Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
July 13, 2018 
Sacred Conversations to End Racism

The United Church of Christ has a long history of working towards eradicating systemic and institutional racism. Are you ready to journey with the UCC into Sacred Conversations to End Racism?
Together, we will explore:
  • How race was constructed
  • Who constructed and sanctioned race as a model for American society
  • What role the Christian Church played in supporting the division of humanity by skin color
You can get involved at the Sacred Conversations to End Racism webpages
Annual report 2018 Wisconsin Conference Annual Report Now Available

Inside this report you'll find quotes and stories reflecting many vital ministries in congregations and community life throughout our Wisconsin Conference. The report also highlights the many ways our Conference staff are deployed in pursuit of the Wisconsin Conference mission - "to equip leaders and congregations to transform lives through innovative ministry for the 21st century."

Your OCWM gifts continue to faithfully support the work of Conference staff, board and committees and the ongoing care and programs available to pastors and congregations. We hope you will take a look at the Annual Report and share it with your congregation.
View the Report here
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Register now for Lay Academy
Deadline: August 12, 2018
 
Lay Academy is a ministry of the Wisconsin Conference that forms a transformative learning community that engages lay people in spiritual growth and development through theological education. Anyone who longs to grow in faith, discover new ways to serve God and their community, and deepen their knowledge of Christian tradition, ministry, and mission is welcome.
More information
Register for Faith Foundations Year 1
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Two Christian Education/Faith Formation Enrichment Opportunities

The CE/FF (Christian Education/Faith Formation) Commission is offering two enrichment opportunities this August. Come for one or come for both! 
 
At the request of clergy engaged in faith formation, we are offering a "Clergy-Educator Resource Group." The Rev. Dr. Stacy Myers will be the facilitator for the 2018-19 program year. The group plans to meet two times during the year. The first gathering will be on August 8th at the Trost Center in DeForest. Stacy will provide a mini-presentation of "Picture the Bible" and will work with the clergy-educators to create goals for their individual contexts.  Registration and more information for the August 8 event is available here.
 
The second opportunity is a Faith Formation Enrichment Day on August 9th at the Trost Center. Anyone involved in (or interested in) faith formation is encouraged to attend. The Rev. Dr. Stacy Myers will the presenter and facilitator. The focus will be to:
  • Equip yourself and your staff for leading faith formation activities
  • Connect with others
  • Get useful ideas to use this fall
  • Learn about "Picture the Bible" as a resource and tool for forming faith in your congregation
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Thanks to Annual Meeting Volunteers

The staff and officers of the Wisconsin Conference UCC would like to thank all the volunteers (66 in total!) who helped with Annual Meeting. We definitely could not do it without you!
COP group Communities of Practice Groups forming for 2018-2019
Communities of Practice (COP) clergy groups provide the sustenance that your ministry needs in order to be effective well into the future! COP groups are designed to be peer learning groups, focused both on the practice of ministry and your growth in your role as a pastoral minister. Previous participants will need to re-register to continue on in a group.
More information
Register for a clergy COP group 
 
COP groups are available for people who work in Christian Education and Faith Formation (CE/FF), too!  
Mitri Raheb
Rev. Mitri Raheb
Rev. Mitri Raheb and Rev. Everett Mitchell to present for the Bright Stars of Bethlehem

On July 24 and 25, the Madison Bright Stars of Bethlehem chapter will host two events featuring Reverend Dr. Mitri Raheb, President of Bright Stars of Bethlehem and Founding President of Dar al-Kalima University of Arts and Culture, former senior pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church and widely published Palestinian theologian. Dr. Raheb will speak at First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, on Tuesday evening, July 24, on Hope in the Shadow of the Wall.  
Rev. Everett Mitchell
Rev. Everett Mitchell 
And on Wednesday evening, Dr. Raheb and Rev. Everett Mitchell will speak on The Black Church and Palestinian Theologies: Intersections of Faith in the Midst of Empire at Christ the Solid Rock Church, 1502 Parkside Drive, Madison. Both events begin at 7:00pm. There is no cost for these events; donations graciously accepted.
 
On Wednesday morning, July 25 there will be an ecumenical clergy breakfast with Rev. Raheb at Lake Edge Lutheran Church, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison. Clergy are asked to RSVP for the breakfast to Bonnie Van Overbeke.
 
These events are sponsored by: Madison Chapter of Bright Stars, and Host Congregations: First Unitarian Society, Shaarei Shamayim Jewish Synagogue, Lake Edge Lutheran Church and Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church. 
Tri-Conference ministries map
Associate Conference Ministers Sought
 
The Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota UCC Conferences are searching for 2-3 Associate Conference Ministers to join their newly-merged team. 
Bryan Sirchio
"Do it Afraid" Song, Heard at Annual Meeting, Available
 
"Do it Afraid " by Bryan Sirchio is available for purchase on The Convergence Music Project website, along with a lead sheet. In addition, Wisconsin Conference congregations who would like membership to The Convergence Music Project will receive a discount on membership ($129 instead of $199) by using the code CMPDISCOUNT at checkout.
Stewardship Workshops

 

The Illinois Conference is sponsoring a two stewardship workshops on August 25. In Peru, Illinois, Rev. Eugene Graham will speak on "Essentials of Effective Stewardship Campaigns," and in Westchester, Illinois, Rev. Michael Piazza will speak on "21st Century Stewardship Technology and Millennial Generosity."   

More information 

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Clergy Retreat

 

You are invited to join the Northeast and Northwest Associations at a Clergy retreat at Moon Beach Camp in St. Germain, September 30-October 2, 2018. The theme is Worship for praise, resistance, and hope: how prayer, song, sacraments, and the arts inspire us for challenging times. The retreat is designed and led by John Thomas, former UCC General Minister and President, and Art Clyde, church musician, composer and editor of The New Century Hymnal.  

 

Find more information and register online at UCCI.org 

Conference Transitions

Searching Churches
To see all searching churches, click here.

New Calls
  • Rev. Lucas Williams has been called as associate pastor at St. Stephens UCC in Merrill, effective June 18, 2018. 
  • Rev. Nancy Zorn Micke has been called as pastor at Peace UCC in Brillion, effective July 1, 2018. This is a shared ministry covenant with First Congregational UCC in De Pere.
  • Rev. Dale Bishop has been called as interim pastor at First Congregational UCC in Eagle River, effective July 2, 2018.
  • Rev. Mary Carlin has been called as transitional pastor at First Congregational UCC in South Milwaukee, effective July 2, 2018.
  • Rev. Beth Petzke has been called as pastor at Grace UCC in Kohler, effective July 2, 2018.
Installations and Ordinations
  • Rev. Marty Carney was installed at First Congregational UCC, Lake Geneva, on June 3, 2018 
  • Rev. Lucas Williams was ordained at Saron UCC in Sheboygan Falls on July 8, 2018.
Anniversaries
  • The United Church of Christ in Osseo marks their 140th Anniversary this month. Congratulations!

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.
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, and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.

Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI  53532

In This Issue
Annual Report available
Lay Academy
CE/FF enrichment events
Volunteer thanks
COP groups forming
Bright Stars of Bethlehem events
ACMs sought
Annual Meeting music available
Stewardship workshops
Clergy retreat
Conference Transitions
Doctrine of Discovery study materials image
 
At our Annual meeting in June, a motion passed to study the issue of the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and to vote on a witness resolution at our 2019 annual meeting. Click on the link above to access study resources for this important issue. 
 
Church Spotlight


 
This Southeast Association church, led my pastor Peter St. Martin, is celebrating their 175th Anniversary this year. This makes the church 5 years older than the state of Wisconsin!
 
CONFERENCE CALENDAR

Check the Conference calendar for upcoming events.
Communion Serving Ware Available 
 
The recently-closed United Church of Christ in Brown Deer donated communion serving ware to the Conference and it is available to anyone who would like it. Email us if you are interested. 
Quick Links



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 Laura McLeod of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons.

Also: check out the Facebook page for ONA churches
 
Got News?
Let us know! If you have something you'd like considered for publication in
Wisconsin Conference Life, email Nola at the Wisconsin Conference.