MARCH COMPASSION OFFERING

Just Dane (formerly MUM)

JustDane(formerly Madison-area Urban Ministry), is a non-profit organization that offers an array of direct supportive initiatives for:

• people being released from incarceration through our reentry programs, including the Journey Home, Circles of Support and Peer Support,
• children and families impacted by the justice system,
• justice-involved youth,
• employment training for people with barriers to employment through Just Bakery,
• recuperative medical respite for families experiencing homelessness at Healing House.

In 2023 over 750 individuals received support through JustDane’s initiatives.

This year JustDane celebrates 50 years of social justice work in our community. Throughout our 50 years JustDane has, and continues to engage in the community advocating for State and local justice system reforms, fair and affordable housing, an end to homelessness and racial and economic justice. Rev. William Sloane Coffin once said, “charity yes, always, but never as a substitute for justice.” His words reflect the importance of our work at JustDane offering support to individuals and families in our community, alleviating suffering while working to eliminate the causes of the suffering.

 VIDEO

 Thank you for giving generously

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

or donate online from our website. The link is https://orucc.org/contribute/support/

If you’d like to know more about JustDane’s work, there are two members of ORUCC on JustDane’s Board: Julie Horst and Phil Haslanger. They would be happy to share more about JustDane’s work in our community. We also invite you to join us on Thursday, April 11^th as we celebrate 50 years. Our keynote speaker for the event will be Father Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. (Use QR code below for tickets to the April 11^th Father Boyle event.)

Free Lawn Signs

Ramadan begins this Sunday night, March 10th. Pick up a free lawn sign at the church this Sunday morning to show support for the Muslim community.

Thank you! TRU Function Drum Set

TRU Function would like to share a heartfelt “thank you” for the congregation’s support in purchasing a new drum set. We’ll look forward to seeing it in worship on Palm Sunday, March 24! You can still contribute by check or ONLINE.

Welcome to Lent at ORUCC! Our theme this year for Lent, inspired by one of the most popular and loved topic of Wayfinding: Soul Tasks of Aging, last year, is “‘Fear not!’ Becoming Death Doulas”

March 10th will lead us into the Biblical mantra of “fear not!” repeated by angels and psalmists and prophets throughout scripture.

On March 17th we will visit with the death doula women in the Bible who anointed the body of Jesus and think together about end of life rituals.

On March 24th we follow Jesus into Palm Sunday, with the triumphant waving of palm branches, and we will think about Jesus’ call to justice, and how death work can be justice work- and learn about green burials.

On Easter March 31st we will gather both at sunrise with brunch following and at 10am for a joyous celebration of the resurrection, the mystery at the heart of Christianity, that even in the face of death, God dreams and births new life. Perhaps the call of a death doula is to become midwives to the resurrection.

Maundy Thursday Meals in Homes

Might you be interested in attending a Maundy Thursday meal in a home on March 28th? All meals will be 6-8 pm except the Burkey/Cooperrider meal which will be 5-7 pm.

Both Pastors Julia and Ken will be hosting dinners along with 3 others!

In the past, the host has provided a Middle Eastern main dish, and has either invited the guests to bring side dishes to share or to bring a favorite beverage (e.g. wine). Your host will be in touch with you about this. Be sure to let your host know if you have any dietary restrictions.

If you have trouble with this online signup tool, there will be signup sheets on the table in the Crossroads the next three Sundays. Or you can contact Ken Pennings to let him know which host you’ve chosen ([email protected] or 608-556-2371).

After supper, your group will share in a brief litany of Communion remembering Jesus’ last supper with his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem.

Click here to sign up

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024

7:00 PM

GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE

ORCHARD RIDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

and

MADISON MENNONITE CHURCH

TENEBRAE takes its name from the “Darkness (tenebrae) which covered the whole earth when they crucified Jesus” (Matthew 27:45). This candlelight service of scripture, music, and silent prayer includes the gradual extinguishing of candles and a loud, sustained noise—reminiscent of the earthquake when Jesus died on the Cross (Matthew 27:51). This year, as the Passion (John 18:1 to 19:43) is proclaimed, the Cross will be turned to each of the Four Directions.

We are invited to enter more deeply into the mystery of the cross on which Jesus stretched out his arms in all-inclusive love and breathed forth his indomitable Spirit into a world gasping for life. With the cross, we join him in proclaiming freedom, flourishing and fullness of life to the whole world.

Landscape Planning Committee 

March 10 following services

Friendship Hall

 A few years ago we had a big project to install the patio to the north of the church and to revamp the entrance garden beside the the parking lot. We have more areas around the church that need restoration and upgrading.

We would like to get input from all the plant lovers in the congregation to decide what to replace and enhance. We want to maintain gathering spaces for outdoor worship and places for children to run and play. We also want to incorporate low maintenance and earth friendly plantings in the landscape (ie, more native areas). 

If you have ideas, please bring them to a meeting after service on,Sunday, March 10 to talk about the landscape. I hope we can enjoy new plantings this season. Please contact Joyce Pohl at [email protected] about joining this group. 

Confirmation 2024

Confirmation will be offered this spring for all youth in 7th-9th grade who have not yet been confirmed. This is a special time in the life of our young people where they will be invited to explore their own faith, and learn and grow together! Classes will begin on March 10th, 3:30-5:30, with Confirmation Sunday on Pentecost, May 20th.

Each Sunday there will be a poster in Friendship Hall with the question or idea that the youth are considering that week. You are invited to share a brief note or phrase about what that topic means to you. We will bring the congregation’s thoughts into our confirmation conversation!

We would love to have you at the all-ages, rescheduled All Church Retreat in April at Daycholah Center!

If you’d like to join for the whole weekend, the cost is $200 for adults (12+) and $140 for children (6-11, children under 5 are free). This includes lodging for two nights, dinner Friday night, three meals Saturday and one meal Sunday morning. The church is able to supplement part of the weekend financially from our budget, which is already reflected in the cost.

We have partial and full scholarships available, so please reach out to us if financial help would make this more accessible for your family, or if you’d like to pay extra to sponsor someone anonymously.

Register here and please pay registration fees on the church website.

Here are some FAQ for our retreat:

Who are our retreat leaders? And what are we doing?

Pastor Kate & Pastor Julia are coordinating a wonderful time with games, fun, and wandering the grounds in between thoughtful programming, delicious meals and plenty of down time to read and relax.

Our Saturday morning retreat leader is The Rev. Kirsten Worzala-Dumke, Chaplain at UW Carbonne Cancer Center and former pastor of Parroquia Santa Maria (a Spanish-language congregation associated with Luther Memorial Church ELCA). Kirsten is also a trusted friend of Pastor Kate.

After some free time, Saturday afternoon will include Wild Church with Pastor Julia’s spouse Daniel Cooperrider around the fire.

Leslie Linser will offer an opportunity for all-abilities Yoga on Saturday evening.

Sunday morning will close with worship facilitated by Pastor Kate & Pastor Julia.

Will this be super fun? Yes definitely!

What is the sleeping situation? If you have specific questions reach out to our wonderful Daycholah coordinator Kaitlyn: [email protected]

Some rooms are private and some are shared, and if you’d like to request a private room please reach out. The facilities have twin size mattresses and you will need to bring bedding.

If I do register, what should I bring?

Sleeping bag or warm blanket & sheets and pillows for a twin size bed.

Towels and toiletries.

Warm outdoor clothes and rain boots.

Cozy indoor clothes and indoor shoes.

Is Daycholah accessible? Yes! They have accessible rooms as well and an elevator in the dining hall building. They also have a golf cart that could be used for traversing Daycholah.

While is no way we could say there are no trip or fall hazards (Daycholah is built into a large hill, and there is always a risk of ice and bad weather in April) Daycholah staff will do everything they can to assist with any guest needs. If there are specific requests, please know we will do our very best to accommodate.

For other questions related to the facilities, meals, and lodging, contact Kaitlyn: [email protected]

Here are the registration links again:

REGISTRATION FORM

PAYMENT SITE

We cannot wait to share time with you in the New Year!

Julia & Kate

Volunteers requested for Neighborhood Initiative

ORUCC is invited to partner with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (GSLC) and Joining Forces for Families (JFF) to pilot a Housing Navigator resource for people in our Madison Southwest neighborhood. We are looking for 4 volunteers who would be willing to work with individuals experiencing challenges finding housing. JFF and other neighborhood agencies conduct a walk-in Job Shop at Meadowood Center every Wednesday morning 9-12noon for neighbors in the Southwest area looking to find a new or better job. Support services each Wednesday include social workers, Center staff, UW students for resume writing, and more. Large tables with computers provided, lend ample space for work with individuals. This is a comfortable and supportive team environment for those needing assistance in job hunting to ensure family stability and housing security. 

If you are interested in becoming a Housing Navigator volunteer for this new initiative, you will receive in-person training.  You will become part of a team to make a real difference in people’s lives in our church neighborhood.

If you are interested in working on this exciting pilot program, please contact:

Rick Thomas

Outreach Director

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

608-212-7582 or [email protected]

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of March 7 – March 13

Read this week’s reflections as a way to dive deeper into your spiritual practice or to get some nourishment and inspiration

for your day.



Click Here for Reflections

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

Great Progress Being Made Creating Quilts for Gaza

Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, March 13th, 11:30 

Our program for March will be presented by Ann Albert, Executive Director AgeBetter.org.  That organization has created Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL).

SAIL IS sharing active independent lives… each and every day. The SAIL staff cherishes senior members’ experiences, wisdom, and unique talents. They form a vibrant community where support, learning, and togetherness thrive. SAIL provides an array of services designed to protect independence and encourage connections—most of which were created or inspired by members. Members volunteer to help one another and the organization.

We gather on Wednesday the 13^th at 11:30, dine from a wonderful buffet at 11:45, ($10 per person) and adjourn for the program at 12:30.  Please RSVP to Steve Sheets: [email protected]. 

TONIGHT

“Holdovers” is our Movie Group Selection

March 7^th, 7:30

Oakwood Fine Arts Auditorium

Sure to elicit laughter, this comedy-drama is set in 1970.  A cranky instructor (Pail Giamatti) at a New England prep school remains on campus during Christmas break to babysit a handful of students with nowhere to go. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker (Dominic Sessa), and with the school’s head cook (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War.

The film has garnered five Oscar nominations; Best Picture; Best Screenplay; Best Film Editing; Best Actor, Paul Giamatti;   Best Supporting Actress, Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

Join us March 7^th, 7:30 p.m. at Oakwood.  Discussion to follow in the Mendota room.  Questions?  Contact Steve Sheets, [email protected], or Doug Loving, [email protected]. 

Moderator Moment

Well, my first Moderator Moment and I am so happy to share what our Leadership Team is up to! On February 20 we had a mini-retreat to kick off our year! We had a meal together prior to our guest speaker and our regular meeting. For me, the highlight was the first hour we spent with ORUCC member, and professional speaker and coach, Darcy Luoma. Darcy worked through discussions and activities designed to create high performing teams.



Our group was so positively energized that we got through our meeting agenda in about two-thirds the time it would usually take and made some great decisions. One of those was a creative way to fund the purchase of a $4000 new drum set for our youth band, TRU Function. We made an appeal to the congregation this past Sunday for donations and plan to make up any shortfall with memorial funds. You are welcome to send donations to the church office. I believe this is one of the excellent ways we show our youth we appreciate them!

I am also very happy that 3 of our 10 Leadership Team members are relatively new to our congregation, as well as 14 of the 33 members on the five Ministries. I am very thankful for the energy these wonderful people have for doing God’s work in our world and I’m looking forward to a great year. Please take a few minutes to look at the Leadership Team bulletin board in the hallway near the kitchen! Talk to us about your dreams for ORUCC.

Join Beth Israel Center and Dane Sanctuary Coalition on March 10 at 7:pm

Please join Beth Israel Center and the Dane Sanctuary Coalition on March 10 at 7:00pm for a presentation from members of Beth Israel Center on their recent volunteer trips to Casa Alitas in Tucson. Throughout October, groups of volunteers from Beth Israel Center journeyed to Tucson to volunteer at Casa Alitas, a migrant welcome center. As the crisis at our border increases, the needs for help at Casa Alitas and similar migrant centers will only increase.

Join us on March 10 and hear about the volunteers’ experiences and how the trip came together. The event will be in person at Beth Israel Center, 1406 Mound St, Madison, WI 53711, and also on Zoom.

Please RSVP by March 8 using this google form: https://forms.gle/363KwRqsxQwyV3Q59

Rabbi Bonnie Margulis

Executive Director

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice

608-513-7121

Dane Sanctuary Coalition Steering Committee 



By Zoom on Thursdays: 04:00 PM Central Time

    Mar 21, 2024 04:00 PM

    Apr 18, 2024 04:00 PM

    May 16, 2024 04:00 PM

Click here to join Zoom meeting



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Passcode: 573548

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1 312 626 6799 US 

There is a new campaign to raise $200,000 to rebuild and strengthen the 17 lakeside cabins at Moon Beach, a place that has been a source of renewal for so many of us over the years.  Here’s a little more background from the folks at Moon Beach:

“The foundations, crafted decades ago with cinder blocks, stumps, and pine posts now require restoration to ensure their longevity and stability against the elements. By repairing and restoring the foundations with a firm footing for the footprint and base of the cabins, we can ensure their stability and compliance with regulatory standards, allowing us to maintain them for generations to come.”

With a matching grant already announced, the goal is to raise $100,000 that would then net the campaign $200,000. For those of us at ORUCC who love Moon Beach and who have the ability to give, thank you for your consideration.  Click here to donate.