FEBRUARY COMPASSION OFFERING

Porchlight, Inc – Safe Haven Program

Safe Haven is a Madison-based day shelter for adults with mental illness who are experiencing homelessness. Guests have access to meals, showers, laundry, bus tickets, mail, and phone services. Safe Haven also provides housing-focused case management and crisis stabilization services. Safe Haven staff specialize in building rapport with individuals who may not otherwise engage in mainstream services.   

Safe Haven provides invaluable support through its Crisis Stabilization Program, which focuses on developing and maintaining recovery plans for guests experiencing acute crises. All eligible guests have been diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness, and 43% are also struggling with a co-occurring substance use disorder. 

Safe Haven’s daily utilization has increased significantly over the past several years, more than doubling from 2018 (198 guests) to 2020 (467 guests). As one of the few community programs for this population that kept its doors open, utilization continued to increase throughout the pandemic. In 2023, Safe Haven served 602 guests during the day. Of those guests, 41% were unsheltered – sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, and 55% were sleeping in an emergency shelter at night. 

With skyrocketing costs and increased guest usage at Safe Haven, Porchlight is in need of additional funding to support these services. Your generous contribution will go directly toward guest services at the day shelter as well as transitional housing support, specifically for individuals with mental illness. 

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 Thank you for giving generously

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/

Flicker Wild Church next pop-up sacred circle and wild wander will take place on Thursday February 1st, 4pm at Donald Park.

Please bring your own chair to sit around the fire, a warm drink for yourself, and a treat to share with others after if you you’d like.

Imbolc is the the halfway point between winter solstice & spring equinox.

Known as Imbolc in the Celtic calendar, which means in the belly of the ewe, meaning the earth is pregnant with seeds we cannot yet know or see- but we trust the beginning of new life is stirring deep within the darkness of the earth, in our souls, in the world.

Imbolc is also the feast day of St. Brigid, a weaver of Celtic pagan Druid and Christian worlds, a keeper of the fires, a friend of animals, a guide for us through thresholds of all kinds. It is said that on this day Brigid goes to the wellspring of eternal youth and gathers new life and sprinkles it on the countryside, which eventually become the first snowdrop flowers in spring. She’s also thought to have been the midwife for the Christ child.

Together we will anticipate new life, recognizing how the sun has begun to shine longer and stronger even in the depths of winter. Bundle up and join us! We can’t wait to see you!

We could use a boost!

Do you have a gently-used booster seat or high chair that you would be willing to donate to the church? We are looking to have a few on hand so that we can continue to be more inclusive of younger families during church fellowship events. Please contact Pastor Kate, [email protected] if you have something to share.

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of Feb 1 – Feb 7

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.

ORDER YOUR NAME TAG

Sunday, February 4

On Sunday, February 4th, we will again be taking orders for lanyard and magnetic name tags. We are charging $5.00 with the hope that whoever can will donate more to help cover the full cost of $7.50. We are also offering free name tags (plastic sleeves on lanyards) for those who would prefer that option. We are also encouraging folks to put pronouns on their name tags!

If you want to order a name tag, but will not be at church on February 4th, please contact Jill Westberg at [email protected]. 

Moderator’s January 2024 Update from Hal Evensen, ORUCC Moderator

Happy New Year! This will be my final “update” as Moderator. Deanna Blanchard is up next, taking her turn part-way through the annual congregational meeting next month, on Feb. 4 following worship. Here’s an update:

• First, a reminder of the aforementioned annual meeting! All members and friends are welcome to attend. Our church’s annual report is complete, and copies (electronic and paper) will go out the week of Jan. 25; some copies will also be available at the church and at the meeting. I encourage you to look it through: it is a very nice summary of the wide range of work done by our congregation in 2023. It also gives a good idea of what our various ministries do – and of opportunities for participation by “regular folks:” Adult Faith Formation; Christian Witness & Service; Congregational Life; Resources; Youth Faith Formation. THANK YOU to all!

• The Human Resources Mission Team has been working its way through a new annual reflection process with our staff, starting with the Senior Pastor and Music staff. This has already improved communication and helped facilitate some changes such as coordination between pastors and music leaders, and organist Vicki Nonn’s desire to scale back on her Sunday commitments starting in 2024 (she will continue to work with Bruce and the choir!). We will continue our work into 2024 with the rest of our valuable staff. I am proud of this team – David Anderman, Barbara Stretchberry, Susan Watson, and Pastor Julia – we have worked together well, and this is helping us to support all whom we employ as a church!

• And, to close, some good news! At the annual meeting – and in the report – John Day will share his summary of the 2023 budget and the 2024 budget. The highlights: (1) our 2023 deficit was much smaller than projected; (2) our 2024 pledges came in with a 5% increase, which is a historically large jump! These allowed the Leadership Team to apply a small (2%) cost of living increase in 2024 for our staff – whereas initial projections had led us to hold this at zero. While this increase still does not keep up with inflation, we are glad to be able to express appreciation in this way. Thank you!

It has been a pleasure serving as your Moderator and getting to better know – and appreciate – our congregation, pastors, and staff! I will continue to serve in 2024, as Past Moderator. Please feel free to reach out to any of the moderators ([email protected]) or leadership team member (see the color poster on the bulletin board) with any questions, comments, suggestions, or offerings of support!

TODAY–Women’s Book Group

February 1 we will meet on Zoom to discuss Foster by Claire Keegan. Leslie Rebhorn will lead our discussion. We meet on the first Thursday of each month from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. A Zoom link will be sent to the mailing list. If you are interested in joining us, or would just like to see our reading list for 2024, please email Deanna Blanchard at [email protected].

Friday Breakfast Group – February 2

The next Friday Breakfast is set for February 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. Join us for this informal chance to connect and converse on many topics. Contact Louise Jeanne, Link for more information.

The Ministry of Christian Witness & Service invites 

you to an intergenerational, all-church 

Faith in Action Brunch

Sunday, February 11, 2024

11:15am – 12:45pm

Friendship Hall

What is this about, you ask? It’s a wonderful opportunity to:

  - Gather as a community & enjoy a meal together

  - Inspire new connections

  - Learn about and raise up our individual and collective outreach and justice work within and beyond ORUCC

  - Support our youth! Proceeds will go toward the 2024 Youth Service Trip

  - Have fun!

Individuals, families, little children – all are invited to partake in this gathering. There will be a dedicated seating area for families with young children and one of our nursery staff will be available to assist you. 

Your presence at this brunch is the most important contribution that you can make. If you can also make a donation toward the 2024 Youth Service Trip, in any amount, we will be grateful.

Suggested guidelines are:

Ages 13 and above: $10

Ages 6-12: $5

Ages 5 and under: $0

Save the Date for Party Gras! 

Tuesday, Feb 13

5:30-7:30 pm in Friendship Hall

Join us to celebrate the beginning of Lent and the Easter Season! There will be games, music, dancing and a pizza dinner, followed by a brief ceremony to burn the palms from last year’s Ash Wednesday service. 

Lunch and Learn

(formerly Over 55)

February 14^th, 11:30

What’s happening in Public Health today?  Lunch & Learn will offer up-to-date information on “The State of Public Health Today.” Julie Willems Van Dijk will be our presenter.  Professor Willems Van Dijk is a nurse who has served the people of Wisconsin for 40 years. In 2019, she accepted Governor Tony Evers’ invitation to join his team as the Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Julie served on the Unified Command team for Wisconsin’s response until her retirement in September 2021. 

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].  

   QUILTS FOR GAZA — Quilters Invited

The war in Gaza has left thousands of people homeless, injured and critically ill. Many of these people are newborn infants, young children, teenagers.

Although at present very few shipments of humanitarian aid for Gaza are allowed entrance, in time it will become possible to send quilts to Gaza. An ad hoc group of quilters from Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ is preparing for this opportunity by quilting small (40 x 40 inches for babies and young children, slightly larger for teens) quilts for distribution to Gaza when feasible via our United Church of Christ Global Mission Partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Your help is invited! Join the effort by making quilts; sharing extra fabric/thread/lightweight batting you have on hand; donating funds to help with materials and shipping costs; praying for the people of Gaza; spreading the word to others who may wish to help.



Contact Diane Dulin for more information. We welcome your questions, ideas, and involvement.  [email protected]  503-779-9173

Snow Removal News

The ORUCC Resource Ministry Team has decided to switch vendors for our snow removal services. Dayflower Dave’s Snow Removal Services has taken over our snow removal as of 12/15/2023.

This is exciting news for multiple reasons:

·        They will be in contact with us prior to a snow event to ensure we receive the services we need.

·        They will use far less salt by working closely with us to determine when salt is needed. This will be much better for our grounds and the environment!

·        They use tractors equipped with snow blowers to prevent piles at the end of the parking lot.

·        Snow events with accumulation of one inch or greater will be cleared on Sunday morning by 8:00 AM.

·        We will be reducing our budgeted cost by over $3000 per season.

Important Note–Can you help

The contract with Dayflower Dave’s will have them remove snow when the accumulation is one inch or greater. What this means for us is that we are asking for able bodied volunteers to clear small amounts of snow away from the two entrances. If you are at church on a light snow day (less than 1”), please consider finding a shovel or broom to help with the snow removal. Shovels are located near the entrances or in the janitor room. A large push broom is also located in that room. Please contact a pastor if you can’t find the shovels or broom.

February 21st is our next Wayfinding in person

9:30-11:15

February 22nd virtually over ZOOM 4pm-5:15pm.

By Zoom on Thursdays: 04:00 PM Central Time

    Feb 22, 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 

Sign Up Now Through the End of June 2024!

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.

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]

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

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