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Narcissus and God, You and Me

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Narcissus was so focused on himself, he drowned in his quest to revel in his own beauty. Solomon sought a discerning mind. How can we use our minds to discern a path that connects us to God and to the world's needs? And how can singing together serve as an antidote to narcissism? Today's texts: Psalm 111; Ephesians 5: 15-20   When the river god Cephissus and nymph Liriope first saw their baby boy, they were awestruck by his beauty. Many of you who are parents might know that feeling, looking at a new child who you are quite sure is the most beautiful child ever born. But C...
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Council Minutes for June 9, 2015

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JUNE 9, 2015 Present:  Josh Gormley (President of Council), Phil Haslanger (Pastor), Rebecca Malke (Director of Faith Development), Damon Smith, Janine Bessemer, Jeanne Prueher, Sarah Fritz, Jan Klawitter, Betsy Robbins. Absent:  Jacy Boldebuck and John Van Overbeke (Financial Secretary) Pastor Phil opened the meeting with meditation and a prayer. MINUTES: Josh Gormley asked for approval of the May 12, 2015 Council meeting minutes.  Janine Bessemer made the motion for approval and seconded by Jan Klawitter.  Motion passed. FINANCIAL REPORT:  The financial report indicated the inco...
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August – Nature

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By Mary Ircink, parish nurse “Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest a while.” Mark 6:31 UW Health psychologist, Dr. Shilagh Mirgain says, “Enjoying time in nature is critical to your mental, physical and emotional well-being.” According to Dr. Mirgain there are 3 reasons all age groups, need to spend more time in nature: Many of us have “Nature Deficit Disorder” Being outdoors benefits our well-being We can find inspiration, creativity and meaning in nature As your parish nurse, I would also add that being in nature is critical to ...
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Behind the Walls

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Rev. Julia Weaver talked with Pastor Phil during worship about her work as a chaplain in the Dane County Jail. Here's a link to a video of their conversation. The scripture texts for today were 2 Samuel 11: 1-15 (the story of David and Bathsheba) and Matthew 25: 34-40 (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison).
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Made in God’s Image

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In the midst of greater societal attention to issues of trangender people, we explore the connections between being made in God's image, being followers of Jesus, and including all in their wondrous variety. Pastor Phil and Orion share this discussion. Today's texts: Ephesians 2: 11-22 and Mark 6: 30-34, 55-56 There is a video version of this here. You can find the part where the discussion with Orion begins at about the 5:30 mark. After our conversation, you can hear Kelly and Jonathan sing "Let it Be Me" at the 14:35 mark. We’re going to explore something today that may make som...
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July – Prediabetes

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By Mary Ircink, parish nurse “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”  (3John 2) Prediabetes means that blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be called diabetes.  It is a serious health condition that increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes Heart Disease Stroke It is estimated that 1 of every 3 US adults has prediabetes and the vast majority of people living with prediabetes do not know they have it. Without lifestyle changes to improve health, a large percentage of people with prediabe...
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God’s Green Earth

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Quiet voices and faith activists, a pope and a scientist all call for action - now - to break free of fossil fuels. A reflection from Pastor Phil. Today's texts: Psalm 24 and Ephesians 1: 3-14 Everything seemed on track for the delegates at the General Synod of the UCC last month to adopt a reasonably strong resolution calling on the U.S. to totally move away from fossil fuels – coal, oil, natural gas – as an energy source. It was a bold resolution, to be sure. A resolution in line with the United Church of Christ’s long-time commitment to caring for the earth and for environmen...
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Rulers and Servants

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A trio of 30-year olds - David, Ezekiel and Jesus - offer distinct ways of thinking about power, challenge and service. So does our place in the UCC. Here's Sunday's reflection. Texts for July 5: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Mark 6:1-13   Those two readings we heard today – David being crowned in triumph as the king of Israel, Jesus being rejected by the folks in his hometown – form the bookends for us on this weekend when we celebrate the U.S. as a nation and consider our role as citizens. They are not matching bookends. One shimmers and shines, maybe even reflecting f...
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Special Congregational Meeting on May 31, 2015

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A brief MUCC congregational meeting held immediately after the 10:00 service on May 31, 2015. A quorum of 52 was present. The meeting opened by Jacy Boldebuck with a brief summary and background of the Wisconsin Conference Capitol Campaign followed by a synopsis of council's process and proposed response. The motion recommended by the Council - That MUCC establishes a goal of $5,000 year over the next 3 years (including matching #2,500 each year from the endowment fund) to be raised by the congregation, without a formal campaign or pledge drive. Ted Peterson made the motion to approve...
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Endowment Fund Policy

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Memorial United Church of Christ is a community of faith called by God to gather for worship and reach out in ever-widening circles as a witness to God's all-inclusive love in Jesus Christ and to act out God's grace and mercy in deeds of teaching, healing, reconciling, nurturing, and feeding those who are hungry in body or in spirit. To insure that future generations also may benefit from the ministries provided by Memorial UCC, the congregation established the Memorial UCC Endowment Fund Policy on February 1, 2004. The purpose of this policy is to establish a regular procedure for the rece...
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