Worship This Week

Shared Earth Day Service

Psalm 23 tells us of a shepherd who leads us to a kind of environmental paradise-- green pastures and still waters. But what happens when this peaceful landscape is no longer green and still? In the age of climate change, our environmental losses pose real and serious spiritual questions about what it means to find serenity. For this Earth Day service, we'll be searching for answers. Our 10:15 service in and from the Blessing Room is shaped by some of the Earthkeeping Liturgy and also includes communion, so online participants should have elements ready.
Bulletin
Livestream Link

 

 

9:00am Work Projects

Earth Day Practices

Instead of education hour, 9:00am on Sunday will be intergenerational activities to celebrate Earth Day. There will be some easier and some more strenuous things, some inside and some outside. We will provide tools, but you might bring gloves. Meet at the Welcome Center to get started on projects such as:
* Memorial Garden clean-up
* Prairie invasive pulling
* Spirit Woods tending
* Landscape work near front entrance
* Wander and pray around the property with Wild Church guide booklet
* Kid-friendly projects, including: spreading hay at 3 Sisters Garden, picking up pinecones, constructing a wattle fence near chickens
* Indoor activities, including: creation care advocacy letter writing, share your green tips/practices on Earth Day activism poster, view "The Plastic Problem" a PBS documentary in the Covenant Room
Click here to see a more detailed list of projects.
With thanks for your help, pollinator-friendly wildflower seed bombs made by our youth will be available while supplies last!

 

Sunday Events for Children, Family, & Youth Ministry

(Don't miss out!)
9:00-10:00am - MCC Earth Day work projects (outside, dress for the weather and bring work gloves as needed)
Make a woven stick fence for our church herb garden with Emily Wixson, help rake up some of those pesky pine cones in the labyrinth, or spread hay in the 3 sisters garden.
11:30-12:30pm -MCC Family Feedback Pizza Party (downstairs)
All families encouraged to join in the conversation and fun as we share ideas for what happens next and what's important to your families for youth ministry at MCC. Please RSVP and let me know of any food allergies by Friday 4/19.
*Check out our Holy Week Peep-o-ramas created in faith formation on display in the Shalom Room!

 

Baby Shower for Pastor Jen on SATURDAY

MCC members are invited to a baby shower for Pastor Jen and her husband Sam on Saturday, April 20, from 1:30-3:30pm! With good weather, we'll be outside on the lawn. It's open house style, so come and go as you please. To see registry information, please use this link.

​

Sign up by this Sunday for Black History Trip to Milwaukee

Next Saturday, April 27, folks from MCC will be heading to Milwaukee to visit one of two museums (Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum or the American Black Holocaust Museum). Details: carpool from MCC at 9:00am; tour the museum of your choosing; enjoy some conversation over lunch at a local restaurant; return to MCC by about 2:30pm; cost is $10 admission at either museum, plus your lunch (scholarships available, ask a pastor).
Sign up by Sunday, April 21, on either the physical sign-up sheet at MCC's Welcome Center or online here:

 

Our Migrant Guests Arrived – You Can Help

We have welcomed a migrant couple, Oswaldo and Marianna, into our midst and have offered them housing, refuge, and support. As we get to know them, what their needs are will become clearer. In the meantime, many of you loving people have asked how you can support our welcome. Here’s an easy way: Make out a check to the MCC with “Immigrant Support” in the memo line. ... And here’s some background: In early February, six folks from Advent went on a “border immersion” to get a first-hand view of what is happening at our southern border. All who went had their hearts opened to finding some way to support migrant siblings. Coincidentally (providentially?), within days of their return, Brother Don Tubesing was contacted by folks in El Paso with a story of a young couple who were robbed by a cartel and were left with nothing. Could we help? The “Border Crew” couldn’t say no. ... Meanwhile, Roger and Linda Pettersen said “yes” to welcome the couple into their home—God bless them. The couple (Oswaldo originally from Venezuela, Marianna from Mexico) arrived at the Pettersens’ yesterday afternoon. The Border Crew and the Sanctuary Team is working to help them settle in. Soon the couple will connect with Madison agencies to determine next steps. They have work permits and are already seeking employment. As always, prayers are welcome.

​

Adult Ed – Border Immersion Trip

The past two Sundays, the group (Joyce Anderson, Sarah and David Canon, Raelene Freitag Larry Henning, and Pastor Nick) who traveled to El Paso with Border Servant Corps on an immersion trip shared in adult ed. You can watch the recording
here
You can also find David Canon’s immigration overview and his slideshow here.

 

Pastor Jen's Installation - a Wonderful Celebration

Sunday was Pastor Jen's Installation - what a wonderful celebration!! Congratulations to Pastor Jen, the Community of Hope, UCC, and the entire Madison Christian Community! And special thanks to all who participated and contributed to the service and reception (including Kathy Henning who took beautiful photos).
Here are links to the bulletin and livestream.

 

Meet Our New Members

We recently welcomed 11 new members to Hope, Advent, and the MCC. Click here to read their introductions, and make a point to introduce yourself. Welcome!

 

Meals for Stacey, Tom, Flora and Ernst

Stacey, Ernst and Flora could use some meal support while Tom is healing in the hosptial and upon his return home. There will be a cooler at their home for delivery of meals. Stacey is gluten intolerant, and does not eat red meat- "but don't cater to me," she says. Please indicate if gluten is used in any items. Sign up here.

​

Does the MCC Have an AED?

The question arose recently if we have an automated external defibrillator in the building. Yes! It’s at the top of the stairs. Just so more people know, if it is needed.

 

Pentecost Choir Opportunity

Rehearsal after worship for 1 hour: Sundays, April 28, May 5, May 12
Worship Service: Sunday, May 19 (warm up time TBD)
Sign Up Here
Click here to preview the piece "Pentecost" which combines traditional and contemporary with special parts for children, violin, cello, and piano. Looking forward to making meaningful music with you again soon!

​

Moving Meditation- Qi Gong and Tai Ji with Sara Hulsether

Wednesday evenings 7-8 pm Covenant room ( or outside weather permitting!) Started April 17 Come join us for a time together for releasing some stress, centering, movement, laughter and peace. No previous experience needed in Tai Ji, Qi Gong, or meditation. No need to be able to stand the entire time as most things can be adjusted for sitting. QI Gong is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for longevity and health, this practice has been instrumental for my emotional well being over the decades, and I hope to share some of that grounding to the community. Feel free to contact me with any questions (sahulset@gmail.com). Hope to see you there!

 

Wanted in Advent: Personal Reflections

Soon you’ll start to see sign-ups for various roles during Nick’s sabbatical. But we do want you thinking about one role even before the sign-ups are out. During Nick’s time away we want to do something a little different for the sermon time during worship. In the spirit of lay renewal, we are looking for folks in our community to share personal reflections, with the emphasis on personal. We’re not asking for formal sermons, but personal reflections or stories from your own faith journeys. You wouldn’t be bound to the assigned texts for the day, but we’d encourage you to look at them. Often the connections of the texts to our own lives are surprising and profound. Length? From 10-15 minutes. If that feels like an intimidating amount of time, perhaps a couple of people could share the time in whatever fashion feels right for them. During Nick’s three months of sabbatical, we’d really like reflections from a wide variety of experiences and a wide range of ages. And if narrative at the lectern isn’t the right format for you, that’s ok, too! Maybe your reflection might be drama, music, or a story. We welcome your creativity! If you’re interested, talk to folks on the Advent Sabbatical Team: Rob Olson, Rebecca Weise, Beth Falkos, Anna Henning, Lisa Bauer, or Larry Henning. We are committed to providing all the support you want or need to open your heart to our worshiping community.

 

Boundary Waters – Adult Help

The high school Boundary Waters trip will be July 15-21. We are looking for adults who could be along with the youth. If you might be available, please let Nickknow. (No cost for adults, $100 for youth, mostly funded by church.) We would also love adults who could help with planning and organizing here.

​

Kids in the Garden 2024

Work has started in the MCC garden, and initial plans for the Kids in the Garden program this summer are underway. Children from the Lussier Community Center’s summer program come to the MCC garden on Tuesday mornings from 10 - 11:30 for about 6 weeks. Tentative dates for this summer are June 25 - July 30. They work with volunteers in the garden and on nature-based crafts; we learn together and build relationships.
So if you are interested in being part of this fun and rewarding opportunity, or if you have questions about it, please contact Joyce Anderson.
Soon you will be able to sign up for specific tasks and dates on our MSP volunteer site.

 

Fly Casting with Jack

Are you interested in some “reel” therapy and chance to REEL-ax? Jack Saltes is offering the opportunity to learn fly fishing techniques on the MCC lawn. Contact him at saltes@mhtc.net or 608-628-1887 if you might be interested.

 

RARI Update

The Leadership Team approved a temporary hiatus of Road Ahead Review Implementation team work. This was recommended by the team in light of two things: 1. A general sense that the ecumenical partnership is flourishing on its own at this point, and many of the already implemented recommendations have taken hold; 2. with impending sabbatical and parental leave of our pastors, members will have lots to engage us, and further work on RARI could be a distraction.

There are plans to finish up a few things already in the works, and to check in on a few others in fall to see whether RARI is needed to spur on a few remaining areas, or whether the organic energy of the MCC will energize these areas. To see a list of what has been done, and what remains, click here.

 

Advent Benevolences for 2024

Recently a committee met and then the Advent Council approved a list of benevolence recipients. This is 15% of all budgeted funds for Advent. In addition to over $36,000 going to the synod and ELCA, there are about 30 other organizations who receive our shared support, from $100 to several thousand dollars, with this year’s increase going toward hospital care in Gaza. Click here for the list and links.

 

UCC Special Mission Offerings

The United Church of Christ supports four Special Mission Offerings during the course of the
church year. The four are highlighted on specific Sundays but the missions are year-round and
gifts are welcome at anytime. April is between two of the Special Mission offering Sundays.Click here to read more. It has been Hope’s tradition to encourage members to give to the four missions by making gifts to Community of Hope which are forwarded to the Wisconsin Conference (and then to the National Office) in the name of the entire Community. For example, this would be done by writing a check to Community of Hope and putting the name of the UCC mission(s) in the memo line. If you wish to know more or give directly, further information is at this link: https:// www.ucc.org/ocwm_special-support/.