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At Holy Covenant, we believe love shows up in practical ways. This season, we invite you to support Compassion Closet, a local nonprofit serving asylum-seeking migrant families here in Charlotte by providing much-needed clothing and linens

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More Info on Compassion Closet

Faith-in-Flesh

🌟 Overview: “Faith-in-Flesh”

In Faith in Flesh, the United Church of Christ explores the profound theological truth that our bodies—every shape, color, ability, and identity—are sacred reflections of God’s image. This compelling reflection affirms that honoring the body is an act of faith, particularly for those whose flesh has been marginalized, policed, or ignored. Embracing an incarnational theology, the article challenges harmful ideologies of purity and perfection, celebrating the body as a site of divine wisdom, resistance, and love. Through storytelling, justice work, and radical affirmation, Faith in Flesh invites us to reclaim our bodies as holy ground.

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Applications are now being accepted for the 2025–26 Michael G. Brooks Scholarship — a fund created to support the educational and spiritual development of youth in our congregation. Scholarships of up to $2,000 are awarded annually to selected applicants.

There was a time when I thought of skepticism as a kind of intellectual virtue. It indicated that one didn’t simply take everything at face value. One critically assessed what one was given with probing questions and mature reasoning. But a few months ago, I found myself having a reoccurring conversation with skeptics that led me to become, well, skeptical about skepticism.

As we approach Mother’s Day—a sacred time to honor those who nurture life, faith, and love—we are also faced with a moral crisis. Congress is preparing to vote on a sweeping budget bill that would slash Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC: programs that form the very backbone of support for women, children, and families in need.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a day that carries a wide range of emotions. For some, it’s a day of celebration and gratitude. For others, it can stir grief, longing, or even pain. Some of us were mothered with great love. Others were not. Some are mothers. Some are not. Some yearn to be. Some never wanted to be. And some of us have found that we can mother love in people and places beyond biology.

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

Thelma

🌟 Overview: “Thelma”

The UCC article “THELMA, the Theological Education for Leadership and Ministry Advancement initiative, is a groundbreaking program from the United Church of Christ designed to expand access to high-quality theological education for all. Rooted in the UCC’s commitment to justice, equity, and inclusive leadership, THELMA provides a flexible, accessible, and spiritually enriching curriculum for individuals discerning a call to ministry—whether lay or ordained. The program nurtures diverse leaders from various backgrounds and life paths, offering contextual, culturally relevant formation that empowers participants to serve faithfully in today’s ever-changing world.

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After last week’s newsletter article on The Gospel of Judas, several of you shared how meaningful and surprising it was to learn about this different view of Judas and the role he might have played in Jesus’ story. This conversation has reminded me of another powerful book: The Lost Christianities by Bart D. Ehrman.

Labor Day

🌟 Overview: “Labor Day”

In her reflection on International Worker’s Day, Rev. Melanie Oommen of the United Church of Christ highlights the historical significance of the 1886 labor protests in Chicago, which led to the establishment of May 1 as a day to honor workers globally. She draws parallels between the struggles of past laborers and contemporary issues, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized workers, including those affected by unjust immigration laws. Rev. Oommen invokes the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16) to underscore the Christian imperative to value all forms of labor and advocate for justice and dignity for every worker. She calls for the creation of equitable structures that recognize the worth of all laborers, urging collective action to support workers’ rights and well-being worldwide

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