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Hen House Weekly E-News
January 30, 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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These are hard times! It's bitterly cold outside! National and world events are disturbing for many. And we each juggle our own personal trials of health, aging, finances, family, friendships, jobs, . . . It is a time in which we need community to feel support, love and a sense of belonging, as well as to give love, support and belonging to others. I am heartened each time I hear stories of how the people of Minneapolis are living out the reality of the 'Beloved Community' in how they care for those who are most vulnerable right now. Some of these stories are coming from former students in the campus ministry where I served as Campus Minister -- and I am so proud of them (and worried for their safety too). This caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable, is what Jesus called the Kingdom of God (also known as the Kin-dom of God). Zwingli knows how to do 'community' well. May we continue to grow in that strength as we support each other and others (especially the most vulnerable).
This Sunday the lectionary gives us Matthew's version of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). In that moment Jesus was teaching the most vulnerable people of his day -- peasants who lived under the violent oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. On the website where I found the above image, are a variety of reflections on the Beatitudes to inspire. One of these is by Lutheran pastor Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber who writes, " Maybe Jesus was simply blessing the ones around him that day who didn't otherwise receive blessing who had come to believe that, for them, blessings would never be in the cards. I mean come on, doesn't that just sound like something Jesus would do? Extravagantly throwing around blessings as though they grew on trees?"
I hope you will join us for Worship, Communion, and Friendship Time on Sunday. In preparation for Worship, I invite you to read Pastor Paul Dazet's reflection on the Beatitudes, written in the context of our current reality:
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"I read the Beatitudes this week with a heaviness in my chest.
Over the weekend, another man was shot and killed in Minneapolis. Another name added to a list that keeps growing. Another family shattered. Another reminder that violence continues to shape our common life in ways we barely know how to hold anymore.
I am tired of it.
I am heartbroken by it.
And I do not know how anyone reads the news and comes away unchanged.
Jesus sees the crowds before he speaks. People carrying grief like this. People living with fear, debt, loss, and exhaustion. People who know what it means to wake up and wonder if today will be the day something else breaks.
He goes up the mountain, sits down, and uses his authority to bless them.
Not the strong.
Not the winners.
Not the ones who have figured life out.
The poor in spirit.
Those who mourn.
The gentle.
Those wounded by empire.
The ones hungry for a world that makes more sense than this one.
The Beatitudes are not instructions for how to become holy. They are a public declaration that dignity has not been lost, even when the world feels like it is unraveling. Jesus does not tell people to stop grieving or to be more positive. He blesses their grief. He treats mourning as a faithful response to a violent and broken world.
That matters to me right now.
I need a Jesus who does not rush past pain.
A Jesus who does not call numbness faith.
A Jesus who tells the truth about suffering without making it sacred.
When Jesus blesses the meek, he is not praising passivity. He is honoring those who refuse to become violent in a violent world. When he blesses peacemakers, he is not talking about keeping things calm. He is talking about people who step into harm and refuse to let it be the final word.
And when he blesses those who are persecuted for righteousness, he is not romanticizing suffering. He is naming the cost of refusing to play by empire’s rules.
The Beatitudes do not fix what is broken.
They locate God in the middle of it.
Jesus begins his teaching by blessing the wounded because healing cannot begin until dignity is restored. Before there is any call to change, there is belonging. Before there is anything asked of us, there is a blessing spoken over us.
On weeks like this, that feels like grace I did not earn but desperately need."
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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: U.S. - Greenland/Denmark/EU tensions; U.S. - Iran tensions, U.S. - Venezuela tensions, Nigeria, 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.
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Our Winter-Spring Adult Ed Program begins Feb. 8! Join us!
We will read and discuss a book by beloved author Father Richard Rohr, The Tears of Things. In this book, the Founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation and author of numerous books, Rohr invites us to learn from the Hebrew prophets. He offers a wholehearted and hope-filled model for the world today, grounded in the timeless wisdom of the Hebrew prophets.
- We will meet 7 times (join us when you can)
- Each meeting will involve 34 or fewer pages of reading
- Yes! Members take turns providing refreshments! Sign up is on the bulletin board.
- We meet after Church on 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays, February - April.
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For more info or to order a book ($15.86) contact Pastor Karla asap (to get the book on time). Make checks out to Karla Schmidt.
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Here's a brief summary and review of the book!
We hope you will join us!
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Party Gras was a big HIT last year -- SO JOIN US THIS YEAR for the Fun!!!
In place of Mardi Gras, we at Zwingli began a new tradition last year of holding a fun night called Party Gras! Traditionally Mardi Gras is celebrated the night before Ash Wednesday but due to the Primary Elections on Feb. 17, we are holding our Party Gras a few days early -- on Sunday evening, Feb. 15, from 5-7:30 pm! What to know:
- Our fun game leaders, Jackie and Greg, will be again calling Bingo!
- Bring a potluck dish and/or dessert to share and join us for Party Gras Fun! It's helpful if you sign up on the bulletin board with what food/dessert you will be bringing (but not required)
- Your friends and family are welcome too!
- Bingo prizes this year will be a 'white elephant exchange'. If you have fun/nice/useful items to share, please bring them to add to our prize table (items in good condition please). Food/snacks are also welcome for the prize table.
- Bring bags of snacks for our unhoused Madison siblings (see announcement about this Lenten Service Project)
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Snack Kit Project
for
Friends of State Street Family
https://fssf.org/
Our church will be taking part in this project February to early March (it was such a success last Spring and Fall - and the need is still great so we are once again making kits). The Friends of State Street Family provide snack bags to the homeless community in that area. We would like to put together as many snack bags as we can to give them. With the subzero temps, this is one way we can care for our unhoused siblings in Madison.
We ask that you please start bringing items to church beginning Sunday, Feb 15 at Worship or Party Gras - through to March 1st.
On Sunday, March 1, during Friendship Time, we invite you to join us to help bag the Snack Kits.
Snacks to bring include (individually packaged): Granola bars, candy bars, small cracker packages, cookie packages, nuts, raisins, fruit snacks, Rice Krispies bars and similar items. Please bring snacks to the church and place them on the chairs near the coat racks. Thank you so much for your donations -- and for helping to put them in snack bags to be given to those who are unhoused in Madison. If you have questions, ask Judy Batker or Pastor Karla. Thanks!!
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Ash Wednesday Service Feb. 18, 6:30 - 7:15 pm
In the Church calendar, the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. This begins the 40 day season of Lent (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. Over the centuries many churches (especially Catholic churches) have practiced the ritual of imposing ashes on those who would like to receive ashes in the form of a cross and as a symbol of our mortality and repentance. During this service we will offer ashes to those who wish to receive them (on forehead or hand). We hope you will join us for this service -- and encourage you to invite friends and relatives. Ash Wednesday is a very special way to begin the Lenten season with the knowledge that we are blessed and beloved children of God.
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Reflecting on your Star Word for February
How is your reflection going? Don't worry if you haven't had time or forgotten to reflect. You can pick it back up at any time and listen for what the Holy Spirit might be teaching you. And it doesn't have to be a lot of work, just keep the word somewhere where you see it often and be open to how the Spirit might speak through others, through readings, through insights. Remember Pastor Karla is here to help you reflect on it.
- You’ve been sitting with your star word for a month. What struggles, challenges, and/or uncomfortable growing areas have you encountered through your star word?
- What does this word remind you of? Does it recall any memories or experiences? How might God be speaking to you through this word?
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As you continue to explore its meaning, use this worksheet as a guide. The prompts are similar to those from January; we trust that our year-long journey will continue to bring us new insights.
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At the end of the month, think back on the last four weeks. How/where did your word pop up? How did it lead you in your spiritual life? Did you notice something you might not have otherwise noticed without this word? (from https://www.fpclexformation.org/star.html)
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WCUCC Conference Minister Protested in MN
On Thurs., Jan. 22, and Fri., Jan. 23, 2026, Conference Minister Franz Rigert, along with 600 other interfaith clergy, attended “A Call to Minneapolis: Faith Leaders Answering History in a time of Peril and Possibility,” organized by MARCH Minnesota. To read his account, go here.
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Listening from the Heart to Bereaved Palestinians and Israelis Who Choose Peace!
The WCUCC Palestine Justice Working Group invites you to attend one or more FREE 90-minute ZOOM mtgs this year to listen to the stories of Palestinians and Israelis who have lost loved ones to the violence (each workshop will feature a video of one Palestinian and one Israeli sharing their stories). This workshop is deeply rooted in the painful and loving work of the Parents Circle-Family Forum, which brings together bereaved Palestinian and Israeli family members to share their grief and humanity amid ongoing, brutal war.
American Friends of the Parents Circle has developed the “Listening from the Heart” program as a means of empowering others around the world to engage in meaningful dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—and other seemingly intractable conflicts. “Listening from the Heart” will equip participants with the tools to foster empathy, bridge divides, build respectful communication skills, and create inclusive spaces for difficult conversations. Come prepared to listen with an open heart and engage in difficult but meaningful conversations. For more information on the Parent’s Circle, go to www.parentscirclefriends.org. Workshops will not be recorded.
To sign up for our February 12, 6:30 – 8 pm Workshop go to https://tinyurl.com/ListeningRegistrationFeb. Pastor Karla who is on the Working Group will be a co-facilitator of this Workshop.
To sign up for another Free ZOOM Workshop during the year:
· watch for more information in WCUCC correspondence
· Sign up to receive the Palestine Justice Working Group newsletter or
· go to www.wcucc.org/Palestine-Justice-Working-Group/.
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Grief is natural but can be difficult. Sharing your journey with others experiencing a similar challenge may help you find peace.
SSM Health at Home is offering a free 8-weeik series for adults, beginning February 4, 1000 -11:30 am at Monroe Custom engraving, 1005 30th Street.
For more information go to ssmhealth.com/events or see the poster on the bulletin board at church.
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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).
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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: Protect our Neighbors: Prevent increased funding for ICE. 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! | | | | |
