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Hen House Weekly E-News
March 6, 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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Last Sunday in Worship we met Nicodemus, the pharisee who had spiritual growing pains in the night and sought out Jesus with his questions. He left confused but eventually found himself (John 19) anointing the body of Jesus in the daylight. Perhaps you could say he experienced the birthing anew of the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday we will meet an unnamed Samaritan woman who Jesus met at Jacob's Well in Samaria. Jesus engaged her in a deep discussion about Living Water (image above) and she left the conversation as the first evangelist of the Good News of Jesus! Join us on Sunday as we reflect more on her story (John 4:5-42). In preparation for Sunday, here are some reflections on this story from author Macrina Wiederkehr (A Tree Full of Angels):
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"The well is deep and each of us is a well if only we could see and understand. We are a well! We were made for the deeps. Christ lies in the depths of us. . . . Being present to life is a marvelous way to stay in touch with living water. God's grace is more available than we dare to believe....
What a revelation! The hour is coming . . . when you will realize that the spirit and the truth live within you. You are a portable chapel. Remember the sanctuary within. You carry God wherever you go. Why quarrel about churches, temples, or mountains? . . . I carry my chapel wherever I go. I am your temple, God.. . .
She put down her water jar. . . . Her water jar is her own agenda. . . . She walked away from that well with living water because she was able to let go of her own agenda. She was able to put down the water jar of her own agenda and go forth with God's agenda . . . She became . . . a means of bringing others to the living water. Jesus, give me the courage to put down my water jar. My agenda is getting heavy in my life. I want to go with your agenda for me. I want to be a well!"
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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, 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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Reminder!
Daylight Saving Time
begins this weekend.
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Attention Zwingli Singers!
If you are interested in sharing a song in Worship on Easter, please contact Petra Streiff! All who enjoy singing are welcome!
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Weekly Lenten Readings from Bread for the World
Bread for the World, a non-profit organization seeking to end hunger, is providing an online devotional journal this Lenten season titled "Walking as Children of the Light". Check it out. We will have copies of each week's meditation at Church on Sunday for those who prefer to take a meditation home with them. The readings are short, are Biblically based, and even invite us to consider how we can take small actions that bring Christ's Light to the world.
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Friends of State Street Family
Lenten Service Project
On Sunday, March 1, we packed 114 snack bags (plus extra drinks and snacks) for the Friends of State Street Family to share with our unhoused siblings in downtown Madison. Many thanks to those who contributed snacks to this project and/or volunteered to package them! Special thanks to Judy for taking lead on this project and to the Friends of the State Street Family for the work they do to support those who are in need in Madison.
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One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a vital special mission offering of the United Church of Christ. It connects you to disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development efforts around the globe. When disasters strike, or when individuals are displaced due to violence or poverty, OGHS ensures immediate response and ongoing recovery. To learn more please watch this video.
Additional information and giving envelopes will be available in the Sunday bulletin. The offerings will be dedicated on March 15.
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How is your Star Word Journey going?
It's now March and here are some questions to help you reflect more on your Star Word for the year:
- We trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words offer a tool to actively seek and reflect on God's presence among us, both in the moment and in hindsight. How has your star word functioned in this way so far? How has it not?
- In this season of Lent, what repentance or self-examination has come from your star word so far?
- How you feel your word leading you at this point? To praise? To lament? To confession?
- At the end of the month, think back on the last four weeks. How/where did your word pop up? How did it lead you in your spiritual life? Did you notice something you might not have otherwise noticed without this word?
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You are invited to come sing! Bring a neighbor! Bring your children! Build community and share in a spirit of hope.
Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ is delighted to host a community sing, 'Songs of Hope, Songs of Resistance,' Friday March 13, 2026, beginning at 5:30pm followed by a potluck (optional). This event is in collaboration with the Palm Sunday Path, and local song-leader Sarah Burgess.
Rev. Rachel Bauman, our Associate Conference Minister, is on the planning team for the Palm Sunday Path event. She tells us that both events are meant to be non-partisan events, that "Our goal is to witness to the love, peace and solidarity of Jesus". If you want to attend the Songs of Hope event, but don't know how to register or haven't the technology to register, let Pastor Karla know and she can register you. You can attend the Songs of Hope event even if you do not plan to attend the Palm Sunday Path event.
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Palestinians and Israelis Share Their Stories of Loss and Peacemaking
The Wisconsin Conference UCC will be providing ZOOM workshops through 2026. You are invited to participate and hear the stories of these courageous people who have paid the highest price in losing a loved one to the Conflict -- and choose peace. One of the participants who joined us in Feb shared a testimony: “It was encouraging to see people that were perceived as enemies being able to open their hearts and minds to each other after sharing their common experiences. This exchange revives my trust in humanity and my hope for peace and understanding not only in Palestine but throughout the world." Dale Bakke
The March and April ZOOM Workshops are scheduled. Workshops are not recorded. Please sign up if you are interested in attending either of them. Pastor Karla will be co-facilitating the March one.
To sign up for the March 19, 6:30-8 pm ZOOM workshop featuring speakers Elana and Bassam go to:
https://tinyurl.com/ListeningRegistrationMarch
To sign up for the April 20, 6:30-8 pm ZOOM workshop featuring speakers Robi and Layla go to: https://tinyurl.com/ListeningRegistrationApril
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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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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: 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.
| | 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! | | | | |
