever, and still give something back, too. Something that you hadn't planned to give, but now you can.
Here are some projects you might consider. You can make your checks payable to Holy Covenant with the particular project on the memo line, send them to church or put them in the Sunday offering, and we will distribute the money for you.
• United Methodist Committee on Relief —one of the world's best disaster relief agencies
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/
• Lakeview Food Pantry —emergency food distribution in our neighborhood
http://www.lakeviewpantry.org/
• Dignity Diner —our congregation's meal ministry with the homeless and hungry
• Holy Covenant Capital Campaign —strengthening our building for generations to come
http://www.holycovenantumc.org/giving.htm
Thanks for your generosity in Christ's name.
Peace,
Pastor Trey Hall
I've Got Questions: Dealing with religious stuff that people wonder about
From death to life, science to suffering, prayer to atheism, a cool series for skeptics, doubters and believers alike.
Sundays in April and May: 9:30am & 11:15am
**Join the Holy Covenant Facebook group to dialogue about sermon themes.
May 11— Q6 : What's the best way to talk about/with other religions? Is Christianity the only way to God?
May 18— Q7 : Does prayer actually work, and if so, why, and then: how do we do it meaningfully?
May 25— Q8 : I'm a spiritual person/I'm a religious person. Is there a difference and does it matter?
WHAT'S NEW?
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT
Thursday, May 8, 7:30-9:00pm, Church Gallery
The lay and clergy leadership of the congregation gathers to continue planning and structuring for the next season of our ministry together. All people are welcome to attend. For more information, email our Church Council Chair, Matt Kuzma at matt.kuzma@gmail.com
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL EVERY WEEK
Beginning Sunday, June 1, we will offer children's Sunday School every Sunday during the first service! Children are welcome to join the Sunday School or, as always, to remain in worship with their parents. Our curriculum is age appropriate and inclusive, guided by the life and teachings of Jesus and the Methodist emphasis on God's grace and love for all people.
SHARE YOUR SKILLS TO CHANGE THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH
As people of God, we come with diverse strengths and limits. Consider offering who you are in service through Holy Covenant this year. Take a few moments to fill out this online survey .
SMALL GROUPS 2.0 BEGIN THIS WEEK
But it's not too late to sign up! You can read all about them and sign-up at worship or online HERE .
SUSTAINING RHYTHMS
YOUR HELP NEEDED TO HOST VISITING YOUTH CHOIR
The youth choir from Christ UMC in Franklin , TN , will be serving at Dignity Diner and then singing a concert for the guests on Tuesday, May 27. We still need 11 individuals/families to provide a place for two youth to sleep that night. They'll sleep on fold-out couches, futons, or on the floor (they'll have sleeping bags). Your job will be to collect them from church that evening (5/27), transport them to your place, hang out a bit with them, give them a place to sleep, a basic breakfast, and then get them back to church the next morning (el transport is fine!). This will be a wonderful way to provide hospitality to brothers and sisters from another place, and to make connections. Please contact pastortrey@holycovenantumc.org if you can host a couple of youth.
[re]visioning update
Over the past two months, we've been considering our mission for the next season of ministry. We've discussed it at Church Council, as a staff, with the lay leaders. We had both an all-congregation conversation and a day-long leadership retreat in April. Throughout May, we are taking all of the input and idea-generation and working on a new mission, set of core practices, and ultimately a Strategic Map to guide our mission for the next three years. The draft will be brought to church council in June, followed by an all-church feedback session and church conference in mid-to-late June, when we will discuss and vote on the Strategic Map, as well as vote on lay leadership for the next year. Watch for particular dates and more information soon. If you have questions or ideas, please email pastortrey@holycovenantumc.org .
DISCOVER HOLY COVENANT LUNCH
Sunday June 1, 12:30-2:00pm (and every first Sunday of the month)
Maybe you've been with us at Holy Covenant once; maybe you've been with us several times. Maybe it was your first time in Church ever or in a long time. Maybe you're looking for a church home and want to join; maybe you're not even sure this church thing is for you at all. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are invited to discover more about Holy Covenant. On Sunday, June 1, join Pastor Trey for lunch. The food's free, you'll have a chance to meet other folks, hear about our ministry and mission, ask questions, raise objections, dive deeper, etc. Email pastortrey@holycovenantumc.org
SAYING GOODBYE, SAYING HELLO: JOIN US IN WORSHIP
Sunday, May 11 th at both services—celebrating the ministries of our parish interns as they finish their year with us
Sunday, May 18 th at both services—welcoming our new children's minister, Donelle Sommer
CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
For our Saturday afternoon parents small group beginning May 10 at church, we're looking for folks to volunteer by providing basic childcare at church so that parents will be able to focus on their gathering. Can you help give a gift for one or two Saturday afternoons 2:00-3:30 pm, May 10-June 14? Email our Deacon, Erin Myslenski at erinmys@gmail.com .
CHANGE TO WOMEN'S GROUP SCHEDULE IN MAY -- MEETING ON SUNDAY, 5/18
The Holy Covenant Women's Group will meet just once in May -- Sunday, May 18th from 6:30-8:00pm at Starbuck's, Diversey and Sheffield . (We usually meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, but changed our schedule for May to avoid Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekend.) So, please mark your calendars and join us on May 18th! No sign-up required -- just drop by for great conversation, sharing and laughter with a wonderfully diverse group of women. Questions? Call or email Linda, 630-670-8774 or effinger@umich.edu.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHICAGO CARES SERVE-A-THON
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 8am-3pm
On this largest single day of community service in Chicago , thousands of volunteers will come together to paint, plant and clean up Chicago 's schools, parks and social service agencies. The work is hands-on and everyone's help will be needed to lay drop-cloths, tape moldings, paint lockers, hallways and classrooms, plant flowers and more. Brian Beeker from Holy Covenant is a team captain and welcomes you to serve with his team. Contact brian.beeker@ey.com to sign up or for more general information, click HERE
SAVE THE DATE
Holy Covenant will once again be participating in the Chicago PRIDE parade. The parade is on Sunday, June 29 this year and it starts at 12:00 PM. We will be looking for volunteers to help with preparations and to walk/ride in the parade itself. Please place this date on your calendar and if you would like volunteer contact Scott Witherell (switherell@hinshawlaw.com), Cory Fransway (cfransway@yahoo.com) or Anne Cumings (annecumings@comcast.net). Look for more information to come!
FREE FILM VIEWINGS
Irving Park United Methodist Church will be hosting two free viewings of the award-winning documentary film, "For the Bible Tells Me So," on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 10 at 3:00 pm. A short discussion about the film will follow ( http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/ ). Call the church at 773-283-6262 for more details.
“OUT WITH PURPOSE” WORKSHOP
May 30-31
A weekend workshop for gay men that explores the larger questions confronting gay men once they step out of the closet, sponsored by the secular Wright Institute. For more information and to enroll, visit www.moreforgaymen.com or call 312.329.1200.
Immigration on the US/Mexico Border: An educational event here in Lakeview!
This Sunday, May 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm come hear Rev. Delle McCormick, Executive Director of BorderLinks , a bi-national non-profit seeking to educate about border issues and social justice. She will speak on Immigration on the US/Mexico Border at nearby Wellington Ave United Church of Christ, 615 W. Wellington . The evening will begin with a meal and will include a commissioning service for those participating in the 5th Annual Migrant Trail Walk in the Mexico/Arizona desert at the end of May. Holy Covenanters Kristin Kumpf and Mira Conklin will be among those commissioned. Please RSVP to Jenny Dale: 773-293-3680 or jdale@crln.org . For more information, see Wellington Ave UCC's website .
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