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Hen House Weekly E-News
November 7, 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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This coming Sunday, Worship at Zwingli will center around Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota -- home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe with an estimated population of close to 40,000. As many of you might know, two of our members have been volunteering there for many years: Veterinarian Judy Batker has volunteered for horse care for 15 years. Jeanette Bossingham has brought donations from Zwingli and volunteered there with her son, Kim, for 15 years. On Sunday they will each give the message based on their experiences (and there will be slides!).
The service will include native songs that Jeanette has learned and is eager to share with us, as well as scripture from the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament. I listened to an insightful webinar featuring native speakers about why this translation is helpful not only to Native peoples, but also meant to be a gift to the rest of us. I encourage you to listen! The Lead Translator and Project Manager, Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe/Yaqui) in answer to the question, 'why do we need a native Bible in English?' said:
"Because of the boarding schools and the government policy of having us not speak our language, that means they didn't teach us to read our languages . . . so I found out that like over 90% of our people aren't reading our languages in our heart language, like they don't get a chance to hear the gospel story of Jesus, Creator Sets Free as we call him, in our translation, in their heart language."
They formed a translation council of many different tribal heritages and ages, including biblical translation consultants, making this book very much a translation of scripture into a culturally familiar language for native peoples (although he asserts that it is more of a general translation and can't represent all tribes and ways of thinking).
I invite you to join us on Sunday to listen to the heart language of this translation of scripture, and the heart stories of Jeanette and Judy about their experiences volunteering at Pine Ridge (where I am sure Judy and Jeanette would say, they receive more than they give)! As we Worship on Sunday, may we do so in recognition that we worship and live on ancestral Ho-Chunk land, a place their nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE) since time immemorial.
For today, I close by sharing inspiration for us from the First Nations Version (FNV) translation of John 1:1-5. We are invited to read it 'with gentleness' the way Wildman says native peoples approach holy readings:
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"Long ago, in the time before all days, before the creation of all things, the one who is known as the Word was there face to face with the Great Spirit. This Word fully represents Creator and shows us who he is and what he is like. He has always been there from the beginning, for the Word and Creator are one and the same. Through the Word all things came into being, and not one thing exists that he did not create. Creator's life shined out from the Word, giving light to all human beings. This is the true Light that comes to all the peoples of the world and shines on everyone. The Light shines into the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it or put it out." | | | |
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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: Nigeria, 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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Nov. 16 - Native American Sunday with Jeanette & Judy
Nov. 19 - Zwingli Brunch Bunch
Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving and Stewardship Sunday Food Pantry Collection
Nov. 25 - Community Thanksgiving Service, 7:00 PM, Grace United Methodist Church, Belleville
Nov. 29 - Hanging of the Greens, 10:00 AM
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Zwingli Brunch Bunch Monthly Gathering
Zwingli UCC Paoli is starting a new program for members and neighbors to meet monthly for brunch. Starting Nov 19, we will meet monthly (3rd Wednesday) at 10:30 am at River Ville in Belleville. All ages welcome. Those over age 60 have the option to participate in the Dane County Senior Meal Program and pay no more than $5 for your meal. When you enter the restaurant, go to your left and ask for the Zwingli Brunch Bunch! Please invite friends and family to come too! We hope you can join us!
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Thanksgiving Food Pantry Collection--November 23
We will once again collect non-perishable food items for our local pantries for the holidays this year. We are all very aware of the increased need as we see higher grocery prices and hear of possible decreases in SNAP benefits. If you are able, please bring basics but also maybe things people might use for special holiday meals to place by our altar on the 23rd. Monetary donations also go a long way to purchase food by Second Harvest to distribute to our pantries so that's another good way to give.
As you shop this month, say a prayer of thanks for God's abundance and also think about how you can share the abundance with your neighbors, so that we all might have a happy Thanksgiving!
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Tuesday Nov. 25, 7:00 PM
Grace United Methodist Church, Belleville
As is our custom, Zwingli will be joining Grace UMC, First UCC, and Primrose Lutheran Church for a joint Thanksgiving Service. We hope you will join us. If you would like to participate in the choir, there will be a rehearsal at 6:15 pm that night -- right before the service. If you would like a copy of the music in advance, let Pastor Karla know.
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Hanging of the Greens--November 29
We will once again be adorning the sanctuary for the celebration of Advent and Christmas. We'll meet Saturday, November 29 (yes, the first Sunday of Advent is November 30) at 10:00 a.m. (of course!). Everyone is welcome! It's helpful if you sign up on the bulletin board, but you can join us even if you don't!
There are tasks that anyone can do, although we appreciate a few people who can climb ladders for the tree and some folks who can carry things down from upstairs. But, we also need supervisors and helpful hints! There will be coffee and a couple treats available as well. Come and help 'Deck the Halls'!
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Looking for Volunteers
Advent begins December 30 and runs for 4 weeks before Christmas, as an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, the birth of Christ.
As is the custom at Zwingli, we invite you (and a friend, your spouse, your family) to take one of the Sundays to light the Advent Wreath and share the reading. There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board (sign up soon as there are only 4 Sundays!). Pastor Karla will give you the information you need for your Sunday.
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CROP Walk update!
Many thanks to our walkers and those who contributed!
Zwingli met and went beyond the goal of $500, earning $555 plus! Unfortunately we didn't get a complete count of all the money that came in because it was quickly sent to Church World Service -- so is already being put into action. It was a cold windy day but some of our brave members made the walk to make a difference and support those who are hungry!
Many thanks to our CROP Walkers: Sue Bovre, Faith Wittwer, Kriss Ace, Sarah and Morgan Boley and their dog Bailey.
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Respiratory Virus Season is Here!
While the Dane County Public Health Dept says respiratory illness are low right now, we have heard of some folk getting sick so the season is beginning. Take good care of yourselves and if you are feeling ill, take proper precautions to prevent spreading what you have! This dashboard is updated every Thursday: 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: 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 | | | | |
