Confirmation Sunday

This week, on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the nine youth who have decided to be confirmed! The service will include the baptism of two of our youth as well. This is a special service in the life of our community as we affirm their faith and their new membership in our congregation. The congregation is invited to wear the color red to celebrate Pentecost and as a symbol of the Holy Spirit in our midst. There will also be a cake reception following the service!

MAY COMPASSION OFFERING

Showing Compassion for Children in Gaza

Our May Compassion Offering – Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) — was identified and recommended by the ORUCC Palestine Justice Mission Team. After researching and considering many options, the Team unanimously approved sponsoring MECA as the Compassion Offering, in light of the current, urgent situation in Gaza. MECA has staff on site in Gaza to respond immediately and directly upon receiving our support. 

MECA was founded in 1988 in Berkeley, California as a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to deliver vital supplies and humanitarian services to children in Gaza. As MECA’s work has progressed over the years, its activities have included providing direct aid to refugee children in Lebanon and Iraq; water projects in Gaza that bring clean water for children and their families; assistance to community organizations that help meet Palestinian children’s needs; scholarships for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and educational/cultural programs in the USA to increase understanding about the lives of children in the Middle East and the impact of US foreign policy on people in the region.

Compassion Offering funds raised in May will be directed entirely to MECA’s emergency appeal for the humanitarian needs of Gazan children and their families. Our donations will quickly provide food, water, healthcare and shelter for children in Gaza who are hungry, injured, orphaned and/or homeless.

 VIDEO

 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/

Support ORUCC Youth Service Trip:

Volunteer at Brat Fest!

ORUCC is an official volunteer organization with Brat Fest, and all proceeds from our volunteering there will go towards our Youth Service Trip this July. Folks from ORUCC are invited to help raise funds by signing up for a shift. There are many different ways to volunteer. Set-up for this community event begins in 2 weeks! Use this link and sign up under the name Orchard Ridge UCC. THANK YOU!

Black History For A New Day 2024

dig deeper into our collective histories

to see what stories we hadn’t learned, 

seek out diverse perspectives

in our history and our present, 

uncover how to take our newfound understanding

and apply it to how we walk through our daily lives

and our collective journey

—from Justified Anger website

The Racial Justice and Immigration Justice Mission Team members are looking ahead to this Fall 2024 and are exploring the possibility of taking the Black History For A New Day (BHFAND) course, developed by Justified Anger and Rev Dr Alex Gee. Now in its 11th year, many of us have taken this course as individuals. In this case, our ORUCC community would view the lectures together and follow with facilitated small group discussions, either in-person at church or together online. Check out BHFAND for more information.

Learning together strengthens our community and informs our actions, grounded in truth rather than reactivity, especially in light of our highly charged election cycle. Our willingness to acknowledge this painful truth, all while celebrating the extraordinary resilience of our Black siblings, is important work of the spirit. As one participant states ‘We should never underestimate the impact of processing this history together in community.’

The cost per person is $300.00 for first timers, and $150 for those repeating the course. Please do not let funding issues stop you from considering this opportunity. If you think you may be interested, please complete this form by May 31, 2024. You are not committing at this time, just indicating interest.  

Feel free to contact Ann Haase Kehl at [email protected] with any questions. 

ORUCC to Host Conference Workshops

Tues May 14 to Friday May 17; Tues May 21 to Friday May 24

Latina Conference on Women’s and Children’s Health

For the next two weeks (Tuesday through Friday), ORUCC will welcome participants for workshops of the Latina Conference on Women’s and Children’s Health. Organized by Roots4Change, a Madison-based cooperative of Latina and Indigenous doulas (birth coaches), the conference is for Latino families and people whose work involves improving their health and well-being.

Workshops will be held throughout the day from 9am to 4:30pm in the education wing and lower level of the church. ORUCC meetings scheduled for those times will be held in their regular locations.

If you see someone from the conference, please extend a warm welcome. If you are interested in helping, please contact Deanna Blanchard ([email protected]) or Ruthanne Landsness ([email protected]).



For more information, go to: go.madison.com/roots4change.

We Want to Hear from You!

Families: Please help Pastor Kate and Julie M. plan for the next programming year by giving us a little feedback on your experience this past year. Please fill out this survey, or share your thoughts directly with Pastor Kate ([email protected]). Thank you!

Reading the Bible

Seriously But Not Literally

Tuesday mornings 10-11:30 am

in the Alfred Swan Room

(Zoom if there is interest)

April 16 – May 21

Led by David Anderman

Our text will be The Emancipation of God: Postmarks on Cultural Prophesy by Walter Brueggemann, a world-renowned UCC Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures scholar. The book is a collection of recent short essays which originated as blog posts; they are readable and largely non-technical essays intended for the mythological ‘person-in-the-pew.’ The book is available on short notice from Amazon. Most local bookstores could order it but I would be surprised if any have it in stock. List price is $28.00. Good theology doesn’t come cheap. Neither does bad theology, for that matter.

Our first session(s) will look at the passages traditionally quoted by those opposing LGBTQ+ affirming theologies. Brueggemann sets them alongside the much more numerous passages of welcoming neighbors and of offering hospitality to strangers. This specific issue will open up broader consideration of the nature of Biblical interpretations. Other topics will include exploring what it means to be a Biblically-informed and -directed church in a capitalist empire that co-opts religious institutions and faith; and how a ‘declining’ church can offer hope to a discouraged and down-hearted, sometimes cruel culture.

Through these examples, we will learn ways of taking the Bible seriously but not literally. Two secondary texts will also be referred to. I have just started reading Reading Genesis by Marilyn Robinson, another well-known and UCC author. Fascinating passages about her reading of the book of Genesis. I will also refer to the essay The Symbol Gives Rise to Thought by Paul Ricoeur, a French philosopher who self-identified as a Reformed Christian.

Please email me if you are planning on coming, or have questions.

David Anderman, [email protected]

Please Join ORUCC Members as we Honor

the upcoming birth of Julia & Daniel’s Second Child

From now until May 19 you have Two Gift Options:

Diaper drive-Bring any type of size of diapers to the Pack’N Play in the church lobby. Diapers will be shared between Julia’s family and local Diaper Banks.

Monetary gift-Julia would like to employ a postpartum doula and donated funds will be used for this (and for a surprise gift for the family).

You may donate online at: LINK

Or with a check with “Baby Gift” in the memo line

Contact Deanna Blanchard with questions [email protected]

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of May 16 – May 22

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.

Wayfinding 2024-2025

“Wayfinding: The Soul Tasks of Aging: Toward a Theology of the Elder Years” will continue the next program year with brand new themes and programming, beginning October 16, 2024 and meeting every 3rd Wednesday of the month then on ZOOM the following Thursday.

Two books to focus on:

We will begin with Parker Palmer’s book, “On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity & Getting Old” for the first 4 sessions and then the remaining 4 in the Spring will be themed around Connie Zweig’s book, “The Inner Work of Aging: Shifting from Role to Soul.”

Join for our final Wayfinding:

The Soul-tasks of Aging:

Toward a Theology of the Elder Years

    May 16, 2024 04:00 PM

ZOOM

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 

There is a new campaign to raise $200,000 to rebuild and strengthen the 17 lakeside cabins at Moon Beach, a place that has been a source of renewal for so many of us over the years.  Here’s a little more background from the folks at Moon Beach:

“The foundations, crafted decades ago with cinder blocks, stumps, and pine posts now require restoration to ensure their longevity and stability against the elements. By repairing and restoring the foundations with a firm footing for the footprint and base of the cabins, we can ensure their stability and compliance with regulatory standards, allowing us to maintain them for generations to come.”

With a matching grant already announced, the goal is to raise $100,000 that would then net the campaign $200,000. For those of us at ORUCC who love Moon Beach and who have the ability to give, thank you for your consideration.  Click here to donate.

Sign Up to Volunteer on Sunday Mornings Now Through the

End of September 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.

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

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