Forming Spiritually-Grounded Leaders for a Changing Church: The Damascus Project
The Damascus Project is a leadership development initiative -- a collaboration between the Minnesota and Wisconsin Conferences of the United Church of Christ -- to form spiritually-grounded leaders for a changing church. It continues to develop as a resource for individuals in both the Minnesota and Wisconsin Conferences who desire to grow deeper in faith and dive deeper into scripture and theology than is possible in Lay Academy. The Damascus Project is also developing as a resource for those who are pursuing a path toward authorized ministry in the UCC. Our second course, "Returning to Sacred Texts and Finding Stories You Can Live In" starts February 4, 2019. This eight week course will take place entirely online and is open to all. Cost is $250. Registration is available online. Feel free to contact Tisha Brown ([email protected]) any time with questions about either the Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy or The Damascus Project.
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 How to Develop Habits for Well-Being
by The Parish Paper
Seminaries and social work programs often ask their students to create a self-care plan. Not only does this send a message about self-care while pursuing a degree, ordination, or certification, it also makes clear that selfcare is a life-long commitment for those who serve the church and others. High demands and weak support systems can foster a toxic environment for clergy health. Therefore, some experts see a problem with the idea of self-care, which suggests that responsibility for clergy well-being falls entirely on the pastor. Clergy health and well-being involve three systems: the individual pastor's lifestyle, family and friends, and the congregation or
denomination. Although all three systems share responsibility, this issue focuses primarily on the role of clergy.
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Year-End OCWM Gifts
Individual's Year-end gifts: Contributions are deductible the year they are made in. Checks will need to be made out with a 2018 date and postmarked by December 31, 2018 for credit in 2018.
Churches Year-end gifts: These must reach the Wisconsin Conference office no later than January 15th, 2019. Please clearly mark that your gift is intended for 2018 by including a 2018 remittance form or clearly identifying what you are remitting for and 2018.
Please send payments to: Wisconsin Conference UCC 4459 Gray Rd. DeForest, WI 53532.
Please watch for your November 30, 2018 progressing contribution reports and 2019 OCWM remittance form. They will be mailed the first of December. If you have any questions please contact the Wisconsin Conference finances office at 608.846.7880.
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Youth Stewards Sought for General Synod
We are looking for eight youth to serve
as Stewards during the upcoming National Synod in Milwaukee. This is the first time the national body of the UCC has ever met in Wisconsin.
This rare opportunity takes place June 21-25, 2019. It would be a great privilege and honor for a youth to represent their church as well as their Association at this event.
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Wearing God: Discovering New Images from Everyday Life
An Advent Retreat
December 14, 2018
9:30am - 3:00pm
Cedar Valley
Based on Lauren Winner's groundbreaking book, Wearing God: Clothing, Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God - we will explore intimacy with God though ordinary experience. Come! Prepare for Advent by wearing God and discovering your own new images of God's faithfulness and love.
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Conference Transitions
Searching Churches
- Portage Lake United Church in Houghton, Mich., is searching for a part-time pastor. Details
To see all searching churches, click here.
New Calls
- Rev. David Frey has been called as pastor at Congregational UCC in Neenah, effective October 16, 2018.
Installations and Ordinations
- Rev. Gretchen Martin was ordained at Peace UCC in Kewaskum on October 29, 2018
- A service for the blessing of the ministry of Rev. Jon Pahl was held on November 4 at Union Congregational UCC in Green Bay
In Memoriam
- Barbara Saunders, wife of Rev. Herb Saunders, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. 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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Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
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Congregations studying Doctrine of Discovery
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Bulletin Covers!
First Congregational Church in Port Washington has received extra bulletin covers for the period of Dec. 2 to Feb. 17 (quantity: 200 each). If your church can use them, please stop by the church to pick them up. You can reach the church at
(262) 284-2022 to check on availability.
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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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