This Sunday, October 27, we will be reflecting on the story of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) -- a story so rich with meaning. The story invites us to consider the times in our lives when we are unable to see others who are sitting by the wayside of life. It invites us to recognize in our own stories, the times when we cannot see God's presence in our lives and world. It invites us to the life of faith and prayer to discover the presence of God with us, bringing us to greater wholeness and guiding us in 'the way' of Jesus. | |
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On my first Sunday at Zwingli, I introduced the concept of faithing, which I think speaks perfectly to what Bartimaeus was doing that day in Jericho, and what we are called to do. In her article on faithing, Rev. Kaye writes:
"Jurgen Moltmann once described faith as 'the wakeful expectation of God, which touches all our senses.' It sounds like faithing to me… a conscious expectation that the divine will be with us in whatever happens – walking with us, carrying us, nudging us, challenging us, comforting us, guiding us. We can’t always see the evidence. Sometimes we have to sense it, intuit it, know it in the depth of our being, mystically aware and trusting - faithing."
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Years ago, son of this congregation, Marques Bovre, wrote a song about Bartimaeus for the campus ministry program I served at that time. We will be listening to (and singing along with) his recording of this song on Sunday. Here's what Marques wrote about the song: "This next song ‘Help Me See’ is a song I wrote early in the ministry, right after 9/11. Ultimately it is my prayer that I might be reminded of God’s presence, of Christ’s presence right here next to me in the midst of sadness and madness and badness. Fear not.”
It is my hope and prayer that Marques' song and Bartimaeus' story, will remind us of the power of prayer and 'faithing' in our lives -- "in the midst of sadness and madness and badness."
Blessings,
Karla
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We will celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday, November 3. This Worship service will be one of remembrance for members who have passed this year, as well as an opportunity for you to light candles for others you have lost (this year or in preceding years). Join us as we remember our dearly loved departed, as well as come together in the Lord’s Table.
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Help us Explore the Impact of the Pandemic on Congregations,
on Zwingli and win $200 Gift Certificate for Zwingli!
| Zwingli UCC has been selected to participate in the national Faith Communities Today study (FACT) Attender Survey to do just what the title of this article says. This Survey will give the national UCC offices more information from local congregations and members. They will also give us an individualized report of Zwingli’s responses (if they receive at least 10 online responses to the survey – so if you can, please fill out the form online). We will also get a $200 gift card to Amazon! For more information check out this very short video. | |
The survey itself will take a participant about 10-15 minutes to complete. Your responses are anonymous. This survey uses a split ballot method, meaning all participants will have 50% of the survey the same and for the other half they are randomly assigned one of two different sections. This approach is used to gather data on more questions without adding length to the survey. Here is the link for you to fill out BY NOV. 22.
If you prefer to fill out a paper copy, please contact Kathie in the church office and she will send you one. Return your paper form to Kathie or Karla no later than Nov. 21 so we can meet the Nov. 22 submission deadline.
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Karla. Thank you for taking the time to help us learn more from the church attender’s perspective!
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Help Zwingli provide a Yummy Dessert Buffet
at Installation Service Nov. 10
We will welcome our members guests (from the SW Association UCC) at Pastor Karla's installation service with a dessert buffet since this congregation knows how to make great desserts! Signups to date include: butterscotch dessert, chocolate chip cheesecake bars, raspberry dessert and mint brownies. We hope you can contribute a favorite recipe (or something from a favorite bakery) as well. A signup sheet is posted on the bulletin board or you can contact the Church Office and Kathie will add you and your dessert to the signup sheet: zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com.
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COVID On the Rise
With COVID rates on the rise, even higher than some of our wintertime spikes, it's time to refresh the basics. If you're experiencing respiratory symptoms like sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and/or runny nose - Stay home. Mask up.
While washing hands and sanitizing surfaces is always a good idea, those tools alone will not protect us from airborne illness. Getting vaccinated, and wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask in crowded spaces, combined with testing and staying home when symptomatic, are some of our best tools for limiting the transmission of COVID and other respiratory diseases.
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Invitation to Nov. 1 Flicker Wild Church
In the 1+ year that Flicker Wild Church has been gathering, it is becoming only more clear to me that spiritual community that seeks alignment with the seasons, listens to/for the summons of nature, and that holds sacred space for both gratitude/joy/delight and grief/sadness/anger is urgently needed in these times. Thank you for bringing your presence and sacred longing to this emergent community.
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Our Next Gathering—Friday, Nov 1st at 4pm to mark the Samhain/All Saints’/ Halloween liminal and thin-veil time of year. NEW LOCATION—we will be gathering at the Farley Center for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability at 2299 Spring Rose Rd, Verona, WI 53593. We will meet by the large bur oak that stands near the entrance to their Natural Path Sanctuary trails that wind through their green burial grounds. If you would like to help us “set the circle,” we’d love your help, and you could arrive around 3:15-3:30, and could bring something seasonal to help decorate.
Daniel Cooperrider, Co-Pastor of Flicker Wild Church & author of Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible (Pilgrim Press), Gold Winner in the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards. danielcooperrider.com
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