The Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ is seeking a Meeting Planner to plan and implement its annual meeting. This is a part-time contract position with an annual time commitment of around 250 hours. Hours are lightest in summer and heaviest in January through early June. We’re looking for a long-term commitment for this very important Conference event. This is an ideal engagement for someone who desires flexible hours and primarily working from home.

The Meeting Planner is responsible for the planning and execution of all aspects of the Conference’s 400+ attendance, 4-day annual meeting, including workshops, business meetings, exhibits and gatherings. Requirements include at least two years successful meeting and event planning experience, associate’s degree or above, exceptional organizational and project management skills, as well as excellent written and verbal communications skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and online meeting platforms is essential. Candidates must be available for overnight travel (in-state) for the four days of the annual meeting in June. For full details go to wcucc.org/planner. Application deadline is August 29, 2020.

Following guidance from the Wisconsin Council of Churches and the Centers for Disease Control, the Wisconsin Conference staff who normally work at the Trost Conference Center in DeForest will continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future. All conference staff personnel are available by email and phone (download list of staff contact info). If you don’t know who to talk with, call the Conference number, 608-846-7880, to be directed to someone who can assist you.

 

The entire staff remains eager and able to serve you and continues to be focused on the best ways to connect, support and resource local congregations and leaders during this challenging time. We hold weekly staff meetings to ensure we are remaining connected with one another and with the vital concerns of the Conference. Like you, we look forward to returning to the conference center’s building but are grateful to have a way to continue our work during a time when the best option is to remain socially distant.

 

Tracy Hauge took on a new role as the Finance Manager after the retirement of Vicki Graff. Tracy brings many years of experience and a deep commitment to the mission and ministry of the Wisconsin Conference to her expanded responsibilities. She is the first contact for local church leaders on financial questions. Tracy works closely with Andrew Warner to provide reports as needed to conference and association leaders.  

We all know churches face unprecedented challenges and decision making in this time. That’s why The Damascus Project is offering a unique resource to equip and encourage lay leadership. This 10-month learning experience is fully online and ideal for moderators, council members, task force chairs, and others called to serve your church. 

Learn more and register on the Damascus Project website. Registration Closes Monday, August 31. Course Orientation is scheduled for Friday, August 21, 6:00 to 8:30 pm on Zoom.

Special payment options are available; please read the full course description before making your purchase. If you have questions, contact Abby or Tisha at info@the-damascus-project.org or 507-222-0194.

Learn more and register on the Damascus Project website. Registration Closes on Monday, August 31. Course orientation is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Zoom.

Special payment options are available; please read the full course description before making your purchase. If you have questions, contact Abby or Tisha at info@the-damascus-project.org or 507-222-0194.

Redeemer UCC in Sussex has created "Wonder Wednesdays," and the youth of your church are invited to join in. Wonder Wednesdays uses Redeemer's beautiful prairie to connect with youth through the wonder of God's creation. Each Wednesday at 10am the church presents a Facebook Live event, which is available on YouTube following the event. Here are the dates and topics:

You can join Redeemer online at their Facebook page at 10am on August Wednesdays, or you can view the archived videos on their YouTube page.

Disasters are stressful for survivors and caregivers alike, including the pastors and chaplains to whom survivors turn for spiritual and practical help.

The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. This long-running disaster is taking an enormous emotional toll on millions of people, sparing no one as they and those around them suffer sickness and death, isolation and loss of community and livelihoods.

In response, a multidisciplinary United Church of Christ team is launching “Recovering Hope,” which is rolling out resources for emotional and spiritual care to pastors, chaplains and other church leaders, congregants, vulnerable communities and beyond.

In response to the Kairos Call to Action, the Conference Creation Care Team is offering grants of up to $1000 available to Wisconsin Conference UCC Congregations that are planning initiatives to deepen their love of creation and positively change their relationship with the environment. The application deadline is September 30, 2020.

For more information and to submit a grant application, go to wcucc.org/creationcare. Contact Lisa Hart with questions.

Join this webinar to develop and strengthen plans for a successful fall campaign. Several churches that joined this webinar last year reported improved results from their pledge campaigns! Designed for pastors and lay leaders planning an annual pledge campaign, we will explore ways to create an effective campaign. We will reflect on core purpose of a campaign, discuss practical steps leaders can take, and explore creative ideas to design a campaign uniquely suited to your congregation. Invite others in your congregation too!

Presenter Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the UCC General Minister and President, will share insights from his 2018 book, Climate Church, Climate World and from his experience preaching on the climate crisis to hundreds of congregations. Jim is a denominational leader, climate activist, author and public theologian, and has been an environmental activist from the first Earth Day in 1970.

Register (free) for this webinar here. You will receive a link to join the meeting once you've registered.

This cohort group is being hosted on the Damascus Project website. To sign up for the group, click here, then 1) click on the ACCESS box, and 2) Provide your information to create a free account. Email Andrew Warner or call 414-758-6233 with questions.

View the Three Great Loves Stewardship Theme Materials here.

-submitted by Chris Ross

The Interim Ministry Training Institute is an intensive, professional training program for clergy who want to learn the specialized skills to guide and support congregations through times of transition. Often this follows the departure of a settled pastor, but may apply to transitions of size or location or mission. This training can benefit those who anticipate doing this ministry in the future as well as those who are currently in interim and transitional positions. Both full-time/fully supported and part-time/bi-vocational models will be explored. Now available as a live online program: attend from anywhere!

A Virtual, Interfaith Workshop with Victor Vieth with Zero Abuse Project in Minnesota and Honorable Rev. Everett Mitchell, Dane County Circuit Judge and Senior Pastor of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church

Monday, September 21, 2020

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Participants will learn:

Sponsors: Madison Christian Community and Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ

I am Lori Ruge-Jones, ELCA campus pastor at UW-Eau Claire. We are the only denominational campus ministry on our campus, so I consider myself the pastor for all mainline Protestant students. Since we will not be able to meet students at our usual gatherings for orientation, student organizations, or back to campus activities due to COVID, we will rely on referrals more than ever. Will you please tell your students about us, and tell us about your students, so that we might connect and help them find a faith home-away-from-home?

Questions? Contact pastor Lori here. To learn more about ELCA campus ministry or to refer a student to one of our 400 sites, visit www.luminelca.org.

The Emergency Response Fund of the Wisconsin Conference will provide help as congregations deal with critical needs caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. All funds will be awarded to organizations experiencing financial hardship and those meeting crucial needs in their community. Donate to the Emergency Response Fund 

The General Fund of the Wisconsin Conference helps us connect, support, and resource pastors, leaders, and congregations. Your gift allows the Conference to provide relevant and timely help during the pandemic and beyond. Donate to the General Fund

To see all searching churches, click here.

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.

Subscribe to the

Generosity Forward e-newsletter

Are you passionate about Creation Care? Want to connect with others who are taking action to care for the earth? The Creation Care Team's primary focus is to encourage, support and provide resources to congregations in the Wisconsin Conference as they do what they can to care for creation. If you would like to be a part of this team, or for more information on the Creation Care Team, contact John Helt. You can also go to the Creation Care webpage to learn more.

This month's Parish Paper is "Hospitality: Offering a Third Place to Gather." Access this issue and archived issues here!

The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference, and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.