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Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice
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Our Week at a Glance 03/24/2022
Sunday March 27th Worship 10:00 am
In-person & Live-streamed
Preaching: Julia Burkey
Lay Liturgist: Bruce Gladstone
Details in Saturday’s Worship Resources
9:00 am Social Justice Programming
Heart Room – Stable Housing for Children and Families
Heart Room is a partnership ORUCC initiated to help families with young children find and keep stable housing. Join us to learn what’s new, and discuss what’s next.
Friendship Hall
9:00 am Sunday School
Crafts/music for children through 8th grade.
10:00 am Music Connections & Craft/Play time
Children and youth are invited to 10:00 worship & after the Children’s moment will be invited to Music Connections
(for 2nd graders and older)
or Craft/Play time (preschool–first grade).
11:30 Java & Jesus
Sunday, Mar 27
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Dan Rossmiller
Zoom
Men’s Group
Monday, Mar 28
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm
John Lemke
Romero Room
Good Enough Devotional
Wednesday, Mar 30
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Julia Burkey
Zoom
See Below
Meditation Group
Friday, April 1
9:00 – 10:00 am
Sue Dixon
Zoom
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9am Social Justice Programming
Heart Room
Sunday March 27
WHAT’S NEW? WHAT’S NEXT?
Heart Room is a pilot program we started and funded with partners to help families with young children find and keep stable housing long-term. Stable housing is a platform for children to grow up safe, healthy, happy and successful. We and our Heart Room partners provide generous financial support and services to families to meet their own goals to thrive. The Heart Room partners have begun exploring ideas to help more families and support them better. Please join us to learn what’s new and discuss what’s next!
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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.
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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.
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Join Pastor Julia this Monday on capitol square as she joins a friend Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis who is a national organizer for The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival invites you to join poor and low-income, directly impacted people, faith leaders, and moral advocates from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota for the The Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls Mobilization Tour in person and online Monday March 28th. The March will begin at 5pm CT and the Mass Assembly at 6pm. The priorities and demands of poor and low-wealth Wisconsans and neighbors will be front and center as we continue to demonstrate the voting and moral power of those most impacted by the policy violence of the US Congress and state houses.
Somebody’s hurting our people, and it’s gone on far too long, and we WON’T BE SILENT ANYMORE!
The Mobilization Tour will make at least ten stops nationwide to do M.O.R.E.: Mobilize, Organize, Register and Educate people for a movement that votes as we move towards the Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls on June 18, 2022.
They will be joined by faith leaders and artists to demand this nation do MORE to live up to its possibilities: MORE to fully address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation and the denial of health care, militarism and the war economy, and the false moral narrative of religious nationalism. MORE to change the narrative and build the power of those most impacted by these injustices. MORE to realize a 3rd Reconstruction agenda that can build this country from the bottom up and realize the nation we have yet to be. — The Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly & Moral March on Washington and to the Polls on June 18, 2022 will be a generationally-transformative declaration of the power of poor and low-wealth people and our moral allies to say that this system is killing ALL of us and we can’t…we won’t…we refuse to be silent anymore!
“It is NOT just a day of action. It is a declaration of an ongoing, committed moral movement to 1) Shift the moral narrative; 2) Build power; and 3) Make real policies to fully address poverty and low wealth from the bottom up.” —Bishop William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis
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Spiritual
Nourishment
for you!
For the week of March 24 – 30
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.
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March Compassion Offering
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing®, an ecumenical offering sponsored in Lent by the United Church of Christ, provides humanitarian and disaster relief in the United States and around the world. When a disaster strikes or people are displaced or made refugees by violence or extreme poverty, you are part of the immediate response and the work for long- term recovery. Because the UCC works in partnership to churches and organizations through Global Ministries and worldwide response and recovery networks, your contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing put you in the right place at the right time for the relief, accompaniment and recovery of the most vulnerable. You meet immediate needs and you address the underlying causes that create those needs in the first place.
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 at orucc.org. Click the brown button “Contribute” in the upper right of the home page.
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WANTED: CAR FOR FRIEND IN NEED
On March 29, a friend will be released from Oregon Correctional Services. He has spent many of his 60 years in and out of prison, but many things, at present, are very promising, including having a job in Windsor. Baxter has been with him almost 6 years and both are aware that having reliable transportation is a key part of the path forward.
The Car Donation Mission Team (Jon Blanchard, John Rasmussen, Baxter Richardson) is asking that you consider donating that older car. Thanks to a $1000.00 donation to the fund, we are able to help with any needed repairs with what, we hope, will be the 13th car donated. Contact the Car Donation Team with questions or suggestions.
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Garden Tenders
We have a schedule of when the city will pick up yard waste – leaves and plant debris- (the weeks of April 3 and April 17) so we should gather the Saturday prior to that to get it ready. Beneficial insects live in leaf litter in the winter and spring through May so we can leave the rain garden alone in April. More native plantings are planned for this spring to promote our support of the environment and to make maintenance easier.
The city will collect brush left at the curb the weeks of:
April 3
May 8
June 12
July 24.
You can help beautify the church landscape once a year, once a month or once a week. If you check in that you can help, it is more likely we can have treats. Dates to add to your calendar:
Saturday, April 2 from 10-noon.
Saturday, May 7 from 10-noon (Also a planting opportunity!)
Sunday, May 15 is Worship and Work Sunday for the annual clean up, planting and mulching extravaganza!
Saturday, June 11 from 10- noon. Special lilac pruning this year!!!
Saturday, July 23 from 10-noon.
You are also invited to the church yard on Wednesday mornings in the summer to tidy flower beds from 9 -10. See ATTACHMENT for more details and feel free to comment on proposals.
Joyce Pohl
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Women’s Book Group
Women’s Book Group meets next on April 7, Thursday, on Zoom from 1:30-3:00. We will discuss the novel The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in Texas in 1934, the story is seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman who will discover the best in herself in the worst of times.
On May 5, we focus on another novel: How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. A man with a condition unknown to medical science–in which some people age at a much slower rate than is typical–learns what is truly important in life.
A couple of days before each meeting, we will automatically send to women on our list the link to our Zoom meeting. If you are not on our list but would like to join us, even if just for one time, please let Jan Christian know at [email protected] or 827-0500, and we will make sure you receive the link.
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Family Game Night is back!
Join us in Friendship Hall on the first Friday of the month 6-8 pm for games and socializing. Bring your favorite board game and a dish to share for a potluck supper. Mark your calendars for April 1 & May 6. Also save the date for a special fun night on June 3 featuring improv!
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Friday Breakfast Group April 1
Join us for Friday Breakfast Group April 1 at 8:30 am at Denny’s, 433 S. Gammon Road. The group meets on the first Friday of the month and is open to all, both men and women. It is informal and a chance to connect and converse on many topics. Contact Louise Jeanne, LINK for more information.
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The Crossing Annual Gala
You are invited to The Crossing campus ministry Gala in April! Many of you have donated your time, talents & gifts to The Crossing year after year and we thank you! The gala is an opportunity for you to meet some of the students and staff, listen to inspiring stories and celebrate this exciting ministry. This is a place where all students can belong in community, explore their beliefs, and become their authentic selves. We hope you can join us! Purchase your tickets (or purchase a ticket for a student)https://thecrossinggala2022.eventbrite.com. Questions? Contact Sue Dixon at 608-712-9050.
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Holy Week Events
Maundy Thursday Agape Meals April 14
On April 14th Maundy Thursday some wonderful hosts at ORUCC are opening their homes and inviting you to share a meal with Middle Eastern cuisine, to have communion over the meal, to casually connect with each other to build and strengthen our relationships. This practice is also known as an Agape Meal or Love feast. Christians from all over the world will gather to remember the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples.
Sign up for a Meal!
(LINK)
So far we have 56 slots, and if these meals get good traffic and fill up quickly, we will reach out to more hosts. Please consider as you read this if you might feel a call to host one of these meals, then reach out to me to explore the idea.
When you sign up to attend a meal, please indicate whether you have any dietary restrictions. The host will contact you directly to give any further instructions. We ask that everyone be vaccinated and boosted who attends or have a negative COVID test within 24 hours before the gathering. We invite people to arrive masked, and remove masks for meals. Hopefully the weather is nice so that we can enjoy indoor-outdoor space.
Good Friday April 15
At 6pm in our Worship Hall we will share in a contemplative Good Friday service with Madison Mennonite Church. We may have a Labyrinth walk from 5-7:30 for some introspective devotional time before or after the 6pm service.
Easter April 17
6:00 am Sunrise Service & Easter Egg Hunt–In person sunrise service on ORUCC lawn, followed by breakfast together in Friendship Hall. Sunday School and adult programming are on pause for Easter, so that we can have this time of food and fun instead. 10 am Easter service will be live and live-streamed and following service we will have an Easter Egg hunt on our church grounds.
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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
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Save the date!
ORUCC Installation
Celebration of Julia Burkey
officially installed as 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.
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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.
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Office Manager Julie Wombacher
available Mon.-Thurs. 8:30am -12:30 pm
608-271-7212 or EMAIL
Senior Pastor Julia Burkey available
Tues.- Fri. & Sun. 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
by appointment
518-542-6915 EMAIL
Associate Pastor Tammy Martens: available
Tues.- Fri. 10:00 am -4:00 pm
by appointment
608-957-3184 or EMAIL
Associate Pastor Ken Pennings: available
Tues.-Thurs. 10:00 am -5:00 pm
by appointment
608-556-2371 EMAIL
All pastors (try to) take Monday & Saturday as Sabbath days.
Friday is observed as a writing day for the preaching pastor.
In case of a pastoral emergency, please call any of the pastors, as all pastors are available by phone, text and we will always have a pastor on call who we can turn to.
LIKE or FOLLOW the Orchard Ridge FaceBook Page
JOIN our Private FB Group:
“Members & Friends of Orchard Ridge UCC“
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Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ
1501 Gilbert Road
Madison, WI 53711
Office Hours: M-Th 8:30-12:30
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