Banking on Faith and Justice: A New Partnership with Generations United Federal Credit Union at Holy Covenant UCC

We’re excited to share that the United Church of Christ now has its very own federal credit union—Generations United Federal Credit Union (GUFCU)—born out of our denomination’s deep commitment to economic justice.

First envisioned by the wider church in 2017 as a response to predatory lending practices and financial inequities, GUFCU was created to offer ethical, accessible, and values-driven financial services for UCC members, clergy, lay staff, and congregants.

Rooted in care, community, and justice, this credit union exists to serve people, not profits.

Generations United FCU proudly serving the UCC community. Socially Conscious, Community Focused, Justice Driven Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

Visit Generations United FCU

Faith in Action

At Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we believe faith is not just something we hold—it’s something we live. Budgets are not just about dollars and cents; they are moral documents that reveal what we truly value. As followers of Christ and people committed to justice, we are deeply troubled by the recent budget resolution passed by the Senate.

This proposal slashes funding for vital programs like Medicaid and SNAP—lifelines for millions of our neighbors—while increasing investments in immigration enforcement and expanding tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy. These choices do not reflect our call to love our neighbor, care for the poor, or welcome the stranger.

If enacted, this budget would increase suffering for immigrant families, limit access to healthcare, and deepen poverty across our communities. That is not the world our faith calls us to build.

Now, as the resolution moves to the House, we are called to put our faith into action. Let us raise our voices, advocate boldly, and urge our representatives to vote NO on this unjust and morally misguided proposal.

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#FaithInAction #HolyCovenantUCC #UCCJustice #LoveThyNeighbor #MoralBudget #JusticeForAll #ProgressiveChristianity #WelcomeTheStranger #EconomicJustice #UCCCharlotte

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Volunteer! Be the Church!

We invite you to consider supporting these invaluable ministries that not only help us extend that extravagant welcome to newcomers, but also nurture deep connections within our congregational family. These ministries are vital expressions of our mission, shaping the spirit of hospitality, care, and belonging that defines Holy Covenant.

Worship Volunteer Sign-up

Greeters and ushers are needed starting at 10:30am every Sunday. Liturgists and readers roles are also available. Please sign up in the Gathering Room or at 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAD23A2FE3-ushers#/

Fellowship Hour Hosts Needed

Sign up for providing light refreshments after worship on Sundays, plus set-up and clean-up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAD23A2FE3-sunday1#/

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This Sunday, Holy Covenant joins churches across the United Church of Christ in receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, a vital expression of our faith in action. As one of the UCC’s five special mission offerings, One Great Hour of Sharing provides critical support to communities facing hardship, funding international programs in health, education, and agricultural development, as well as emergency relief, refugee assistance, and disaster response both globally and here in the U.S.

Through our collective generosity, we extend Christ’s love beyond our walls, reaching those impacted by war, natural disasters, and economic hardship. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. By giving, we also help Holy Covenant remain a 5 for 5 Church, faithfully supporting the wider ministries of the UCC.

To contribute, please write “OGHS” on the memo line of your check or envelope. If giving online, select One Great Hour of Sharing from the donation options.

See how your giving makes an impact:

Thank you for being part of this life-changing ministry!

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Holy Covenant,

If someone were to ask you “How is your well-being?” what would you say? I’m not asking because it’s a nice thing for a pastor to do, but because I believe the answer to that question is something to be explored. You see, since I arrived, I’ve learned Holy Covenant has been faced with many changes. Changes that have pushed it to stretch and grow, and others it has had to find ways to work together to survive. Some of these changes include:

• Saying goodbye to longtime pastor Nancy Allison, who retired in 2019.
• Working with two intentional interim ministers, Fred Robinson and Cheri Dennis.
• Inventing new ways to worship during the global COVID pandemic.
• Losing cherished members who have died or moved away.
• Launching a search process for a new settled pastor that took longer than expected.
• Receiving new members and visitors who now call us their spiritual home.
• Responding to changes in our personal health, career, or financial situation.
• Navigating the loss of loved ones, joy of new partners, or becoming empty nesters.
• Advocating for new ways of being “the church” in the face of racial injustice.
• Finding ourselves caught in an ever-growing divided country and political climate.

Whew! That’s a lot of change. Changes that have certainly had an impact on aspects of well-being in our church and personal lives.

As the church we are called to care for God’s people, and as followers of Christ, we are to model his life and live by his example. One of the healthiest ways to do this is by first creating a solid foundation of wellness for ourselves, so we can in turn be there for others in the ways God calls us to.

While wellness is commonly thought of as only being about health, it is much broader than that. It’s an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence. It includes health, but also includes dimensions such spiritual, emotional, and financial well-being. When these dimensions are integrated together, they can support a more holistic approach to living well.

This upcoming year, I’d like our church to focus on a theme for 2025 that I’ve titled “A Year of Wellness”. I’d like for us to ask the question, “What does wellness look like through the lens of our church’s ministries?” “How can wellness enhance not only our health, but how we function and live?” “How can paying attention to wellness, in its different aspects, contribute to our sense of faith, how we serve the community, and how we follow Christ?”

Friends, I am excited to share with you my plans for A Year of Wellness at Holy Covenant UCC, and the sense of wholeness in 2025 I hope it will bring.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
Holy Covenant UCC
Senior Pastor