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.

​​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!

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.​

Calling all who may be interested in a day for sewing.  If you are not a sewing person, and want to be, join us!  We will make some simple projects (drawstring bags, origami sewn bags, and runaround bags) to share at the McFarland HS Food Pantry and the McFarland Village Food Pantry. If there is another service project you are sewing for, feel free to bring it along. If there is another resource for the bags we'll be making, you are welcome to make bags for another organization. We will have some fabric and patterns available, but you are more than welcome to bring patterns you like, and fabric that’s been waiting to be used.  

After you finish a bag or two, we support you in using the sewing time for YOU. Sewists sew, because it's good for our souls – and we are often trying to finish up projects to give in our own circles of loved ones.

​During 10 am worship this Sunday, October 22 
we will be welcoming our Interim Pastor, Michael Bausch.  
All are invited to stick around after worship for a little "get to know you" time. 
Coffee will be brewing and treats will be served!  Continue reading to learn more about Pastor Mike.

​The Rev. Dr. Michael Bausch is a Wisconsin native with many years of experience serving UCC congregations in California, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Most recently he served as the interim pastor for two UCC churches at Slinger and Hartford, Wisconsin.
 
He resides in Beaver Dam with his wife, the Rev. Catherine Ann Carlson, a retired UCC minister, and they have two daughters, Anica, of Madison, and Brianna, living in Waupun with her husband Aaron, and their two children.
 
Michael is a graduate of Carroll University in Wisconsin, the Pacific School of Religion in California, and the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

​In worship and teaching, he loves bringing together the Bible, music, art, and film. He enjoys being around church people of all ages, and every now and then you might hear him whistle a tune as he walks through the church building. You may call him by his first name, Michael or Mike, and if you wish to add Pastor or Reverend, he'll say that's all up to you.
​​For fun, he plays tennis and pickle ball, and plays acoustic guitar as well as harmonica in several musical groups.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
2 PM AT MCFARLAND UCC
We are pleased to announce the ordination service of one of our own McFarland UCC covenant partners, Kristin Gorton.  Kris is a graduate of Chicago Theological Seminary and served as our sabbatical interim pastor during summer 2016.  After her ordination, the newly minted Rev. Kristin Gorton will serve at Memorial UCC in Fitchburg, as their pastor and teacher.  We are extremely proud of Kris and celebrate with her during this exciting time in her pastoral adventure.  
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Beloveds,

It is with a full heart that I write to share the news that I will be leaving McFarland UCC this fall to serve as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches.  I have said to you for some time that I had no plan or intention of leaving unless God's Holy Spirit called me elsewhere. It seems - as we sing in our doxology - 'the Spirit has been moving in my heart,' preparing me for this new ministry. 

When I leave, I will continue and broaden the work I have undertaken among you here in McFarland. The common ministry of the Wisconsin Council of Churches focuses on church unity, peacemaking, social and economic justice for Wisconsin's most vulnerable residents, and revitalizing congregations.
​
I want you to know that serving as your pastor these past seven years has been one of the greatest joys of my life.  You have shaped me into the pastor that I am. You opened your hearts, listened to my stories and shared yours with me. There has been laughter, fingerpaint, confetti (ok, lots of confetti), general messiness, and grace for all the times of cleaning up. You allowed me, in so many holy moments, to remind you that you are a beloved child of God.

The months ahead will have time for grief at leavetaking - space for holy tears if you need them - and time for celebrating what we have accomplished in ministry together. I am ready to receive whatever it is you need to express. Know that we will still be pastor and congregation together through October 15th.  There will be opportunities to break bread (and run to the communion table), tell stories, sing and make noise, and bless one another. Our building project continues, as does our giving challenge! There are babies being born, new families to welcome into the faith community, and things to learn about our faith every day.

After I leave, the congregation's leadership and representatives from the wider church will guide you through conversations about what's next. I believe, with all my heart, the future of McFarland UCC can be as vibrant as our years together have been. You have all the wisdom and heart of each other, and God's Spirit to lean on.

Christ stands with us at every crossroads. My great hope for these final months together is that we can keep showing up for one another,passionate about our shared ministry, being the real, messy people that we are.

Peace and blessings,
 
Pastor Kerri