Name Tags

The second batch of name tags is here! Please check to see if yours has arrived. The name tag board will be on the Gilbert Street side of the Crossroads. Magnetic name tags will be on the white board. Lanyard and pins will be in the tray below. If you need a “lanyard for your name tag” we have a few hanging on the side of the board. (We will order more name tags in January.)

DECEMBER COMPASSION OFFERING

THE CHRISTMAS FUND

The Christmas Fund is an annual special offering of the United Church of Christ. Each year at Christmas, UCC members are invited to give to this fund, created for the benefit of clergy and lay workers in our denomination. Orchard Ridge UCC has participated in generous ways for many years. 

Funds are disbursed in a timely and sensitive manner to benefit retired clergy with inadequate pensions, surviving clergy spouses whose needs may be great following the death of their spouse, retired church workers who often lack adequate pension plans, and currently serving pastors confronted with emergency financial needs. 

This year’s theme comes from John 1:16: “From Christ’s fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” The presence of God in our lives equips us to respond generously. 

Throughout December we will hear specific accounts of ways The Christmas Fund has proved essential for those who lead us in worship and mission across the United Church of Christ. Funds are collected by The Pension Boards of the UCC and are distributed carefully and thoughtfully for maximum benefit. 

Thank you for giving generously

VIDEO

You can make a donation by check, on the memo line, please write “compassion” and mail to ORUCC, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711,

or donate online from our website. The link is https://orucc.org/contribute/support/

Sermon Talk Backs

Sundays at 11:15 am in the Alfred Swan Room

Come share in an opportunity to discuss how the sermon of the day touched you spiritually. This is hosted and facilitated by members of the Ministry of Adult Faith Formation.

Holiday greeting cards available in the Crossroads!

Shop local (really local!) and support housing stability by purchasing your holiday greeting cards at ORUCC! There is a HUGE selection of Christmas and winter-themed cards on display in the Crossroads. In the past year we have raised over $1500 thanks to YOU! -Peg Knueve & LuAnn Greiner

Holiday Gift Tree to Support our Neighbors



We are happy to continue to the tradition of supporting the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) in our neighborhood by purchasing holiday gifts for families participating in the program.

Please purchase, wrap, and return gifts (along with the gift tag from the tree) by December 18th! Talk to Pastor Kate for details.

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of Dec 7 – Dec 13

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.

ORUCC Christmas “Post Office”

Each Sunday in December, support our ORUCC Youth Service Trip and save a trip to the post office by “sending” your personal Christmas cards to fellow ORUCC friends through our Youth post office. You will have the opportunity to file your card by name; stop by each week to see if you have any mail! 50-cents per card suggested donation.

2023 Budget Year Ending

Our 2023 Budget year is ending. Thanks to all who have contributed to ORUCC this year and to all who have pledged for 2024. 

Before we close the books on 2023, please be sure you have fulfilled your 2023 pledge, and have returned your 2024 pledge cards. 

If everyone accomplishes these two tasks early in the month of December, your Treasurer, Office Manager, and Stewardship Team will be exceedingly grateful.        

Updates from the Ministry of Christian Witness & Service (CWS)

Compassion Offerings:  Our CWS team is responsible for designating a recipient organization for the monthly compassion offerings. We invite you to be a part of this process! Consider a non-profit that aligns with our church mission and that you are willing to help us promote. Then, follow the instructions on this form: Compassion Offering Request Form (google.com) . The Ministry of Christian Witness & Service will review and consider your proposal at one of our monthly meetings. 

Outreach Support Initiatives:  Each year, CWS is charged with allocating monies from a designated outreach support fund that in turn helps organizations locally and globally to carry out good works in the world. Here are some highlights of fund allocation in 2023:

Youth mission trip chaperone subsidy: $1500

The Village Diaper Bank: $600

UCC Global Ministries (middle east support): $2000

Mary House of Hospitality (families of prisoners): $1000

Catholic Multicultural Center (immigration support): $1000

Greater Turning Catholic Worker House of Hospitality: $940

Prison ministry support through JustDane: $900

Annual dues to MOSES and Dane Sanctuary Coalition: $500 each

Please know that advocates and representatives for these organizations/endeavors extend their deep appreciation for the generosity of this congregation. THANK YOU!

Lunch and Learn

(formerly Over-55)

Wednesday, December 14^th

We will welcome ORUCC members Paul Patenaude and Ann Avery, registered nurses, who will share their experiences as medical missionaries to Haiti and Nicaragua (among others).  They will share stories of the people and needs of the people that they served.  Prepare to be amazed at their devotion and dedication.

We gather on Wednesday the 14^th at 11:30, dine from a wonderful buffet at 11:45, ($10 per person) and adjourn for the program at 12:30.  Please RSVP to Steve Sheets: [email protected].  

Movie Group

Thursday, December 14–7 pm

      December Movie–“Joyeux Noel

Hello Movie Fans,

Thanks to Gerry Wetterson, we will be showing the 2005 film “Joyeux Noel” at Oakwood Village Performance Center at 7:00 on Thursday, December 14 with discussion to follow in the Nakoma Room.

This “Christmas movie” fictionalizes a real event, the spontaneous, miraculous cease fire and celebration that took place on December 24-25 between the German, Scottish and French troops in the early months of World War I. While the lead characters in the film are fictional, the essential outlines of the story are accurate. The Crown Prince of Germany did sent the lead tenor of the Berlin Opera to the front to boost German morale, Scottish and French troops cheered his performance, which was accompanied by Scottish bagpipes and the soldiers did emerge from the trenches. The evening cease fire was extended to the next day, when a Latin Mass, drinking, football, burying the dead and fraternizing was the order of the day. Almost unbelievable given that these same men had been successfully killing one another for months. And they were also aware that in wartime, “fraternizing with the enemy” was punishable by death. 

The depiction of trench warfare (shortly after the film begins), the images of which we all carry, is comparatively restrained and will not, we hope, prevent you from seeing this powerful film.

For us, living with the tragedies of Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, the movie has singular meaning. What, if anything, makes possible the cessation-temporary or permanent- of extreme violence?



Hope to see you on the 14th

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Members of ORUCC are invited to apply for 2024-2025 college scholarships of $500 to $2,000 from the Frank E. Page Scholarship Fund. Applicants should be planning to begin or continue education at any accredited 2- or 4-year college or university and should have a record of academic achievement, service to church and community, and demonstrated financial need. The application deadline is February 15, 2024.

Contact [email protected] for an electronic application. Questions? Contact Ann Evensen at [email protected]

Virtual Wayfinding will gather on the 3rd Wednesday in person and virtually over ZOOM the 3rd Thursday from 4pm-5:15pm.

By Zoom on Thursdays: 04:00 PM Central Time

    Dec 21, 2023 04:00 PM

    Jan 18, 2024 04:00 PM

    Feb 15, 2024 04:00 PM

    Mar 21, 2024 04:00 PM

    Apr 18, 2024 04:00 PM

    May 16, 2024 04:00 PM

Click here to join Zoom meeting



us02web.zoom.us/j/87998025473?pwd=dEEzcFkvSnBNdzNUaE5BK2RxUDZqZz09

Meeting ID: 879 9802 5473

Passcode: 573548

Dial in

1 312 626 6799 US 

ORUCC Member Manuel Ramminger, Co-Founder of Ethical Trading Company invites you to volunteer…

We would like to extend the opportunity for people at ORUCC to volunteer with Ethical Trading Company specifically in running our store at the Eastmorland Community Center at Madison’s east side. Ethical Trade Co empowers through trade artisans and farmers that are vulnerable to exploitation and modern slavery. This trade relationship provides a livable wage in artisans’ respective communities and empower them to break out of extreme poverty –

the root cause of exploitation and modern slavery. 

Currently the store is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11am-5pm at 3565 Tulane Ave. Volunteers would sign up for a whole day or half day shift and tasks would range from welcoming customers, answering basic questions about our nonprofit and product, and checking customers out. Occasionally help with pricing or restocking may be needed. 

As the holidays pick up our store gets much more busy but at times it can be slow especially before thanksgiving so volunteers are advised to bring a book or something else to work on. 

Questions? Email Manuel at [email protected]

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, 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 a Lay Liturgist

Click here to assist with Holy Communion

After selecting one or more dates, 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