"I will put my teaching in their minds and write it on their hearts..."
Jeremiah 31:33
| | | Calendar of Upcoming Events | | |
Below are the weekly programs. Brief descriptions of these weekly programs are on our website.
Clickable links are in blue, underlined, and italicized.
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SUNDAY Choir Practice, 9 am in person, Sanctuary
Contact Tom Ludwig, if interested.
| | Below are the upcoming non-weekly events on the calendar happening at McFarland UCC for about the next month. All events are on the McFarland UCC calendar with Zoom links and additional information in the details/description area. Click the event on the McFarland UCC calendar to see the details. | | |
Friday, April 4, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Waubesa Wetlands Film Screening, Sanctuary
Sunday, April 6, One Great Hour of Sharing Collection, Birthday and Communion Sunday
Sunday, April 6, 5:30-7:00 pm, Teen Youth Meeting at MUCC
Wednesday, April 9, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Contemplative Service with Prayers for Healing (In person & Online), Sanctuary
Thursday, April 10, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, SaLT Monthly Meeting (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room
Sunday, April 13, 6:00 pm, Confirmation Meeting at Memorial UCC, 5705 Lacy Rd, Fitchburg
Thursday, April 17, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Creation Care Team Extra Meeting (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room
Sunday, April 20, Easter Sunday
Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, A Conversation on Climate Action with Brian McLaren (In person & Online), Sanctuary
Sunday, May 4, 5:30-7:00 pm, Teen Youth Meeting at Memorial UCC, 5705 Lacy Rd, Fitchburg
Tuesday, May 6, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Social Justice Collective Team Monthly Meeting, (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room
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Thank you to this weekend's volunteers!
Greeters/Ushers: Becky Cohen
Hospitality Hosts: Heather Blackmore
| | Resolve to get involved at McFarland UCC! Volunteer on Sunday. Join a ministry such as Racial Justice, Creation Care, Befrienders Care Team, SaLT, Youth ministry, Building & Ground Team, or others. Find out more by clicking here. | | |
News at McFarland UCC
Note: Clickable links are blue, underlined, and italicized.
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An Invitation to Wonder: Waubesa Wetlands
Friday, April 4, 7-8:30 pm
As we approach Earth Day, we will be screening the film “An Invitation to Wonder: Waubesa Wetlands,” a journey into the world of Yahara River marshlands. We’ll hear about the importance of this critical resource from Cal DeWitt, wetland scientist from the Nelson Institute. He shares the wisdom he has learned from living on the marsh for more than 50 years. His 20-year-old grandson, a filmmaker, sets out on his own journey by canoe to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the marsh.
Join us for this beautiful and uplifting film, which will be shown in the church sanctuary on Friday, April 4, 7:00-8:30 p.m. We will be joined by the filmmaker, Ben Albert, who will lead our Q&A session after the film.
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One Great Hour of Sharing 2025
Be The Light - April 6
For over 75 years, the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering (OGHS) has been helping American and Canadian Christians bring God’s hope and healing to hurting people domestically and around the world.
When you give to One Great Hour of Sharing, you are light for people in need. You offer light when disasters strike and when chronic conditions threaten families and communities. You are light not just in the immediate future, but also for the long haul. When you give, you restore not only structures but also transform lives. Your gift ensures that no matter how difficult the situation, light shines.
The One Great Hour of Sharing collection is Sunday, April 6. The theme is "Be the Light." Donations may be made via cash (mark the envelope with "OGHS"), check (memo=OGHS), or online.
Be the Light. Give to One Great Hour of Sharing.
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Earth Day Art
Sunday, April 6 during worship
Earth Day is Sunday, April 27! During Sunday worship on April 6, our youth (adults, if desired) can create an Earth Day image. Watercolor, crayons, and colored pencils will be available. The images will be posted for display after our Earth Day worship service on April 27.
You may also create an image on your own at home. You could even use upcycled materials. No art bigger than 8.5"x11" please. For the art made at home, bring your creation to the Earth Day worship service on Sunday, April 27, or drop it off at church beforehand.
If questions, contact Dawn Cogger: 608-358-7217 (text ok) or email.
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A Conversation on Climate Action with author Brian McLaren
Submitted by Jayne Fischer
Brian McLaren is well-known for his books that deal with the intersection of religious faith and contemporary culture. In “Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart,” he engages with the catastrophic failure of both our religious and political leaders to address the dominant realities of our time: ecological overshoot, economic injustice, and the increasing likelihood of civilizational collapse.
We are very fortunate to have Brian joining us over Zoom on Wednesday, April 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Central Time.
He will discuss his four major scenarios in terms of where we are at this moment in history, and four aspects of how we might respond:
· Letting Go: A Path of Descent
· Letting Be: A Place of Insight
· Letting Come: A Path of Resilience
· Setting Free: A Path of Agile Engagement
Then he will engage with us in a Q&A format.
You do not need to have read the book to join this discussion! Brian wants to engage us in this work, saying that to address aspects of our climate crisis, whatever we do matters. Connect with others, focus on a key area, and create an action plan!
Please join us, either in person at McFarland UCC (5710 Anthony Street, McFarland) or on Zoom. The Zoom Meeting link will be posted when we get closer to the meeting date.
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Next Befrienders Class Offering
Beginning May 3
Submitted By Jean Duchrow
The Befrienders will be offering a new set of classes starting with a May 3 rd orientation from 9:00-11:00 am. Six classes will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 beginning on May 7th. (We will not meet on the second Wednesday of each month so those wishing to attend the healing service may do so.) Zoom is always an option for these classes.
The classes we will be holding will be covering:
1. Prayer and Healing
2. Self Care and Boundaries
3. Living Alone, Hospital and Care Center Visiting
4. Depression
5. Persons with Disabilities.
We would welcome anyone interested in sharing with the group on any of the above topics.
Contact Jean Duchrow jeandu...@gmail.com if you are interested in taking the classes or sharing with the group on one of the topics we will be covering.
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Weekly Creation Care Topic
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
This week’s Tip: Lent Renewal: The 2025 Earth Fest (remember this is a link) lineup is here! Join us April 21–29 at UW–Madison as we unite over the one resource & interest we all share: our world. Something for everyone: EDUCATE: Panels, lectures, and roundtable discussions; INSPIRE: Live music, film screenings, and art demonstrations; MOTIVATE: Nature clean-ups, walking tours, and marches. Most events are free, some need rsvp, some are virtual. Click here to learn more, plan ahead and enjoy!
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Pastor Bryan Away
Will be back March 31
Tom Ludwig to preach 3/30
If pastoral support is needed, contact
In case of more extreme emergencies, Pastor Kris Gorton of Memorial UCC in Fitchburg will also be available (608-438-6307).
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A Few Words from Pastor Bryan...
…will return next week!
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