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Hen House Weekly E-News
February 13, 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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This Sunday we get to join the disciples Peter, James and John, for a field trip! Imagine how excited they must have been when Jesus picked them of all the disciples to go with him up the mountain - they had no idea just what an adventure it would be! We get to go with them on Sunday (but no need to bring your hiking boots). Along with the disciples these past weeks, we have been on another high place, the hillside of the Sermon on the Mount. There we too have received Jesus' blessings and know we are blessed with God's loving presence always with us in Jesus and in Spirit. Last week Jesus told us we were the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the world -- in other words invaluable as salt and light is, and called to manifest the colors and flavors of God's love, peace, joy, grace, mercy, compassion, justice . . . in the ways we live our lives.
This Sunday we will be surprised along with the disciples as Jesus transfigures in front of us! Then when Peter came up with an idea for the moment, a voice from heaven told him to "Listen to Jesus". The disciples fell face down to the ground, terrified but we will be safely seated -- yet hopefully moved deeply by this story as we reflect more on its meaning for our lives today. In preparation I share this song for you to listen to by Bob Hurd, Transfigure Us O Lord. I also share with you this Prayer of Transformation (below). The image above is by Giovanni Birolamo Savoldo (1530). I do hope you can join us on Sunday for this special Worship that ends the season of Epiphany in the Church calendar and prepares us for the season of Lent (which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18).
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Prayer of Transformation
Lord, I was a pile of ash
and you made me a light for the world.
I was a stone,
and you made me salt for the earth.
I was as lifeless as clay
and you made me part of the Body of Christ.
I was sinful
and you made me holy.
I was nothing
and you made me part of everything.
Lord, in you I am transformed
and transformed still again.
When the discouraged cry for hope, make me hope.
When the hungry cry for bread, make me bread.
When the thirsty cry for water, make me water.
When the suffering cry for help, make me help.
When the sick cry for healing, make me healing.
When the bound cry for freedom, make me freedom.
When the outcasts cry for love, make me love.
Lord who is hope
who is bread and water,
who is help and healing,
who is freedom,
and who is love,
transform me anew,
and so keep me close to you,
as you transform the world. Amen.
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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.
| | | | Updated Annual Report: The Balance Sheet in the Annual Report had a couple of errors in it. The corrected Balance Sheet can be viewed by clicking here. | | |
Party Gras was a big HIT last year -- SO JOIN US THIS YEAR for the Fun!!!
In place of Mardi Gras, we at Zwingli begand a new tradition last year of holding a fun night called Party Gras! Traditionally Mardi Gras is celebrated the night before Ash Wednesday but due to the Primary Elections on Feb. 17, we are holding our Party Gras a few days early -- on Sunday evening, Feb. 15, from 5-7:30 pm! What to know:
- Our fun game leaders, Jackie and Greg, will be again calling Bingo!
- Bring a potluck dish and/or dessert to share and join us for Party Gras Fun! It's helpful if you sign up on the bulletin board with what food/dessert you will be bringing (but not required)
- Your friends and family are welcome too!
- Bingo prizes this year will be a 'white elephant exchange'. If you have fun/nice/useful items to share, please bring them to add to our prize table (items in good condition please). Food/snacks are also welcome for the prize table.
- Bring bags of snacks for our unhoused Madison siblings (see announcement about this Lenten Service Project)
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Snack Kit Project
for
Friends of State Street Family
https://fssf.org/
Our church will be taking part in this project February to early March (it was such a success last Spring and Fall - and the need is still great so we are once again making kits). The Friends of State Street Family provide snack bags to the homeless community in that area. We would like to put together as many snack bags as we can to give them. With the subzero temps, this is one way we can care for our unhoused siblings in Madison.
We ask that you please start bringing items to church beginning Sunday, Feb 15 at Worship or Party Gras - through to March 1st.
On Sunday, March 1, during Friendship Time, we invite you to join us to help bag the Snack Kits.
Snacks to bring include (individually packaged): Granola bars, candy bars, small cracker packages, cookie packages, nuts, raisins, fruit snacks, Rice Krispies bars and similar items. Please bring snacks to the church and place them on the chairs near the coat racks. Thank you so much for your donations -- and for helping to put them in snack bags to be given to those who are unhoused in Madison. If you have questions, ask Judy Batker or Pastor Karla. Thanks!!
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Ash Wednesday Service Feb. 18, 6:30 - 7:15 pm
In the Church calendar, the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. This begins the 40 day season of Lent (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. Over the centuries many churches (especially Catholic churches) have practiced the ritual of imposing ashes on those who would like to receive ashes in the form of a cross and as a symbol of our mortality and repentance. During this service we will offer ashes to those who wish to receive them (on forehead or hand). We hope you will join us for this service -- and encourage you to invite friends and relatives. Ash Wednesday is a very special way to begin the Lenten season with the knowledge that we are blessed and beloved children of God.
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Winter Repair Cafe scheduled for Saturday, March 7: 10 am - Noon
We are excited to offer the Repair Cafe once again so be finding those things you have that need repairs and plan on bringing them. Tell your neighbors, friends and family about this opportunity as they might have something that needs repair too (and the purpose of the Cafe is to be a resource for the community).
Finally, we could use a few more Hospitality volunteers -- to bring goodies and to help welcome and visit with those who come. If you would like to help out or just provide some goodies for the event, please tell Petra (she is the only one of our current hospitality team that can be available that day). We could also use anyone who has sewing or technology skills to help repair. If you know of someone with these skills who is interested, please have them contact Pastor Karla.
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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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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: Extend safety protections for our Somali neighbors. 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! | | | | |
