Shalom August 2025 issue

Shalom

AUGUST 2025

Editor's Note:

This is the newsletter of the former Southwest Association, and is now the newsletter of the Southern Region of the Wisconsin Conference UCC. I am sending it to all of the churches of the former Southeast Association served by Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Rachel Bauman, even though only some of you have asked me to do so, so that all of you know what the Shalom looks like. Please feel free to ask to be continued as recipients through swacommunications@gmail.com. Thanks go out to the churches of the former Southeast Association who have added me to their list of newsletter recipients. I would be happy to have the rest of you do so.

Roger Brooks

THIS IS WHO WE ARE

Rev. Phil Hobson, pastor of Salem UCC, Verona, raflects on the question, "Is this who we are?" He extensively quotes Rev. Sheri Prestemon, recently elected by the General

Synod as Associate General Minister & Co-Executive for Global Ministries for the United Church of Christ.

"Every time a horrific incident takes place in our country that should move us to serious introspection, the refrain rings out: 'this is not who we are." Here's the hard truth: this is who we are.

"We are a country where shocking political violence is on the rise. Where two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses are shot in cold blood at their homes, and two of them died... Where insurrectionists stormed our nation's Capitol on January 6, 2021. Where judges and local school board members and other public servants are subject to increasing threats... We are a country with a sordid history of racial violence and an ongoing reality of white supremacy.

"This is who we are. And this is not who we have to be.

"Confession is a central practice in the Christian faith... This moment in our nation is one that calls us all to confession and repentance.. (Her original words can be found here.: https://www.ucc.org/this-is-who-we-are/)(The complete text of Rev. Hobson's words can be found here.).

Rev. Phil Hobson, pastor of Salem UCC, Verona

Used with his permission

HOW CAN WE RELATE

TO THE CURRENT CRISES?

Our congregations, such as St. John's, Merton, are struggling to know how to relate to the current political situation. For instance, Rev. Bryan Sirchio of McFarland UCC talks about how the recentlly-passed "anti-biblical" legislation has him heartbroken about the harm it will do to immigrants and persons on Medicaid. Jill Sanderson, Director of Ministry Education of Edgerton Congregational UCC, invited persons to a time of prayer in response to the U.S. entering the war with Iran. The Palestine Justice Mission Team of Orchard Ridge Congregational UCC, Madison, invited members to sign a petition to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The pastors of First Congregational UCC, Madison, are preaching a series of sermons, "Nuanced Resistance," to relate to the hatred toward immigrants and "those who look different, act differently, or love differently from us." First Congregational UCC, Janesville, printed in their newsleter a letter by a lay member in support of immigrants. The Justice Advocacy Group of Middleton Community UCC reminded their members of the means to be in touch with their elected representatives.

First Congregational UCC, Baraboo, Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, Zwingli UCC, Paoli and McFarland UCC are among the congregations that are alerting members to opportunities to learn more about the situation in Gaza. For instance, there will be A Call to Conscience at the intersection of State and Lake Streets in Madison on Saturday, August 2, at 11:00, before a parade with a large cross entitled, Take Up Your Cross, up State Street to the Capitol.

They also called attention to a presentation by Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a surgeon who has worked in Gaza hospitals, on July 25.

The Palestinian Justice Mission Team of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, noted an advocacy opportunity for the people of Gaza during the Dane County Farmers Market on August 9, 10:00-11:00.

Redeemer UCC, Sussex, invited members to explore their blooming 20-year-old prairie that is "brimming with over 50 varieties of native plants, a haven for butterflies and birds."

A Place for Them--Insects of the MCC Prairie, Garden, and Grounds is the title of the newly-installed Art Wall exhibit by a member photographer at MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison.

Members of the Congregational UCC, Evansville, helped to serve cake to the residents of the Evansville Manor on the 4th of July.

Women United volunteers of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, recently served root beer floats to residents of several area nursing homes.

Olivet UCC, Columus, had a brat stand on the 4th.

As a part of celebrating Independence Day, Washngton Reformation UCC, Mionticello, had a Music Festival. They will also share a Homecoming Worship with Zwingli UCC, Monticello, on July 13. They will have blue tie-dyed shirts to help identify their congregation. Members of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, rode in a float in the community's Homecoming parade.

First Congregational UCC, Hartland, is now offering T-shirts for their members.

St. John's UCC, Merton, is also exploring the making of new shirts to promote their congregation.

First Congregational UCC, Madison recently reflected in their newsletter how "it is not unusual to hear someone at First Cong. say, 'How can we get the word out about our Church to people who don't know about our progressive faith?'" One great way is by being out and engaged in the community.," such as having booths at events.

Several of our congregations are helping their memnbers relate to the effects of climate change. For instance, the Green Team of St. John's UCC, Monroe, pointed out that batteries should not be put in recycling or trash containers, but can be dropped off at their church. Along with Redeemer UCC, Sussex, they also pointed out that single-plastic shopping bags can be deposited at participating stores instead of being put in recyling or trash containers. St. John's UCC, Merton, is among those congregaions which ae collecting plastics. Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, has touted Plastic Free July, adding that microplastics not only are fouling our oceans but also are found in the human brain. First Congregational UCC, Fort Atkinson, has suggested that we typcally overuse plastics and can easily cut down on them. McFarland UCC has suggested that members can use reusable silverware for outdoor events.

MCC/Communityof Hope UCC, Madison, points out that money is provided for those who install insulation, heat-pump water heaters and more. Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, touts the gleaning of food scraps from the Dane County Farmers Market More than 300 people attended the Earth Day Fair of Middleton Counnity UCC back in April.

One of the winners of the United Church of Christ's Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth was a member of First Congregational UCC, Madison.

First Congregational UCC, Baraboo, is joining with other community churches in providing free lunches in late July through late August.

In a variation of Messy Church, St. John's UCC, Merton, using the theme, Jesus in Art, in their summer Sunday School. First Congregational UCC, Janesville, has a Messy Summer Sunday School.

In the Under Construction theme of their Vacation Bible School that is combined with Sugar River Church, Salem UCC, Verona. noted the passge in Isaiah that talks about being "repairers of the breach."

First Congregational UCC, Hartland, and Middleton Community UCC are having a Vacation Bible School in August.

Middleton Community UCC, Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison and First Congregational UCC, Madison are also having a Sunday School in the summer.

McFarland UCC was also a sponsor, with a booth, of their community's Pride in the Park event in June..

First Congregational UCC, Madison, participated in the Disability Pride Festival in late July (the only faith community with a table!), and will participate in the Outreach Magin Pride Festival in Warner Park in August. Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had a conversation about disabilitiies with a disabilities activist. Zwingli UCC, Paoli, called attention to Disability Pride Month.

Te LGBTQ+ banner of First Congregational UCC, Madison, was vandalized twice. They are again replacing it.

Swiss UCC, New Glarus, will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the laying of the church cornerstone on August 31.

During the community's Heritage Days, Edgerton Congregational UCC had an open house to celebrate the rich history of their congregation.

Again this summer, Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, had a Rereat on Two Feet.

Zwingli UCC, Monticello, offers the surplus of their members' gardens to others who are not so fortunate.

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, has put together a recipe booklet of their members' recipes.

First Congregational UCC, Madison, is having a four-session study course, Nurturing Hope, following the book, Hope Is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community

In the absence of a settled pastor, since the departure of Rev. Bryan Sirchio, McFarland UCC, is inviting members to share stories about their faith. They also have undertaken a project of taking pictures of members to highlight their work and communicate their mission.

In addition to First Congregational UCC, Madison, Middleton Community UCC has added the Realm feature to what it provides to its members. Realm is a church management system that relates to the administrative needs of the staff, encourages members to get to know one another, connects members with events of the congregation, gives members another way to give to the church, and more.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

Rev. Bryan Sirchio has announced his resignation as pastor of the McFarland UCC, effective July 3

Windsor UCC has begun collecting to help finance a newly-created position of Christian Education Coordinator

We are invited to the Installation of

Rev.Teena Carpenter

Sunday, August 17, 3:00

at Delavan United Church of Christ

123 E. Washington Street

Clergy are invited to wear a stole

An offering will be received for the Wisconsin Conference

Member in Discernment Scholarship Fund

Salem UCC, Verona, has hired Emily Bass as their new Director of Christian Education and Director of Youth Ministry.

Jean Sheild, widow of Rev. John Sheild, former pastor of Lake Edge UCC, Madison, died on July 1, at age 102.

CHURCH GROUPS FILE

IMMIGRATION LAWSUIT

Several Evangelical Lutheran Church groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The suit contends that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents violate the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act by thieir enforcement actions in and around houses of worship. Complete details can be found on the website of the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

LANTERNS FOR PEACE

The Wisconsin Council of Churches, along with ecumenical partners such as JustDane, invites us to the Lanterns for Peace event on Wednesday, August 6, 6:30-8:30, at the Tenney Park Pavilion, 402 Thornton Ave., Madison It will be a family-friendly event.

UCC WEBINAR: STRATEGIES

THAT MEET THE MOMENT

The UCC Webinar on August 13, 12:00, will address the "unprecedented assault on climate and environmental justice programs at the federal level of government" and what can be done about that. Here is the link to that webinar.

YOUTH NEWS

Through their Summer Servants program, youth of Middleton Community UCC helped with local projects, including Oakwood Village and the church's own prairie.

The youth group (15 youth.13 adults) of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is excited to learn more about the history of the Civil Rights movement by visiting sites in Selma and Montgomery, AL, and Jackson, MS, and by restoring sections of Good Hope Colored cemetery. They will learn more about a 1908 lynching, including two relatives of the woman who has set up details of their activities.

Youth of St. John's UCC, Monroe, went to Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota for their annual mission trip

Members of Immanuel UCC, Darlingon, went to a Biloxi, MS, on a mission trip

St. John's UCC, Merton, is looking ahead to Christmas by collecting gift cards for teens that will be sponsored by Christmas Clearing Council.

The youth service project of First Congregational UCC, Madison, will be Babies and Beyond. It provided the youth with an appreciation of what it really takes to care for a child and how hard it can be for countless families to provide these services.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

The Book Group of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, will discuss The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver.

Swiss UCC, New Glarus, discussed the book, 52 Churches, by Peter DeHaan, who spent a year visiting different congregations in his search to learn what makes them unique

The Women's Book Group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed the book, Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt.

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, is promoting Revolutionary Nonviolence: Organizing for Freedom, by James Lawson, Jr.