|
Hen House Weekly E-News
December 19, 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!
| | |
This Sunday is the last Sunday of Advent. Last Sunday we focused on the story of Mary, and this week we will explore Joseph's story (Matthew 1:18-25). In looking for music to sing, I realize Joseph is almost ignored! How sad. Mary's pregnancy not only upended her life but it forced Joseph to listen to dreams and angels to receive his own 'annunciation', and then re-examine what it meant to be a righteous Jewish man. Like Mary, he also said 'Yes' to God's call for him - mysterious and unexpected as it was. I discovered that while Joseph didn't make it into many songs, he is well represented in art -- and sometime he is actually holding Jesus! The image above is taken from a Medieval Book of Hours and depicts Joseph holding Jesus while Mary reads a book (maybe the Book of Hours?)! Of Joseph, artist Jan Richardson writes:
"Last week we heard Mary’s Magnificat, the song she sings in response to Elizabeth’s blessing: the song of the God who does outlandish things in this world. This week we see how the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat echoes in Joseph’s own life. Her song resounds in Joseph’s choice not to send away his pregnant fiancé but rather to cast his lot with her and with the child she will bear. Joseph’s choice mirrors Mary’s own. Each with their own response, Joseph and Mary alike bear witness to the God who reorders, disturbs, unsettles the world—the God who seeks to do this through God’s people. Through us. . . . Mary was not the only one who chose to leave the life she had thought would be hers. In choosing Mary and her child, in welcoming the Word into his life, Joseph had his own threshold to cross, his own radical yes to say to God. Perhaps on the night of Jesus’ birth, Joseph lifted up a father’s Magnificat in syllables lost to us; perhaps, in a shelter far from home, he wove them into a lullaby for his chosen child.
What are you choosing this day? In your waking, in your dreaming, how are you listening for and attending to the messages and the invitations that are waiting for you?"
Jan Richardson then shares with us this prayer:
| |
|
A Prayer for Choosing
What we choose
changes us.
Who we love
transforms us.
How we create
remakes us.
Where we live
reshapes us.
So in all our choosing,
O God, make us wise;
in all our loving,
O Christ, make us bold;
in all our creating,
O Spirit, give us courage;
in all our living
may we become whole.
| | | |
|
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. 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 and now under this government shutdown.
| | | | |
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 pm
Dec. 28 - Christmas Carol Sing-a-long
Jan. 4 - Worship with Holy Communion; Friendship Time following the service
| | |
Flicker Wild Church
Save the Date for our next sacred circle - Winter Solstice, Dec 21 @ Holy Wisdom Monastery. Gathering starts around 2pm with a circle start of 3pm. If you have questions or want to attend with others from Zwingli, contact Pastor Karla
| | |
Blue Christmas Service December 22, 7 pm on ZOOM
The Wisconsin Conference Older Adult Ministry Team is making this service available for those who are grieving during the holidays. Register here for this “Blue Christmas Service”.
| | |
Christmas Fund Special Offering
For more than a century, The Christmas Fund has been a beacon of love and care -- providing direct financial assistance to the healers in our lives: retired and active UCC ministers, faithful church workers, and their families. In 2024 alone, The Christmas Fund offered more than $1.7 million in support, touching the lives of 766 individuals across the UCC. This generosity made hope tangible. It meant: A couple could hear each other clearly again with the gift of hearing aids; A family found safety through a plane ticket out of a war-torn land, Mounting medical bills were eased during a time of deep crisis. Each gift represented more than financial relief -- they were a reminder of God's presence and the Church's love. This year, we are invited to join the Christmas Fund Community of compassion. On Dec. 21st we will dedicate your contributions to this special offering of the UCC. Please bring or mail your offerings to the Church by then if possible (although we will receive any that come later). In the subject line of your checks, write Christmas Fund.
| | |
HEIFER PROJECT!!
The Heifer giving project is now underway. We are doing something we have done in the past which was donating towards one main item which is Water. You can put loose $$ or checks payable to: Zwingli UCC-Paoli - (put Heifer donation in the memo) in a box with a open slot on the display. All monies received will be added up at the end of December and sent in one check to HEIFER on behalf of Zwingli UCC-Paoli. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
| | |
Ways to Care for Yourself if Grieving Loved Ones this Holiday Season
The Wisconsin Conference UCC Older Adult Ministry Group has provided information to support those who are grieving a recent loss -- or a loss from years past. They also provide information for those who want to support others who are grieving. Check it out here.
| | |
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).
| | |
Respiratory Virus Season is Here!
While the Dane County Public Health Dept says respiratory illness are low right now, the UW Covid hotline says they are getting more calls since September. The Public Health Dept has limited knowledge of illnesses. So 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: https://publichealthmdc.com/your-health/respiratory-illness/dashboard
| | |
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: Provide Robust Support for Disaster Recovery and Relief Efforts. 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! | | | | |
