UNDOING THE VIOLENCE IN THE BIBLE | |
"Violence saturates the pages of Scripture..., from the narratives of Joshua to psalms that call fo the destruction of enemies.... There is no denying it..
"How do we reconcile the God of war with the Jesus of peace? ...Richard Rohr,",,,however, notes that many Christians approach the Bible as if every verse speaks with equal weight,...but Scripture isn't a static rulebook. It's a dynamic, unfolding story. A progressive revelation that culminates in Jesus Christ.
"(As he himself declared) "'You have heard it said...but I say to you." (Matthrew 5)
"Jesus doesn't reinterpret a violent God. He reveals a nonviolent one." Here is a link to her complete document.
Rev. Karla Schmidt, pastor of Zwingli UCC, Paoli
Used with her permission
| | CONGREGATIONS HONOR EARTH DAY | |
Our congregations are observing Maundy Thursday, Good Friday (often in cooperation with neighboring congregations) and Easter Sunday (including, in a few cases, a sunrise service amd/or breakfast. They are too numerous to mention here.
| First UCC, Belleville, had their annual Palm Sunday procession from the town library to their church. | |
The children of First Congregational UCC, Madison, have created a Hallellujah Box for the Lenten sseason.
The church also created a Trace of Your Presence (hands of congregants) for their Lenten intergenerational art project. It will be revealed in their youth-led service on May10.
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In spite of their commitment to avoid partisan politics, several of our congregations are observing the Palm Sunday Path, to counter the growing threat from rising authoritarianism and white Christian nationalism. They are following the lead of the Wisconsin Council of Churches. In our area, the congregations gave witness at the square in Madison (including Salem UCC, Verona, Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison), in Janesville (including First Congregational UCC), in Mount Horeb (including Zwingli UCC Paoli). Why Palm Sunday? Because Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a witness to peace to counter the militant entrance into Jeerusalem by the king/
| One of the consultants of the Uptown Sanctuary will share her experience of resistance in Minneapolis. | |
Earth Day will be on April 22, and the Conference challenges us to choose from a long list of ideas, such as Heifer International's Caring for the Earth gifts. (See a separate article under the Youth heading.).(Here is a link to their list.)
Congregations are observing it in a variety of ways. Middleton Community UCC will have their annual electric vehicle car show as a part of their Community Sustainability Fair.
First Congregational UCC, Lake Geneva will look at waste awareness.
Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will look at several ways to honor the day (also World Water Day on March 22), including apprecating water (with a Holy Water Project pillgrimage in the Aboretum and a retreat in May) and a bird watch at the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. During Rev. Julia Burkey's sabbatical beginning in June. they will "accompany" her in water spirituality.
McFarland UCC encourages us to change our driving habits, such as walking, biking, making the most of our errands and car pooling. Also, to honor World Water Day, it urged us to be thoughtful about conserving the water we use.
First Congregational UCC, Madison, will have an Earth Fair that will highlight climate change and composting.
MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, remembered Aldo Leopold's foundational work in the earth days of conservation, and received 60 native plants for their prairie.
The Conference calls attention to their downloadable resource, The Canopy of Creation: Trees, Faith and the Work of Justice It explores how tree canopy is related to redlining.
The Conference noted that MCC/. Community of Hope UCC, Madison, received their Kairos Grant to support their collecting food scraps.
Looking ahead, the Wisconsin Conerence will partner with the Minnesota Conference to offer Freshwater Faithworks a new intergenerational care-of-creation event set for June 28-July 1 at Daycholah Center.
| Congregations observed the Spring Equinox in a variety of ways. Salem UCC, Verona, gathered by their prairie and then crafted and shared a haiku. McFarland UCC gathered for a fire ceremony and community potluck meal. MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, encouraged their members to walk their labyrinths. | Members of McFarland UCC participated in the No Kings Rally in Madison on Saturday, March 28. | |
A reminder that First Congregational UCC, Brookfield, will host Sister Helen Prejean in their 10:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, April 12.
| The Discipleship Team of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, has joined Building Unity for Nonviolent Action (BU4NVA), an umbrella coalition of 25+ organizations mobilizing our community to unite around countering the policies of the US govenment. | Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will hold their annual Kalberwurst dinner, an authentic Swiss meal, on April 18. | |
First Congregational UCC, Oconomowoc, will observe Mental Health Sunday in their April 26 worship. They also note that Family Promise has volunteer opportunities for persons who want to assist those who are homeless
Middleton UCC has a group of Moms of Neurodivergent Kids.
Redeemer UCC, Sussex, became the 10th Wisonsin congregation to become a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) congregation, reflecting their commitment to mental health.
A Sound Bath experiene was held by McFarland UCC.
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On Sunday, April 26, First Congregational UCC, Madison, will again host the Amazing Grace,
Members of First Congregational UCC, Madison, will present Our Town, by Thornton Wilder, who was baptized in the church.
| MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, will take a tour of the National Underground Railroad. | Salem UCC, Verona, will have day retreat on Enough for All. | The Arts Coffee House of Middleton UCC will feature a Talent/No Talent show. | On Saturday, April 25, McFarland UCC will host John Francis, an Irish storyteller. | | |
Plymouth Congregational UCC, Dodgeville, has called Michael Hammond as their licensed settled pastor, effective March 15.
An Ecclesiastical Council will be held for Valerie S. Behrens on Sunday, April 26, 2:00, at Middleton Communiy UCC (645 Schewe Rd.. Pastors and lay delegates are encouraged to attend. A copy of her ordination paper can be found here.
Gwen Krueger, widow of Rev. Gene Krueger, died on March 13.
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Middleton Community UCC is seeking an Interim Sunday School Coordinator.
They are seekng a person who can prepare an engaging weekly curriculum and coordinate their Sunday School volunteers. They are looking for a person who has experience working with children. The position will involve 5-7 hours/week. Learn more at middletonucc.org/hiring.
| THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CELEBRATES EARTH DAY | The theme for the 4th annual Earth Summit is A Future with Hope. Panelists will explore the theme in an event on April 25, 12:00 noon. | |
The young people of First UCC, Belleville, will lead the congregation on a Holy Week Pilgrimage.
The children and youth of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, are leading their congregation in a mission to purchase flocks of ducks through Heifer International.
A group of youth of First Congregtional UCC, Madison, had a retreat in which they heard about barriers that people face, such as the difficulty of a single parent going to a grocery store on a limited budget. They heard from the Prison Ministry and Healing House. They also had an oppotunity for action.
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The Spiritually Seekng Book Club of Edgerton Congregational UCC discussed The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home, by John Philip Newell.
The Seekers Book Club of First Congregational UCC, Janesville, also discussed The Great Search, by John Philip Newell.
Middleton UCC is discussing Walking on Water and Loving the Bible Again, by Rahel Held Evans.Mmorial UXCX, Fitchburg is reading Still True, by Maggie Ginsberg.
The Book Group of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is reading Still True, by Maggie Ginsberg.
Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, read Cane River, by Lalita Tademy, and Birding to Change the World: A Memoir, by Trish O'Kane.
The books of the Book Club of First Congregational UCC, Oconomowoc, are America's First Daughter, by Stephanie Dray, and The Echo Wife by
Sarah Gailey.
St. Jojhn's UCC, Merton, will focus on preparation for dying. The pastor, Rev Mary Jane Huber, is recommending several books on the subject.
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CONTACTS
Associate Conference Minister:
Rev. Rachel Bauman
608-630-2992
Shalom Editor:
Rev. Roger Brooks
608-395-2390
swacommunications@gmail.com
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Southern Region of the Wisconsin. Conference; swacommunications@gmail.com
W1000 Spring Grove Rd., Ripon, WI 54971; 608-846-7880
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