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ORUCC Children and Youth
Sunday, October 19, 2025
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Dear Families,
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
This Sunday after worship, Summer Pen Pals are invited to gather together in Friendship Hall for lemonade and a light snack together after worship. Everyone who participated for the summer experience is welcome – even if your pen pal is not in attendance.
Faith Formation for all children and youth meets at 9:00 a.m. See below for more information and fun events coming up!
-Pastor Kate & Julie M.
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Sunday Morning Faith Formation Classes
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Nursery Care (Up to Age 5) 8:30-11:30 AM
Nursery Care with Abby and Avery is 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 begin in the Ruby Bridges Room at 9 am for Music with Julie. Following the music, 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 Jadyn G. will lead the children in the experience.
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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 1-5, 7-15 (“Exodus”), ask questions, journal, draw, and reflect. Kristin M. and Becky E. 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 Brian L. and Al. B. this week.
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Music Connections: Children in grades 2-6 are invited to the downstairs Music Room (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Room) for Music Connections after Children’s Time in worship. This Sunday, we’ll join together for movement and drumming. The children will also help to set up for the pen pal gathering in Friendship Hall after worship. Older youth may participate in Music Connections as a helper. If your child wishes to be a helper, please connect with Julie to chat about expectations. Eric T. will be our Safe Sanctuary volunteer.
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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.
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events
THIS SUNDAY October 19, 11:15 a.m., Pen Pal Meet-Up: If you participated in the summer pen pal program, this is a time to meet your pen pal IN PERSON while enjoying some lemonade together after worship.
October 24 Evening, Treinen Farms Bonfire: All ages welcome at this family-friendly event held at Treinen Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Lodi. ORUCC will rent a bonfire circle and provide S’more supplies, but each family is responsible for purchasing their own tickets for all ages 3+. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time for a discount, or at the door. Our group bonfire reservation begins at 7:00 p.m., but families are encouraged to come earlier to enjoy the many other opportunities for farm fun at Treinen. Scholarships are available through the church, so let Pastor Kate know if that would help your family be able to attend.
October 26, Service Trip Celebration in Worship and Info Session: We will have the opportunity to share about our experience in Kansas City this Sunday! This will also include TRU Function’s first full-band performance in worship, followed by a 2026 Service Trip Info Session at 11:15 following worship.
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, early bird pricing available until October 17th! 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.
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At Orchard Ridge, We are Spiritually Alive!
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This fall, our Elementary Faith Formation group, “Peace Circle,” is exploring the beauty of and power of creation and our surrounding environment. On Sunday, September 28, the children took a walk around the property to notice our many trees, bushes, and plants. Then, on October 5, we took a deeper look at those plants with magnifying glasses. Along the way, we discussed what these plants need to grow and thrive, such as sunlight, water, wind, and pollinators. True joy was unleashed when the children discovered the milkweed pods and happily unleashed the soft strands into the air sending prayers for them to be future homes for pollinators.
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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.
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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.
God, you hear me when I pray.
Your love is never far away.
I can pray if I’m happy or lonely or sad.
I can pray when I’m tired or worried or mad.
I can pray every day and every season.
I can even pray without a reason!
from Little Prayers for Everyday Life, by Traci Smith
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