From the Pastor

A big surprise awaited us when we arrived for Worship last Sunday. It was windy and cold outside, so I was eager to get inside -- only to learn from Brian and Sue that the furnace wasn't working! Brian and Sue worked hard to try to fix the problem. Then Brian and Larry S. greeted people at the doors to tell them to keep their coats on for Worship! It was cold but the warm hearts and joyful spirit of all who came made it an adventure! And just before Worship began, a miracle! Petra found batteries and tried changing the thermostat batteries. It worked! I was so impressed at how everyone pulled together -- and stayed for Worship even in the cold building! Thankfully it warmed up as we worshipped -- and this Sunday the thermostat and furnace will be working again!

On Sunday we will be focusing on Luke 13:1-9 where Jesus engages the people in the questions of suffering, of dealing with painful unfair things that we can't easily deal with (or fix with some batteries). We all have questions about suffering and I hope you'll join us for Worship on Sunday as we explore this story and Jesus' teachings about a barren fig tree to teach about suffering. Meanwhile, I want to share with you a reflection by Sharon Marr on the question of suffering:

Blessings,

Karla

Help us to make many snack bag packs for those who are homeless in the Madison area -- and support this wonderful non-profit again (Zwingli has a history of working with the Friends of State Street Family!)

On March 30 the United Church of Christ recognizes One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday. This is one of four special mission offerings of the UCC. This Lenten offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the UCC within Wider Church Ministries. For several Sundays in March, you will find envelopes in your bulletins where you can place cash or a check for OGHS. Please make the check out to Zwingli and Zwingli will send it on to the UCC. You can also just put a check in the offering plate and mark OGHS in the memo line. Thank you for supporting this very important mission of Zwingli. If you choose, you can give to OGHS at any other time during the year as well. 

Weather Cancellations!

A reminder to all that if the weather is questionable for a Sunday Worship or other Church event, please watch for an email from the church (which will be sent out if we cancel) and check our official FB page (Zwingli UCC - Paoli) where it will be posted. For those of you who aren't on FB or do not have email, please let Pastor Karla know you would like a phone call or text. We already have a list of those who have signed up in the past for a phone call or text, but if you are unsure if you are on that list, please let Pastor Karla know to make sure you are on the list. 

Facebook will be deleting Live Videos!

Please go to our official Zwingli FB page (zwingliuccpaoli) and download any Facebook Live Videos you want to keep before the deadline given below (and going forward download anything you want to keep right away since it will be downloaded in 30 days). 

Here's the message from FB:

Download your old Facebook Live videos by July 8. We are sending you this email because you have previously broadcasted a Facebook Live video. Facebook is rolling out changes to its storage policy for Facebook Live videos. Starting February 19, Facebook Live videos will be retained for 30 days by default on your Facebook Page or profile, during which you can replay, delete, or download the video. After 30 days, you will no longer be able to access your live broadcasts and they will automatically be removed from your profile or Page and deleted from our servers. As part of this transition, we will be deleting all Facebook Live videos older than 30 days, and we want to make sure you have the opportunity to save your past Facebook Live videos. Any existing Live videos published before February 19 will be deleted from your Page or profile, but you can download them until July 8. Click here for more information on our download options.

Looking for an opportunity to express your opinion on US public policy?

As a member of the United Church of Christ, Zwingli is supported with resources by our national offices. Among these resources is an Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington DC. This Office gives information to understand the issues and legislation -- and the ability to easily express our opinion to our political leaders. Go to this website to access these opportunities to express yourself (if you do not have a computer, check out your local library). 

We will update this announcement with new opportunities (as they are added - bolded) so you can know the current issues you can respond to. You can also get alerts in your inbox by signing up here. Currently, there are opportunities to express your opinion on: Protect Govt Funding; Protect DEI; Protect Medicare and Food Stamps; Protect Trans, Nonbinary and Intersex Civil Rights; Protect Everyday Consumers; Have a Heart for God's Planet; Foreign Aid; Federal Funding Freeze; Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking; Immigration Policies; Trans Protection; Voting Rights; Affordable Internet; Indian Boarding Schools; and Military Aid to Israel. We know that some of you want to put your faith beliefs in action and hope those of you who wish to advocate find this resource useful.

Zwingli United Church of Christ

www.paoliucc.com

https://www.facebook.com/zwingliuccpaoli/

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

PO Box 530, Belleville, WI 53508

"A small church with a big

and open heart!"

Pastor

Rev. Karla Schmidt

pastor.zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

608-572-4557

Kathie Wagner, Administrative Assistant

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

Phone: 608-845-5641