Shalom December 2023 issue

Shalom

JANUARY 2024

AN ANSWER TO THE

"LONELINESS EPIDEMIC"

In spite of a warning of the Beatles nearly three decades ago, it was just recently that Dr. Vivek, the Surgeon General of the U.S., issued an "Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community" in response to what he has declared "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation." He said, "People began to tell me they felt isolated, invisible and insignificant." Here is a link to his complete address.

"Friends, this is a world that aches for the Gospel. Not a gospel of coercion to correct dogma or judgment. Yet a Gospel that will save souls--right here and now. The world aches for connection, for community, for relationship. The world aches for space where we are allowed to show up with our whole selves and find that we are together seen, and valued...

"One cure for the Loneliness Epidemic? Go to church. Or any other faith community, for that matter. Faith communities offer one of the few places left in Western society where people gather across familial, generational and economic lines outside the trappings of consumerism... Our Christian calls us to worship, to pray, to serve, to do justice...are all calls to build and belong to the community..."

Henri wrote in Community, "Community is a basic need and hunger of the human heart. We are created for community, but often we do not experience it in the individualistic and competitive cultures that shape our lives. Community is a place of acceptance, intimacy and vulnerability, where we bear fruit in solidarity with others and be the body of Christ for the sake of the world." Click here for her complete remarks.

From Rev. Zayna Thomley, pastor of Middleton Community UCC

Used with her permission

OUR CONGREGATIONS MOVE

FROM ADVENT INTO JANUARY

Several of our congregations--Middleton Community UCC; 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville; and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison--used as an Advent theme, How Does a Weary World Rejoice? and material from A Sanctified Art. It recalled words from the traditional Christmas hymn, "O Holy Night."

1st UCC, Belleville, and McFarland UCC used the theme of waiting and Salem UC, Verona, used the theme of Nurture the Soul and national UCC staff. Congregations offered mid-week Advent services, special times of reflection and discussion, devotionals and calendars. 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, offered an Abolition Advent Calendar put out by the national United Church of Christ..

Tying into their 2nd Sunday in Advent theme, 'We find joy in connection," members of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, created a large art piece, a Circle of Connection, that was displayed near their sanctuary.

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, also had an art piece created by members and related to the pastor's sermons.

The Sanctuary Arts Team of Middleton Community UCC created and hung in their sanctuary a globe representing the world that we are called to love and serve

1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, was host to a community carol sing led by Make Music Platteville.

Responding to the question, "What does God require of those who would follow Jesus?", art work exhibited by Christ Presbyterian Church has been loaned to 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, for display in their Chapel Gallery.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, promoted the winter concert of the Madison Area Concert Handbells (MACH).

Windsor UCC invited members to stay after a worship service and create their own Nativity scene canvas.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, continued their tradition of challenging their children with the question, "What's in the Box?" (a symbol of God's love and something that's alive!). Answer: A penguin, because it lives in a very harsh Antarctic environment.

Several of our congregations--including St. John's UCC, Monroe; 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville; MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison; and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison--had or promoted a Blue Christmas service to recognize that for many grief mars the holiday spirit.

Other congregations--including Olivet UCC, Columbus; Congregational UCC, Edgerton; Memorial UCC, Fitchburg and McFarland UCC--had a Longest Night service on December 21. McFarland UCC's featured a Winter Solstice Fire Ceremony with a Shamanic practitioner.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, promoted the Longest Night Persons' Memorial Service that took place on Madison's Capitol Square.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, promoted the Flicker Pop-up Wild Church at Madison's Donald Park to celebrate the winter solstice.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, invited members to walk either their outdoor or indoor labyrinths.on the winter solstice.

A recent adult education session at MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, had James Morgan, the organizer for MOSES (a local organization of churches focused on incarcerated persons and jail conditions).

The Raging Grannies of Madison livened up one of the Advent services of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison.

1st Congregational UCC, Fort Atkinson, held a Renewal & Healing service on December 31.

Alone for Christmas Dinner was served by members of 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville. Community Christmas meals were also served by the Congregational UCC, Mineral Point; McFarland UCC and Memorial UCC, Fitchburg. Zwingli UCC, Monticello, provides a community meal on the last Monday of each month. MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, serves meals to residents of the Triangle neighborhood quarterly.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

Rev. Jennifer Seaich will be installed as the Pastor of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Dodgeville, on January 21.

CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSIONINGSERVICE

The United Church of Christ Council for Climate Justice will convene online a Climate Action Commissioning Service on January 3, at noon. You can sign up here.

DAMASCUS PROJECT RECEIVES

THRIVING CONGREGATIONS GRANT

The Damascus Project, a joint effort of the Wisconsin Conference and the Minnesota Conference, has received a $500,000 grant from the Lilly Foundation to encourage congregations to flourish by helping them deepen their relationships with God, enhance their connections with one another, and contribute to the vitality of their communities and the world. Here are more details.

WORKSHOP TO EXAMINE

JUST PEACE RESOLUTION

The Palestine Justice Working Group of the Wisconsin Conference will host a Zoom presentation on the UCC's 2021 Resolution of Witness calling for a just peace in the Middle East. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, January 3, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Click to register today.

WINTER SOULSTICE RETREAT

FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

A Winter Soulstice Retreat for high school youth and young adults will be held January 26-28 at Daycholah Center, Green Lake. This will be a time for relaxation and camaraderie and opportunities to enrich one's faith journey Learn more and register..

WANT ADS

1st Congregational UCC, Fort Atkinson is seeking a part-time Organist/Pianist, which normally takes 2-3 hours per seek. Call them at (920) 563-4802 for more information.

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, is

looking for a part-time Director of Music, 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.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is seeking a permanent, part-time Director of Children and Family Ministries to work 10-20 hours/week.

CONGREGATIONS DISCUSS

BOOKS AND MOVIES

The Seekers Book Club of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, is continuing to read and discuss Seeking Enlightenment Hat by Hat, by Nevada Barr.

The January book of Lake Edge UCC, Madison's, book group will be Honor, by by Thrity Umrigar.

The Christmas movie of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, shown at Oakwood Village Performance Center was Joyeux Noel.

The Women's book group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed Black Cake, by Charmaine Wilkerson, about two estranged siblings who discover their mother's secret recipe and hidden past at the time of her death.