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Mission Possible! Presented by Haiti Allies & MUCC

5/6/2019

 
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​Haiti Allies and McFarland UCC Present…
Mission Possible!
An evening with Singer/songwriter & McFarland UCC Pastor
Bryan Sirchio

A presentation of songs and stories that will explore why “mission” is so vital for followers of Jesus and for anyone on an intentional spiritual journey.  Bryan will play some of his original songs born out of his 30 years of working among the poorest of the poor in Haiti, and interact with the audience around questions of world hunger, charity vs. justice, and biblical teachings on giving and receiving.  This will be participatory, educational, challenging, inspiring, and fun!
Great for youth groups, confirmation classes, mission boards, and anyone interested in a fun, meaningful, inspiring evening!

Sunday, May 19, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m.
McFarland UCC (5710 Anthony St.  McFarland, WI)
6:00—6:30 p.m.
A World Hunger Simulation Dinner 

6:30—7:30 p.m.
A presentation of songs and stories 

7:30—8:00 p.m.
Information about the work of Haiti Allies and the upcoming
“Journey of Mutual Exchange” trip to Haiti for teens and adults
from August 6-14, 2019 

Admission free!  
An offering for the work of Haiti Allies will be received

Break the Silence Sunday, April 28

4/12/2019

 
Special “Break The Silence” Worship Service To Focus On The Realities of Sexual Violence
McFarland United Church of Christ / 5710 Anthony St. / April 28, 2019 / 10 am

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McFarland UCC will host a very special worship service called “Break the Silence Sunday” during regular 10 a.m. morning worship on April 28, the Sunday following Easter. The purpose of this service is to sensitively name and address the painful issues connected to sexual violence and to “Break the Silence” of the Church when it comes to this difficult topic.

This service is part of a national initiative within the United Church of Christ to promote healing and to open up safe space for survivors to share their stories and to receive support, hope, and love. According to MUCC’s pastor, Bryan Sirchio,

“the special focus of this time of worship will mark the official beginning of our congregation’s intention
to prayerfully consider ways in which our community can, in an ongoing way, advocate for healing and
change regarding the tragic realities connected to sexual abuse and violence.” 
The congregation realizes the potential for a service such as this, where the topic of sexual violence will be named quite directly, to be a trigger for victims and loved ones of victims. For that reason the service has been announced many times in advance, and the entire initiative is being approached with great respect and sensitivity. Says Rev. Sirchio,
“We respect and honor the fact that some people will prefer not to be present at a service such as this.
That’s one of the reasons why we are doing our best to let people know about this in advance and to
encourage them to opt out if that’s best for them. The last thing we want is for someone to feel
blindsided or triggered. On the other hand, we’ve already been contacted by a number of people who
plan on coming precisely because they want and need the Church to not only provide healing and hope
for victims, but because this issue has been a huge part of their own life’s journey. The Institutional
Church in general across all denominations has done a very poor job owning it’s own painful history
when it comes to issues of sexual violence and clergy sexual abuse in particular. Part of this service will
involve an official apology on behalf of the Church for it’s failures in this regard.”
The public is warmly invited to this very special time of worship, and anyone with questions or concerns
is welcome to contact Rev. Sirchio at the church to discuss the content of the service and the overall
reason why the congregation feels compelled to embrace this initiative.

Special Concert with  Internationally Acclaimed Musician Ken Medema!

3/29/2019

 

Singing Our Stories, Inspiring Hearts
Sunday, April 7 @ 10am & 6:30 pm

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McFarland United Church of Christ (5710 Anthony St./ McFarland, WI) is thrilled to be hosting the music and storytelling of the amazing artist Ken Medema on Sunday, April 7th. Ken will participate in Sunday morning worship at 10 a.m. and then offer a concert at 6:30 p.m. The concert is free and all are welcome!

Ken Medema is a close friend and colleague of McFarland UCC’s new pastor Rev. Bryan Sirchio, and Ken’s appearance is a gift he is giving to McFarland UCC in honor of Bryan’s new ministry with this local congregation.

“Ken Medema’s gifts are absolutely stunning. He is a world class pianist and composer and vocalist. But what totally blows people away is Ken’s ability to listen to someone share a personal story or experience, and then to sit down at the piano and ‘sing back’ what he just heard in a spontaneously composed song that sounds like it was worked on for weeks! He’ll make you laugh, cry, and simply be amazed that anyone is capable of doing this. You’ve got to experience him for yourself to understand how unique this is, and how powerfully heart moving and inspiring his artistry can be.”  -Rev. Sirchio
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For four decades Ken Medema has inspired people with his musical storytelling and virtuosity. Though blind from birth, Ken sees and hears with heart and mind.  His ability to capture spirit in word and song is unparalleled. With an ever-growing circle of friends around the world, Ken's vocal and piano artistry and imagination have reached audiences of 50 to 50,000 people in 49 United States and in more than 15 countries on four continents.
 
From the time he was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1943, Ken has been unable to see with his physical eyes. His sight is limited to distinguishing between light and darkness and seeing fuzzy outlines of major objects. “As a kid I was not widely accepted,” he says, “and I spent a lot of time by myself. Because I have lived with some degree of being different all my life, I have some sympathy for people who have been disenfranchised, whether they have been disabled or politically oppressed or whatever.”
 
Music early became a major component of Medema’s life. “I started banging on the piano when I was five years old,” he says, “making up crazy little fantasies on my mom’s piano. When I was eight years old my parents got me a wonderful teacher who taught me the classics with Braille music and taught me to play by ear.” His teacher also taught him to improvise. “Every time I learned a piece my teacher would tell me, ‘Now, you improvise in that style.’ So music became a second language.”

After graduating from high school Medema studied music therapy at Michigan State University in Lansing, where he concentrated heavily on performance skills in piano and voice. He worked as a music therapist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, returned to Michigan State for a master’s degree (1969), then worked for four years as a music therapist at Essex County Hospital in New Jersey. It was while employed there that he began writing and performing his own songs.
 
In 1973, Medema left his work as a therapist and began a career as a performing and recording artist. He recorded albums for Word Records and Shawnee Press; then, in 1985 founded Brier Patch Music. Brier Patch is an independent recording, publishing, and performance-booking company with headquarters in Grandville, Michigan. Brier Patch is named after Brer Rabbit’s home in the legendary Uncle Remus stories. “Brer Rabbit lived in a place not comfortable for anyone else,” Medema says, “and we decided to follow him there.” Brier Patch creates musical expressions that celebrate all aspects of the human experience, with an emphasis on spirituality and such universal concerns as peace, justice, and the environment.
 
Today, Medema performs in a widely variety of venues, from local congregations to charity fund-raisers, to high school and university campuses, to denominational youth gatherings, to universally televised religious programs, to corporate conventions, to annual assemblies of national organizations.

McFarland Valentine Date Night Play: Guys on Ice!

2/1/2019

 
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It's almost time for McFarland's 6th Annual Valentine Date Night Play:

GUYS ON ICE!
FEB 7 - 9
FEB 14 - 16

7:30 pm

Tickets are $20
All proceeds go to the
McFarland Food Pantry.
  

Enjoy an evening of hilarity, a fabulous finger food intermission buffet, & help support a great cause!
Click HERE for tickets
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*Tickets may also be purchased at the door.*

It's A Wonderful Life: A LIVE RADIO PLAY!

11/21/2018

 
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SATURDAY, December 8
One Night Only!
7:00 PM - $10 at the door
(all proceeds go to the McFarland Food Pantry)

Support a great cause, enjoy an evening of laughter, and get into the holiday spirit during this one night only event!  Six actors will portray more than 30 characters, just as the actual movie script was done live on the radio in 1949 by the original cast.  With live radio sound effects like those done in the golden age of radio this will be a fun evening for all!
View the Facebook Event

MUCC YOUTH - fundraise your heart out

10/26/2018

 
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Swing by MOD Pizza (
East Towne, 2249 Zeier Road) on November 4th to donate part of your purchase to the McFarland UCC Youth Group! 
Simply show the flyer below. 

Thank you for supporting MUCC Youth!

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER HERE
File Size: 196 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

SAVE THE DATE!

7/17/2018

 
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AIDS Ride Wisconsin 2018

7/13/2018

 
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We are thrilled to once again be a part of the 2018 AIDS Ride Wisconsin! This year MUCC will be the first rest stop on the bike route with water, energizing snacks, and of course lots of cheers for each rider. ​There is still time to register as a rider or volunteer!  The 2018 ride is July 27-29.

Register Here Today!

About the Ride

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​​AIDS Ride Wisconsin is a fully-supported cycling event through southern Wisconsin, raising critical funds to support the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin.
As a rider, your every need is taken care of by dedicated volunteers and crew: camp, medical, mechanical, on-route support, massage, chiropractic needs, and more.
Designed for all levels of riders, AIDS Ride Wisconsin - ACT Ride is perfect for people to challenge themselves, participate in a supportive and welcoming community, and raise funds to support those living with HIV/AIDS in Wisconsin.
Whether it's your first long distance ride or your thirtieth, AIDS Ride Wisconsin - ACT Ride is not to be missed!

-from the AIDS Ride About page; click here for more

Welcome the Hoot 'n Annie String Band

7/9/2018

 
You are invited to worship, 10 am Sunday, July 15, for an energetic service filled with music! You may recognize the Hoot 'n Annie String Band from MUCC's 2018 Valentine's Date Night play benefiting the McFarland Food Pantry.
"Get ready for a knee slappin' good time! Dancing encouraged!"
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The Hoot 'n Annie String Band is a Madison-based ensemble who first met at the ​Solidarity Singalong at the Capitol starting in 2011, and have branched out into other venues including the Madison Farmer's Market, the Children's Museum, Vilas Park Zoo, Bos Meadery, Chief's Tavern, Cress Spring Bakery, Stalzy's Octoberfest, Oak Park Villages East, and West, Lowell Elementary School, and last February's Valentine's Food Pantry benefit here at MUCC. The band is composed of Daithi Wolfe (fiddle), Prentice Berge (guitar), James Murray (ukelele bass), Cindy Murphy (cello, tenor banjo), and Michael Bausch (guitar, harmonica).
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More about worship @ MUCC
Check out the band on facebook

Memorial Day

5/25/2018

 
My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. - Psalm 31:15-16
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Memorial Day began after the Civil War as an effort toward reconciliation between the families of veterans in the North and the South. After the war, there was already a tradition in the North of decorating soldiers' graves, called "Decoration Day." But in 1868 an organization of Northern war veterans decreed it ought to be a national holiday. May 30 was carefully chosen as the date because it was not the anniversary of a specific battle, and therefore would be a neutral date for both sides.

But human beings hold on to their wounds, and reconciliation takes time, grace and mercy. So initially, as the holiday spread, it was an occasion for both sides to give angry speeches about the wartime atrocities inflicted by the other side, and the righteousness of their own. However, as time went on, Memorial Day really did become a time to remember all veterans, a time to visit the graves of family and friends, and to remember their lives.

In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill moved three holidays off of their specific dates and onto Mondays, in order to create three-day weekends. Memorial Day came to be associated with the beginning of summer, as well as the Indianapolis 500.

Today, let us remember the spirit in which the day was conceived, as a way to bring together those who had once been bitter enemies. After the fighting is over, the loss and heartbreak are shared throughout the human family. God's mercy pours out over all God's children, with no respect for the borders of nation states, which are awfully temporary, from the perspective of eternity.

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About the Author
Rev. Lillian Daniel currently serves as Senior Pastor at First Congregational Church UCC in Dubuque, Iowa. She is the author of "When 'Spiritual But Not Religious' is Not Enough," and has a chapter in the anthology, "What My Mother Gave Me: Thirty-One Women on the Gifts That Mattered Most."  Follow Lillian on twitter @lillianfdaniel. 
​This blog was originally posted, May 25, 2015 for the ucc.org daily devotional.
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Look for us as mcfarlanducc
Worshiping at 10 am on Sundays In person & Zoom
5710 Anthony Street, McFarland WI 53558

Can't make it to worship with us? Visit our Facebook page for prayer opportunities & links.
We are proud to be an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ.
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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​Contact Us

Office Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am - 1pm (Or by appointment) 

Office Phone:  (608) 838-9322  
​​Office Email: [email protected]
​
Office Administrator:​ Ginger Hummer

Pastor Bryan Sirchio
Pastor Email: [email protected]
Pastor's Cell:  (608) 577-8716

How to Find Us (in person)