"GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES"
I encourage us all to consider God's call to be grateful. I understand that it isn't always easy to do so. Some days just don't seem like there is much to be grateful for. But I am reminded of a quote from author Tony Evans: "God says to give thanks in everything" (1 Thess. 5:18). That doesn't mean you need to give thanks FOR everything. You don't need to give thanks FOR that bad day. Or FOR that bad relationship. Or being passed over at work. Financial hardship. Whatever it is--you are not to give thanks FOR the difficulties, but rather IN the difficulties. that is a very important distinction, and one I think we often miss. giving thanks IN everything shows a heart of faith that God is bigger than the difficulties and that God can use them, if you approach God with the right heart and spirit, for your good and God's glory."
Rev. Kim Moeller, former pastor of Swiss UCC, New Glarus
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HELPING THE AFGHAN
REFUGEES AT FORT McCOY
On Thursday, November 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m., the Wisconsin Conference Immigration Working Group will present Scenes from Our Own Backyard: Supporting Afghan Refugees. This interactive workshop by Zoom will include a presentation by and conversation with our UCC Minister for Refugee and Migrations Services. Register here.
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Several of our congregations--Memorial UCC, Fitchburg; Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison; and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison--are responding to the plea to provide fabric (all lengths, colors and weights, including remnants) and sewing accessories for the women at Fort McCoy so they can make clothes for themselves and their families.
The knitters of MCC/Community of Hope UCC donated hats to the refugees at Fort McCoy as well to needy persons in Haiti and Madison.
Windsor UCC is providing winter clothing and funds to help purchase such items needed by the refugees.
On November 19, Middleton Community UCC will have a program on Afghanistan by members who served there in the Peace Corps.
As a part of an effort of the Dane Sanctuary Coalition, Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, held a community vigil on immigration justice.
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MORE CONGREGATIONS ARE
GOING TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP
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In addition to those mentioned previously, these congregations have begun, or will shortly begin, having in-person worship in their sanctuaries: Congregational UCC, Evansville; Congregational UCC, Mineral Point; Swiss UCC, New Glarus; 1st UCC, Belleville; McFarland UCC; Lake Edge UCC, Madison; Memorial UCC, Fitchburg; 1st Congregational UCC, Madison; Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison; and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison. All are taking precautions, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing. |
1st Congregational UCC, Madison, welcomed those attending worship in person for the first time in many months with a lovely display off more than 1000 colorful paper cranes in their sanctuary.
The last we heard, Middleton Community UCC and MCC/Fellowship of Hope UCC, Madison, are continuing to pause in-person worship indefinitely.
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CONGREGATIONS' POT POURRI |
Middleton Community UCC launched a series of MCC Encounters with their October 22nd Night Market/Science on the Square, celebrating Madison's unique and inspiring creative culture with a variety of items for sale, music and artists. Then in November 5, they will have a Carrie Newcomer Concert at Bur Oak, on Madison's east side. |
St. John's UCC, Monroe, is hosting a program on drug abuse for Hispanic families in Green County on October 30. |
These congregations will observe All Saints Day or Totenfest on October 31 or November 7: 1st Congregational UCC; Janesville; Edgerton Congregational UCC; Congregational UCC, Evansville; 1st UCC, Reeseville; Congregational UCC, Whitewater; Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison; 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison. They will remember church members and other family members and friends who have died during the past year. |
Windsor UCC had a series of conversations in October, Life with COVID: What We Learned, and How We Changed. |
1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is running a winter clothing drive for the persons who are being released as part of the Dane County Jail's Reentry program. |
These congregations are observing or have observed Veteran's Day in worship or through their newsletters: 1st UCC, Reeseville; Swiss UCC, New Glarus; McFarland UCC; Middleton Community UCC; and Memorial UCC, Fitchburg. |
Members of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, joined with persons around the world as they participated in a prayer service for climate action at the Capitol |
Zwingli UCC, Paoli, will have their annual Polka Sunday worship on November 14. |
Mt. Zion UCC, Cornelia will celebrate 150 years with their turkey and ham supper on November 21, 12:30-2:00. |
In a Storywalk event, MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, highlighted the beautiful fall colors in their prairie as The Place Where Love Lives, by Tina Hogle, was read |
Pastor Appreciation Day was celebrated by McFarland UCC on October 10. Gifts to Haiti Allies in honor of their pastor, Rev. Bryan Sirchio, were encouraged |
On the first Sunday of each month, Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, is having a series of Conversations in Faith, including how their members' lives are intertwined with those who immigrate and with persons around the world. |
Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, had a UNICEF Carnival. Middleton Community UCC and MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison also had Trunk or Treat events. 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, had a jack-o-lantern fundraiser for Open Doors for Refugees. |
1st UCC, Reeseville, will have a food drive during November for their local food pantry. The Congregational UCC, Evansville, continues to collect hats ands waterproof mittens for AWARE this fall. Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, is collecting funds to buy back-to-school items for elementary schools in their area, all of which have a large percentage of low-income pupils. |
Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, will be one of the venues for Madison's Gallery Night on November 12, 5:00-9:00. Plymouth's exhibit will once again feature the work of students of Lowell Elementary School.. |
1st UCC, Belleville, is sponsoring a float and providing free candy and ice cream cones for the local UFO Day Parade on October 30. |
1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, had a strong turnout for the community's Pride Fest in October. |
MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, began their two-year-long involvement in Awaken Dane in which they are focusing on joining God's Spirit in their neighborhood. |
McFarland UCC had a letter-writing campaign to legislators in support of ending gerrymandering in Wisconsin.. |
Members of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, gleaned leftover food from vendors at the Madison Farmer's Market to share with the hungry through the Community Coalition. |
On October 28 a Heart Room family spoke at the annual breakfast of The Road Home, a ministry to homeless families of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.
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Book being discussed by groups in Swiss UCC, New Glarus are The Time Keeper, by Mitch Albom; in Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Michele Richardson; and in Lake Edge UCC, Madison, Perestroika in Paris, by Jane Smiley. |
MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, watched Soul! in an outdoor movie night.
Lake Edge UCC., Madison, will be treated to Zoom conversation on November 17 by a former member couple who with their two daughters are now missional partners in Japan.
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Remembering that October 4 is the Festival of St. Francis of Assisi,1st Congregational UCC and MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, also had Blessing of the Animals Services. |
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INSTALLATION OF
REV. DR. SHAWN STAPLETON
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The Installation of Dr. Shawn Stapleton as the pastor of the Congregational UCC, Brodhead, will be in person (masks required) on Sunday, November 7, 3:00.
The Division of Church and Ministry of
The Southwest Association Invites
all members, friends and clergy of the Association congregations. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red or rainbow stoles. An offering will be received for the
Wisconsin Conference Seminarian Fund.
The church is located at E201 23rd St. in Brodhead.
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CONCERNING PILGRIM CENTER'S NAME CHANGE TO DAYCHOLAH CENTER |
On September 9, United Church Camps, Inc., announced that our outdoor ministry site on Green Lake (Pilgrim Center) is being renamed Daycholah Center. Daycholah is the original Ho-Chunk name for Green Lake.
This is the result of a thorough and emotionally-charged, years-long process that involved many stakeholders, discussions, prayers, and a deep desire to reflect the mission and ministry of UCCI. This new name recognizes that this land was an remains a sacred place for Native Tribes, and UCCI has a unique role and opportunity to restore the voice of Native Americans, acknowledge their stewardship of this sacred place, and begin a journey toward building strong, supportive, and sustained positive relationships with our indigenous siblings.
Rev. Bryan Sirchio, pastor of McFarland UCC, and one who has had a long relationship with the camp, provided some music for the name-change ceremony. Members of the Ho-Chunk tribe spoke, sang and drummed.
The timing of the ceremony was particularly fitting, as October 11, the holiday which has been recognized as Columbus Day, is now being recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day.
MCC/Community of Hope UCC had a program on the Ho-Chunk Nation.
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THE COST OF WHITE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM: SEEKING A FAITHFUL RESPONSE |
The Wisconsin Conference has alerted us to a virtual program by Lakeland University on November 6, The Cost of White Christian Nationalism: Seeking a Faithful Response. The panel will be moderated by the Rev. Dr. Karl Kuhn, of Lakeland University; and will include a University chaplain and ethicist; a leader of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee; and Pardeep Singh Kaleka, Executive Director of Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee.
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WISE; CONGREGATIONS
FOR MENTAL HEALTH
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Last summer General Synod passed a resolution encouraging congregations, with support and resources from the UCC's Mental Health Network, to adopt WISE covenants. A WISE Congregation for Mental Health is one that is Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged with those who are affected by mental health challenges. |
Lisa Hart, our Associate Conference Minister for Faith Formation and Justice Ministries, has very thoughtful reflection on why congregations should adopt such covenants. She tells of how her grandfather struggled with mental health issues, yet even though he was a very active lay leader. he did not feel he could go to his church to receive support,
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WISCONSIN COUNCIL PROGRAM:
NEW MEMBER PRACTICES
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The Wisconsin Council of Churches invites us join them and colleagues for Conversation Circles. The next one is New Member Practices in the Age of COVID on Thursday, November 18, 11:00. Register here.
(This Shalom went out too late to alert you to What's Next for Family Ministry on October 28.)
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CHURCHES NEEDED
FOR COVID TESTING SITES
The Wisconsin Council of Churches alerts us the need for churches to offer to be COVID testing sites, as the state of Wisconsin will be distributing the sites more widely than was previously the case.. Here is more more information along with the hance to sign up. |
SOCIAL CONCERNS GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Social Concerns Division of the Southwest Association alerts us to their having grants available to congregations, such as to help. with their outreach to local food pantries. They have had a smaller number of applications than usual due to the pandemic, so most requests will receive a favorable response. Click here for more information and an application.
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SW CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
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CONTACTS
Associate Conference Minister:
608-630-2992 (cell)
608-846-7880 (conference office)
(calendar scheduling)
Moderator:
Vice-Moderator:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Division on Church & Ministry:
Social Concerns Committee:
Shalom Editor:
Roger Brooks
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Southwest Association | swacommunications@gmail.com
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532 | 608-846-7880
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