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50th Anniversary Worship
March 10, 2019
Click for more pictures.
Those who were in shared MCC worship March 10, 2019 that included special
guests and part of our 50th anniversary celebrations of the MCC experience
joy and spirited moments together. Besides re-living it in photos or
listening to the dialogue reflection on our website, here’s a hint of it in
part of a note that Lynn Breedlove sent to Bishop Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld
and Conference Minister Franz Rigert:
Your presence was an important symbol in itself, but your
dialogue-style message went beyond that. It was inspiring. You both spoke so
authentically about the spirit of ecumenism, and of the importance of
Christians forming alliances with other good-hearted people who share our
desire for justice.
In your personal interactions with each other, you showed us your
humility, your mutual respect for each other, a shared understanding of the
Word of God, a common vision for the future of the Church, and a sense of
humor. In other words, you were great role models for us in how to behave
with each other as fellow travelers on the faith journey, regardless of
denomination.
New Prayer Path
Signs are now in to guide you on a meditative, reflective walk around the
MCC property. Eleven stops feature signs for you to pause and reflect on our
environmental ministries and God’s blessing for you amid creation. The
Prayer Path was funded largely by gifts for Sonja Keesey-Berg’s retirement
celebration and the path celebrates her 23 years of dedicated service to the
congregation. There are adjustments to come, but you are welcome to begin
enjoying this mindful journey!
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. For more detailed information, go to
www.wcucc.org/layacademy or talk to Pastor Sonja.
Baptismal Birthday/Dedication
Cards
5th grade and younger
The Women of MCC send out cards on Baptism/Dedication anniversaries
to children of the MCC who are in grade 5 or younger. Children baptized at
the MCC are easy, as we know those dates. If your child was baptized
somewhere other than MCC, and you would like them to receive a
Baptismal/Dedication card, please send your child(ren)'s names and
baptismal/dedication dates to Sarah Zutz (smzutz16@gmail.com). Thank you!
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Advent Lutheran Mission Endowment Grant Recipients
Weekly E-Mail News
Email Kaisa Miller, our Administrative Secretary, at mcc@chorus.net to be
added to the weekly email announcements to stay up on all the latest events
and opportunities.
Hearts & Hands Award
At the 2019 synod assembly banquet, Pastor Nick and Advent were the surprise
recipients of special recognition from the synod. The bishop presented us
the “Hearts & Hands Award” for our trailblazing work at the MCC of working
in congregational partnership, for 50 years already helping lead the Church
into the future. The award will be displayed at church, and you can click
here for the text of the presentation. We also received five books from 1517
Media with the award, and these resources for the youngest children to
adults looking to engage this faith will be available in one of the library
locations soon. (Keep your eyes on book shelves downstairs by the conference
room and upstairs by the donation center for new materials!)
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin News
Keep up on current events and news from our
synod--click
here. If you would like to subscribe to the synod weekly e-letter, "What
Matters" contact the synod office at 608-270-0201 or
scswoffice@scsw-elca.org.
Connect with Our Community on Facebook
Anyone can visit the public Madison Christian Community Facebook page to
read information about events going on at the MCC and see pictures of our
beautiful church and our ministries in action. Find us at
https://www.facebook.com/Madison-Christian-Community-90156272046/?
Cancellations at MCC
You will be able to find cancellation notices on our website. Please check
there to get news of any cancellation
Baking
Communion Bread
You might remember the tasty bread that Sunday School students made with
Emily Wixson’s help for World Communion Sunday worship at the start of
October. It was tasty, still warm, and (of course!) gluten-free. The
recipe came from Sonja Keesey-Berg. Since it was so well received, we’re
adding Bread Bakers as a Time and Talent option as an alternative to the
purchased loaves. It is a simple process, taking less than a half an
hour, and we would plan that the church kitchen would be available.
(Note that this bread can’t be frozen, and we need to make sure there is
no gluten contamination.) You can talk to Sonja or Emily for more
information, or find the recipe posted in the kitchen.
Hospitalizations & Pastoral Care
Would you like a pastor to visit? As you’re registering, watch for a question about religion and congregational affiliation.
You can list MCC, CoH, or Advent. Our staff will be checking with hospitals
regularly. You’re also welcome to tell Pastors Sonja and Nick
before you go in, or to ask for other visits and spiritual care
you may need at any time!
Children’s Tables in the Blessing Room
Two short tables have been added along the perimeter of the Blessing Room.
As we continue striving for our children to be part of worship in ways that
are appropriate and meaningful for them, this offers an opportunity for kids
of all ages who would like a tactile experience during worship that
compliments the scripture passage and the sermon. As Pastor Sonja has also
been using in Hope's worship, children of all ages have been able to engage
in quiet activity as part of worship. Parents, we ask that you still sit
near enough to your child(ren) so that you can still supervise as needed.
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Support for Tree Lane Residents
Ann and I participate on a west side
neighborhood volunteer group. We meet once a month to plan ways neighbors
can connect with Tree Lane families as well as discuss how we can turn
negative conversations to positive, engaging conversations. It is a good
group of folks and they are so appreciative of the Madison Christian
Community's engagement and financial support.
The group is planning a 2-3 week donation
drive for Tree Lane residents. The Alicia Ashman library will serve as the
neighborhood donation site. If you care to donate any of the items list
below, please drop them off in our MCC donation center and Ann and I will
get the items to Tree Lane or the library when the donation period ends.
Most of these items are needed by all families all the time. Thank you for
your help. Jean Einerson and Ann Ward
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Multipurpose cleaner/ general cleaning products |
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Swiffer products & refills |
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HE laundry soap (all in unit washers are HE |
MCC at Madison Pride Parade
If you haven't had a chance, check out the photos from Pride Sunday on our
Facebook page.
Sanctuary Grant Received
Community of Hope has received a $2,700 grant from the UCC Justice and
Witness Ministries to assist the MCC with costs related to retrofitting our
building in preparation to receive a person seeking Sanctuary. With thanks
to the national church for this recognition that becoming a Sanctuary
congregation helps us live the UCC Great Love of Neighbor as well as our own
commitment to live lovingly and faithfully with our neighbors.
MCC Sanctuary Declaration
As a matter of faith, and in solidarity with our undocumented brothers and sisters whose lives and
families are being torn apart by immoral immigration policies and
enforcement actions, we of Madison Christian Community declare ourselves to
be a Sanctuary Congregation. We commit to engage in support, advocacy, and
service within our capacity to our immigrant neighbors and, in collaboration
with the interfaith community and broader Dane Sanctuary network, to provide
physical sanctuary as the need arises.
Faith in Action for Racial Equity (FARE)
Intersectionality: The Interconnectedness
of our multiple identities, and specifically how discrimination is
compounded when identities overlap a number of minority classes, such as
race, gender, age, ethnicity, health and other characteristics.
This faithful group is moving more deeply into their
work for racial justice, from the what of racial inequity to the “what now”
of racial justice work. The more one engages at a personal level, the more
the journey requires from us. Yet, it is exactly this engagement that
signals a movement from being merely an observer or information-gatherer to
becoming an active participant in the anti-racism movement.
Even if you’re not in the FARE group, you
might have interest in reading samples of spiritual autobiographies through
the les of race that can be found in the “White Privilege: Let’s Talk”
curriculum available free download at
http://privilege.uccpages.org/.
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