Got an idea for developing or expanding a community-based ministry or partnership? Maybe the Catalyst Team can help! The next deadline to apply for a Catalyst Grant is Monday, October 5, 2020. Contact Tisha Brown for more information.

What partnerships could you imagine forming? What is something your community needs as we navigate this pandemic that is something your congregation could help with in some way? Here is a short list of just a few projects that have received funding to date to spark your thinking.

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 for around 250 hours per year. 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 31, 2020.

Not sure if Faith Foundations or Leadership Skills is right for you? Learn more by watching this video and register here. The absolute deadline to register is Tuesday, September 8.

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’ll 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!

There is no fee for participating in this webinar, however registration is required to receive the link to join the webinar.

Lisa Hart will be hosting a Zoom conversation on Confirmation on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 10 AM CDT. The purpose of this gathering is to offer an open space for people responsible for offering Confirmation in their setting to share ideas, ask questions, and find support from each other. We’ll be online for about 90 minutes and would love to have you join us if you are looking for guidance and ideas, or if you have an idea to share or are planning to try something new this year. If you're interested, please register to join us for the Zoom. If you're unable to join us, but would like to have notes/resources sent to you after the session, please register so that we have your name and email address.

Our own Lisa Hart was a panelist on this webinar: BACK TO SCHOOL: The Impossible Choice and How Your Church Can Help, from the national UCC's "Thursdays for the Soul" webinar series.

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.

These initiatives could address new models for community-based cooperation and ministry, environmental and economic justice work, theological grounding for your congregation's response to the climate crisis, and/or potential leadership identification and development for guiding the congregation's response. Additionally, because the Creation Care Team has connected with the Native American communities of Wisconsin, consideration will be given to congregations who use this as an opportunity for multi-cultural literacy and cooperation.

These initiatives can be small or large, focused on enhanced efficiencies, consciousness-raising and education, or organizing and advocacy. Because of the far-reaching dimensions of the climate and ensuing economic crisis, priority consideration will be given to initiatives that somehow connect with multiple partners within or beyond communities the congregation serves.

Application deadline is September 30. For more information and to submit a grant application, go to wcucc.org/creationcare. Contact Lisa Hart with questions.

 

Based on his personal experience and shaped by insights on best practices from the Lake Institute, Andrew Warner designed this 14-segment video series "Extravagant Generosity" for local congregations. Because fundraising arises from our faith commitments, the series begins by looking at the spirituality of generosity through conversations with the national leaders of the UCC. Then, it looks at ways to express gratitude for people's generosity. Lastly, the series turns to the practical elements of a campaign, such as giving a testimonial and creating a narrative budget.

 

You can watch the videos as a series or singly. The videos on the spirituality of generosity might be useful as devotionals before a board or committee meeting. Check out the video series here.

God is calling the church to shape our preaching, worship and liturgy as if life itself depends on it. Clergy must fully engage the greatest moral challenge humanity has ever faced. This webinar helps pastors offer their congregations hope, engage their imagination, and inspire them to take action on climate justice. How can pastors best unpack the relationship between racial, economic and climate injustice? How can the church shape the new realities emerging from the pandemic so that we experience a #JustRecovery for “the least of these among us” AND for the ecosystem? Led by Rev. Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the UCC General Minister and President.

View the webinar here: https://vimeo.com/447885302

Three Great Loves expresses the core commitments of the United Church of Christ as we live out Jesus’ call to share God’s love. Across our Christian movement, we embody God’s love in three ways: Love of Children, of Neighbor and of Creation. The Three Great Loves Stewardship Materials help congregations tell their story of expressing God’s love while making a request for financial support.

These materials provide all that you need to run an effective campaign:

Order your materials today: uccresources.org

Share and learn from your peers to strengthen your stewardship campaign - Pastors and congregation leaders can enhance their stewardship campaigns by connecting and sharing ideas and resources with others. This fall, join an online “cohort” group for stewardship campaign leaders using the Three Great Loves Stewardship Theme Materials. Participants will use an online forum to connect, ask questions, offer success stories, and learn together about what works in your setting. This cohort group will kick off in August and run through mid-November.

Andrew Warner and Bob Olsen, directors of development for the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences, respectively, will moderate this online forum, offering weekly posts with ideas and resources designed to strengthen stewardship campaigns. Participants will sign into the online site to connect with the moderators and other participants. Participants will be able submit questions for the moderators or other group members, as well as adding their own stories and information. The group could also choose to hold an online live session for a group discussion.

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.

Worker Justice Wisconsin (WJW) is an organization that integrates faith with a passionate advocacy for worker justice. WJW invites churches to lift up the dignity of work this Labor Day weekend (or another day in September) by participating in their annual Labor in the Pulpit/On the Bimah/In the Minbar.

WJW offers a speaker, materials or a short video that make the important connection between faith and labor. If you’d like to participate, contact rebecca@workerjustice.org or your WJW contact person know what day you have decided on, and WJW will help you plan it out!

Download Labor in the Pulpit resources

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

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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.