Pastors’ On-Call Schedule

Your pastors are here for you! This summer, while Pastor Julia is on maternity leave, Pastor Ken and Pastor Kate will share an “on call” schedule. Please do not hesitate to reach out to either one with your pastoral care needs, questions or concerns.

• May 20-26: Pastor Kate [email protected]
• May 27-June 2: Pastor Ken [email protected]

Welcome Baby!

We are overjoyed to announce that Kindred Praise Burkey Cooperrider was born at 10:55 a.m. on Monday, May 20th! Pastor Julia and Kindred are both doing well after a smooth delivery.



We continue to hold Kindred, Julia, Daniel and Reverie in our prayers as they settle into life as a family of four!

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. Use this link and sign up under the name Orchard Ridge UCC. THANK YOU!

Page Scholarship Awards

The 2024 Page Scholarship Committee is happy to announce the recipients of this year’s awards. The awardees include ORUCC students Lila Eggerling-Boeck, Josie Gilbert, Gabe Martens, Joey Miller, and Madeline Miller.

Congratulations on this scholarship that recognizes hard work in college and commitment to our church community!

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. 

   Freecycle

Sunday, June 16

Everything is free for the taking!

Bring gently used objects to church before worship and after worship. Take home what makes you smile.

  Bring yard tools, toys, camping gear, outdoor games, books, kitchenware, decorations, suitcases, etc.

  No clothing or large items, please.

Questions? Email Jill at [email protected]

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!

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of May 23 – May 29

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.”

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