ORUCC Youth 11/19 (and before!)

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 16, 2023

Hello friends!

This Sunday 11/19 we have Sunday School continuing with Echo the Story at 9:00; Kristin Muckian and Susan Watson are on board for guiding this conversation. TRU Function will practice from 10:00-12:00. 
TOMORROW! Friday 11/17: 5:30-7:30 “Friendsgiving” Party at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church– Our youth (6th-high school) are invited to get to know other youth at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church (6205 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705) at a potluck “Friendsgiving” party. We are looking to do some combined youth programming with St. Dunstan's and other progressive Christian churches in the future; this is one step toward this exciting collaboration! 
Mark your calendars for other upcoming events:
January 12-14  All Church Retreat at Daycholah Center: We are excited to continue this wonderful tradition again this year. More details coming soon about registration for this all-ages event. 
Confirmation! For youth in 8th-9th grade, Confirmation will be offered this spring. We are intending to have confirmation held for 8 weeks on Sundays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The dates will be March 10, 17, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, with the Confirmation service on May 19th (Pentecost). Families with youth eligible for confirmation, look for an email from Pastor Kate with more details the week after Thanksgiving. 
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: I take Fridays and Saturdays as sabbath days and may not respond immediately to my email during those times. 

11/19 Sunday School

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 15, 2023

Nursery Care opens at 8:30. Jade and Marie are ready to play with your little one!
Sunday School starts at 9 am. PreK-1 children are invited to sing with Julie in the William Johnson room from 9:00-9:15. After the music, Karen and Josie will guide them in a story about one of the miracles Jesus performed, “Jesus Feeds 5000 People.”
The 2-5 grade classroom will explore the Letters From the Apostles. First, the children will learn more about the words “Apostle” and “Epistle” and search for bible verses. In our stations, the children will have the opportunity to write a letter to someone in our congregation, work with Sand, color, and complete a worksheet about the Fruit of the Spirit.  Hal and Jadyn will guide the children in their learning. 
Upcoming! Save the Dates!

November 19:  Bible Distribution


During worship, ORUCC will strengthen the baptismal commitment to the children in our church community with a Bible Distribution Ceremony. Though it is too late to order additional Bibles, your child is welcome to attend service to watch and support the ritual. 

November 23: Thanksgiving Day Berbee Derby

Calling all walkers, run/walkers, and runners! Join us at the 40th Annual Berbee Derby. It's too late to enter for a team shirt, but you can still run, walk, and pose for selfies with the ORUCC bunch! https://www.berbeederby.com/registration/ 
November 26: Advent Wreath Making

Join us on November 26 at 9 a.m. in Friendship Hall for our third annual intergenerational Advent Wreath Making Event. All supplies will be provided for families to make an Advent Wreath to take home. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you on Sunday. Thank you for your support of the youth programming opportunities at ORUCC.

—

Julie Mazer (she/her)

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
Children's Education Coordinator
Children's Music Director

ORUCC Youth 11/12

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 9, 2023

Hello friends,

This Sunday, 11/12, at 9:00 our Newsletter group will meet in the Day room, and the Breakfast Club will meet in the Frank room. Susan will send out more details to the Newsletter youth about what to expect for this week; Breakfast Club will be working on preparing a Holiday Gift tree to benefit the Early Childhood Initiative with RISE. This community organization supports children and families in our neighborhood, and we are happy to continue the tradition of helping provide gifts to our community this Christmas season. 
Mark your calendars:
November 17: 5:30-7:30 “Friendsgiving” Party at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church– Our youth (6th-high school) are invited to get to know other youth at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church (6205 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705) at a potluck “Friendsgiving” party. We are looking to do some combined youth programming with St. Dunstan's and other progressive Christian churches in the future; this is one step toward this exciting collaboration!

November 19: First Service Trip Deadline–If your youth (entering 8th-H.S. graduation) would like to come on the Service Trip to Nashville, TN, please let Pastor Kate know by Nov. 19th. First payment of $250 is due by that date. 
Thank you all for your continued support of our Children and Youth at ORUCC!
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: I take Fridays and Saturdays as sabbath days and may not respond immediately to my email during those times. 

11/12 Music Connections

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 9, 2023

This week the children will begin the 10 o'clock hour in the sanctuary with you. When they are dismissed for Music Connections, we will move to the downstairs Bonhoeffer Room for movement and xylophone play. George Gillis will be our Safe Sanctuary volunteer. 

—

Julie Mazer (she/her)

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
Children's Education Coordinator
Children's Music Director

11/12 Sunday School

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 8, 2023

Nursery Care opens at 8:30. Jade and Marie are ready to play with your little one!
Sunday School starts at 9 am. PreK-1 children are invited to sing with Julie in the William Johnson room from 9:00-9:15. After the music, Jill and Josie will guide them in a story about one of the miracles Jesus performed, “Jesus Heals Two Daughters.”
The 2-5 grade classroom will explore the Letters From the Apostles. First, the children will experience the Fruits of the Spirit through guided imagery. After the story, the children will have the opportunity to write a letter to someone in our congregation. Diane, Joanna, and Jadyn will guide the children in their learning. 
Upcoming! Save the Dates!

November 19:  Bible Distribution


During worship, ORUCC will strengthen the baptismal commitment to the children in our church community with a Bible Distribution Ceremony. Though it is too late to order additional Bibles, your child is welcome to attend service to watch and support the ritual. 

November 23: Thanksgiving Day Berbee Derby

Calling all walkers, run/walkers, and runners! Join us at the 40th Annual Berbee Derby. It's too late to enter for a team shirt, but you can still run, walk, and pose for selfies with the ORUCC bunch! https://www.berbeederby.com/registration/ 
November 26: Advent Wreath Making

Join us on November 26 at 9 a.m. in Friendship Hall for our third annual intergenerational Advent Wreath Making Event. All supplies will be provided for families to make an Advent Wreath to take home. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you on Sunday. Thank you for your support of the youth programming opportunities at ORUCC.

—

Julie Mazer (she/her)

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
Children's Education Coordinator
Children's Music Director

ORUCC Youth 11/5/23

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 3, 2023

Hello friends, happy November! Don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour this weekend!

This Sunday, 11/5, at 9:00 a.m. we have a special opportunity for our children and youth to participate in a labyrinth walk and contemplative practice/prayer stations. This will be a multi-age experience held in several rooms of the education wing. TRU Function will practice from 10:00-12:00. 
Looking ahead, we also have some more exciting things on the horizon: 
November 3, 6:00-8:00: Family Game Night– bring your dinner and a game for this relaxed hangout time in Friendship Hall with others from ORUCC! 
**November 17**: 5:30-7:30 “Friendsgiving” Party at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church– Our youth (6th-high school) are invited to get to know other youth at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church (6205 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705) at a potluck “Friendsgiving” party. We are looking to do some combined youth programming with St. Dunstan's and other progressive Christian churches in the future; this is one step toward this exciting collaboration!

November 19: First Service Trip Deadline–If your youth (entering 8th-H.S. graduation) would like to come on the Service Trip to Nashville, TN, please let Pastor Kate know by Nov. 19th. First payment of $250 is due by that date. 
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: I take Fridays and Saturdays as sabbath days and may not respond immediately to my email during those times. 

No Music Connections 11/5

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 2, 2023

There will not be Music Connections this week, 11/5. Instead, your child is welcome to stay in the sanctuary with you. 

—

Julie Mazer (she/her)

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
Children's Education Coordinator
Children's Music Director

11/5 Children and Youth Labyrinth Walk

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 2, 2023

Nursery Care opens at 8:30. Jade and Marie are ready to play with your little one!


This week, instead of our regular 9 a.m. Sunday school programming, all children and youth are invited to take part in a Labyrinth walk and contemplative spiritual practice stations. Everyone PreK-High School will first gather together in the Bridges Room. After a brief opening conversation, small groups of children and youth will have the opportunity to travel through our small labyrinth in the Johnson Room. Those waiting to walk the labyrinth will be invited to freely explore artistic, tactile, and mindfulness stations. 


Upcoming! Save the Dates!
November 19:  Bible Distribution

During worship, ORUCC will strengthen the baptismal commitment to the children in our church community with a Bible distribution ceremony. This ritual is for children in grades 2-12 who have NOT received a Bible from ORUCC previously. Please complete THIS FORM if you wish for your child to be a part of this ritual.  It is okay to not partake this year if you are unsure. We will have other Bible distribution ceremonies in future years. Please see Pastor Kate or Julie Mazer if you have any questions. 

November 23: Thanksgiving Day Berbee Derby

Calling all walkers, run/walkers, and runners! Join us at the 40th Annual Berbee Derby. It's too late to enter for a team shirt, but you can still run, walk, and pose for selfies with the ORUCC bunch! https://www.berbeederby.com/registration/ 

Thank you for your support of the youth programming opportunities at ORUCC.

—

Julie Mazer (she/her)

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
Children's Education Coordinator
Children's Music Director

ORUCC Youth 10/29

Orchard Ridge UCC on October 26, 2023


Hello friends,
First of all, thank you to everyone who participated in last week's Service Trip Celebration! I have had a lot of people share how much they loved hearing from the youth, enjoyed TRU Function's songs, and appreciated learning more about the service trip. 
This week we have Sunday School at 9:00 for youth 6th-high school. Susan Watson and Kristin Muckian will be our guides for Echo the Story. TRU Function practices 10:00-12:00. 
Next week (Nov. 5), we have a special Sunday coming up–instead of our regular Sunday school programming, all children and youth will be invited to take part in a Labyrinth walk and contemplative spiritual practice stations. This will be an awesome way to explore some new ways to engage with our spirituality using many senses and expressions (artistic, tactile, auditory, etc.). 
Other upcoming events:

TOMORROW! October 27, 6:00-9:00 p.m.: Treinen Farms Bonfire and Corn Maze

An all-ages fellowship event! We have a bonfire ring reserved and will provide supplies for s’mores. Families are responsible for their own tickets for admission ($15.50 per person over 2 years of age, can be purchased online ahead of time or at the gate). 


Sign up by 10/29: Thanksgiving Day Berbee Derby

Calling all walkers, run/walkers, and runners! Join Rob and Lily Martens (run) and Pastor Kate and Gideon (walk) in the 5K or Julie Mazer in the 10K in the 20th Anniversary Berbee Derby! Sign-up with Team “Fruit of the Spirit is not a Cranberry”  by 10/29 to receive your team shirt. https://www.berbeederby.com/registration/ ; $40 per individual. 
**Note the team name: there is no “the” at the beginning!** 

November 19:  Bible Distribution

During worship, ORUCC will strengthen the baptismal commitment to the children in our church community with a Bible distribution ceremony. This ritual is for children in grades 2-12 who have NOT received a Bible from ORUCC previously. Please complete THIS FORM if you wish for your child to be a part of this ritual.  It is okay to not partake this year if you are unsure. We will have other Bible distribution ceremonies in future years. Please see Pastor Kate or Julie Mazer if you have any questions. 

Hope you are all having a wonderful week.
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: I take Fridays and Saturdays as sabbath days and may not respond immediately to my email during those times. 

10/29 Music Connections- Volunteer Needed

Orchard Ridge UCC on October 26, 2023

This week the children will begin the 10 o'clock hour in the sanctuary with you. When they are dismissed for Music Connections, we will move to the downstairs Bonhoeffer Room for movement and Hand Chime play. 

I am still in need of a Safe Sanctuary volunteer. Can you help?? Please reply back to this email or sign-up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A5AB2B0-20231#/

—

Julie Mazer (she/her)

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
Children's Education Coordinator
Children's Music Director