Shalom February 2024 issue

Shalom

FEBRUARY 2024

COMMUNION IN PRISON

"For eighteen years, with the generous support of the Southwest Association, the Prison Ministry Project of First Congregational, Madison, has been visiting people in prison. One of the things we do in prison is to celebrate communion. There is a story to tell about how an experience in prison can change the way all of us understand communion.

"On a snowy Sunday night in March, 2006, Susan Shands, a prison ministry volunteer (who later went to the Yale Divinity School to become an ordained minister) and I were getting ready to lead a service at the men's minimum security prison at Foix Lake. When we arrived at the prison that night, the chaplain told us that one of the men objected in the way we did communion,. I said we should talk about that before we started the service.

"I explained that Jesus ate with sinners, prostitutes and thieves so anyone was welcome at His table. One of the men with a large, heavily indexed Bible objected. He said that when Jesus shared those common meals it was just like the meals the inmates shared everyday in the mess hall, but communion was different. According to St. Paul, he said, the way we celebrated the Lord's Supper was unworthy. We would bring judgment on ourselves if we allowed people who were not saved to come to the table. This inmate was so insistent and quoted St. Paul so forcefully that Susan and I didn't quite know what to say.

"But the young man sitting next to him said something that changed the way we celebrate communion in prison and how we will celebrate it this Sunday. The young man said, 'What about Judas?' Judas--the disciple Jesus knew would betray him--was at the that table. Peter--who Jesus knew would deny him--was at that table. Jesus knew the disciples would abandon him, and they were at that table. If they can be at the table, any of us can be at that table. It is a powerful message for people in prison. It is a powerful message for anyone who has felt excluded from God's love."

From Rev. Jerry Hancock, Director of the Prison Ministry Project

1st Congregational UCC, Madison

Used with his permission

CONGREGATIONS' MINISTRY

DURING THE EPIPHANY SEASON

Zwingli UCC, Monticello, notes that the Blessing of the Home is a popular Epiphany custom that uses specially blessed chalk. The traditional pattern would be "20 + C + M + B + 24," where 2024 is the year and in the middle are the initials of three mythical names of the magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, seen as arriving from Africa, Asia and Europe (thus representing our faith that Christ comes to the whole world). MCC/Community of Hope, Madison, also called attention to this custom.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is displaying photos taken by a member of his extensive travels in the U.S. and the world.

Rev. Julia Weaver, the artist & Chaplain in specialized covenantal call with Lake Edge UCC, Madison, is inviting persons to a winter gathering on January 27, 3:00-6:00, to celebrate her new studio at Grace Episcopal Church (116 W. Washington Ave.). Formerly known as the Backyard Mosaic Women's Project, fiberarts will be the focus.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had a presentation and discussion on the current tragedy in the land known as the Holy Land: A Conversation between a Christian and a Jew about Israel and Palestine.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is offering a course on the Afro-Christian Convention as the fifth founding stream of the United Church of Christ on three Sundays beginning in late January. For many years the UCC has taught that it was founded as a merger of the Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed churches.

The Congregational UCC, Mineral Point has been collecting items, such as snack food and cleaning wipes, for the elementary schools in their town.

Zwingli UCC, Monticello, is another congregation that is providing their college students with Care Packages.

To honor the 6th anniversary of becoming an Open and Affirming Congregation (ONA), Salem UCC, Verona, had a workshop led by Jeff Rabe. the Director of Christian Education of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison In it terms such as cic, trans, non-binary were explained, and tools were provided to advocate for all of God's children.

Barb and Hap Daus, of 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, were honored as Citizens of the Year.

The Parish Care Team of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, gave hand-painted ornaments to 30 at-home members.

Members of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, will participate in a border immersion/education experience in Texas in February.

Members of Middleton Community UCC who spend time at the church's Camp Balsams in the winter can enjoy the treat of having chickadees and nuthatches eat our of their hands..

The Men's Retreat of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, will be at Mt. Morris on February9-11.

Swiss UCC, New Glarus, is collecting and distributing new and gently used medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers.

Again this year 1st UCC, Belleville, had a Service of Remembrance to honor members and loved ones who have died in the past year.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, will begin the season of Lent with a contemplative walking retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery

Madison artists have displayed some of their works in the current art exhibit in the Chapel of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison. The theme is What Should I Bring?

In January and February Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is having a time of gratitude, prayer and simplicity prior to their Sunday morning worship services.

Valentine's Day cards for elders in the congregation and residents of area nursing homes will be created at a family event of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is inviting members to write down Creation Core Resolutions, such as going meatless for one or more days a week, and place them in a basket in the church.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will have their annual Newlywed Game on February 11.

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will have a Family Night on February2 to enjoy a Bible lesson, prayer, song and games.

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, will participate in the community's inaugural Coldest Night of the Year wall on February 24, fundraiser for the local homeless shelter.

Again this year 1st UCC, Belleville and Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will participate in Souper Bowl Sunday on February 11, to collect cans of soup and sandwich ingredients for their local pantries.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, recently awarded a $1000 scholarship to one of their members who expects to become a Member in Discernment preparing for minisry.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

Rev. Petricca Bloesch was called as settled pastor of Community of Hope UCC, Madison, on January 14.

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

PRISONER

by Charles Sharp

Do not condemn me for all that I do

Fundamentally I am the same as you

Try not to censor all my words

It's only the chatter you've often heard

Do not intrude upon my thoughts

Or in the trap of prejudice you'll be caught

In every life mistakes occur

In that, I'm just like him or her

I'm paying the price for what I've done

Once I'm out let it be gone

Don't hound me forever for one mis-deed

Allow me to truly hereafter, be free

Burn me now with the prison brand

Let me go and simply shake my hand

I am not just things I've done

Like you, I am a mother's son

All that I want is a chance to be free

You've no idea how much that means to

me.

SAVE THE DATE:

ASSOCIATION ANNUAL METING

APRIL 27

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.

BOOK ON CHURCH

PROPERTY TRANSITIONS

The coming wave of church property transfers is the subject of a new book by Mark Elsdon, Gone for Good: Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transitions. An opportunity to engage with Mark will be on February 1, 8:30-2::00, at St. Michael Parish in Wausau. But given the timeliness of the topic, one may want to check out his book.

CONFERENCE RETREATS

FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

There will be Youth Faith Formation Retreats February 16-18 and March 1-3 at the Daycholah Center. These will enable youth in grades 6-12 to explore faith and church membership You can register for the February and March events here

UCC WEBINAR

ON BLACK HISTORYMONTH

For Black History Month, on February 14, 12:00, the United Church of Christ will celebrate past environmental justice leaders and their historic contributions to the movement. Register here.

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.

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

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, has begun a contemplative study of Falling Upward, by Richard Rohr..

Coffee and Conversation of Middleton Community UCC finished their reading of How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion and Persuasion, by David McRaney.

The Women's Book Study of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will be Being Heumann, by Judith Heumann, a story of how in dealing with her polio, the author sparked a national movement that led to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The monthly movie of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, shown at Oakwood Village Performance Center on February 1 will be Defending Your Life, a romantic comedy written and directed y Albert Brooks.

Java & Jesus of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed Faith: A Journey for All, by Jimmy Carter, and What Is Palestine-Israel?, by Sonia K. Weaver.

In February they will discuss Almost Everything: Notes on Hope, by Anne Lamo

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, promoted Ghost Eagles: The Spirit Journey of Artist Jan Beaver Gallione, by Lina Meadowcroft, about Gallione's quest of her Native American roots.