Technology Fundraiser

The church is moving ahead with technology improvements, and we are welcoming contributions to help pay for them.  Hybrid meetings in the Alfred Swan Room are already happening; these permit people present in the room to share the event with those connected from home via Zoom.  Next up we will be adding technology to make it possible to hold larger hybrid meetings and enhanced educational events in Friendship Hall.  To learn more please read this post from the ORUCC Website Link .

You can make a donation by check, on the memo line, please write “AV” and mail to ORUCC, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711, or donate online at LINK tech fund.

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of Aug 25 – August 31

Read this week’s reflections as a way to dive deeper into your spiritual practice or to get some nourishment and inspiration

for your day.

Click here for reflections

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. You will see these posted daily if you are part of the “Members & Friends” Facebook group. If you know someone who needs encouragement and would like the devotional mailed to them, please contact Julie Wombacher in the church office.

The Immigration Justice Team thanks

YOU

for the clothes you donated to the

August 2022 Casa Alitas Clothing Drive

Clothing will be delivered on Thursday, Sept 1, 2022 to Casa Alitas in Tucson, AZ

Deliver HOPE, Grow JOY

Care of Creation Green Corner

Chris Thomas and Sara Roberts have been participating in quarterly meetings with other communities of faith in Dane County, connecting with other to share information and learn from each other, hence the name Faiths Connect for Climate Action.

You are invited to attend our third virtual meeting on Thursday, September 1 from 7:00-8:30pm via Zoom. We will again have breakouts on the topics selected by participants as the most important to focus on: 

1) talk to others about climate change 

2) educate your faith community 

3) recruit for your green team 

4) advocate for better climate policy

5) recycle and deal with plastics

6) work on environmental justice

We’ll start with a short, inspiring video, “When the Earth Moves” released on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, featuring Gaylord Nelson, Tina Nelson, Varshini Prakash and Bob Inglis. We’ll then break into 6 groups, starting with a short introduction by an expert in each of the six areas, followed by interaction on the topic. Come and get new ideas for your team. 

Members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby Madison’s Faith Community Engagement Team and the Wisconsin Creation Care Ambassadors are working together to host this free, virtual event. Please register here by August 29th. Questions: email Trudi Jenny, [email protected].

Women’s Book Group

The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare is September’s book for Women’s Book Group. Marilyn Schairer will lead us in a discussion of this book which is the inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her “louding voice” and speak for herself. We will meet virtually on Zoom on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 1:30-3:00pm. Please contact Deanna Blanchard if you would like to be included in the emails with the Zoom link at [email protected].

Friday Breakfast Group

September 2, 8:30 am

The next Friday Breakfast is set for September 2 at 8:30 am at Denny’s, 433 S. Gammon Road. All are welcome! The group meets on the first Friday of the month and includes both men and women. It is informal and a chance to connect and converse on many topics. Contact Louise Jeanne, Link for more information.

Looking Forward to Fall Children’s Programming!

Beginning Sunday September 11th

With a welcome back BBQ after church

Music Connections

Our 2022 programming year kicks off on September 11! Music Connections, our music ministry for children in grades 2-6+, meets during the 10 o’clock worship hour in the lower level of the church. Volunteers are needed to assist during this time. Duties include observing, participating, and helping wherever needed. No prior music experience is required. You do not need to be a parent. Volunteers must attend a brief Safe Sanctuary workshop. If you are able to help, please sign up at : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A5AB2B0-20221 

Sunday School Theme:

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Turn from evil; do good; seek peace and pursue it.

–Psalm 34:14

It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.

–Eleanor Roosevelt

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls his followers to become peacemakers. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Jesus believes in the power of peace to change the world and calls us to participate in its nonviolent transformation. But how do we become a peacemaker? As we know, to make peace is very hard work. It involves our attention on many levels. It begins with a look at our inner selves. Jesus promises us the gift of peace. But this peace is not something we can find in the world; we find it when realize we are fully loved, accepted, and forgiven by God. This is an understanding that we grow into, that we trust inwardly, and that becomes the center from which we live. When we receive this truth into our lives, we experience peace; peace not as the world gives but as Christ gives. And as we keep our minds and hearts resting on and, in this peace, we begin to seek the way of peace in the world we live. 

In this module, children will learn about the call to become a peacemaker and how we can walk the path of peace. Children will spend time discovering the gift of Christ’s peace and how we nurture the peace that lives in our hearts. They will also learn some very practical skills about becoming a peacemaker which include listening carefully, coping with anger, forgiving, seeking reconciliation, and living courageously as peacemakers.

Our Whole Lives for Middle Schoolers begins September 11th at 8:30 am on most Sundays

Middle school youth learn about in a safe and accepting space about sexuality, how to define their own values, anatomy and physiology, where they can can discuss personal concerns about puberty and body image, gender expression, stereotypes, disability, healthy relationships, redefining abstinence, consent education, and beyond. This is a program and curriculum designed to offer accurate information presented in developmentally appropriate ways as well as:

• Affective and emotional learning
• Guiding values and principles
• Activities that help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills
• A safe and supportive peer group
• Acceptance of diversity
• A social justice approach to inclusive sexuality education

For questions about the program, contact Barbara Stretchberry [email protected]

Sunday Morning Nursery

 Seeking Nursery Care for Fall

We are opening the nursery this fall! We are looking for two dedicated individuals to be a nursery care provider to begin Sept 11. Hours are from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. If you know anyone in your network who might be a good fit for us, please pass this information along to them. We consider the nursery care to be an important piece of our vibrant ministry to families, that we are ready to bring BACK! There is a possibility for extended hours for special activities either on Sundays or other days of the week. This person will work with our other hired staff person and care for children ages 0-5 years. We will pay $20.00/hour. We are a Safe Sanctuary congregation and all of our applicants are screened. Please send resumes to Julie Mazer, email [email protected]

Upcoming Event for Ordering Bakery Goods

 Interested in ordering some delicious baked goods from Just Bakery? As part of September’s Compassion Offering for Just Dane, you’ll be able to order items to be delivered to Orchard Ridge on September 25.  Look for more information coming soon or email Julie Horst  (Link)

Movie Group Returns in an Experimental Format

 #1 We will meet at 10 AM Thursday, September the 15^th.  We will have coffee and appropriate snacks.  Masks will be worn except when eating or drinking.

 #2 We will try this without any zoom link.  Some folks have indicated some difficulty with discussion when zoom is involved.  It is an experiment!

 #3 We suggest a film available on Netflix free, a film on the TCM network (Spectrum channel 58) or “wildcard” choice you have seen at any location that you wish to discuss.

On Netflix (free). A Call to Spy is a 2019 American historical drama film written and produced by Sarah Megan Thomas and directed by Lydia Dean Pilcher. The film is inspired by the true stories of three women who worked as spies in World War II. It stars Sarah Megan Thomas, Radhika Apte , and Stana Katic. After France falls to the Nazis, these women seek to support the war effort by spying for a secret agency under Churchill. Based on a true story.

Along with the Netflix film suggested above, we urge you to view a Turner Classic Movie, “Double Indemnity”, showing on TCM at 7:00 pm on September 3rd. This 1944 film noir/crime drama is considered one of the finest Hollywood films ever, with stellar performances by Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson. It got 7 Academy Award nominations. The film will also be available for streaming on the “watchtcm.com” app any time after Sept. 3rd.  Viewing this film allows us to discuss not only three fine performances, but to experience the long-gone studio system that produced the films known world-wide. If there is sufficient interest in TCM we might consider a Zoom or in-person group, or even a class, making use of the TCM format.

 Please consider joining us for a lively discussion of any or all the choices we have suggested. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15^TH AT 10 AM IN THE SWAN ROOM.

Wayfinding: The Soul-tasks of Aging,

toward a Theology of the Elder Years

Every third Wednesday from 9:30-11:15am,

beginning September 21, save the date!

Pastor Julia will guide those of us who feel called to the soul-tasks of aging through a series of 10 workshops and conversations during the 2022-2023 program year. In a retreat like-format, we will come together once a month in-person in Friendship Hall on the third Wednesdays of the month from 9:30-11:15am. Our first 15 minutes will begin with coffee and refreshments moving next to a presentation to frame our time and large group circle conversation followed by breaking into small groups for deeper conversation or activity.

RSVP: To sign up, please respond to Julie W. in the office indicating that you are interested in this program.

Please let us know: would you be interested in a Virtual Wayfinding program with the same content on the 3^rd Thursdays? If you are interested in this program, but not sure you are able to commit to coming in-person, Pastor Julia may open up a third Thursday at 4pm ZOOM Wayfinding gathering to occur the day after our Wayfinding events. If you are interested in this Thursday afternoon virtual option as well as or instead, please indicate that in your response to Julie, so Pastor Julia knows whether or not to hold these gatherings.

Over 55 is coming on Wednesday, September 28th

Grab your Badger gear and come to Over 55 in Bucky Red.  Show your “Badger spirit!”  Josette Jaucian, the UW Spirit Squad Director, will be our featured speaker.  Buckle up for a very informative program.  The 56-member University of Wisconsin Spirit Squad is a highly visible, enthusiastic, and talented group of student-athletes with a primary purpose to support Intercollegiate Athletics and serve as ambassadors for the University of Wisconsin.  The Spirit Squad is comprised of the Cheerleading Squad, the Dance Team, and the Bucky Badger Mascots.  We are sure to learn how Josette manages the auditions and directs the training and conditioning.

We will gather at 11:30, dine at 11:45 and begin our program about 12:15.  All are welcome regardless of age!  Mark your calendar:  Wednesday, September 28th, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $8.

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 Welcomer, 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 Welcomer

Click here to sign up as a Lay Liturgist

Click here to sign up to assist with Holy Communion

After selecting a date, you will need to click “Submit and Sign Up” at the bottom of the page, then enter your name & email address, then click “Sign Up Now.”

Questions or problems signing up?

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

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

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