Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

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)

Editorial in the Wisconsin State Journal written by Bobbi Dumas. (The church she refers to is ORUCC, Sunday Feb. 10)

By Bobbi Dumas
February 11, 2008

In church on Sunday, one of the children stood and asked us to share a prayer of celebration because we were so close to breaking the snowfall record for Madison. The pastor relayed her request to the congregation, though with humorous tone and body language witness to the fact he didn ‘t share her sense of enthusiasm.

I do. Continue Reading »

Our first retreat was held on Saturday, January 12th using the theme of “winter.”

This writing by Parker Palmer helped guided our reflections and journaling

“Winter” by Parker Palmer

Our next retreat will be centered around the season of “spring” - on April 12th from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Childcare will be provided, as will lunch.  Cost is $15.00.  Please contact Winton Boyd if you are interested.