All money collected from non-pledge offerings on Sunday goes to a different designated organization each month. You can also make a Compassion Offering contribution online which will go to the current month’s organization. You may also send checks directly to the church at 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison WI 53711. To contribute to previous groups featured in Compassion Offerings, contact the groups directly. Archive of past Compassion Offerings.

Recipient organizations of the monthly Compassion Offering are selected by the Ministry of Christian Witness and Service (CWS). Any member of the ORUCC congregation or pastoral staff may nominate a recipient organization that falls within our guidelines. To review the guidelines and suggest an organization to be considered for a monthly Compassion Offering at ORUCC, please read and complete this form.

February Compassion Offering: The Crossing

By Orchard Ridge UCC

February 1, 2025

Organizational History, Mission & Purpose:

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

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

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

Affordable housing                                        Healthcare disparities

Disability rights                                              Mental health awareness

Gender equality                                              Labor rights

LGBTQ rights and inclusion                       Caribbean Cultural Awareness

Immigration rights                                       Food Insecurity

Govt. transparency/accountability       Students’ rights

Interfaith collaborations                             Racial equality

War Abolition                                                Freedom of / from religion     

Criminal justice reform                              First Amendment rights

Earth care & climate justice