Events & Announcements 

Education For All Ages
If you are interested in being involved with the leadership of Adult programming, contact a pastor. If you are interested in being involved with children or youth education, please contact Jen Streit or sign up on the MSP Online Scheduler. Click here for more information.

Adult Ed Schedule for January:
March 24 - John Mix and special guests on the Faces of Incarceration art wall exhibit
March 31 – “Understanding Bias for a Safer Community” Jan Manser has invited Skye Tikkanen from Safe Communities on the opiate epidemic in Dane County. She will will explain what addiction is, the epidemic and what we can do.
April 7 – sanctuary updates, for the MCC and the Dane Sanctuary Coalition

Madison Labyrinth Walks
Please like the new Facebook page: Madison Labyrinth Walks for announcements of labyrinth walks in the Madison area. Included are First Congregational Church (UCC), Madison Christian Community (MCC), Orchard Ridge UCC. Harpist Alice Kissling will perform during an indoor labyrinth walk on Wed. March 20 at MCC, in observation of the Spring Equinox. Find the FB event here.

Women's Salad Supper
Tuesday, April 30, from 6-8 pm
The speaker is Laurie Elwell, a Master Naturalist. Laurie will talk about small steps we can all take (for instance, in lawn and garden practices) to benefit Wisconsin waterways. Her talk is entitled “What Can You Do? Pick a Few.” Mark your calendar!

Sunday School/ Youth & Family Ministry
Find out what's going on in Sunday School and Youth & Family Ministry! Click here.

Sunday Adult Discussion
3rd Sunday of the Month at 9:00 am
All are welcome to attend Adult Discussion (formerly “Parent Hour”) the third Sunday of the month in the downstairs area. Anyone with interest in sharing the challenges and occasional triumphs of parenting is invited—the group is accepting, and always has a robust discussion. Anyone with a commitment to our youth, regardless of parental status, is encouraged to join us!

ReLent ReNew" through music!
Join us to sing on Palm Sunday (4/14) and/or Good Friday (4/19)
If there are people who can only sing on one of those dates, I will structure rehearsals accordingly.
Click here to share your intended rehearsal attendance.
Sundays after worship: March 17, 24, 31; April 7
Palm Sunday, April 14 - 8:30am; Sing during 10:15am worship
Good Friday, April 19 6:15pm; Sing during 7pm worship

MCC Film Group
The group will watch Women at War, 1939-1945, a documentary about the women's contribution to WWII. We'll meet at Lois Komai apartment, 202 North Eau Claire Ave. #216 at 7:00pm. Bring a snack to share.

Opt-Out of Photos
At the MCC, we work to respect the privacy of all children, youth, and adults who participate in MCC events. When we take photographs of those events to share with others, we keep that respect for privacy in mind and are especially careful about protecting our children and youth. When we post photographs on our website, Facebook page, and newsletter we will not label them with children's names, but will sometimes include adults’ names. If you do not wish to have your child’s photo or your own used in MCC publicity, please contact the church office.

Women's Salad Supper
This year’s MCC Women’s Salad Supper will be Tuesday, April 30, from 6-8 pm The speaker is Laurie Elwell, a Master Naturalist. Laurie will talk about small steps we can all take (for instance, in lawn and garden practices) to benefit Wisconsin waterways. Her talk is entitled “What Can You Do? Pick a Few.” Mark your calendar!

Living the Light: 2019 Combined Conference and Associations Annual Meeting
April 5-6, 2019. The Associations and Conference will combine annual meetings this year into one on April 5-6 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells. It’s close enough to carpool to one day or the other! We have our two Hope delegates selected, but all who are interested are welcome to come as visitors. Click herefor more information and registration.

Boundary Waters 2019: Are You Interested?
High schoolers! Think summer, but don’t think bugs. Now answer the question: are you (and any friend you’d like to bring) interested in the canoe trip June 17-23? We’re trying to lock down numbers to know how many groups to plan on so we can order our entry permits. Cost is $100, but for the meantime all we need to know is “yes – no – maybe.” Contact Pastor Nick at nick@theMCC.netor Marily Crews, Karen Kuhn, Jill McLeod, or Dean Ryerson with questions or responses. Thanks!

Calling All Ringers!
If you are a ringer for a bowling team, softball team or any team for that matter, THE CHIME CHOIR WANTS YOU!! The Chime Choir rehearses the last 2 Wednesday evenings of the month from 6:00 – 7:00 PM in the Blessing Room. The choir plays the first Sunday of the month from October-June and for the Epiphany choral concert. Chimes are easy to play, so all are welcome. This includes Junior and Senior High “ringers.” Be a “ringer” for the MCC music team to bring beautiful music to the worship service. If you have questions about the chime choir, please contact Jean Einerson at einerward@tds.net.

Java For Justice
First Sunday of the Month
Coffee can be purchased in 12 oz. ($10) or 4 lb. ($45) bags; regular or decaf; bean, drip or perk. Make your checks payable to Mt. Meru Coffee Project and place them in the envelope by the sign-up sheet in the Shalom Room on the Coffee Table. Your support remains the sustaining force in the lives of many coffee-farming families in Tanzania. Thanks for your continued support.

2019 ELCA Advocacy
ELCA Advocacy goals and tasks for engaging government this year. Read about this work for housing and homelessness, child nutrition, criminal justice reform, caring for creation, foreign assistance, and more, visit this blog post.

People of Faith United for Justice
Interfaith Advocacy Day at the Capitol
Thurs, April 11, 8:30 am to 3 pm, at First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave. Early bird registration (includes lunch) is $35 by March 18. After March 18, $50 (lunch not guaranteed). Register here.

WI Conference Creation Ministry Webinars
The Creation Care Team is hosting a series of webinars to encourage engagement across congregations related to creation care (May 2 at 7 pm, and an Aug date to be determined). These are free and open to all, but pre-registration is requested through this link.

Epiphany Choir Concert 2018 Directed by Jen Striet

Community of Hope UCC

SWA Shalom
Community of Hope, we encourage all of our members to keep up with the goings on of the closer-in wider church by subscribing to the e-newsletter for our Southwest Wisconsin Association. Click here to send an email to sign up.

Grow in Faith with the UCC Lay Academy
Lay Academy is a ministry of transformation and faith formation offered by the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. Participants dive into scripture, explore theology, consider God’s presence in their lives and discover fresh ways to speak about and live out their faith in their day-to-day lives. Classes are held throughout the year. For more detailed information, go to www.wcucc.org/layacademy or talk to Pastor Sonja.

Help the Wider Church Shine!
“Shine!” is the theme of the UCC General Synod, coming up June 21-25, 2019, in Milwaukee. This is the first time this biennial gathering of the wider church has been held in the Wisconsin Synod. 300-400 volunteers will be needed to assist at the event, and you are invited to be part of that volunteer team! Helpers are needed from everything from hospitality to childcare to ushering, to the Sunday outdoor festival. Find out more information here. General Synod volunteer opportunitieshere.

Individual Support for Our WI Conference
Day-to-day, you might not see our connection to the UCC Wisconsin Conference. But it’s there! Recently, from grant money and publicity for our Big Read to a subsidized clergy retreat in Nov which Pastor Sonja will attend to our Associate Conference Minister Rev. Joanne Thomson joining us for the 50th Anniversary of Community of Hope celebration, the Conference supports our ministry. We would not be who we are without them, all year long! You are encouraged to consider making a contribution to the Wisconsin Conference Annual Appeal. Here’s how.

Advent Lutheran Church

Nick Vacation
It’s not just our schoolchildren who get spring break. To visit his cousin in Albuquerque, quirky Pastor Nick is hitting the road and will be gone starting Thursday, March 21. He’ll be back some time before worship Sunday March 31. Lisa Johnsen is filling in as guest preacher March 24.

2019 Holy Land Trip
Travel with Pastor Nick to the Holy Land for eleven days this November! Brochures are now available at church listing itinerary and details, or you can view the tour description (and share with friends!) at gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/191108.pdf and register for the trip online using this link or by sending a down payment through the address on the brochure. An initial deadline to register is set for May. Let Nick know if you're thinking about it!
Click for Pictures from 2016 Trip

Thank you to those who purchased Palestinian crafted jewelry on sale last week. We raised over $300 to send to Ali Jaber in Ramallah. As Kathy Henning and Regi Dunst announced in Advent worship, Ali has made it his life’s mission to support Palestinians who otherwise have little opportunity for income under the Israeli occupation. He takes out loans to purchase their products and offers them to us on consignment. Those who travel in November will have the chance to meet Ali and his family in his home, as well as to join the olive harvest for the oil that was on sale Sunday.
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In the Wider Church . . .

Racial Justice in Action Opportunities in the Wider Church and Community
Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)
April 3, 7:00 to 9:00pm, Temple Beth El. Presentation about CILC’s services and their experiences assisting detainees at the border. Followed by writing letters to detainees, staff, and volunteers at the border. Light refreshments. Please feel free to bring a few additional blank greeting cards. Click here for more information.

Lunch & Learn: The History and Human Cost of Mass Incarceration April 17, 11:30-1:30 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave. Sponsored by MOSES, the program will take a look back to understand how our nation developed the largest incarceration machine in modern history. Guest speaker will be Reggie Jackson, a trainer with Nurturing Diversity Partners and currently head griot at the African American Holocaust Museum. $30, includes lunch. Register here.

Wisconsin Conference Anti-Racism Training and Retreat; 4/28/2019 3:00 PM - 4/30/2019 11:00 AM, Moon Beach Camp. Whether this is your first step or a continuation of your journey, this workshop will meet you where you are to help you get closer to being an anti-racist, pro-reconciling leader for your church and community. The training will be presented by Jessica Vazquez-Torres of Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training. More information here.

For Survivors of Sexual Abuse
April 26-28, Moon Beach Camp, for ages 18 and up. This will be a time of sharing, reflecting, growing, and celebrating for those who have experienced sexual abuse of any kind. The weekend will include group time, quiet time, crafts, food, music, and of course, time to enjoy the beauty and sacredness of Moon Beach Camp. The retreat will be facilitated by women who have experienced this abuse. Professional counselors, clergy and/or chaplain will also be available. Cost: $230. Registration and information, click here.

SCSW Diakonia Classes
Classes from our Lutheran synod on a variety of intensive faith topics. Information and registration at the Diakonia website. Synod scholarships are available for those needing tuition assistance. You can also contact Linda Wulff at 920-210-2675 or by by e-mail at scswdiakonia@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from prospective students!

Agrace Offers 'Bridges' Grief Support Group
3-6 & 3-20; 9:30-11 am; 3-13 & 3-27; 6-7:30 pm
An ongoing grief support group for adults, at the Agrace Grief Support Center, 2906 Marketplace Dr, Fitchburg. Fees can be lowered or waived, if needed. No pre-registration is required. For details, call (608) 327-7118 or visit this link.

African American History Class
Mondays, Feb 4 – April 16, 7-9 pm
Justified Anger and UW-Madison history professors present these classes regularly... “Rooting ourselves in our history, and understanding how we got here, will help us move forward together to make a better world and a stronger Madison. This course is also a meaningful entry point for whatever cross-cultural work you want to do to make Madison a better place.” Registration is $150. For information or to register, click here. Recommended by MCC members.

Sacred Site Visits and Interfaith Fellowship
Sponsored by Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice’s Interfaith Community Building offering through 2019. Visits to a variety of houses of worship/faith communities to learn about the main teachings of their faith. Participants will also gather in small groups (cohorts) to share a meal, discuss what was learned in the visit. For additional information and to sign up, click here.