Jack Christian

A Celebration of Life

Saturday, June 3, 11am

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

At 10:15 am, a brief outdoor service of remembrance will occur.

A lunch follows the indoor celebration.

All are welcome to honor Jack at any or all of these events.

In consideration of others, please wear a mask indoors. 

Beloved ORUCC member Jack Christian died peacefully in his home Sunday, December 11th. He had dealt without complaint with prostate cancer for almost 20 years, and although there were many treatments he tried and clinical trials he participated in, he had finally exhausted suitable options. 

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 

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! 

MAY COMPASSION OFFERING-OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center

OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center has served the Madison area since 1973, providing community building, health and human services, and economic, social, and racial justice advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and our allies. OutReach has staff advocates that offer peer support, information, and referral in three main areas: substance use and harm reduction, transgender services, and elder services (for those over age 50). We also host social and support groups for people from all across the LGBTQ+ community where people can come together to discuss their lives, learn new skills, or just watch a movie and have a good time! OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center houses the Earl Greely Memorial Library, an over-4000 volume lending library of LGBTQ+ fiction and nonfiction, the David Bohnett Cybercenter, community meeting space, and a community pantry with food and personal essentials.

Funds raised will be used to support Willma’s Fund, a program of OutReach offering emergency financial assistance to LGBTQ+ adults in Dane County. Willma’s Fund was founded in 2011 by Donald Haar, a former employee of the Salvation Army and drag performer who goes by the name Willma Flynn-Stone. Donald recognized that LGBTQ+ people often face additional barriers when accessing support for homelessness or housing insecurity and saw a way to help (and get back into performing drag!). Since 2011, Willma’s Fund has awarded over $250,000 to over 500 people. In 2022 alone we awarded $50,000 to 120 people. We paid 35 people’s security deposits or first month’s rent, and provided over 400 nights of emergency shelter through short-term hotel stays. Willma’s Fund is a vital piece of our community’s efforts to protect its most vulnerable members.

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/

Invitation to submit a request for a Compassion Offering

ORUCC has a long history of generously supporting recipient organizations of the monthly Compassion Offering selected by the Ministry of Christian Witness and Service (CWS). As our CWS team deliberates over which organizations to choose, we welcome your engagement in the process. Any two members of the ORUCC congregation or pastoral staff may nominate a recipient organization to be considered by CWS. To review the guidelines and suggest an organization, please read and complete this form.  

This form is always available on the ORUCC.org website by clicking on the “Contribute” tab and choosing “Monthly Compassion Offering” from the drop-down menu. 

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of May 25- May 31

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/

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