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 20, Easter Sunrise Service 6:00 a.m. followed by brunch; 10:00 Worship; 11:15 a.m. Children’s 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.
• May 4, 9:00 a.m. Parents Together Support Group; 9:00 a.m. UCC Mission Partners in the Holy Land – See below! 11:15 Worship & Work Sunday!

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

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//

Zoom Holy Week Wayfinding today

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 was 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 today, 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.

The ORUCC office will be closed Fridays starting next week

Due to a change in Office Manager George Decker’s work schedule, the ORUCC office will go back to being closed Fridays starting next week. Our new office hours will be 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Thursday.

“Godly Living in Ungodly Times” class resumes next Thursday, April 24th

The Godly Living in Ungodly Times class will meet again next Thursday, 10-11:30 am, in person in the Swan Room and via Zoom, and 7-8:30 pm Zoom only. David will send a link next week. Classes will be held for three sessions after Easter. Contact David Anderman at [email protected] if you have questions.

Earth Month speaker at 9:00 am on Sunday, April 27th in Friendship Hall: Jeff Epping

Jeff Epping was the director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison for 25 years. He received the Award of Merit from the American Public Gardens Association in 2023 for his work as an early innovator of eco-friendly gardening practices and use of native plants in the landscape. He pioneered techniques like leaf mulching, organic lawn care, gravel gardens and living mulch. More recently he designed the extensive gardens at Epic Systems in Verona. Plan to attend to learn about sustainable landscapes and practices to promote pollinators at home and in the community.

Special Opportunity: Sunday, May 4th, at 9:00 am, in the Alfred Swan Room

How UCC Mission Partners bring hope to the Holy Land

During the past 16 years, ORUCC members Diane Dulin and Tom Beilman have traveled multiple times to the Holy Land. They’ve seen firsthand how UCC Mission Partners (partner organizations) bring hope and friendship to oppressed peoples, amidst the constant stress of military occupation. Come and hear inspiring, informative stories about the vital work of these Mission Partners.

May 4, 9:00 a.m. “Parents Together” Support Group

Raising kids is hard work, full of joy and challenge. Are you looking for some community as you navigate the ups and downs? Parents are invited to come together for a peer-led parents’ support group to share our experiences. The group will meet for approximately 45 minutes in the Oscar Romero room, facilitated by Claire Purkis and Joanna Beilman-Dulin. This will be the soft-launch of a group that will likely meet regularly in the fall.

Immigration Justice Mission Team Updates

May 2nd 3pm Day Without Latinx and Immigrants 

You are invited to join Pastor Julia and members of the Immigration Justice Mission Team for statewide ‘Day Without Latinx and Immigrants’ strike and rally on May 2nd. We will meet together at 3:00 pm at Brittingham Park (829 West Washington Avenue) then march to the Capitol at 4pm with a 4:30 rally at the Capitol.

May 6th 2pm Support Refugees Friend-raiser & Fund-raiser

At Capitol Lakes 333 W Main Street in Madison, the authorized Refugee Resettlement agency in Dane County will make a presentation to inform us and ask for help for refugee neighbors. 

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.

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 17 – 24

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. Please note that Jeanne will be taking a break from the Daily Reflections until May 8, 2025, when they will return to the Weekly Announcements.

Daily Reflections: April 17 – 24

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

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