October Compassion Offering:

Al-Ahli Gaza Hospital

During this terrifying time, Al-Alhi Gaza Hospital is one of the few remaining Hospitals able to provide medical services to families in Gaza. The Hospital is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, a UCC Mission Partner organization, and is staffed by both Palestinian and international professionals from around the world. 

Several times in the past two years, Al-Ahli Hospital was bombed and invaded by Israeli ground troops. Throughout these attacks and subsequent evacuations of the Hospital grounds, Al-Ahli’s staff of 116 have shown heroic courage and determination, setting up tent clinics and mobile services in nearby towns and villages, and always returning to the Hospital to provide ongoing medical care for the wounded.

Your donation to Al-Ahli Gaza Hospital will literally save lives and enhance healing, providing children and families with emergency and trauma care, treatment for burns (primarily children), physical therapy for wounds and loss of limbs, treatment for malnourished (starved) children, and more.

Dog Walking for Debra

Help Debra G recover from surgery by walking her friendly golden retriever Poppy during the day. Debra lives in the Orchard Ridge neighborhood, around the corner from Ridgewood Pool. More details in the Signup Genius.

Restorative Justice Circle

Circles – sometimes called peace circles or talking circles – are an intentional, structured form of dialogue that draw on the wisdom and practice of indigenous communities around the world. Circles offer a different way of being together and quality of conversation, and can be used for deepening relationships, and sharing stories and perspectives around a wide variety of topics and situations. Engaging in the practice of Circle is inherently transformative because we experience the world from more perspectives than our own, and drawing on diverse knowledge and experience in this way often generates options and solutions for challenges that are outside the box of conventional thinking and go beyond what one person or a small group could generate on their own.

You are invited to get a taste, by participating in a Circle after the worship service on October 12th (concluding by 12:15 p.m.). There will also be an opportunity to go deeper, with a more intensive Circle retreat / training experience on November 7th and 8th. More information will be shared about that on October 12th, or you may reach out to Barbie Jackson ([email protected]) or John Lemke ([email protected]).

Worker Justice Wisconsin Presentation and Conversation

Sunday, October 19, 2025, 9 am, Friendship Hall

Join us on Sunday, October 19 at 9 am for a presentation and conversation with Robert Christl from Worker Justice Wisconsin about issues facing immigrant workers in Wisconsin.  

Worker Justice Wisconsin (WJW) is a worker center that educates immigrant employees on their rights and how to organize their coworkers to improve working conditions. WJW is the only worker center in the region where workers can go when they experience problems and want to learn how to address them.

Robert Christi, Interim Executive Director, will discuss issues such as low wages and wage theft frequently faced by immigrant workers, including recent successes. There will be opportunity to discuss how faith communities can become involved in WJW campaigns.

For more information, contact Paulette Harder of the Immigration Justice Team. Thank you!

Pen Pal Meet-Up October 19th

Did you participate in this summer’s Pen Pal Program? We hope you had a rich, enjoyable time sending and receiving letters in the mail. It’s never too late to get a message out if you fell behind. Save the date for an in-person Pen Pal Meet-Up!

Join us in Friendship Hall after worship on October 19th for lemonade and conversation. RSVP is not necessary, but appreciated. RSVP to Julie Mazer at [email protected]

Spooky Karaoke Fundraiser for Affordable Housing in Madison

Starts at 7:00 pm, October 23rd

The Weary Traveler, 1201 Williamson St.

Costumes encouraged!

Benefiting Common Wealth Development.

Treinen Farm’s Bonfire Night, Friday, October 24th

All ages welcome at this family-friendly event held at Treinen Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Lodi. ORUCC will rent a bonfire circle and provide S’more supplies, but each family is responsible for purchasing their own tickets for all ages 3+. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time for a discount, or at the door. Scholarships are available through the church, so let Pastor Kate know if that would help your family be able to attend. Our group has the firepit beginning at 7:00 p.m., but you are encouraged to come earlier to enjoy the other farm activities at Treinen with your family. 

Adult Education series: Southwest Neighborhood Updates and Opportunities

There are many good things happening in our church neighborhood! Join our neighborhood church volunteers and leaders in learning more about the programs and nonprofit agencies who serve in Southwest Madison.  Our colleagues in the neighborhood will discuss housing updates, employment prospects, food insecurity and health disparities. We hope to bring awareness of the challenges our neighbors encounter, the resources our partners offer and the opportunities for ORUCC members to contribute through advocacy, short-term volunteer and item donations.

Sunday October 26th:  Meet Rick Thomas, Outreach Director at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Sheray Wallace, Certified Community Health Worker who founded the Meadowood Health Partnership.  Learn of the many programs offered to neighbors in need from community building events to health and food opportunities available for neighbors.

Sunday November 2nd: We welcome Eric Alvin, Social Worker with Southwest Madison Joining Forces for Families (JFF) and Kari Alston, Employment Specialist with Commonwealth.  Learn the latest updates on housing and affordability, Keeping Neighbors Connected, and neighbor employment prospects in Madison.

Both Sunday sessions will be held from 9-9:45am in Friendship Hall. Coffee, tea and light treats will be offered. Join us for this enlightening series! 

Youth Service Trip Celebration & Summer 2026 Interest Meeting, Sunday October 26th

The youth service trip offered each summer is a meaningful experience available to our youth entering 8th grade through high school. On Sunday, October 26th during worship we will celebrate the trip we took to Kansas City, MO this past June! Following the service (around 11:15), there will be a meeting for any youth and their guardians who are interested in next year’s trip, summer 2026. Please reach out to Pastor Kate with any questions, [email protected]

“Knock Knock” Daycholah Middle School Retreat

The Wisconsin Conference UCC is offering a middle school faith retreat for students in 6th-8th grade at Daycholah Center, November 21st-23rd. Pastor Kate will be attending with some youth from ORUCC. Any 6th-8th graders are welcomed to register here, early bird pricing available until October 17th! Please let Pastor Kate know if your youth is interested so that we make sure we have enough adult chaperones for our group. 

Stay up to date on ORUCC Children and Youth happenings

Want to stay up to date on the latest with children and youth at ORUCC? Check out our weekly updates here:

https://orucc.org/keeping-current/children-and-youth-news//

Please Sign Up to Volunteer on Sunday Mornings!

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 Host, 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

Please note that the previous Welcomer and Usher signups have recently been combined into a new signup named “Host.” Please sign up to be trained into this new position:

Click here to sign up as a Host

Click here to sign up as a Lay Liturgist

Click here to assist with Holy Communion

• Page #1: Choose the date you are available to volunteer and select the box that says “SIGN UP“.  Then, at the bottom of the page select the box “SAVE & CONTINUE“.
• Page #2: Enter your first/last name and your email address. Then select the box at the bottom of the page “SIGN UP NOW“

Questions or problems signing up?

Contact George Decker at office@orucc.org or 608-271-7212.

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

Daily Reflections for October

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 month for our devotional practice at Orchard Ridge UCC. If you know someone who needs encouragement and would like the devotional mailed to them, please contact the church office.

Daily Reflections for October 2025

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

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