Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Preached by Ree Hale on April 20, 2008

Genesis 1:1-2, 26-28; Acts 2: 42-47
Genesis 1: 26-28
God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take Charge!”
(We did a lot of that, we did our best to prosper, we reproduced, we filled the earth and took charge.) Earth now is a crowded place, and it is getting more crowded all the time. 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 »

For the Vegetables Less Traveled…

Are you ready to join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and have farm fresh food at your fingertips? CSA farms provide weekly distributions of sustainably grown fruits, vegetables, meats, flowers, and dairy products to households who join the farm for the season. Attend this free, family friendly event to celebrate Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and find out which one is best for you! Browse information from CSA farms serving communities serving southern Wisconsin, meet the farmers, and learn about fresh local foods through demonstrations, workshops, & slide shows. Event features a raffle for a gift certificate toward a CSA membership from your CSA of choice.

For all the info you need on what a CSA is and how it works go to: http://www.macsac.org/aboutcsa.html

Did you know that all of the major HMOs in the Madison area offer cash rebates (up to $300) off the cost of produce shares from CSA farms for the 2008 season! Go to the following link and learn how to get paid to join a CSA. http://www.macsac.org/rebates.html

Faith, Food and Earth Day 2008

A Celebration of Creation
Sunday, April 13, from 3:00 to 7:00pm
Madison Christian Community, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison - 824-1760

*sponsored by an ecumenical group of congregations, including ORUCC

Sacred Soil: Church Gardens â—Š Social Action: Farm Policy â—Š Soul & Heart: Eating Locally

Exhibits by local food and faith organizations
Opportunities for congregations to enrich their practice of earth stewardship
Fellowship with people of faith who share your concerns for the earth
Community Meal prepared by Dardanelles restaurant from locally produced food

SCHEDULE
3:00pm - Informational Booths and Displays
4:00pm - Celebration with Music and Cal DeWitt
5:00pm - Workshops, Booths, and Displays
6:00pm - Community Meal
Meal Reservations required – seating is limited
$8 for meal reservations in advance (by Mar. 31), $12 at the door (The rest of the event is free.)
To make meal reservations e-mail harvestofhope@tds.net or call 824-1761

By Jim Hale

Longtime member of Orchard Ridge UCC, Jim Hale, has been a lifelong naturalist and writer. We will periodically feature stories from his writing for The Friends of the Arboretum.

Original printing was in 2000

A great outdoor experience in late October and November is to suddenly hear the mellow calls of a migrating flock of tundra swans. Pushed by a north wind high in the sky, sometimes above the clouds, a long string of these great birds conversing in their musical “woo hoo oo” notes is a sight and sound to cherish. Continue Reading »