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Praying in the Key of C

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Prayer - it's a central element of many religious traditions. So as followers of Jesus, how do we approach prayer? Think about it as communal, connecting and contemplative. Today's texts - James 5: 13-20 and Mark 9: 38-50 Those of you who had a chance to see some of the many stops Pope Francis has made during his visit to the United States may have noticed a recurring line he spoke, both in public and in more private settings. “Please, pray for me,” he said over and over. He said it to Speaker of the House John Boehner as he grasped his arm inside the Capitol building. He said ...
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October – Take the Pledge: Learn About Mental Illness

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  By Mary Ircink, parish nurse October 4 through October 10, 2015 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. It is also a perfect time to take the “StigmaFree Pledge” launched by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) earlier this year. The pledge involves three basic steps that can be found at www.nami.org/stigmafree. Learn about mental health and educate others See the person not the illness—strive to listen and understand Take action, spread the word, raise awareness and make a difference Mental illness is a medical condition, but one that often is surrounded by sile...
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Conflict or Caring?

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A letter from Jesus' brother, a powerful image from Jesus and the story of an effort to help some of the most vulnerable in Madison - they all weave together into stories of service. Today's text - James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a and Mark 9:30-37 Almost 20 years ago, I was cleaning out some things at my mom’s house in Marinette, up in the northeast corner of Wisconsin. She had moved into an assisted living apartment as her age caught up to her. My job was to sort out things in the house we had lived in for the past half century. As I gathered things on the shelves in the closet in her bedr...
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Supporting Keith’s walk against MD

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My name is Keith Von Der Heide and I have a neuromuscular disease diagnosed 15 years ago.. Did you know that neuromuscular diseases cause kids and adults to lose abilities that are often taken for granted, like hugging, smiling, walking, dancing — even breathing? MDA fights to free hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families from the devastating effects of these diseases. That’s why I’ve chosen to be a part of the MDA Muscle Walk this year — I’m determined to be a part of the progress that’s saving and improving lives. Please visit my Personal Page  to make a secure, onlin...
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Defining Jesus

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Texts for today - Psalm 19; Mark 8: 27-38 I’d like to invite you this morning to come along with me to an obscure place that marked the northern-most point in Jesus’ journey through the countryside of ancient Israel. And then I’d like to invite you to consider the question that Jesus posed to his closest followers and the challenge that he laid out for them. Here’s an early warning. I’m going to ask you to do more than consider that question from Jesus – “who do you say that I am?” I’m going to ask you to offer some answers. So think about what you might say. But first, the jou...
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Choosing Favorites

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The “preferential option for the poor” does not suggest that God does not love all of us. It’s simply suggests those with struggles in life have a special place in God’s care because they need it most. And it’s also to suggest that we ought to have a special place in our hearts for those facing life’s struggles Today's texts: Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23; James 2: 1-10, 14-17 Let’s start by recalling those words at the beginning of the reading we heard today from the book of Proverbs: “The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. Whoever sows injustic...
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What I See

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Our faith development director shares a bit of her faith journey and tells what she has learned at Memorial UCC. By Rebecca Malke Before I tell you what I see when I look out on to this congregation and what I see in being a follower of Jesus, I’m going to tell you a bit about my spiritual journey. I was raised Catholic and although some former Catholics refer to themselves as “recovering Catholics” I stay away from that kind of language because that implies there’s something wrong with that religious path. Although, it’s a path I decided not to follow there is beauty in it, I hav...
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September – Hand washing

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By Mary Ircink, parish nurse Annual Good Handwashing Reminder! In a recent scripture from the book of Mark (Mark 7: 1-2) the Pharisees and “some legal experts from Jerusalem” saw Jesus’ disciples eating food without washing their hands! Now, I know that there wasn’t any hospital professional in the community at that time but I have fun thinking if I was there (as an RN) I would have been very concerned about the importance of “hand washing” before eating. The weather is changing and there will be more activities bringing people together inside vs. outside. The incidence of colds an...
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Getting Dressed for Life

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We seek peace in a sanctuary but we need to think of how we prepare ourselves as we move into the world to live out Jesus' good news in the midst of all the challenges we will face. Today's texts - Psalm 84, Ephesians 6: 10-20 “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord of heavenly forces.” “Stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace.” Two phrases from today’s readings. But let me take you back a few days. Ellen and I were at a memorial service last Tuesday for th...
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Council Minutes for Aug. 11, 2015

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Draft minutes Present:  Josh Gormley (Council President), Phil Haslanger (Pastor), Janine Bessemer, Jacy Boldebuck, Sarah Fritz, Jan Klawitter, Jeanne Prueher, Betsy Robbins, Damon Smith. Pastor Phil opened the meeting by asking each Council member to tell something good from their summer. Josh Gormley asked for approval of the June 9, 2015 Council meeting minutes.  Jan Klawitter made the motion to approve the minutes and Damon Smith seconded the motion.  Motion passed. FINANCIAL REPORT:  Pastor Phil gave the financial report.  July financials look great.  Pledges continue to come ...
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