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Hen House Weekly E-News
October 23, 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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I hope you can join us this Sunday for a special Worship Service. In a conversation with Brian Legler after Dolly's passing, he had the idea of a Dolly Sing-a-Long. As I was preparing ahead for our Stewardship season and read the scripture for this Sunday (Matthew 22:34-40), I was inspired to use Dolly's life as an example of living out Jesus' commandments to love God, self, and others. We are also including Dolly as our song leader so we can sing-a-long with Dolly on some well loved hymns. Many thanks to Brian for planting the seed of this service in my mind and to Becky who is preparing special prelude and postlude music.
While Dolly is a big part of the service, the service focus is on Jesus' teachings about God's Love and God's Love commandments. It's also about Dolly's own spiritual journey which led her to live her life from this place of Divine Love. In this, our season of Stewardship, may we each "Tend the Light of God's Love" within us so that Love will bless us and give us the capacity to truly love others -- and so be a blessing in our often unloving, troubled world. I do hope you can join us, and encourage you to invite family and friends.
In preparation for Sunday, I share this prayer with you:
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Love Only
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes (unfoldinglight.net)
You shall love the Holy One your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
—Matthew 22.38-39
Loving One,
may all that I do today be love.
May my faith be this simple,
this urgent,
beyond all doctrine,
beneath all righteousness.
Every act, seen and unseen
an act of love.
Every thought and judgment
considered through the lens of love.
All my doubt and anger
held in the hands of love.
All my fears and desires
held in the hands of love.
Loving One,
enact your love through me.
Held in the hands of your love,
may I love in all I do.
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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: 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.
In this 250th birthday of our nation, we pray for Democracy to grow stronger and healthier. 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 current administration. For safe and fair midterm elections and wise discernment of voters.
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The November/December issue of the Upper Room is now available. Pick up your copy on the display case near the mailboxes.
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Stewardship Celebration at Zwingli
To help you prepare for the Nov 8, 11 a.m.
Conversation on our Shared Ministry
We hope you will join us for Sunday Nov. 8 for:
- Worship with Rev. Rachel Bauman preaching,
- A Church Community photo after Worship,
- A delicious Brunch prepared and served by our Council,
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The Conversation About Strengthening Our Shared Ministry beginning at 11 a.m. and ending no later than 12:30 p.m.
At this meeting, Zwingli members will be asked four questions to help us reflect more on the ministry of Zwingli as well as hear the thoughts of other Zwingli members. Our Wisconsin Conference UCC (WCUCC) Associate Conference Minister Rev. Rachel Bauman will guide the conversation. Rev. Todd Hackmann, pastor at Monroe UCC, will also be representing the Wisconsin Conference UCC. We invite you to reflect on these questions in advance and come prepared to share what you would like to share:
- What is giving your congregation life and energy right now?
- Where you are experiencing challenge, uncertainty or transition?
- How your sense of mission is taking shape in your community?
- What kinds of relationships, resources, or support would strengthen your congregation’s long-term sustainability?
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Heads Up: No Friendship Time the First Sunday of November
Since we will be having a Brunch and Conversation on Sunday Nov. 8 following Worship, we will NOT be holding Friendship Time after Worship on Nov. 1.
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Join Zwingli Singers Choir for Nov. 8 Worship!
The Zwingli Singers will be performing one simple and easy song in Worship on Sunday, November 8. They will be rehearsing after Worship on November 1. If you would like to join this choir, contact Petra or just show up for the rehearsal November 1!
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All Saints Sunday, November 1
Join us for a special Sunday, Nov. 1. As we usually do on 1st Sundays, we will celebrate Communion -- and we will be remembering and celebrating those church members, family and friends we have lost in the past year. We hope you can join us!
This year we are remembering two members of Zwingli who passed away within the past year. In addition, you will also be invited to come forward to light a candle for your family and friends, and speak their names to the congregation if you wish. Grief is a process and All Saints Sunday is an opportunity to grieve within the community as we remember, name and celebrate those Saints we've lost.
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Community Choir for Veterans Day
Do you love to sing? If so, please consider joining the community choir. Rehearsal is Sunday, November 8 from 3-4pm at Grace United Methodist, 246 W. Pearl St., Belleville. Performance at 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 11 at the Belleville High School Gym.
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Snack Kit Project Sunday, November 22, 10:30 am
for
Friends of State Street Family
https://fssf.org/
Once again we will be putting together Snack Kits for our unhoused siblings in Madison. We invite you to help us with this project by:
1. If you wish to bring snack items to Zwingli before or on Nov. 22. They need to be individually packaged snacks so they can be divided between kits. Suggestions include: Granola bars, candy bars, small cracker packages, cookie packages, nuts, raisins, fruit snacks, Rice Krispies bars and similar items.
2. On Sunday, Nov. 22, we invite you to join us to help bag Snack Kits for the Friends of State Street Family.
Thank you so much for your help with this project!
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Election Support from the Wisconsin Council of Churches
There are 3 Constitutional Amendments on the November 3, 2026 ballot in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Council of Churches’ membership approaches these ballot measures in divergent ways. We share opinions from a variety of sources on each ballot measure to help you prayerfully discern how you vote: https://www.wichurches.org/amendments2026
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Watch Out for Medicare Scams for Yourself or Loved Ones!
For those on Medicare who want to explore their options during this Open Enrollment time beginning on Oct. 15, be aware of Medicare scams online by watching this video by Johns Hopkins- and NIH-funded caregiving researcher and CEO of CareYaha, Neal K. Shah. He gives information on how to identify scams and where to get true Medicare Support. If you need support, you can also contact the Wisconsin SHIP office for free information and support.
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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 ones are noted in the image below.
| | 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! | | | | |
