This week’s announcements
Weekly announcements are usually updated on Thursday. Archive of old announcements.
NOTE: If you are viewing this on your phone and cannot see the whole message below, turn on autorotate on your phone and turn the phone sideways to landscape mode, which should make it readable. We hope to fix this issue with the integration between our emails and the website.
- ORUCC Weekly Announcements for Dec 8
Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice
Week at a Glance 12/8/2022
Sunday December 11, 2022
9:00 am Sunday School for Children
9:00 am UW Student Isaac Lester
speaking on the James Webb Space Telescope
10:00 am Worship
in-person & live-streamed
Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey preaching
Lay liturgist: L. Jennifer Hahn
Special Music: Bells
Men’s Group
Monday, December 12
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm
Romero Room
John Lemke
Care of Creation
Tuesday, December 13
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Sara Roberts
Zoom
Over 55
Wednesday, December 14
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Friendship Hall
Ministry of Resources Meeting
Wednesday, December 14
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Jon Blanchard
Zoom
Yoga
Thursday, November December 15
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Leslie Linser
Crossroads
Meditation Group
Friday, December 16
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Sue Dixon
Zoom
Spiritual
Nourishment
for you!
For the week of Dec 8 – Dec 14
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.
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.
December Compassion Offering
National UCC Christmas Fund
United Church of Christ retired clergy, servants of the church, have spent lifetimes baptizing and blessing, teaching and preaching, marrying and burying, and comforting and empowering God’s people. The UCC Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross gives us the opportunity to sustain and empower them. Gifts to the fund help retired clergy, church staff, and their families supplement pension benefits, pay bills, maintain health insurance, supplement health benefits, and meet emergency needs. In 2021, gifts to the Christmas Fund enabled pension supplementation for 231 retired clergy and lay employees, health benefit supplementation for 87 retired clergy and lay employees, emergency grants for 53 individuals and families, and Christmas “thank you” gift checks to 509 retired clergy and lay employees. Gifts to the Christmas fund in 2022 will make a real difference in the lives of retired clergy church staff, and their families, easing the anxiety of constant financial worries.
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/
Thanksgiving Year-Round
Helping neighbors around the holidays
When school is in recess during these holidays, many neighborhood families struggle to find the dollars to buy groceries.
The ORUCC Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund provides food assistance year-round to these families, but especially so at this time of the year. Our social work partners distribute to Southwest Madison neighbors food and gas gift cards – purchased via donations to our Fund.
You can ask questions, and learn more about this Fund, at a table set up at ORUCC on Sunday December 11. The table will be staffed by ORUCC members who have seen the good things that these gift cards do for families in need. You’re welcome to stop by.
You can make donations at the table, or at any time by going to https://orucc.org/contribute/support/ and clicking on the link-box “Contribute to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund” Thank you!
Over 55
Daniel Cooperrider
Wednesday, December 14
Have you read his book, “Speak with the Earth and it Will Teach You”? Rev. Cooperrider will be our guest presenter on December 14th. We will be amazed and entertained! He will have copies of his book available for purchase. Join us for a delicious $8 buffet luncheon at 11:30 on the 14th.
If you are so moved, wear that special holiday sweater.
ALL CHURCH ANNUAL RETREAT
Our All Church Annual Retreat is returning January 13-15, 2023 at Daycholah Center (Green Lake, WI)–It is For All Ages! Come enjoy and connect with nature and just relax and take a break from the rhythms of life.
Wonderful lodging, food, outdoor fun, crafts, music, conversations/sharing around the fireplace, and so much more is being planned for this weekend, with the hope that our friendships and faith will be deepened and encouraged. Improvisation with Jeff Pom on Saturday night and Speak With The Earth workshop with Pastor Julia and her spouse Daniel Cooperrider on Saturday morning. There will be guided activities for all age groups on Saturday morning. We begin the retreat on Friday evening and finish around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Housing options for the retreat: Daycholah with a capacity of 80 people.
Cost to stay at Daycholah–$155 (12 years and older), $125 (4 to 11 years), toddlers free. This includes two nights lodging and four meals. Enormous bargain!! Go to www.orucc.org to make payment.
YOGA
Thursdays 5:30 Friendship Hall
Instructor Leslie Linser
A slow flow class with a spiritual intention. Bring a yoga mat.
For questions email Leslie at [email protected]
Greeting Card Ministry returns to ORUCC!!
Original Designs greeting cards feature original artwork by Peg Kneuve and nature photography by LuAnn Greiner. These seasonal and special occasion cards are always on display and available for purchase in the Crossroads. Proceeds from the sale of these cards supports housing stability for individuals and families in Dane County. Cards can be purchased by cash, check or Venmo (@LuAnn-Greiner). Pick up a few after worship or any time you are stopping by ORUCC!
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Members of ORUCC are invited to apply for 2023-2024 college scholarships of $1,000 to $2,000 from the Frank E. Page Scholarship Fund. Applicants should be planning to begin or continue education at any accredited 2- or 4-year college or university, and should have a record of academic achievement, service to church and community, and demonstrated financial need. The application deadline is February 15, 2023; contact [email protected] for an electronic application. Questions? Contact [email protected] .
AT ORUCC, the Members
are the Ministers!
We are seeking volunteers to serve on Sunday mornings for in-person worship. You need not be a member, simply a person who loves ORUCC and is eager to find
a place to serve!
Young people are welcome to sign up too!
Would you consider serving one or more times as
a Coffee Maker, a Welcomer, a Lay Liturgist or
to assist with Holy Communion?
It has been fairly easy finding Lay Liturgists and Communion Assistants, but much more challenging finding
Coffee-Makers and Welcomers!
Feel free to sign up as an individual, a couple, or a family!
Click here to sign up as a Coffee Maker
Click here to sign up as a Welcomer
Click here to sign up as a Lay Liturgist
Click here to Assist with Holy Communion
Sign up to Assist with Holy Communion
After selecting one or more dates, you will need to click “Submit and Sign Up” at the bottom of the page, then enter your name & email address, then click “Sign Up Now.”
Questions or problems signing up?
Contact Ken Pennings at [email protected] or 608-556-2371.
Office Manager Julie Wombacher
available Mon.-Thurs. 8:30am -12:30 pm
608-271-7212 or EMAIL
Senior Pastor Julia Burkey available
Tues.- Fri. & Sun. 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
by appointment
518-542-6915 EMAIL
Associate Pastor Ken Pennings: available
Tues.-Thurs. 10:00 am -5:00 pm
by appointment
608-556-2371 EMAIL
Both pastors (try to) take Monday & Saturday as Sabbath days.
Friday is observed as a writing day for the preaching pastor.
In case of a pastoral emergency, please call any of the pastors, as all pastors are available by phone, text and we will always have a pastor on call who we can turn to.
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JOIN our Private FB Group:
Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
1501 Gilbert Road
Madison, WI 53711
608-271-7212
Office Hours: M-Th 8:30-12:30
