Messiah /Gunderson Annual Blood Drive - May 6

Please help us reach our goal for our second blood drive of the year on May 6. There are QR codes to scan on the information wall and on the Kiosk. You can also go to the Red Cross website or contact Elizabeth.

Have you ever wondered where the gift cards come from? Each time we do a blood drive, Jim Alsmo provides gift cards in honor of his wife Dorothy. Jim says: I support Red Cross blood drives because I’ve seen their impact firsthand. Early in our marriage, my wife faced a health crisis that required over 10 units of blood for her recovery. Without the generosity of donors, she wouldn’t have lived the fulfilling life she did. Dorothy will always be remembered for her big smile and was always happy to see and talk to people. Giving blood isn't just a donation; it’s a second chance at life for someone's spouse, parent, or friend.

Our goal is to schedule 63 appointments and we currently have 14. We have openings every 15 minutes from 1:15 to 5:45 PM.

Register by using this QR code (under photo) or CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment. You can also contact Elizabeth at volunteer@messiahchurch.com

Give Families a Lift is off to a Strong Start!

Our total collected has reached $17,184.00

Thank you for pledging! If you have not yet made your payment, please do so via check or cash to the office or on messiahchurch.com and select “Giving” and then “Give Families a Lift” from the dropdown menu.

You can include your date to sponsor in the memo line or contact Elizabeth at volunteer@messiahchurch.com for available dates. 

We are looking to collect funds ASAP so the van is ready to roll on September 1st.

$114 per day is the ideal amount to fund the project, but you are welcome to give more or less. You can also add your name to a date that is already taken. We’re flexible!

Watch us complete the bus!!!

Legal Observer Training - May 5 and May 11

Please join us our upcoming Legal Observer Training led by Milwaukee Turners—an opportunity to gain hands-on skills to support and protect our communities. We are offering two dates with the first one being next week; Tuesday, May 5th from 1-3 PM and Monday, May 11th from 6-8 PM. 

In this training, you’ll learn how to effectively observe and document interactions between community members and law enforcement, understand your role and rights as a legal observer, and practice safe, accurate reporting. These skills are critical in promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil rights.

Whether you’re new or have prior experience, this training will prepare you to step into this important role with confidence.

We hope you can join us and be part of building stronger community oversight.

Register for Tuesday, May 5

Register for Monday, May 11

MOSES Lunch and Learn - Juvenile Justice in Dane County - May 20th

11:30am - 1:00pm - Lunch 11:30am

Lake Edge Lutheran Church 4032 Monona Dr.

May is the Annual Mountain of Food Fundraiser

This fundraiser supports St. Stephen's and St. Mark's Food Pantries. As pantry usage and food needs continue to increase, support from our community becomes even more important. Each contribution, no matter the amount, helps to provide for those in need. Food costs continue to increase which impacts the average cost of providing for a family as shown in these estimates:

• $230-$350 can feed a family of 4 for a week
• $300-$450 can feed a family of 6 for a week

We know everyone has been impacted by the increase in food prices. Indeed, the above estimates are twice what we had listed in the column and weekly news last year.

However, as prices increase, so do the number of clients in need. Our donations will allow the pantries to support more families with their food needs.

SAM attends Second Harvest Volunteer Reception



Last Friday, April 24th, Second Harvest Food Bank hosted a reception for all of their volunteers. SHFB holds this reception every April as part of Volunteer Week.

The volunteer positions are now booked through the end of the year. However, SAM and SHFB will host an open house and facility tour in September. If you have thought about volunteering at SHFB with SAM, watch your email and join us in September for our open house. For more information, send an email to SAM@messiahchurch.com

Messiah Day of Prayer - Thursday, May 7th - 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

Messiah will join in celebrating the National Day of Prayer by holding a prayer vigil on Thursday, May 7th.

Sign-up sheet on the Kiosk in the Gathering Space.

Please come and spend some time in quiet reflection in our beautiful Sanctuary.

Please contact Clyde Nyhus at (608) 516-4926, or email music@messiahchurch.com  with any questions. 

The nursery will not be staffed on:

May 10 - Mother's Day

You are always welcome to use the room and watch the service on the screen in the Nursery.

RIC Team Meeting - Open to everyone!      May 14th at 6:00 pm

The meeting will be held in the Meeting Room or on Zoom to discuss summer pride involvement and how we want to live out our RIC commitments into the future. Contact Pastor Dan for more information.(pastordan@messiahchurch.com).

Kennedy Fun Run - May 15

We need lots of volunteers for the Kennedy Fun Run on Friday, May 15 (rain date May 22) and would love to have folks from Messiah sign up to help out that day! It is truly a fun day for everyone, where you get to see kids being active and having a blast. You'll even get to see some staff members take a (whipped cream) pie to the face as part of the fun! Sign up to help at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAEA628A1F85-63281561-kennedy#/

Kennedy End of the Year Picnic & 60th Anniversary Celebration June 4

Come celebrate 60 years of learning at Kennedy with families, staff, and community members at our End of the Year Picnic! This free community event will be held on Thursday, June 4 from 5-7pm (rain date June 5) on the playground and blacktop behind the school. Because we are also celebrating Kennedy's 60th birthday, there may also be some activities inside the school. Community members and alumni are welcome to join! We will have a FREE MEAL featuring Boogie's Backyard BBQ and lots of other great food. There will be fun entertainment as well at the picnic, including free face-painting and a bounce house! You can sign up to help out at the event: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAEA628A1F85-63322595-kennedy. 

Let's Celebrate Our Seniors

Senior Recognition Sunday: May 17 at the 10:30 a.m. service

Join us at the 10:30 am service on Sunday, May 17 to celebrate our seniors. Seniors will receive a prayer blanket made by our Prayer Shawl Group and blessing. They will also share with the Messiah community their plans for the next year. 

EDUCATIONAL GRANT 

All graduating seniors are eligible for a Joan Shropshire education grant/scholarship.

The grant application is available HERE 

Brooke's  Brigade

Two parents turned unimaginable loss into a mission to help others.

After losing their child, Brooke, to suicide, Brian and Julie Elfers

(Members of Messiah) created Brooke’s Brigade.

The initiative uses boxes to help those who feel alone.

The box has simple but powerful reminders of hope like a rubber ducky that says “don’t give up,” a small heart to carry with you and help line information, so support is always in reach.

More than 100 boxes have been sent out to the community.

The work is deeply personal for the family.

“She would be proud,” Brian Elfers, co-creator of Brooke’s Brigade, said. “She would be extremely happy that this is helping other children, other teens and other families.”

Through that legacy, her compassion lives on turning heartbreak into hope one box at a time.

Click on the photo to watch the video.

Weekend Ministries Need YOU!

Volunteering at the services–the most flexible opportunity ever!

We are looking to add people to the serving teams at the weekend services. Many positions are ones that couples and families can do together. The time required to serve is usually just a few minutes before, during or after a service.

Your schedule is completely within your control and therefore extremely flexible. You communicate your availability each month, allowing you to serve more or less or not at all in any given month. This is great if you spend part of the year away from town or if your personal, work or family schedule is busier some times of the year than others. You can also ask for a sub wherever needed so if a health concern or social opportunity comes up, you can respond to it.

Sounds perfect!

Where and when do you especially need me?

We welcome you in any capacity that interests you. Many hands make light work, but here are the positions that we are especially looking to fill:

Altar Ministers

We especially need help at the early service as this work currently falls on the shoulders of 3 people, making it necessary for them to serve multiple times in a month. It takes just a few minutes before and after the early service as the bulk of set-up occurs Saturday morning and the bulk of cleanup occurs after the late service. 

If you are looking to make a bigger commitment, we would appreciate more people doing the weekend set-up which consists of setting the altar and filling the wine and juice cups. One more person willing to step in even occasionally would make it possible for the members of this ministry team to get a month off every now and then.

Messiah Green Team News

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from the Green Team, but we have been working quietly behind the scenes to make Messiah more environmentally friendly. Below are some of our new initiatives:

• Love, Laughter, Libations has switched from a plastic bladder to a glass jug of sangria. We are also now using washable glasses instead of plastic disposable ones.
• We are saving water after receiving proper instructions on how to use the sanitizer–no prewash/rinse in the sink needed!
• We are expanding the mulch rings around trees and mulching over the grass between the pine trees behind the shed to save on mowing needs and reduce turf grass, which is healthier for the trees!

Would you like to get involved with our Green Team? 

• All of our paper products (coffee cups, water cups, plates, and bowls are all compostable and can be put in the trash (not recycling). You are always welcome to bring your own travel or ceramic mug as well!
• The nursery is asking for gently used coloring and activity books to give them a second life rather than purchasing new ones. If you have any at home, consider bringing them here! 
• We are starting prairie weeding teams for this summer to care for the small prairie on the north hill next to the church. Is this something you’d want to help with? Reach out to pastor Dan (pastordan@messiahchurch.com)
  

St Mark's Lutheran Church invites you to

Sing for Justice

Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 pm

No singing experience necessary.  All are welcome!

Please enter through the door on Spruce. 605 Spruce St. Madison

WELCA Gathering -  July 16 - 19 - Des Moines, IA

This inspiring event brings together 1,000 to 3,000

Women of the ELCA for four days of:
 
Powerful worship experiences
Inspiring speakers
Engaging workshops and service projects
A 5K run/walk
 
Registration is $525 for the 4-day event (lodging and transportation are not included).

 Messiah is offering  $275 to offset some of the expense, so please don’t let the cost prohibit you from participating.

Please sign up on the Kiosk if you are interested in joining us for this faith-inspiring event!  

Please see the flyer for more information 

and to sign up.

Summer Mini Mission Opportunity for children - July 13 and 14 - 8:00 - noon

We are excited to invite our littlest learners to join us for a summer learning opportunity here at Messiah. Our summer "Mini" Mission is an opportunity for our children to serve others in our community. Children will learn about the importance of serving and the different ways we can serve through stories, discussion, and hands-on experiences. We will work with the YOW group to complete service projects that will help others in our community and we will spend some time playing and eating together. 

The Mission takes place here at Messiah on Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14 from 8:00 AM until 12. Students will have a hot breakfast prepared for them and should bring a sack lunch to eat later in the day.

This opportunity is open to all children currently ages 4 through 4th grade. We hope you can join us!

Messiah Cook Book Returns

Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17

Food is often the heart of hospitality. As we share meals, we bond in fellowship and community. Messiah would like to revive our tradition of offering a cookbook, "Feed My Sheep." Favorite recipes shared among members and friends as we gather at tables together and apart. We are fed and blessed in so many ways at Messiah.

The team for this project is forming. We will begin meeting in June with the goal of completing the cookbook by the Craft Fair, Nov. 7 and having it available for holiday gifting. Your help is needed! There will be many specific tasks to smoothly organize and complete the project. Contact Shirley Klinkner, sjklink1@gmail.com or Pastor Dan, pastordanmessiah@gmail.com to find out more and to volunteer.

Life Is Saying Goodbye, Life Is Saying Hello
A Grief Support Gathering at Messiah

May 14, 21, 28

4:30pm - 5:30 pm

Sunday morning Adult Education

New Adult Education series exploring The Easter Lectionary - now through Pentecost

Join us as we read and discuss the Sunday morning texts, discovering how they relate to the Easter season, each other, and our daily lives as Easter people!

All are welcome to join us as we gather in the Social Hall at 9:20 am between the services. Bring your Bible and cup of coffee!

Calling all men of Messiah! 

You are invited to come and gather for fellowship where we meet for breakfast, worship and prayer to strengthen our faith and build brotherhood.

NO sign up needed.

When:  Every Monday at 9:00 am
Location:  Denny’s on E. Broadway in Monona, next to Menards.

Contact Person: Ray Robinson  rayerobinson13@gmail.com or 608-695-5591

Wednesday Morning Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark

Now through May 20 -7:00 am - 8:00 am

by Richard Carlson (Author) …

The Gospel of Mark is not just good news about Jesus. It reveals, sometimes in surprising and scandalous ways, how Jesus is God's good news to us. This 8-session study takes big questions based on Mark and challenges participants to explore them thoughtfully together. 

After the completion of this book study we will pause until the second Wednesday of September.

Ladies Lunch Bunch - May 13th

Bridges Golf Course

   2702 Shopko Dr, Madison, WI 53704

Please sign up on the Kiosk. There will be space for 30 women this month.

Please be there by 11:15 am     Orders will be taken at 11:30.

 For questions call Claire at 920-319-6731 or Mary at 608-716-4600

The Ladies Lunch Bunch April Gathering collected $70.00 for Give Families a Lift.

Women’s Thursday Morning Book Study - April 9 - May 21

Beginning April 9, the Women’s Thursday Morning Book Study will begin a 7-week discussion of Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton.

This thoughtful and accessible book explores spiritual practices that help us encounter God in everyday life, including silence and solitude, prayer, Sabbath, discernment, and spiritual direction. Each chapter encourages meaningful conversation and invites participants to experiment with spiritual practices throughout the week.

All women are warmly invited to join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in the downstairs classroom at church.

Please sign up on the Kiosk in the Gathering Space.

Community Outreach Team Collections

Please check out the Ongoing Community Outreach Collection webpage to see what Messiah collects to help local organiztions support their clients.



Paper copies of the Collections are available in the Collection Area at Messiah (between the Gathering Space and the Community Room).

Our next weeks for preparing meals for Healing House are:

April 26 - May 2

June 7 - 13

Please sign up on the kiosk if you can make a meal.

Jennifer Ginsburg, Director of Safe Harbor spoke between the services on February 1 about human trafficking awareness at Safe Harbor. They have seen deep impacts because of the work they do in helping victims and their families, along with continued counseling support. We had a great conversation. Learning is always educational and opens up our eyes and hearts.

Victims and their families are referred to Safe Harbor from law enforcement and the courts and each year they help 400 families from over a dozen counties.  As they work with children and teenagers who have been victims of abuse and crimes, they go through lots of snacks and art supplies. We asked Jennifer to compile a list of these needs-stay tuned for an opportunity to help fill those needs.

Thank you to Messiah member Steve Lyons for sharing information about recent legislation related to human trafficking.

On February 4th there was a PUBLIC - SENATE HEARING at the State Capitol from the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety on bills related to Human Trafficking. The bills listed below are bipartisan–it is so great to have our politicians agreeing to these. Nancy Battist went to these hearings and found it quite an educational experience. 

See the Human Trafficking Awareness Webpage for more details.

The Racial Justice Team hosted an Adult Education session on Sunday February 8 on how to contact state and federal representatives. This was a direct follow-up to the book study When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough and an opportunity to speak up about gun violence, but these strategies can be used to express your opinion about any issues that are important to you. 

Here is a link to the google slideshow we used. There are many ways to get messages to our representatives and make our voices heard, and one is bound to fit your preferred method of communication because you can call, fax, email, or write a letter or a postcard. One of the easiest methods to use is the 5Calls app/website at 5calls.org. You set your location, select an issue from the sidebar and then the names and contact information of your elected officials pops up along with a suggested script which you can use verbatim or as a starting point. You can work your way through all of them or skip and select who you want to contact. 

Calling your representative is the best way to make your voice heard before they take a public stance because congressional staffers tally phone calls right away.

Other kinds of messages take longer.

• Emails have to be manually read and sorted.
• Faxes have to be digitized and emailed.
• Letters and postcards take time to arrive and get processed.