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Hen House Weekly E-News
October 17, 2025
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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Several years ago a friend told me that after his parents died, he and his siblings were left with 6 storage units to clean out! I felt so bad for him! I remembered the day my sister, her 2 young daughters, and I worked hard to go through my Dad's things in his small home to prepare him to move to a senior living apartment. At the end of the day (which he basically napped through in his recliner!), he said to us "Now let's tackle the garage". The truth is my Dad stored more in his big garage than in his house -- so much was stored there (including in the rafters) -- he kept antique but useful items from his childhood on the farm (like apple corers . . . ), camping supplies from when we were kids, tons of tools, . . . ! This was going to be a BIG job and the day was spent and we were exhausted. We suggested he tackle that job another day -- with the help of our brothers! I can't imagine what it would have been like for my friend to go through all those storage units -- and how long it must have taken.
I tell this story because this Sunday we will reflect on Accumulation Stories. I think my Dad, as we all do, accumulated things from his parents, for his children, and then 'in case he would need it someday' mentality. He was never accumulating for himself and shared everything like I imagine many of us do. But accumulation stories in our world (and sometimes in our lives) can be about money, fear, prestige and power. They can be part of domination or isolation stories. Gareth Higgins shares why the story of accumulation, which is second nature to most of us in the West, can be so damaging:
"The accumulation story is about money and fear. It’s a story about being possessed by things rather than enjoying and sharing them. And it’s a story nested within a bigger story about how sometimes when we think we have more, we actually have less…. Whether it’s bigger sofas or bigger houses or bigger jobs or bigger bank accounts or reputation or ego or a bigger empire, we don’t have to look too far to find the accumulation story at work. The story that says we will achieve peace and security through having more things. It’s an expansionist narrative, but it doesn’t expand peace and security. The more you think you need to accumulate, the bigger fence you need to build around yourself and the fewer people you will trust and let into your life. It’s the inverse of what it means to live in true peace and security, which only comes in the context of relationship with people you can trust." (https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-story-of-accumulation/)
We definitely see Stories of Accumulation in our world today -- and how destructive they can be for others. Maybe we see them in our lives as well? Join us on Sunday as we reflect on this story as played out in his day by a young man who was more attached to his wealth than to following Jesus (Mark 10:17-22). Meanwhile, I invite each of us to reflect on how Accumulation Stories are active in our world today, even in our personal lives -- and what Jesus might be inviting us to let go of -- and then do! I hope this prayer by Steve Garnaas-Holmes is helpful:
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God I admit: so often
I am trying to look good.
I’m serving the master of being right.
I’m loyal to the boss of my ego.
But I can walk away from that master.
I am free to serve you,
to belong to your grace alone,
to seek only to receive and give love.
Faithful in small things, to be faithful in great,
I submit to your grace.
Help me each moment to examine my loyalty
and serve only your love, absolutely devoted.
Your love … alone.
(unfoldinglight.net)
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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. - Venezuela tensions, 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.
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 and now under this government shutdown.
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Oct. 19 - CROP Walk
Oct. 26 - Adult Ed Class after Worship: Loving Across Divisions
Nov. 2 - All Saints Day; Friendship Time following Worship
Nov. 9 - Last Adult Ed Class: Loving Across Divisions
Nov. 16 - Native American Sunday with Jeanette and Judy
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We will meet again on Sunday Oct. 26 to continue our exploration of Loving Across Division. In our last class we were deeply moved by the story and insights Valarie Kaur shared with us. This coming class will introduce us to the work of john a. powell, founder and director of the 'Othering & Belonging Institute' of UC-Berkeley.
Join us in the basement after church for an hour (or as long as you can stay) -- refreshments will be provided! Meanwhile, here's a 2 minute video about the work of the Othering & Belonging Institute: Bridging: Towards A Society Built on Belonging.
Blessings,
Karla
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Crop Walk: Sunday, October 19
We will be partnering once again with First United Church of Christ in Belleville. Registration begins at First Church at 12:30 pm at 130 East Church Street. The walk begins at 1:00.
We will have one team - Zwingli UCC Paoli. 25% of the proceeds from the walk will be given to the Belleville Food Pantry.
All check donations must be made out to: CWS/CROP. If you want to enter it under a charge card, look for team Zwingli UCC Paoli on the website: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwalks/teams?event=bellevillewi
Kriss Ace will register our walkers so contact her if you wish to walk and/or sign up on the bulletin board. She needs all donations by October 26. If giving cash please put it in an envelope marked "CROP donation." All cash envelopes and checks can be placed in the collection place each Sunday.
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Safety in our church environment is of utmost concern. The Dane Co Sheriff’s Department is scheduled to present “Emergency Preparedness Training” for all who are interested on Wednesday November 12, from 6-8 PM at our church. More details to follow in future Hen House Newsletters. Plan to attend!
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From the Wisconsin Conference UCC
Justice for Immigrants
Support conference ministers’ witness in D.C.
Wisconsin Conference Minister Franz Rigert later this month will join about 20 of his colleagues in Washington to meet with lawmakers, with a special focus on immigration. You can get involved, too, by writing letters to your representatives to make sure they get the message that “Love Has No Borders” -- the theme of the conference ministers’ witness urging lawmakers to choose love, compassion, and justice in their decisions. The UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington has created downloadable resources for congregations and individuals who wish to get involved.
Learn more about the “Love Has No Borders” campaign.
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Flicker Wild Church Outdoor Upcoming Gatherings
Our next Sacred Circle: Samhain/ All Saints', November 1 @ Winterfell Acres in Brooklyn. 2-3pm - begin gathering. 3pm Circle Starts. Community Potluck to follow. Bring a chair/blanket, a seasonal food/drink offering to share, and dress for the elements! One of the themes of Samhain/ All Saints' is to honor the ancestors. You're invited to bring an item/memento or two that is representative of an ancestor or lineage for you and we'll have a chance to share and make an ancestor altar together.
Save the Date - Winter Solstice - afternoon of December 21 @ Holy Wisdom Monastery.
For more information or to sign up to attend with others from Zwingli, contact Pastor Karla or Sue Bovre.
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For more information on Flicker Wild Church, go to their website at
https://www.flickerwildchurch.org/
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First United Church of Christ in Belleville is hosting their annual buffet dine-in or carry-out dinner on Saturday November 8 from 4 - 6:30 pm. Menu: Char-roasted turkey, sweet-cured ham, meatballs, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, coleslaw, buns, cheese and homemade pies. Tickets: $16/Adults; $8/Children (6-12)
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Online Daily Devotional through the UCC
The Daily Devotional is a spiritually deep well, to which thousands of readers are drawn each day. The overall voice of the Daily Devotional is tended by the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group and supported by the staff of The Pilgrim Press. It is available on the UCC National website. If you would like to read it there or subscribe to receive it in your inbox, go here to access this inspiring and relevant free resource provided by the UCC.
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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 Pass the Truth & Healing Commission on the Indian Boarding Schools Policies Act. 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 | | | | |
