Orchard Ridge UCC - ORUCC

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on YouTube any time after 10 am:

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after 10 am if you have opened it before

Immigration Justice Sanctuary Conversation:

this Sunday February 16th, 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

In June of 2017 our congregation passed a motion to become a Sanctuary Congregation with this wording:

As a community of faith seeking to be spiritually alive, joyfully inclusive and committed to justice, and in solidarity with our undocumented brothers and sisters whose lives and families are being torn apart by our country’s immigration policies and enforcement actions, we of Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ declare ourselves to be a Sanctuary Congregation. We commit to engage in support, advocacy and service as best we are able to our immigrant neighbors, in collaboration with the interfaith community and the broader Dane Sanctuary network. Included in this commitment is the willingness to provide physical sanctuary as the need arises.

These beautiful commitments were the result of a faith journey, with prayer and discernment.

Join after worship this Sunday (2/16/25) for a discussion facilitated by Pastor Julia about what immigration justice in Dane County might look like in a NEW era. Use THIS document to view the framework behind becoming a Sanctuary Congregation and come to learn about new ways immigration justice organizers are advising we provide hospitality for some of our most vulnerable neighbors. As a follow-up to our conversation this Sunday, on Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition will hold a Know Your Rights training at ORUCC with Immigration Attorney Grant Sovern of the Community Immigration Law Center (CILC). This training will provide legal information on what to say (or not say) if you are questioned by an agent from ICE.

February Compassion Offering:

The Crossing

Upcoming Sunday Morning Opportunities…

Mark your calendars: there many special events offered both before and after worship!

February 16, 11:15 a.m. Immigration Justice “Sanctuary Church” Update (see above for more details)
February 23, 11:15 a.m. MOSES Information and Conversation
March 2, 9:00 a.m. Safe Sanctuary Refresher (Children/Youth Policy); 11:15 a.m. Immigration Justice “Know Your Rights” Training
March 9, 9:00 a.m. Lenten All-Ages Faith Formation
March 14-16, All-Church Retreat (see below for more details)
March 23, 9:00 a.m. Newcomer’s Meet & Greet ; 11:15 a.m. Presentation on the January 2025 ORUCC Trip to the Border
March 30, 9:00 a.m. New Members Class 1st Session
April 6, 9:00 a.m. Children and Youth Ministry Update with Kate & Julie; 9:00 a.m. New Members Class 2nd Session
April 13, 9:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Intergenerational Faith Formation; 9:00 a.m. New Members Class 3rd Session
Easter Sunday, April 20, 6:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service followed by brunch; 10:00 Worship; 11:15 a.m. Children and Youth Easter Egg Hunt
April 27, 9:00 a.m. Care of Creation Mission Team Presents: “From Lawns to Life–Gardening with Native Plants” with Jeff Epping; 9:00 a.m. New Members Class 4th Session

Java & Jesus will also return for adults’ faith formation in the Alfred Swan Room at the 9:00 hour on the following dates: February 23, March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, May 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

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Trans Youth Emergency Project – Campaign for Southern Equality

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

At Orchard Ridge, we are Spiritually Alive!

ORUCC Supports Transgender People

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 14, 2025

ORUCC Supports Transgender People

On February 9th, ORUCC member Cody Theis facilitated a session of “Java & Jesus” in support of Trans People, and Trans Children in particular. Cody writes: “Thank you for showing your concern and care for transgender people. It brought me great comfort to know that so many in our church care. Here are some ideas I have on ways our community could continue this work.”

1. Be visible. Show up with our church banner and progress pride flags, etc. to events/activities such as pride parades, Trans Joy events, etc.

2. Host a book club on Trans Kids, Our Kids.

3. Deepen our commitment to being an Open and Affirming congregation. I think there are trans families that could find nourishment and hope in our church at this time.

This is the organization I mentioned that was bringing me hope:

Originally helping families in the 26 states that currently have gender affirming care bans, they are now helping people across the country. They connect families to safe and legal gender affirming care by helping locate providers and providing emergency grants to help cover travel costs.

The following national organizations are working on fighting hateful EOs and in need of donations to continue the work:

Lambda Legal

PFLAG National

ACLU

Local:

PFLAG Madison

Home – Fair Wisconsin

GSAFE

Trans Law Help Center

MATA

Transparent Wisconsin – a local support group for parents and caregivers of transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive youth that reside in the state of Wisconsin. To join monthly in-person meetings for caregivers and youth: email Jcpeschl@madison.k12.wi.us

Other Resources:

10 Things You Can Do to Be an Ally to People Who Are Trans

Click here for Annotated Bibliography of Point-by-Point Rebuttals of Anti-Transgender Misinformation

Cody Sorlie Theis (she/her/they)

(608) 609-6396

Upcoming Events

Family Game Night, January 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: (moved to the second Friday this month) This casual, all-ages game night is open to all. Bring a potluck item and game to share, if you’d like! All are welcome to attend this laid-back gathering for fun and friendship.

Deadline extended! January 20: MLK Day Children’s Service Day, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Representatives from Beth Israel Center, Madinah Academy of Madison, Madison Christian Community, and First Congregational are working together to present One Day…Weaving Hope, a Madison Area Interfaith MLK Day children’s event. Children, grades 1-8, will gather to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King through community building, cooperative games, art, service projects, and social justice activities. Last Day to Register is January 12! Please visit First Congregational UCC website to register: https://www.firstcongmadison.org/

Speed Puzzling! Sunday, February 2, 1:30-3:30 at Bethany UMC 3910 Mineral Point Road. Registration is required for the teams of four. Casual puzzlers and spectators do not need to register ahead of time. Register Here.

Teams of four race to complete a 500-piece puzzle

Prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd place finishers, as well as the fastest “newbie” team

Casual Puzzling Tables

Swap Table (drop off or pick up gently-used puzzles)

Door Prizes

Light refreshments

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice www.orucc.org | Madison, WI 53711 US

ORUCC February 16 Children and Youth News

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 12, 2025

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Dear Families,

~Pastor Kate and Julie M.

Nursery Care is available 8:30-11:30. Abby and Najma are ready to play with your little one.

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am.

ALL PreK-6th Grade Children will meet in the Bridges Room this Sunday. We’ll start with the story, “Prison to Palace” from the book of Genesis. Following the story and reflection, the children will continue to work on their quilt squares. For the next month, Nancy Wettersten will guide us in making a collaborative quilt. Each child/youth is invited to design a square on the theme of “Earth.” Together, we will create something big from something small. See below for more photos of our time together.

*Our work will continue over the next three weeks. Your child has time to participate even if they cannot attend this Sunday. Ideally, they can participate in Faith Formation at least twice between February 2 and March 2 to complete their square.*

Your child will wait for you in the classroom before moving to the sanctuary for worship at 10 am.

Youth Faith Formation (7th Grade-High School) will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Dorothy Day room for the second of a two-week series exploring Palestinian Justice with Diane Dulin (co-Chair of ORUCC Palestinian Justice Mission Team). This week we will continue our conversation inspired by the short film documentary, My Neighbourhood. You don’t need to have seen the film to participate in the upcoming conversation, but anyone who did not have a chance to watch this film can view it online at home, too.

Any youth who would like to contribute to the children and youth quilt (described above) will have an opportunity to do so on February 23 or March 2.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Following the children’s moment in worship, children in grades 2-6 are invited to join Julie downstairs in the Friedrich Bonhoeffer room for Music Connections. This week, the children will continue their exploration of the Creation Story through sound and creative movement. Bethany S. will be our Safe Sanctuary volunteer.

Older youth are invited to stay in worship or participate in Music Connections as a helper. If your child wishes to be a helper, please connect with Julie to chat about expectations. In agreement with our church’s Safe Sanctuary policy, two adults must be present in a room when working with children. Sign up to volunteer.

TRU Function: Youth who are in TRU Function will meet in the Haynes music room from 10:00-noon for regular practice.

Upcoming Events

March 2, 9:00 a.m. Safe Sanctuary “Refresher”: Every year we take a moment to review the “Safe Sanctuary” policy adopted by ORUCC to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all children. All volunteers with children and youth must abide by this policy. Pastor Kate will review Safe Sanctuary for any interested adults during the 9:00 hour on March 2nd.
March 9, 9:00 a.m. All-Ages Faith Formation
March 14-16, Lenten All-Church Retreat at Daycholah Center. Take some time in the beauty of Green Lake to rest, play, and renew your faith with friends old and new. Sign up today! https://forms.gle/mo9rPyDD6jNy8Q4XA

At Orchard Ridge, we are Spiritually Alive!

Earth Quilt

On Sunday, February 2, all children and youth gathered together to begin work on a collaborative quilt. Words from The Parable of the Mustard Seed prompted wondering about things that start small and grow bigger. Not only do plants grow, but so do hope, love, peace, and joy. Our quilt will also start small and grow bigger. Quilts are often given to provide warmth and as a gesture of love. Many of the fabrics we will use were also used in projects to support other causes, like quilts for the people of Gaza. Using these materials connects us to others around the world and reminds us of the warmth of God’s Love.

Home Prayer for the Week:

For this week’s prayer practice, turn on THIS VIDEO. Invite your children to close their eyes and silently listen to the sound of the water for one to two minutes. As the river sounds continue, read these lines several times slowly:

The Spirit says, “Come.”

Let all who are thirsty come.

Let everyone receive the living water as a gift.

Come.

(From Path to Peace with Creation, Shine Curriculum)

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Following the children’s moment in worship, children in grades 2-6 are invited to join Julie downstairs in the Friedrich Bonhoeffer room for Music Connections. This week, the children will explore the Creation Story through sound. Owen will be our Safe Sanctuary volunteer.

TRU Function (youth band) will practice this Sunday from 10:00-noon in the Haynes Music Room.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Memorial Service for Jean Rush, Feb. 15th, at 1 pm, at ORUCC

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 9, 2025

The family of beloved long-time ORUCC member Jean Rush invites you to a Memorial Service to celebrate her life on Saturday, February 15th, at 1 pm, at ORUCC, with a visitation beginning at 11:30 am and luncheon following the service.

The service will be livestreamed.

You may “attend” the service virtually

on YouTube any time after 1 pm

on the 15th:

Click here for YouTube link

You may need to refresh the page

after 1 pm if you have opened it before

Obituary for Jean Rush

Jean Rush, long time Madison resident, died on December 12, 2024 at Arbors at Ridges Assisted Living Facility in Burnsville, MN. She was 93 years old.

Jean Claire Bock was born on October 16, 1931, and was raised by her loving mother, Evelyn Bock. She spent her school-age years in Appleton, WI and graduated from Appleton West High School in 1949. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1953. While attending college, Jean met her eventual husband, Len Rush. After college, she taught 5th grade in Pueblo, CO.

Jean returned to Wisconsin, where she and Len were married in 1957 and started their lives together in Madison. She taught 5th grade at Cherokee Elementary School for a few years. Jean then stayed at home to raise their three children: Mike, John and Anne. She later returned to Madison Public Schools in various teaching roles.

Jean had many passions in life. She loved music and sang in multiple choirs. Jean enjoyed playing tennis and was a fan of Wisconsin Badger men’s basketball. She loved playing cards with family and friends and played bridge for over fifty years. Jean was well known for her beautiful photography of flowers and landscapes, which she made into greeting cards and shared as gifts.

One of Jean’s special gifts in life was her ability to connect with others in close and caring relationships. She was a compassionate, thoughtful and loving friend to many people. Friendships developed in all aspects of her life including her beloved cottage friends on Lake McDonald and her spiritual home at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ.

Jean was a loving and generous wife, mother and grandmother. Family was always important to her. She adored her four grandchildren.

Jean’s husband, Len, died in 2011 after 54 years of marriage. In 2023, she moved from Madison to Arbors at Ridges in Burnsville, MN to be close to family.

Jean is survived by her children: Mike (Sue) Rush, Apple Valley, MN, John (Angie) Rush, Minnetonka, MN, and Anne (Jani Kumpula) Rush, Seattle, WA. Her grandchildren are Brian (Maddy Wolfe), Kyle, Leah and Joe (Casey McNally) Rush.

Memorials may be made to Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ (1501 Gilbert Rd., Madison, WI 53711), Olbrich Botanical Gardens (3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704) or Minnesota Hospice (17645 Juniper Path, Suite 155, Lakeville, MN 55044).

Jean’s family extends their deep gratitude to her many friends and relatives for their support over the years. A special thanks to the staff at Arbors at Ridges and Minnesota Hospice for their compassionate care.

Supported Childcare opens at 8:30 am. Jade will be available in the Crossroads to asssit with childcare.

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am.

PreK-1 (William Johnson Room): Children are invited to sing with Julie in the William Johnson room at 9:00-9:15. After the music, their classroom “guides,” Marcia and Karen, will lead the children in the story, “The The Best Ways to Live.”

2-6 grade (Ruby Bridges Room): This week, the children will begin a new curriculum, “Path to Peace with Creation” (Shine Curriculum). Each week, we’ll explore scripture related to nature, peace, and community with multi-sensory experiences. This week’s focus is the Creation Story. The children will read scripture, listen to sounds of nature, create images using natural materials, paint, wonder, and sing. Josie and Hal will guide the children through the experience.

Your child will wait for you in the classroom before moving to the sanctuary for worship at 10 am.

Youth (7th-High School) will meet at 9:00 a.m. for “Coexist” with Kristin and Susan.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice www.orucc.org | Madison, WI 53711 US

Worship Resources for Sunday, February 9, 2025

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 8, 2025

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

Sunday, February 9

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

9:00 am Children and Youth Faith Formation

9:00 am Java & Jesus

(Swan Room and Zoom–see below)

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Nancy Wettersten

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Bell Choir

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

Click here for the reading

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Java & Jesus

Sunday, February 9th, at 9:00 am

Attend in-person at the church in the

Alfred Swan Room, or attend remotely

by Zoom

Cody Theis facilitating

All are welcome!

Join us even if this is your first time!

Please read ahead of time and come prepared to discuss a Buzzfeed article by Ali Moss. Please ignore the comments

at the end.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Click here to join the Zoom discussion

Or paste the following into your browser:

us02web.zoom.us/j/82770860427?pwd=d3brshq8rhaSf2LAQId0eFG6SRepan.1

Or phone in 1-312-626-6799

Meeting ID: 827 7086 0427

Passcode: 424028

If you have difficulty accessing the Zoom discussion,

phone Ken Pennings at 608-556-2371

February Compassion Offering:

The Crossing

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Click here for the reading

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Read on below for details about this week. At the bottom of the email, you will find some important dates for some fun events and photos of recent events.

~Pastor Kate and Julie M.

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

ORUCC – Java & Jesus Is Back! – Feb. 9th, 9 am (In-person or by Zoom)

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 6, 2025

Java & Jesus

Sunday, Feb. 9th, at 9 am

Attend in-person at the church in the

Alfred Swan Room, or attend remotely

by Zoom

Cody Theis facilitating

All are welcome!

Join us even if this is your first time!

Please read ahead of time and come prepared to discuss a Buzzfeed article by Ali Moss. Please ignore the comments

at the end.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Click here to join the Zoom discussion

Or paste the following into your browser:

us02web.zoom.us/j/82770860427?pwd=d3brshq8rhaSf2LAQId0eFG6SRepan.1

Or phone in 1-312-626-6799

Meeting ID: 827 7086 0427

Passcode: 424028

If you have difficulty accessing the Zoom discussion,

phone Ken Pennings at 608-556-2371

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice www.orucc.org | Madison, WI 53711 US

ORUCC February 9 Children and Youth News

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 5, 2025

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Dear Families,

~Pastor Kate and Julie M.

Nursery Care is available 8:30-11:30. Abby and Najma are ready to play with your little one.

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am.

ALL PreK-6th Grade Children will meet in the Bridges Room this Sunday. We’ll start with a story of the “A New Creation” from the book of Revelation. Following the story and reflection, the children will continue to work on their quilt squares. For the next month, Nancy Wettersten will guide us in making a collaborative quilt. Each child/youth is invited to design a square on the theme of “Earth.” Together, we will create something big from something small. See below for more photos of our time together.

Your child will wait for you in the classroom before moving to the sanctuary for worship at 10 am.

Youth Faith Formation (7th Grade-High School) will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Dorothy Day room for the first of a two-week series exploring Palestinian Justice with Diane Dulin (co-Chair of ORUCC Palestinian Justice Mission Team). This week we will watch an inspiring short film documentary, My Neighbourhood, and discuss the work of a young activist in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Following the children’s moment in worship, children in grades 2-6 are invited to join Julie downstairs in the Friedrich Bonhoeffer room for Music Connections. This week, the children will continue their exploration of the Creation Story through sound. We are in need of a music connections volunteer this week. Can you help?

TRU Function: Youth who are in TRU Function will meet in the Haynes music room from 10:00-noon for regular practice.

Upcoming Events

Friday, February 7, 6:30-8:00 Family Game Night at ORUCC. Bring a game and a dish to share at this relaxed gathering of fun and fellowship.
February 9 and 16, Youth Faith Formation (7th-HS) at 9:00 a.m. will feature a documentary viewing and conversation of Palestinian Justice with Diane Dulin, a member of our ORUCC Palestinian Justice mission team.
March 2, 9:00 a.m. Safe Sanctuary “Refresher”: Every year we take a moment to review the “Safe Sanctuary” policy adopted by ORUCC to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all children. All volunteers with children and youth must abide by this policy. Pastor Kate will review Safe Sanctuary for any interested adults during the 9:00 hour on March 2nd.
March 14-16 Lenten All-Church Retreat at Daycholah Center. Take some time in the beauty of Green Lake to rest, play, and renew your faith with friends old and new. Sign up today! https://forms.gle/mo9rPyDD6jNy8Q4XA

At Orchard Ridge, we are Spiritually Alive!

Earth Quilt

On Sunday, February 2, all children and youth gathered together to begin work on a collaborative quilt. Words from The Parable of the Mustard Seed prompted wondering about things that start small and grow bigger. Not only do plants grow, but so do hope, love, peace, and joy. Our quilt will also start small and grow bigger. Quilts are often given to provide warmth and as a gesture of love. Many of the fabrics we will use were also used in projects to support other causes, like quilts for the people of Gaza. Using these materials connects us to others around the world and reminds us of the warmth of God’s Love.

Home Prayer for the Week:

Crouch down as small as you can with your child. As you read the prayer, slowly rise until your arms are fully outstretched overhead, like a tree. Repeat the body prayer several times.

God of life, we are your beloved children.

Help us to grow, and grow, and grow, and grow to become more like you.

We praise you for your goodness and love. Amen.

(From Path to Peace with Creation, Shine Curriculum)

Orchard Ridge UCC onJanuary 8, 2025

Nursery – High School Programming

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

ORUCC- New Adult Study Group starts February 6th!

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 3, 2025

New Adult Study Group starts this Thursday, February 6th

Godly Living in Ungodly Times

Feeling spiritually discombobulated since the election? Disappointed? Confused? Tempted to throw up your hands or throw in the towel? Tired? Wondering how the church can or should be involved in politics, in social justice and service, in other affairs of the world? Should we just lick our wounds and go to church?

We will dig a little deeper on these kinds of questions through exploring a root question for people of faith: How are the heavenly kingdom and the earthly kingdom related? Or, stated a little differently, less old-fashioned and stuffy: How are church and politics related? Should they be? What are the options and possibilities?

David Anderman will lead a study group on these topics Thursday mornings in the Swan Room 10:00 -11:30 am on February 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, with the discussion picking up again after Easter, May 1st, 8th, and 15th.

A Thursday evening zoom group is a possibility if there are enough people willing to commit to attending five of the seven sessions. We’re looking for at least eight.

Please contact David if you are interested:

ddavea@mac.com

In some minority parts of the US, a common question is “Do you know what time it is?” It’s not a question answered by looking at your phone or your wrist. It’s a question about what is of ultimate significance in our lives and in our world.

Our first two sessions will wrestle with how we live as Christians in a world where we are not sure what time it is. Augustine, who lived, ministered, and wrote in north Africa during the decline of the Roman Empire wrestled with similar questions. Augustine has bequeathed us three tools that we will learn about through a short article.

In the remaining sessions, we will read a number of popular article, news reports, and commentaries putting to use the tools from Augustine. Our goal is to be able to bring some deeper spiritual understanding to the often raging and raucous debates about religion and politics, and church and state.

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Zoom link to Annual Meeting

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Worship Resources for Sunday, February 2, 2025

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 1, 2025

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

Sunday, February 2

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

9:00 am Children and Youth Faith Formation

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Ginny Moore Kruse

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Choir

11:00 am Annual Congregational Meeting

Worship Hall and Zoom

Members may attend and participate in the meeting

virtually via Zoom by clicking on

Meeting ID: 884 3265 9904

Passcode: 219743

(see below for link to 2024 Annual Report)

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

The 2024 Annual Report is now available

The ORUCC 2024 Annual Report (click on link) has been posted to our website. It provides a summary of church leadership, activities and finances in 2024. The Annual Report also includes the agenda for the February 2, 2025 Annual Congregational Meeting. Paper copies of the Annual Report are available at the church.

February Compassion Offering:

The Crossing

The Crossing is a transformative, creative, and welcoming justice centered campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Crossing provides a progressive Christian and multi-faith ministry that defines itself as a place where students come to “Belong – Explore – Advocate – Become. The Crossing is a diverse and theologically open-minded ministry that allows students the freedom to critically question faith and tradition, while reconnecting with the life and teachings of Jesus in a historical and prophetic way. The Crossing is a multi-denominational student ministry jointly supported by United Methodists, United Church of Christ, and the American Baptists – all of WI. The Crossing was incorporated in 2008.

The Crossing Advocacy Collaborative is a response to the recognized need for a higher level of organization supporting justice ministry actions. There is today a broadening range of important issues that individually and collectively promote social equity, inclusion and justice.

With the assistance of funding from a ORUCC Compassion Offering, The Crossing will continue its execution of a sustainable program of learning, discovery and strategic, impactful advocacy. Our programming follows the diverse interests found within the Crossing student community. Some of the current and potential advocacy areas include the areas listed below. Bold print represents paid student advocacy positions in the past 18 months:

Affordable housing

Healthcare disparities

Disability rights

Mental health awareness

Gender equality

Labor rights

LGBTQ rights and inclusion

Caribbean Cultural Awareness

Immigration rights

Food Insecurity

Government transparency/accountability

Students’ rights

Interfaith collaborations

Racial equality

War Abolition

Freedom of / from religion

Criminal justice reform

First Amendment rights

Earth care & climate justice

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

ORUCC February 2 Children and Youth News

Orchard Ridge UCC on January 29, 2025

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Dear Families,

~Pastor Kate and Julie M.

Nursery Care is available 8:30-11:30. Abby and Najma are ready to play with your little one.

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am.

ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH will meet in the Bridges Room this Sunday. We’ll start with a story of the Parable of the Mustard Seed and then introduce our collaborative art project! For the next month, Nancy Wettersten will guide us in making a quilt. Each child/youth is invited to design a square on the theme of “Earth.” Together, we will create something big from something small.

*Our work will continue over the next four weeks. Your child has time to participate even if they cannot attend this Sunday. Ideally, they can participate in Faith Formation at least twice between February 2 and March 2 to complete their square.*

Your child will wait for you in the classroom before moving to the sanctuary for worship at 10 am.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

TRU Function: Youth who are in TRU Function will meet in the Haynes music room from 10:00-noon for regular practice.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, February 2, All-Church Annual Meeting after worship. Come to hear more about what’s ahead in the life of the congregation. Members of ORUCC will have an opportunity to vote on the annual budget and other topics important to the life of the church, but all are welcome!
Sunday, February 2, 1:30-3:30: Speed Puzzling! at Bethany UMC 3910 Mineral Point Road. Registration is required for the teams of four. Casual puzzlers and spectators do not need to register ahead of time. Register Here.
Teams of four race to complete a 500-piece puzzle
Prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd place finishers, as well as the fastest “newbie” team
Casual Puzzling Tables
Swap Table (drop off or pick up gently-used puzzles)
Door Prizes
Light refreshments
Friday, February 7, 6:30-8:00 Family Game Night at ORUCC. Bring a game and a dish to share at this relaxed gathering of fun and fellowship.
February 9 and 16, Youth Faith Formation (7th-HS) at 9:00 a.m. will feature a documentary viewing and conversation of Palestinian Justice with Diane Dulin, a member of our ORUCC Palestinian Justice mission team.
March 14-16 Save the date for our Lenten All-Church Retreat at Daycholah Center. More details to come soon!

At Orchard Ridge, we are Spiritually Alive!

Labyrinth Walk

On Sunday, January 19, all children and youth gathered together for a mindfulness labyrinth walk. Words from the Book of Job (story, “Job and the Whirlwind”) guided our wonderings, thoughts, and meditations. Have you, or someone you know, ever gone through a time where everything is going wrong? How did you find or give support? Where did you find God in those tough moments?

Home Prayer for the Week:

You are invited to use this prayer with your family to help deepen your faith together. Times you might consider sharing this prayer include before bedtime, at mealtime, or any other regular connecting moment you share with your child(ren). Take a few deep breaths together, close your eyes and hold hands, or hold your hands over your hearts, and share:

Peace, peace, peace,

peace in our hearts,

peace.

Peace in our minds,

peace.

Peace when we wake,

peace when we sleep,

peace shining bright in our lives.

(From Prayers for Faithful Families by Traci Smith)

January Compassion Offering:

The Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee

(via The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council)

Vision and Mission: The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. (GLITC) shall be a diligent advocate for the advancement and promotion of tribal nations and communities by honoring the seventh-generation perspective. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for all Native people.

Values: Culture, Respect, Diversity, Collaboration, Teamwork, Stewardship

History and Background:

The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. (GLITC) is a consortium of federally recognized Indian tribes in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since 1963, GLITC has united tribes against the threat of termination and helped tribes face challenges of governance and services for their communities.

Today, GLITC supports member tribes in expanding self-determination efforts and advocating for improvement and unity of tribal governments, communities and individuals. This unity has enabled tribes to deal effectively with state and local governments, academic institutions and other agencies. The GLITC staff currently manage approximately 45 programs in education, epidemiology, family health, nutrition education, aging, disability services, elder services, vocational rehabilitation, and economic development.

The Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee (WITRC) represents these federally recognized tribes, working under the umbrella of GLITC since 1995. Members, usually tribal historians or elders, meet quarterly with representatives of state and local government and museums to streamline the sensitive work of repatriating Native American ancestors and cultural objects to their modern-day descendants. These objects are found in museums, private or academic collections, construction sites, hiking trails, or parks disturbed by human activity or natural conditions. Objects and ancestors may be located far beyond Wisconsin. WITRC works collectively to share funds, equipment and knowledge, ensuring these efforts are accomplished with due spiritual care. Other efforts of WITRC representatives include consultation, education, and heritage preservation.

Over the past two years, church leaders (with process guidance from the Wisconsin Council of Churches), have attended some of these meetings as observer-learners and to present gifts toward relationship repair. This has been a source of education and spiritual growth and has spurred Wisconsin Christians toward indigenous justice efforts. Increased awareness of the activities of Indigenous peoples and their governments in Wisconsin can help us be better neighbors and allies.

GLITC member tribes represent communities of five Indian Nations on 12 reservations, a combined American Indian population of 40,026 (US Census 2010), and a land base of about 500,000 acres spanning 31 counties. h https://www.glitc.org/

Your donation to the January Compassion Offering will support the work of the Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee. Thank you in advance for any amount that you may choose to give.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Worship Resources for Sunday, January 26, 2025

Orchard Ridge UCC on January 25, 2025

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

Sunday, January 26

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

9:00 am Children and Youth Faith Formation

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Kate Mackey

Lay Liturgist: Dee Seyfarth

Musical Offerings: TRU Function

11:00 am Annual Chili Cookoff

Friendship Hall and Kitchen

(see below)

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Annual Chili Cook-Off this Sunday, January 26th

Join us for the Annual Chili Cook Off this Sunday, Jan 26th! You are invited to contribute your favorite chili or cornbread to the contest. Prizes will be awarded in the categories of vegetarian, meat, and specialty chilies, and also for the best cornbread. Everyone is invited to taste and vote after the service! Please sign up here or on the sign up sheet in the crossroads if you plan to contribute a chili or can help with the event.

January Compassion Offering:

The Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee

(via The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council)

Values: Culture, Respect, Diversity, Collaboration, Teamwork, Stewardship

History and Background:

Your donation to the January Compassion Offering will support the work of the Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee. Thank you in advance for any amount that you may choose to give.

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Sunday, January 12

Baptism of the Lord

9:00 am Children and Youth Faith Formation

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Laura Conners

Musical Offerings: Bruce Gladstone

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

ORUCC January 26 Children and Youth News

Orchard Ridge UCC on January 22, 2025

Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, January 8th, 11:30 am

Join us for a greater understanding of today’s political polarization. Professor Michael W. Wagner will speak on “Beyond the Left-Right Divide: Partisan Polarization in American Politics”

Michael W. Wagner is the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea and Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he is the Director of the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal (CCCR) and the Director of Graduate Studies.

The talk describes how what we think of as the contemporary political divide in the United States is far more complicated than it appears in the typical “red state-blue state” coverage we see in the news media. While we tend to think of Americans being “liberal,” “moderate,” or “conservative,” American public opinion is primarily organized around two types of issues: economic and cultural. Things get complicated because some people have liberal views on both types of issues, some have conservative views on both types of issues and others have views that are liberal on some issues and conservative on others. The talk explains the far-reaching consequences of this insight from party identification, voting behavior, political participation, media use, the 2024 elections and the future of American political conflict.

We gather for a luncheon at 11:30 am in Friendship Hall, $10 per person, with the program at 12:30 pm in Worship Hall. Professor Wagner appears courtesy of Badger Talks.

Please RSVP to Steve Sheets erab1958@icloud.com The hospitality team appreciates knowing the number to attend.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onJanuary 4, 2025

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

“Star of Bethlehem” by Hannah Garrity (inspired by Matthew 2:1-12)

A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Sunday, January 5

Epiphany Sunday

9:00 am All-Ages Faith Formation

(Friendship Hall; see below)

10:00 am Worship

Theme: “The Road Isn’t Straight”

Point Pastor: Kate Mackey

Lay Liturgist: Lauren Amburn

Musical Offerings: Vicki Nonn & Bruce Gladstone

11:00 am Epiphany Breads & Kings’ Cakes in Friendship Hall

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Intergenerational Faith Formation

January 5, 9:00 a.m.

All are welcome to attend an all-ages faith formation event for Epiphany Sunday! Together, we will share story-telling and faith reflection led by Julie Mazer and conversation while we make beaded stars to take home. This will be in place of regular children’s, youth, and adult faith formation for this Sunday.

January Compassion Offering:

The Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee

(via The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council)

Values: Culture, Respect, Diversity, Collaboration, Teamwork, Stewardship

History and Background:

Your donation to the January Compassion Offering will support the work of the Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee. Thank you in advance for any amount that you may choose to give.

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onJanuary 1, 2025

Nursery – High School Programming

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Dear Families, Happy New Year week! We are so grateful to be in ministry together at ORUCC. This coming Sunday is Epiphany. There will be a special all-ages faith formation event at 9:00 a.m. Please read below for details about this, and other upcoming events.

Nursery Care is not available this week. Families are welcome to use the space and materials in the Crossroads. You are also welcome to visit the nursery with your child.

Intergenerational Faith Formation 9:00 a.m.: All are welcome to attend an all-ages faith formation event for Epiphany Sunday! Together, we will share story-telling and faith reflection led by Julie Mazer and conversation while we make beaded stars to take home. This will be in place of regular children’s, youth, and adult faith formation for this Sunday.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Following the children’s moment in worship, children in grades 2-6 are invited to join Julie downstairs in the Friedrich Bonhoeffer room for creative movement and ukulele play. We are in need of a Safe Sanctuary volunteer. Can you assist?

TRU Function (youth band)

Upcoming Events

January 10: Family Game Night 6:30-8:00 p.m., has been moved to the SECOND Friday night of January to accommodate holiday travels. All are welcome to attend this laid-back potluck gathering for fun and friendship.

January 20: MLK Day Children’s Service Day, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Representatives from Beth Israel Center, Madinah Academy of Madison, Madison Christian Community, and First Congregational are working together to present One Day…Weaving Hope, a Madison Area Interfaith MLK Day children’s event. Children, grades 1-8, will gather to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King through community building, cooperative games, art, service projects, and social justice activities. Last Day to Register is January 5! Please visit First Congregational UCC website to register: https://www.firstcongmadison.org/

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 28, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

“Let All Creation Dance” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity (inspired by Luke 2:10, Matthew 2:10. Isaiah 9:2-3, Psalm 148, Isaiah 55:12-13)

A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Sunday, December 29

The First Sunday of Christmas

“Don we now our gay apparel!”

Come to church wearing your Christmas pajamas, ugly Christmas sweater, or other Christmas costumery!

No 9:00 am programming

10:00 am Worship

Theme: “Live, Laugh & Love”

Celebrating the Gift of Laughter

Point Pastor: Ken Pennings

Lay Liturgist: Nancy Wettersten

Keyboard: David Anderman

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

The ORUCC office is closed 12/25/24-1/1/25 and Office Manager George Decker will not respond to email or phone calls during this time. For the pastors’ on-call and holiday vacation schedule, see below:

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

On-call: 12/24/24 – 12/31/24

Holiday vacation: 1/1/25 – 1/6/25

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Holiday vacation: 12/25/24 – 1/1/25

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Holiday vacation: 12/25/24 – 1/1/25

December Compassion Offering: The UCC Christmas Fund

Shepherding the Light & Being the Light

Each of us individually can be a beacon of light in our homes, workplaces, and communities. This December, you are invited to be a beacon of light through your contribution to this annual campaign, The UCC Christmas Fund. The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants for life’s unexpected events; assistance with health care costs such as insurance and other health care needs; as a pension supplement for low-income retirees; and, as a simple thank you gift during hard times.

United Church of Christ congregations and members have blessed the Christmas Fund with their generosity for many years. This year, your care and compassion will be especially appreciated by those servants of the church who are facing a time of need. Thank you for your contribution to the UCC Christmas Fund as our December compassion offering.

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 26, 2024

Nursery – High School Programming

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Dear Families, A Hearty Thank You to those who were able to actively worship with us on December 24, and a Warm Hug and Hello to those who kept us in their hearts from afar. Now is the time to rest and recharge. We will not hold 9 AM Faith Formation this Sunday. Your child is welcome to attend the 10 am Worship Service. Nursery Care/Supported Childcare is also off this Sunday.

Programming resumes next Sunday, January 5, with a special Intergenerational Faith Formation at 9 AM. John Leonard’s delicious Epiphany breads will be shared following worship that day, as well.

As your family recharges this week, we invite you to explore the following devotion from “Advent at the Kids Table,” by Daryn Stylianopoulos, Lin Story-Bunce, Kendall Grubb, and June Bunce.

ISAIAH 9:2

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

With all the candles now lit on our Advent wreath, the light is so warm and bright. That light can serve as a reminder of all the many sources of light around us, of their radiance and brilliance.

Stars are so bright that we can see them from billions of miles away. That’s very far indeed! The sun is the closest star to our planet-the light of our world. It helps things grow and gives us warmth. It helps us know what time it is and where to go. The sun is necessary to all living things on our planet.

Some of the same materials and elements that make up stars are also a part of our bodies. And just like stars, we have light that we can share and shine in this world. Have you ever seen someone so full of joy that they seem to light up? Or noticed a warmth inside your heart when someone does something kind for you— or when you do something kind for someone else? And there are people you know who help you grow, and show you the way to go in life, and who make you feel loved. They are like stars in our world, shining their light.

Jesus was a light to many—he offered food to the hungry, and he showed kindness and love to people around him that felt left out and alone. Jesus’s light shined brightly through the love he demonstrated in his living. We can do the same for one another: we can be bright lights, little stars, in the world.

You are radiant! Shine your light!

BLESSING

God of Love,

Help the light and love within me to shine brightly for the world.

Amen.

KIDS TABLE TALK

• What makes your heart light up?

• Where have you seen love lighting up the world around you this week?

Was someone especially kind at school? Did you see a friend offer to help when someone got hurt?

• What are ways that you can shine kindness and love in your own school or community?

COMING UP…

January 5: Epiphany Sunday All-Ages Faith Formation, 9:00 a.m.

January 20: MLK Day Children’s Service Day, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Representatives from Beth Israel Center, Madinah Academy of Madison, Madison Christian Community, and First Congregational are working together to present One Day…Weaving Hope, a Madison Area Interfaith MLK Day children’s event. Children, grades 1-8, will gather to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King through community building, cooperative games, art, service projects, and social justice activities. REGISTER by January 5 by visiting https://www.firstcongmadison.org/

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 23, 2024

Merry Christmas!

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Christmas Eve Worship Resources

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Christmas Eve

3:00 pm: Children & Youth Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with original and classic Christmas music in the theme of “love” with children of the church and youth rock band TRU Function.

Live-Streamed & in-person

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

5:30 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

shared with ORUCC and Madison Mennonite Church

Special Music: ORUCC Choir

This will be a shared in-person only service.

Nursery and Children & Youth Faith Formation pauses

Nursery Care is closed 12/24 & 12/29 and resumes 1/5/25

Children & Youth Formation takes a winter break 12/24 & 12/29 and resumes 1/5/25

The ORUCC office will be closed 12/25/24-1/1/25 and Office Manager George Decker will not respond to email or phone calls during this time. For the pastors’ on-call and holiday vacation schedule, see bellow:

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

On-call: 12/24/24 – 12/31/24

Holiday vacation: 1/1/25 – 1/6/25

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Holiday vacation: 12/25/24 – 1/1/25

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Holiday vacation: 12/25/24 – 1/1/25

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 21, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

“Magnify” by Hannah Garrity (inspired by Luke 1:46-55)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Sunday, December 22, 2024

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Susan Dovell

Musical Offerings: Special Music

Kids’ Music Showcase at 11:15 am

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

December Compassion Offering: The UCC Christmas Fund

Shepherding the Light & Being the Light

“Joseph’s Dream” by Lauren Wright Pittman (inspired by Matthew 1:18-25)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84845886041?pwd=4PhfBp176E1pCJZ7U1NAanhC9P8F3h.1

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 18, 2024

Nursery – High School Programming

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Dear Families,

This has been a heart-wrenching week. We grieve with our neighbors, and we especially hold the immediate community of ALCS in our hearts. Our Advent candle-lighting ritual each Sunday has begun with “In a worn and weary world, how do we begin again? Where do we start?” This week we affirm: we begin with Love. Yes, we begin with Love.

With that love to share in community, we look forward to seeing you this Sunday. We have many Christmas events and preparations coming up, in addition to our regular 9:00 a.m. Faith Formation programming. Please read on for more details.

Beloved friends, if you, or your children, are struggling, please know you are not alone. Give yourself permission to grieve in light of this week’s terrifying events. Please reach out: your pastors are here for you! Let us know how you are doing.

Nursery Care is not available this Sunday. We are hoping to have assistance for Supported Childcare in the Crossroads. Please check the whiteboard on Sunday for more information.

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am.

PreK-2 (William Johnson Room): Children are invited to sing with Julie in the William Johnson room from 9:00-9:15. We’ll rehearse the songs “The Friendly Beasts,” “From the Manger,” and “Go, Tell It On The Mountain” for our Christmas Eve service. After the music, Barbara and Hal will guide the children in Advent stories about the Prophets, Mary and Joseph, Shepherds, and the Magi.

3-6 grade (Ruby Bridges Room): This class will also explore the Prophets, Mary and Joseph, Shepherds, and the Magi. Exploration stations will include painting, coloring, sand play, and puzzles. Josie and Joanna will guide the children in their learning.

Your child will wait for you in the classroom before moving to the sanctuary for worship at 10 am. ALL CHILDREN who are participating in the Christmas Eve service will move immediately to rehearse in the upstairs Music Room with TruFunction at 10 am (they will not begin in worship) before heading downstairs to continue their preparations.

Youth (7th-High School) will meet in the Dorothy Day room at 9:00 a.m. Youth will have time to process this week’s events if desired; we will also explore Judaism as part of our “Coexist” Faith Formation curriculum.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Children participating in the Christmas Eve service will rehearse downstairs from 10-11:15 am. Your patience and flexibility as we move through this season is appreciated! Please note that children will not attend worship. Anyone not participating in Christmas Eve is still invited to be downstairs. There will be opportunities for the children to play games and socialize. George will be our Music Connections volunteer.

At the end of Worship, all of us will shift to the Sanctuary for Special Music led by some of our children.

We will gather again on Monday, December 23 at 5:30 pm AND Tuesday, December 24 at 2:00 pm for Christmas Eve Dress Rehearsals.

TRU Function (youth band) will continue their preparations for the Christmas Eve service at with practice from 10:00-Noon on Sunday.

Upcoming Events

December 22: Children and Youth Faith Formation Volunteer Thank You! There will be a light drop-in breakfast set up for all of our children and youth faith formation guides who have been part of making our programming a success this fall.

December 22: Children and Youth Music Showcase, immediately following worship.

Christmas Eve Dress Rehearsals: Mandatory Dress Rehearsal for all participating children and youth on Monday, December 23 at 5:30 pm AND Tuesday, December 24 at 2:00 pm.

Christmas Eve Services are December 24: Our beloved Children and Youth-led service will be at 3:00 p.m., with the traditional service in collaboration with Madison Mennonite Church at 5:30 p.m.

December 29: No 9 am programming for winter break. Children are invited to attend the 10 am worship service.

January 5: Epiphany Sunday Intergenerational Faith Formation and Crafts at 9 am in Friendship Hall

January 10: Family Game Night has been moved to the second week of January to accommodate holiday traveling plans.

Updated registration date: Moon Beach Family Camp: registration will begin January 13 (not in December: apologies for the confusion)! Friends from ORUCC usually attend the week hosted by the Boyd’s, June 29-July 5, 2025. Registration filled up very quickly last year.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 16, 2024

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice

Pastoral Note & Prayer

Dear ORUCC Beloveds,

Our hearts are broken as we hear the unfolding news of the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) on the East Side of Madison, Wisconsin. ALCS is a K-12 school with little kids and big kids and teachers and administrators who have this horrific experience right before their Christmas break. The police under Chief Barnes are notifying parents now while the news breaks. All of Madison and others across the country who have been through the tragedy of gun violence and school shootings, in Parkland, in Sandyhook, in Uvalde and beyond, are witnessing this tragedy and remembering their own tragedies. We are all connected in our grief and outrage and horror. We know at this point there are 5 fatalities and 5 injuries, including the student who did the shooting. This is unbelievably painful.

It is hard to know how to talk to children about this unspeakable violence, but we know they feel it too. Here is a prayer that you can read or adapt for your family this day.

Dear God,

We are entering the season where God comes to us as a child, through Jesus Christ. Jesus was born to Mary in a barn with animals surrounding them; a light to the world. We hold this sacred story in our hearts, a story of Peace and a story of God’s great Love for the world.

Today we pray for all the students at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin who suffered through a school shooting today. Our hearts are so sad, and it is OK to feel any big feelings we have. Let us take time to care for ourselves and each other. Let us hug our families and friends extra today. May God’s peace and comfort be with every student and teacher and with anyone who feels afraid.

God loves every child and is with every child through times that are joyful and times that are scary. When scary things happen in the world, God is with each person who is afraid and who gets hurt. God’s presence is always with every single one of us. May we find and create places that are safe and create a world of Peace, the world God dreams through Jesus and through us.

As we celebrate this Advent and Christmas season, may we draw near to the stories of a baby born in a barn, of God coming to us in our vulnerability. May we find ways, even amidst the tragedies of this world, to experience Joy, Peace, Hope and Love. God is with us, Emmanuel, Amen.

With Love,

Pastor Julia (Kate & Ken as well)

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

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

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 16, 2024

Readings and topic for December

Wayfinding

December 18th & 19th

Sanctuary

Dear Wayfinders and those who are curious,

This Wednesday we will hold our monthly Wayfinding: The Spirituality of Aging, Towards a Theology of the Elder Years. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, we will gather in Friendship Hall at 9:30am, beginning with refreshments and program starting at 9:45am and concluding at 11:15am. Those who are unable to make Wednesday morning work but would still like to participate are able to meet virtually at 4-5pm the next day over ZOOM. There will be NO Wayfinding in January, due to Pastor Julia going on the Border Justice Immersion trip in Tucson with ORUCC. We will gather again February-May.

Theme for December:

We are entering the season where a barn became a sanctuary; where God’s incarnate presence came into the world through the vulnerability of a human. We are entering the darkest days of the year. This week we will think about our own vulnerabilities as holiness, we will think about our common lives as the site of the holy, while we work with the themes of “sanctuary” and read Parker Palmer’s, chapter on sanctuary in On The Brink of Everything, Grace, Gravity and Getting Old

Here (link) is the reading for our December sessions. It is not required reading, but may help deepen your experience of Wayfinding.

I look forward to sharing this time with you. I love the feeling of wholeness as we gather in circle, with God at our center, as we sing, as we meditate, as we read scripture, as we pray and then explore teachings on different topics from literature and spirituality around aging. The heart of our gathering is breaking out into facilitated small groups to discuss specific questions that help us deepen in supportive community and illuminate aspects of our souls and our story.

Below is the information for the ZOOM gatherings, which will stay the same each Thursday- so save this email!

Blessings,

Pastor Julia Burkey

Topic: Wayfinding

Time: Dec 19, 2024 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 848 4588 6041

Passcode: 115289

—

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 16, 2024

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice

ORUCC Welcomes 15 New Members!

Abi Degner

Who am I and who do I want to be? I want to be someone who lives fully in the present moment, “a bride married to amazement” as Mary Oliver would say. I want to be part of a more loving world. I am excited that ORUCC’s community can help me work towards these goals.

I live in the Orchard Ridge neighborhood and have been here for 5 years. I have also lived in Texas, Chicago, California, and Washington. I live with my husband Marco and my german shepherd Rowen. We visit my husband’s family in El Salvador about once a year. I work as a PA doing veteran disability work during the week. In my free time I do watercolor painting, teach dog training classes, practice felting little wool animals, work in my garden, and I’ve been learning rock climbing for the last year. I love to hike and be outdoors. There is nothing in the world like being in the middle of a forest. The arboretum is my favorite place in Madison and is the reason that I moved to this neighborhood. I look forward to getting to know you all. Thank you for welcoming me!

Milly & Richy Garcia

Milly and Richy have called Madison, Wisconsin, home for over 25 years, having emigrated from Lima, Peru.

They initially moved to the U.S. to support their family’s restaurant business and to be closer to relatives already living here. Since settling, they have built a beautiful life together, welcoming three children: Adrian, 22, who is pursuing computer engineering at UW-Whitewater; Amelie a sophomore at Oregon High School; and Angie Mia, a sixth grader at Verona Middle School. Milly has dedicated her career to helping others as a nationally certified medical interpreter and translator, currently working at children’s hospital as an education and employment specialist for the Hispanic community. Richy has focused on logistics working for a major Food Distribution Center for over 18 years after transitioning from a background in business administration and medical sales in Peru. The family enjoys a close-knit community, having lived in Evansville for 17 years before moving to Fitchburg for better opportunities. They share their home with five beloved puppies and cherish their time together, especially traveling. Most recently, following the loss of Milly’s mother to Alzheimer’s, the family found comfort and support in the ORUCC community, where they felt welcomed since their first visit. Finding a new church community has been a true blessing for Milly and Richy, providing them with a sense of belonging and support that they have longed for since leaving Peru. After facing the challenges of isolation and the difficulty of making new friends in a different country, they are grateful to connect with others who share their values and faith.

The welcoming environment at ORUCC has helped fill the void left by the distance from their homeland and friends, fostering new relationships that remind them they are not alone in this world. They appreciate the warmth and camaraderie of the congregation, which has made transitioning to life in Madison more enriching. With newfound church friends and a supportive community, Milly and Richy feel hopeful and excited about their future, knowing they have a place to call home and people to share life’s journey with.

Allison & Mike Haas

Our names are Mike and Allison. Andrew is our son who is one year old. We live in DeForest, WI. We both grew up in the Madison area and returned after attending college at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse where Mike now works in quality in the pharmaceutical industry and Allison is a science teacher in Rio, WI. We enjoy spending time outdoors going for hikes and growing tomatoes in the summer. We wanted to join ORUCC to have a great place for our son to grow up where we know he will be loved and supported for who he is. Mike grew up attending ORUCC so it only made sense for us to drive a bit farther each weekend to a place we feel welcome and know our son, Andrew, will be welcomed too!

Mary Landeck

Usually it takes me a long while to make a decision but when I first moved back to Madison from Ft. Collins, CO. after being gone for

over 50 years, the first church I visited was ORUCC and I knew that

this is where I wanted to be! I was born in Whitehall, WI, at a time when my Mom was staying with relatives as my Dad was away serving in the Navy. As the oldest of five, and I’m told by many relatives somewhat precocious, I would often be shipped off by train by myself from my childhood home in Milwaukee to a very rural area to have fabulous summers being a farm kid and having one adventure after the other with mostly boy cousins. My parents moved to Madison when I was starting 6th grade and I attended Sherman Jr. High, graduated from Madison East and the U.W. with a degree in American Institutions and Secondary Education. In both high school and college my main interests revolved around civil rights(I was able to get 6 credits as an undergraduate for my thesis on racism) and anti-war activities. I think my major accomplishment back then probably was learning to sail and then living on a sailboat with my first husband after having been brought up by a mom deathly fearful of anything water. This was in Pewaukee which of course has a big lake. Undoubtedly my major accomplishment as I look back 77 years are my 4 children and 9 grandchildren. I have had many interesting jobs during this time i.e.: animal caretaker for Harry Harlow’s rhesus monkeys, lab tech for Dr. Fred Mohs who developed the Mohs

Micrographic Surgery for the removal of skin cancer, direct patient care of developmentally delayed children, and working as a benefit counselor in Door County where I lived for 37 years. However I am most proud of my children, four of whom work in primary healthcare. Because of the lack of quality affordable childcare I have taken on the role of granny-nanny and am loving it with a little time out to pursue my passion for lifelong learning.

Sophie Kramer & Paul Hunter

From Sophie: Sophie is the daughter of immigrants from Hungary; she grew up in many places around the world, the longest in Auburn, Alabama. When she married Paul 35 years ago she also committed to living in Wisconsin! Sophie and Paul lived in Milwaukee for 23 years where they

raised three wonderful humans. Sophie grew up as a Unitarian and explored other faith communities before joining Plymouth UCC in Milwaukee. Sophie is a doctor who does house calls, practicing geriatric medicine now in Madison since

2019. She is also active in advocacy for equitable informed health policy. In her free time she enjoys family game nights, walking our adorable rescue dog “Betty,” reading historical fiction and cooking. She looks forward to being part of a community striving to follow the path of Jesus

and exploring how to live a moral life with humility and love.

From Paul: Sophie Kramer and I moved to Madison in 2019 after raising our 3 children in Milwaukee, my hometown. I completed medical school in Madison and have been faculty in the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health since 2009. I teach UW med students and provide medical consultation for public health professionals in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin about communicable diseases and immunizations. My mother was a liberal Roman Catholic. She instilled in me a strong sense of social justice. Sophie and I joined Plymouth United Church of Christ in Milwaukee because of its commitment to social justice, especially support and welcome of transgender people. I have been watching birds since I was 5 years old. I organize the annual Friendship Christmas Bird Count in southern Adams County. I am always looking for more people to help with the count.

Diane Light & Kathleen Remund

Diane writes: I was born to a French speaking working class family in northern N.H., the first in my family to attend college. I birthed 3 daughters, and am loving living near 2 of them here in Madison. I am a retired nurse, book lover, gardener and knitter, spouse (to Kathleen Remund), and Memere to 4 wonderful grandkids. We moved to Madison from Menomonie in June this year, and love our new neighborhood and very small house.

I was attracted to ORUCC after listening to services online last spring, and you are all even better in person! So happy to have found this church home!

Kathleen writes: I am a native Minnesotan who grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis. As an adult, I lived in one lovely, funky neighborhood near the University of MN campus for 31 years. I raised my two children there and thought I would never leave…until I was called in 2016 to serve a congregation in Menomonie, Wisconsin. My early “career path” was a meandering stream of nonprofit work, feminist and social justice activism, and corporate and small business efforts until I finally embraced my theological vocation and began attending seminary in 2001. Diane and I met in 2010 and married in 2014, braiding our family of five children and their various partners. My perspective on the world has been shaped by significant international study and travel. I love to read, sing, perform, write, preach, and weave connections among people. I am surprised and delighted to find myself in Madison as a semi-retired person. And thrilled to be joining ORUCC.

Dee & George Seyfarth

Dee and George grew up in Ohio and lived in Columbus, Ohio; Albany, New York; and Stevens Point, WI, before retiring in Madison. George was employed in university administration and Dee taught in the elementary grades and later was a university financial aid counselor. They have two daughters, Allison in Minneapolis and Amy in Verona. They enjoy traveling and spending time with friends.

Pam Pfrang

From afar, i.e., near-east Madison, I first connected with Orchard Ridge UCC through the Sunday Service YouTube broadcast. Please don’t feel foolish–when you waved hi at the camera, I waved back. I’m sure others do too.Only in spring, 2024, after moving to an apartment on Mid-Town Road at High Point, did I finally darken Orchard Ridge’s doorstep and found what I hoped–a community of vibrant people who liked to have fun, astir with concern and commitment to making this world, close and distant, better. I live at Province Hill with my energetic, gregarious mini-poodle Lucy, a pandemic puppy. While I use a walker now (and am trying to no longer need it), with Lucy, my bending-over continues top-notch. Outside my apartment’s many bright windows, I relish the Town of Verona’s rolling cornfields and stark ridges, scattered woods, and wildlife seen or heard. Nearby in Verona live my dear family, son Jason, daughter-in-law Anne and 9-year-old grandson Charlie. Born and raised a Cheesehead in Neenah, I’ve been a St. Olaf College graduate, history TA, wife and mother, divorcée, public health nurse, but mostly what I retired from years back–a Cook County Public Defender in Chicago, defending folks accused of crimes–the only job in law I felt drawn to. Now, however, I’m a not-yet-published novelist. My historical novel is set in the early 20th century, recounting 5 years in a boy’s life, ages 14-19, first in remotest Iceland, then the prairies of Saskatchewan, finally in desperate Belgium fighting as a Canadian soldier in World War I. His life is interwoven throughout with Viking sagas and Icelandic other-worldliness. I’ve worked on my book for two years with NYC novelist-editor Simon Van Booy and shortly will join a Madison Writers Studio group with novelist-editor-founder Susanna Daniel. Much younger. But my mentors. And, yes, this writing is what I truly feel drawn to. I’m really happy to join the Orchard Ridge UCC community!

Eriq Theis

Eriq was there but now he is here. Later he will be elsewhere. He is happy to be here. There was okay. But here is very nice. He enjoys writing, music, and spending time with his creative and kind kids. He relishes meaningful soul talks with the love of his life, Cody.

Cody Theis

Cody is married to Eric and mother to June (12) and Emmett (9). Cody and Eric met in Madison in 2002, but moved away for 5 years and have been back since 2009. Cody has a BA from Beloit College (Women’s studies) and an MA from Cardinal Stritch (Special Education). Cody has worked as a special education teacher and homemaker. She currently works as an Accessible Learning Technology Coordinator at the McBurney Disability Resource Center at UW where she teaches disabled students about notetaking and oversees notetaking accommodations that allow them equal access to educational opportunity. Cody is a spiritual seeker who grew up Catholic, and was previously a member at a UCC church in Oakland, CA and First Unitarian in Madison. Cody loves reading, watercolor painting, coffee drinking, knitting, music, dancing, walks with friends, and snuggling with the two family dogs – Snowflake and Millie. Cody was drawn to ORUCC seeking a spiritual community in which she could strengthen her relationship to her higher power in a community that lives and celebrates queer people. Cody, Eric, June, and Emmett live on the east side of Madison.

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

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

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 14, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

“The Good That Is Yours” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity (inspired by Luke 3:7-16)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Sunday, December 15, 2024

The Third Sunday of Advent

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Lauren Amburn

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Choir

Fair Trade Sale after worship

with wares from Ethical Trade Company

(see below)

Help put together Winter Break Kits for Orchard Ridge Elementary School students after worship

(see below)

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Fair Trade goods at ORUCC this Sunday, December 15th

Ethical Trade Co, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering vulnerable farmers and artisans worldwide, will be setting up a table at church on Sunday, December 15th. After the worship service, you’ll have the chance to shop their selection of fair trade goods. It’s a wonderful opportunity to find meaningful gifts for your loved ones while supporting empowerment efforts across the globe. Purchase using cash or credit!

Help send books to children this Sunday

One of our beloved members, Jane Ilgen, left a memorial fund that she designated be used to get books into the hands of young children, especially children of color. After a few years of challenges in accomplishing this wish, the mission team is partnering with Madison Reading Project https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/ We are diving right in with them and have a project we can use your help with if you have a few minutes after church this Sunday, December 15. We will be putting together Winter Break Kits that will go home with 71 4K and K students at Orchard Ridge Elementary. Each student will be getting 5 books, flash cards, a winter activity booklet and some other activities. Look for Karen Jaehnig, Deanna Blanchard and LuAnn Greiner after service on Sunday to lend a hand.

Supporting our Neighbors:

Return Holiday Gifts for Children

this Sunday!

This year we are supporting 55 neighborhood children with gifts to be distributed by local support workers through the Early Childhood Initiative. If you took a gift tag, please bring your wrapped gift along with the original tag by this Sunday, 12/15.

December Compassion Offering: The UCC Christmas Fund

Shepherding the Light & Being the Light

“Full Life In The Emptiest of Places” by Lauren Wright Pittman (inspired by Isaiah 58:9b-12)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Director of Children’s Arts and Education: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Dec 21: Interfaith “Longest Night” Gaza Vigil

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 11, 2024

Nursery – High School Programming

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Dear Families, We look forward to seeing you this Sunday! We have many Christmas events and preparations coming up, in addition to our regular 9:00 a.m. Faith Formation programming. Please read on for more details.

Nursery Care opens at 8:30 am. Abby and Najma are ready to play with your little one!

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am.

PreK-2 (William Johnson Room): Children are invited to sing with Julie in the William Johnson room from 9:00-9:15. We’ll rehearse the songs “The Friendly Beasts,” “From the Manger,” and “Go, Tell It On The Mountain” for our Christmas Eve service. After the music, Karen and Claire will guide the children in Advent stories about the Prophets, Mary and Joseph, and the Shepherds.

3-6 grade (Ruby Bridges Room): This class will also explore the Prophets, Mary and Joseph, and the Shepherds. Exploration stations will include writing Christmas cards to church elders, designing Hearts for our Christmas Eve service, collage, sand play, and puzzles. Josie and Megan will guide the children in their learning.

Youth (7th-High School) will meet in the Dorothy Day room at 9:00 a.m. for Part II of the story of Abraham. This is a foundational story for three of the world’s major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Children participating in the Christmas Eve service will rehearse downstairs from 10-11:15 am. Your patience and flexibility as we move through this season is appreciated! Please note that children will not attend worship. Anyone not participating in Christmas Eve is still invited to be downstairs. There will be opportunities for the children to design Hearts, write Christmas cards for our church elders, and draw Christmas scenes for our program. George will be our Music Connections volunteer.

Following Worship, Children who wish to share special music on December 22 will rehearse in the Sanctuary with Julie.

TRU Function (youth band) will continue their preparations for the Christmas Eve service at with practice from 10:00-Noon on Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Youth Service Trip 2025 (youth entering 8th-H.S. grad eligible) will be June 15-21 in Kansas City, MO! If you have not turned in your initial deposit of $300, please do so ASAP!

anuary 13 (not in December: apologies for the confusion)

Updated registration date: Moon Beach Family Camp: registration will begin J! Friends from ORUCC usually attend the week hosted by the Boyd’s, June 29-July 5, 2025. Registration filled up very quickly last year.

Children and Youth Faith Formation Thank You! On Sunday December 22, there will be a light drop-in breakfast set up for all of our children and youth faith formation guides who have been part of making our programming a success this fall.

Children and Youth Music Showcase, December 22 after worship: If your child would like to perform a piece, please talk to Julie Mazer.

Christmas Eve Services are December 24: Our beloved Children and Youth-led service will be at 3:00 p.m., with the traditional service in collaboration with Madison Mennonite Church at 5:30 p.m.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 9, 2024

You are invited to join us, Saturday, December 21st 4-6 pm at the West Lawn Plaza near Trader Joe’s ().

1810 Monroe St., Madison

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The “Longest Night” is a service that has taken place in the Christian tradition on Winter Solstice, just a few days before Christmas. It began to help those who are struggling during the Advent and Christmas season.

In this holiday season, we feel despair over the suffering and immense loss of life that hasresulted from 14 months of a genocidal campaign against the people of Gaza and relentlessattacks on Palestinian residents of the West Bank by Israel.

Here in Madison, our vigil and service will provide space for diverse communities of faith andconscience to stand together in grief and to call for an end to US support for the Israeli attackson Gaza and the West Bank, an end to US offensive weapons shipments to Israel andrestoration of humanitarian aid to the people who are homeless, without food, clean water ormedical care in Gaza.

We will hear from representatives of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. Professor SamerAlatout, a Palestinian, will also speak.

Please bring signs, banners, flashlights or battery powered candles, and dress warmly.

Co-sponsored by the ORUCC Palestine Justice Mission Team, Friends Meeting of Madison (Quakers), the Interfaith Peace Working Group, Jewish Voice for Peace, Mennonite Action Madison and Madison Mennonite Church

Worship Resources for Sunday, December 8, 2024

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 7, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

“Binding Braids” by Nicolette Penaranda (inspired by Ruth 1)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Sunday, December 8, 2024

The Second Sunday of Advent

Before and after the Worship Service

Special Holiday Greeting Card Sale

Friendship Hall

(see below)

Youth Service Trip Cookie Sale

Immediately after the Worship Service

(see below)

10:00 am Worship

Welcome of New Members

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Kathleen Remund

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Bell Choir

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Special Holiday Greeting Card Sale extended to this Sunday, December 8th

Buy your holiday greeting cards at ORUCC! When you do, 100% of proceeds will help families in our neighborhood maintain stable housing. Variety packs and single design holiday cards featuring Peg Knueve’s beautiful artwork will be on sale in the foyer at the parking lot entrance before and after worship on Sunday, December 8th. Cards are $10 per pack of 5 cards. What a deal!

Supporting Our Neighbors: Holiday Gift Tree

Our church helps support the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) in our neighborhood by providing holiday gifts for children whose families are in this program. ECI is a voluntary program which provides in-home family and parenting support and connection to community resources for families with children under the age of 4.

The tree will be out in Friendship Hall this Sunday, December 8th, while the tags last! If you’d like to buy a gift, please pick a tag and purchase one of the requested gifts (suggested price up to $40). Return the gift wrapped and with its original tag by December 15th.

**If you took a gift tag last week and forgot to record your name as a sponsor for this child, please talk to Pastor Kate! kate@orucc.org**

December Compassion Offering: The UCC Christmas Fund

Shepherding the Light & Being the Light

“From the Three” by Hannah Garrity (inspired by Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Senior Pastor Julia Burkey has returned from maternity leave!

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Children’s Education Coordinator & Music Director: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 6, 2024

Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, December 11th, 11:30 am

The Sunshine Sisters

The Sunshine Sisters (Bev and Sheila) play duets with ukulele accompaniment. They perform in area senior centers and assisted-living facilities, sharing old familiar songs; some country and folk; and uplifting songs of love, memories, and the journey of life. The Sunshine Sisters have prepared a delightful list of holiday songs, and encourage singing along with them.

Please join us in Friendship Hall on the 11^th for a delicious luncheon ($10 per person) and fun. RSVPs are important for our catering team. Please email Steve Sheets: erab1958@icloud.com.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 4, 2024

Nursery – High School Programming

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Nursery Care opens at 8:30 am. Abby and Najma are ready to play with your little one!

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am.

PreK-2 (William Johnson Room): Children are invited to sing with Julie in the William Johnson room from 9:00-9:15. We’ll rehearse the songs “The Friendly Beasts” and “Go, Tell It On The Mountain” for our Christmas Eve service. After the music, Jill and Hal will guide the children in Advent stories about the Prophets and Mary and Joseph.

3-6 grade (Ruby Bridges Room): This class will also explore the Prophets and Mary and Joseph. Exploration stations will include writing Christmas cards to church elders, designing Hearts for our Christmas Eve service, painting, sand play, and puzzles. Josie and Megan will guide the children in their learning.

Your child will wait for you in the classroom before moving to the sanctuary for worship at 10 am. Children grades 2-6 who are participating in the Christmas Eve service will move immediately to rehearse downstairs from 10-11:15 a.m. (they will not begin in worship).

Youth (7th-High School) will assist with preparations for the Cookie Sale! Even if a youth is unable to attend the service trip this summer, they are still invited to join the group in fellowship as they get set up.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Children participating in the Christmas Eve service will rehearse downstairs from 10-11:15 am. Your patience and flexibility as we move through this season is appreciated! Please note that children will not attend worship. Anyone not participating in Christmas Eve is still invited to be downstairs. There will be opportunities for the children to design Hearts, write Christmas cards for our church elders, and draw Christmas scenes for our program. George will be our Music Connections volunteer.

TRU Function (youth band) will continue their preparations for the Christmas Eve service at with practice from 10:00-Noon on Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Youth Service Trip 2025 (youth entering 8th-H.S. grad eligible) will be June 15-21 in Kansas City, MO! If you have not turned in your initial deposit of $300, please do so ASAP! The first fundraiser, our Christmas cookie sale, is December 8. Talk to Pastor Kate for more details!

Moon Beach Family Camp: registration will begin December 16! Friends from ORUCC usually attend the week hosted by the Boyd’s, June 29-July 5, 2025. Registration filled up very quickly last year.

Children and Youth Music Showcase, December 22 after worship: If your child would like to perform a piece, please talk to Julie Mazer.

Christmas Eve Services are December 24: Our beloved Children and Youth-led service will be at 3:00 p.m., with the traditional service in collaboration with Madison Mennonite Church at 5:30 p.m.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onDecember 3, 2024

Hope Cafe

TOMORROW, Wednesday, December 4th, 9:30-11:30 am, Friendship Hall

We had such a promising turnout to the first post-election Hope Cafe, that we scheduled another one. Come join in Friendship Hall for a time to just be, a time for us to come together as a community in a cafe-like atmosphere and turn to each other in these times of anxiety and unknown for our nation. No matter what happens, we do know that strengthening our local micro-communities is of great value. Know there will be space for you, a listening ear, yummy snacks and community care. This is an intergenerational space so little ones are welcome. Open to the wider community as well, so feel free to bring a friend or invite neighbors.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 30, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

“Favored One” by Lauren Wright Pittman (inspired by Luke 1:26-38)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Sunday, December 1, 2024

The First Sunday of Advent

Before and after the Worship Service

Special Holiday Greeting Card Sale

Friendship Hall

(see below)

9:00 am – Intergenerational Faith Formation

(see below)

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Kate Mackey

Lay Liturgist: Mary Bucknell

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Choir

Sacrament of Holy Communion

11:15 am – Assemble College Care Packages

Church Kitchen

(see below)

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Intergenerational

Faith Formation,

Sunday December 1st, 9:00 a.m., Friendship Hall

Don’t be a Grinch–as they say, your heart may grow three sizes this day!

All are welcome to come to an all-ages, faith formation event on the first Sunday of Advent, December 1st! Together we will share in some faith reflection and conversation while we make special Christmas Tree ornaments to bring home. This will be in place of regular children’s, youth, and adult faith formation for this Sunday.

Special Holiday Greeting Card Sale this Sunday

Buy your holiday greeting cards at ORUCC! When you do, 100% of proceeds will help families in our neighborhood maintain stable housing. Variety packs and single design holiday cards featuring Peg Knueve’s beautiful artwork will be on sale in the Friendship Hall before and after worship this Sunday, December 1st. Cards are $10 per pack of 5 cards. What a deal!

Assemble College Care Packages after worship this Sunday!

This Sunday, Dec. 1st, after worship, we will be assembling care packages to send to college students connected with ORUCC. Please email Ken Pennings immediately if you’d like your child to receive a care package (ken@orucc.org).

There are three ways you can support this endeavor:

1) Show up at the church kitchen after worship this Sunday, Dec. 1st to help assemble the care packages;

2) On the morning of Dec 1st, drop off to the church kitchen homemade cookies or bars individually wrapped in cellophane wrap. Currently, we know we will be sending 22 care packages. Therefore, you may wish to bring 44 cookies or bars in cellophane-wrapped packages of two. Please bring a slip of paper listing all ingredients (there are some college students who have dietary restrictions);

3) Drop off a donation check to the church office, with “College Care Packages” in the memo line of the check.

Thanks for supporting our college students!

Supporting Our Neighbors: Holiday Gift Tree

The tree will be out in Friendship Hall December 1st and 8th, while the tags last! If you’d like to buy a gift, please pick a tag and purchase one of the requested gifts (suggested price up to $40). Return the gift wrapped and with its original tag by December 15th.

**If you took a gift tag last week and forgot to record your name as a sponsor for this child, please talk to Pastor Kate! kate@orucc.org**

December Compassion Offering: The UCC Christmas Fund

Shepherding the Light & Being the Light

“When You Pass Through the Waters” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity (inspired by Isaiah 42:1-7)/ A Sanctified Art LLC/ sanctifiedart.org

Senior Pastor Julia Burkey has returned from maternity leave!

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Children’s Education Coordinator & Music Director: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 27, 2024

Nursery – High School Programming

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Dear Families, Happy Thanksgiving week! We are so grateful to be in ministry together at ORUCC. This coming Sunday is the first week of Advent. There will be a special all-ages faith formation event at 9:00 a.m. Please read below for details about this, and other upcoming events.

Nursery Care is not available this week. Families are welcome to use the space and materials in the Crossroads. You are also welcome to visit the nursery with your child.

Intergenerational Faith Formation 9:00 a.m.: We

Don’t be a Grinch–as they say, your heart may grow three sizes this day! All are welcome to come to an all-ages faith formation event for the first Sunday of Advent! Together we will share in some faith reflection led by Pastor Kate and conversation while we make special Christmas Tree ornaments to bring home.

This will be in place of regular children’s, youth, and adult faith formation for this Sunday.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections: Children participating in the Christmas Eve service will rehearse from 10-11 am. Please note that children will not attend worship, but will begin downstairs with Julie. Kate will serve communion to the children downstairs after worship. We might need 75 min to get through all the material. Your patience and flexibility as we move through this season is appreciated! Anyone not participating in Christmas Eve is still invited to be downstairs. There will be opportunities for the children to design LOVE hearts, write Christmas cards for our church elders, and draw Christmas scenes for our program. George Gillis will be our Music Connections volunteer. For more information about our Christmas Eve Program or to sign your child up, please click HERE.

TRU Function (youth band) will begin their preparations for the Christmas Eve service at with practice from 10:00-Noon on Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Thanksgiving Day Birdie Derby Run/Walk: Rob Martens has set up an ORUCC team (“Fruit of the Spirit’s Not a Cranberry”) to participate in the annual Birdie Derby Thanksgiving Day Run/Walk on Nov. 28. It’s too late to register for a team shirt, but you can still join us for the event. Register HERE.

Youth Service Trip 2025 (youth entering 8th-H.S. grad eligible) will be June 15-21 in Kansas City, MO! An initial deposit of $300 is due by December 1. The first fundraiser, our Christmas cookie sale, is December 8. Talk to Pastor Kate for more details!

Christmas Eve Services are December 24: Our beloved Children and Youth-led service will be at 3:00 p.m., with the traditional service in collaboration with Madison Mennonite Church at 5:30 p.m.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 23, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

Sunday, November 24, 2024

9:00 am – Children and Youth Faith Formation

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Laura Conners

Musical Offerings: TRU Function

11:15 am – Future of the ORUCC Food Pantry Garden meeting

Friendship Hall

(see below)

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Exploring Options for the Future of the ORUCC Food Pantry Garden, this Sunday, November 24th, 11:15 a.m.

As many of you know, the Food Pantry Garden in the ORUCC Veggie Village has been the source of thousands of pounds of fresh produce for our local food pantries since 2009. We started with a small group of us who envisioned this garden on the ORUCC property and over the years many of you have lent a hand in growing and harvesting healthy produce to stock the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Food Pantry. In this effort, we also recognize the ongoing support and commitment that the entire congregation has given toward this ministry.

As co-managers of the food pantry garden, we (LuAnn Greiner & Leslie Linser) have had the great fortune of “growing” in so many ways over the past 15 seasons. Working side by side with ORUCC members and friends (adults and youth) has been life-giving, energizing and extremely fulfilling for us. Nevertheless, we have reached the proverbial “pitchfork” in the road and recognize that its time for us to step away from our responsibilities in the food pantry garden and open up time in our lives to “dig into” other endeavors.

With that, we and Pastor Julia invite you – members and friends of ORUCC who have an interest in vegetable gardening and/or are moved, motivated or seriously curious – to join us in a conversation this SUNDAY, November 24th at 11:15 am in Friendship Hall to explore options for maintaining this ministry. A light meal will be served. An RSVP in advance will help us with planning. Please email LuAnn Greiner at greinerlu@gmail.com with RSVP or questions.

November Compassion Offering: Luke House

The mission of Luke House is simple: to feed the hungry no questions asked.

You may have heard of Luke House. If not, it is because they go about their mission work quietly, serving free meals nine times a week, year-round, rain or shine. At each meal Luke House serves between 60 and 120 guests. All guest and volunteers are treated with dignity and respect which is a major value of the Luke House.

Luke House, located on Madison’s near east side, has been feeding Madison’s hungry since 1986. Guests show up and are fed, no questions asked. The facility is set up like a restaurant with volunteers serving a healthy meal and beverages to guests. The atmosphere is very pleasant, and the guests have a chance to socialize. Among the guests are Madison’s poorest. Luke House does not solve all the problems encountered by the poor, but they do their best to bring food and comfort to those who need it most.

One guest said, “This free meal site produces good home-cooked church-basement food and warm feelings. You feel like you’re at a potluck but no one expects you to bring anything. For just a moment I felt loved and accepted”

Luke House does this with the help of volunteers from the community and approximately 30 different local churches. It receives no money from the city, county, state or federal governments. All funding comes from donations. Here is the link to the You Tube video created by Sarah Bullard, the director of Luke House.

Thank you for your donation. Funds from this compassion offering will go directly to buying food for Luke House’s unsponsored meals.

Senior Pastor Julia Burkey has returned from maternity leave!

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Children’s Education Coordinator & Music Director: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

ORUCC Service Trip Updates and Response Needed

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 22, 2024

Hello (potential) Service Trip families!

Thank you to those who have paid the $300 deposit already. Our website link for donation is up and running now. Please see , if you would like. If you are interested in a scholarship, or need an alternative payment plan, please don't hesitate to let me know.

here to pay online

Our Christmas Cookie fundraiser is coming up, December 8!

Please see the following information from our planning team (Laura, Sara, Jerry, Rachael, Jared):

The and Bake Sale is coming on Sunday, Dec 8th! You are also welcome to make specialty items (e.g. sweet breads or fancy ) to be priced separately. Please also sign up for other jobs using this , such as set up, clean up, and cashiering. Also . Let us know if you have any questions!

ChristmasCookie We are asking each family to make 8 dozen to contribute to the bake sale.cookiescookiesSign Up Genius read these additional instructions

Grace and peace,

Kate

—

Rev. Kate Mackey

(she/her/hers)

Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families

Orchard Ridge UCC

1501 Gilbert Rd.

Madison, WI 53711

Office: (608) 271-7212 ex. 2030

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to one another.” -Mother Teresa

*Please note: Outside of Sunday and evenings by appointment, my primary working hours are Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am-2:00 pm. I take Friday and Saturday as sabbath days and may not respond quickly to my email during those times.

Worship Resources for Sunday, November 17, 2024

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 16, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Stewardship Sunday

9:00 am – Children and Youth Faith Formation

9:00 – 9:50 am Observations from the Occupied West Bank of Palestine

Friendship Hall

Rev. Shelby Jeidy

(see below)

9:15 am – Meeting of Caregivers of Christmas Eve Service Children and Youth Participants

Bonhoeffer Room

(see below)

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Diane Jungblut

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Choir

11:10 am – 12:00 pm – Momentum of the Now

(see below)

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Responding to the Election:

Opportunities for Reflection, Engagement and Support

This has been a challenging and grief-filled time for many in our congregation as the realities facing our nation come to light. If you are struggling, please know that your pastors are here for you. To continue processing these election results, you are invited to the following:

Momentum of the Now

This Sunday, November 17th 11:10 am – 12pm (after worship)

All are invited to join the pastors for an opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings, and wonderings about what it means to ‘Be The Church’ together in these times. We have a sense that turning to each other and hearing the wisdom of the collective – from our fresh and raw experience of shock and strategy – is vitally important. We want to collect the momentum of the now as we think and envision how we want to deepen our spiritual reservoirs with God and deepen our relationships with one another.

December 4th Hope Cafe

Sunday November 10^th 9:30am-11:30am

We had such a promising turnout to the first post-election Hope Cafe, that we scheduled another one. Come join for a time to just be, a time for us to come together as a community in a cafe-like atmosphere and turn to each other in these times of anxiety and unknown for our nation. No matter what happens, we do know that strengthening our local micro-communities is of great value. Know there will be space for you, a listening ear, yummy snacks and community care. This is an intergenerational space so little ones are welcome. Open to the wider community as well, so feel free to bring a friend or invite neighbors.

Observations from the Occupied West Bank of Palestine

This Sunday, November 17th

9:00am-9:50am Friendship Hall

In 2022, Rev. Shelby Jeidy (currently serving as Trauma Chaplain for University Hospital) had the opportunity to serve as a UCC Mission Intern in the West Bank of Palestine. Jeidy spent time in Ramallah and Occupied East Jerusalem, working with a UCC Mission Partner on a project of interreligious engagement for peacemaking, as well as advocating for a Palestinian youth who had been wrongly imprisoned. Join us as Rev. Jeidy shares words and images from this exceptional experience. Baklava provided.

Meeting for caregivers of Christmas Eve service participants,

this Sunday at 9:15 am

Caregivers of children and youth who plan to participate in our Christmas Eve service are strongly encouraged to attend a meeting this Sunday (11/17) at 9:15 in the downstairs Bonhoeffer Room to review details and expectations. If you cannot attend that meeting, please talk with Julie Mazer directly. For more information about our Christmas Eve Program or to sign up, please click HERE

November Compassion Offering: Luke House

The mission of Luke House is simple: to feed the hungry no questions asked.

Thank you for your donation. Funds from this compassion offering will go directly to buying food for Luke House’s unsponsored meals.

Senior Pastor Julia Burkey has returned from maternity leave!

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Children’s Education Coordinator & Music Director: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84845886041?pwd=4PhfBp176E1pCJZ7U1NAanhC9P8F3h.1

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 13, 2024

Stewardship Sunday is this Sunday, November 17th!

We are grateful to all of you who have already returned your completed pledge cards for 2025. We appreciate and celebrate your continued generous financial support. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, you may bring it to church this Sunday, November 17^th (Stewardship Sunday) or mail it to the church office by that date. Again, thank you for your ongoing financial commitment to Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 13, 2024

Readings and topic for November

Wayfinding

November 20th & 21st

Going Deep

Dear Wayfinders and those who are curious,

Next Wednesday we will hold our monthly Wayfinding: The Spirituality of Aging, Towards a Theology of the Elder Years. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, we will gather in Friendship Hall at 9:30am, beginning with refreshments and program starting at 9:45am and concluding at 11:15am. Those who are unable to make Wednesday morning work but would still like to participate are able to meet virtually at 4-5pm the next day over ZOOM. We will take a break in January, and then gather again February-May.

This month we will explore our spiritual depths through Psalm 42’s “deep calls to deep,” and a reading from Parker Palmer’s, On The Brink of Everything, Grace, Gravity and Getting Old We will wonder together, “what is the role of the elder in times of social change?” One assumption we will explore is how elders can offer wisdom, perspective and depth from years of life as well as the ability to see a long-term big picture and go deep with our own souls and relationship with God. If we are able to become curious about our own spiritual depths, elders can give other generations hope and wisdom from that place.

Here (link) is the first reading for our November session. It is not required reading, but may help deepen your experience of Wayfinding.

Below is the information for the ZOOM gatherings, which will stay the same each Thursday- so save this email!

Blessings,

Pastor Julia Burkey

Topic: Wayfinding

Time: Nov 21, 2024 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 848 4588 6041

Passcode: 115289

—

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Orchard Ridge UCC onNovember 9, 2024

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

Sunday, November 10, 2024

9:00 am – Children and Youth Faith Formation

9:00 am – Fourth Prospective New Members Class

Dorothy Day Room

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: To be announced

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Bell Choir

11:00 am Sermon Talk-Back

Join our Worship virtually

on YouTube any time after 10 am:

You will need to refresh the page

after 10 am if you have opened it before

Responding to the Election:

Opportunities for Reflection, Engagement and Support

This has been a challenging and grief-filled week for many in our congregation as the realities facing our nation come to light. If you are struggling, please know that your pastors are here for you! Please do not hesitate to reach out for individual support. We had a well-attended “Hope Cafe” on Wednesday morning with many people gathered to share their hearts over a cup of coffee, tea and treats. To continue processing these election results, you are invited to the following:

Restorative Movement and Meditation

Sunday November 10^th 9:00am-9:45am

Come and join Julie Mazer and Julia Burkey for a quiet time to be together and move together and hold restorative space. Let’s pause together to breathe, to just be, in gentle movement, in a circle of care.

Getting Real: Time to Process for Youth

Sunday, November 10th 9:00 am (during Faith Formation)

Youth are invited to Join Pastor Kate and Susan Jane Watson for an opportunity to share their feelings, wonderings, and concerns–and start to look forward to what it means to be a community of faith together in tough times. There will be treats and hands-on processing for kids 7th grade -High School.

November Compassion Offering: Luke House

The mission of Luke House is simple: to feed the hungry no questions asked.

Thank you for your donation. Funds from this compassion offering will go directly to buying food for Luke House’s unsponsored meals.

Senior Pastor Julia Burkey has returned from maternity leave!

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Mackey EMAIL

Associate Pastor: Rev. Ken Pennings EMAIL

Children’s Education Coordinator & Music Director: Julie Mazer EMAIL

Office Manager George Decker

608-271-7212 or EMAIL

LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge Facebook Page

JOIN our Private FB Group: