ORUCC March 23 Children and Youth News

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 19, 2025

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Read on below for details about this week.  At the bottom of the email, you will find some important dates for some fun events and a prayer to try as a family this week.

~Pastor Kate and Julie M.

Supported Childcare Jade will be available in the Crossroads 8:30-11:30. This service allows parents to socialize and engage in the service but encourages parents to stay nearby to assist their child, as well. 

Children and Youth Faith Formation is at 9 am. 

ALL Children and Youth (PreK-HS) are invited to take part in a Labyrinth walk and contemplative spiritual practice stations. We’ll first gather together in the Ruby Bridges Room. After a brief opening conversation and reflection on the “Parable of the Fig Tree,” small groups of children and youth will have the opportunity to travel through our small labyrinth in the William Johnson Room. Those waiting to walk the labyrinth will be invited to freely explore artistic, tactile, and mindfulness stations. 

No Faith Formation on Sunday, March 30 due to Spring Break.

Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Music Connections:

Following the children’s moment in worship, children in grades 2-6 are invited to join Julie downstairs in the Friedrich Bonhoeffer room for creative movement and xylophone play. We are in need of a Safe Sanctuary volunteer. Can you help? EMAIL JULIE

Older youth are invited to stay in worship or participate in Music Connections as a helper. If your child wishes to be a helper, please connect with Julie to chat about expectations. In agreement with our church’s Safe Sanctuary policy, two adults must be present in a room when working with children. Sign up to volunteer. 

TRU Function: TRU Function will practice from 10:00-12:00 in the Haynes Music Room.

Upcoming Events

  • Amazing GRace (for Middle and High School Youth): Sunday, April 6 –RSVP to Julie

“The GRACE is run much like the popular CBS, TV reality show. Teams of Church Youth follow clues to make their way around the greater Madison area on a race to the finish line. Along the way, youth (as individuals and teams) complete an array of challenges to receive their next clue.

Think of it as a mash-up of: ESCAPE ROOM, BIBLE STUDY, & RACE!

The first team to finish the GRACE will win a Trophy and the PRIZE POT will be donated to the CHARITY of their choosing! BUT…. all who participate are WINNERS!” Last year, our team WON and brought home the traveling trophy. We are invited back this year to defend our winning title. Additionally, our youth will have the opportunity to meet youth from other area UCC churches.

In the Community

  • “Resilient Families” Conversations, March 16 and April 13, 5:00-7:30 p.m.: Madison Friends Meetinghouse (Quaker) invites the community to participate in monthly conversations about challenges facing families today. March 16 focuses on social media usage, and April 13 on talking about climate change. Free dinner and childcare provided! See this document for more information.

  • Saturday, April 5, 10:00-2:00, “Doing Justice Advocacy at UW Madison: A free event geared toward current high school students (or incoming college students) who are interested in learning more about justice advocacy at UW Madison. Sponsored by the Crossing ministry, a progressive ecumenical ministry for college students. Lunch provided! RSVP to director Michael Burch at the email: [email protected]

At Orchard Ridge, we are Spiritually Alive!

Worry Worms

On Sunday, March 16, a small group of children gathered in the Bridges Room to make “Worry Worms.” “A “worry worm” is a small, crocheted or knitted worm-shaped toy, often used as a tool to help children manage their emotions and anxieties by providing a tangible object to talk to or hold while expressing their worries.”  Once the children knew the pattern, they were able to engage in free conversation as they stitched. They openly shared thoughts about “big worries” and “small worries.” They shared openly about experiences of having worries keep them awake at night. They reflected upon how we often forget the good moments of our days, but remember, at times obsessively, about our mistakes and our faults. No solutions or problem-solving was offered. Just a safe space and an agreement that we all experience those same thoughts and feelings.

Want to try to make a worry worm? Check out THIS pattern. Crochet experience is needed for this project. There are many tutorials on YouTube and resources through the Madison Public Library.

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.

This prayer is adapted from a prayer used during the All Church Retreat last weekend. You are invited to include some hand motions while praying, indicated in italics below.

Open our eyes (place hands over eyes)

open our ears (place hands over ears)

open our hearts (place hands over heart)

That we may come to know You, Our God (lift hands to the sky)

in the beauty of nature (open hands out wide)

in the joy of fellowship (hold hands together)

in the movement of our bodies (wiggle your body!)

in the silence of contemplation. (make prayer hands)

Amen.

.

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