Hen House Weekly E-News

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!

There appeared a woman with a spirit

that had crippled her for eighteen years.

She was bent over

and was quite unable to stand up straight.

—Luke 13.11

I've missed you all and am excited to be back from vacation and see you again this Sunday at Worship. I hope you're all doing well and enjoying August.

This Sunday the Lectionary gives us the story in Luke 13:10-17 of a woman who has suffered for many years and then one day at her synagogue Jesus shows up -- and everything changes. Taken metaphorically, her story is all our stories. There are many teachings in this story. One is the invitation to open our hearts and minds to those places in our lives where we are in need of God's Grace to bring a deeper healing within our Spirits. I love this painting (Barbara Schwarz, OP) which reminds us that whether or not we receive physical healing, Jesus always stoops to the pain within us to lift us up to the Love that is within him. Jesus reminds us of our wholeness in God. You can find the image and a spiritual practice around this story on this website. I also invite you to ponder on the reflection below by Steve Garnaas-Holmes.

What is bent over in you?

What is pushed over, put down,

made weak, or silenced?

What beauty is hidden,

what capacity stilled?

What in you is bound up,

distorted, facing downward?

How have you given up hope?

How have you been told that you can’t?

That you deserve it?

That this is not the time for healing?

Let the bent over woman in you come forward.

Let Jesus lay a healing hand on her.

Don’t expect instant change, but know this:

the spirit that distorts you

is not as strong as love.

(unfoldinglight.net)

Blessings,

Karla

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.

LITURGISTS NEEDED

We are in need of a liturgist for next Sunday, August 31. Let us know if you can help out. We also need liturgists for September 7 and 21.

August 24 -- Council Meeting

August 31 -- Hymn Sing Sunday

Sept. 7 -- Fall Welcome Sunday with Potluck!

About a dozen UCC churches in southeast Wisconsin were impacted by the unprecedented rainfall this month. Most reported manageable flooding in the lower levels of their buildings. One church, however, sustained significant damage. The Wisconsin Conference and National Ministries are working to provide assistance. Both the Conference and the Christmas Fund are providing emergency financial assistance.

To aid the wider community, 936 Church World Service cleanup bucket kits have been requested. The kits will be distributed to residents in partnership with the Salvation Army and Milwaukee County Emergency Management. A Conference-wide CWS kit-making drive will begin Sept. 28 -- one way to restock the supply of kits sent in our time of need.

To provide immediate support, please consider donating to our established relief fund set up through the Conference. Or drop a check in the offering plate with SE WI Flood in the note section. We'll see that it gets forwarded to the conference.

Marques Bovre Tribute Band Concert Coming to Paoli

Marques Bovre grew up at Zwingli and his mother, Sue, is still a very active and beloved member. Her grandson (Marques' son), Quintin Bovre and other members of the Marques Bove Tribute Band (Marques' former bandmates Doug Meihsner and Eric Dummer and friend Jeff Funk) will be playing in Paoli on Sunday August 31! Sue will be there and invites you to come too! This show is sponsored by the good people at the Hop Garden.

Location: The Mill, Paoli 6890 Paoli Road, Paoli, Wisconsin 5350

Website: Visit Event Website

Date & Time: Aug 31, 2025 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM +

There is a sign-up sheet for the potluck posted on the bulletin board.

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).

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.

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: Stand with Washington D.C, and Support D.C Statehood! 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

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