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Hen House Weekly E-News
January 23, 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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As we observed last Sunday, we are still in the season of Epiphany, carefully unwrapping the gift that is Jesus as he is revealed to us in scripture. Last Sunday we explored how the Gospel according to John recorded the calling of the first disciples -- in which Jesus invited them to 'Come and See' and into the beloved community of the Kingdom (Kin-dom) of God. This week, we hear the Gospel according to Matthew's version of the story (Matt 4:12-23) -- where Jesus encounters them fishing and calls his first four disciples to 'follow me'. For those who want to learn more, the above image comes from a website which teaches about the conditions fishermen lived under in the Roman empire.
This Sunday we will also celebrate Health and Human Services Sunday in the United Church of Christ (see announcement below). Following Worship we will hold our Annual Mtg. Hopefully you can stay for this opportunity to celebrate the past year and look forward to the new year of Zwingli as the Body of Christ here in southern Wisconsin.
I hope you can join us for Worship this Sunday when we reflect more on what it means to be the Church, a place of healing in our lives and world. To help us prepare, I share this poem by Steve Garnaas-Holmes as a reminder that just as those first four disciples heard the voice of Jesus and followed, we are daily invited to listen for the voice of Jesus and follow in his ways of love, peace, mercy, compassion, justice, grace, joy. . . . This is a good prayer for us:
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“My sheep hear my voice.
I know them, and they follow me.”
—John 10.27
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Beloved,
give me grace today
to listen for your voice,
to know the voice of mercy,
the call of delight,
and to distinguish it from the voice of fear,
the voice of resentment or reaction.
Help me listen for the voice that knows me,
the presence that honors my soul,
that delights in me, that magnifies me.
Give me grace to trust
the voice of love,
and to follow.
Breath prayer:
Listen … follow
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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: U.S. - Greenland/Denmark/EU tensions; U.S. - Iran tensions, U.S. - Venezuela tensions, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. Prayers for those countries, farmers, companies 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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We recognize Health and Human Service: Sunday, Jan 25, 2026
On Sunday we will gather together with the whole United Church of Christ in observing Health and Human Service Sunday. We bear witness to the tradition, and the history being made of how the UCC has expressed extravagant welcome through service within and beyond our church walls. We take time to honor the 400 member site locations of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, those serving as chaplains and parish nurses, those working for justice and care in the ministries of health and wellness, gender and sexuality, disabilities, mental health, harm reduction, and HIV/AIDS. We praise God for the ways these disciples embody the Good News of freedom and compassion alongside those impacted by structural violence—whether that be by a lack of housing or healthcare, stigma and shame, or harmful beliefs and policies. We give thanks to the Spirit for remembering how Jesus chose to spend his time in his ministry—in healing, in community, and in service. (chhsm.org)
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January 25 - after worship
We want to get a few pictures of the congregation on Sunday, January 25 for our records and for our Facebook page (we need an updated picture) so giving you a heads up. If you do not want to be in any picture, just let our pastor know and hide behind others when photos are taken. Thanks!
Hard copies of the annual report are available at the church.
One copy per family.
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Our Winter-Spring Adult Ed Program begins Feb. 8! Join us!
We will read and discuss a book by beloved author Father Richard Rohr, The Tears of Things. In this book, the Founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation and author of numerous books, Rohr invites us to learn from the Hebrew prophets. He offers a wholehearted and hope-filled model for the world today, grounded in the timeless wisdom of the Hebrew prophets.
- We will meet 7 times (join us when you can)
- Each meeting will involve 34 or fewer pages of reading
- Yes! Members take turns providing refreshments! Sign up is on the bulletin board.
- We meet after Church on 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays, February - April.
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For more info or to order a book ($15.86) contact Pastor Karla asap (to get the book on time). Make checks out to Karla Schmidt.
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Here's a brief summary and review of the book!
We hope you will join us!
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Seven Acre Dairy Guest Chef Residencies
Chef Rob Connoley is an acclaimed chef and food historian. He's been a lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution and for National Geographic, where he's explored America's lost food traditions and recipes for audiences across the country.
Rob has composed his dinner on Friday and Saturday Night, January 23 and 24, exclusively from three, local mid-century cookbooks: The Ladies Aid of the Evangelical and Reformed Church Cookbook (Paoli, WI, 1949), St. William’s Alter Society Cookbook (Paoli, WI, 1963), and The Mother’s Club of Verona Grade School Cookbook (Verona, WI 1951). He’ll be preparing recipes from these books in ways that honor the women cooks of the past while approaching these recipes with his own modern touches.
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There are 5:15 and 7:15 Seatings. The 3-course dinner is served in the style of a Midwest Sunday Supper. It is $45/adults and $10 kids. A portion of the proceeds on Friday Night go to the Verona Area Historical Society and the Belleville Area Historical Society. A portion of the proceeds on Saturday Night go to the Culinary History Enthusiasts of Wisconsin. The names of the original home cooks are:
- Mrs. Bert Hendrickson was a member of Zwingli. Her grandson, Roger passed away in December.
- Mrs. Alvie (Elfa) Eichelkraut was Debbie Versnik's dad’s mother (also a member of Zwingli)
- Mrs. Emil (Katy) Legler is the grandmother of Connie Urfer, Al Legler, Rich Legler, Beth Campbell, and Brian Legler. She was a member of Zwingli with her husband Emil, who is part of the Eichelkraut family tree and so a descendant of Anna Zwingli (sister to Ulrich Zwingli).
- Mrs. Oscar (Jean) Diefendorf was a member of Zwingli, along with her husband, Oscar, who was a first cousin to Debbie's mother Rachel Eichelkraut.
- Mrs. Karl (Anna) Pulver is grandmother to Cherry Pulver and Ruby Pleva, and is great grandmother to Karen Sponem - and a member of Zwingli
To make reservations for Friday, Jan 23 and Saturday, January 24:
Friday Night Reservations
Saturday Night Reservations
| | Cafe Palestine of Christ Presbyterian Church offers an opportunity to learn more about Palestine. Join an event, watch a movie, Visit information tables, as well as vendors with crafts from Palestine. | | |
Weather Cancellations this Winter
It's winter in Wisconsin so we want to remind you that if the weather looks bad, be sure to check your email or FB (Zwingli UCC - Paoli) on Sunday mornings. We will send out an email or post a message by 8 am on Sunday. We do have a list of those who don't have access to email or FB and prefer a text or phone call (if you aren't sure if you are on this list, please contact our pastor to check).
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Respiratory Virus Season is Here!
We are definitely in the season of respiratory illness. Take good care of yourselves and if you are feeling ill, take proper precautions to get the medical help you need and to prevent spreading what you have! This dashboard is updated every Thursday with the information they do have (but note that they have limited information on illnesses): : https://publichealthmdc.com/your-health/respiratory-illness/dashboard
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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 our Neighbors: Prevent increased funding for ICE. Scroll down the page to find others that you might want to express your opinion about.
| | 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! | | | | |
