Our Generosity at Work: Compassion Offering for June

We are delighted to report that June’s Compassion Offering for Casa Alitas, a non-profit, immigrant welcome center near the border in Tucson, Arizona, amounted to $3,280. Casa Alitas provides a warm welcome, food, clothing, and shelter for a few days for legal asylum seekers who have crossed the border. Casa Alitas provides services to 1,000 to 1,500 guests every day.

The Wisconsin Council of Churches shares the following:

August 13th Ballot: Understanding the Proposed Amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution in a Christian Context

Doug Poland, partner at Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Ruling Elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison

Wisconsin voters who cast ballots in the statewide Partisan Primary Election on August 13 will be confronted with two questions on their ballot that, if they receive a majority of “yes” votes, will amend the Wisconsin Constitution. It is important for all Wisconsin voters to understand these questions and what they will mean for our state if they receive a majority of “yes” votes. And it is important for all of us who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ to consider the impact of these proposed amendments in the context of our shared faith.

A Christian faith contextual perspective on governmental power, its legitimacy, and how we respond

Scripture has much to say about civic governments and how the People of God respond to them, depending on whether they act to do God’s justice. The thread running through the Bible—Old and New Testaments alike—is that rulers who govern justly and care for the people are blessed, and both the rulers and the people prosper. As is most notable in the writings of the Old Testament Prophets, however, rulers who are unjust and seek to wield their power not to benefit the people, but for the purpose of enhancing their own control, are condemned and bring ruin on themselves and the people. The prophet Jeremiah provides a good example. God commands Jeremiah: “Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word, and say: Hear the word of the Lord, O King of Judah sitting on the throne of David—you, and your servants, and your people who enter these gates. Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. For if you will indeed obey this word, then through the gates of this house shall enter kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their servants, and their people. But if you will not heed these words, I swear by myself, says the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.” (Jeremiah 22:1-5)

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus’ insistence that the kingdom of God he champions and insists is coming into being right here, right now (Luke 17:21), is fundamentally different than the kingdoms and cultures over which the political rulers of the day presided. It is a kingdom that has at its core love for one another (John 13:34), humility and service to others (Matthew chs. 5-7), and mutual caretaking and caregiving (Matthew 25:34-40). Jesus’s singular focus on the kingdom of God leads him, where necessary, to challenge the rulers of the day and to disobey their laws, where those laws would result in injustice. So, for example, Jesus repeatedly performed acts of healing on the Sabbath, despite the insistence of the religious and legal authorities that it was forbidden. (Mark 3:1-5; Matthew 12:1-13; Luke 13:10-17; John 7:22-24; 9:1-16) In his final days with his disciples, Jesus reassures them that following the way of his teachings is the only way for God’s kingdom to come into being. Jesus gives them his peace, observing that this gift of his peace is different than how the world gives (John 14:27), and further contrasts the way of the world with his way—the way of the kingdom of God—noting that the disciples will receive the “Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him” (John 14:17). And indeed, as we see from the very outset after Jesus’ death early in the Book of Acts, the disciples did just that, following Jesus’ command to love and serve others, even where their acts of mercy and justice directly challenged the religious and political authorities. (Acts chs. 3-4)

So, as we approach our opportunity to vote on proposed amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution, I encourage you to question how the decisions you make in casting your ballot reflect how you are called by God to discipleship in Jesus Christ, not only in serving your faith community, but in our shared public life as well.

Read the entire article here to learn more about the specific questions on this August’s ballot.

This article was prepared by the author in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP or Law Forward, Inc.

Madison Mennonite Church seeks an Administrative Assistant

This is a part-time position at 6 hours/week (.15 FTE).

Madison Mennonite Church’s Administrative Assistant collaborates with the Pastor and lay leaders to equip the MMC community in its mission and vision. The Administrative Assistant provides organizational support to the congregation through financial bookkeeping, communication and information sharing, and record keeping. This is a primarily remote position with occasional in-person tasks and meetings in Madison, WI.

The complete job description may be viewed here.

“Kids in the Garden”

”Kids in the Garden” is our yearly summer enrichment program. During worship, children ages 6 and older (ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by a caregiver) will be invited to hear a nature-themed story, visit our Children’s Garden plot to collect herbs, and make a snack to serve after worship. This program will be offered three more times throughout the summer: 8/4,11, & 25. While there is no staffed nursery care during the summer, children of all ages are always welcome to remain in service or to visit the “Crossroads” with a caregiver as well.   

There is no regularly scheduled 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for Children and Youth during the summer. Sunday School will resume on September 8th!

Ushers Needed!

Please consider helping on Sunday mornings by being an usher during our services.

Please sign up using the link below….or contact Jon with questions at [email protected]

Usher Signup Genius

JULY COMPASSION OFFERING

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Food Pantry: Helping at home in our church neighborhood

Did you know that Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (GSLC) offers a weekly (Thursday) food pantry? This pantry located at 5701 Raymond Road opened its doors in 2005 and currently serves up to 75 eligible individuals and families each week.   Rick Thomas, GSLC Outreach Director, reports that the pantry has experienced record high demand (up to 50% more attendance) since late winter 2024. He also reports that local pantries have seen fewer food products come from Second Harvest, the main supplier to Dane Co food pantries, due to high demand throughout the county. GSLC has had to rely heavily on an internal pantry fund to maintain an adequate supply of food items on the pantry shelves. Additional funds are much-needed at this time. Can we at ORUCC help?

We invite ORUCC members to make monetary donations to the GSLC food pantry fund through our July Compassion Offering. Your donations will go toward direct purchase of food items that best meet the needs of food pantry clients. Please consider a generous donation to keep the GSLC food pantry well-stocked for those in need.

Additional ways that you can help:

–         Food, paper goods or personal items are also accepted year-round at the GSLC Donation Room during weekday hours.

–         Volunteer at the GSLC Food Pantry: Assist with registration, act as a host or help with stocking the shelves. Thursdays, 9:30am-Noon or 5:30pm-7pm. Familiarity with languages is a bonus, such as Spanish, Middle Eastern dialects, others. Contact: Rick [email protected] or ORUCC contact Jane [email protected]



–         Volunteer your time in the ORUCC Veggie Village garden where we tend and harvest fresh vegetables for the GSLC food pantry. Contact: LuAnn Greiner [email protected]

VIDEO

Please give generously. Thank you.

You can make a donation by check, on the memo line, please write “compassion” and mail to ORUCC, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711,

or donate online from our website. 

The link is https://orucc.org/contribute/support/

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the Month of July

For the summer months our Daily Reflections will take on a new format, and a new name: Summer Seeds for a Growing Spirituality. There will be one set of Readings for each of the summer months.



Summer Seeds for a Growing Spirituality: July

We are grateful for the ministry of Jeanne Moberly who is a member of Adult Faith Formation, as she puts together a set of fresh readings every week for our devotional practice at Orchard Ridge UCC. You will see these posted daily if you are part of the “Members & Friends” Facebook group. If you know someone who needs encouragement and would like the devotional mailed to them, please contact the church office.

Sign Up to Volunteer on Sunday Mornings Now Through the End of

September 2024!

AT ORUCC, the Members are the Ministers!

We are seeking volunteers to serve on Sunday mornings for in-person worship. You need not be a member, simply a person who loves ORUCC and is eager to find a place to serve!

Young people are welcome to sign up too!

Would you consider serving one or more times as

a Coffee Maker, a Welcomer, an Usher, a Lay Liturgist or

to assist with Holy Communion?

Feel free to sign up as an individual, a couple, or a family!

Click here to sign up as a Coffee Maker

Click here to sign up as a Welcomer

Click here to sign up as an Usher

Click here to sign up as a Lay Liturgist

Click here to assist with Holy Communion

After selecting one or more dates, you will need to click “Submit and Sign Up” at the bottom of the page, then enter your name & email address, then click “Sign Up Now.”

Questions or problems signing up?

Contact Ken Pennings at [email protected] or 608-556-2371.

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

Office Hours: M-Th 8:30-12:30