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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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Ever hear the phrase, “the lazy days of summer”? Maybe some of us can relate, but for many of us, life keeps us busy even in the summer! We have many to-do lists for our jobs and for our family and personal goals. Sometimes people need a vacation after their vacation, just to rest from a busy vacation!
This Sunday, we will be reflecting on the well-known story of Mary and Martha – when Jesus brought all his disciples with him for a visit. Imagine having 13 hungry men show up at your doorstep one day! Martha was overwhelmed with the hospitality duties while Mary just joined the guests! Which sister do you most identify with? Some of you have shared with me how upsetting this scripture is for you because you understand Martha. So do I! We need our Martha’s! I was impressed last Sunday at how many “Martha spirits” helped with set up and clean up for our Outdoor Worship and Ice Cream Social.
So, what did Jesus mean when he said “Mary had chosen the better part”? The picture above is from The Chosen rendition of this story – which you can watch here to give you more to reflect on. We will also reflect on this story in Worship on Sunday -- and the poem below by Steve Garnaas-Holmes can give us something to ponder as well. Meanwhile, I do hope you are enjoying some ‘lazy days of summer’!
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“Martha. Martha.
You are worried and distracted by many things;
you need only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part,
which will not be taken away from her.”
—Luke 10.41-42
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Beloved, oh Beloved,
you are distracted.
You have scattered yourself among many things.
Gather yourself into the one thing needed,
which is to be present.
Do what you do, no matter how hard or dull,
with love and attention.
Or do a different thing.
Even with many things to do,
do this one, being present.
Then do the next one.
One thing at a time, fully,
mindfully, giving yourself.
You can both do the dishes and look out the window,
but be fully present to the dishes and the window.
Don’t let wishing, regretting,
or how you feel about what you’re doing
distract you from what you are doing.
Be satisfied with being present.
This is the better part.
Being fully present can’t be taken from you.
You are yours to give.
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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: Israel-Iran, India, Pakistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Syria, Lebanon. Prayers for all those suffering from the broken ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for another ceasefire soon. Prayers for the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Prayers for those countries, companies and consumers who are affected by the escalating trade war.
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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We thank our wonderful hard-working Council for planning and making our Outdoor Worship and Ice Cream Social such a success! We also thank:
- all the members who stepped in to help with set up and clean up.
- our readers (Kriss, Debbie, Dave), and Rich for teaching us about plumb lines for a deeper understanding of our Amos 7:7-8 scripture passage.
- Culvers for the custard, and all those who contributed delicious desserts!
Here are a few memories of both events:
| | The National United Church of Christ invites you to help support the relief and long-term recovery of those affected by these severe storms, and other communities that have experienced similar events across the US here: https://ow.ly/eciJ50Wm0HR (select “Severe Storms” as the designation.) | |
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Food Pantry Drive thru July 31!
We are grateful for all the food pantry items donated last Sunday for food pantries in Belleville, Oregon, and Verona. Donations go down in the summertime, but the need is maybe greater as children are not getting meals in school. If you did not get a chance to share donations last week, please know we are accepting donations through July. So, we invite you to help Zwingli make a difference by bringing your donations.
Louise Brunkow and Debbie Versnick are putting together Birthday Cake Pans to donate to the food pantries – for those families who are celebrating a birthday (it’s a popular item): aluminum cake pan with clear lid from Dollar Tree, any cake mix, can of frosting, candles, napkins, plates, balloons … that will fit in the pan. If you would like to contribute to this project, contact either one of them to find out what is needed in the pans they have started to create!
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August 1 – Lammas Flicker Wild Church Circle (cross-quarter day between summer solstice & fall equinox) - @ Winterfell Acres (W1921 Mortensen Rd., Broolyn, WI). Julia and I will be out of town, but farmers Bethanee and Travis and family have so graciously invited the Flicker community to gather for circle and fellowship with their Winterfell land. Time TBD but it will likely be in the afternoon. Invitation—consider bringing something to offer to the circle time—a poem, a song, a reflection, a movement, a ritual, a craft. To learn more, here's a short video to watch. To get on the email list for the time of this August 1 Circle and other Flicker Wild Church activities, contact Daniel Cooperider at danielcooperrider.com.
Sue Bovre will be attending this Flicker Wild Church. If you would like to meet her there, please sign up on the bulletin board. We don't know the time yet, but you will be informed. It will probably be afternoon, or possibly early evening.
| | Pastor Karla will be on vacation from July 23 - August 20. Petra Streiff will be on call for pastoral care needs. She is also arranging preachers for the weeks while Karla is gone so watch for more information. Zwingli is blessed to have Petra share her pastoral gifts and training with us -- thank you Petra. | | Zwingli delegate Louise listening to The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson's Keynote address. See the cocoon-butterfly exhibit behind the speaker. | | |
Wisconsin Conference UCC Delegate Report by Louise Brunkow
I was pleased to be part of the annual Wisconsin Conference UCC in June. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. The theme this year was Transformation: Changing from Glory into Glory and the backdrop on the stage was filled with caterpillars who became butterflies over the two days. The Keynote speaker was Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, the General Minister, President, and CEO of the United Church of Christ.
We voted to dissolve our Southwest Association. There was a lot of discussion about this. So many were sad, but change is here. Now the Wisconsin Conference is divided into three regions and we are in the Southern Region. We are transforming! Also I learned that other churches are having the same problem with having younger people participate in church.
I learned about the Damascus Project of the Conference which offers opportunities for members of congregations to learn more (including online and free opportunities). I went to two workshops. One was about the Welcome Quilt Project which focuses on expressing an enduring loving welcome for immigrants. The squares are made by young children (including immigrant children) and sewn by women -- then exhibited all over the country and given to immigrants to welcome them. This workshop was given by the Conference Immigration Working Group. The other workshop was called Becoming a Beloved Community. We talked about what beloved means and what we can do as a community! The Wisconsin Conference provides supportive opportunities for congregations to build beloved community.
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Friendship Time Schedule ready for Sign Ups!
The schedule for Fall to Spring Friendship Time is posted on the bulletin board. Please sign up to host when you know what dates you are free! It will begin on October 5.
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September 7 Fall Welcome Sunday – with Potluck!
Join your Zwingli family on September 7 for our Fall Welcome Sunday -- when our Fall programming begins. We will follow Worship with a favorite Zwingli activity -- a Potluck! Hope you can make it. Please bring a dish to share – and invite friends and family!
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Calendar
August 24 -- Council Meeting
Sept. 7 -- Fall Welcome Sunday with Potluck!
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Donations for Pine Ridge Reservation
Jeanette Bossingham is so grateful to Zwingli for making so many donations for Pine Ridge Reservation over the years. Her trip there this year is planned for September and she is inviting us to bring our donations to the Church by Sunday, Sept. 7.
She gives these suggestions for donations (all sizes are okay): sweats (tops and bottoms), jeans, shoes, boots, socks, winter jackets and hats and mittens/glove, sweaters, bedding for twin size beds, school supplies. Jeanette says, “Mitakuye Oyasin” (we are all related). Please bring items in plastic bags and put Jeanette's name on the outside of the bag (and place them on the chairs near the mailboxes).
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We are updating our website to include pictures so that when people visit it, they see the community life we offer. If you prefer not to have your picture on our website or FB, please let Pastor Karla know.
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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 one is: Protect Trans, Nonbinary, and Intersex People's Civil Rights. Scroll down the page to find others that you might want to express your opinion about.
| | If you would like to learn more about the work of the United Church of Christ Southwest Wisconsin Association, send a message to this email address to be added to their monthly newsletter: swacommunications@gmail.com | | | | |
