Worship this Week

World Communion Sunday

Shared Worship

On World Communion Sunday we will be offering a time of lament, prayer, and communion with places around the world that are in war and conflict. We will have six stations around the room representing different countries-- Israel & Palestine, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, and a "general world" table for all the other places on our hearts.

 

Help us decorate these stations! If you have pictures or objects from or representing any of those countries, please email Pastor Jen and let her know you'd like to contribute. Objects and pictures will be returned to you after worship.

Bulletin
We are still putting the AV equipment together in the Blessing Room but hope to have a livestream available.

 

Adult Ed at 9:00am

Youth Ministry: It Ain't Their Grandparents' Group Anymore...Or Is It?"
At the start of September, Lisa Johnsen and Andrea Olson attended a forum at Bethel Lutheran Church entitled "Youth Ministry for All of Us" which was presented by Dr. Andrew Root, a leading scholar in both youth ministry and practical theology. Lisa will share gleanings from the day-long event, particularly related to cultural shifts over the last half-century in parenting, young peoples' lives, and youth ministry. She would especially like to encourage a wide range of folks, whether they think youth ministry is relevant to them or not, to attend.

 

Adult Ed in October

October 13: Dr. Julia Weaver will share her story, hopes and dreams for the mission of Uptown Sanctuary. It provides studio space for learning the craft of weaving and exploration of healing.
October 20: The Finance Team will present information about the MCC finances.
October 27: Jamil Zoughbi will talk about what it means to be an Arab Christian Palestinian. He will share his life experiences and discuss how Christian Theology can have negative effects on Palestinian Christians.

 

Faith Formation

In faith formation we've been learning about women in old testament stories who helped and led the Israelites like Rehab and Judge Deborah. We've also debated the pros and cons of having a King and discussed what kind of leader God might choose. For World Communion Sunday, we'll be exploring how and why we practice communion. We'll eat some different kinds of bread and see if we can stump Pastor Larry.

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October Youth Events

• LAST CALL for the MS/HS Progressive Lunch on State Street - This coming Sunday after worship we'll carpool down and enjoy an appetizer, main dish, and dessert, each at a different eatery. What we need from you: an RSVP; Permission Slip (form is fillable; email to andrea@themcc.net or print and bring); and the Cost is $20 (scholarships available via Pr. Jen).

• Women in the Bible - So Demure, So Mindful (props to Jools Lebron): Sunday, October 20, after worship we'll meet downstairs for a waffle bar and learn about some women in the Bible. (I mean, are there any besides Eve and Mary and Mary and, um, Mary?)

• Halloween Harvestfest is on Saturday, October 26, from 11:30am - 2:30pm. Come for: fun (candy and costumes); to learn (Three Sisters Garden and land acknowledgment); to help (similar to the "mini camp counselor" opportunity during the summer - email andrea@themcc.net and let her know if you're interested).

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Halloween Harvest Fest-- Volunteers Needed!

It's the month of October, and that means our second annual Halloween Harvest Fest is coming in a few weeks! To make sure it's a successful event like last year, we need the help of volunteers. Please check out this Sign Up Genius to see how you can help out.

This year we need extra help getting out the word! Sign up to distribute flyers in the neighborhoods around the church. Or, if there are special places or groups where you can help advertise, reach out to Kaisa about getting printed flyers or access to online graphics.

The Halloween Harvest Fest will be Saturday, October 26th from 11:30am-2:30pm. Trunk or Treat, Community Potluck, Live Music, campfire and more!

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Sing for Howard & Lucetta

If Howard and Lucetta were living on their own, we would be bringing them meals a few times a week. Let's feed their souls with music! Here's a schedule for October. Sign up if you are interested and available. There will be 3 hymnals stashed in Howard's room for you.

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Budget Plans for 2025?

It is time to think about the MCC’s budget needs for next year. If you or your organization are contemplating a project or program that will need extra MCC budget support in 2025, please let the Budget Committee know with an email or phone call before November 1. Your estimates of project costs will be used for preliminary planning purposes and can be updated later in the year.
Thanks! John Rowe jsrowe@wisc.edu or 608-514-5619.

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Judith Morning Bible Study

Judith Morning Bible Study will meet on Tue, Oct. 8 at 9:30 am in the Covenant Room. We will be discussing the lesson starting on p.18 of the Sept/Oct issue of Gather magazine. The study is entitled “Receiving Grace: A Study of Ephesians” - looks good! I hope to see many of you there, and remember all are welcome! If you have questions, contact Joyce Anderson.

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OPALS Reschedule to Weds

OPALS book group has been rescheduled to this Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 1:30pm. Gather in the Shalom Room for a discussion about Crook Manifesto, by Colson Whitehead. All are welcome!

 

Edgewood Community Day of Service at the MCC

MCC garden and prairie teams hosted 11 Edgewood students Wednesday for their Community Day of Service. Ann kept them busy in the morning harvesting for the food pantry and pulling the beans from the cattle fence. Lois had them clipping horsetail in the bird prairie as well as clipping blue stem that has grown over the paths. It was fun working with the youth and happy they were able to complete their service at MCC.

1,000 miles!

 

Update from Nick

1,000 miles! Today I passed a thousand on my way to the Blue Hills, so less than 150 remaining on the trail. This week I also got to spend a couple nights at the cabin doing road sections around there. Thank you for all the support! A video marking 1,000 should be available soon, along with several other new reflections here.
Thank you also for the support for the fundraiser for Lutherans Restoring Creation. Let's bring it into the goal of $11,510 ($10/mile). You can donate here.

 

Greetings from Intern Samuel

Hey there, MCC! It's hard to believe it's been over a year since we parted ways at the end of my seminary internship. I still cherish the memories we created, the laughs and tender moments we shared, and all the wisdom and knowledge you imparted to me. I'm so grateful for each of you, and I hope you are well.

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Several weeks ago, I completed a yearlong hospital chaplain residency program at a community hospital in one of San Francisco's most marginalized districts. Throughout the previous year, I provided spiritual care to patients of all faiths, their visitors, and members of the clinical staff, joining them in their fear, anxiety, and grief, and empowering them to explore their spiritual pain and beliefs. I worked alongside these patients' clinical teams, helping contribute to their holistic care. I responded with the hospital's de-escalation team to crises and patient emergencies. More than anything, though, I listened to those whose souls needed to be heard. The year was long and hard at times, and yet it was all worth it.

 

Going forward, I have accepted an offer for a full-time position at the same hospital, where I will work as a staff chaplain while pursuing supervision training to become a CPE Certified Educator. This additional training program takes between three and four years, and, upon successful completion, I will be able to run a chaplain residency program and mentor chaplain students anywhere in the country ... perhaps even back in Madison! All the best, Samuel

 

Doug's New Novel

MCC Member, Doug Nelson, has a new novel out. Doug says: "The thing took many years to knock out. Not that it’s excessively long or complex, it was something that was challenging to my mind. I didn’t want to put my characters through what they did. It had to be said, though." Check out more details and support Doug by purchasing the book here.

 

Photo Exhibit at The Overture

If you happen to be at the Overture Center for a play or concert take some time to check out the photo exhibit outside the Playhouse Theater. Kathy Henning has a couple photos hanging there until November 17. They are part of a juried exhibition from PhotoMidwest (Madison photography club). (By the way, Kathy was a little shy about publicizing this. Larry had no such qualms.)

 

“Madison Trees in Season"

Photography Exhibit and Book Release by John Murray Mason
Location: U-Frame-It, 857 E. Johnson St., Madison, WI 53703
Dates: Oct. 1, 2024 to Nov. 30, 2024
Reception, Oct. 10, 2024, 5-8 pm
This exhibit will highlight images from the new book “Madison Trees in Season,” by MCC photographer John Murray Mason. The book will be available for purchase.This book contains 51 black and white images of trees growing in parks, public gardens, natural areas, and along the streets of Madison, Wisconsin.

 

Thanks from Oakwood

David Mossner, a recent Adult Ed presenter, and Executive Director of the Oakwood Foundation writes:
Thanks for the opportunity to be with you Sunday to share news from your continuing care retirement community. It was great to be invited by Hildy McGown, and I appreciated the help of Doug Johnson, Larry Henning Emily Wixson, Edd, and others in getting the slides to work. God's continued blessings on your ministry and thanks for your support.

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MCC Prayer Resources

Please remember the MCC is full of special places to rest, walk, and pray.

Walk the outdoor labyrinth
Walk the prayer path
Sit at the memorial garden
Come inside and sit in the Covenant Room or Blessing Room
Use the quiet prayer room near the downstairs entrance

All are welcome. Peace.

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