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Hen House Weekly E-News
September 12, 2025
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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Last Sunday Zwingli began its Fall programming with Worship and a Potluck! As always, great food and great community! This coming Sunday we will begin a 5 week Adult Ed Program following Worship on select Sundays (see article below) and hope you will join us (and invite any friends or family you think would appreciate this program). The tragic political violence this week reminds us of just how volatile our divisions are -- and how important it is to take the time to learn about ways to love across divisions. As author Leonard Sweet writes, "The world needs a Jesus-shaped humanity more than ever: one that does not strike back but turns the other cheek, one that does not curse enemies but prays for them, one that does not pick up the sword but carries the cross."
For Worship this Sunday, we will begin a series titled "Seven Stories". This will be based on the theological work of authors Brian McLaren and Gareth Higgins. When I discovered it this summer, I was inspired to share it with you because it is relevant and meaningful for us as we seek greater understanding of what it means to be a Christian in today's world. In addition to the teachings of Brian and Gareth, I will be including stories, insights and teachings of others in my messages as well. This first Sunday will be an introduction to the 7 stories with a reflection on Luke 13:31-34.
Brian McLaren is a prolific author. He is a champion for a more loving, inclusive and contemplative Christianity, teaching ways to reconnect with the message Jesus lived and died for—unconditional love.
Gareth Higgins is an author who was born in Belfast, grew up during the northern Ireland Troubles, and now spends much of his time engaged in the work of transformative storytelling in the US, and Ireland. He writes and speaks about the power of storytelling to shape our lives and world, peace and making justice.
Together they explore 7 stories Brian has discerned in the Gospels which are stories that continue to be alive in our world today. Their purpose is to help us all develop our story literacy, to help us see the stories at work in our lives, in the headlines, in our congregation, neighborhoods, extended family and in the world at large. They want us “to develop a kind of story perception”, so that we aren’t oblivious to the stories that we are often unconsciously caught up in – and so that we can more clearly hear God’s story, through the life and teachings of Jesus as well as through the prophets who were continually calling the people of ancient Israel to accountability when they were falling away from God’s story of love and justice. Each Sunday we will explore a new story. I hope you'll join us as often as you can!
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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: Israel-Qatar, India, Pakistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Poland. Prayers for all those suffering from the broken ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for another ceasefire soon. Prayers for the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Prayers for those countries, companies and consumers who are affected by the escalating trade war.
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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Write a Climate Hope Advocacy Card!
On Sunday, September 21st, faith communities across the country will be joining a day of grassroots climate action to celebrate SUN DAY! For more information on this day and solar power, go to https://www.sunday.earth/. This will be a day to celebrate and advocate for the gift and power of clean energy.
The National UCC invites those who wish to participate in this advocacy. On Sundays Sept. 14 and 21 you will find a card in your bulletin with the artwork of Natalie, an 11-year-old from Evansville, Indiana, who won the 2025 Climate Hope Art Contest. On the back of the card you are invited to write Representative Mark Pocan in Congress. Share why you personally support solar energy as a person of faith. Many people are motivated by love: love of neighbor, love of children, and love of God's creation. To counter current proposals for severe funding cuts, you can end your comments by advocating for full funding of the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Fiscal Year 2026. Zwingli will send these on to the UCC Offices and they will be delivered to Representative Pocan’s office. At the end of worship this Sunday and next Sunday you can place your card in the round basket next to the 'recycle bulletins basket' on your way out. Fill it out at Church or take it home and write your message there and bring it back Sundays Sept. 21 or 28 (so we can send them in that week).
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Fall is here and thus begins cold, flu & covid season. If you have symptoms, please wear a face mask so we all can stay healthy.
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Repair Cafe to Launch Publicly on Oct. 11!
We had a wonderful in-house trial Cafe this summer and have scheduled our first public Repair Cafe for October 11 from 10 am - Noon. We are excited to have our Team of Repairers returning, as well as our Hospitality Team. We can offer to repair lamps, vacuums, furniture, toys, sewing, mending, electrical, wireless, mechanical, technology, and sharpen knives. Check out our Repair Cafe page on our Zwingli website to meet our Team and learn more!
If you have repair skills you want to share, contact Debbie or Pastor Karla. We could definitely use more repairers for sewing/mending and technology. If you want to help with hospitality, contact Sue or Pastor Karla. Finally, if you want to help us put flyers up in your town (library, grocery store . . . ), contact Pastor Karla. The Repair Cafe is an international movement to help the world move to a more sustainable way of caring for our planet -- repairing instead of trashing items that still have use left in them (and helping individuals/families save money too). Zwingli is pleased to share the gifts of our members with our local community - and make a difference! If you want to learn more about Repair Cafe's, check out Repair Cafe International here.
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Zwingli Worship last Sunday was focused on transformation from "glory into glory" (using the example of caterpillars becoming butterflies). This coming Sunday we begin our 5 part Adult Education Program entitled "Loving Across Divisions". I hope you'll join us! We will meet in the basement to watch a video and have a discussion. For more information on our 5 week program, go here on our website. I also invite you to check out this 22 second video of Tim Shriver who teaches The Dignity Index which we will learn about this Sunday.
Rev. Cameron Trimble helps us to reflect on this work as a transformational process in her blogpost "From 'You or Me' to 'You and Me'". Here's an excerpt:
". . . 'You and me' isn’t a slogan. It’s a whole different way of being in the world. It begins with the simple recognition that we belong to one another. That what happens to you touches me. That your flourishing and mine are intertwined.
It doesn’t mean we always agree. It doesn’t mean we pretend all perspectives are equally helpful or true. But it does mean we stop pretending we can escape each other’s humanity. We are entangled. Interwoven. Whether we like it or not.
Maybe that’s the beginning of healing.
In this fractured, frantic world, I wonder if we’re being invited back to something ancient and sacred: a deep remembering that love is not just a feeling—it’s a stance, a way of moving through the world, a way of listening, seeing, showing up, a way of saying, again and again: You and me. Still here. Still connected.
That shift—small, steady, spiritual—is where transformation begins."
To read her full blog post, go here.
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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 in September (it was such a success last March when we packaged 139 snack bags - 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 packs as we can to give them.
We ask that you please start bringing items to church and on September 21 after Worship, join us to help pack up the bags together.
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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Marques Bovre Tribute Band at Dot's Tavern Sept. 28!!
We all have one more opportunity this summer to enjoy the iconic music of Marques Bovre (Sue Bovre's son) as sung by Sue's grandson Quintin and The Marques Bovre Tribute Band! The Band will perform at Dot's Tavern on Sept. 28 from 2-5 pm (bring your own chairs).
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Fall Equinox Flicker Wild Church Sept. 22
Lead Pastors Daniel and Julia write:
While in our culture this weekend marks a changing of the seasons, at Flicker we follow the calendars of nature, like the phenological and lunar and the astronomical calendar which reminds us that summer continues for another few weeks. I can’t wait for our next chance to gather together in Sacred Circle with this year’s Fall Equinox Circle: Monday, September 22 @ Holy Wisdom Monastery.
5pm—Dinner option at Holy Wisdom
The Monastery has a wonderful chef team that will offer a meal for purchase. If you are interested, please RSVP to me (Daniel dcooperrider@gmail.com) by September 8 with # of meals & dietary preferences (final RSVP # for our group is open until Sept 12, so if you’re still deciding by the 8th, let me know by the 12th). The cost is $22/adult and $14/child, and can be paid for via donation to Flicker Wild Church here. We would recommend arriving a bit early as we will begin the circle at 5:45.
5:30—Gather for Circle—5:45pm Circle Starts. We will meet at the fire pit on the knoll above the hill from the parking lot (the parking lot that is furthest up the hill and to the right when you enter the monastery). Please bring your own chair/blanket (we will have some extras as well). Tell a friend & join us as we sync our spirits to the season and land through song, poems/readings, reflections, & ritual.
For more information on Flicker Wild Church watch this video and/or ask Pastor Karla or Sue Bovre. We will put up a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for those who want to attend as a group from Zwingli so we can look for each other once we arrive.
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Online Daily Devotional through the UCC
The Daily Devotional is a spiritually deep well, to which thousands of readers are drawn each day. The overall voice of the Daily Devotional is tended by the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group and supported by the staff of The Pilgrim Press. It is available on the UCC National website. If you would like to read it there or subscribe to receive it in your inbox, go here to access this inspiring and relevant free resource provided by the UCC.
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Check out the UCC Outdoor Ministry Fall Activities!
There are several Sept and Oct opportunities coming up so check them out now! For adults these include: Active Adult Adventure Camp, Watercolor Painting, Copper Enameling, a Quilters Weekend, a volunteer work weekend (includes ages 12 and up). For families, there will be a Green Lake Harvest Fest Family and Friends Weekend! Click here to learn more.
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Friendship Time Schedule ready for Sign Ups!
The schedule for Fall to Spring Friendship Time is posted on the bulletin board. Please sign up to host when you know what dates you are free! It will begin on October 5.
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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: The World Suicide Prevention Day, Protect LGBTQ+ Youth. Scroll down the page to find others that you might want to express your opinion about.
| | If you would like to learn more about the work of the United Church of Christ Southwest Wisconsin Association, send a message to this email address to be added to their monthly newsletter: swacommunications@gmail.com | | | | |
