Shalom August 2023 issue

Shalom

AUGUST 2023

THE BODY OF CHRIST

A follow-up to a message at Rev. Sara Rabe's installation,:

"We cite the verse about the Body of Christ to assure one another as individuals that each of us is important in the church. But, I think, the passage applies to churches, too. Just as God has place for each of us in the congregation, God has a place for each congregation in the whole of his kingdom.

"Our job, as Christians and as congregations is to proclaim the Good News. and we do it in terms that those who hear us can comprehend...

"I fear our denominational leaders tend to see God's actions most clearly in young, vigorous congregations and in young, go-gettem pastors. And I agree... But, increasingly, I fear, they look at aging congregations as being 'legacy churches' most valued for what assets they may leave behind.

"I don't think Paul would agree. We, too, are part of the body. Without us, the church is less than it could be. And God works through us to build God's kingdom. So rejoice, be glad and sing.

Rev. Bill Wineke, Interim Minister, 1st Congregational UCC, Evansville

Used with his permission

CONGREGATIONS MAKE THE MOST OF OUR DWINDLING SUMMER

A number of the members of St. John's UCC, Monroe, have responded to the invitation to portray where they have taken Flat Jesus (a take-off on the popular children's character Flat Stanley).

Olivet UCC, Columbus, is also having a Vacation Bible School. And 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, is having Messy Summer Sunday School in the summer.

Joining the congregations which are having worship in community parks are 1st UCC, Belleville, and Middleton Community UCC (partnering with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church).

Windsor UCC regularly prepares their worshipers with a detailed explanation of the lectionary passages for the coming Sunday.

Salem UCC, Verona, explained that through their Vacation Bible School stories of Daniel, they are learning how God is with us in all things, and they have a mosaic wall in which members add their "God sightings."

A member of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, provides a set of readings each weeK for members' devotional use.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, called members' attention to blooming plants in their prairie, including echinacea, rattlesnake master and hoary verbena.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is having a four-session adult faith development class on the theme, Animate: Practices.

Young people of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, will explore God's creation in their trek into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota.

Rev. Zayna Thomley, pastor of Middleton Community UCC and a certified forest therapy guide, will lead members on a forest bathing walk, blending a love of nature, spiritual practice and community connection.

The practice will also be featured in a Forest Retreat of Middleton Community UCC, which is open to the public, in late August.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will participate in the annual Magic Pride Fest of Outreach, Inc., with a booth.

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, will have a table to welcome visitors at the Magic Pride Festival on August 20.

After their Pride Service in June, 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, explained the importance of their church's Open and Affirming stance: It makes a real difference in people's lives!

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, highlighted the Sauk County Queers and Allies as their Mission of the Month in July

Families of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, are invited to participate in a ZOOrific Scavenger Hunt Adventure at Vilas Zoo in August.

McFarland UCC is offering a support group for adults that have been estranged from family members.

During the many weeks that the elevator of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is out of service because it is being replaced, parking lot attendants are helping worshipers get into the front entrance of their church.

The Search Committee of Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is inviting members to provide their input on such questions as, Who is God calling he Community of Hope to become?.

Olivet UCC, Columbus, provided a free community meal in July.

Lake Edge UCC/Alliance @ 4200, Madison, helped with the Rimrock Road Mobil Food Pantry and Luke House.

On three July Sundays, Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, studied the 2021 General Synod resolution, Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel. It included the rationale for using the term "apartheid".to refer to the State of Israel.

The church also responded to a plea from the Dane Sanctuary Coalition to sign on to a press release calling on the Biden Administration and our elected leaders to create a just and humane immigration system.

In lieu of their regular worship, on August 27 Middleton Community UCC, will invite their neighbors for a Neighbor Day event. It will highlight the church's participation in service to Middleton

St. John's UCC, Monroe, invited their members to a presentation on the church's new neighborhood ministries.

This lovely piece of artwork now graces 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, calling attention to the Sankofa, a mythical bird for the Akan people of Ghana. The bird reminds us that we should remember our past but not get stuck there.

In its Community Wellness Days,1st UCC, Belleville, highlighted the church's support of efforts to destigmatize mental health and promote overall health and wellness.

The knitters of Middleton Community UCC provided 97 hats as a part of the #HATNOTHATE anti-bullying campaign.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison

celebrated their July compassion offering in which they provided 44 boxes of clothing to Casa Alitas, an immigrant welcome center near the border in Tucson..

Realizing that with their membership growing, Middleton Community UCC is running tight on space and staff, the church has begun a process of reflecting on how they should respond..

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

Middleton Community UCC has hired Rev. Michael Bausch to a part-time position of Ministry Associate. He will co-lead worship with Pastor Zayna Thomley and preach occasionally.

Christina Schoenwetter will be ordained on Sunday, October 22, at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison.

Davies Memorial UCC, Potosi, has entered into a shared ministry agreement with the United Methodist Church in Cuba City. United Methodist Lay Licensed Minister Carter Jorgenson will serve one-fourth time at Davies Memorial and three-fourths time at Cuba City United Methodist.

Rev. Kendell Nordstrom has retired after serving as the Interim Minister for the Congregational UCC, Edgerton, for the past two years.

Rev. Lori Powell has resigned, effective July 30, as pastor of Zwingli UCC, Mount Vernon.

ATTENTION, LAY LEADERS!

The Damascus Project, a successor to the Lay Academy, is offering the course, Sunday by Sunday: Weekly Preaching and Worship Leadership. The course runs from September 5 to October 31, including four zoom sessions. Here is a link to the information.

NEW FAITH FORMATION RESOURCE:

PICTURE THE BIBLE

The Wisconsin Conference is offering congregations a new faith formation resource, Kid Lit, from Picture the Bible. It is easy to follow and includes a lesson, art, conversation and prayer, plus background for leaders. For more information about this resource and a free link to download and print it, click here.

STUDY-ACTION GUIDE

ON WORKER JUSTICE

The Wisconsin Councill of Churches, in collaboration with Worker Justice Wisconsin, is launching a new four-session study-action guide focused on worker justice. There will be a launch party p.m. on August 15. 10.00 a.m., at the Worker Justice Wisconsin office at 1602 S. Park St., #116, Madison. Here is a link to the information and registration.

SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION DELEGATES REFLECT

ON GENERAL SYNOD

Laura Stalder, Paul Karch and Rev. Wayne Shannon of the Southwest Association were among the 736 delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Indianapolis June 29-July 4.

They all took from their participation inspiration and hope for the future of the UCC in a time "when progressive Christian faith" is a minority and "some of the loudest assertions made in the name of Christianity focus on exclusion and political and economic power," (said Paul).

Laura explained that delegates are randomly assigned to panels that discuss, debate and refine proposed resolutions. She was assigned to one that denounced the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision on abortion. Only one of the 14 resolutions was not approved.

One resolution that passed by a bare 2/3 margin was one that changed the frequency of General Synods from every two years to every three years--a cost-saving measure.

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson was elected as the 10th General Minister and President of the UCC, the first time the UCC has been headed by a woman, a woman of color, and an immigrant from Jamacia.

.REV. KERRI PARKER

HONORED AT GENERAL SYNOD

Rev. Kerri Parker, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, received the Avery D. Post Ecumenical Award during the General Synod for the leadership she proved to congregations during the COVID-19 pandemic and for increasing the staff of the Council while others were reducing their staff.

UCC WEBINAR

ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

On August 9. at 1:00 p.m.. the UCC Webinar will feature Charles Lee, the lead author of the UCC's landmark report on toxic waste and race and the lead organizer of the historic First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit. Register here.