Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

08/24/2026

Thank you to our ORUCC members who engage in community outreach and spread the word about our open and affirming church!

08/16/2026

"Listen and learn, so that we can love better in these times."

"Listen to the voices that make you feel uncomfortable.
Listen to the voices that mourn.
Listen to the voices that shout.
Listen not to craft an argument, but to understand."

"Listening can lead to understanding.
Understanding can lead to love.
And love can lead to collective action, which is hope."

- From Pastor Kate's sermon, "We Are All Interwoven"

08/10/2026

During the month of August, ORUCC is raising funds and raising awareness for Solace Home. Solace Home is a licensed 4-bed adult family home in Madison that serves adults (age 18+) facing the dual challenges of being homeless and having a terminal illness.

Solace Home is the first facility in Wisconsin exclusively dedicated to caring for vulnerable people facing these unimaginable circumstances. Solace Home exists so that no person in our community has to die alone or unsheltered.

You can learn more here:
https://www.solacefriends.org/index.html

We invite you to give generously and as you are able.

07/27/2026

May we find ways to live out our faith wherever we are - A short blessing from Pastor Katya

07/15/2026

This month we're raising funds and raising awareness for Keeping Neighbors Connected (KNC), a local group that helps our southwest Madison neighbors in need with emergency housing and eviction prevention.

Some examples of who KNC helps?

A single mother off work for serveral weeks before and after a double mastectomy.

A family of 8 after the primary provider was injured on the job. Tests later revealed he had advanced cancer. Workers Comp then stopped payments.

A mother whose housing assistance was dramatically cut when her son started to work.

A mother who works and attends college full-time. Her daughter experienced a mental health crisis, and the mother took unpaid time off work.

We are grateful for all who can give generously and give what they can, to help our neighbors in need. Thank you!
https://orucc.org/keeping-current/monthly-compassion-offering/

07/13/2026

07/12/2026

Traveling mercies to our ORUCC youth, who just departed for this year's service trip to Detroit, Michigan. Thank you to Pastor Kate, our chaperones, and wider ORUCC community who make our youth service trips possible!

07/04/2026

What a lovely week of rest, renewal, and intergenerational community we enjoyed at this year’s Moon Beach Camp. There’s space for a few more friends to join us next year. We hope you can make it!

What a week! Beautiful weather, swimming, pontoon rides, kayaking, boating, tie dye, campfires, smores, great food, beautiful humans, talent show, mile swim, prayer walks, pickle ball and more. Most importantly a loving community. We say thank you and see you next year! Thanks for the many memories this year Family Camp 1. Finally, thank you Pastor Kate for hosting an amazing week, you rock!

06/29/2026

This year's theme at Moon Beach family camp is "Into the Wilderness." On our first day of camp, the adults gathered to reflect on Anne Lamott's book, "Help, Thanks, Wow". A few questions arose during our conversation:

What would become lighter if you truly believed you didn't have to carry it alone?

Have you ever experienced a difficult season that unexpectedly opened you to something new?

What are you thankful for right now that has nothing to do with life being easy?

What mystery have you learned to live with rather than solve?

What helps you remain open to awe in a world that often encourages distraction and certainty?

These aren't easy questions, but they're clarifying ones to sit with in a safe space.

Good conversation with good friends in God's creation.

06/17/2026

"What does it mean to seek or strive for the kingdom of God?

I wonder, perhaps, if it could begin at least to be as simple as a spiritual practice of remaining open. Open to the surprise that God could appear at any moment. Remaining open to the hope that God is faithful, even beyond the timeline that we understand."

- From Pastor Kate's Sermon, "Yes, You Did Laugh!"