Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

We offer this prayer (adapted from the United Church of Christ national website, www.ucc.org) as our country feels anew the pressures and tensions around immigration issues.

Creator God,
open our eyes so we can see you in the eyes of our immigrant brothers and sisters,

eyes downcast for having lived so long in the shadows,
eyes challenging us to join them in the streets or picket lines,
eyes lifted looking for the Christ light in us. Continue Reading »

On July 11, at a congregational meeting called by the The Leadership Team; the following motion was approved.

We authorize the Leadership Team to take the following steps:

• Sign a contract with Bauer and Raether Builders not to exceed $1,175,000 to renovate our building, incorporating all elements of the Option 2B design as contained in the construction documents completed by Strang Inc.

• Borrow up to $1,750,000 for a construction loan and up to $1,800,000 for a 15 year mortgage. The majority of the mortgage to be paid by 2016 from Capital Campaign funds and the balance to be paid over the remaining10 years (2016 to 2026) from the operating budget with the understanding that the Leadership Team will limit borrowing amounts to what is necessary and financially prudent.

• Use 10% of the Capital Campaign funds received for mission projects and charge the Ministry on Christian Witness and Service to devise a process for developing recommendations to the congregation.

Would you consider loaning the church money in order to save financing costs?  Please read this Informational Sheet

Questions and Answers – read more

Preached on Sunday, July 11, 2010 by the Rev. Winton Boyd

For over a week, 5 of my 7 siblings, my mom and some Belgian friends and I had been bicycling through small towns in England. After a chaotic landing at Gatwick airport, the unpacking of bikes in the terminal, riding through London and finally making our way to the quieter countryside, we had spent several days riding small country roads, staying in youth hostels, eating at local pubs and enjoying one another. About a week into our 2 week journey, we road on to the beach in southern England. I don’t remember the name of it, but it was famous for having over 20 different colors of sand. Waves crashing, sun shining, we locked our bikes and strolled onto the beach, chatting, laughing, running. Continue Reading »

Preached by Winton Boyd on Sunday, June 27

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Sitting in the hospital after the birth of our first child, we had too many visitors with too much advice. Almost all of our friends who were a bit older joked that while our little boy was cute, “wait til he’s a teenager.” One couple who visited stood out – Elgin and Sally. Parents of 7 children themselves, they simply said, “enjoy each stage. Each stage is beautiful in its own way.” Not only were their words positive and encouraging, but they seemed to endorse that while raising children was a universal experience, ours would be uniquely beautiful and uniquely ours – and they were right. Continue Reading »

By Winton Boyd

It was indeed exciting to announce after worship on Sunday that collectively, we have pledged over $1.5 million towards our Seeds for the Next Generation capital campaign (now at $1,510,720.40 with some pledges still coming in). Many of you worked hard to make this process work so smoothly and effectively.  It speaks of your love for the church.  As one of your pastors, I’m very grateful. Continue Reading »