(704) 599-9810 | Worship Sundays @ 10:55 a.m.
(704) 599-9810 | Worship Sundays @ 10:55 a.m.
Jun 29, 2025
“To be the Church everywhere means we are called to embody the Christ, both his life and teachings, as we go about our everyday lives.
We find ourselves serving the world and our communities in a myriad of ways… yet in each place we find ourselves, we possess the ability
to be a living example of Christ’s peace, love, and justice in every place we are.”
– The Reverend Christopher Czarnecki
This short film marks the launch of Holy Covenant’s bold new digital presence and the next step in our mission to “be the Church, everywhere.”
Directed by Eric Miner and grounded in our values of inclusion, beauty, and justice, this film is an invitation to step into a sacred space — one not bound by walls, but alive in every screen, sanctuary, sidewalk, and soul.
Watch — and let it speak to your spirit.
Whether you’re in the pews or at your desk, on a walk or with a friend, may this film remind you that you are part of something sacred — right where you are.
#HCUCCEverywhere | #DigitalSanctuary | #BeTheChurch
Jun 27, 2025
By Eric Miner
At Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we say “Open and Affirming,” but what we mean is: you belong here. All of you. Without condition, without apology, without fear.
I came to this church with a lifetime of practice in hiding. Like so many LGBTQ+ folks, I’d learned early that many church doors say “welcome,” but mean something much smaller. So when I discovered Holy Covenant was an Open and Affirming congregation, I hesitated. Could this place really mean it?
Now, years later, I can say without hesitation: yes. We mean it. And so do I.
Being Open and Affirming, or O&A, isn’t a banner we hang once a year. It’s a covenant we live daily. It means we don’t just tolerate difference—we celebrate it. We don’t just allow LGBTQ+ folks in the pews—we trust them at the table, in leadership, and in the pulpit. This church isn’t just a sanctuary—it’s a home, and it’s changed my life.
When Holy Covenant voted in 2000 to become an O&A church, we were the 342nd UCC congregation to do so. Today, there are more than 1,700. That’s a movement of love. And I’m proud to be part of it.
“Being Open and Affirming is more than a stance. It’s a spiritual discipline.”
God hadn’t stopped speaking—even when I wasn’t ready to.
That little red comma I saw when I first arrived at Holy Covenant moved me deeply. It told me something no sermon ever had—that God was still speaking, even if I wasn’t. That message cracked something open in me, and I’ve never forgotten it.
There’s another journey I’ve been walking—sobriety. I’ve been in recovery seven months now, and what I’ve learned is this: healing requires belonging. And that’s what I found here. Not a perfect church, but a people who chose love again and again. Who see my story and still say: yes, you are beloved. Yes, you belong.
Open and Affirming means we show up for justice. In 2005, we celebrated when the UCC called for marriage equality. In 2014, when NC tried to silence clergy and block same-gender weddings, Holy Covenant stood tall. Two of our members joined a historic lawsuit. Our pastor stood with them. The UCC recognized that courage at General Synod in 2015. That’s part of our DNA now.
But being Open and Affirming isn’t just about what happens inside the sanctuary. It’s about who we are outside these walls. That’s why “being the church everywhere” matters so much to me. On social media, in the streets, in everyday conversations—we carry the message that every person is sacred. Every story is holy. Every expression of identity is God-breathed. We don’t wait for people to come to us. We go out, with joy and intention, to meet them where they are.
Open and Affirming means:
“Come as you are. Stay as you are. We’ll walk the journey together.”
This is what Open and Affirming means to me. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Join us for worship on Sunday, June 29 as we honor Holy Covenant’s bold and beautiful journey.
Jun 27, 2025
When a play ignited a city—and helped awaken a congregation to its calling.
In 1996, Charlotte found itself at the center of a national firestorm over art, identity, and public funding. The Charlotte Repertory Theatre dared to stage Angels in America, Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer-winning, AIDS-era epic—a story of heartbreak, faith, and the unyielding cry for LGBTQ+ dignity.
Supporters of the Charlotte Rep production counterprotest on the night of the show’s first performance, March 20, 1996
But the play’s bold portrayal of gay love, grief, and prophecy didn’t sit well with some. Evangelical voices protested its nudity, its themes, and its place in the publicly funded arts scene. In response, the Mecklenburg County Commission slashed $2.5 million in funding from the Arts & Science Council.
“Soft power does not dominate; it persuades. It invites. It empathizes.”
—Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC
The backlash was fierce—and faithful. Artists, clergy, and citizens united in protest. And justice had the last word: four of the five commissioners who voted to defund the arts lost their seats in the next election. ASC funding was not only restored—it grew.
Set of Angels in America: Charlotte Repertory Theatre 1996
For Holy Covenant, this moment was more than a headline. It was a wake-up call.
The outcry surrounding Angels in America stirred deep reflection within our congregation. If stories like this could be silenced, whose voices were we lifting up? Who was being left out of the circle of welcome? The controversy became a turning point in our spiritual discernment, and just a few years later, in 2000, Holy Covenant boldly claimed its identity as an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation—a church committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the life and leadership of the Church.
In the 1996 “Angels in America” by Charlotte Rep, the Angel (Barbi Van Schaick) holds Prior Walter (Alan Poindexter). Observer file photo by L.MUELLER
In the fire of controversy, something sacred was forged: a deeper commitment to love, truth, and justice.
🌈 Join us for worship on Sunday, June 29 at 10:55 AM as we celebrate 25 years of being an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation.
This special service will include a presentation of heartfelt member stories, reflections, and testimonies gathered from across the years of our O&A journey. All are welcome.
Jun 27, 2025
This summer, Holy Covenant is launching a consistent and curated social media posting calendar to keep you connected, uplifted, and engaged — whether you’re nearby or across the country.
Each week, we’ll share posts that reflect the life of our church: inspiring worship quotes, community spotlights, upcoming events, justice initiatives, and joyful glimpses from our photo gallery. We’re planning content across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn — and every post is crafted to reflect the bold, inclusive spirit of HCUCC.
Here’s what you can expect each week:
Why does it matter?
Sharing is a form of ministry. Every post you like, comment on, or share extends the reach of our church’s message — and might just speak to someone who needs to hear it that day. Your clicks and kindness help us share Christ’s love far beyond our sanctuary walls.
As we grow our digital presence, we invite you to become a “digital disciple” — lifting up Holy Covenant’s witness by engaging with our posts and inviting others to experience our vibrant and welcoming community.
Follow us on your favorite platform, join the conversation, and help us build something beautiful — together.
Jun 27, 2025
We’re thrilled to introduce The Loop — the next evolution of Holy Covenant’s weekly newsletter. It’s more than updates. It’s a rhythm that holds us together in spirit and purpose. It reflects who we are: inclusive, justice-driven, and joy-filled.
Each edition of The Loop is your invitation into the life of our church:
With fresh colors, new links, and a heartbeat that beats alongside yours, The Loop is your window into who we are and where we’re going — together.
📬 Check your inbox weekly — or catch up anytime on our website under News.
#TheLoop | #HCUCCEverywhere | #CommunityInMotion
Jun 27, 2025
Honoring the 68th Anniversary of the United Church of Christ
On June 25, 1957, something brave and beautiful happened. Four Protestant streams—the Congregational, Christian, Evangelical, and Reformed traditions—merged in covenant, not conformity, to form the United Church of Christ. It was a radical act of unity in a divided world. It was a declaration that difference need not mean division. It was the beginning of a new way to be the church.
Now, 68 years later, that same spirit flows through Holy Covenant United Church of Christ. As we prepare to celebrate 25 years as an Open and Affirming congregation, we pause to honor the deeper well from which we draw. We are rooted in these four traditions—and we rise on their shoulders.
To mark the UCC’s 68th anniversary, the national setting has released a powerful 20-minute video that tells the story of our formation. It’s more than history. It’s a love letter to the bold dreamers who trusted that unity was not only possible—it was holy.
“The Beginnings of the United Church of Christ: Our Roots in Four Traditions”
This film traces the theological convictions, worship practices, and cultural roots of the four streams that became one. You’ll encounter:
At Holy Covenant, we live out this legacy in every justice vigil, every communion shared, every hymn sung in harmony. This video is not just about where the UCC came from—it’s about who we are becoming, together.
We invite you to gather your household, your small group, or your own quiet heart—and take 20 minutes to reconnect with this bold beginning. Let it deepen your pride, your hope, your sense of belonging.
We are Holy Covenant. We are the UCC. Rooted in faith. Rising in love. Still speaking.
#UCC68 #StillSpeaking #ProgressiveChristianity #OpenAndAffirming #FaithAndJustice #HCUCCEverywhere
Jun 15, 2025
Due This Sunday
The Michael G. Brooks Scholarship Fund supports the educational and spiritual growth of our youth — honoring a commitment to learning, service, and faithful leadership.
Scholarship funds of up to approximately $2,000 will be considered annually for all applicants. High school seniors and college students pursuing higher education are encouraged to apply.
📩 To request the Process and Procedures document and application, please contact the church office.
May the Spirit guide our young people boldly forward — with wisdom, wonder, and purpose. 🌟
Encourage a student in your life to apply. We believe in them. 💙
Jun 15, 2025
Celebrating Freedom, Culture, and Community
Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19, is a day of remembrance, resistance, and celebration. It marks the end of slavery in the United States — and honors the continuing struggle for Black liberation and equity in our communities.
Here in Charlotte, Juneteenth 2025 is alive with energy! Local events include day parties, live music, family-friendly activities, history walks, and more. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with community or reflect in sacred remembrance, there are opportunities across the city to gather and honor Freedom Day.
🗓️ Explore the growing list of events curated by QCity Metro:
➡️ Click here for the full Juneteenth event calendar
As people of faith rooted in justice, we celebrate Juneteenth as a sacred moment of truth-telling and community uplift. Let’s show up in joy, solidarity, and spirit.
Because freedom is sacred — and our joy is an act of resistance. ✨
Jun 07, 2025
“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
—Amos 5:24
June is here, and with it comes a celebration of truth, beauty, and belonging: Pride Month. Across Charlotte and the greater region, LGBTQ+ communities and allies are gathering for parades, festivals, film screenings, family events, art shows, and sacred storytelling. This is more than a party—it’s a declaration of dignity.
Holy Covenant UCC stands proudly alongside the movement for LGBTQ+ liberation, joy, and justice. Whether you’re new to Pride or have been marching for decades, this month offers meaningful opportunities to show up, speak out, and experience beloved community.
From SouthPark to Uptown, from libraries to church sanctuaries, Pride is unfolding all around us. And your presence matters.
See the Charlotte Pride website for more event details as they are announced.
At Holy Covenant, Pride is more than a month—it’s a ministry. We show up in the streets, in the pews, and at the ballot box. Our sanctuary is a place where queer and trans people are not just welcomed—they are centered, celebrated, and sacred.
This June, we invite you to live boldly into your faith and your truth. Bring your whole self. Wear your rainbows. And let your love shine.
Whether you attend an event, share a post, or offer a prayer for safety and celebration, you are part of this holy movement. Let us keep marching, singing, and loving—until justice and joy are no longer the exception, but the norm.
📖 And each morning in June, join us on Facebook for our daily devotional series, Sacred, Seen, and Called, from the UCC’s Open and Affirming Coalition—a prayerful companion to your Pride journey.
Jun 07, 2025
The Western North Carolina Association of the Southern Conference announced our new Association Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Tom Warren, Pastor of Peace United Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC.
To read his full introduction letter click here.
by Charles Jefferson, Jr. | published on May 27, 2025
The practice of banning books has been at an all-time high. Last year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reported more than 4,000 unique titles were challenged in public libraries and schools — the most since the office began tracking censorship efforts.
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