 Shift Space - Justice Ministries
by Tisha Brown
Cameron Trimble shared a compelling vision for the United Church of Christ at our Annual Meeting a few weeks ago. Her vision is that in every community where there is a United Church of Christ congregation the standard of living in that community is on the rise - people have meaningful work, children get a great education, there is a robust economy and very few people living in poverty or without enough to eat, community practices are sustainable, pollution is minimal, crime is low and neighbors work together to solve problems and share resources. This is also a vision that aligns nicely with the vision statements of our Conference: "By 2019 the people of the United Church of Christ in Wisconsin will be energized to be the church in their local context, expressed through passionate work toward a more just and generous world." Both of these visions are completely within our reach as we continue to find ways to engage our communities and work together on important justice issues facing our state in the coming years.
Read more at the Shift Space blog
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Racial Equity Resources
In this time of division and anger in our country and state, we need to find ways to talk about differences and resolve conflicts that are often caused by lack of understanding of another group of people. The Wisconsin Council of Churches Peace and Justice Commission has created a Racial Equity Study Curriculum. It is user-friendly and aimed at majority white churches that have not had many, if any, discussions on race.
Every church in the state will receive a print copy of this curriculum in late summer 2016, but churches can access these files now and get a head start on planning for fall.
Racial Equity resources
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UCC Be the Church of the Month
"Be the Church of the Month" is a new, national church-wide contest inviting all UCC churches to participate by living out the statements of the UCC's popular "Be the Church" message. This contest is ongoing--on the first of every month, a new "Be the Church" statement will be announced, and submissions will be due by the 22nd of the month. July's statement is "care for the poor."
Read more
June Be the Church of the Month winner
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 Annual Report 2015-2016
The 2015-16 Wisconsin Conference UCC Annual Report is available as a PDF online. You can
download it here.
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UCC Constitution and Bylaws: Feedback on Proposed Changes
A new survey from the national UCC is intended to include all voices of the wider church in the conversation about proposed changes to the United Church of Christ Constitution and Bylaws.
Read more and access survey
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Conference Transitions
Searching Churches
No churches have recently started searching for a new pastor. To see all searching churches, click here.
New Calls
- Rev. Linda Forray has been called as interim pastor at Peace UCC, Marinette, effective July 1, 2016.
- Rev. Kim Moeller has been called as pastor at Swiss UCC in New Glarus, effective July 1, 2016.
- Lois Buchholz has been called as pastor at First Congregational UCC in East Troy, effective July 8, 2016.
Installations and Ordinations
- Rev. Brandon Perrine was installed as Pastor and Teacher for Trinity UCC in La Crosse on May 22, 2016.
- Rev. Adam Westrich was installed as Pastor and Teacher for St. Paul's UCC in Ellsworth on June 5, 2016.
- Rev. James Schleif was ordained and installed at St. Johns UCC in Slinger and at St. John's UCC in Hartford on June 26, 2016.
Anniversaries
- Delavan UCC is marking their 175th Anniversary in July. Happy Anniversary!
In Memoriam
- Charles P. Schwinn, father of Rev. Mark Schwinn, died July 1, 2016. Obituary
- Rev. Dr. Obid O. Hofland Jr. died July 1, 2016. Obituary
The Conference Transitions feature appears monthly in the Wisconsin Conference Life. Please share your transition information, including church anniversaries, with the newsletter editor by emailing Nola.
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This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an
Open and Affirming Conference.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
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Photo credits:
First Congregational Church, Platteville image:
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Check out the
Read about & share congregational shift stories.
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Church Spotlight
The First Congregational Church in Platteville, in the Southwest Association, was built in the Romanesque architecture style in 1869 and expanded in 1895. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 19, 1985 for its architectural significance and is the only church in Grant County with such a distinction.
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High School Director Sought
First Congregational Church in Appleton is seeking a high school director.
More information
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Is your church considering an Open and Affirming Process? The Wisconsin Conference has a committee to help! Please feel free to use us as resources for your discussions and preparations. Contact
Micah Schlobohm of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons.
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Got News?
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Let us know! If you have something you'd like considered for publication in
Wisconsin Conference Life, email
Nola at the Wisconsin Conference.
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