Hen House Weekly E-News

March 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!

By this Sunday we will be four weeks into Lent and our series on Becoming Whole. This Sunday we will be reflecting on Jesus' gift of peace to us and his call to be peacemakers. We grow in wholeness as we receive and nurture the peace of God within us, and as we become peacemakers in our own families, community and world. This isn't peacekeeping (avoiding conflict to keep a sense of calm), but actively working to resolve conflict, seek understanding, and foster connections of empathy, truth and forgiveness. Our Adult Ed group learned some of these skills in our Fall class on Bridging Across Divisions.

With so many divisions among nations breaking out in heartbreaking violence in the Middle East and elsewhere, we need our peacemakers! Violence throughout history is not a partisan problem but a human problem. In ancient Israel, the prophets called the people to beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks (go here for the image above and a devotional on Micah 4:3). Jesus invited us into Kingdom/Kin-dom living -- very different from the violence of the kingdoms of the world. To help us reflect on the many different Biblical and religious views on violence toward the 'other' or between nations -- and Jesus' teachings on love and peace, I share with you the below reflection by Methodist Pastor Paul Dazet:

Undoing the Violence in the Bible Before It Undoes Us

Reading Scripture Like Jesus: Through Love, Not Blood

Violence saturates the pages of Scripture. There’s no denying it.

From the conquest narratives of Joshua to psalms that call for the destruction of enemies, from prophetic visions of wrath to the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation, the Bible is full of disturbing portrayals of divine violence.

For many of us, this isn’t just a theological puzzle, it’s a faith-shaking wound.

How do we reconcile the God of war with the Jesus of peace?

How do we preach a Gospel of grace when the text itself seems soaked in vengeance?

Richard Rohr doesn’t sugarcoat it:

“The violence of God and religion must be directly and firmly undone inside the Bible itself, or it will only continue to undo all of us.”

This isn’t about rejecting Scripture. It’s about learning to read it the way Jesus did, through the lens of mercy, not retribution; love, not domination.

Because if we don’t confront the violence in the Bible, we will inevitably replicate it.

In our theology.

In our politics.

In our churches.

In our souls.

The Problem: Reading the Bible Flatly

Many Christians approach the Bible as if every verse speaks with equal weight, as if God is always speaking in the same voice.

But Scripture isn’t a static rulebook.

It’s a dynamic, unfolding story.

A progressive revelation that culminates in Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, God is often portrayed as a warrior.

In the Gospels, Jesus reveals God as a suffering servant.

The tension is not accidental. It is meant to be wrestled with, not ignored.

Jesus doesn’t just bypass the violence. He confronts it.

“You have heard it said… but I say to you” - (Matthew 5)

“The Son of Man did not come to destroy lives, but to save them” - (Luke 9:56)

“Father, forgive them…” - (Luke 23:34)

Jesus doesn’t reinterpret a violent God.

He reveals a nonviolent one.

Violence in the Name of God Justifies More Violence

History bears witness:

The Crusades and Inquisitions killed in the name of a conquering God.
Colonizers saw Indigenous people as Canaanites to be destroyed.
Slavery and segregation were upheld using Scripture.
Christian nationalism now wields the Bible as a weapon, not a witness.

Every act of religious violence can trace its lineage to an uncritical reading of the Bible. If we refuse to wrestle with these texts, we let them go on speaking for God.

So How Do We Undo the Violence?

The answer is not to abandon Scripture—but to follow Jesus into it.

1. Recognize the Arc of Revelation

The Bible moves toward Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
If something contradicts the love we see in Christ, it’s not the final word.

2. Acknowledge Human Projection

Ancient people often believed God endorsed their violence.
The Old Testament reflects a tribal worldview—God as divine warrior.
But Jesus is not a partial truth. He is the full and final Word (Hebrews 1:1-3).

3. Read the Bible Through Jesus, Not Jesus Through the Bible

Jesus said it plainly: “The Scriptures point to me” (John 5:39).
If a passage conflicts with Jesus, Jesus wins the argument.

4. Call Out Theological Violence Today

Any theology that justifies exclusion, war, or power-over control isn’t from Jesus.
Our call is not to defend divine violence, but to embody divine love.

5. See the Cross as the Undoing of Violence

The cross is not God demanding blood. It’s humanity’s violence exposed.
Jesus absorbs it, and responds with forgiveness.
The resurrection is not revenge. It’s vindication of love over power.

The Choice Before Us

The church is at a crossroads.

We can keep preaching a violent God and wonder why the world walks away.

Or we can follow Jesus in undoing the violence, from the inside out.

A God who doesn’t crush enemies, but dies for them.
A Gospel that doesn’t demand blood, but offers peace.
A faith that doesn’t dominate, but liberates.

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: 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, companies, farmers, 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.

ORDER YOUR EASTER LILY OR PLANT NOW!

A sign-up sheet to order an Easter Lily or Spring plant for the alter is on the bulletin board. Kriss will be looking for lilies and spring plants as reasonable as possible. Designate a lily or plant and be sure to note “in honor of” or “in memory of.”

Contact Kriss Ace at 608-575-3355

if you have questions.

Winter Storm Watch!

It looks like we might see some significant snow and ice this weekend! Pastor Karla and the Council will watch the weather and decide whether to cancel worship no later than 8 a.m. on Sunday morning (and maybe even the evening before).

In the event of a cancellation, we will send out an email and post it on our official Facebook page (Zwingli UCC - Paoli), and those without email will be called (If you would like to be on the call list, contact Pastor Karla).

And if the worship service is not cancelled, please use your best judgement to determine if it is safe for you to venture out!

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!

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.

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. Our offerings toward this mission will be dedicated on Sunday, March 15.

Zwingli Brunch Bunch

Join us Wednesday, March 18 at 10:30 am at River Ville Grille in Belleville for community and good food! All ages welcome. Seniors over 60 can choose to pay for a $5 meal as part of the Dane County My Meal, My Way Senior Meal program. Turn left when you enter the restaurant and ask for the Zwingli Brunch Bunch to join us!

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

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: Tell Congress Housing is a Human Right. 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!