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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.

Giving Tree 2017

11/24/2017

 
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In coordination with the McFarland Food Pantry, a Giving Tree has taken root in the MUCC sanctuary filled with tags representing families in need throughout our McFarland community.​

SPREAD JOY & CHEER WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS!

Simply take a tag off the tree, write your name down, shop for what is listed on your tag, and bring it to church before December 10. Questions? Contact Melissa in the office 608-838-9322 or email office@mcfarlanducc.org.
​Visit the McFarland Food Pantry on facebook!

Backpack Blessing 2017

8/20/2017

 
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This Sunday morning, August 27, during 10 am worship, we will bless backpacks and briefcases as students and teachers prepare for another school year.

This blessing is not just for the kiddos. 
College students, come on down! 
Adults headed back to school, you too! 
Teachers, YES! 


If you forget your bag, come on down. After all, this is really a blessing of people – you don’t need a bag to get blessed.

McFarland Baccalaureate

5/15/2017

 
  We are pleased to be cosponsors of McFarland's Baccalaureate Celebration, to be held this year at one of our neighboring congregations. If you know a McFarland High School graduate, please encourage them to attend.  Pastors from all 3 congregations will be present to offer blessings.  Sunday evening, May 21 at Christ the King, beginning at 7 pm.

Ashes to Go | March 1 at McFarland House Cafe

2/28/2017

 
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Pastor Kerri will be at the McFarland House Café from 7 am to 4:30 pm on March 1 (the first day of Lent) to offer ashes and prayer for anyone interested.

​You're welcome to stop by, alone or with a friend. Spread the word; this is a ministry to the entire community. 


Click HERE to share on Facebook

Donations & Deliveries

1/23/2017

 
This past week was a busy one!  We began the season of Advent by handing out gift bags to the congregation on the first Sunday of Advent for them to decorate.  In a twist on the traditional Advent calendar, in which you open a door or package to receive a gift, we asked people to set something aside instead - selecting one of three local food pantries to receive the food items they placed in their gift bags.  During Advent, we heard from representatives of the McFarland Community Food Pantry, the AIDS Resource Center, and the McFarland High School Pride Pantry.  In the days leading up to Christmas (and for those who traveled, a little afterward), we brought the gifts to the front of the sanctuary.  They were blessed in worship on January 8th. The result was over 40 bags of food and essentials delivered to three wonderful community organizations:

The McFarland Food Pantry

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McFarland High School Pride Pantry

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AIDS Resource Center of Madison

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THANK YOU to all who participated!

Special Needs Ministry Team Launched

3/28/2015

 

Introducing the MUCC Special Needs Ministry Team!

Several members recently proposed a new ministry team.  Their goal is to provide resources for children with visible and invisible special needs to participate in church activities successfully, and to educate the congregation about special needs differences.  Thank you to Trish Bailey, Lisa Fernan, Amy Hanneman, and Megan Marten, for your leadership in bringing these issues forward.  Here's a word from the team:
  • If you or someone you know is struggling with a particular parenting issue please know that you may come to us for support at any time (whether you have a child with special needs or are just having a difficult time.)  If you can't catch up with us at church (or don't know us), call/email the church office and ask for our contact information.
  • We are happy to announce: the inclusion of new sensory tools to our sanctuary. These will be introduced to the kids at a special Messy Church taking place on April 12.   
  • Also, we will be talking more about our ministry at Accessibility Sunday, May 3rd.  

  - Trish, Lisa, Amy & Megan
Coming soon…  
Coffee break for parents. This will be likely held once per month at MUCC with childcare available. This will offer parents a forum to share, ask questions, and learn from others. Some months we will have a speaker from the community join us to share about a particular topic of interest.  Stay tuned for details.  Let us know if you're interested and we'll put you on our list.

Mission Leadership Crosses Generations

7/30/2014

 
McFarland United Church of Christ member Maddie Loss was deep in thought during a car wash last June to raise money for a mission trip to help developmentally disabled residents at a facility near St. Louis.   The car wash gave the mission team a chance to bond and work toward a worthy cause, but $2,000 was still needed to pay for travel expenses during the week-long trip.  Then, an intriguing idea came to her, and within a matter of days, the mission group had the money it needed.

Under #missionflamingo, people paid money to have front yards of fellow congregants “flocked” with plastic flamingos.   Those who wanted to keep the flock away were allowed to pay anti-flamingo insurance.  Within the first week, the stunt raised nearly $1,000, and provided some financial breathing room for the mission team, which is scheduled to leave for Missouri Aug. 3.   

Join us outside the church at 9:55 am on August 3 to give them a warm McFarland UCC blessing & sendoff!  Click on 'read more' to get more of the story, photos, and video.

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Blessing of the Bikes/Volunteers

6/25/2014

 
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Some people may think of bicycles simply as modes of transportation with two wheels, a seat and handle bars.  Others recognize them as valuable resources for health and fitness.  Many good causes recognize them as fundraising tools.  To all these, McFarland UCC adds a yet another meaning: ministry.

The church will offer a Blessing of the Bikes during July 27 worship, for riders and volunteers participating in ACT12, a four-day, 300-mile bike ride to support the AIDS Network.  

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Knitting the World Back Together

2/23/2014

 
Calling all willing hands!  Knitters and crocheters, from our sisters & brothers in Boston, a chance to send blessings and love:

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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: office@mcfarlanducc.org

Pastor Bryan Sirchio
Pastor Email: pastorb@mcfarlanducc.org
Pastor's Cell:  (608) 577-8716

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