Madison Mennonite Church invites ORUCC members and friends to a timely presentation by two members of Jewish Voice for Peace-Madison. Our presenters, American-born Marc Rosenthal and Israeli-born Esty Dinur, are long-time peace and international solidarity activists who come with extensive experience “organizing for Palestinian liberation and Judaism beyond Zionism.” Come with your questions. At ORUCC sanctuary, Sunday, April 13, at 4:00 – 4:50 p.m. All are welcome!

April Compassion Offering:

One Great Hour of Sharing

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a cornerstone of United Church of Christ’s mission:

• OGHS supports global refugees working to reach new homes and build new lives.
• OGHS addresses emergency needs arising from hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes.
• OGHS develops sustainable resources and skills among communities (both domestic and international) weakened by chronic poverty or climate challenges.
• OGHS works in long-standing partnerships with denominations such as Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian Church (USA), Church of the Brethren, and with ecumenical alliances such as Church World Service.

Now more than ever, our partnerships are essential and cherished.

Now more than ever, our assistance is crucial to support the homeless, the hungry, the victims of war.

Now more than ever, it is our privilege to offer tangible support which saves lives.

Give as you are able. Be the face of God’s love in the world. Thank you.

Upcoming Sunday Morning Opportunities…

Mark your calendars: there many special events offered both before and after worship!

• April 13, 9:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Intergenerational Faith Formation; 9:00 a.m. New Members Class 3rd Session
• Easter Sunday, April 20, 6:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service followed by brunch; 10:00 Worship; 11:15 a.m. Children and Youth Easter Egg Hunt
• April 27, 9:00 a.m. Care of Creation Mission Team Presents: Gardening with Native Plants, with Jeff Epping; 9:00 a.m. New Members Class 4th Session; and also 11:15 am Presentation by members of the 2025 ORUCC Border Immersion Trip.

Java & Jesus adult faith formation in the Alfred Swan Room at the 9:00 hour on the following dates: May 4, 11, 18 and 25.

This Sunday: Intergenerational Faith Formation at 9:00 a.m.

All are welcome to attend an all-ages faith formation event for Palm Sunday as we look ahead to Holy Week. Together, we will travel through Holy Week by story-telling, tangram creation, and a faith reflection led by Julie Mazer. What is a Tangram? A Tangram is a geometric puzzle consisting of a square cut into seven pieces. The pieces can be arranged to make various other shapes. This will be in place of regular children, youth, and adult faith formation for this Sunday.

Stay up to date on ORUCC Children and Youth happenings

Want to stay up to date on the latest with children and youth at ORUCC? Check out our weekly updates here:

https://orucc.org/keeping-current/children-and-youth-news//

Holy Week Wayfinding

As Lent turns into Holy Week, we have the opportunity to come together in Wayfinding to contemplate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our programming is Wednesday April 16^th in-person with refreshments at 9:30 and programming beginning at 9:45, followed by our virtual gathering at 4pm over ZOOM on Thursday April 17th.

Augustine said, “Oh Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” How might our elder years encourage new devotion or spiritual practice of the heart, so that our heart might ultimately rest in God? Holy week opens new opportunity for deeper devotional practice as we accompany Jesus through his last days of ministry, his death on the cross and resurrection. We will practice centering prayer together in devotion to Jesus.

Our theme also comes from The Inner Work of Age, Shifting from Role to Soul by Connie Zweig, and brings us to the heart of our devotional and spiritual practices in chapter 8 titled, “Spiritual Repair to Reimagine Our Beliefs and Reclaim Our Practices.” You may download the chapter here, for your own enhancement if you choose to read, but it is not mandatory for participation.

Sign up to attend

a Maundy Thursday

dinner in a home

April 17th, 6-8 pm

(Burkey/Cooperrider Meal, 5-7 pm)

Might you be interested in attending a Maundy Thursday meal in a home on April 17th? All meals will be 6-8 pm except the Burkey/Cooperrider meal which will be 5-7 pm.

Both Pastors Julia and Ken will be hosting dinners along with 3 others!

In the past, the host has provided a Middle Eastern main dish, and has either invited the guests to bring side dishes to share or to bring a favorite beverage (e.g. wine). Your host will be in touch with you about this. Be sure to let your host know if you have any dietary restrictions.

If you have trouble with this online signup tool, there will be signup sheets on the table in the Crossroads the next two Sundays. Or you can contact Ken Pennings to let him know which host you’ve chosen ([email protected] or 608-556-2371).

After supper, your group will share in a brief ritual of Communion remembering Jesus’ last supper with his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem.

Click here to sign up

Our Generosity at Work: Compassion Offering for March

We are glad to report that March’s Compassion Offering for The Community Immigration Law Center (CILC) amounted to $4,532.00. CILC provides pro bono representation for immigrants facing deportation. CILC is frequently the last line of defense for people who are in need of information and representation in our legal system. The five lawyers and paralegal of CILC are housed at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison.

Please Sign Up to Volunteer on Sunday Mornings!

A Number of Open Slots

in the Near Future!

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, an Usher, a Lay Liturgist or to assist with Holy Communion?

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 an Usher

Click here to sign up as a Lay Liturgist

Click here to assist with Holy Communion

• Page #1: Choose the date you are available to volunteer and select the box that says “SIGN UP“.  Then, at the bottom of the page select the box “SAVE & CONTINUE“.
• Page #2: Enter your first/last name and your email address. Then select the box at the bottom of the page “SIGN UP NOW“

Questions or problems signing up?

Contact Ken Pennings at [email protected] or 608-556-2371.

Individual plots available in the ORUCC garden! 

Are you interested in having access to a little plot of land to grow your own produce? If so, the ORUCC Veggie Village (on the east side of the property) has 2 community garden plots for lease this gardening season. Fee is $35 for a 12 x 12 foot plot. Email LuAnn Greiner at [email protected] by April 12th if you are interested and/or have questions.

Questions:   Contact Ruth Ann Berkholtz  [email protected]

An Opportunity to Serve UW Students

In February, the focus of our compassion offering was The Crossing campus ministry. Thank you for your generous support! Were you excited by what you heard from the Executive Director, Michael Burch, and the Justice Advocate for Criminal Justice, CeCe Babat, in February? Are you interested in continuing to support ORUCC’s connection with The Crossing? Do you feel called to serve? We have another opportunity for you to support The Crossing. The Crossing’s Board of Directors is looking for passionate and engaged board members to join the board in serving the staff and students.

The Crossing is a diverse and caring community of students who find belonging, embrace exploration, advocate passionately for justice issues, and become who they are inspired to become. The Crossings mission of learning about faith and advocating for justice aligns well with ORUCC’s mission and our two ministries have been connected for more than fifteen years.

To learn more about becoming a board member, contact Sue Dixon at 608-712-9050 or [email protected]. To learn more about The Crossing campus ministry, visit: The Crossing | Wisconsin-Madison

Heart-Opening Opportunity

Are you feeling sad, scattered, isolated? Are you wondering where God is right now? The Thursday morning Meditation Group would love to have you join us, breathe in God’s presence, and ground yourself in love.

Thursdays, 8:30 – 9:30 am in the Romero Room. Questions? Contact Susi Petta at 608-712-9539 or Becky Baumbach at 608-239-0221.

Come sing with us!

Join our Choir!

All singers are welcome to join our Choir! Rehearsals are Wednesday

evenings from 7:00 to 8:30pm. We sing in worship the first and third

Sundays of the month, gathering for rehearsal 9am those Sunday mornings.

Please share your voice with a group of music-loving friendly people! For more information, email Bruce Gladstone at [email protected].

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

Daily Reflections: April 10 – 16

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. If you know someone who needs encouragement and would like the devotional mailed to them, please contact the church office.

Daily Reflections: April 10 – 16

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

Office Hours: M-Th 8:30-12:30