ORUCC May 25 Children and Youth News

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 21, 2025

ORUCC Children and Youth

Faith Formation Update

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Dear Families,

Due to the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, we will not hold 9 AM Faith Formation this Sunday. Your child is welcome to attend the 10 am Worship Service. Najma and Jade will be available in the Nursery to care for children ages 0-5, 9:30-11:30. Scroll to the end of this email for a special prayer practice your family can engage in together. 

Music Opportunities this week: There will be no 10:00 a.m. Music Connections (2nd-6th grade). Children are encouraged to remain in worship with their families. TRU Function (youth band) will have their practice as normal from 10:00-noon.



At the bottom of the email, you will find some important dates for some fun events and photos of recent events.

~Pastor Kate and Julie M.

Upcoming Events

  • May 23-25 Brat Fest Fundraiser for Youth Service Trip: All youth attending the Service Trip are expected to sign up to participate in the Brat Fest fundraiser. Anyone else from the congregation who would like to volunteer under our group’s name (Orchard Ridge UCC) will also have their hours counted toward our fundraiser! Please sign up here if you would like to participate.
  • May 26, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Mandatory Service Trip Meeting: for any youth and chaperones attending this year’s service trip. We will go over important information as we share fellowship together.
  • June 1, Sundae Sunday: Final day of Faith Formation for children and Youth for the programming year. During worship we will have a special recognition of our graduating Seniors and celebrate our children and youth ministry year. Stay for sundaes after worship!
  • June 1, 9:00 a.m. “Parents Together” Peer Support: Join other parents at ORUCC for a time to share in the joys and challenges of parenting while your kids are in Faith Formation. Led by Joanna and Claire, this peer support group is open to all parents of kids’ at any age or stage.
  • June 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Family Game Night: Come for the final game night before a break for the summer. Join this casual time of fellowship with a potluck dinner and board games galore!

At Orchard Ridge, we are Spiritually Alive!
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Summer Intergenerational Pen Pals

The summer pen pals initiative presents a wonderful opportunity for our congregation to connect across generations. Older and younger pen pals will be paired up to share in a fun and meaningful exchange of experiences, stories, and encouragement. Participants will commit to sending three heartfelt snail-mail letters throughout the summer.

At this time, we are gathering interest in the program. Please fill out THIS form or contact Julie or Kate if you would like to be considered for our Pen Pal program. The deadline to express interest is May 30.

God the Creator Still at Work:

Faith Formation 5/18

Our 9 AM Faith Formation hour for PreK-6th grade began indoors with a time to reflect on the words of Psalm 104. The children later traveled outside to draw chalk images from the Psalm and continue to make observations about the world around them. Our time ended with an opportunity to share what they are grateful for in creation. See prayer below for instructions on how to recreate this experience at home.

“According to the psalmist, creation did not end in Genesis; it continues even today.

We see God watering the earth, causing grass and plants to grow to feed the animals and people, providing places for shelter, and marking the seasons. It is this important idea that the psalmist wants to communicate—creation continues, and God the Creator is still at work lovingly tending the earth and its creatures, both great and small,”

-From Path to Peace with Creation.

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.

Create a “spring” of water as you express gratitude to God for the beauty of creation. Set a small bowl inside a large bowl or basin. Fill the small bowl half full of water. Give your family members several stones or marbles. As family members name something they are grateful for in creation, they can place a stone in the small bowl. Continue placing stones in the small bowl until the water overflows into the larger bowl or basin.

-From Path to Peace with Creation

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