Updated Masking Policy

In response to recent declines in COVID infection numbers and a steady low level of local community spread, the ORUCC COVID Response Team has updated the masking policy:

• Masking is optional throughout the building
• Those with symptoms of illness should refrain from entering the building
• Individual decisions to mask or not mask are to be respected
• This policy may be revised with changes in infection number or levels of community spread 

Transfer Chair & Walker



ORUCC now has a transfer chair and a walker available for anyone to use, it is currently under the coat rack .

Moderator’s Update  from Hal Evensen, ORUCC Moderator

Hello! As we head into summer, I wanted to update the congregation on what the Leadership Team (lay leadership) has been up to.  Here are some highlights:

• Planned the recent Candidating Weekend for Rev. Kate Mackey. This included finalizing the Call Agreement (“contract”), etc.
• Extended Julie Mazer’s position as Christian Education Coordinator through the end of 2023, to support Rev. Mackey as she starts her ministry.
• Revived the Human Resources team, to support our pastors & staff with an annual reflection process and a human resources policy document.
• Revisiting our congregation’s approach to Stewardship, seeking to form a year-round Stewardship Team. Stewardship encompasses more than fundraising!
• Working to update church communications, and to make our Ministires’ work and opportunities more accessible to people.

We are working to help ORUCC live into its vision statement to be Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, and Committed to Justice and invite everyone to 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 just outside the kitchen) with any questions, comments, suggestions, or offerings of support! 

June COMPASSION OFFERING-Lussier Community Education Center LCEC

Lussier Community Education Center (LCEC), celebrates over 50 years of quality programming and community organizing through the strength of community partnerships, the commitment of volunteers, and the kindness of neighbors. Its roots go back to the mid-70s, when the Wexford Ridge Community Association organized community services. In the 1990s, these services operated out of apartments in the Wexford Ridge complex off of Gammon Road. In the early 2000’s,the establishment of a partnership agreement and lease with the Madison Metropolitan School District along with capital funding support from the City of Madison paved the way to the construction of the Lussier Community Education Center. In October 2007, LCEC opened its doors at 55 South Gammon Road, on school-owned land adjacent to Jefferson Middle School and Vel Phillips Memorial High School. 

LCEC has always been a place for people from different walks of life to come together, share gifts, and build community. LCEC offers comprehensive programs for children and youth of all ages. From ‘play & learn’ sessions for kids under three, to after-school programming through high school, and even free eight-week summer camps loaded with enriching activities to keep this community’s youth learning and engaged. LCEC’s offerings are guided by a justice and equity-focused LCEC Framework, details of which can be found on our website, lcecmadison.org/about.

Your generous donation will directly fund our summer youth camps. These camps will host over 80 kids who will participate in various enriching activities – from cooking and science clubs to art projects, dance workshops, and outdoor adventures. At LCEC, children and youth are encouraged to grow, explore, and learn how to use their collective power for societal good in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

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/

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of June 1 – June 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.

Thanksgiving Year-Round (TYR)

For several years, ORUCC supported our Southwest neighbors with Thanksgiving food baskets or gift cards. Since 2020, ORUCC has transitioned this avenue of support to an online Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund to support neighbors needing supplemental funds for food and gasoline through Woodman’s gift cards. The gift card distribution process has been overwhelmingly positive. 

In 2023, inflation and the pandemic’s impact on health, rent, and work lingers on for many. Our SW partners (social and case workers) have expressed the ongoing need for “year-round” neighborhood support. With that, the Ministry of Christian Witness & Service advocates for maintaining this year-round fund through 2023. 

We kindly ask for your ongoing support. Making a contribution is easy, just go to: https://orucc.org/contribute/support/ Click on the link-box “Contribute to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund”.

We appreciate the generosity of our ORUCC members and friends. Our ongoing partnership with the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI); Joining Forces for Families (JFF); and Common Wealth Development (CWD) ensures that your contribution is providing direct support to our neighbors in need.

Friday Breakfast Group – June 2

The next Friday Breakfast is set for June 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.

Yoga for All!!!!

9:15 am outside at ORUCC

Leader: Leslie Linser

Every Sunday in June, starting June 4th, a yoga practice will be offered. It is called Yoga For All because it is designed to be accessible to all who wish to participate. It will not be necessary to get up and down from the ground. All movements will be sitting in a chair or standing. We will focus on moving with our breath while making room for your own spiritual practice. A Yoga mat is optional but OK to bring if you have one. If you are not using a yoga mat wear soft flat shoes and wear clothes that are easy to move in.

McFarland UCC Multimedia Exhibit

June 2 and 3

On June 2 and 3 McFarland UCC is hosting a multimedia exhibit and program by Dawn and Art Shegonee exploring the interconnectedness of humanity and our relationship with nonhuman life on this planet in a “Journey of Hope and Recovery.” Art Shegonee, member of the Menominee and Potawatomi tribes of Wisconsin, is a Native traditional dancer, teacher and peacemaker. An ambassador of Milwaukee’s Indian Summer and Call for Peace Drum & Dance Company, Shegonee specializes in teaching tools of respect, nonviolence, conflict resolution and peace. The program is free but advance registration is requested. More information: https://orucc.org/native-american-presentation-celebrating-the-tapestry-of-humanity/

Movie Group June 8th, 7 pm

“Good Will Hunting” at Oakwood Village

Discussion to Follow

Hello movie fans,

Movie Group will meet on Thursday, June 8th in the Oakwood Village Performance Center at 7:00 pm for the 1997 film “Good Will Hunting” and follow-up discussion for Orchard Ridge folks in Nakoma Room.

The film features the late, great Robin Williams in his only Academy Award winning performance. Not to be missed. 

The dramatic story, based very loosely on a real event at M.I.T., follows the changes that happen to the 20 year old troubled natural genius, Will Hunting (Matt Damon) as he tries to navigate the conflicting interests and personalities of the impervious M.I.T. professor, Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard, who quickly recognizes Will’s genius, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), Will’s therapist, love interest Skylar (Minnie Driver) and Will’s best friend, Chuckie Sullivan (Ben Affleck).

The Academy Award winning screenplay, written by Damon and Affleck (who both grew up in Cambridge, Mass.) and met in middle school, portray the cultural differences between Harvard/M.I.T. and the working class, deeply Irish Catholicism of “Southie” in a masterful fashion. Although this film got 9 Academy Award nominations, it was up against “Titanic” which got 14 nominations and won 9.

The themes of the film are many and complex: trust/loyalty/betrayal, ambition, friendship and the enduring question of what it means to stand by- even heal- those around you in need. 

The film is rated “R” for language. The use of the f word is pervasive but (Baxter thinks) not gratuitous. But we leave to you, the viewer, to determine the merits of the language in this film.

Comments or questions: Steve Sheets, Doug Loving, Baxter Richardson.



See you on the 8th.

Casa Alitas Clothing Drive 2023 Coming Soon

Yes, it’s time to start bagging up those clothes that you haven’t worn for a while, let go of them, and let us transport them to the border to people who desperately need them.

The Immigration Justice Team will collect clothing the last week of June (beginning June 25) and the first two weeks of July. Please do not bring clothing to the church prior to Sunday, June 25.

What to bring?

General Guidelines

• All clothing needs to be washed
• Casual summer and non-bulky winter clothing
• No sox or underwear
• Shoes are a yes

S,M,L (not XL) men’s clothing

• Jeans, jeans and more jeans
• Shirts (love sports themed shirts)
• Belts (small)
• Caps; jackets; sweaters

S,M, L (not XL) women’s clothing

• Jeans, pants and tights
• Tops and jackets; sweaters

Children’s clothing



Consider joining us as we box up the clothing. If interested, please contact Ruthanne Landsness, [email protected]; 608/234-2882. Thank you!

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?

It has been fairly easy finding Lay Liturgists and Communion Assistants, but much more challenging finding

Coffee-Makers and Welcomers!

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