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Weekly E-News
Each week, MCC sends an email newsletter with details about worship;
congregational events, activities and opportunities; information about
happenings in the community and wider church; and more. Email us at
info@themcc.net to subscribe to
this free e-letter!
Stay Connected
MCC Latest Updates, Activities
Check this document to find all the latest updates of MCC
activities and online gatherings, for current video links and Zoom links for
your groups or meetings, and also virtual office hours.
Please contact the office or a pastor if you have other needs, ideas, or
just need a chat.
Adult Ed Faith Stories
Would you like another option for connecting with others in the MCC
community in a meaningful way? During the Adult Education time on Sunday,
January 24, from 9:30-10:00 AM, Intern Lisa and others from the
Vision-Tending Team are hosting a “Listening to Spiritual Stories”
experience. This involves engaging in a short, guided practice of sharing
stories from your life with a partner and recognizing that our stories are
an important pathway to seeing the presence and movement of God. Our stories
carry our identity, connect us together, pass on meaning, give us enjoyment,
and express our griefs and joys. We don’t just have stories to tell, we are
stories. When we share our stories, we share ourselves. So, in various ways,
we are to steward the stories of others with love and respect. Join at this Zoom
link (Meeting ID: 858 5967 4762, Passcode 258878)
MCC Shared Epiphany Worship
If you missed the January 3rd shared MCC worship service, you can still go
back and hear all of the wonderful music, including Jen Streit’s work for an
online MCC choir to combine recordings for a focal-piece anthem. Here
is a link for the recording.
Racial Justice Study & Action: Who Will Be a
Witness
Drew Hart’s latest book, "Who Will Be a Witness: Igniting Activism for God’s
Justice, Love, and Deliverance", delves deeply into the relationship of
racism and the church, with specific suggestions for action. (Hart is the
author of Trouble I’ve Seen, our MCC Big Read book in 2018). Current plans
are for a book study to meet on Tuesdays, Jan 26, Feb 2 & 9, and then to
pick up again after Easter beginning April 13. MCC is purchasing 12 copies
that should arrive by Christmas. If you want to reserve one of these copies
at a discounted rate of $14, let
Pastor Sonja know. You can also order books yourself.
"My Grandmother’s Hands” Book Discussion and Practice
Group
The “My Grandmother’s Hands” group is meeting Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7:30
pm. The pace of progression through the book has been slowed down, so this
group will continue meeting beyond the originally slated 6 weeks. New
participants are always welcome! Please contact Lisa Lee at lisal@themcc.net if
you would like to join in.
Quilts & School Kits
This weekend is the boxcar loading for a year’s hard work! Items for Lutheran
World Reliefbegin their journey to new homes around the world. This
year, MCC produced 134 quilts – with a successful gathering on MLK Day, but
also continued individual work at home during quarantine. It’s not too much
lower than a regular annual total (though the quilters miss the fun of being
together)! And the 55-60 school kit bags that were sewn and filled is a new
MCC record!
Intern, Lisa
Lee!
Luther Seminary
intern
 Thank you to all who so far who have written to help us
welcome her and get to know the MCC.Click
here for the reflections sent in so far, and keep ‘em coming! It’s an
ongoing project!
Please provide your name/family members, which congregation you are a member
of, and for how long. Then tell us in about 25 words for each bullet point:
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Why were you drawn to
Advent/Hope/MCC—what was it about the church that moved you?
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How does Advent/Hope
feed your faith and how has it deepened your faith formation?
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What part of the MCC
ecumenical partnership resonates the most with you?
You can submit these responses to welcome
Lisa and share with others in our congregation by emailing to Kaisa at kaisa@theMCC.net.
You might also send a photo with your response to share your smiling
face and for Lisa to help to get to know you! )kaisa@theMCC.net. You
might also send a photo with your response to share your smiling face
and for Lisa to help to get to know you!
Calling All Librarians (and Wannabe's)
As part of Jen Streit's work as MCC's Director of Children's and Family
Ministry, she started the Family Faith Formation Library. Lisa Johnsen,
who has helped Jen with the library in the past, would like to know if
there are folks who want to help with both the vision of the library and
the work needed to organize and maintain it. So, if you have interest in
either of those, please contact Lisa:
delius71@gmail.com or
(608) 230-5622. Thank you!
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Boundary Waters Group 2019
10:15 am Worship:
Livestreaming
Worship with us by livestream on Sundays at 10:15 am or find previous videos of worship on YouTube at Advent
Lutheran MCC and Community
of Hope UCC.
Annual Meetings
Congregational annual meetings will be Sunday, January 31. In being mindful
of a full morning in front of screens, after condensed Zoom worship services
at 10:15, each congregation will move directly into individual meetings. At
11:45 we will plan to move to the MCC meeting, which will also be on Zoom
with a dial-in option available.
Click here for Annual Reports.
Stewardship: MCC Strong!
Thank you for all of your responses and commitments
to our annual stewardship campaign, as we strive to be MCC Strong continuing
into 2021! If you haven’t turned in your commitments yet, we’re eager to
receive them, including as our congregational leadership works to
develop plans for next year. Here are links for Advent
commitment forms are here, and the Hope
commitment forms are here. Forms include membership renewals, financial
pledges, pandemic-specific time and talent opportunities, and a survey. If
you need some celebration of MCC Strong, check out this video!
Coping with Grief During the Holidays: Covid Edition
Whether you are experiencing grief at the death of a loved one this season
or are generally feeling the weight of coronatide, click
here for some suggestions to create a holiday that is meaningful and
healing for you.
SERRV Fair Trade Sales
Ways to still support our annual SERRV Sale:
1. Order online at orders@serrv.org
2. Phone orders at 800-423-0071
3; Make a donation to them directly
Our sale also supported Harvest of Hope--consider making a donation to
Harvest of Hope by mailing them a check at the MCC.
PURLS Update
Here are some totals of donations by our tireless knitters and crocheters:
Porchlight: Adult-25 hats, 2 mitts; Northside Madison Schools/Jenn: Kid-11
Hats, 6 mitts; Lussier Center: Adult-19 hats, 2 scarves; Kid: 11 hats, 5
mitts; Freedom Inc: Adult-18 hats, 1 scarf, 1 mitts; Kids: 4 mitts, 12 hats,
1 shawl.
Total: 118 warm winter items made and donated! Wow!
Culture of Hygiene
The MCC Regathering Task Force has finalized a “Culture of Hygiene”, a set
of guidelines for anyone entering the MCC Building during the pandemic. In
keeping with our devotion to the faith, health and well-being of our members
and visitors, we ask that people will adhere to these guidelines. .Click
here to read the entire guidelines document.
Lynn Breedlove, Chair, and Ann Ward, Co-Chair
Shared MCC Advent Evening Prayer
At 6:30 on Wednesdays in December, join a half hour of some seasonal music
(both carols and from Holden Evening Prayer), devotional reflections,
interactive prayer practices, and more. You can find it at
facebook.com/madisonchristiancommunity/live or watch for a Zoom link.
Online Weekly BYOB Beer & Bible
Now Mondays
Monday evenings at 6:30 pm, you’re welcome to join a group in looking at the
upcoming Sunday’s Bible readings, and chatting about plenty else! Join this great group any time. Contact Nick if you have questions
or to be sure you get a copy of the readings.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86301329891
Would You Like a Prayer Shawl?
Would you like to be wrapped in prayers? The MCC PURLS normally knit and
crochet especially to surround those who have been hospitalized or through
trauma. They realize that's ALL of us right now, and so want to be sure you
know you can receive a prayer shawl. If you'd like one of these prayerful
creations to get you through these days, contact Nick, Sonja, or Kaisa and
we’ll get it delivered to you.
Attention
MCC Musicians!
Are you interested in collaborating to create virtual music? Please contact
Jen@themcc.net or call 608.556.2109
SNaGs
It’s not united at the Union, but Monday Morning guys will continue on with
Zoom. 7:00 am on Monday mornings:
https://zoom.us/s/248810244? class="body_14px" />status=success or by
phone at (312)626- 6799 with meeting ID 248 810 244
GEMS
Join the Grumpy Elderly Men by Zoom on Tuesday at 10:30.
https://zoom.us/j/101704646 for online video, or Dial in 312 626 6799
with meeting ID: 101 704 646
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Epiphany Choir Concert 2018 Directed by Jen
Striet
Pastoral Care
As these days drag on,
and some are hitting new low spots of worry or concern (or times of joy!),
if you need some pastoral contact, please reach out to your pastors. Contact
us by phone or email and we’ll figure out a way to connect with you.
Hope Special Fund: See Our Generosity
Our Hope Special Fund has been depleted;
we've recently had to turn down requests for assistance. If you have yet to
fulfill your Special Fund pledge and can send that soon, or are otherwise
able to contribute, please mail a check to church or use PayPal, noting that
the contribution is for "Special Fund." Thank you!
LCEC Food Pantry Volunteers Needed
Lussier Community Education Center is in need of volunteers for the Food
Pantry distribution on Wednesday evenings 5:45 to 8, and 10:45 to 1 on
Saturdays. Also, for food sorting on Tuesday and
Friday afternoons. Contact Shawna at shawna@lcecmadison.org
Devotional Resources
Online Hymn Sing
It’s not the same as singing together at the MCC, but one resource if you’re
missing singing hymns is a nightly gathering at 7pm where you can join a
video hymn sing here:
https://www.facebook.com/CommunityVideoHymnSing/
UCC Daily Devotions
The UCC daily devotional is available on a daily basis, which comes as an
email. You can sign up for it anytime (pandemic or no!) or look at past
editions by clicking
here.
Quarterly Devotion Booklets
July-August-September copies of Christ In Our Home and The Word
in Season are now available. If you’d like to have a copy of one or
both of these simple daily devotion booklets, contact Nick or Kaisa.
Daily Morning Prayer & Sunday Evening
Communion Service
The UCC Open and Affirming Coalition offers daily morning prayer at 8-8:15
am and 11-11:15 am (Central Time), as well as a weekly Sunday evening
communion service at 6 pm.. Click
here to find the zoom link.
ELCA Weekly Devotional Message; Mondays
Augsburg Fortress sends a free devotional message and selection of
artwork based on a Bible reading. Interested?
Click here to sign up.
Creative Watercolor Painting for Fun and Fellowship!
The key word here is fun! We will just let our creativity flow and
have fun experimenting with watercolors. The class is held on the MCC’s
Zoom account and meet weekly, from 3:00
to 4:30 pm for everyone at the MCC that is pumped to paint! A suggestion
will be given of what to paint each week, but participants can feel free to
paint whatever they want. Nancy Greenwald will lead the class. Group members
will need a basic set of watercolor paints, a pad of watercolor paper, some
basic brushes, paper towel, and a cup or two of clean water. Click
here for the zoom link. If you have questions please call Nancy at
608-235-1461 or email her at youarelaughter@yahoo.com.
Worship Notes
Hey Confirmation students! And hey everybody! Need a way to help focus your
attention on worship when you’re distracted by other things on your
computer? Or your dog? Or going to get a snack?
Click here to download Worship Notesto fill in and focus some
reflection. If you’d like to share them with pastors, please do!
CoH Women’s Breakfast Group
The Community of Hope Women’s Breakfast Group invites you to join us
every
Wednesday by ZOOM at 8:30 am for chatting about events, books, hobbies,
families and your favorite topics. It is easy to join, just send me your
email to add our group. I will send an email link to you each Wednesday just
before 8:30 am. Sandra Esrael email:
sandraesrael@tds.net. See you in the morning!
Beyond Self Care
Linda Pettersen recently shared some information from a National
Association of Social Workers webinar, "Beyond Self Care,” by Melinda
Marasch, LCSW. There are 7 preconditions for experiencing Trauma and their
remedy. Linda notes that all pertain to our mutual community experience of
Covid-19 Pandemic. You
can click here to read her notes.
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