Stewardship Newsletter article by Jane Nemke, October 21
In this age of automatic attendants, one of the many wonderful aspects of Orchard Ridge UCC is encountering real people who don’t put you on hold.
Like many, I was shopping for churches as a newbie to Madison and asked my friend, Barb Hummel for advice. She, of course, recommended that I join her as a guest at Orchard Ridge. As usual, her advice was right on.
For a long time, I’ve had a notion in my head of what a good Christian church should be – one in which Jesus himself would not feel alienated. Up until the time I joined ORUCC, I had never found such a church.
The first time I walked in the door of ORUCC and was handed a worship guide, I read the mission statement, “Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice” and thought, “What a wonderful mission statement….I wonder how real it is?”
Then I attended a “Java and Jesus” session and realized just how real and alive the mission is. It was an incredible experience. A room filled with intelligent people – or at least inquiring minds willing to probe tough questions, examine their consciences (without going to Confession), hear and be heard, be vulnerable in their openness and respectfully accepting of others even when they disagreed. For the first time in my church experience, disagreement was okay. Actually, it was more than okay. It was accepted and encouraged as part of our unique humanity and perspective of the world, of who God is, and what Christianity means to each of us as it helps guide our way. It was a safe, non-judgmental place where I could say something naïve or brutally honest about my faith journey without fear of ostracism. I love “Java and Jesus.”
Shortly after joining Orchard Ridge UCC, I dealt with some life challenges that had me “down in the mouth” for a while. This community was incredible in its support. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Genuinely caring people, willing to go out of their way to help. Whether it was getting a ride to a doctor’s appointment or being allowed to cry, or getting a hug, this loving and supportive community was there and when I didn’t see two sets of footprints in the snow, it was because they were carrying me.
Now, I am thrilled to be part of the “Green Team,” committed to becoming more sensitive myself and encouraging others at ORUCC to find more ways to honor Mother Earth, reduce our carbon footprint and conserve – reduce, reuse, recycle – wherever we can. It is a way of life that respects life – something that we, as Christians, are called to do.
I am so grateful to be part of this congregation. I MUST support its continued growth in being spiritually alive, joyfully inclusive and committed to justice – for this generation and the next.
