November 2 Children and Youth Faith Formation

Orchard Ridge UCC on October 29, 2025

ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, November 2, 2025

*Daylight Savings Time End –

Set your clocks one hour back*

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing you this week!

See below for more information and fun events coming up.

-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Sunday Morning Faith Formation Classes

Nursery Care (Up to Age 5) 8:30-11:30 AM

Nursery Care with Avery and Abby are available for children 6 months to 5 years old in the Frances Room.

Peace Circle (PreK-5th Grade) 9:00-9:50 AM:

Children in PreK-5th Grade will meet in the Ruby Bridges Room. This Sunday, the children will hear the story, “A New Creation,” from the book of Revelation. Following the story, the children are invited to engage with and go deeper with multi-sensory stations. We’ll close in prayer. Josie G. and Megan P. will lead the children in the experience.

Echo the Story (Middle School) will gather in the Anne Frank Room to journey through the main stories and themes of the bible using a curriculum that invites questions and creative engagement. This week, we’ll look deeper at the text from Exodus 19-20, 24-26, 32-40 (“Commands”), ask questions, journal, draw, and reflect. Kristin M. and Barbara S. will guide the group in the discussion. 

Teen Text (High School) will gather in the Dorothy Day room. This group will be using “Teen Text,” a progressive Christian Bible study resource that guides teens to reflect together in discussion on the lectionary scripture texts associated with each Sunday. This group will be guided by Al B. and Rayelle B. this week.

Music Opportunities

Music Connections: will NOT meet this week. See you again on November 9!

TRU Function: Our youth band will practice from 10:00 a.m.-Noon . TRU Function leads worship on the fourth Sunday each month. TRU Function is led by Rob Martens. 

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

November 2, 9:00 a.m. “Parents Together” Support Group: Raising kids is hard work, full of joy and challenge. Need some community support? Parents are invited to come together for a peer-led parents’ support group in the Oscar Romero room, facilitated by Claire Purkis and Joanna Beilman-Dulin.

November 7, 6:00-8:00 pm, Family Game Night: Bring a game, a friend, and/or a dish to share with your fellow church families. Kids from elementary age through high school are invited to attend with their adults. We’ll play games and socialize over a very informal potluck in Friendship Hall.

November 9, 8:15-9:00 “Crafty Sunday”: Children of all ages are invited to craft in the William Johnson Room. All are welcome to bring a current project or start a new project using the materials we have on hand.

November 9, Christmas Eve Parent Information Meeting, 9:15 am: Hopefully, you received an email with information about this year’s Christmas Eve service. If not, you can find all the details HERE or reach out to Julie. If your child wishes to participate in the service, please plan to attend a brief parent meeting in the downstairs Bonhoeffer Room at 9:15 to review the schedule and expectations.

November 21-22, Middle School Retreat at Daycholah Center: The Wisconsin Conference UCC is offering a middle school faith retreat for students in 6th-8th grade at Daycholah Center. Pastor Kate will be attending with some youth from ORUCC. Any 6th-8th graders are welcomed to register here. Scholarships are available upon request. Please let Pastor Kate know if your youth is interested so that we make sure we have enough adult chaperones for our group. 

At Orchard Ridge, We are Spiritually Alive!

Crafty Sunday

Eight children and youth gathered in the Ruby Bridges on Sunday morning, October 12 at 8:15 am, to craft together. Some brought a project, others began a new project. Collage, drawing, watercolor painting, crocheting, knitting, beading, and creative writing were done in tandem. The mood was light and peaceful with many commenting how happy they felt in the space. We’ll gather again for more crafting on November 9.

Pen Pal Meet-up

Over the summer, thirty-two adults and children/youth participated in our inaugural pen pal program. Pen Pals were encouraged to send handwritten messages to each other throughout the summer. Messages ranged from drawings, to postcards, to lengthy letters. Those who participated shared that experience was positive and joyful. Some have continued the connection into the fall and are still writing to each other!

On Sunday, October 19, Pen Pals had the opportunity to meet face-to-face in Friendship Hall for lemonade and conversation.

Home Prayer for the Week: 

You are invited to use this prayer with your family to help deepen your faith together. Times you might consider sharing this prayer include before bedtime, at mealtime, or any other regular connecting moment you share with your child(ren). Does your family have a prayer practice or a favorite prayer? If you are comfortable sharing, please EMAIL JULIE, and your family’s prayer will be featured here.

Creator God, as the light shifts, remind me of Your constant presence.

Help me to embrace new beginnings

and use the gift of time to draw closer to You

no matter how the clocks change. 

-Unknown

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