HONORING ST. PATRICK

"At the age of sixteen, Patrick was kidnapped from his home by Irish marauders and taken to Ireland, where he was sold as a slave to a chieftain and forced to herd livestock. After six years of slavery, Patrick escaped to Britain

"Because he believed that God's hand was in it all, (after hearing in recurring dreams the call to return to Ireland), Patrick devoted his life to ministry there.... This prayer is attributed to Patrick:

"'Christ be with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ is every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.'

"(Regarding the legend that Patrick drove all of the snakes from Ireland), the 'snakes' that Patrick drove out of Ireland were largely the non-Christians... I can't help but be grateful once again for the Celtic Christians of that time who were more inclusive and unapologetic in their desire to draw from beautiful pagan rituals and traditions and to celebrate the common ground that they felt around so many spiritual Truths...

"Once again, this one of the reasons why we are joining forces with Jessica Riphenburg and Be the Light Shamanic Healing in our Equinox and Solstice celebrations."

The entirety of Bryan's reflection can be found here.

Rev. Bryan Sirchio, Pastor of McFarland UCC

Used with his permission

CONGREGATIONS OBSERVE LENT

Our congregations observed Ash Wednesday in a variety of ways, many of them having worship services, with an offering of imposition of ashes (traditionally come from burning Palm Sunday branches the previous Palm Sunday). In some cases the services were shared, such as with the their local United Methodist Church. In their service, 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, invited members to reflect on their spiritual journey, including celebrating who they are. Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison,,suggested that members could walk their labyrinth in preparation. MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, used the theme Broken Hearts, Open Hearts. Rev. Zayna Thomley, pastor of the Middleton Community UCC, said she would be available for Drop-in Prayer Stations and Ashes.

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo; 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had Mardi Gras celebrations in advance of the occasion.

Congregations that are having mid-week services or studies include St. John's UCC, Monroe; 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville; Washington Reformation UCC, Monticello; Zwingli UCC, Monticello; 1st Congregational UCC, Madison and MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison.

Congregations often are using themes for their Sunday services during Lent. 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, for instance is highlighting the storytelling of Jesus, using the theme of Imagine.

The theme of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Dodgeville, is Creation Care and Climate Change, using Salt Project devotionals.

Windsor UCC, is watching 20-minute videos on the theme of Following Jesus

The theme of Middleton Community UCC is Wandering Heart, following the wandering heart of Peter. 1st UCC, Belleville, is also using this Sanctified Art theme.

Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is using the writings of Henri Nouwen to illuminate the theme Broken Hearts, Open Hearts.

Fear Not! Becoming Death Doulas is the Lenten theme of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.

Several congregations are offering Lenten devotionals In the case of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, the entries are written by members.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, offered a Faith and Wellness Retreat, with each participant taking a Living Compass Self-Assessment. Rev. Kris Gorton also led two Faith and Wellness Circles.

Middleton Community UCC is offering a digital Lenten Retreat on the weeks of Lent.

Members of St. John's UCC, Monroe, have been invited to join in the spiritual practice of walking during Lent.

Again this year, member Patrick Fernan and his crew are producing a play at McFarland UCC as a fund-raiser for the local food pantry. The plan is Almost, Maine.

As a part of recognizing Black History Month in February, Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, lifted up the groundbreaking work of Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., a UCC minister who called attention to the environmental racism of having toxic chemical dumps located in predominantly black neighborhoods.

Looking toward the time when more humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza, Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, is inviting members to make quilts for babies and young children.

Since Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, has been a long-time supporter of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, it provided an update from its President, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb. University classes have been on Zoom since the beginning of October Since lockdowns have prevented students from getting to get to school.

Land Acknowledgment Done Better will be a presentation by Rev. Kerri Parker, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches on Tuesday, March 5, 6:30-8:00, at McFarland UCC. This is a follow-up to an initiative of the congregation aimed at healing past injustices against the Ho-Chunk Nation and other indigenous groups in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Conference and the Council of Churches are co-sponsors.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, recently had Rabbi Bonnie Margulis and Rabbi Jonathan Biatch share their historical perspective on the situation in Israel.

Edgerton Congregational UCC observed a Homecoming Sunday so that members could reconnect with persons they haven't seen for a while.

McFarland UCC is holding another set of classes for persons wishing to become Befrienders. Topics will include suicide, living alone, domestic abuse and hospital/nursing home visits.

Several families gathered at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, to create Valentine's Day cards for elders in the community.

Homebound members of St. John's UCC, Monroe, were given Valentine's treats made by local 4H Club members.

The children of Edgerton Congregational UCC gave Valentine's cards to residents of Swifthaven.

Valentine's cards provided by members of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, were distributed to veterans and their loved ones.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had an intergenerational Faith in Action Brunch to give members an opportunity to learn about the outreach and justice work done by the church.

Madison artists are featured in the current exhibit, What Should I Bring, in the Chapel Art Gallery of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison.

The first community blood drive of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, for the year will be held at the church on March 1. Lake Edge UCC, Madison, will also be the host of a blood drive in March.

1st UCC, Belleville, alerted their members to help a new Ukrainian family who recently moved to New Glarus by providing items they need.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, was the host of the Madison Choral Project's concert, Hope Eats You Alive.

Having been introduced to the Enneagram last year, members of McFarland UCC watched a video that reviewed the personality type tool and explored how to use the tool in their lives.

The Plymouth Congregational UCC, Dodgeville, called attention to the winter lecture series for Lifelong Learning, a project of Merrimac and Main, which started out of Plymouth.

The all-church retreat of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, scheduled for January, has been rescheduled for April 12-14,

Rev. Meg Shepherd and others of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, who have knitted hats and mittens have been thanked by a recipient agency.

Rev. Zayna Thomley, pastor of Middleton Community UCC, reflected in a posting to their members on the three persons who were recently killed in Middleton and suggested ways that members could help. She added that two members of Olivet UCC, Columbus, were recently killed in a gun violence incident.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Newlywed Game on February 11 by having an Emerald Edition in which the four couples all celebrated their 20th anniversary this year! The event is a fund-raiser run by their youth to help youth attend summer camps, including a work camp at Moon Beach.

In Covid-iversary: From Closing to Community, 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will celebrate the positive changes that have resulted from the four years since they closed in-person worship and activities

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will have a family service project of assembling hygiene kits for Church World Service.

On March 2, members of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, will participate in the March to the Capitol as a part of the Poor People's Campaign--a national movement highlighted by the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

The Installation of Rev. Jennifer Seaich at Plymouth Congregational UCC, Dodgeville (115 Merrimac St.), has been postponed to Sunday, March 3, 3:00.

Rev. Kate Mackey will be installed as Associate Pastor at Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, on Sunday, March 17.

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

Rev. Tanya Sadagopan has announced her resignation as Pastor of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, as of April 28.

SAVE THE DATES:

ASSOCIATION AND CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETINGS

There will be joint Southwest Association Annual Meeting with the Southeast Association. It will be held at on Saturday, April 27, at 1st Congregational UCC, Oconomowoc.

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

SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION CLERGY RETREAT APRIL 21-23

Save this date and plan to participate at the Daycholah Center on Green Lake.

A PRAYER FOR LENT

Great Musician, you know when I am playing out of key.

You know when I am starting my days with half-energy, half-heart or half-hope. So today I pray: give my faith a "tune up." Help me return to you even more faithful than before. Gratefully, I pray, amen.

A devotional thought in Weekly Chimes of 1st UCC, Belleville.

RESPONDING TO ANTI-IMMIGRATION

TALKING POINTS

AS PEOPLE OF FAITH

The Wisconsin Conference Immigration Justice Working Group will host a Zoom discussion with Rev, Doug Pagitt, executive director of Vote Common Good on Wednesday, February 29, 6:30-8:00 p.m. In it he will respond to many of the most common anti-immigration talking points and myths and offer a factual and faith-based response. Register here.

WISCONSIN CONFERENCE OFFERS SACRED CONVERSATIONS ON RACE

The Wisconsin Conference has pointed out that Sacred Conversations on Race is a UCC faith-based resource available to churches and persons which may be especially timely during Black History Month.

"Advocates contend the church is a perfect venue for tough discussions around race because racism itself amounts to a spiritual sickness and because of injustices such as the now-discredited Doctrine of Discovery."

it concludes, "'At its best, the church is a place where people with varying viewpoints can come together (in love).'"

Read the complete text here.

CLERGY WOMEN WILL BE HONORED AT GENERAL SYNOD

Tara Barber has alerted us to the fact that the Antoinette Brown Society will honor gifted clergy leaders at the 2025 General Synod in Kansas City.

She has suggested that clergy women attend and, further, that you could financially support a clergywoman's attendance to make her participation possible. Here is her complete text

CONGREGATIONS DISCUSS

BOOKS AND MOVIES

The Seekers Book Club of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, has been reading Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, by Adam Hamilton.

Coffee and Conversation of Middleton Community UCC began discussing The Book of Longings, by Sue Monk Kidd.

The Lenten book study of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians, by Austen Hartke.

Lake Edge UCC, Madison, will discuss The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict.

Java & Jesus of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed Almost Everything--Notes on Hope, by Anne Lamott.

Their Women's Book Group discussed Foster, by Claire Keegan.

David Ellington, the author of Paddling through Climate Change, was on hand at Middleton Community UCC to discuss his video.

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.

The Faith Explorers of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Dodgeville, is reading King: A Life, by Jonathon Elg.

Holdovers, a comedy-drama set in 1970, will be the movie of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, shown and discussed at Oakwood West.

THE JOURNEY

By Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew

What you had to do, and began,

Though the voices around you

Kept shorting

Their bad advice,

Though the whole house

Began to tremble

And you felt the old tug

At our ankles,

"Mend my life!"

Each voice cried,

But you didn't stop

You knew what you had to do,

Though the wind pried

With its stiff fingers

At the very foundations,

Though their melancholy

Was terrible.

It was already late

Enough, and a wild night,

And the road full of fallen

Branches and stones.

But little by little,

As you left their voices behind,

The stars began to turn

Through the sheets of clouds,

And there was a new voice,

Which you slowly

Recognized as your own,

That kept you company

As you strode deeper an deeper into the

world,

Determined to do

The only thing you could do,

Determined to save

The only life you could save.

Published by Salem UCC, Verona

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: 

Jessica Taft, Interim Chair

Shalom Editor:

Roger Brooks

swacommunications@gmail.com