The COVID Response Team met on Sunday March 6th and advises that:

In worship:

• We will continue to wear high-quality masks (surgical / N95).

o This allows us to care for the vulnerable among us, while enabling other activities.

• We eliminate the “checkerboard” seating pattern: families and friends are encouraged to sit together in groups, with spacing between groups as their comfort level dictates.

• For those who prefer to sit in a low-density area, we will be adding spaced seating to the Crossroads.

For group activities, especially those that traditionally include food, such as family game nights and potlucks, Over 55, and others: we ask that all participants are either vaccinated & boosted or have had a negative rapid antigen test within the previous day. 

ORUCC will purchase rapid test kits for greater access if needed.

• Masks will be required for the programming portion of the event;

• Food and beverage are welcomed; groups should maintain spacing while eating.

For memorial services and receptions, participants should remain masked except while actively eating or drinking.

We came together in light of the evolving guidance from the CDC, Dane County Public Health, and the Wisconsin Council of Churches. We continue to try to discern a path forward that balances a changing public health landscape, a community that longs to be together, and a call to be welcoming to all. Our group will meet again on April 3.

Upcoming 9am Social Justice Programming

Palestinian Justice

Sunday March 20

Rev. Diane Dulin and Thomas Beilman facilitating

How Are the Children? 

Palestinian Children in Israeli Military Detention

A video curriculum for UCC audiences

The curriculum title “How Are the Children?” comes from an African Masai greeting which acknowledges no society can be considered healthy and thriving if its children are under attack. In this video curriculum, we hear Palestinian children describe their experiences under Israeli military detention, and we hear UCC national executive leaders bear witness to the injustices they have witnessed personally. The curriculum concludes with recommendations for further education and action on behalf of Palestinian children. For more information: [email protected]  

The United Church of Christ Makes an Appeal for Ukraine

Click here to learn how you may contribute

Or visit https://www.ucc.org/global-h-o-p-e/ukraine-emergency-appeal/

Might you be interested in a New Members / Seekers Series with the Pastors and Leadership Team of ORUCC? Or perhaps you joined the church in the last couple of years, but were not afforded the opportunity to participate in New Member Classes. Here’s your chance!

Please attend at least three of the four informational classes at the church:

Sunday, April 10th, 9:00-9:50 a.m.

Sunday, April 24th, 9:00-9:50 a.m.

Sunday, May 8th, 9:00-9:50 a.m.

Sunday, May 22nd, 9:00-9:50 a.m.

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

At the Informational Classes, you’ll learn more about Orchard Ridge and the United Church of Christ (UCC). We’ll discuss our history as a local church, the leadership structure of the church, ministries within the congregation and the wider community, and some of the church’s views on important issues of faith.

You may participate in the New Member Classes even if you decide not to join the church at this time.

www.ORUCC.org

Our new website has launched this week! Thank you for all the hard work from web designer Tapan Shah of Megh Designs and ORUCC’s website mission team including Ken Psyck, John Lemke, Chris Thomas, Pam Oliver, Gabe Martens and Julia Burkey. While we are still updating some of the content and fixing bugs, we think you will find it a big improvement. There is a link on the site if you see anything that needs fixing or want to offer suggestions for changes or additions to the content. Going forward we will add photographs and relevant content edits where appropriate.

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of Mar. 10 – 17

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.

Java & Jesus (by Zoom) 11:30

Mar 13–Baxter Richardson

Click here to join Java & Jesus



Don’t miss out! Contact Ken Pennings to be added to the Java & Jesus email list.

Immigration Justice News

“Living Undocumented”

Up for a great movie? Plus discussion? In person? Where and When: Tuesday, March 15, 6:30-8:00pm, in ORUCC Friendship Hall. The Madison Mennonite Church invites you to a viewing of Episode 3 of the film “Living Undocumented, ” followed by a 45 minute dicussion. “Living Undocumented” is a 6-episode Netflix documentary being sponsored by the Dane Sanctuary Coalition as its “Big View” this year. The documentary puts individual faces and personal stories onto the abstract issue of immigration and broadens our understanding of who is undocumented in our country and why. The gathering will also be available via zoom. Use this link to register and participate via zoom: [email protected]. And watch a trailer of the documentary here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSGBP-Z4UXI . Members of the ORUCC Immigrant Justice Team will be there. Join us!

Gift Card Sunday

Announcing Gift Card Sunday, March 20, 2022!  The Immigration Justice Team invites you to purchase a gift card or bus pass for newly settled Afghans in Dane County. Purchase gift cards from Woodman’s, Pick n Save, Target, Walmart, or Burlington Coat Factory. Bus passes can be purchased from HyVee and Pick n Save (30-day, unlimited ride is great!). Donations can also be made by writing ”Afghan Gift Card” on your check and dropping it off at the church. Gift cards and bus passes will be collected during worship on Sunday, March 20. All will be delivered to Jewish Social Services (JSJS) and Open Doors for Refugees (ODFR) for assistance to Afghan refugees. Thank you in advance for your purchase!

Dane Sanctuary Coalition

The Dane Sanctuary Coalition invites you to a coalition-wide meeting on Sunday night, March 13, 6:30-8:00. Agenda includes a panel from our immigration partners, including updates on Afghan resettlement in Wisconsin and the opening of the Center for Dreamers (DACA).  Click on the link to RSVP - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrGoemnmglB0lt0XfvqWEiloxXkdR7YCADgmu3XlOhLAgGOg/viewform The Zoom link will be sent a few days before the event. Thank you.

Holding Israel Accountable

Remembering Rachel Corrie

The struggle is strengthened in community.

March 16, 2022, 7:00 p.m. CT

Register Here

Easter is Coming!



We will be decorating our sanctuary with many different kinds of flowers again this year for the Easter Season. We invite you to donate to this in honor or in memory of a loved one. Plants are $16. Forms will be in your bulletins on Sunday and must be returned to the church office by March 20. If you are watching at home and would like to participate please send your check with flowers in the memo line and who you would like this to be in honor of or in memory of.

Save the date!

Celebration of Tammy Martens’ Ministry

August 6, 2022

Stay tuned for more details and times.

If you have questions or suggestions please contact

Ann Evensen [email protected]  cell 608 628 4280 

Barbara Stretchberry [email protected]  cell 608-239-6669

Kellie Miller [email protected]   cell 608 852-7578

Save the date!

ORUCC Installation

Celebration of Julia Burkey

officially becoming our Senior Pastor

Sunday May 22nd 2pm

An installation is a special service in the United Church of Christ that marks the beginning of a pastor’s leadership in the local church and is our way of saying to Pastor Julia “you belong here with us!” It grants a sense of permanence and belonging and celebration of the Holy Spirit for bringing us together. We believe God has brought us together for a reason in this time and place and along with our local Southwest Wisconsin Association of the United Church of Christ, we will celebrate.

AT ORUCC, the Members are the Ministers!

We are seeking a whole new team of volunteers to serve in 2022 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!

Would you consider serving one or more times as a Lay Liturgist, a Welcomer, or for 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 assist with Holy Communion

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

Pictorial Directory

Thanks to all those who helped with the pictorial directory. Here is a print version. Photo Directory Print Version

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

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