Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

The youth (all 18 of you) will begin viewing some of the documentary When the Levees Broke by Spike Lee during Sunday School. However, all youth are invited to come and watch. We will also spend some time doing community building, and getting to know one another better during this time. We will spend April 20, April 27, May 11, and June 8 during Sunday School preparing ourselves for our trip. And for those who are not able to participate in the trip, you will enjoy being a part of this as well. Chaperones are also invited to attend.

Participants in the “Simply Enough” discussion and The Ministry of Christian Witness and Service

Are you trying to simplify your life and have less stuff to deal with? Do you ever buy something because it is such a good deal but then realize you don’t really need it? Will you soon receive a check from the government that you are asked to spend to try to stimulate the economy?

Then read this. Continue Reading »

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 - “Summer” July 19, 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 six months.  We have held a winter and spring retreat, and will continue with summer and fall.  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 Summer. 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