November Compassion Offering:

The ORUCC Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund

ORUCC has a long tradition of supporting our social services partners in their work with neighbors in need. Families in southwest Madison are being hit hard by high food costs, inflation due to tariffs, federal budget cuts, and skyrocketing rent. For the neediest ORUCC neighbors, any extra or unpredictable expenses can be a huge challenge. Illness, job loss, a car expense, or other costs can leave families with an urgent need. 

For many years, ORUCC assisted families with gift cards and worked with Joining Forces for Families to get the cards to needy neighbors. In 2020, the ORUCC Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund was established to help support our neighbors with Woodman’s gift cards. Since that time, cards have been available throughout the year for emergencies and extra expenses, and have been distributed by staff from Joining Forces for Families (JFF), Children’s Wisconsin – Early Childhood Development, and other neighborhood partners. There is a need to replenish this fund to continue this vital support. 

ORUCC member Loretta Swanson and Community Social Worker, Eric Alvin are our lead social services team who distribute the gift cards to individuals and families in the neighborhood. A $25 gift card can cover the cost of extra food needed while children are home during holiday breaks, partially fill a gas tank to allow travel for a job or for an interview, or provide supplies like emergency infant formula or over-the-counter medication. Holidays can present significant challenges for families who seek special items specific to a family’s culture or country of origin. These items will likely be more expensive this year due to tariffs. The cards also are extremely helpful to JFF and community partners in helping to engage and connect families with other services.

Given the state of the economy and the political environment in 2025, the need is expected to increase substantially. Please consider a donation to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund to provide direct support to families and individuals in our neighborhood. Your donation is truly appreciated, this holiday season and beyond.

Youth Service Trip 2026

Our youth service trip next summer will be to Detroit, MI, July 12-18, 2026 with an organization called Motown Mission! Youth entering 8th grade through high school graduation are eligible for this trip. Please see this document for more information, and contact Pastor Kate if your youth would like to participate. A deposit of $100 is due by December 7th to secure your spot. 

Book Study: 

Decolonizing Palestine –

The Land, The People, The Bible 

by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

Sundays November 16, 23, 30, 9:00 am, Alfred Swan Room and via Zoom

Join Rev. Diane Dulin for a discussion of Mitri Raheb’s latest book. The book is inspiring, and is sure to generate fascinating discussion. Discussion will focus on: Biblical concepts and implications of being ‘chosen’ by God; theologies of Christian Zionism; and ongoing colonialism in Palestine. The book is available as a paperback and audiobook. Madison Public Library has three copies. For more information: Mitri Raheb book study.

To register: contact Rev. Diane Dulin at [email protected]. Diane will notify you of selected discussion passages and provide a Zoom link (for those who wish to attend on-line).  

Wayfinding: The Soul Tasks of Aging, Toward a Theology of the Elder Years

Today, November 20th, over ZOOM 4:00-5:00pm

Thank you all for the 40 people who joined for our opening Wayfinding Retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery! It was a wonderful time together.

We will continue to gather the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 9:30am, program beginning at 9:45am and concluding at 11:15am. The next in-person gatherings are: November 19, December 17, January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20.

For those who prefer to join virtually, we will meet by Zoom the very next day, each Thursday following our in-person Wayfinding program at 4:00pm concluding at 5:00pm. Join the meeting via the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81390270827?pwd=fCJxLaaJay4Rf1Uk7c9bfF6sLCYVrF.1

College scholarships available

Members of Orchard Ridge UCC are invited to apply for 2026-2027 college scholarships of $500 to $2,000 from the Frank E. Page Scholarship Fund. Applicants should be planning to begin or continue education at any accredited 2- or 4-year college or university and should have a record of academic achievement, service to church and community, and demonstrated financial need. The application deadline is February 15, 2026. Please contact [email protected] for an electronic application. 

Questions? Contact Ann Evensen at [email protected] 

ORUCC is excited to be a part of the fourth annual Madison-area Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, held on Monday, November 24th, from 6:30-7:30 pm (prelude at 6:15) at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. We’re excited to see the broader Christian community come together to celebrate Thanksgiving by praising God for our many blessings, celebrating what we share in common in Christ and supporting those among us in need.

Please plan to arrive between 6:00-6:10 pm to allow time for parking and getting situated. If you’re able, please bring shelf-stable food and/or monetary donations to be distributed among local food pantries. 

If you would like to serve in any capacity (usher, fellowship host, etc.) please check out volunteer opportunities here. There is also an opportunity to join a combined Thanksgiving choir (practice Sunday evening, 11/23). Email Pastor Kate, [email protected], if interested. 

College Care Packages

Reminder that we welcome your homemade goodies for college care packages on Sunday, November 30th. You can drop off in the church kitchen individual homemade bars or cookies wrapped in plastic wrap. We have about 25 packages to send, so you can bring 25 packs of two cookies if you’d like. Please also provide a list of ingredients — some of the kids might have dietary restrictions. 

If you’d still like to celebrate our college students as they complete their fall term but not by baking? Consider dropping off a donation check to the church office, with “College Care Packages” in the memo line of the check. 

There’s still time to email [email protected] if you’d like your child to receive a care package. (We’re sorry but we aren’t able to include grandchildren in this effort due to quantity!). 

Thank you!

For more information, contact Paulette Harder ([email protected]).

Stay up to date on ORUCC Children and Youth happenings

Want to stay up to date on the latest with children and youth at ORUCC? Check out our weekly updates here:

https://orucc.org/keeping-current/children-and-youth-news//

Please Sign Up to Volunteer on Sunday Mornings!

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 Host, 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

Please note that the previous Welcomer and Usher signups have recently been combined into a new signup named “Host.” Please sign up to be trained into this new position:

Click here to sign up as a Host

Click here to sign up as a Lay Liturgist

Click here to assist with Holy Communion

• Page #1: Choose the date you are available to volunteer and select the box that says “SIGN UP“.  Then, at the bottom of the page select the box “SAVE & CONTINUE“.
• Page #2: Enter your first/last name and your email address. Then select the box at the bottom of the page “SIGN UP NOW“

Questions or problems signing up?

Contact George Decker at office@orucc.org or 608-271-7212.

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

Reflections for November

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 month for our devotional practice at Orchard Ridge UCC. If you know someone who needs encouragement and would like the devotional mailed to them, please contact the church office.

Reflections for November 2025

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

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