Shalom February 2023 issue

Shalom

FEBRUARY 2023

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE:

FOR BOTH OFFENDERS AND VICTIMS

First Congregational UCC, Madison, celebrated Restorative Justice Sunday on January 9, the 17th anniversary of the church's Prison Ministry. Rev. Jerry Hancock gave the sermon. We provide a summary that appeared in a church newsletter and link to his reflection, in part because in the January issue of Shalom, we noted that this program was featured in a Cap Times article.

After explaining that this ministry has involved volunteers meeting with more than a thousand inmates in prisons, with sometimes life-changing effects, he explains that the church has done this "in response to the Gospel," as in the story of the Good Samaritan and the commandments in Matthew 25.

He adds that this ministry "puts us at odds with much of the current 'tough on crime' rhetoric. For more than a generation, politicians, left, right, and center, have understood that nothing motivates voters more than fear...(which) "has led to a 300% increase to the Wisconsin prison population in the past 25 years...(even though) it has proven to be an expensive failure that has destroyed lives and families and has not made our communities safer (italics added).

In his sermon on January 9, he added that Jesus himself was both an offender and a victim according to the criminal justice system of his day. For Jerry's full reflection that appeared in the church's newsletter, click here.

By Rev. Jerry Hancock, Associate Pastor of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison

Used with his permission

CONGREGATIONS' MINISTRY

DURINGTHE EPIPHANY SEASON

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, recently shared testimonies of "God Moments" or "Spiritual Highpoints" in their lives by seven of their new members. Included were heart-rending reflections that led them to Orchard Ridge UCC. Click on this link: https://conta.cc/3vPqMQW

Windsor UCC is another church that includes profiles of their new members in their newsletter.

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, invites their members to enter on post-it notes what brings them hope and inspiration and post those on their bulletin board.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, provides a worship service each week at Friedensheim, a community senior living facility.

The January service project of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is creating Valentine's Day cards for the elder members in their congregation and friends in area nursing homes.

Members of Middleton Community UCC prepared Valentine craft kits for residents of Attic Angels.

Recognizing that winter is a time that some persons struggle to keep warm, Lake Edge UCC, Madison/Alliance @4200, Middleton Community UCC and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison are participating in St. Vincent de Paul's annual Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, has a Warmth Table in which members are invited to give such things as hats, gloves and coats for others to take what they need.

Members of 1st UCC, Belleville, are invited to contribute winter items to the Belleville School District's Wildcat Closet.

Olivet UCC, Columbus, was again the host of the Community Meal in January.

The Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, and 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, also served a community meal in January, and Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will serve one in February

Windsor UCC had a series of three Annual Conversations in January leading up to their Annual Meeting, and they plan to have such conversations after that.

On January 22, 1st UCC, Belleville, Madison, had their annual Service of Remembrance to honor the memory of members of their congregation who have died during the past year.

Not waiting for her retirement, Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, recently had a reception to honor the 50 years that their pianist/organist has served!

The Newlywed Game of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, in which couples compare their answers with those given by their spouses will return after a pandemic-induced absence.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, invited their members to join in the Faith & Democracy Tour on February 7 in which author Rev. Jen Butler pushes back against the misuse of religion by white Christian nationalism.

1st UCC, Belleville, will be participating in the Super Bowl of Caring by collecting canned goods for the Belleville Food Pantry.

Windsor UCC invites their members to homemade soup on Super Bowl Sunday., with the proceeds going to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Middleton Community UCC will include a charity fund raiser in their Super Bowl Party that will feature games and prizes.

In the Blessing Room of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is a globe candelabra (common in churches in Europe), in which persons are invited to light a candle

A regular feature of the weekly newsletter of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is pictures of ways members are staying connected with the church.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had their annual Chili Cook-Off, awarding ribbons for the favorite meal chili, vegetarian chili and cornbread.

Washington Reformation UCC (located at N6026 Church Road, Monticello) will have a Chili Day on Saturday, February 4, sponsored by their International Faith Committee.

The adult Sunday School of 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, recently had a session on The Wired Word report that more than 2300 congregations of the United Methodist Church have disaffiliated, over their disapproval of the denomination's position on homosexuality.

Middleton Community UCC pointed out in their newsletter that sometimes borrowing beats buying, such as when we; might buy something that we'll not use again.

The photo is of a recent graduate of a university in Haiti. Rev. Bryan Sirchio, pastor of McFarland UCC, explains that he has known this young man since he was in elementary school as a part of his long-time support for an organization Haiti that has been operating in spite of the considerable obstacles posed by gang violence and political unrest..

Middleton Community UCC has put out the call for volunteers to turn popcorn grown by the Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens into packages of popping corn to be given away at the Alliant Energy Center in February.

1ST CONGREGATIONAL UCC, BARABOO, will celebrate Mardi Gras on February 19 with worship and a pot luck meal.

1st UCC, Belleville, is responding to the crisis caused by the abrupt departure of Little John's from being a provider of meals on wheels by offering the use of their kitchen by the Senior Center.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, pointed out the need of Family Promise families needing furnishings.

Washington Reformation UCC, Monticello, will have a Quilting/Crafting retreat on February 24-26.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, currently is host of the Howard Kanetzke Historical Display, a traveling history exhibit of the Wisconsin Conference.

The Green/Eco Justice Team of McFarland UCC will host Shedd Farley of The Farley Center, who will explain the Natural Path Sanctuary, a local natural burial option.

The Over 55 group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will hear of the ministry of Healing House, a medical respite for families without housing after hospitalization, as well as getting an overview of Just Dane.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

The following have ben called as settled pastors: Rev. Lance Lackore at 1st Congregational UCC, Lake Mills; Rev. Sara Rabe at 1st Congregational UCC, Fort Atkinson;

Rev. Peter Morris began on January 15 as the Interim Minister of 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville.

The mother of Rev. Laura Kolden, pastor of 1st UCC, Belleville, died on December 23. The mother of Rev. Joan Shands, chaplain at Agrace Hospice Care and a member of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, died on December 31. The mother of Rev. David McDonald, pastor of Congregational UCC, Whitewater, died on January 10.

Rev. Craig Jan-McMahon will be installed as pastor of Windsor UCC on Sunday, February 19, at 2:00.

FAITH AND DEMOCRACY TOUR

The Wisconsin Council of Churches, along with WISDOM, Faith Voices for Justice and other organizations, is providing a Faith and Democracy Tour. Rev. Jennifer Butler will talk about the rise of Christian Nationalism and what can be done about it. There are both in-person and online options. Here is the link.

Note that there is a special online event just for clergy leaders on Tuesday, February 7. Register here.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED

Members of the following churches are eligible to apply for the $1000 to $2000 college scholarships offered through the Frank E. Page Family Scholarship Fund:

1st Congregational UCC, Madison

Lake Edge UCC, Madison

Mazomanie UCC

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison

Windsor UCC

The deadline to apply is February 15. For an electronic application, contact scholarships@firstcongmadison.org

NEWS REGARDING THE SALE OF THE TROST CENTER AND MOVE TO THE DAYCHOLAH CENTER

The process, including dates, for the coming sale of the Trost Center, the Conference headquarters, and the move to the Daycholah Center at Green Lake, are explained by Conference Minister Rev. Franz Rigert in this email. The reasons for this significant change, and the grief associated with it, are also explained. Click here for the details.

UCC WEBINAR--

INDIGENOUS LAND BACK MOVEMENT

The UCC webinar on February 8, at noon, will describe how the Indigenous Land Back Movement places the struggle within the context of dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. Here is a link to register.

SAVE THE DATE

RETIRED CLERGY MEETING

On March 14, 2:00-4:00, retired clergy of the Southwest Association will have a Meet and Greet with our Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Rachel Bauman. The location is to be announced later.

SAVE THE DATE:

SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, May 6, 9:00--1:00, at 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville.

CREATION JUSTICE SERIES

The Wisconsin Conference newsletter alerts us to a Creation Justice zoom gathering series on environmental issues that relate to Wisconsin. The next two are:

Microplastics in the Great Lakes, February 9, 7:p0; register here.

Mining Pollutants, March 9, 7:00; register here.

YOUTH FAITH FORMATION RETREATS

The Youth Faith Formation Retreats of the Wisconsin Conference for grades 6-12 will be held on February 24-26 and March 3-5 at the Daycholah Center on Green Lake.

The retreats will encourage young people to reflect on where they have come from and where they are going on their life journeys.

Person are advised to register early as the November retreat filled quickly. Persons may register by contacting the Daycholah Center by email or by calling (920) 745-4746.

CONGREGATIONS DISCUSS

BOOKS AND MOVIES

The Tuesday Book Club of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, is discussing When "Spiritual But Not Religious" Is Not Enough, by Lillian Daniel.

The Seekers Book Club of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, will discuss The Queer History of the United States, by Michael Bronski..

The Adult Study of 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, recently had a session on the guide, The Role of Family after Long-Term Care Placement..

The Movie Group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will watch CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), an Academy Award winning film, at Oakwood Village West.

The Zoom book group meeting of Lake Edge UCC/Alliance & 4200 focused on a novel by Christina Baker Kline, The Exiles.

Java & Jesus of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had a session on a study gruide of the United Church of Christ, Companions in Christ--The Way of Prayer.

The church will also have Zoom discussions of Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream, by Leslie Rebhorn, about an elderly Nigerian woman living in San Francisco; and Living Waters (Down in the River to Pray), by Daniel Cooperrider.

The Adult Discussion of Windsor UCC will use Live in Grace--Walk in Love, by Bob Goff, to guide them in their discussion of love during the four Sunday in February.

In February the monthly family movie night of Middleton Community UCC featured Cinderella, a musical with a new take that challenges gender stereotypes