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Hen House Weekly E-News
May 15, 2026
Why Hen House? The friendly chatter before Worship on Sundays reminds us of a Hen House! Since Jesus identified himself as a Mother Hen and, as an historical farm church, we enjoy being God's ‘Hen House’ and welcome everyone (town, urban, and rural) to our Worship and other programs - and invite you to even make Zwingli your Church home. The United Church of Christ values all people!
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It's a season of change -- Springtime, Spring house cleaning, planting, graduations . . . What changes are afoot in your life? Some changes are joyful changes and some are hard for us - and some are bittersweet. The 40 days of the Easter season are coming to an end which was a big change for the early followers of Jesus. Steve Garnaas-Holmes calls the pattern of 40 days often used in scripture as "the Official Biblical Gestational Period. Scriptures' way of saying something holy is unfolding." In our scripture readings for this week and this Sunday we will be reflecting on this big change in the life of the disciples as the Risen Christ (who has been with them for 40 days popping in and out and teaching them) now leaves them in what has become known as the Ascension. Again he assures them that he will be with them, that he will send his Holy Spirit (which we will celebrate on Pentecost Sunday, May 24). His assurance is also true for us as we navigate the changes that life brings our way.
While for centuries the belief of many was that Jesus ascended to heaven, another understanding is that Jesus ascended to live within our hearts. If we read the scripture less literally and more symbolically, remembering that Jesus told us that the Kingdom (Kin-dom) of God was within us, then it is easy to wonder and perhaps believe that Jesus' ascension was into our hearts - that Jesus' throne is in our hearts where he continues to each and guide us in the way of love! We will reflect more on this in Worship on Sunday. Meanwhile, I share with you this poem by poet Steve Garnaas-Holmes to help you reflect on this understanding.
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He was lifted up,
and a cloud took him out of their sight.
—Acts 1.9
Heaven is not up, but in.
It’s the heart of things.
That’s where God is.
Jesus was pure love,
the love of God made flesh.
He was resurrected
not as an individual,
but as a community.
We’re his risen body.
The angels at his tomb said “He is not here.”
He is not in any “here;”
he is in us, each of us,
and all of us together.
When Jesus was raised
and came to the disciples
it was not to prove a point,
but to give them his spirit,
so we could be the living body
of the risen Christ.
When he “ascended”
it doesn’t mean he literally
floated up into the sky.
It means he dissolved into us,
like salt dissolving into the soup.
Christ, the love of God made flesh,
is now in us.
We are witnesses—we are the evidence—
of resurrection.
Go.
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Prayer List
Today, we invite you to keep in prayer:
Those suffering from drought, famine, accidents, fires, storms, flooding, tornados, excessive heat, violence, homelessness, illness, war in their communities.
Nations in crisis: US/Israel - Iran ‘War’: Civilians and troops and the political will to choose non-violent conflict resolution, France, Mexico, Cuba, U.S. - Venezuela tensions, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. Prayers for those countries, companies, farmers, and consumers who are affected by the escalating trade war. The people of Pine Ridge Reservation and all Native Peoples.
For wise, compassionate leadership in our Executive, legislative and judicial branches of govt, and citizen action. For Civil Servants, immigrants, international students, and others facing uncertainty under the policies of the new administration.
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Calendar
- May 16: Repair Café: 10 - Noon
- May 20: Brunch Bunch at River Ville Grill in Belleville: 10:30 am
- May 24: Pentecost Sunday & Reception of New Members
- May 30: Brat Sale fundraiser at Miller & Sons: 9am – 3pm
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Repair Cafe - May 16!
We are excited to offer our 3rd Cafe! If you have any repair skills you would like to share, let Pastor Karla know. Meanwhile, please share this Cafe' info with your friends and family who might need some support. They can learn more about the Cafe' and what we can fix or try to help them fix on our website at https://www.paoliucc.com/about-us/repair-cafe.
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Fundraiser
We have a wonderful fundraising opportunity for our church: selling brats at Miller & Sons Supermarket on Saturday, May 30 from 9am to 3pm.
We need 15 volunteers to help make this a successful event! There will be 2 shifts: 9am – Noon and Noon – 3pm. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the gathering space at the back of the sanctuary or you can contact one of the organizers: Faith, Kriss, Debbie, Louise or Cherry. Please consider asking friends and family to volunteer alongside you.
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New Member(s) to be received May 24, Pentecost Sunday
We are excited to be welcoming at least one new member this month! If you are interested in joining Zwingli on May 24 (or another date), please contact Pastor Karla. We welcome all those who want to journey with Zwingli whether or not they join, and are delighted when they decide they want to commit to being a member of Zwingli.
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Strengthen the Church is a Special Mission Offering of the United Church of Christ.
Gifts to Strengthen the Church support initiatives in our regional Conferences and National Ministries to equip and inspire new and renewing congregations, leadership development, and youth and young adult ministries. For more information click here.
Zwingli will dedicate Strengthen the Church offerings on Sunday, May 24.
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Graduations?
We are moving into graduation season! If you know of any graduates of our Zwingli family who we should recognize and celebrate, please contact Pastor Karla.
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Marques was a child of Zwingli and his son, Quintin, Sue's grandson, will again give a Concert of Marques' songs along with former members of the band Marques Bovre and the Evil Twins! Here's the FB Event page.
To learn more about Marques and his music, check out his website. If you can't attend, maybe you can attend their July 3rd Concert at Dot's Tavern. Watch for more info!
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Opportunities for Citizen Advocacy through letters to Congress
The United Church of Christ offers us the opportunity to learn more about bills before Congress and voice our opinions to our legislators. They make it very easy to send an email. Check out the many topics on their page: https://www.ucc.org/action-center/. The most recent ones are: This Mother's Day Support Maternal Health and Urge Congress to Say NO to War with Iran. Scroll down the page to find others that you might want to express your opinion about.
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Hear From Bereaved Palestinians and Israelis Who Are Working for Peace
McFarland United Church of Christ and The Wisconsin Conference Palestine Justice Working Group are providing an opportunity for churches and members to learn more about the lived reality of both Palestinians and Israelis. This Listening from the Heart program will be held on Zoom, giving members of the conference the opportunity to gather with others across the state to learn together. This is an interactive workshop. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, these workshops are not recorded. For a flyer to share with your members, go here. To sign up for the May 28, 7-8:30 pm Zoom workshop featuring speakers Elana and Bassam, click here. Elana shares her story of befriending Palestinians and then losing her soldier son who was protecting others on Oct. 7. Bassam shares his story of going to prison as a child, and later losing his 10 year old daughter. Learn more at the PJWG webpage.
| | The Southern Region of the Wisconsin Conference UCC publishes Shalom, a monthly e-newsletter featuring events and happenings within the Conference, including Zwingli. Click here to check it out! | | | | |
