Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Preached by Winton Boyd on Sunday, April 13, 2008

Last week in Java and Jesus we heard a wonderful quote from a Native American storyteller. I would like to use it as I begin this reflection on Noah. I don’t know if this story reall happened, but I know it to be true. It is a foundational story of our faith. This is the second of three weeks in which Ree Hale and I are preaching on issues related to the earth and our relationship with it, I want to take a gander back into this old and often misunderstood story. Continue Reading »

Next retreat - “Autumn” October 25, 8:30-12:30 at the Hospice Center

ORUCC and Madison Mennonite are continuing this series of 4 half-day spiritual seasonal retreats over the the year.  We have held a winter, spring, and summer retreat, and will continue with an autumn retreat on Saturday, October 25th.  We root our work in a small book, Seasons, by Parker Palmer. Using this book, as well as Scripture, poetry, journaling, solitude time, and discussion we reflect on the work of the Spirit in our lives and the ongoing questions and dynamics of our faith. Our next retreat will focus on the season of Autumn. We welcome newcomers. These retreats will be co-led by Winton Boyd and Tammy Boyd (ORUCC) and Tonya Wenger(MMC). Cost for each retreat will be $15/retreat.

At our spring retreat on April 12, Rev. Wenger invited us to write O Antiphons, an ancient form of prayers of longing that express a desire for the coming of the Messiah. She invited us to write an O Antiphon that expressed our longing to be open to the invitation and truth of the season of spring.

These are some of the prayers written by participants that day.

O Seed of Faith¦

O Antiphon for Spring by Mona Jean Harley(Madison Mennonite Church)

O Come Friends of the Fertile Soil by John Gilbert (Orchard Ridge UCC)

Seizing the moment, the UCC nationally is trying to broaden the awareness of UCC history and invite others to join in a sacred conversation about race in this country.  See two ads.

New York Times Ad - April 2, 2008 pdf version

USA Today April 11, 2008

Orchard Ridge UCC is participating in this effort in two ways

“Let’s Talk About Race” during our 9 a.m. Heart and Soul class on April 20, 27

Winton Boyd will preach on the topic of race on May 11

Preached by Winton Boyd on April 6
Text at end of sermon

As a kid, I hated green olives. The first time I remember enjoying them was in 2003. I was traveling with a group of 9 students from the UW campus ministry, The Crossing in Israel’s Arab/Palestinian region. Our group of 10 and about 20 college students from the technical college at Mar Elias Educational Institute in Ibillin Israel were traveling on a bus towards the dead sea. It was the first day of our 3-day “field trip” together – to get to know each other, to see part of the country, and to build relationships. We stopped for a picnic at a state park somewhere in the middle of the country. All sorts of traditional Palestinian food camp out of boxes, bags, and coolers. Most of it I had never seen before. Then came the green olives. A number 10 can – the big industrial size can. Someone used a pocketknife to open it and it was just set on the table. As one who didn’t like green olives, I thought, “wow, these people like their olives.” During the next 30-45 minutes– between conversations, throwing a frisbee, laughing, and looking across the countryside- students kept returning to the can. Finally I thought, “I’m here, I might as well try one.” Continue Reading »

March 24, 2008
By Phil Haslanger

And you thought Jeremiah Wright said some inflammatory things? Continue Reading »