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Hen House Weekly E-News
May 29, 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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Happy June! Summer at last! In the Church calendar we are entering what is known as 'Ordinary Time'. For many months (until the season of Advent) there are no big religious holy days, just 'Ordinary Time' to reflect more on the life of Jesus and the way the Holy Spirit empowers us to be the Church of Jesus Christ in our world day. The goal of this season of 'Ordinary Time' in the Church calendar is to order our life to Christ's life. This is what following Jesus, discipleship, is about.
On Sunday we will explore (Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26) -- an ordinary day in the life of Jesus that became an extraordinary day for the tax collector Matthew, a little girl, and a sick woman -- because Jesus acted with mercy and compassion violating the religious laws of the day (Jesus was getting into 'good trouble' with the religious leaders of the day). To prepare for this service, I invite you to watch this short beautiful video clip of Jesus' call to Matthew to follow him (from The Chosen). Notice that when Peter argues against Jesus' call of Matthew (a hated tax collector!), Jesus says, "Get used to different". This Sunday's story is about Jesus calling us to live differently than many of the religious ideas and ideals of our world that judge, 'other', and exclude. In Jesus' world view, holiness is not about religious rules but about love and mercy.
In the video clip from The Chosen, Matthew tells Jesus that he never gets invited to dinner parties. But Jesus welcomes all at his table! On Sunday we will all be invited to the Lord's Supper (we practice open communion and provide delicious gluten/dairy free bread and grape juice). May this poem by Steve Garnaas-Holmes bless us as we prepare for Sunday and consider how we order our lives in the midst of a world that divides us:
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“Why does your teacher
eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
—Matthew 9.11
There is one table.
All our divisions are a lie.
All our hierarchies are a delusion.
We are all different, and equal.
There is no greater or lesser,
no more or less worthy,
no superior or inferior,
no better or worse.
Not in God’s eyes.
There is no ladder, no pyramid.
Only a circle, where last is first
and first is last.
Our hard work
is to repent of our evil hierarchies,
to be done with comparing,
creating insiders and outsiders.
We do it by coming to the one table,
sitting with our companion sinners,
our beloved siblings, all.
They’re all here, friend, at the table.
Sit with them,
as God sits with you.
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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: US/Israel - Iran ‘War’: Civilians and troops and the political will to choose non-violent conflict resolution, France, Mexico, Cuba, U.S. - Venezuela tensions, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. Prayers for those countries, companies, farmers, and consumers who are affected by the escalating trade war. The people of Pine Ridge Reservation and all Native Peoples.
In this 250th birthday of our nation, we pray for Democracy to grow stronger and healthier. 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 current administration.
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Sundays and Pastoral Care While Pastor Karla is on Vacation June 8-21
We are blessed to have several gifted members and friends taking over for Pastor Karla while she is away this June.
Worship
June 14 -- Petra Streiff preaching and leading Worship
June 21 -- Kriss Ace preaching and leading Worship.
Pastoral Care On Call
June 8-15: Petra Streiff (cell) 608-395-9178
June 15-21: Mary Gafner (cell) 608-214-2143; (home) 608-938-4400.
Many thanks to Petra, Kriss and Mary for supporting Zwingli and our pastor in this way.
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Our church had its first brat and baked goods sale at Miller’s Grocery Store in Verona, on May 30th. It was a very successful fundraiser and we hope to make this a yearly event!
It took a lot of hands-on work to successfully pull this fundraiser off: the brat stand set-up and clean-up crews, the meat grillers, sales team, order takers, runners, sign makers, baked goods sales team - and Jerry Brown, our resident senior advisor.
The great variety of donated home baked goods sold very well! The success of this fundraiser is because you volunteered your time, food, and monetary donations. A huge THANK YOU to all who participated!
Your Church Council
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Protecting our most important “life of our church history” items has come to the attention of your Church Council.
The Council is concerned were there a fire, or a devastating natural disaster, many of our historical documents, pictures etc. could be lost, destroyed. Many of these mementos are only stored in a closet, unprotected from fire, or a potential weather disaster. The Council is actively pricing disaster proof storage cabinetry, to safeguard our years of memories.
It would be greatly appreciated if a few people could volunteer to look at our old papers, photos, stored in the upper room closet, and basement - sort out what they feel is of most importance to save.
Please contact a member of the Church Council if you’re interested in this project. Severe weather season is upon us - it would be terribly sad to lose Zwingli UCC’s many years of memories. Thank you for your consideration of this project.
Faith Wittwer - Council President
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On Sunday, June 14, right after our church service, we will start the annual church cleaning. If many of us can participate, the job will go much faster! Please bring your buckets, rags, and cleaning supplies with you.
Thank you,
Your Church Council
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Resources for Celebrating the End of Life
The Wisconsin Conference UCC Older Adult Ministries Work Group has made resources available for Church members to use in preparation for their end of life, however soon or far away that may be. The articles listed as resources below can help you develop your end-of-life plans. If you are unable to access these or print them off and would like copies, please contact Pastor Karla or our Admin Asst Kathie to print it out for you. Pastor Karla is available to support you in making funeral or memorial service plans. The Older Adult Ministries Work Group prays you find these resources helpful.
Resources:
1. “Planned Funeral Information Sheet For Individual Use Only” from Pilgrim UCC, Grafton
2. “My Personal Planning Guide,” from Plopper Funeral Home
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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 Religious Freedom and Human Dignity: Support the Do Not Harm Act. 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! | | | | |
