Shalom April 2024 issue

Shalom

APRIL 2024

HOW DOES ONE EXPLAIN GOD?

Following the Lenten theme, Imagine, of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, Jeff Rabe reflects:

"God is BIG. How dos one explain God? There's that old adage: 'How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!' With that in mind, I often tell students grappling with a big concept to break things down into manageable pieces. THAT'S where (my) suitcase comes in. A rock, a bicycle, a potato... simple, everyday things become symbols of God, and God's command to love one another...

"With that in mind, I can, sort of, humbly imagine what Jesus was contemplating when he looked out at the crowds who ha gathered to hear him teach. Looking into the faces of those yearning to better understand this abstract God. the jubilant faces of those just excited to be in community. The skeptical faces of those who aren't sure why they're there. The puzzled faces of those who aren't getting it. The eager faces of those who just want to share their own story. The tired faces of those who just want to go home. the pained faces of those whose needs are so near that a distant God provides them little comfort. How do you reach them all? How does ones explain that the very complexity of God allows God to simply be what each one of us needs?"

Here is his complete reflection.

Jeff Rabe, Director of Children and Youth Ministry

of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison

Used with his permission

OBSERVING HOLY WEEK,

EARTH DAY AND MORE

Our congregations observed Holy Week in a variety of ways. For instance, 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, had a vigil, with members being in the sanctuary or awake at home, from Friday noon to Saturday noon

While not having a Maundy Thursday service of their own, Lake Edge UCC, Madison, noted in their newsletter other nearby churches with services that members could attend.

While the churches of our Association bedecked their Easter sanctuaries with lilies and other flowers, 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, added the touch of a flower cross. In addition, many members of the congregation joined the choir in singing the hallelujah chorus.

For Easter, Rev. Phil Hobson, the pastor of Salem UCC, Verona, encouraged members to reflect on resurrection experiences, such as reconciliation and healing, in their own lives.-

Middleton Community UCC will observe Earth Day in their worship on April 21. Rev David Cooperrider, author of Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You, will be the guest preacher..

On the Saturday after Earth Day, Middleton Community UCC will host a Sustainability Fair and EV Car Show..

Several congregations highlighted Earth Day in their Youth Sunday worship services (see separate article below)..

Betsy Parker of the Leopold Nature Center explained to members of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, how the center has been connecting children with nature for the past 30 years.

The Green Team of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, led members in making plastic yarn using plastic shopping bags.

Using resources provided by the United Church of Christ, Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, celebrated Women's History Month (March).

Lunch and Learn of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, heard of Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL) from the executive director of AgeBetter.org.

Congregations that are providing free community meals include Lake Edge UCC, Madison (at Luke House); 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville; Olivet UCC, Columbus, Congregational UCC, Evansville Zwingli UCC, Monticello, and MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison.

Following a presentation by a therapist, Suicide Awareness and Prevention was the discussion topic at Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.

Middleton Community UCC became a member of MOSES, a Madison-based advocacy group working for transformative justice in Wisconsin.

The theme of the April all-church retreat at the Daycholah Center (rescheduled from January) of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will be Spiritually Alive: Rooted and Grounded in Love. Their retreat leader will be Rev. Kirsten Worzala-Dumke, chaplain at UW Carbonne Cancer Center.

The annual Kalberwurst Dinner that honors the Swiss roots of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will be held on Saturday, April 20, 4:30-7:30.

In addition to the churches mentioned in the March Shalom, St. John's UCC, Monroe, hosted a blood drive

The Ritual Bonfire of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, sponsored by Faith in Action for Racial Equity will provide a sacred time and space to reflect on ways that participants have supported racism.

Assembling hygiene kits for Church World Service was the Family Service Project of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison in March.

Members of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison heard a presentation from Beth Israel Center and the Dane Sanctuary Coalition on their recent trip to Casa Alitas in Tucson.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, hosted a Safe Surrender event with Middleton Community UCC. Those who turned in firearms, which will be turned into garden tools, received a gift certificate.

Cristella and her daughter, Aurora, have been "adopted" by Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, in that the congregation has supported them in a variety of ways, such as raising money for an attorney, furnishing their apartment and providing transportation to their asylum hearing in Chicago. A kind judge granted asylum to them recently.

1st UCC, Belleville, encouraged their members to help a couple of Ukrainian refugees move into their apartment.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, asked their members to help with meals or rides for a member going home from rehab.

The deteriorating wooden ramp installed at 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, in 1981 has been replaced with a metal ramp donated by a member.

1st UCC, Belleville, is rallying around a member whose open heart surgery will require a long period of convalescence. In addition to cards, the church has established a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with expenses.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, offered their members yard signs to show their support for the Muslim community during Ramadan.

To provide some context for their photo identification project, 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, pointed out that Mexican folklore tells of a second death when no one alive knows the name of the person who has died.

McFarland UCC is providing post cards for their members to send to persons who have not voted for some time in Georgia, as a part of the Reclaim Our Vote, a campaign if the Center for Common Ground.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, called attention to Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice once-a-month, Thursday nights events called 2024 Interfaith Intersectional events. The first two topics are Fasting/Self-Denial and Forgiveness..

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, called attention to a national UCC delegation that went to Palestine to meet with Jewish, Christian and Muslim peacemakers and human right activists. The Palestine Working Group of the Wisconsin Conference also recently shared thoughts.

Sponsored by Churches for Middle East Peace, members of McFarland UCC participated in a pilgrimage in downtown Madison to stand in solidarity with Palestinians who are facing starvation

On the Sunday after Easter,1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, will celebrate Holy Humor Sunday and Bring a Friend to Church Sunday.

A member of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, who is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, will share her insights on bullying in their Lunch and Learn evemt.

McFarland UCC will begin having monthly midweek contemplative services.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, will have an Evening of Music provided by members.

At the Arts Coffee House of Middleton Community UCC, members shared their music and thoughts.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is launching a Befrienders program in which lay members provide compassionate listening to members in various kinds of need. McFarland UCC is also currently providing Befrienders trailing.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, will provide a safe viewing spot of the solar eclipse by their church on April 9 and reflect on God's Cosmic Wonder.

The latest Flicker Wild Church Pot-up gathering of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, featured the spring equinox. The occasions have become an outreach to persons who have been longing for a nature-centered worshiping community.

A combination of Escape Room, Scavenger Hunt, Puzzle Solving, Bible Study and RACE, the youth of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will, after a hiatus of several years, participate in GRACE in April.

The current art display in the Chapel of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is Psalms: Songs, Poems and Prayers by a Madison artist.

YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE

From time to time, we will share some of the youth activities of our congregations.

Youth Sundays are celebrated in several of our congregations. At 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, the Earth Sunday worship will feature their drumming group, MAKO.

The youth of Salem UCC, Verona, chose Zacchaeus to be the focus of their youth-led worship

The children and youth of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, used costume, song, skit and art in their service back in Advent.

Youth of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, offered prelude music.

The confirmation students and their mentors of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, learned about Judaism in a visit to Temple Beth El.

Back in December the confirmation students of Swiss UCC, New Glarus, provided entertainment and gifts for residents of the New Glarus Home.

Middle school youth of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Dodgeville, are joining in after-school programs

At the January Lock-In the youth of Salem UCC, Verona, watched a true-story movie, Soul Surfer

Children and youth of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, were invited to participate in a labyrinth walk.

McFarland UCC youth invited the young people of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, to join them in their monthly meetings.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

Patricia Pluss, worship leader of Swiss UCC New Glarus, died on February 6.

Andrea Olson was installed as Director of Children's and Family Ministries at MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison..

Rev. Jen Petricca-Bloesch will be installed as the pastor of Community of Hope UCC, Madison, on April 14.

Rev. Craig Jan-McMahon has resigned as pastor of Windsor UCC effective April 21.

Rev. Beverly Davis will be the Interim Minister of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, during April, May and June.

SW & SE ASSOCIATIONS

ANNUAL MEETING

The joint meeting of the Southwest and Southeast Association be held at on Saturday, April 27, 9:00-2:30, at 1st Congregational UCC, 815 S. Concord Rd., Oconomowoc.

Keynote speaker Rev. Sandhya Jha will address the theme, Tell the Next Generation. They/Them is the founder and former executive director of the Oakland Peace Center in Oakland, CA, and a multi-faith community organizer. You can get to know her through her most recent book, Rebels, Despots, and Saints: The Ancestors Who Free Us & the Ancestors We Need to Free, available from Chalice Press.

Afternoon workshops will be these (each workshop will be offered twice):

Continued conversations with the

keynote speaker

Engaging your congregation in anti-

racism work

Land acknowledgment done right

Obtain a grant for your congregation

A conversation around associational life

Sacred conversations to end racism

There will also be worship, Association business and lunch The registration cost is $25 for adults. Online only registration is 10. Childcare will be provided. Here is the registration link.

INVITING YOUR INPUT

ON ASSOCIATION CHANGES

The last of three listening sessions on possible changes to the structures of the four Associations will be held on Zoom on April 11, at 1:00. The envisioned changes, which have been discussed at length by the Conference Board of Directors, relate to the difficulty in finding enough people to staff the several committees. Register here.

CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING

The theme of the Conference Annual Meeting on June 7-9 at Green Lake Conference Center will be Where God Is Still Speaking: Listening in New Ways.

It was inspired by the God Is Still Speaking marketing campaign launched by the United Church of Christ decades ago. "It conveys our UCC spirit of openness, wide welcome and our understanding of God's extravagant love," Conference Minister Franz Rigert said. It also reflects our understanding of the scriptures as a continuing testimony, and the importance of listening to the "spiritual but not so religious in our midst."

A drop-in day camp will be provided for children ages 8-14 of clergy and lay persons. It will offer hiking, nature exploration, music, arts and crafts, and devotional time. See the conference newsletter or website for more information and to register.

WORKSHOP OFFERED:

GENDER IDENTITY

AND USING THE SINGULAR THEY

Jeff Rabe, Director of Christian Education at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is offering to use his many decades as an facilitator of the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program which many of our churches use, to provide a workshop.

It is designed to help adults better understand the rapidly-evolving spectrum of gender, including gender identity, gender expression and pronouns. It will introduce participants to the history of the fluidity of sexuality and provide a safe space to ask tough questions,.

Contact Jeff to learn more about bringing this program to your congregation at jrabe@firstcongmadison.org or 608-232-2142. Here is a bit more information.

SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION CLERGY RETREAT APRIL 21-23

A retreat for clergy of the Southwest Association will be held April 21-23 at the Daycholah Center on Green Lake. In addition to providing time to relax and enjoy the surroundings, it will offer workshops centered on creative expression (e.g. music/hymn writing, praying in color, poetry, theatre, pick-up band jam, etc.) Register here by April 11.

A TIMELY THOUGHT

FROM PLYMOUTH UCC

As fear and anxiety are common but unwelcome emotions in these times, we often find ourselves vulnerable to an alternative--resentment, hatred and violence.

This is why a thought by Frank Herbert in the newsletter of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, is timely. "'I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.'"

As Jesus said many times, "Do not be afraid."

FROM THE ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

At their March 21 Executive Council meeting, it was voted to contribute $660 to MOSES (up from the previous $600). as they requested.

Rev Lex Liberartore agreed to help with a grant-writing workshop.

EARTH SUNDAY NEWS FROM OUR UCC CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

The UCC's 2nd annual Earth Summit will feature celebrated author and activist Bill McKibben speaking on, Energy from Heaven or Energy from Hell? A panel will follow. You can register for the April 20, 12:0 p.m., event here.

The UCC webinar on April 10, 12:00, will be on addressing the plastics crisis. Register here.

To give our children and youth a voice this election season, while also reminding adults of their responsibility for the next generation, the UCC is conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. From now until April 16, art submissions will be accepted. For more information and to register click here.

CHOIR ROBES OFFERED

Rev. Wayne Shannon, Chaplain at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge in Madison, has 43 choir robes that he would like to donate to a church. Contact him if you're interested.

CONGREGATIONS DISCUSS

BOOKS AND MOVIES

The Seekers Book Club of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, is currently reading Inspired, by Rachel Held Evans.

Olivet UCC, Columbus, showed the movie Journey to Bethlehem at a movie night.

Lake Edge UCC, Madison, will discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid..

Java & Jesus of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed a chapter from Richard Rohr's book, What Do We Do with Evil?

Their Women's Book Group discussed The Last Bookshop in London, by Madeline Martin.

The March movie at Oakwood West was Holdovers, a comedy-drama set i 1970. The April movie will be The Burial, a court drama.

The book group of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg read Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann and will discuss The Women, by Kristin Hannah.

Java & Jesus of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed an article by John Shelby Spong, The Connection Between the Crucifixion and the Passover.