Transforming Community

Help on the path out of conflict
by Rev. Jane Anderson

Many of us in the local church will celebrate Transfiguration Sunday this week. The Transfiguration story is one of my favorite stories told in scripture. It speaks of mystery and mayhem, confusion and conviction, fear and faith.

When I read this story I imagine Jesus casually inviting a few of his friends to join him for an outing--a day hike away from the responsibilities of ministry. I imagine that Peter, James and John believed that Jesus was taking them to a place where they could enjoy some much needed rest, time away from the crowds of people to whom Jesus and his followers had been ministering--feeding, teaching, healing, prophesying. I imagine they might have been looking forward to this outing, believing that such time would bring renewal. Yet, what Jesus' friends believed would be an ordinary outing turned into an extraordinary experience, one that changed how they saw their friend Jesus and one that transformed their lives forever. In that mountain top experience they glimpse the glory of God in their friend Jesus.
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Come to the 2016 Annual Meeting to join others from around the Conference as we explore how to shift from a maintenance to a mission mindset towards a hope-filled future! This year's annual meeting will build on the work being done from now until June by congregations throughout the Conference seeking new approaches to mission and ministry.

 

Rev. Cameron Trimble of the Center for Progressive Renewal will bring insights into ways that creative people in congregations around the US are shifting their ministry focus, and inspire us to think creatively about our own ministries. Through workshops and small group conversations we'll deepen our connections and encounter resources available to support our efforts to move in new directions.

 

Plan to bring a team from your congregation to Annual Meeting this year!

SHIFT Initiative website

More information and registration here

Youth will have an opportunity to build a church from the bottom up. They will call a pastor, organize several committees, plan worship, and get an overview of church life: What it is - How it works - How we get things done. As usual there will be time for worship, recreation, and yes, outstanding music!

February 26-28 at Pilgrim Center (register by Feb. 20)
March 4-6 at Pilgrim Center (register by Feb. 25)

Increasingly, our nation (and our churches) are troubled by injustice toward many of our neighbors, especially people of color. This is especially true for young, African-American males, whose treatment in our nation's justice system begs for change.

 

That's one of the subjects in Michelle Alexander's best selling The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Drawing on Alexander's book, a group of Milwaukee area UCC pastors invite you to join an in-depth look at what's often called the "school-to-prison pipeline" that saddles so many promising young men with a criminal record for even minor offenses. Learn more 

Calling all Local Church Historians (and others):

The Historical Committee of the Wisconsin Conference is sponsoring an oral history workshop at the Trost Center in DeForest from 10 to 2 on Saturday, April 16. Anyone interested in learning more about conducting oral history interviews for a local church or other organization is cordially invited to participate to this workshop conducted by three experts in oral history from the Wisconsin Historical Society and University of Wisconsin. Cost for the program and lunch is $25.00. Register online.

This introductory workshop serves as an informative overview of the art and science of oral history from initial idea through finished product. The workshop will cover specifics within three sub-categories of oral history: Pre-Interview, Interview, and Post-Interview, including project planning, technology, funding, questions and follow-up questions, release forms, index or transcript, publication, and any other topic of interest to the attendees. Additionally, the workshop leaders, time permitting, will include interactive exercises to hone listening and interviewing skills.

Pre-retirement workshop for clergy
May 10, 2016
 

No matter what you do for a living, retirement brings many changes. But for those who have been pastors, the decision to retire raises some unique questions. For pastors, the call to serve doesn't end when one's working life comes to a close. Pastors face questions as practical as "Where do I go to church next Sunday?" and as broad as "What shape will my vocation take in this next phase of my life?"

 

We're offering a gathering to help those who are looking ahead to retirement begin to think about the life questions that are part of the decision to retire from ministry. The event will be led by the Rev. Rob MacDougall, Associate Conference Minister for the Northwest Association, who brings experience and resources related to clergy retirement issues.  

 

We encourage pastors and their spouses/partners to attend, even if you do not yet have a firm retirement date. The workshop is designed both for pastors who see retirement in the near future, and also for those who are just beginning to think about retirement planning and for whom a retirement date is, perhaps, five or more years away.

This event is not intended for lay leaders of congregations where the pastor may be retiring, and we'll be continuing to develop resources for church members and leaders. The workshop will also not focus on the financial issues typically addressed by Pension Board programs.

 

The Southwest Association is sponsoring this workshop as a pilot program with the hope that it can become available throughout the Conference. All Wisconsin Conference pastors and spouses/partners are invited to attend.

 

The gathering will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 10 am-2 pm at Memorial UCC, Fitchburg. The cost is $10, which will allow us to pay for lunch.
Register online

 

Has your church ever used MissionInsite? It's a powerful tool for accessing demographic information about the community surrounding your church that you can use, free, through the the membership of the Wisconsin Conference. MissionInsite has recently updated their demographic information and the latest data is now available. 

Dream of Spring and join us for an April or May retreat!

Moon Beach will again be hosting Steps on the Journey: A Healing Retreat, April 8-10. This retreat is for women, 18 years and older, who have experienced sexual abuse of any kind. Gather with other women who are experiencing this healing process, who encourage and support each other to do the work needed to continue the steps of healing and wholeness. Our weekend will include group time, quiet time, crafts, food, music, and time to enjoy the beauty and sacredness of Moon Beach Camp. The retreat will be facilitated by women who have experienced this abuse. Professional counselors, clergy, and/or chaplain will also be available.

Pilgrim Center has a retreat for everyone this spring. Consider signing up for one of these events:

• Clergy Retreat, April 24-26, fellowship and renewal with other clergy
• Stitch In Time, a quilting retreat, May 10-13.
• Fisher & Me, May 13-15, fishing and camp activities for kids 6 and older with an adult

Find information, including registration, for these events and more at http://www.ucci.org.

Did you know that you may be able to donate your required minimum distributions (RMD) directly to a charitable organization without paying taxes on them? If you are 70½ or older, read on.
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Where leaders in rural communities and congregations gather to gain insight and inspiration, to network and neighbor that our ministries might be empowered. This ecumenical conference includes worship, keynote speakers, workshops, and Bible study, and offers participants a unique opportunity to network with others who are active in and concerned about rural ministry.
More information

God was present to the early Celts in images, signs, in poetry, art, in the sacred and the secular, and in the mysterious stories of the saints. The feminine principle was strong, and there was a sense of God's immediacy in daily life. This natural mysticism invites us to embark on a spiritual journey of our own.
More information

Searching Churches

Churches that recently started searching for a new pastor:

• First Congregational UCC, Boscobel 
• Immanuel UCC, Darlington

To see all searching churches, click here.

New Calls

• Sonja Ingebritsen has been called as pastor for Community of Hope in Madison, effective January 24, 2016.
• Rev. Gail Irwin has been called as interim pastor for Immanuel UCC in Kaukauna, effective January 24, 2016.
• Rev. Dan Schultz has been called as pastor for St. Paul's UCC in Malone, effective January 24, 2016.
• Rev. Beryl Melcher has been called as interim pastor for Congregational UCC in Mineral Point, effective February 1, 2016.

Installations and Ordinations

• Rev. Jeremy Hylen was installed at St. Paul's UCC in Sheboygan on January 24, 2016.
• Rev. Topher Mehlhoff was installed at Community UCC in Saint Germain on January 30, 2016.

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.