Shalom October 2023 issue

Shalom

OCTOBER 2023

"OUR CHURCH IS LIKE A FAMILY"

"This has always been a family church. Many of you who have been members for very long have family in the church or did have in the past. You know each other well. And you have welcomed us newer members with open arms. But even we newer members mostly grew up here and know the area. We feel like we are a part of you even when you don't know our life stories. But, the church is needing to make some big changes to be ready to welcome people who didn't grow up 'in these parts.'...

"If there's coffee hour, anyone who feels comfortable should look for the new people to sit with and ask them about themselves (if they're willing to share). We will be looking for ways to invite them to take part in activities and committees as well.

"A church where you feel like a family is a wonderful thing. But a family that isn't open to new members is soon fractured. Let's look forward to new programs, new ideas and new faces and be ready to be less like a family (which can be a closed system) and more like a community of Christ followers that welcomes and get to know anyone who graces us with their presence!"

From Petra Streiff, Moderator of Zwingli UCC, Paoli

Used with her permission

OCTOBER EVENTS

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

On October 7, St. John's UCC, Monroe, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the completion of their present sanctuary.

Zwingli UCC, Paoli, will celebrate the 110th anniversary of their congregation on October 22.

Work, education and appreciation go hand in hand at MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison as they highlight the latest blooming flowers, prepare their community gardens and their prairie for the winter. and explain the benefits of using cover crops.

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, is having a six-week series on Caring for God's Creation, with sermons and Sunday School classes and celebrating their new stained glass window being made for their sanctuary.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will again host the annual Madison Area CROP Walk on Sunday, October 15, which raised more than $34,000 last year for world needs and a local pantry.

Also participating will be members of McFarland UCC, Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, Plymouth Congregational UCC and Middleton Community UCC.

1st Congregational UCC, Fort Atkinson, will have a polka style worship. Middleton Community UCC had an outdoor concert in support of Centro Hispano in early September. 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, will have a Spencer LaJoye concert. And Olivet Congregational UCC, Columbus, had a piano recital.

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, will hold their annual Halloween Carnival for UNICEF.

Members are invited to decorate their vehicles and themselves for the annual Trunk or Treat events at Zwingli UCC, Monticello, MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, 1st Congregational UCC, Madison and Windsor UCC.

Rev. Todd Hackman, the pastor of St. John's UCC, Monroe, has invited the members to stay after worship to Dig Deeper on his sermon and/or scripture for the morning and to share their questions

Members of McFarland UCC will visit America's Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee on September 30.

Middleton Community UCC will have a Suicide Prevention Training after their October 1 worship.

Several members of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, recently attended Navigating Well, a collection of shorts that explores the mental health journeys of people with disabilities and how they navigate a challenging mental health system

At 1st Congregational UCC, Fort Atkinson, an officer will give a presentation on unsafe/armed intruder situations. On the Sundays following that, they will review their Tornado/Severe weather procedures. and have a fire department EMS provide training in CPR.

A Blessing of the Animals, such as pets, has taken place, or will do so, at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.

In an unusual move, Lake Edge UCC, Madison, a predominantly white congregation, has sold their building to their predominantly-black partner congregation, Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church

A screening of the documentary film, From Ashes to Beauty: Stories After Incarceration, will be shown in the chapel of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, on Thursday, October 12, 7:00 p.m.. followed by a panel; discussion

The Over 55 group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, featured Phil Hands, a long-time editorial cartoonist for the Wisconsin State Journal.

The 55 Alive group of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will hear a presentation on the General Synod resolution, Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel.

As a part of being an Immigrant Welcoming Church, members of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, were encouraged to write their representatives and advocate for the Afghan Adjustment Act.

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, also provided school supplies to a local elementary school as their mission for September.

The Open and Affirming Coalition of 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, had a discussion of Howard Thurman's book, Jesus and the Disinherited, and a session on LGBTQ+ and college students

Following a sermon on the parable of talents by Pastor Pat Pluss at Swiss UCC, New Glarus, $5 "challenges" were given to members. Through a variety of projects, such as the local Habitat for Humanity, a senior center and a fire department, the original $320 was increased to $2,191.

At Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, ribbons on which members will have printed their prayers, fears, joys and hopes will hang on their sanctuary cross. Previously, they had memorial quilts hanging in their sanctuary.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had a "forest bathing" meditation at Holy Wisdom Monastery. And they have resumed their series, Wayfinding: The Soul Tasks of Aging, Toward a Theology of the Older Years on Wednesday mornings.

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, joined the global walking meditation initiative

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is having a contemplative walking and well-being Retreat on 2 Feet.

The children and young people of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, were invited to a series of classes to make bread and learn about the history and meanings of communion

McFarland UCC recently had a zoom meeting on, Why Fair Trade?, in which the role fair trade can play in preventing economic and social devastation that fuels desperate immigration was explained.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is having a Family Night that will include a Bible lesson, games and fellowship.

A blood drive will be held at Zwingli UCC, Monticello, on Friday, October 20, from noon to 5:00.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison's Rev. Julia Burkey and her spouse Daniel Cooperrider are experimenting with a Pop-Up Wild Church for the Madison's earth-loving community and beyond. The first gathering was held at Donald County Park on September 20.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is again taking advantage of its location near Camp Randall and the Field House. They are providing parking for football and volleyball games.

The Green County Area Human Trafficking Tas Force will offer a program at Brodhead Congregational UCC on November 16, 5:00-6:30. The plan is to have a human trafficking survivor speak followed by a panel of experts.

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, provided a pickup service for unwanted large items, driving trucks through their neighborhood.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

Christina A. Schoenwetter will be ordained on Sunday, October 22, 2:00, at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison (1609 University Ave.). Parking is available in the three parking lots on Lathrop Street. Additional parking is at the UW Foundation and the UW Engineering Building. Street parking may also be available. Clergy are invited to robe and process.

Rev. Susan Schneider-Adams began as the Interim Minister of Zwingli UCC, Paoli, on September 10.

Katya Ouchakof had a successful Ecclesiastical Council. Her ordination is scheduled for November 5, 4:00, at Memorial UCC, Fitchburg.

Ruth Bradshaw has resigned as the pastor of Olivet UCC, Columbus, effective November 13.

Rev. Ted Drewson began a short-term interim at Zwingli UCC, Monticello.

A CONVERSATION ABOUT FAITH

AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This will take place at Salem UCC, Verona (502 Mark Dr.), on October 18, 6:30 p.m.

What would you do if a friend, parishioner or neighbor comes to you, asking for help and advice about their significant other? They inform you that their partner has been getting physical with them, not letting them go to work or go out and/or forcing them to do things they are uncomfortable with.

If you can relate to this situation or anticipate that you might be faced with it, come to A Conversation about Faith and Domestic Violence. Domestic Abuse Intervention Services has collaborated with local faith leaders for this workshop. Pastors and lay leaders are encouraged to attend.

Please RSVP or send questions to aydenr@abuseintervention.org.

CONFERENCE YOUTH RETREATS

Faith Formation Youth Retreat

on November 10-12 at the Daycholah Center on Green Lake is a weekend of faith and team building for persons in grades 6-12.

Knock Knock Middle School Retreat

on November 17-18 at the Daycholah Center on Green Lake, for youth in grades 6-8, is for them to discover that love and acceptance are the true experience of church. More details can be found on the Conference web site.

CONFERENCE CATALYST GRANTS PUT LEGS UNDER GOOD IDEAS

The Wisconsin Conference Catalyst Team is offering grants of up to $5,000 to support innovative ministries and address unmet community needs The deadline for the next round of grants is September 30. Apply now.

SOCIAL CONCERNS GRANTS AVAILABLE

Funds for your congregation's outreach ministries or programming related to social concerns are still available for 2023! Applications are simple, and grant writing support is available. Click here to learn more.

CREATION CARE RETREAT

We are invited to a Creation Care Retreat of the Wisconsin Conference. It will be held October 13-14 at the Daycholah Center. The registration deadline is October 5. Click here for more details and/or to register.

UCC WEBINAR:

A PLEA FROM THE POPE

Pope Francis will release the second part of his encyclical of the climate crisis and inequality on October 4, and the United Church of Christ will have webinar with faith leaders on October 11, at 12:00. Here is the link to sign up..

WANT ADS

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, has posted these open positions:

Director of Music, Part Time

This progressive church with a vibrant music program is looking for one who is eager to bring a fresh approach to Christian worship. The Director leads the vocal choir and bell choir. In its recruitment in the community, it auditions high school Music Scholars. Read more about it here.

Pianist/Organist, Part Time

The church is looking for a new Accompanist who is eager to work with a new Music Director to bring a fresh approach to Christian worship. In addition to playing their grand piano and magnificent organ, the church is looking to grow their music program to include a variety of music genres. Read more here.

CONGREGATIONS DISCUSS

BOOKS AND MOVIES

Rev. Mark Yurs is leading an adult Bible study of the Psalms during September and October at 1st UCC, Belleville.

The book club of St. John's UCC, Monroe, discussed Made for This Moment, by Max Lucado.

Lake Edge UCC/Alliance @4200, Madison, encouraged their members to read Abolish Nuclear Weapons, by J. Robert Oppenheimer and Kai Bird, and then call their Congressional representatives to support H.R. 2775.

Their book group discussed Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate.

The Seekers Book Club of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, discussed The Gospel in Brief, by Leo Tolstoy..

The Women's Book Group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed The Alice Network, by Kate Quinn.

For their October meeting, they will discuss Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus.

Middleton Community UCC hosted a free public showing of Kiss he Ground, a family-friendly documentary about how the way we grow our food can help solve the climate crisis.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, will offer a book study on, Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People, by Dorothy Bass, on eight Thursdays beginning October 12.

Rev. Laura Kolden, pastor of 1st UCC, Belleville, has been leading a worship series on sabbath, and then the church will show and discuss the documentary Sabbath, by Journey Films

Small discussion groups will be featured as Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, has their Big Read, Native Identity, Belonging and Rediscovering God, by Kaitlyn B. Curtice. They will use the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament.

The movie group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, which meets at Oakwood Village, discussed Green Book, featuring an eight-week concert tour in the Deep South by a Black classical pianist.

The Environmental Justice Group of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will focus on the book, Speak with the Earth and It will Teach you, by the Madison author, Daniel Cooperrider

A special showing of Seeking Asylum: A Mother's Journey at MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, on September 27 is also being promoted by McFarland UCC and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.

"Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die" (Carrie Fisher; quoted in the newsletter of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison).