From the Pastor

Sunday Sept. 15 is designated as Just Peace Sunday in the United Church of Christ. We will be reflecting on the story of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, recognizing that Jerusalem symbolizes all the places in the world even today where, as Jesus laments, "‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!"  To learn more about these places in our world today, The Council on Foreign Relations has a “Global Conflict Tracker” that maps out major points of conflict at any given moment. If you click on the arrow, the tracker will give you much information. This Tracker could be a wonderful prayer tool for those who want to keep these places of conflict in prayer.

When we consider all the conflict, war and violence in our world today it can be overwhelming. To me, that is even more reason to come together in Community for Worship, a worship that reminds us that God is a God of Just Peace, and God's Grace is always working in hearts and minds to bring peace into our lives and our world. My prayer is that we will leave the service feeling empowered to recognize some of the things that make for peace -- and be peacemakers in small ways in our daily lives, and in larger ways as we feel called to act.  

Blessings,

Karla

Jeanette off to Pine Ridge!

Jeanette Bossingham and her son Kim are in our prayers as they travel to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to reconnect with their friends there, volunteer, and share the love of Zwingli through the many donations they received from our members. Jeanette expressed her heartful gratitude in Worship on Sunday. This is the 14th year Jeanette and Kim have made this trip! We wish you grace and blessings on your journey, Jeanette and Kim!

Flicker Wild Church

On Sunday evening September 22, you are invited to Flicker Wild Church! Flicker is hosted by the Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey & her spouse the Rev. Daniel Cooperrider, though their littles Reverie Faye & Kindred Praise are the true spiritual leaders.

Both Daniel & Julia are ordained UCC pastors who seek to awaken an ancient Earth honoring spirituality for planetary re-membering and healing through sacred gatherings, while dancing on the edges of the Jesus way.

Daniel is Author of 2023 Nautilus Gold Award winning book, "Speak with the Earth And It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible," and Julia serves as the Senior Pastor of Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ in Madison, Wisconsin.

Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe to Speak

The Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin will host a live, hourlong Zoom session on the crisis in Gaza at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, featuring Peter Makari, global relations minister for the Middle East and Europe for the UCC and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Peter, who recently returned from Jerusalem, will provide an opportunity for us to hear firsthand about the latest developments in Gaza. A question-and-answer session and discussion will follow his presentation. 

This event is designed to assist spiritual leaders and members of churches and other communities of faith and conscience to understand, from a faith perspective, what is taking place in Gaza and also offers an opportunity for people and communities of faith to consider what they can do to bring about a ceasefire and realize the widely shared hopes of people for peace, an end to violence, and reconciliation in Gaza and Palestine. The event is free. For more information and the ZOOM link go here. 

Wisconsin Conference UCC offers Class on Paul!

Last Sunday in Worship we explored Church Stories and a large focus was on St. Paul who had a major role in the early church. If you are interested in learning more about St. Paul, the Wisconsin Conference UCC invites you to check out this opportunity - Faith Foundations: Reading Paul (which begins mid September so check it out now)!

Zwingli United Church of Christ

www.paoliucc.com

https://www.facebook.com/zwingliuccpaoli/

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

PO Box 530, Belleville, WI 53508

"A small church with a big

and open heart!"

Pastor

Rev. Karla Schmidt

pastor.zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

608-572-4557

Kathie Wagner, Administrative Assistant

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

Phone: 608-845-5641