Shalom

DECEMBER 2022

AN ADVENT REFLECTION


"'...Like a tapestry woven throughout time, the Christmas story weaves us in--to remember how God has shown up in the past, to continue the work of collective liberation, to behold the presence of God in flesh and bone.


"'Our Advent theme is also a call to Action: what are we being called to generate or bring forth? ...Considering the many ways we embody, remember, and tell the story of Christ's birth, which rituals hold the most meaning for you? What about this season will you pass on to the next generation?'


"From Generation to Generation (from Sanctified Art) ...reminds us of the ways our lives, histories, action, and stories are interconnected and woven together. The work of God is always unfolding--in and through us. This Advent, may you remember that you belong--to a story etched into the wrinkles of time, to generations that have come before and will come after, to a love that won't let you go."


Rev. Kristin Gorton, pastor of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg

Used with her permission

(1st UCC, Belleville, and Middleton Community UCC are also using this theme/material)

WORSHIP, STUDY AND SERVICE DURING ADVENT

Orchard Ridge UCC,. Madison, will have as their Advent worship theme The Stars, Christ Child & Cosmos in Conversation, inviting the congregation to contemplate the mystery of the cosmos with...God's love (being)...with the world from the first moments of the big bang" and every stage thereafter.

In preparation for Advent, Rev. Tiff Bates of St. John's UCC, Monroe, has been leading Bible studies for the church on the theme, From Messiah to Jesus Christ: A Brief History of the Christmas Story.

The adult faith development class of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, will explore John Dominic Crossan's perspective on the Christmas stories, following his book, What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Birth.

Windsor UCC has begun an Advent study in their adult discussion group, using a book and video of Susan Robb, The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God's Voice in Advent.

The Barneveld Congregational UCC will join in that community's Christmas concert, Ring in the Holiday Season

The sanctuary Christmas tree of 1st UCC, Belleville will be decorated with pictures of Jesus' family tree and the church's own families. Again this year they will have a devotional booklet that will include stories written by members of the congregation.

Middleton Community UCC and Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, will prepare for Advent with a family afternoon of making gingerbread nativities, special ornaments for their sanctuary tree and/or at-home Advent wreaths.

The Mineral Point Congregational UCC encouraged their members to attend the Full Light Ballet performance of Handel's "Messiah" at the Mineral Point Opera House.

Windsor UCC is having a Holiday Lights Limo Tour.

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, publicized Awkward Holiday Conversations, a webinar of the Wisconsin Council of Church, held on November 15 and December 15. Here is the link to register. For instance, the current political situation has led to such conversations.

1st UCC, Reeseville, will host the 15th annual Barbara Ludtke Memorial, an evening of Christmas music on December 4. McFarland UCC will feature Ken Medema and Andra Moran in their Holiday Concert on December 9.

Several of our congregations are observing a Longest Night Service or Blue Christmas Service to recognize that some members are grieving the death of loved ones or carry sadness for a broken world. They include Memorial UCC, Fitchburg (an interfaith service); Edgerton Congregational UCC and Middleton Community UCC.

Windsor UCC will again provide "care packages" to college students in December.

An interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance was held on November 20. These congregations were co-sponsors: Lake Edge UCC/Madison/Alliance & 4200; Memorial UCC, Fitchburg; Middleton Community UCC and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is holding a four-week session of QI Gong and Tai Ji for grief and loss.

In addition to congregations mentioned in the last Shalom, these congregations recognized Veterans Day, such as calling attention to community events: Edgerton Congregational UCC; Congregational UCC, Evansville; 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville and Middleton Community UCC.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, and Olivet UCC, Columbus, were hosts of their ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve services. Edgerton Congregational UCC and MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, participated in community ecumenical services.

Rev. Daniel Cooperrider, spouse of Rev. Julia Burkey, pastor of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, has published a Pilgrim Press book, Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible.

Olivet UCC, Columbus, has a regular quilting group meeting twice a month. Currently, their quilts are being donated to Orion Family Services (Sunburst Youth Homes in Neillsville was its forerunner) for their therapy sessions, and to Neighbors in Constant Care.

Prayer shawls used for baptisms in 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, and for people who need to be surrounded by the congregation's warmth, will be dedicated in their worship on December 4.

The MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, congregation provided stocking caps they purled to area schools, nursing homes and a homeless ministry; and they raised $800 for Haiti Allies.


The knitters (and some crocheters) of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, are offering their hats, mittens and scarves for sale.

The crocheted hats that were sold as part of the Pride in the Park auction in Janesville were a way that 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, participated in the event.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, provides coats and handwritten cards for the inmates at the Madison area jail

These call attention to the many and various ways that our Southwest Association congregations are providing support to local and worldwide groups. Recently Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, was recognized by the Goodman Community Center for the many ways the congregation provides support for their ministries.


Other forms of support include the resettlement of families; raising money to provide a scholarship at Dar al Kalima University in Bethlehem; toys and gift cards at Christmas; Personal Essentials Pantry, the Road Ahead; pantries and local schools. (Your editor typically does not mention congregations raising or giving of funds for such projects.)

Rev. Kris Gorton, pastor of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, and other clergy were poll chaplains in Madison, Milwaukee and Racine, providing a "peaceful presence and a calming influence at the polling place."

1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, publicizes a wide variety of community events, such as Artists Sunday and a Holiday Toy Drive, in their monthly newsletter. St. John's, Monroe, also publicizes community events.

Swiss UCC, New Glarus, and Middleton Community UCC are selling Fair Trade items, such as coffee, bracelets and soup mixes to support farmers, both local and and from around the world.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, is having a Really, Really, Free Market of items to trade or give away.

The return of 55 Alive! of 1st Congregational UCC, will feature Rev. Libby Howe, of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, speaking on Building Resilience Together.


1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, is co-hosting Family Promise Week the week of November 27.

Congregations that continue to serve community meals on a regular basis include Olivet UCC, Columbus; Congregational UCC, Whitewater; and Congregational UCC, Mineral :Point.

What's in the Box?, a long-standing tradition of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will pique the interest of the children during their Advent worship.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS



Carolyn Kennedy will have her last Sunday service at Barneveld Congregational UCC on December18; and Rev. Joylynn Graham will have her last Sunday as pastor of Plymouth Congregational UCC in Dodgeville on December 18.

SOCIAL CONCERNS

GRANTS INVITED


The Division on Social Concerns will receive applications for grants for 2023 until December 10. Grants of up to $1500 are available to extend and strengthen your congregation's ministries of outreach and social concern. Click on this form to apply.

WISCONSIN CONFERENCE

INVITES YOU TO

THE DAMASCUS PROJECT

The Damascus Project exists to nurture vitality within the body of Christ by transforming the people of God through theological study and equipping them for effective leadership within their congregations and communities.


As such it is for laypeople as much as for clergy and picks up where the Lay Academy left off. You are invited to join their learning community by (1) subscribing to their email newsletter, using this form (click on Network); (2) joining the Damascus Project Network (click on Network); and/or (3) registering for one of their courses here.

UCC WEBINAR:

CLIMATE JUSTICE AND

THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS


The Midterms and Beyond: A Path for Climate Justice will be the topic of the UCC Webinar in December 14, 12:00. The results of state ballot initiatives will be included. Register here and learn more.

CONGREGATIONS DISCUSS

BOOKS AND MOVIES

The Advent Bible study of Swiss UCC, New Glarus, will be based on the book, Christmas: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly, by Richard B. Wilke.

Hidden in Plain Sight: Undocumented Neighbors in Need was the update on the church's ministry offered to members of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison.

The Book Group of Lake Edge UCC, Madison/Alliance at 4200 will discuss The Henna Artist, by Alka Josh.


The Exploring Race Book Group of 1st UCC, Belleville, will discuss Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.

The Environmental Justice Group of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, observed Native American Heritage Month by leading members in watching a discussion between Dr. Daniel Wildcat, author of Red Alert: Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge, and Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.

The Madison Mennonite Church, which meets in the Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, building, invited members of the host church to a program featuring excerpts from Shadows; Loyalties and Passages about Anabaptists during the Civil War, by Evie Yoder Miller.

Edgerton Congregational UCC's discussion of The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron, concluded in November.


The movie group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison met at Oakwood Village West to watch the movie, The Gathering Storm about Winston Churchill's role in saving Europe from the Nazi threat.


Their Women's Book Group will discuss The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich.


Their Java & Jesus gathering has discussed Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical, by John M. Perkins and Shane Claiborne; and Healing the Heart of Democracy, by Parker Palmer.

The Tuesday Night Fellowship of Middleton Community UCC, continues to discuss Wholehearted Faith, by Rachel Held Evens.


1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, publicized an online book study of The Undocumented Americans, by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio.

CONTACTS

 

Associate Conference Minister 

Rev. Rachel Bauman

608-630-2992


Moderator

David Mickle

 

Vice-Moderator:

Rev. Tanya Sadagopan

 

Secretary:

Marlea Gilbert

 

Treasurer:

Donald Taft

 

Division on Church & Ministry

Rev. Ruth Bradshaw, Chair

 

Social Concerns Committee

Carolyn Kennedy, Chair


Shalom Editor:

Roger Brooks

swacommunications@gmail.com

Southwest Association | swacommunications@gmail.com
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532 | 608-846-7880