Sharing Our Stories: Appreciative Inquiry Visioning

9:00am Oct. 9, Nov. 13 & Dec. 4

We want to hear your voice!

Are you interested in the future of ORUCC? Come join these visioning sessions! It’s okay if you missed the first one in September, there is still a chance to have input and share. Everyone’s voice matters, so please make a point to join for these 9am sessions on Sunday morning. Here is a look at the themes and questions and the dates to mark in you calendar.

October 9th: What do you value about yourself, about ORUCC, about UCC?

November 13th: What do you think are our core values? When have you felt our core values expressed best?

December 4th: If you woke up from a deep slumber and came to ORUCC in 5 years and everything you dreamed and imagined and visioned came true, what would it be like? What would you see, feel, hear, smell? How would people be meeting? Who would be there?

If you can’t be there for one of the Sundays, we still want to hear from you. We are still working on a virtual option for this process and ways of including voices who cannot make it on Sunday morning for any of these.

 A Service of Celebration for the Life of

Stanley Maurice Heffernan

 Sept. 29, 1923 – May 19, 2022

Service at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Madison, Wisconsin

Saturday October 8, 2022

1 p.m. 

Click here for obituary

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For the week of Oct 6-12

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.

Tomorrow–Friday Breakfast Group October 7

The next Friday Breakfast is set for October 7 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.  

OVER 55 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12th

Consider joining us for our luncheon and program at 11:30 Wednesday, October 12^th. The program will be “The Current State of Immigration in the U.S.” Ruthanne Landsness and Steve Sheets will share with us the most current information on U.S. policies and immigrants seeking asylum. The delicious buffet luncheon will begin at 11:45, the program at 12:30. An $8 donation is suggested for the meal. Please RSVP to Steve at [email protected] so that our catering team knows approximately how many to plan for.

2023 Youth Mission Trip Fund Raisers

October 24, 4-8 pm—Culvers Night–The Youth Mission trip will be having a fundraiser at Culvers on Mineral Point Road from 4-8pm. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Youth Mission Trip. Many thanks for the ongoing support our congregation does for our youth.  

October 30–We will also be hosting a fundraising pancake breakfast on 10/30 after services. $5.00/plate. Our youth will be sharing their 2022 mission trip experiences during this time. 

Many thanks for all of your support 

The Immigration Justice Team invites you to support

lawful permanent residency for Afghan refugees

• When: After Sunday worship, October 16, 2022
• Where: Friendship Hall, with coffee
• Why: To write letters to help support lawful permanent residency for Afghan refugees

A bipartisan bill, the Afghan Adjustment Act, has been introduced that would open that path. Join us in writing letters to our Senators and Representative to support this legislation. We will provide the information you need and will deliver the letters personally to the Madison offices of Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, and Representative Mark Pocan.

For more information: Bill Summary: The Afghan Adjustment Act from the National Immigration Forum

We’ll provide the coffee; you provide the letters!

The Immigration Justice Mission Team invites you to the

Dane Sanctuary Coalition-Wide Meeting

Wednesday, October 12, 6:30pm

The Dane Sanctuary Coalition and Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Drive, will host a Coalition-wide meeting on Wednesday October 12 from 6:30 to 8:00pm. The event will be live and on Zoom. We will get updates on the current situation in the immigration community from Dane County Immigration Supervisor Fabiola Hamdan, Centro Hispano Executive Director Karen Menendez Coller, and Community Immigration Law Clinic Managing Attorney Aissa Olivarez, plus reports from our treasurer, Rev. Leslie Schenk, our volunteer driver co-coordinator, Dan Zimmerman, and from the advocacy team on our new volunteer housing project.

Please fill out this form at the link below to RSVP by October 10 to be in person or to receive the Zoom link.  If you will be attending in person, please wear a mask for the safety of all.

RSVP Here!

Thanksgiving Year-Round

Did you know that the ORUCC Thanksgiving Fund is now a “Year-Round” donation fund? This means that donations are accepted 365 days a year.

The donations are used to purchase Woodman’s gift cards, which are distributed in varying amounts ($10-$20 is common) to Southwest Madison neighbors in need. Our local social and case workers ask if ORUCC will continue to support food and gas needs via gift cards through 2023.   

November and December are targeted months for this Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund.  We will especially appreciate donations by early November, so our neighbors may receive this food/gas assistance in time for Thanksgiving. Donations are also welcome through the holiday season and beyond – into 2023. Thank you for considering this call out.   

To donate, go to https://orucc.org/contribute/support/ and click on the link at the bottom: “Link to online contribution site”

UCC launches emergency appeal

after devastating hurricanes

The United Church of Christ has announced an emergency appeal for funds to support relief and recovery efforts after two hurricanes battered Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Cuba, Florida, the Carolinas and Atlantic Canada. Proceeds from the Hurricanes 2022 appeal will aid victims of hurricanes Fiona and Ian, both of which struck during the last two weeks of September, and additional storms that develop during the 2022 season.

“The hurricane season is just ramping up and we are seeing damages in the Caribbean from Fiona and now here in the United States from Ian,” the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC associate general minister for Wider Church Ministries, said in an article published at ucc.org. “We will continue to respond with partners in supporting the emerging needs of those whose lives have been disrupted and to embark on the journey to rebuild which is a long-term effort.” Read the full article here.

Click to donate online to the Hurricanes 2022 appeal. If you prefer, you may mail a check payable to the United Church of Christ to P.O. Box 71957, Cleveland, OH 44194. Write “Hurricanes 2022 Fund” in the memo section.

Pumpkin Seeds

“Hey kids!  Our Care of Creation team at church gave you pumpkin seeds and directions on how to plant them last spring.  Now we are wondering how your pumpkins are growing.  We would like you to bring them back for a little Show & Tell on Sunday, October 23.  You can carve them into jack-o-lanterns, or just bring them as they are.  Who knows…there might be awards for the tallest, the skinniest, the scariest, the silliest, the smallest, the weirdest, the fattest, etc.  We can’t wait to see what those seeds turned into!”

Save the Date! ORUCC Treinen Farm Corn Maze & Bonfire in Lodi, WI, Friday October 21st 6:30-9:30

We have reserved our own bonfire area with benches and picnic tables on October 21 from 6:30-9:30. Feel free to bring your own food if you wish and we will provide s’mores! This area will serve as our home base while you enjoy and explore the farm, pumpkin patch, animals and maze.

To join us, purchase your own ticket at this website and upon arrival ask for the Orchard Ridge UCC Bonfire area.

Wayfinding: Conversations Toward a Theology and Spirituality of the Elder Years

Wednesday, October 19, 9:30 am

Zoom October 20, 4:00 pm

YOGA IS BACK AT ORUCC

Instructor Leslie Linser    

I offered classes this past June at ORUCC, and I again will offer classes this fall and possibly into winter. The classes will be every Thursday at 5:30 pm starting Oct. 13th. There will also be two different designated times for beginners as described in attachment.(see below)

As before, my goal is to offer a yoga class grounded in spirituality. Having a spiritual practice may mean different things to different people. A Spiritual practice can simply be something one does on a regular basis where one is aware of their body, mind and soul and finding the connection between them. The class design will give space for meditation and prayer along with physical movement and breath. For more information click the  LINK  

Are you excited to PRAY WITH YOUR FEET, PRAY WITH YOUR VOTE!?

The Interfaith Canvassing Campaign’s final canvassing date is this Sunday, October 9, from 1-4pm.  The Meeting place is at 4200 Buckeye Rd, home to Lake Edge UCC & Christ the Solid Rock.  (Parking is in the back of church or across the street, next to Frank Allis School  

If you have not canvassed before you will need to watch the recording of training, provided by the League of Women Voters of Dane County.  

Here is the recording for canvassing and Voter Registration Training:  (don’t forget the Passcode!–I Did!)  

https://lwvdanecounty-org.zoom.us/rec/share/st-MB_xC_QbNdsl726qyzZCo3bl5V5M5BUxtRsHVmz_Rrwl00Rx6sYHhaMbnIkLs.v8h3rb0YobGw_Uy7

Passcode: B+$zT5bA

Also, please fill out (even if you canvassed before) this very simple google form so Rhonda knows numbers for Sunday, Oct 9^th date and how much territory can be covered.

  https://forms.gle/YjgiqggAN6U7sS9x7. 

UNDECIDED? Watch the training—for important info to share with your friends, even if you don’t sign up to canvass! Barbie and I had a wonderful time talking with residents in the neighborhood we covered on Thursday—we hope you’ll join in next Sunday and . . .

PRAY WITH YOUR FEET AND WITH YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMEBER 8^th!

Contact Ruth Ann B LINK—608-334-8761, if text, please ID yourself. 

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, or to assist with

Holy Communion?

It has been easy finding Lay Liturgists, but much more challenging finding Coffee-Makers and Welcomers!

We Need Volunteers!

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 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