From the Pastor

Do you enjoy fishing? Do you enjoy fish stories? This Sunday we will read the story of Jesus hijacking a fishing boat to teach the crowd of people, and then giving Simon (who we know of as Peter) and his brother Andrew a miracle catch of fish! In preparation, I invite you to watch this re-enactment of the story from The Chosen. I hope you'll join us as we explore how this story can speak to our lives today, and as we recognize this as Racial Justice Sunday in the UCC.  

Meanwhile, here is a prayer for Racial Justice Sunday from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. May it be so:

Blessings,

Karla

We hope you read the article in the newsletter about our interest in creating a Repair Cafe Ministry at Zwingli. We are looking for those of you (and your friends or family) who like to repair electrical appliances, clothing, furniture-toys-and other wireless items, tech devices (or help teach how to on tech . . . ), or would like to be part of the planning or volunteer for hospitality. 

We want to hold a Test Repair Cafe for our congregation (including family and friends) so we can discern if it is something we want to offer to the larger community several times a year. The purpose is to reach out and support our local community, welcome them to Zwingli, and be a ministry of sustainability (saving landfills and the need to purchase new items). 

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Debbie Versnik, Sue Bovre, or Pastor Karla. You can also sign up on the bulletin board. We do not yet have a date for the Test Repair Cafe, but will contact you to help schedule it.  

The Friends of New Glarus Home is Looking for Volunteers!

The Friends of New Glarus Homes used to be known as the New Glarus Home Auxiliary. It is a small committee of people who do a little fundraising and then disbursing of that money to improve the lives of residents at New Glarus Home Campus. They meet ~8ish times each year and support such things as: beautification of the grounds, purchase electric razors for residents, purchase echo dots for residents to use to listen to music, support efforts for parties and celebrations for residents, improvements for sound system in chapel, employee appreciation gifts, purchase of special equipment for residents, and many other items. New Glarus Home Retirement Campus is a UCC affiliated institution. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact Rev. Kelly Volk at 712-470-4351.

Reminder: newsletter articles are due to the Admin Assistant by the 20th of the month. And, if you have them ready earlier, even better!

Many congregations are looking for ways to help the victims of the wildfires that have devastated Southern California.

The most expedient way to provide financial support to the relief effort is through the Wisconsin Conference. Individuals who wish to contribute can go to the Conference website, www.wcucc.org and click the “Donate” button. You will be taken directly to the page where contributions to wildfire relief are accepted. You can also donate by check to Zwingli UCC - Paoli with "California Fire" in the memo line. We will forward the money to the Conference.

Funds collected by the Conference will be forwarded to Church World Service, whose Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery team provides resources to people in need, limited temporary housing, and technical assistance to organizations on the ground.

The United Church of Christ has officially launched the 2025 Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth. The theme this year is “Planting Seeds of Hope.” Art submissions will be accepted from February 2nd to March 14th.

Like last year, there will be winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian. (Last year's winner had two members of congress personally ask her for a poster of her artwork, so that they could hang it in their offices!) The winning art will additionally serve as the logo for UCC Climate Hope advocacy work throughout 2025.

Register and submit your entry by clicking here. You will be sent a PDF of the art contest page on which artists will create their masterpieces.

Feel free to share this contest with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who might want to enter on behalf of Zwingli. And if they enter, please share their entry with Pastor Karla so Zwingli has a copy and knows who has submitted an entry.

With respiratory illnesses on the rise, it's time to refresh the basics. If you're experiencing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and/or runny nose --- Stay home. Mask up!

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