ORUCC –Take Up Your Cross: Stand Against Government Cruelty this Saturday

Orchard Ridge UCC on July 30, 2025

Take Up Your Cross: Stand Against Government Cruelty

11:00 am this Saturday, August 2, 2025

Why the Cross?

On August 2, 2025, concerned Christians and others of goodwill will walk in silence up State Street to the Capitol, carrying an eight-foot wooden cross. Our collective witness holds the cross as a symbol of resistance, courage, and compassion. Jesus courageously took up his cross to resist the Empire’s cruel and oppressive policies toward the vulnerable in Roman society. So, too, we take up our cross, as he called us to do, to resist our government’s cruel and violent policies toward the vulnerable.

We recognize that the practice of compassion is central to the beliefs and teaching of many other communities of faith and conscience and that these communities share our sense of calling to resist violence and cruelty. We welcome these communities and their members to participate in — or support in other ways — this act of resistance, lifting up their own religious symbols.

We RESIST:

· Policies that harm immigrants, the poor, and the vulnerable

· War, militarism, and the use of violence

· Environmental destruction

· Christian Nationalism and authoritarianism

We AFFIRM:

· Truth, democracy, human dignity, world peace, and care for the earth

· Standing with the marginalized

· The way of justice, peace, and care for one another

Stand with us!

11am Saturday, August 2, 2025

State and Lake Street to the Capitol

For further information about this event, see this press release or contact one of the following people

Rev. Sally Bowers – (608) 576-6320

Rev. David Couper – (608) 444-7207

Dr. Roberta Felker – (608) 220-8452

Rev. Jerry Folk – (608) 513-3178

Dr. Paul Knitter – (646) 648-1308

You may also contact Ruth Ann Berkholtz at [email protected] or (608) 334-8761 for more information. Additionally, Pastor Kate Mackey is planning to take part in the walk in silence, and can be reached at [email protected].

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

July 25: American trauma surgeon Dr. Feroze Sidhwa speaks of his recent work in Gaza

Orchard Ridge UCC on July 17, 2025

ORUCC’s Palestine Justice Mission Team encourages your attendance at these events, which are co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace/Madison, Middle East Studies Program/UW Madison, the Havens Center for Social Justice, Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, WORT FM and World Beyond War.

The first session is intended specifically for medical professionals.

Cases from Gaza: Etiologies and Interventions
July 25, Noon – 1:00 pm
First Unitarian Society, Atrium
900 University Bay Drive, Madison

The second session is intended for the general public.

The Ongoing Health Catastrophe in Gaza

July 25, 7 pm

Christ Presbyterian Church

944 East Gorham Street, Madison

Also on Zoom – register here

Both events are free and open to the public.

Presentation at ORUCC Sunday June 29

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 28, 2025

How UCC Mission Partners bring hope to the Holy Land

Please join us Sunday, June 29, at 9 a.m. in Friendship Hall.

During the past 16 years, ORUCC members Diane Dulin and Tom Beilman have traveled multiple times to the Holy Land. They’ve seen firsthand how UCC Mission Partners (partner organizations) bring hope and friendship to oppressed peoples, amidst the constant stress of military occupation. Come and hear inspiring, informative stories about the vital work of these Mission Partners.

Slide with additional resources

Sign a petition Sunday morning

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 25, 2025

We will have letters you can sign after church on the next 3 Sundays (June 29, July 6, and 13). Letters to Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson ask that they call publicly for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and advocate for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Letters to Mark Pocan thank him for his recent speech to Congress. Our letters and phone calls make a difference.

ORUCC –Donate Your Car for Neighbors in Need

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 27, 2025

Donate Your Car for Neighbors in Need

Here’s the new owner, a single working mom, poised to drive off in her 2006 Toyota Prius, donated by Jill Westberg — the 15th such donation processed by the Orchard Ridge Car Donation Mission Team.

The program began a few years ago when church members active in the South West Partnership became aware of the huge obstacle caused by lack of reliable inexpensive transportation for our neighbors. It seemed logical that older cars, owned by church members willing to donate them, could be fixed up a little bit and delivered to folks in need.

The Car Donation program depends on the generosity of church members — some who donate cars and some who contribute money so that this work will continue. So please contact the Mission Team — Baxter Richardson (chair), Jon Blanchard, Paul Eggerling-Boeck to learn more.

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

June 8 Film: “Sarura”

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 17, 2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the film No Other Land is no longer available for presentation this Sunday (June 8th, 5 pm, Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison). In its place, the organizers will be screening Sarura: Nonviolent Action Against Occupation, a highly acclaimed film that we hope you will appreciate just as much. Sarura tells the story of a group of young Palestinians using cameras and nonviolent actions to return their people to land that was taken from them. Introducing the film will be peace activist Cassandra Dixon. Registration is required. Register here.

The prior announcement is below.

Madison’s Anti-War Film Series and friends present the 2025 Academy Award Winner, Best Documentary Feature “No Other Land”

Sunday, June 8, 5 pm, Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E Gorham in Madison

Free, but RSVP required.

These are fundraising screenings. Donations will be requested. Proceeds to the communities of Masafer Yatta in the Occupied West Bank of Palestine. Sponsors: Madison Rafah Sister City Project, Madison for a World BEYOND War, Veterans for Peace Madison, Jewish Voice for Peace Madison, Bartell Theater, Christ Presbyterian Church, Interfaith Peace Working Group.

Watch the trailer. Watch the Oscar acceptance speech.

About the film: For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer
Yatta being destroyed by Israel’s occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist who wants to join his fight. No Other Land is an unflinching account of a community’s mass expulsion and acts as a creative resistance to Apartheid and a search for a path towards equality and justice.

May 29 Speaker at Midvale Lutheran

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 8, 2025

Gaza and the West Bank: A Struggle for Survival Amid Genocide

May 29 at 7:00pm

Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison, WI

Israel’s extreme violence in Gaza and the West Bank is uprooting entire communities, destroying homes, displacing civilians, many of them children, and depriving inhabitants of food, water, shelter and medical care. This violence is putting the continued existence of the entire Gazan people at risk and making each day a struggle for their survival. The question is no longer when peace will come, but whether the people of Gaza and the West Bank will survive long enough to see it. This presentation aims to shed light on the lived experiences of Palestinians under siege, the international silence surrounding their suffering and the resilience they continue to show in the face of what many are calling a slow, unfolding genocide. It will also lift up some of the resistance to Israel’s action in Gaza that is going on around the world.

Rev. El-Yateem, a highly respected Arab-American leader and community organizer, was born in Bethlehem in 1968 and emigrated to the United States in 1992. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and a bachelor’s degree from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo. One of Rev. El-Yateem’s primary focuses is promoting open dialogue and unity, especially among Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Rev. El-Yateem serves as Executive Director for Service and Justice at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

ORUCC –Care of Creation Mission Team Presentation this Sunday, April 27th

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 22, 2025

Happy Earth Day!

Care of Creation Mission Team Presentation at 9:00 am this Sunday, April 27th in Friendship Hall: Jeff Epping

Jeff Epping was the Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison for 25 years. He received the Award of Merit from the American Public Gardens Association in 2023 for his work as an early innovator of eco-friendly gardening practices and use of native plants in the landscape. Jeff pioneered techniques like leaf mulching, organic lawn care, gravel gardens and living mulch. More recently he designed the extensive gardens at Epic Systems in Verona. Click here for more info about Jeff.

Plan to attend to learn about sustainable landscapes and practices to promote pollinators at home and in the community.

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

ORUCC – Dane County Immigration Justice Resources

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 11, 2025

Dane County Immigration Justice Resources

The Immigration Justice Mission Team, knowing that many are looking for ways to effectively engage with the justice issues before us, have prepared a guide to those local immigration justice organizations doing the frontline work of addressing the needs of vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. This guide is also set forth below in its entirety.

As we continue to “Welcome the Stranger,” we strive to move from rhetoric to action. If there are any questions you have or ideas you have please reach out!

We invite you to (1) LEARN about the work of some organizations; (2) JOIN an organization; (3) SUBSCRIBE to their newsletter; (4) VOLUNTEER where the opportunity exists; and (5) DONATE when possible. Each website has a buttons tab for each of the above.

As you explore these organizations, you will notice some of the organizations use social media to spread information, while also communicating behind the scenes in ways that protect their communities.

Thank you for your engagement and support!

Pastor Julia

Dane County Immigration Resources

1. Dane Sanctuary Coalition. A coalition of 18 congregations and organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees. A project of Wisconsin Faith Voices For Justice (WFVFJ) in partnership with Centro Hispano and Voces de la Frontera. Current major initiative is the Volunteer Driver Program. Website: danesanctuarycoalition.org.

2. Dane County Department of Human Services. The Dane County Department of Human Services includes an Immigration Affairs unit that assists immigrants and refugees in Dane County through partnership with community organizations. Website: [email protected]

3. Centro Hispano. The premier nonprofit organization (NGO) serving immigrant communities in Dane County. Website: micentro.org.

4. Voces de la Frontera. A membership-based community organization whose mission is to protect and expand civil rights and worker rights through leadership development, community organizing and empowerment. Website: vdlf.org.

5. Jewish Social Services (JSS). Has a long history of resettling refugees and immigrants in Dane County. Provides services to all people while specializing in serving the Jewish and immigrant community. [email protected].

6. Worker Justice Wisconsin (WJW). WJW supports the safety, stability and agency of victims of human trafficking and labor exploitation. Website: workerjustice.org.

7. Open Doors For Refugees (ODFR). A volunteer driven organization that helps refugees make a home in the Madison area. Works closely with Jewish Social Services. Website: www.ODFR.org

8. Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC). Provides vulnerable people with basic need, education and employment services such as getting proper documentation. Website: cmcmadison.org

9. Community Immigration Law Center (CILC). A pro bono organization that provides a full range of immigration legal services. Website: cilcmadison.org

10. Literacy Network. Long-standing organization that makes extensive use of volunteers in teaching literacy to those looking to learn English. Website: litnetwork.org

LEARN; JOIN; SUBSCRIBE; VOLUNTEER; DONATE

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

ORUCC Immigration Justice Happenings

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 21, 2025

Dear ORUCC,

We have so many wonderful opportunities for engagement around immigration justice this season that we thought it would be helpful to read about them all in one place. As we continue to “Welcome the Stranger,” we invite you into ways to learn more and take action through the activities listed below.

Welcome Quilts! Sunday, March 23 and March 30, 2025

We have the distinct honor of hosting the “Welcome Quilts” on their tour from the Tucson Historical Museum around UCC churches in Wisconsin! Stop by Friendship Hall and enjoy these beauties! Many of the fabric squares were drawn by children at Casa Alitas. The welcome quilts stand as a way of making a statement, through the arts, that all are welcome here. They are a symbol of beauty and of the world we hope to create.

This Sunday, March 23^rd, after worship, you are invited to an open house to enjoy the quilts and draw a square for our quilters to transform into an ORUCC welcome quilt. The following Sunday, March 30, 12pm-2pm, people from other congregations and the community are invited to do the same.

Virtual Know Your Rights Training

Join the Wisconsin Council of Churches and Voces de la Frontera for another Know Your Rights Training in English on March 27th at 9:00am. We invite you to attend as many of these as you can. As allies, we need to know how to act in moments of crisis, and it takes training and repetition!

Led by Ruby De Leon and Voces de la Frontera staff. This training will be recorded. Ruby De Leon is an immigration attorney at Voces de la Frontera. Ruby has a passion for helping underserved communities and provides pro bono legal advice at the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic each month at their only Spanish-serving location at the United Community Center. Ruby is also active within the legal community and is on the board for the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association.

To register go to

https://www.wichurches.org/events/kyrenglish

Dane Sanctuary Coalition wide meeting, April 3^rd, 5:30pm, ZOOM

Matt Kendziera, the new Executive Director of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, will facilitate this meeting, and has invited Pastor Julia to lead us in prayer and a coalition conversation about where we are with sanctuary now. We will also hear from our partners at Centro and Voces de la Frontera, the guiding lights of our immigration justice activities.

Border Immersion Trip Sharing & Worship, Sunday, April 27, 2025

Our Border Immersion Trip worship service will be April 27th, the Sunday after Easter! Come and hear about the range of experiences and what in particular impacted the members of our border trip folks. Learn about La Casa de Misericordia, the welcome center on the Mexican side of the border, the water stations of Humane Borders in the Sonoran Desert, the crosses that honor and mark the spot where people died in the desert, and the many extraordinary speakers, music and food that graced our time in Arizona. Stay for a time of questions and answers after service.

This particular worship service at ORUCC coincides with a UCC State Wide ‘Immigration Justice’ Sunday worship, and precedes a week of prayer leading up to the always memorable Friday, May 2^nd, Day Without Immigrants rally at the capitol.

A Day without Immigrants and Workers, Friday, May 2, 2025

Brace yourself for a happening! It’s time for the march and rally of the Day without Immigrants and Workers at the capitol! Join Pastor Julia, members of the ORUCC Immigration Justice team, and hundreds more as we march in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors around the capitol and then into the capitol rotunda. The program starts at Brittingham Park at 3pm, with the march to the capitol scheduled for 4:00pm, then the rally at and in the capitol at 4:30 pm.

The event is sponsored by Voces de la Frontera. Themes of the day: drivers licenses for all; accessible education (including in-state tuition for immigrant students); and no collaboration between ICE and Wisconsin Sheriffs.

Community Immigration Legal Clinic, March 2025 Compassion Offering

And a final reminder that the March 2025 Compassion Offering is the Community Immigration Legal Clinic (CILC). CILC provides pro bono representation for immigrants facing deportation, and is frequently the last line of defense for people who are in need of information and representation in our legal system.

Dane County Immigration Resources Handout (link)

The Immigration Justice Mission Team, knowing that many are looking for ways to effectively engage with the justice issues before us, have prepared a guide to those local immigration justice organizations doing the frontline work of addressing the needs of vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. As you explore these organizations, you will notice some of the organization use social media to spread information, while also communicating behind the scenes in ways that protect their communities.

Know Your Rights Training and Volunteer Drivers Program, March 2 and March 9, 2025

We close by celebrating two actions in early March 2025 whose outcomes continue to reverberate. First, know that people from nine congregations and four advocacy organizations were present at the March 2 Know Your Rights training that we held at ORUCC. We passed out multiple copies of immigration-related resources and over 200 Know Your Rights cards. We know that these cards made their way to the Good Shepherd food pantry, into healthcare, grocery stores and restaurant settings, and into our local neighborhoods. The range of people in attendance speaks to the presence and outreach of members of our congregation.

The response to the call for drivers for the Volunteer Drivers Program was as eventful as that of the Know Your Rights training. Six members of our congregation joined others from ORUCC who provide essential rides to grateful immigrants and refugees as they fulfill their obligations, pass their security checks, and present their cases for asylum in court settings in Milwaukee, Waukegan, IL, and Chicago. The impact of finding a way to make their appointments lives on in the daily lives of each person on the receiving end of these rides.

Many blessings to you!

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

March Compassion Offering: The Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 1, 2025

The Community Immigration Law Center (CILC) provides pro bono representation for immigrants facing deportation. CILC is frequently the last line of defense for people who are in need of information and representation in our legal system. The five lawyers and paralegal of CILC are housed at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison.

With representation such as that of a CILC attorney, a person’s chance of success in immigration court increases dramatically. CILC provides both formal representation of clients plus a weekly asylum clinic. The latter provides information that helps many more people to navigate the judicial process. CILC also hosts an immigration consultation clinic twice a month for anyone in the community with immigration-related questions. CILC coordinates with agencies at the local, state, and national level to support immigrant families in our community and beyond.

Thank you in advance for your contribution.

ORUCC- Border Justice Immersion Trip Devotional

Orchard Ridge UCC on January 14, 2025

Border Justice Immersion Trip, January 2025

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Scripture, Daily Prayer and Centering Question

These prayers, scriptures and guiding questions are designed for our whole church community to pray and reflect during the week of Monday, January 13th through Monday, January 20th. This is the week of our Orchard Ridge UCC Border Justice Immersion Trip, where 19 people from our community will immerse ourselves in the situation at the US-Mexico Border in Tucson, Arizona, through education, culture, relationships, stories, hands-on activism and advocacy that will transform our minds and hearts. A church is a living organism, and when one part of the organism is changed, the whole is transformed, While a group of 19 are traveling to Tucson for a Border Justice Immersion Trip, we are all journeying together.

Welcoming the stranger, loving our neighbor, providing hospitality to the vulnerable and following God’s guidance of fleeing from captivity or danger in one land into safety in another are all Biblical themes core to our faith. When we do justice work as people of faith, we have the opportunity to root ourselves in God’s active love. We become part of a larger story of God’s love made manifest in the world through the hands and feet of ordinary people loving one another in the name of God. Let us allow heaven and earth to draw nearer in these perilous times. May this week be one that transforms our hearts, minds and spirits so that we can transform the world with ever more love.

You will notice a scripture beginning each day’s devotional related to loving our neighbor or to themes of immigration justice. I recommend that you find a rhythm of breathing as you read it, so that you can embody those texts and let them come alive in you and sink into your spirit. Read the scripture more than once. Notice which word or phrase stands out to you. Allow them to become centering words for your day.

Next, speak out loud or read silently the prayer. Add any prayer of your own to the one provided, or simply sit in silent prayer or meditation, opening yourself to God’s spirit.

Finally, a centering question for your day for you to read in the morning, ponder during the day, and answer during the evening. Our Border Justice Immersion Trip participants will have reflection time some evenings on this trip, and we will bring a response to the centering question of the day to share with one another. For all others, find someone to share with or write in a journal or reflect personally. May God bless you on the journey!

You will find the Border Justice Immersion Trip prayers, scriptures and guiding questions here (please click on the link), following my message above in the document.

With love,

Pastor Julia

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

Dec 21: Interfaith “Longest Night” Gaza Vigil

Orchard Ridge UCC on December 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 has
resulted from 14 months of a genocidal campaign against the people of Gaza and relentless
attacks on Palestinian residents of the West Bank by Israel.

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

We will hear from representatives of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. Professor Samer
Alatout, 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

Nov 17 Presentation: Observations from the Occupied West Bank of Palestine

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 4, 2024

Join us in Friendship Hall on Sunday, November 17, at 9:00 am for a presentation by Rev. Shelby Jeidy.

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 youth who had been wrongly imprisoned. Join us as Rev. Jeidy shares words and images from this exceptional experience. Baklava provided.

Nov 19: Building Peace and Justice in Palestine/Israel

Orchard Ridge UCC on October 22, 2024

Join us at Christ Presbyterian Church (944 E. Gorham St. – map) in Madison from 7:00-9:00 pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 for a conversation on Collective Liberation with Palestinian and Israeli activists Osama Iliwat and Rotem Levin. This event is co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace Madison, Mennonite Action-Madison, and Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ. Register now.

Meet Osama Iliwat: Osama Iliwat’s family is originally from East Jerusalem and was displaced after the “Six Day War” of 1967. He grew up in the West Bank city of Jericho. He has been in the peace world for more than 15 years and co-founded ‘Visit Palestine’ (NGO). Osama is active internationally and within Palestine where he helps his community of Jericho and other communities in the West Bank, helping them to remain on their land and rebuild damaged homes and schools. He also offers political educational tours to visitors in the West Bank and goes to schools to talk with Palestinians and Israelis about non-violent resistance and communication. Osama taught himself Hebrew in order to connect with a wider group of people in Israel and Palestine. He also does trauma and healing work to support people throughout Palestine and Israel. Osama has worked closely with Combatants for Peace. Osama was a speaker for TEDx Jaffa at the beginning of his peace journey and featured in many television interviews.

Meet Rotem Levin: After completing his service in the Israeli military, Rotem participated in a transformational intensive dialogue program in Germany where he got to know Palestinians on a personal and intimate level. He began organizing similar programs in Aqaba, Jordan where he offered the experience to other post-military Israelis and for Palestinian and Israeli medical workers. Now a committed activist and doctor by profession, he travels giving conferences. In 2020, Rotem moved to Beit Jala, a Palestinian village in the West Bank, to improve his Arabic and better understand the Palestinian experience of living under military occupation. When Rotem is not giving conferences for peace internationally, he invests time creating spaces where dialogue can take place for Israelis and Palestinians. Rotem has worked closely with Combatants for Peace.

Updates from MOSES

Pam Oliver on October 16, 2024

ORUCC is a congregational member of MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity). The mission of MOSES is to build collective power to dismantle the systems of mass incarceration and mass supervision and to eradicate the racial disparities in our community that contribute to them.

MOSES is an advocacy group, not a direct services group. It is an affiliate of the statewide WiSDOM network. Working groups within MOSES and the larger WISDOM network advocate around improved response to mental health emergencies, reducing the number of people in jail, improved literacy for young people, restorative justice programs in the schools, reducing homelessness, humane treatment of prisoners, release of prisoners whose incarceration does not aid public safety, supporting public schools, protecting voting rights, and other issues.

Mission Team Meeting October 18

The newly-formed MOSES mission team is the ORUCC implementation of what MOSES calls a congregational core team. Our next meeting will be Friday October 18 1:30-2:30 on Zoom. You are invited to attend if you are interested. This group

communicates with the congregation about MOSES activities and issues
seeks input from the congregation about issues of concern
invites participation in MOSES activities

Zoom information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81650153506?pwd=c48GEXkXEp5pr0wN2svHBzR7VE5dAg.1

Meeting ID: 816 5015 3506
Passcode: 960218

For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Upcoming Events of Interest

Tuesday October 22 6pm First Unitarian Society, Atrium Auditorium. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will discuss his book Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence with moderator Mark Nichols of the Capital Times and open remarks by Representative Mark Pocan. The book describes the prosecution of officer Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd and reflects on what is necessary for police reform.

Friday November 1 6:30 pm First Unitarian Society Friday Film Series. Poverty and Power. Directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, it is the story of what happens when you bring people with lived experience–their voices, ideas and aspirations–to the halls of power. Flyer

Tuesday November 12. 9 am to 3 pm. Alliant Energy Center. The Homelessness Service Consortium and Wisconsin Homelessness Awareness are hosting a summit that will include educational sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions with fellow community members and elected officials. Registration link. PDF of flyer with information..

Call for Humanitarian Release for Some Wisconsin Prisoners

The “old law” working group in WISDOM advocates for people who are being punished much longer than their original sentencing judges intended. They were sentenced before 2000 when it was expected that people would be eligible for parole. This flyer describes the cases of young people sentenced in the 1990s at the height of the mass incarceration boom who have rehabilitated and should be given a chance to return to their families and old people who are ill and deserving of compassionate release so they can be cared for by their families. This flyer also answers frequently asked questions about long prison sentences, rehabilitation, and second chances. The working group is advocating with state legislators and the governor for the release of these people.

Sept 26 – 7 pm Zoom with Peter Makari

Orchard Ridge UCC on September 11, 2024

The Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin will host a one-hour Zoom session on Gaza at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, featuring Peter Makari, global relations minister for the UCC and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Peter, recently back from Jerusalem, will share updates on Gaza, followed by a Q&A session. This event aims to help faith leaders and communities understand conditions in Gaza and explore ways to promote peace. It will also aid congregations preparing for the 2025 Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting, where delegates may vote whether to adopt the Declaration for a Just Peace Between Israel and Palestine adopted at the UCC’s 2021 General Synod. The event is free and requires no registration. Join us on Zoom.

Mitri Raheb speaks on September 8 at 7:00 pm in Madison

Orchard Ridge UCC on August 12, 2024

Register now for a presentation Sunday, September 8, 2024, 7:00-8:30 pm at Midvale Community Lutheran Church by the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb. Born and raised in Palestine, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is a co-founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem. He is founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. Previously, he was the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Described as the most widely published Palestinian theologian, Rev. Raheb is the author and editor of more than forty books.

Raheb will share a presentation in Madison on Sunday, September 8 at 7:00pm at Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd., open to the public. He will provide a firsthand account of the current crisis in Gaza and the West Bank and how the work of Bright Stars of Bethlehem is offering hope in the lives of people experiencing extreme suffering and challenges. Register online here: tinyurl.com/mrrtcm4c

Copies of Mitri’s newest book, Decolonizing Palestine: The Land, The People, The Bible will be available for purchase at the event, and Mitri will do a book-signing.

This event is presented in collaboration with the non-profit Bright Stars of Bethlehem and co-sponsored by Midvale Community Lutheran Church, Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison, and Memorial United Church of Christ, Fitchburg.

Quilts dedicated for Gaza children

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 4, 2024

Our first group of fifty quilts for children in Gaza was dedicated in worship at ORUCC in May. These quilts are already on their way to Gaza, and our quilters are busy making the next batch. We are gratefully accepting donations for packing and shipping expenses. Please help if you’re able.

Donate for Packing and Shipping Expenses

June Compassion Offering: Casa Alitas

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 1, 2024

Casa Alitas

The compassion offering for June 2024 is Casa Alitas. Casa Alitas is a non-profit, immigrant welcome center near the border in Tucson, Arizona. Casa Alitas provides a warm welcome, food, clothing, and shelter for a few days for legal asylum seekers who have crossed the border. Casa Alitas provides services to 1,000 to 1,500 guests every day.

The ORUCC connection with Casa Alitas was prompted by a mission trip to the border in 2015. Since then, we have maintained a hands-on connection, through compassion offerings, clothing drives and volunteer time at Casa Alitas.

During the last year in particular, despite unpredictable funding allocations from the federal government, Casa Alitas was the only welcome center on the border that maintained its capacity to welcome all who arrived at its doors.

Casa Alitas needs our help now more than ever. Funds that we provide will keep people from being dropped off as street releases in the city of Tucson. All funds will provide direct services to immigrant families. Funds will

Pay for clothing and food provided by Casa Alitas;
Buy items for play bags for children; and
Pay for transportation to reunite families who have been separated at the border.

Please give generously. Thank you.

VIDEO

You can make a donation by check or online. If by check, on the memo line, please write “compassion” and mail to ORUCC, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711, or donate online from our website.

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

May Compassion Offering: Middle East Children’s Alliance

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 1, 2024

Showing Compassion for Children in Gaza

Our May Compassion Offering — Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) — was identified and recommended by the ORUCC Palestine Justice Mission Team. After researching and considering many options, the Team unanimously approved sponsoring MECA as the Compassion Offering, in light of the current, urgent situation in Gaza. MECA has staff on site in Gaza to respond immediately and directly upon receiving our support.

MECA was founded in 1988 in Berkeley, California as a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to deliver vital supplies and humanitarian services to children in Gaza. As MECA’s work has progressed over the years, its activities have included providing direct aid to refugee children in Lebanon and Iraq; water projects in Gaza that bring clean water for children and their families; assistance to community organizations that help meet Palestinian children’s needs; scholarships for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and educational/cultural programs in the USA to increase understanding about the lives of children in the Middle East and the impact of US foreign policy on people in the region.

Compassion Offering funds raised in May will be directed entirely to MECA’s emergency appeal for the humanitarian needs of Gazan children and their families. Our donations will quickly provide food, water, healthcare and shelter for children in Gaza who are hungry, injured, orphaned and/or homeless.

MECA video: https://youtu.be/dVVbRQIocKk

The Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 29, 2024

Rev. Diane Dulin, member of ORUCC, traveled to the West Bank and Washington DC February 26-March 6. The following is Diane’s report. Read, pray, and consider sharing the link with a friend.

And some of the Pharisees in the multitudes said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:39-40

The Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation to the West Bank and Washington, D.C. consisted of 23 American Christians – faith leaders (both lay and ordained) representing 12 different denominations – who traveled to Palestine to hear the people of that place describe their reality and send us home with a direct and urgent message. Among our delegation were four UCC participants: our trip leader Rev. Dr. Michael Spath of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Stephanie Gilstrom of Olympia, Washington; Sarah Klokowski of Belmont, Massachusetts; and Rev. Diane Dulin of Madison, Wisconsin.

Organized by the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace and sponsored by eight nationally recognized advocacy groups¹, our delegation met with religious and civil society leaders, Christians and Muslims and Jews, community leaders and everyday residents. We visited a refugee camp, a privately owned farm, churches, non-profit and advocacy NGOs, and public spaces such as the Apartheid Wall and Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah. We passed through military checkpoints and traveled both Israeli-only highways and Palestinian roads of dirt and stones.

The message given to us by those we met is this: “The genocide in Gaza is unspeakably horrific. And the violence and strangulation of daily life in the West Bank is crippling. Tell this to your elected officials and public servants in Washington. Tell it to your church leaders. Tell it to your communities back home.”

From those we met, we heard words of fearfulness, anger, grief, and discouragement. Palestinians living in the West Bank feel invisible, abandoned, dehumanized.

Over and over again, the people we encountered thanked us for coming. They told their stories trusting we, in turn, would return home to speak the truth.

While in the West Bank, we shared lunch at the Tent of Nations farm, owned and worked by the Nasser family, whose deed to the land originated during the Ottoman Empire, long before the founding of the State of Israel. During our meal, two Israeli settlers with semi-automatic rifles strode through the grounds. Upon seeing the two settlers, Daoud Nasser rose, saying, “This is private property.” In response, the settlers made a sweeping gesture as if to take in the entire hillside and proclaimed, “All this belongs to us.” Later, during our advocacy in Washington, D.C., we informed our legislators about settler violence and impunity in the West Bank – always a problem, exponentially worse now, and off the radar for most of the world.

We met with Adam Bouloukos, UNRWA Director for the West Bank. He told us the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is worse than anything he has seen throughout his long career of first-hand experience with war and disaster. He is worried UNRWA will cease to operate very soon without a reversal of the brutal actions by the United States and other nations to cancel UNRWA funding due to accusations (without evidence) that 12 staff members (out of 13,000 staff in Gaza) were involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas militias. In our meetings with elected representatives in Washington, D.C., we pleaded for resumption of funding for UNRWA.

In Occupied East Jerusalem we visited the Silwan neighborhood. We stood by the rubble of Fahkri Abu Ziab’s family home of generations. His prized home had been demolished by Israel two weeks earlier, on Ash Wednesday, despite legal documents that prove his ownership. He suspects his home was chosen for demolition due to his community leadership and non-violent resistance. Others in the Silwan neighborhood have seen their homes destroyed by Israel to make room for a biblical theme park.

We met with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, and worshiped at his church on Sunday morning. Like many others we met, Isaac was perplexed by the brutal, heartless disregard for Palestinian life now on full display by our country. We Americans lavishly fund this genocide with one hand and drop a paltry number of meals from the sky with the other hand. Pastor Isaac was discouraged and angry, insisting that our churches need to do more to oppose this great wrong. In Washington, D.C. we made the case for following US law which prohibits providing military aid to countries engaged in human rights violations.

The Washington, D.C. portion of our journey expanded in size as area activists descended to join us in advocacy and public witness. UCC PIN chair Rev. Dr. Allie Perry joined us for this political advocacy. In addition to our visits with legislators, we held a vigil in front of the White House, and some of us engaged in nonviolent direct action. The next night, some gathered again, joining other protesters to cause a traffic delay and rerouting of the President’s motorcade on its way to the State of the Union speech.

On our final evening together, we gathered for interfaith worship, joined by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who wept while describing the children of Gaza killed, maimed, orphaned, and starved. Rev. Graylan Hagler of Plymouth UCC in Washington gave us a powerful commission to prove faithful to our promise of conveying the message we received from Palestinians we met – the Living Stones of Palestine. A final benediction was delivered powerfully by Rev. Shari Prestemon, Associate General Minister and Co-Executive of Global Ministries.

¹Sponsors of the Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation:

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 9, 2024

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

April 2024

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestine Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, click on links or reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

In this issue

Palestine Justice. Check out our resources
Immigration Justice. Report on the trip to the border by Pastor Julia, Ruthanne Landsness’s five weeks at Casa Alitas, and current issues.
MOSES. Forming an ORUCC core team, update on prison lockdowns and call for releasing those incarcerated on crimeless revocations, statement from WISDOM Executive Committee calling for ceasefire in Gaza.

Palestine Justice

From the Palestine Justice Mission Team

Thank you for joining us April 7 for a discussion with Usama Nicola.

Want to learn more? Check out our Recommended Resources at https://orucc.org/justice/palestine.

New members are welcome. Contact Tom Beilman or Diane Dulin with any questions.

Immigration Justice News

Our Immigration Justice Team chair, Ruthanne Landsness, returned from 5 weeks in Tucson and Casa Alitas right before Easter. Ruthanne volunteers at Casa Alitas, the immigrant welcome center in Tucson, AZ. She reports on two highlights in particular during her time there.

The first highlight was hosting Pastor Julia for a 6-day visit in Tucson. During her stay, Julia engaged in many of the same activities as those of the ORUCC mission trip in 2015, plus some extras. This included distributing clothing to children and families at Casa Alitas, traveling to Nogales, Mexico to greet asylum seekers waiting for permissions to enter the United States, and meetings with UCC Pastors Randy Mayer and Delle McCormick, UCC clergy deeply involved in immigration justice work. Julia’s reflections on her time of “seeing Jesus at the border” are beautifully captured in her Palm Sunday sermon available on the ORUCC website.

The second highlight was being involved in advocacy for continued federal funding of Casa Alitas and other humanitarian aid centers at the border. Due to the failure of federal legislative action, federal funding for Casa Alitas was scheduled to terminate on April 1, 2024, forcing the closure of all but one of the Casa Alitas shelters and, even more importantly, prompting the street-release by Border Patrol of at least 1,000 people per day onto the streets of Tucson. This was all amidst vitriolic theatre and harassment from right-wing activists, including our own Wisconsin Representative. Fortunately, after having prepared for a worst-case scenario, President Biden signed an appropriation that grants funding through the end of June 2024. A big sigh of relief all round, coupled with renewed strategies for funding beyond June 2024.

Please use the following links for information about the abated funding crisis and a look at immigration policy from the left and from the right.

Link 1 (Wisconsin State Journal article about attacks on groups aiding immigrants at the border, including Casa Alitas)

Link2 (New York Times article about illegal border crossings)

News from MOSES

MOSES is formally affiliated with WISDOM, a statewide social justice organization. As part of the WISDOM network in Wisconsin, MOSES is fully invested in WISDOM’s actions.

ORUCC is Forming a MOSES Core Team

The Racial Justice Mission Team has received brief reports on the goals and activities of MOSES since ORUCC became an official member in 2022. Last month RJMT agreed to create a MOSES Core Team, which will initially meet quarterly for one hour. We are happy to report that six people have indicated willingness to participate thus far. The team will dig deeper into learning about the work of MOSES. Ultimately, the team will advise active MOSES participants on questions of MOSES advocacy work to provide an ORUCC perspective.

Pam Oliver, as ORUCC’s representative to the MOSES Leadership Board, and Barbie Jackson, who also attends the board meetings, will receive WISDOM training in May about how to support effective Core Teams within our congregation. They hope this will assist in developing a deeper engagement in this important work within the ORUCC community. Watch for scheduling in future announcements.

MOSES & WISDOM Update on Prison Lockdowns

Last month WISDOM requested all affiliates throughout the state to issue a statement calling for an end to the Prison Lockdowns. In response, MOSES delivered this press release to 34 media outlets in the Dane County area. It states in part:

“As Governor Evers looks for a new Corrections Secretary, he needs to make clear that the first priority must be to close GBCI and WCI. The Administration has the authority to do this. About 5,000 people in Wisconsin prisons are there because of a crimeless revocation — they broke a rule of supervision or parole, but did not commit a new crime. The Department of Corrections has complete discretion over whether or not such people are sent to prison. Other states have drastically reduced their prison populations just by cutting back on crimeless revocations — even Wisconsin reduced its prison numbers significantly during COVID in this way. There are fewer than 2,000 people imprisoned in GBCI and WCI combined. Just a 40% reduction in crimeless revocations would enable Wisconsin to completely depopulate both of these prisons.”

WISDOM Executive Committee Message Calls for Immediate, Permanent Ceasefire

WISDOM’s Executive Committee issued this statement to all members of its statewide network. It states in part:

“Normally, as the WISDOM Executive Committee we do not get involved in issues of foreign policy, where we have no expertise. Regarding the current enormous loss of life and humanitarian nightmare in Gaza, we feel a need to make an exception. . . In the same way that the decades of unjust treatment of Palestinians cannot justify many of the actions of October 7, the actions of October 7 cannot justify the brutal bombardment and starvation of people in Gaza in the subsequent five months. There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire.”

Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

Care of Creation: contact Jill Westberg McNamara
Immigration Justice: contact Ruthanne Landsness
Racial Justice: contact Pam Oliver
Heart Room and Housing Justice: contact Bruce Olsen or Jen Walker
Ilgen Literacy Fund: contact Jen Walker
Palestine Justice: contact Tom Beilman or Diane Dulan

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 5, 2024

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

March 2024

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

In this issue

Updates from Palestine justice
Learn about April 2 ballot amendments affecting elections
Volunteer opportunity: Meadowood Center housing navigator
Updates from MOSES: Literacy curricula, ending prison lockdowns, treatment instead of prison for mental illness, report from Gamaliel
Reports from January 27 meeting on addressing Indigenous issues

Palestine Justice

Please continue to pray for a ceasefire in Gaza. To learn more about Palestine-Israel and our Mission Team’s activities, please visit https://orucc.org/justice/palestine. This page includes a link to Recommended Resources, including links to trustworthy news sites.

Recent updates include:

Quilts for Gaza – quilters, fabric donations, and shipping cost donations welcome!
Meet Palestinian Christian Usama Nicola on Sunday, April 7 before worship – Mark your calendar!
A petition sent to President Biden
The webinar recording from Tom and Diane’s January 3 presentation is now available. If you missed their series this summer, this is a great recap!

Constitutional amendments on April 2 primary ballot

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and other organizations urge us to inform ourselves about two items on the April 2 ballot and advocate “no” votes on both. These amendments arise from disputes about the 2020 election and prohibit “outsiders” from supporting efforts to increase voter access. You can read more on Ballotopedia about the pros and cons of Question 1 here and Question 2 here. An article providing more background is here.

Volunteer with Housing Navigator Pilot Program

Our neighbor congregation, Good Shepard Lutheran Church, is partnering with Joining Forces for Families to pilot a Housing Navigator resource for people in our Madison campus neighborhood. They are looking for 3-4 volunteers who would be willing to work with individuals experiencing challenges finding housing. You would get training on how to do this and would make a real difference in people’s lives. If you are interested in working on this exciting pilot program, please contact GSLC’s Director of Outreach Rick Thomas.

News from MOSES

Quality Literacy Curricula for Children

The Racial Justice for All Children task force has been focusing on improving reading ability for all children. As part of this, it has called on MOSES members to support high-quality literacy programs based on the science of reading in a letter-writing campaign to the Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Finance committee. This nationwide movement–which has received bipartisan legislative support–arises from the widespread use of scientifically discredited teaching methods that are especially harmful for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Support letters are needed by March 5 to reaffirm last year’s decision to mandate high-quality curricula only rather a more expansive “minimum standards” list offered by the Department of Public Instruction. You can read more about this issue here.

Treatment Instead of Prisons for Mentally Ill People

Wisconsin law currently supports diversion from jail or prison to treatment programs for people with Substance Abuse Disorder, but not other mental illnesses. WISDOM and MOSES have advocated for expanding eligibility for diversion to other mental illnesses. This advocacy had overwhelming bipartisan support in the Wisconsin legislature, but speaker Vos blocked a vote on the bill. Advocacy continues. You can read more here.

End the Lockdown

MOSES and WISDOM members continue to advocate for an end to the inhumane lockdown in Wisconsin prisons due to staff shortages. A 14 minute interview with WISDOM staffer Mark Rice provides a great deal of information. Capitol Chats with WISDOM re Prison Lockdowns

You can read Gamaliel’s Annual Report for 2023, Gamaliel is the nationwide parent organization of MOSES and WISDOM.

Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES.

Meeting on Indigenous Issues and Building Use

On January 27, Pastor Julia led a mini-retreat to discuss possible ORUCC responses to knowing the history of the land our building is on. Several small groups discussed different themes. Here are their reports. In addition, a committee was formed to consider developing a land acknowledgement. It will report later.

Connections and Actions

(Longer notes by Tom Beilman edited by Jill Westberg)

We will connect with other religious and secular groups already at work and with local Indigenous people.

Examples of what is currently happening:

1st Congregational, Appleton contributes money and opens their church to artisan fairs where local Indigenous artists can display and sell their art and their crafts
There is a group in McFarland working for the return of the Mounds in McFarland.
There is an interfaith group for Indigenous Justice that usually meets at McFarland U.C.C.
Kerri Parker will speak there on March 5th
St. Dunstan’s Episcopal in Madison has established a a “voluntary land tax” given to the Ho-Chunk for use of their land.
Other churches have made donations for scholarships, purchase of equipment, and “language reclamation” programs.

What we at Orchard Ridge can do:

Be on the lookout for lectures and tours
Visit Native museums and other museums with sections on Native American history
On-line sources including Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council and Ho-Chunk Nation
Books including Patty Loew’s Indian Nations of Wisconsin
Take the Sacred Landscape tour offered by UW-Madison Anthropology Department (Since this meeting we are on the waiting list for people 18 and up.
Research our land and write a Land Acknowledgment

Kerri Parker emphasized:

Need for humility (ask them what is needed)
Need to be present on an on-going basis
Need to build a relationship. Show up for meetings, activities, etc.
This is not a “pity” party
Gift-giving, including symbolic gifts, is important to Native Americans

Education for ourselves (Ann Haase Kehl)

Education principles to be honored in the Indigenous justice initiative: generated at discussion on Saturday, January 27, 2024

Acknowledge and educate ourselves about the uniqueness of the Indigenous people’s experience of injustice and profound resilience to fully inform our actions
Avoid creating emotional labor for Indigenous people consultants through investigation and utilization of existing programs and resources already in place, including public events
Support and strengthen each ORUCC initiative addressing Indigenous people injustice by providing background education material for the congregation that includes all generations

Children (John Lemke)

Broadly speaking, our focus was on the education and well being of children, both in our church and in our community. We settled on these ideas:

Indigenous people focus on seven generations – parents, grandparents, and great grandparents before us, and children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren after us. We agreed that this framework could help us as we consider how to do all of our work as a church.
The public schools are seeing the right things and focusing in the right places, but they suffer from resource constraints. Member Barbie Jackson is on the Superintendent’s Wellness Advisory group.
Black families still find Madison and Dane County unwelcoming
Connections with other churches, in spite of potentially troublesome theological differences, could be instrumental in doing effective work. Awaken Dane is a program that we might consider.

Building Use (Pam Oliver)

We discussed past building use by community groups and what would be involved for the future. We considered the problems of sharing the building with MMC and cleaning and setup given only part-time staffing. We wondered whether community groups need spaces or whether they, too, are still slow to return to in-person gatherings. We agreed we should be open to information about needs for space. We also briefly discussed concerns about the large areas of grass on the property.

Land Acknowledgement Task Force

As a follow- up to our January 27 retreat discussion regarding justice for Indigenous Peoples, a Task Force has been charged to develop a Land Acknowledgement Statement for consideration – and ultimately a vote — by the congregation. This statement will aim to:

describe the history of the land used by ORUCC
acknowledge our nation’s and ancestors’ role in the injustices suffered by Indigenous Peoples related to the acquisition and use of this land
affirm commitment of ORUCC to ongoing congregation education and active engagement in Indigenous Peoples justice issues

The process of developing a Land Acknowledgment statement will involve consultation with Indigenous Peoples resources, connecting with other churches, requests for input from church members, education and listening sessions, and ultimately a vote on its adoption by the congregation.

The volunteers for the task force are David Allen, Julia Burkey, Susan Dovell, Ann Haase-Kehl, John Lemke, Kerri Parker, and Jill Westberg.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

Care of Creation: contact Jill Westberg McNamara
Immigration Justice: contact Ruthanne Landsness
Racial Justice: contact Pam Oliver
Heart Room and Housing Justice: contact Bruce Olsen or Jen Walker
Ilgen Literacy Fund: contact Jen Walker
Palestine Justice: contact Tom Beilman or Diane Dulan

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Report from MOSES

Pam Oliver on March 2, 2024

MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity for Criminal Legal System Reform) is part of WISDOM, a statewide social justice organization, and with Gamaliel, a national social justice network. Gamaliel’s Annual Report for 2023 talks about its support for building a focus on racial equity, immigration justice, integrated voter engagement, transformational justice, and more.

MOSES Supporting Quality Literacy Curricula

The Racial Justice for All Children task force in MOSES is advocating for policies to ensure that all children learn to read and address severe racial disparities in literacy. Children who do not learn to read tend to have behavioral problems at school and end up in the “school to prison pipeline.” Recent advocacy has called for the state to adopt literacy curricula based on the Science of Reading. Members have been asked to advocate with the Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Finance Committee by March 5 to support high-quality literacy curricula.

Background: In the fall of 2023, by bipartisan vote, the legislature passed and Governor Evers signed Act 20, which supports statewide literacy curricula based on the Science of Reading. MOSES supported Act 20. This Act created the Early Literacy Curricula Council (ELCC) which was charged to develop curriculum recommendations based on the Science of Reading. Recommended curricula would be eligible for grants to support their purchase. Districts could still purchase other curricula, except for those that rely on a specific intervention (cueing) that has been discredited, but they would not eligible for grants. ELCC recommended four quality curricula options. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) submitted a much longer list which did not conform to the ELCC’s recommendations and includes curricula that only minimally meet the requirements of the law. According to the law, a Joint Finance Committee vote on March 8 determines which curricula will be eligible for grants. MOSES asked its members to advocate by March 5 with the Joint Finance Committee to support the ELCC’s recommended list.

Prison Lockdowns

MOSES and WISDOM members continue to advocate for releasing low-risk incarcerated individuals to address the lockdowns in Wisconsin prisons due to staff shortages. During a lockdown, incarcerated people spend 23 hours a day in their cells. People have been denied visitors and access to medical appointments and treatment services. WISDOM transformational justice coordinator Mark Rice was recently approached by a reporter from Wisconsin Eye, who interviewed him for an edition of a podcast called “Capitol Chats”. The interview centered on Prison Lockdowns. You can listen to this 14-minute, information-packed interview here: Capitol Chats with WISDOM re Prison Lockdowns.

Treatment Alternatives to Imprisonment – A disappointing legislative outcome

MOSES members are active in WISDOM’s Treatment Alternatives and Diversions (TAD) task force, which seeks to divert people from jail or prison into treatment programs. The current law only allows the diversion of people with Substance Use Disorder, but people across the political spectrum agree that people with other mental health issues should also be eligible for diversion into treatment. This is one important way to reduce crowding in prisons and jails as the underlying issue for many incarceration people is an untreated mental illness. The bill passed the State Senate 29-3! It had broad bipartisan support and would have passed the Assembly by a similar margin if Speaker Vos had allowed a vote, which unfortunately he did not. Mark Rice, WISDOM’s Transformational Justice Campaign Coordinator, sent a letter to all State Senators thanking them for their overwhelming bipartisan support for this measure and urging them to make this a priority in 2025.

Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES.

Webinar Recording Available

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 29, 2024

A webinar, “Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel” A Study of the 2021 UCC Resolution hosted by the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC was presented Wednesday, January 3rd. The recording is available here.

This webinar will explores UCC’s 2021 Resolution of Witness describing Israel’s military occupation of Palestine an apartheid system. Note: This is a condensed version of the in-person presentations in July 2023 at ORUCC, with added information about the situation in Gaza.

Petition mailed to President Biden

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 29, 2024

Motivated by the urgent need to prevent death by starvation of masses of Palestinian men, women and children, members of ORUCC’s Palestine Justice Mission Team sent an urgent petition to President Joseph Biden.

The petition recognizes the vital role that UNRWA (the United Nations Refugee and Works Administration) plays in the lives of everyday Palestinians, including Palestinian families in Gaza facing starvation and imminent death from lack of UNRWA-supplied food. The petition recognizes that President Biden himself has cut off funds for UNRWA, and requests that he restore these critically needed funds. The petition concludes with this call to action:

“Your administration’s decision to cancel UNRWA funding was taken despite calls from the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations to increase aid to Gaza, in the face of a rapidly rising toll of deaths by starvation and disease. This action to cancel UNRWA funding, taken on the flimsiest of excuses, makes the US complicit in the very genocide the ICJ has warned against. It also highlights the gap between your administration and the overwhelming majority of US citizens, many of whom have marched in the streets demanding a ceasefire, demanding an end to US funding of Israel’s longstanding military occupation, and showing care for and solidarity with the men, women and children of Gaza. We request that you restore funding to UNRWA.”

Read the full text of the petition below. We signed this petition as individual members and friends of ORUCC, and not on behalf of the entire congregation.

February 27, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Request that you restore US funding to UNRWA to its historic level prior to the election of Donald Trump as president

Dear President Biden:

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison, Wisconsin.

We urgently request you restore funding to UNWRA to its historic level prior to the election of Donald Trump as president.

The United Nations Relief & Works Agency (UNRWA) is a hardworking, respectable agency created in 1949 to meet the immediate needs of Palestinian refugees who had been ethnically cleansed from their homes in 1948. The organization runs refugee camps for displaced Palestinians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank, and Gaza. It has three major areas of service: Education (through UNRWA schools), Health (through its clinics), and Social Services. The organization undertakes essential, urgently needed work which is performed by UNRWA staff most of whom are, themselves, Palestinian refugees. Today, UNRWA serves about 5.7 million Palestinian refugees.

On January 26 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Yet, the very day after this decision was announced, US funding was pulled from UNRWA.

In an effort to divert attention from this powerful, bold decision by the ICJ, Israel announced without furnishing any proof that 12 out of the 13,000 employees of UNRWA were involved in the attacks of October 7. In response to these accusations, UNRWA fired the 12 accused employees. Yet, this dismissal was not enough for those in the US (and elsewhere) who demanded UNRWA be punished, possibly dismantled, and prevented from continuing its humanitarian mission.

Your administration’s decision to cancel UNRWA funding was taken despite calls from the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations to increase aid to Gaza, in the face of a rapidly rising toll of deaths by starvation and disease. This action to cancel UNRWA funding, taken on the flimsiest of excuses, makes the US complicit in the very genocide the ICJ has warned against. It also highlights the gap between your administration and the overwhelming majority of US citizens, many of whom have marched in the streets demanding a ceasefire, demanding an end to US funding of Israel’s longstanding military occupation, and showing care for and solidarity with the men, woman and children of Gaza.

We request that you restore funding to UNRWA.

Thank you.

Sunday, April 7, 9 a.m. – Meet Palestinian Christian Usama Nicola

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 20, 2024

Sunday, April 7 at 9:00 a.m. join us (from home or in the Swan room) for a Zoom interview with Usama Nicola. Usama (pictured below, right) is a tour guide extraordinaire and co-runs an organization–Wi’am: The Palestine Transformation Center — that helps Palestinian children and youth cope with the trauma of occupation. Usama is a deeply committed Christian living in Bethlehem, just blocks from the Church of the Nativity. ORUCC members Diane Dulin and Tom Beilman have met Usama several times, benefiting greatly from his insights as a tour guide and staying at the hostel his family runs.

Come and learn about the many obstacles families in the West Bank face as they try to live their daily lives. See and appreciate Usama’s steadfast determination (Arabic: sumud) to persevere in the face of such obstacles. The Zoom link will be posted in the church announcements April 4.

Quilts for Gaza: Quilters Invited

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 15, 2024

The war in Gaza has left thousands of people homeless, injured and critically ill. Many of these people are newborn infants, young children, or teenagers.

Although shipments of humanitarian aid for Gaza are very limited right now, in time it will become possible to send quilts to Gaza. A group of quilters from Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ is preparing for this opportunity by making small quilts for distribution to Gaza via our United Church of Christ Global Mission Partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Can you help?

Make a quilt (40″ x 40″ for babies and young children, slightly larger for teens)
Share extra fabric, thread, or lightweight batting
Donate to help with materials and shipping costs
Pray for the people of Gaza
Spread the word to others

Contact Diane Dulin for more information. We welcome your questions, ideas, and involvement.

How can I contribute now to help the people of Gaza?

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 2, 2024

You may be wondering how you can help meet the needs of people in Gaza. Here is an annotated list of nonprofits serving Gazans. All are proven, trusted organizations.

Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ (DOC).
Middle East Children’s Alliance and its partners, working for the rights and the well-being of children in the Middle East, are providing emergency assistance to families who have fled their homes to seek shelter with relatives as well as procuring emergency medical supplies for hospitals and clinics. Donate here.
UNRWA is doing extraordinary work in providing for displaced people sheltering inside UNRWA schools. “Thousands of our humanitarian workers are there to deliver aid, but food, water, and other essential items will soon be depleted.” Give here.
Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund delivers essential food supplies to Gazan children and families through its Urgent Gaza Relief food parcel initiative. Donate he r e.

Urgent petitions sent to Mark Pocan and Tammy Baldwin

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 1, 2024

Motivated by a need for action, members of ORUCC’s Palestine Justice Mission Team mailed time-sensitive petitions to Mark Pocan and Tammy Baldwin. The petitions highlight Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza—blockage that has led to ordinary men, women and children of Gaza starving and even dying of starvation. The petitions explain that this blockage of aid violates core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation.

The petitions conclude with a call to action: “Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional (or senatorial) representatives in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue.”

Read the full text of the petitions below for Mark Pocan and for Tammy Baldwin. We signed these petitions as individual members and friends of ORUCC, and not on behalf of the entire congregation.

Request you take a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza

Mr. Pocan,

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison.

We thank you sincerely for your years of support for the rights of Palestinian citizens living under Israeli military occupation. Unfortunately, we have entered a new period of intense ethnic cleansing by the State of Israel, so more action is needed.

Right now, today, ordinary men, women and children in Gaza are starving and even dying of starvation, due to Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

This deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is in direct violation of core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation. Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid violates these provisions of the Convention:

Article 33, which prohibits “collective punishment”
Article 50, concerning the provision of food and medical care for children, expectant mothers, and mothers of children under seven
Article 56, concerning an occupying power’s requirement to ensure hygiene and public health in the area it occupies.

Israel signed the fourth Geneva Convention in 1949 and ratified it “without any reservation” in 1951. As one of 196 states to sign onto the Convention, Israel is required to follow its provisions.

Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional representatives in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue.

Thank you.

Request you take a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza

Senator Baldwin,

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison.

We thank you sincerely for the actions you have taken in response to the emergency in Israel and Gaza. Unfortunately, we have entered another period of intense ethnic cleansing by the State of Israel, so more action is needed.

Right now, today, ordinary men, women and children in Gaza are starving and even dying of starvation, due to Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Article 33, which prohibits “collective punishment”
Article 50, concerning the provision of food and medical care for children, expectant mothers, and mothers of children under seven
Article 56, concerning an occupying power’s requirement to ensure hygiene and public health in the area it occupies.

Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional representatives, including Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue.

Thank you.

With appreciation

Orchard Ridge UCC on January 31, 2024

Out of budgeted church funds in 2023, our Ministry of Christian Witness and Service (CWS) awarded $2,000 in response to the Urgent Appeal extended by UCC Global Ministries. The Appeal was supported by churches across Wisconsin and the entire UCC.

Funds raised have been (and continue to be) forwarded to our Mission Partners actively working in Gaza: the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches, the and Al-Ahli Hospital (a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem).

The Palestine Justice Mission Team is thankful for this support for the people of Gaza. You can also make additional individual donations to support organizations working in Gaza.

Movie Discussion, Tues, Nov 21, 7 p.m.

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 17, 2023

Many books, films and study guides are available for people trying to make sense of the Israel/Palestine conflict. The ORUCC Palestine Justice Mission Team recommends the widely acclaimed film Roadmap to Apartheid, narrated by Alice Walker. We invite you to watch this film on-line at a time convenient for you. Then join us for a discussion of the film on Tuesday, November 21 from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Alfred Swan Room at church. You can also join via Zoom with this link.

Roadmap to Apartheid is an historical document on the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa, and a film about why Palestinians feel they are living today in an apartheid system – a view that many people worldwide have come to share. View the film on YouTube, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on August 2, 2023

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

August 2023

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Donate items for MOSES Rummage Sale

MOSES is having a rummage sale. MOSES, of which ORUCC is a congregational member, is an organization that advocates for criminal justice reform and ending systemic racism thus allowing all people to thrive. The rummage sale will be at St. Dunstan’s 6205 University Avenue (Near Allen Blvd) Saturday August 25 8 am to 5pm & Sunday August 26 8 am to 3 pm. Items are sold for the amount the person is willing and able to pay. This policy has worked in the past both to raise funds for MOSES and to allow community people to acquire things they need.

Items needed (in good working condition)

tools, small appliances, household items, clothing (clean, gently used), books

NOTE: MOSES cannot accept computers, TVs, exercise equipment, sofas, futons, or baby furniture.

If you’d like to contribute items for the sale, there is only a small window of opportunity. Please bring items to ORUCC Saturday or Sunday, Aug 20 and 21 or to St. Dunstan’s on August 24 (8 am to 5 pm). Please don’t bring items to either site at any other time. If you can’t bring items then, there will be a FREECYCLE event at ORUCC in the Spring.

ORUCC Immigration Justice Team Thanks All

for Another Successful Clothing Drive

The Immigration Team was thrilled to sort, box, and deliver 44 U-Haul boxes of clothing to Casa Alitas in Tucson Arizona this July 2023. A tremendous set of people helped to make this happen, and we extend our gratitude to all.

This was our fourth clothing collection drive, held annually since 2019. The clothing drive reinforces the commitment of the ORUCC congregation to immigration justice and our connection with Casa Alitas, the immigrant welcome center near the border. It was a joy to see the education wing at the church fill with donated clothing week after week, culminating with a fun day of loading the trailer of Steve Sheets for transit to Casa Alitas. Steve was met by the welcoming faces of our friends at Casa Alitas.

Casa Alitas Clothing Drive through Beth Israel

If you missed the chance to donate clothing to Casa Alitas last month when ORUCC collected donations, you can donate now until September 29 through Beth Israel Center, 1406 Mound Street (corner Randall Ave) at the bin on the Randall Ave side by the parking lot entrance OR the porch of 611 Prospect Street, both Madison. Please do NOT drop off donations on Shabbat (sundown Friday through sundown Saturday).

General Guidelines

New or newly-washed, gently-used items
Casual summer and non-bulky winter clothing
No underwear
Shoes, especially flip flops, sandals or tennies

S, M, L (not XL) men’s clothing

Jeans, sweatpants (waist 28” to 34”; length 27” to 32”)
Shorts and caps
T-shirts; polos; sweatshirts; hoodies

S, M, L (not XL) women’s clothing

Jeans, sweatpants, leggings
T-shirts and knits
Maternity clothes

Children

T-shirts and knits (sizes 6 to 18)
Pants and shorts (sizes 2 to 16)
Baseball caps; hats
School quality backpacks (no string bags)

Learn About Justice Issues

Teaching about Indigenous Issues in Wisconsin

A bill has been introduced in the Wisconsin legislature to strengthen the state-mandated social studies curriculum for K-12 education about the history, culture and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands in Wisconsin. There will be Zoom programs sponsored by Taking a Faithful Stance for Equity on Wednesday August 16 and Tuesday September 12 that will provide information about this issue.

Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity is a statewide coalition including both the Wisconsin Council of Churches and WISDOM (organizations ORUCC is affiliated with). It holds monthly statewide Zoom meetings to share experiences and educate people about attacks on public schools, voting rights and other issues. The next meeting will be Wednesday August 16 at 6:30. Please register in advance to get the Zoom meeting link. The speaker will be Brian Ward, an activist and educator who has written about issues of the representation of Indigenous people in K-12 classrooms.

The speaker on September 12 will be David O’Connor, a member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe) and the American Indian Studies Consultant at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, where supports schools districts efforts to provide instruction about Wisconsin’s American Indian nations and tribal communities. Additional information about this presentation and the link to register will be sent later.

MOSES Updates

The MOSES Education Advocacy Group led analysis, testimony, and development of a MOSES position in support of a Joint Legislative Bill to provide statewide requirements and financial support for improved literacy using the Science of Reading approach to instruction and curricula. This is a small step toward further literacy support for children with dyslexia, which is a major MOSES initiative. The amended legislation passed both houses and was signed into law by Governor Evers in July. Read more about The Right to Read Act here.

MOSES is continuing to advocate Restorative Justice (RJ) in Dane County schools. Task force members recently met twice with RJ support staff in the Madison Metropolitan School District and forged a framework for continued engagement with RJ coordinators and administrators.

For more information about MOSES goings-on, see the latest MOSES Newsletter.

MOSES general meetings are the first Sunday of the month 2:30-4:30 with a social time before the meeting 2-2:30. Next meeting is August 6 at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church 6205 University Avenue. or on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81036805998?pwd=SHdMT3hOT253TlRjRUdaRythWE00QT09 (this is the same recurring link as always) Meeting ID: 810 3680 5998 Passcode 640043 Please note that the meeting will prioritize in-person attendees. August Agenda. New attendees are always welcome. General meetings feature racial equity discussions, informational presentations about local issues, and short presentations from MOSES working groups.

News From Our Mission Teams

Racial Justice: Learning about Indigenous Issues

While continuing its concern with issues around racism and anti-Blackness, the Racial Justice Mission Team is discussing ways to educate ourselves and ORUCC about Indigenous issues. One project involves exploring ORUCC’s past support for an Indian boarding school. A small group of people led by Joyce Binder is looking into this issue and we may form a special-purpose mission team around this specific issue. If you are interested in being part of this small team, or interested in education about Indigenous issues more generally or in lifting up other topics for the racial justice mission team to consider, please contact Pam Oliver. We are also discussing create a separate mission team to inform the congregation about activities and issues supported by MOSES.

Wisconsin Faith Leaders Call for a Just and Humane Immigration System – Watch the Video

On July 19, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and the Dane Sanctuary Coalition, in partnership with Voces de la Frontera, released a statement calling for a just and humane immigration system. Over 160 clergy and people of faith, and 34 congregations and organizations, signed on to our statement.

When President Biden ran for office, he promised to make the immigration system fair, orderly and humane. He said he wished to “undo the moral and national shame of the previous administration.” On his first day in office, he announced sweeping plans to reform decades-old U.S. immigration laws.

But two years later little has changed. Migrants still daily risk death from any number of dangers— lethal exposure to excessive heat or cold, drowning trying to cross rivers, suffocation in semi-trailers, falls from the border wall, outright homicide, and now detention center disasters. Of those who reach here, the vast majority face denial of entry—or even worse, family separation.

Read Rabbi Bonnie Margulis’ statement here, the WFVJ statement with all the signatories here and watch our press conference with the link below.

Thank you all for your commitment to immigrant justice!

video of 20 minute press conference about immigration justice. Includes audio.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

Care of Creation: (leadership in transition)
Immigration Justice: contact Ruthanne Landsness
Racial Justice: contact Pam Oliver
Heart Room and Housing Justice: contact Bruce Olsen or Jen Walker
Ilgen Literacy Fund: contact Jen Walker
Palestine Justice: contact Tom Beilman or Diane Dulan

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 8, 2023

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

June 2023

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

From Palestinian Justice

A unique opportunity for travel to Palestine

“I can tell you from my own experience, if you get an opportunity to travel to the Middle East, and in particular to go behind the walls of the Occupied Territory, like me, your life will be transformed by the experience.” – The Rev. John Dorhauer, President, United Church of Christ

We are pleased to share with you this announcement of an extraordinary witness trip to Palestine-Israel, July 8-17, 2023. Led by the esteemed international human rights lawyer Jonathan Kuttab and Columbia University post-doctoral fellow Nyle Fort, the trip includes visits to Bethlehem, Jericho and Hebron, also Al Aqsa (considered the third holiest site in Islam) in Occupied East Jerusalem. Participants will meet with Palestinian Christians, Muslims, Samaritans, Jewish Israelis and internationals who are working to uplift international and humanitarian law. The trip is sponsored by Friends of Sabeel-North America (FOSNA), a leading human rights education and advocacy group for which Diane Dulin serves on the Board of Directors. Questions? Contact us!

Tom Beilman and Diane Dulin

Casa Alitas 2023 clothing drive

Yes, it’s time to start bagging up those clothes that you haven’t worn for a while and let us transport them to the border to people who desperately need them. The Immigration Justice Team will collect clothing the last week of June (beginning June 25) and the first two weeks of July. Please do not bring clothing to the church prior to Sunday, June 25.

What to bring?

All clothing needs to be washed.

Casual summer and non-bulky winter clothing

No socks or underwear

Shoes are a yes, esp. flip flops, sandals or tennies

S, M, L (not XL) men’s clothing

Jeans, jeans and more jeans

Waist 28” to 34”; Length 27” to 32¨

T-Shirts (love sports themed shirts)

Shorts

Belts (small)

Caps; jackets; sweaters

S, M, L (not XL) women’s clothing

Jeans, lycra pants

T-Shirts and jackets; sweaters

No blouses

Kid’s clothing

Toddler through 16

Consider joining us as we box up the clothing. If interested, please contact Ruthanne Landsness, [email protected]; 608/234-2882. Thank you!

News From Our Mission Teams

Good News about Heart Room!

Heart Room, a pilot project partnership to help families thrive in stable housing, is set to serve more families starting this summer!

One of the eight families ORUCC is supporting will graduate early into permanent subsidized housing. A new family will be enrolled as a result – using funds ORUCC members already contributed for rent assistance.

Four more new families will start this summer. Rental assistance will be funded by other congregations, individuals, and foundations. Services will be contributed by Dane County and nonprofit partners (The Road Home, Joining Forces for Families, and the Early Childhood Initiative).

ORUCC will help keep this vital mission going, through our Heart Room Mission Team. New members are joining more experienced members as we go forward to support families and to keep learning from this successful pilot program.

Bruce Olsen, a long-time Mission Team member, and Jen Walker, will co-chair the Team effective June 1. Feel free to contact them for more information!

Former chair Helene Nelson, Treasurer John Day, and founding member Megan Piper continue as Team members, joined by new members Susan Dovell and Becky Baumbach.

Thanks, ORUCC friends, for helping young children and their families thrive in our community.

From the Ministry of Christian Witness & Service

In May 2023, CWS members approved disbursement of $600 to The Village Diaper Bank from the CWS discretionary outreach support budget. This gesture was in response to a request by ORUCC member Jordan Brown, a high school senior who featured The Village Diaper Bank and its director, Megan Sollenberger, in an article that Jordan wrote as part of a writing class assignment. Jordan was impressed by the service that the Village Diaper Bank provides to families in our community and wished to do something to support this initiative. She reached out to our CWS team with a request for a cash donation in the amount equivalent to the cost of diapers for 2 children for an entire year ($600). That is a lot of diapers!! Thank you, Jordan Brown, for taking the initiative to bring the work of The Village Diaper Bank to our attention. It provides us with yet another opportunity to live out our congregation’s commitment to justice!

From Racial Justice

Should we reactivate a justice team to support gay and trans people?

In the white christian nationalism (wcn) class sponsored by the racial justice mission team, we discussed how those advocating white supremacy are also supporting patriarchy, opposing abortion rights, opposing environmentalism, and fomenting hate towards gay and trans people.

ORUCC adopted its “open and affirming” stance in 1992 and we are proud that gay, trans, and straight children have grown up in our church knowing they are loved by God and the church. For thirty years, ORUCC members have carried the church banner in gay rights “Pride” marches. Members of ORUCC participated in city-wide coalitions around defending gay rights. ORUCC’s SAFE (Spiritually Affirming Friends Everywhere) created a community of support among gay and straight members and offered educational programs in the 1990s and 2000s. SAFE was eventually disbanded for a variety of reasons, one of them being it was felt it was no longer needed, that gay and lesbian people were fully embraced and accepted by our congregation. As trans adults and children came out among us, we fully embraced them. The 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage seemed to signal a strong move toward LGBTQI+ inclusion and equality in American society.

But now, while our congregation still fully embraces and loves our gay and trans members, the external climate has changed. We have heard from many of our gay and trans members that they are feeling afraid, worried that they will open their doors to find guns in their faces. Pastor Julia has scheduled a second annual interfaith pride service Aug 20th and a Trans Day of Remembrance service Nov 20^th. Our OWL (youth sex education) coordinators have been gathering resources from the joint OWL project of the UCC and the Unitarian Universalists. Perhaps it is time for our congregation as a whole to re-activate its explicit defense of gay and trans rights. Should there be a new mission team formed around defending gay and trans people?

June 9 film on humane vs. inhumane prison systems

At First Unitarian Friday June 9, free dinner at 5:30, film at 6:30, discussion after with people impacted by incarceration. “Breaking the Cycle” is a film that contrasts the humane prison system in Halden, Norway, to systems in the United States.

Sponsored by MOSES MinistryTeam, EXPO, JustDane, and UWOdyssey Project.

Admission is free. Advance registration needed for the meal Sign up at Eventbrite link: https://bit.ly/3WEaaIy

Past MOSES events

“Let Justice Roll Down Like a River”

On May 18, Wisconsin State Public Defender Kelli Thompson described her department’s work to a MOSES-sponsored gathering: defending the most defenseless of those accused of crimes in Wisconsin. Thompson’s department has offices in 40 Wisconsin counties and representatives in all 72 counties. Her department handles 125,000 to 135,000 cases a year. It also has two appellate offices that handle all appeals.

“It is a privilege to be advocating for people that have no voice in the system, an overburdened, unjust system,” she said. “We represent the most vulnerable and see to it that their constitutional rights are protected. We see a lot of failure every day: failure of the

system. [For example,] the rehabilitation part is so often missing.”

Thompson touched on many of the issues that MOSES and WISDOM address including:

the practice of jailing people not convicted of a crime; mental health and the criminal-legal system; children prosecuted as adults. Over 8,500 people leave the corrections system every year, Thompson said, but fewer than 1,000 get the programming they need because our prisons are woefully understaffed.

“The Right to Read”

Members of MOSES’ Education Advocacy Group attended a free screening of the film, The Right to Read, sponsored by The Reading League and Madison College. The film features Kareem Weaver, an Oakland NAACP activist, who believes literacy is our most important civil right. He narrates the stories of families struggling with their children’s reading challenges and the teachers trying to address them. The racial disparities in reading proficiency that existed in Oakland—and the reason they exist—are present in Madison as well and are the focus of the EAG’s current efforts.

Watch for the next MOSES Newsletter in July for a fuller discussion of these two events.

MOSES general meetings are the first Sunday of the month 2:30-4:30 with a social time before the meeting 2-2:30. Next meeting is July 9. Location to be determined. The location and Zoom link for those unable to attend in person will be distributed by email from MOSES and posted in event on the MOSES calendar.

New attendees are always welcome. General meetings feature racial equity discussions, informational presentations about local issues, and short presentations from MOSES working groups.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

Care of Creation: contact Sara Roberts
Immigration Justice: contact Ruthanne Landness
Racial Justice: contact Pam Oliver
Heart Room and Housing Justice: contact Bruce Olsen
Ilgen Literacy Fund: contact Jen Walker
Palestinian Justice: contact Tom Beilman or Diane Dulin

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Native American Presentation: Celebrating the Tapestry of Humanity

Pam Oliver on May 23, 2023

On Friday June 2 at 7-9 pm and again on Saturday June 3 7-9 pm, Dawn and Art Shegonee will present a multimedia exhibit and program exploring the need for interconnectedness of our common humanity and our relationship to each other and to nonhuman life on this planet. This program is in person at McFarland United Church of Christ, 5710 Anthony Street, McFarland. It is free and open to the public. Please RVSP by sending an email to [email protected]. Please specify how many people will be attending and on which date.

Art Shegonee, a member of the Menominee and Potawatomi tribes of Wisconsin, is a Native traditional dancer, teacher and peacemaker. An ambassador of Milwaukee’s Indian Summer and Call for Peace Drum & Dance Company, Shegonee specializes in teaching tools of respect, nonviolence, conflict resolution and peace. He has provided over 400 schools, libraries, businesses and community centers with educational programs that demonstrate and teach traditional Native American dance and history, positive communication skills and more. Art and Dawn carried the message of peace to schools in the Call for Peace Talking Stick/Talking Circle programs, and they have worked with groups of all ages to teach the program as a means to resolve conflicts respectfully, peacefully and cooperatively in a Native American tradition. In 1995, the Wisconsin Historical Society honored Art Shegonee by including his image in their permanent exhibit, “People of the Woodlands: Wisconsin Indian Ways.”

Hope-and-Discovery-poster Download

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 4, 2023

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

May 2023

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

News From Our Mission Teams

From Racial Justice

white christian nationalism class a success

Over 65 people participated in our nine-week class taught by Rev. Dr. David Anderman on white christian nationalism, including friends from five other congregations.

For many participants, issues related to white christian nationalism are personal. Our discussions were lively, sometimes heated (in good ways), informative, and productive. By the end of the class, we were able to recognize more quickly the underlying white christian nationalist ideology of many current political issues, and to see ways in which the Bible and traditional Christian symbols are mis-used to led legitimacy to unchristian actions.

While we discussed Heyward’s various ‘calls to action,’ we left hanging the question of how ORUCC might respond to these issues. Look for more to come as our class discussions feed indirectly now into the ongoing life of the church.

A longer discussion from David Anderman is here.

From Christian Witness and Service

Our Compassion Offerings make a difference!

ORUCC’s February Compassion Offering gave $2337 to Worker Justice Wisconsin, a local organization that advances justice in our community by building collective worker power together with Faith and Labor allies. WJW executive director Rebecca Meier-Rao and program director Robert Christl designated ORUCC as a Community Partner sponsor, invited representatives to its annual Faith Labor Breakfast on May 4 and sent this letter:

We would like to thank you and all of Orchard Ridge for their very generous contribution to the solidarity fund. The amount your congregation raised is impressive, and it will go a long way toward empowering rank-and-file workers to organize and make positive changes in their workplaces. Again, thank you all so, so much.

The March Compassion Offering raised $4234 for One Great Hour of Sharing, an ecumenical offering sponsored in Lent by the United Church of Christ which provides humanitarian and disaster relief in the United States and around the world. The UCC works in partnership with churches and organizations through Global Ministries and worldwide response and recovery networks to assist refugees and victims of natural and man-made disasters.

Thank you to all members of our congregation for your generous contributions! You are encouraged to participate in the process of identifying potential recipients of the Compassion Offering. If you and another member have an idea, please fill out this form Compassion Offering Request Form and the Ministry of Christian Witness & Service will review and consider at one of our monthly meetings.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Casa Alitas 2023 clothing drive

As you transition your closet from winter to summer, the Immigration Justice Team invites you to think twice before you head to the thrift store with those secondary winter clothes. Please save them for the Casa Alitas clothing drive. Casa Alitas is a welcome center in Tucson that provides a warm welcome, clothing, food, and shelter for people enroute to a sponsor and new home in the United States.

Our team will be collecting clothes for Casa Alitas the first two weeks of July, with delivery planned for the third week of July. We will be collecting both winter and summer clothes, also shoes.

Please help us provide clothing for the increasing numbers of people seeking asylum at our southern border. Thank you!

Learn About Justice Issues

Palestine Justice

Meet, Greet and Learn: An intimate interview with Rev. Don Wagner

Join us for an interview with a remarkable pastor, justice advocate, and friend, Rev. Don Wagner on the release of his autobiography, “Glory to God in the Lowest! Journeys to an Unholy Land.” Wagner’s experience in the Middle East transformed him from “an apathetic, conservative evangelical Christian” to an energetic and courageous advocate of justice for Palestinians in the Occupied Territory, inside Israel and in far-flung exile. Of special interest to some in our congregation, Wagner’s journey from Christian Zionism to a truer perspective on the Holy Land reflects our journey of discovery as we study White Christian Nationalism.

Leopold’s Books Bar Caffé

1301 Regent Street, Madison, WI

Thursday, May 25

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Free. Registration is requested (click here): Don Wagner presentation

Tom Beilman and Diane Dulin

From WCC and Immigration Justice

Wisconsin Legislature Considers Changes for Sweeping Changes to Wisconsin Public Benefits

On April 4, Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly passed a referendum asking if able-bodied adults without dependent children should be required to work in order to receive public benefits. Passage of the referendum has prompted the Wisconsin legislature to put in motion several bills that, if passed, will make sweeping changes to FoodShare, BadgerCare, and Unemployment Insurance to thousands of Wisconsinites.

One bill will make someone ineligible for FoodShare or BadgerCare for six months if they voluntarily leave a job. We all know that there are times when leaving a job is necessary. But what if leaving a job means that you will no longer have access to FoodShare benefits?

Another bill will prohibit automatic renewal of BadgerCare and require recipients to re-apply every six months. Currently, people are required to go through a process of application once a year.

Furthermore, recipients will be terminated from BadgerCare for six months if they fail to report any change to their status, i.e., if they change jobs and perhaps make a bit more money.

In a related bill, legislation will require the Department of Workforce Development to audit 50% of job searches. And another bill will require employers to report if someone declined a job offer.

It is easy to imagine the impact that potential passage of these bills would have on the health and well being of thousands of people in our State. To learn more, please click on this Action Alert from the Wisconsin Council of Churches https://www.wichurches.org/2023/04/injusticeinaction/.

Thank you.

From MOSES and Racial Justice

Thursday May 18. 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Free event with dinner. “Let Justice Roll Down Like a River: Who Will Defend You?” Kelli Thompson, Wisconsin’s State Public Defender, will speak about the work of public defenders and the increasing need for more public defenders. On the East side at Lake Edge Lutheran Church 4022 Hegg Avenue. Advance registration required by May 8, childcare available, catering by Melly Mel’s. A free will offering will benefit MOSES. The event is supported by a grant from the Ecumenical Housing Fund through the Madison Community Foundation.

Directions to Lake Edge Lutheran: From Monona Dr. turn onto Lake Edge Blvd., then turn left on Hegg Ave. into the church parking lot.

MOSES Supports Funding for Jail Consolidation and Criminal Legal System Reforms

MOSES delivered this letter of support to Dane County Supervisors and the Sheriff on April 20. The letter urged the County Board to approve the additional funding that would allow the Jail Consolidation Project to proceed and to strongly support the many reforms needed to increase justice in the criminal legal system. The Board approved the funding on April 20. MOSES has advocated for change in the criminal legal system throughout the years of debate about the jail and most recently was deeply engaged with the Board’s Black Caucus as they negotiated for the best attainable solution that would create a more humane and rehabilitative facility while also enacting reforms to help keep people out of jail. We are pleased these changes can now proceed. Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES position on the jail and reforms.

MOSES Welcomes New Community Organizer, James Morgan

MOSES is happy to announce the hiring of James Morgan to be our new community organizer, beginning on April 28. James comes to MOSES with a wealth of lived experience and skills in community outreach, team building, policy development, and leadership. Most recently he worked with JustDane as a peer advisor. He has served MOSES as a volunteer in many capacities since its founding in 2013. James looks forward to connecting with MOSES member congregations, including ORUCC in the coming months.

WISDOM’s Madison Action Day – A Huge Success

Hundreds of people from across the state congregated at the Masonic Temple, marched on the State Capitol, and met in all legislative offices on April 27th. Entertainment was provided by the Raging Grannies, organized by ORUCC member Donna Lillethun!

WISDOM is a statewide faith-based justice advocacy group. MOSES is a local chapter of WISDOM. You can see the range of issues addressed around the state in Building the Beloved Community: WISDOM Priorities 2023-25 Booklet. Look for this booklet on the table in the ORUCC Crossroads for information about advocacy work or simply browse it online.

MOSES general meetings are the first Sunday of the month 2:30-4:30 with a social time before the meeting 2-2:30. Next meeting is May 7 at Madison Christian Community 7118 Old Sauk Road (park in the lot at the top of the hill) or on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81036805998 (this is the same recurring link as always) Meeting ID: 810 3680 5998 Agenda is always available in advance. New attendees are always welcome. General meetings feature racial equity discussions, informational presentations about local issues, and short presentations from MOSES working groups.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

Care of Creation: contact Sara Roberts
Immigration Justice: contact Ruthanne Landness
Racial Justice: contact Pam Oliver
Heart Room and Housing Justice: contact Helene Nelson
Ilgen Literacy Fund: contact Jen Walker

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Report on white christian* nationalism class

Pam Oliver on May 2, 2023

By Rev. Dr. David Anderman

White christian nationalism is a hot topic right now – nationally and around ORUCC. Over 65 people participated in our nine-week class on white christian nationalism, including friends from five other congregations. Our main text was The 7 Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism: A Call to Action by Carter Heyward, supplemented by The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide by Pamela Cooper-White and by various random resources and references I brought in.

For most of the participants, many of the issues related to white christian nationalism were personal. So our discussions were lively, sometimes heated (in good ways), informative, and productive. By the end of the class, we were able to recognize more quickly the underlying white christian nationalist ideology of many current political issues, and to see ways in which the Bible and traditional Christian symbols are mis-used to led legitimacy to unchristian actions.

Here is one of the best short descriptions of white christian nationalism: “The deep story of white Christian nationalism was already fully formed by around 1690, nearly three centuries before the emergence of the New Christian Right. It was woven together out of three stories taken from the Christian Bible: the Chosen People story, the End Times story and the Racial Curse story. Who counted as ‘white,’ ‘Christian,’ and ‘American’ has changed over time But the basic plot line has remained the same: America is a white Christian nation whose power and prosperity is threatened by racial, religious, and national others, inside and outside its borders.” (Source: the Oxford University Press website, an abstract for a chapter of The Flag + The Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy, Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry https:/doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197618684.003.0003

Those of us whose faith commitments include a belief that all ‘others’ are as fully children of God as we are have a responsibility and a call to speak, stand, and act against the ideology of white christian nationalism that threatens our faith and our democracy.

On a personal note: Although I don’t think ‘enjoyed’ is quite the right word to describe my feelings on leading the class, I am proud to be part of a congregation that takes issues like white christian nationalism seriously, and I am happy I was a part of the discussion. My thanks to all who participated. My hope and prayer is that we can avoid the ‘paralysis of analysis’ and move from study to action

*Note: I do not capitalize christian nationalism to indicate that I believe its ideology is not truly Christian.

Attend Worker Justice Wisconsin’s Faith & Labor Breakfast on May 4?

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 24, 2023

ORUCC – Clothing & Shoe Drive

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 11, 2023

Mission Team Meeting October 18

Upcoming Events of Interest

Call for Humanitarian Release for Some Wisconsin Prisoners

Casa Alitas

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

In this issue

Palestine Justice

Immigration Justice News

News from MOSES

About our Missions

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

In this issue

Palestine Justice

Constitutional amendments on April 2 primary ballot

Volunteer with Housing Navigator Pilot Program

News from MOSES

Meeting on Indigenous Issues and Building Use

About our Missions

MOSES Supporting Quality Literacy Curricula

Prison Lockdowns

Treatment Alternatives to Imprisonment – A disappointing legislative outcome

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Opportunities for Action or Service

Donate items for MOSES Rummage Sale

ORUCC Immigration Justice Team Thanks All

for Another Successful Clothing Drive

Casa Alitas Clothing Drive through Beth Israel

Learn About Justice Issues

Teaching about Indigenous Issues in Wisconsin

MOSES Updates

News From Our Mission Teams

Racial Justice: Learning about Indigenous Issues

Wisconsin Faith Leaders Call for a Just and Humane Immigration System – Watch the Video

About our Missions

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Opportunities for Action or Service

From Palestinian Justice

Casa Alitas 2023 clothing drive

What to bring?

News From Our Mission Teams

Good News about Heart Room!

From the Ministry of Christian Witness & Service

From Racial Justice

Should we reactivate a justice team to support gay and trans people?

June 9 film on humane vs. inhumane prison systems

Past MOSES events

“Let Justice Roll Down Like a River”

About our Missions

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

News From Our Mission Teams

From Racial Justice

white christian nationalism class a success

From Christian Witness and Service

Our Compassion Offerings make a difference!

Opportunities for Action or Service

Casa Alitas 2023 clothing drive

Learn About Justice Issues

Palestine Justice

Meet, Greet and Learn: An intimate interview with Rev. Don Wagner

From WCC and Immigration Justice

Wisconsin Legislature Considers Changes for Sweeping Changes to Wisconsin Public Benefits

From MOSES and Racial Justice

MOSES Supports Funding for Jail Consolidation and Criminal Legal System Reforms

MOSES Welcomes New Community Organizer, James Morgan

WISDOM’s Madison Action Day – A Huge Success

About our Missions

Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Opportunities for Action or Service

Vote April 2

Housing Advocacy

Serving our Immigrant Neighbors

Volunteer Drivers Needed

Short-term Home Hospitality Needed

Learn About Justice Issues