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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 thought last Sunday was a challenge to preach on the Trinity, but I survived and we actually had some fun with it during the message! This week is even more challenging as the lectionary gives us the story of Jesus' encounter with a man who had demons (Luke 8:26-39)! In Greek, the word for demon means 'to divide' and we all certainly know what it feels like to be divided within ourselves, within our relationships, and to live in a very divided society. This week we celebrate Juneteenth which is a holiday that reminds us that the demon of racism was and is divisive and destructive in our society.
Lutheran pastor and author, Nadia Bolz-Weber writes about her own 'demons' and then states, "So, in conclusion, are demons forces that are totally external to us who seek to defy God? Are they just the shadow side of our own souls? Are they social constructions from a pre-modern era? Bottom line: Who cares. I don’t think demons are something human reason can solve. Or that human faith can resolve. I just know that demons, whether they be addictions or evil spirits, are not what Jesus wants for us."
Our Epistle reading from Galatians gives us the Christian response to our divisions (see image above). And Pastor Paul Dazet gives us this reflection to help us prepare for Sunday:
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If you’re in a cave, or a tomb, or a place of deep unknowing,
Hear this: God is not distant.
God is not waiting for you to get it together.
God is drawing near,
Whispering in the silence,
Crossing the sea just to get to you.
Because resurrection doesn’t always look like triumph.
Sometimes it looks like breathing again.
Like being clothed and in your right mind.
Like whispering “hope” when everything in you wants to give up.
You are not alone.
You are held.
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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: Israel-Iran War, India, Pakistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Syria, Lebanon. Prayers for all those suffering from the broken ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for another ceasefire soon. Prayers for the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Prayers for those countries, 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.
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Grateful for beautiful flower beds!
On Sunday, a plea went out for someone to weed our flower bed! Sue Bovre faithfully waters it several times a week -- and asked if anyone could weed. Later that day she received a message from Rich Legler that he and his girlfriend, Maria, finished the task! Many thanks to Sue, Rich and Maria for making our space beautiful! If anyone wants to help in flower-bed care, please contact Sue!
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Also, many thanks to Brian Brown for providing the mulch so we have less weeding to do going forward!"
| We will continue to receive gifts for the Strengthen the Church Offering throughout this month. | | |
Flicker Wild Church Invites You!
One of the new ministries our Strengthen The Church Offering supports is Flicker Wild Church -- which happens right here in the Madison area! Consider attending their Summer Solstice Worship at Holy Wisdom Monastery!
Summer Solstice – June 20 – Holy Wisdom Monastery. Holy Wisdom is an innovative, ecumenical, net-zero community of Benedictine sisters who have been tending their beautiful restored prairie lands overlooking Lake Mendota for decades
The Solstice Circle will be held at the fire-pit-perch atop the hill not far from the upper parking area. Circle to begin at 6pm. Bring chairs or blankets.
If you would like to see a video of past Wild Church events, check out this 3 1/2 minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekM7tK4z3go&t=1s
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Verna Lange Bergmann
Memorial Service and Celebration of Life
There will be a memorial service for Verna Lange Bergmann at 2pm on Saturday, June 21, at the Zwingli Church in Paoli with a celebration of life to follow immediately at the old Lange family farm, 6610 Sun Valley Parkway. Food will be provided.
Please RSVP by text or call to Jeannie Eichelkraut at 608-279-8462. Verna’s obituary can be viewed here.
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Zwingli's Trial Repair Cafe' - No to Landfill and Yes to Repair!
Our Church Council and the Repair Cafe Planning Team (Sue Bovre, Debbie Versnik, and Pastor Karla) are excited to welcome you (and your family and friends) to our Trial Repair Cafe' on Saturday, June 28 between 10 am - Noon! We thank all the volunteer repairers and hospitality team!
This is a trial run so only open to our members and friends (and your family and friends) with the hope of publicizing it in the future so that we can offer it as a free program for the community! Bring your broken items (see image to know what our volunteers can repair) and enjoy refreshments and social time with others!
We invite you to read more about the Repair Cafe' Movement at the international Repair Cafe website (and watch the videos) and this UCC article about a Repair Cafe in Colorado! You can also ask the Planning Team any questions you might have! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer to be a repairer or hospitality volunteer at this or future Repair Cafe's please let us know (they do not have to be a member of Zwingli to volunteer)!
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Outdoor Worship / Ice Cream Social
Food Pantry Donations
July 13
The Council thought it would be fun to have an outdoor worship service—not because we have to (Covid), but because we want to celebrate being in God’s good creation while we sing and pray. We will combine this with a collection for local food pantries (Belleville, Oregon, and Verona).
Bring your lawn chairs and nonperishable food items that morning. Also, plan to stay after worship for an ice-cream social. This would be a great worship service to invite friends and family to join us!
If you’d like to help with the refreshments, please let Petra know by July 1.
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Inner Work for Societal Change: Healing Individually and Collectively to Create a More Just World
June 24, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Central | Zoom
Join a conversation between author, trainer, and nonviolence practitioner Kazu Haga, and Center for Courage & Renewal founder and author Parker J. Palmer, moderated by Kathryn McElveen, CCR Executive Director — to explore how courage, compassion, and nonviolence can guide us in taking meaningful action — in our lives, our communities, and the world.
Learn more about this Center for Courage & Renewal event and register here.
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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: Juneteenth Teach Truth: Avoid Book Bans. 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 | | | | |
