Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
January 19, 2022
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The Rev. Amy Lunde-Whitler accepts ACM call |
The Rev. Amy Lunde-Whitler has accepted a call to become associate conference minister for the Southwest Association and the Burlington and Waukesha districts in southeastern Wisconsin. Since 2017, Amy has served as pastor of South Acton Church UCC in Acton, Massachusetts. She previously served as pastor at Christian Union Church in West Groton, Massachusetts, and as pastor to children and families at New Life Community Church in Artesia, California. Amy is a contributor to the “Be Still and Go” podcast, a digital ministry of Riverside Church in New York, and “Lady Preacher,” a podcast produced by the Rev. Kelsey Beebe, pastor of two Wisconsin Conference congregations.
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Catalyst at work: Grant helps Sheboygan warming center expand |
An overnight warming center that serves the homeless in Sheboygan will be able to operate through March thanks in part to the leadership provided by a UCC congregation and a Catalyst Grant provided by the Wisconsin Conference.
Launched in 2017 by St. John’s UCC and other faith communities, the Sheboygan County Warming Center offers a hot meal and a warm place to sleep for up to 20 individuals a night. The center rents space at Sheboygan’s Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church for $800 a month.
The $4,000 Catalyst Grant was matched by the congregation. The grant will enable the warming center to operate seven nights a week through the winter, up from previous years’ schedule of six to seven weeks of Monday-through-Thursday service.
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LSS needs co-sponsors to aid Afghan refugees |
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is seeking groups to co-sponsor Afghan refugees who are being resettled in Wisconsin. Co-sponsors, often faith communities, help raise financial and in-kind resources to cover the costs of rent, utilities, home furnishings and household supplies needed to get refugee families on their feet. Co-sponsors also serve as cultural navigators, and they check in regularly with the new arrivals to ensure that they have access to transportation and employment opportunities.
LSS is working to resettle 90 refugees over the next six to eight weeks. More information about becoming a co-sponsor is available at the LSS website.
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Save the Date for the 2022 Annual Meeting: Building up the Beloved Community
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A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
Mark your calendars now for the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference, to be held June 10 to 12 at the Green Lake Conference Center. This year’s theme, “Building up the Beloved Community,” acknowledges the toll that the pandemic has taken on congregations, pastors and lay leaders. We will focus on tending to individual and congregational wellness, lifting up best practices and good strategies for fostering healthy church dynamics, and challenging ourselves to think in fresh ways about the church. For additional details and registration information, make sure to check out February’s issues of Wisconsin Conference Life.
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Make 2022 a year to care for creation |
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Are you passionate about creation care? Sign up for “Climate Revival: Launching a year of climate justice and resilience,” a virtual event hosted by Creation Justice Ministries. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central time on Jan. 20. Speakers will include Karenna Gore, founder and executive director of the Center for Earth Ethics at UnionTheological Seminary in New York. For more information and to register, click here. Creation Justice Ministries educates, equips and mobilizes Christian denominations, congregations and individuals to protect, restore and share God’s creation. Read more here.
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Calling all lay leaders, volunteers, council chairs, moderators, task force members and more… |
Join the Leadership Skills cohort with the Damascus Project to explore the Enneagram as a tool to grow in faith and service as a leader
The Enneagram is a system for profiling personalities that describes the patterns and methods that people use to interpret and move through the world. Every day we take in the world around us through our own individual lens (personality type) and create our own assumptions about it that conform to our views and ideals. By learning how this personality type influences our perception of the world we can begin to notice how our own personality may give us a view of the world that is skewed or off center.
What you can expect from this Enneagram course is an invitation to notice your own personal patterns and behaviors, and how your behaviors impact your surroundings. It's a chance to notice other types as well, and how you might find more understanding for the people in your life, and learn how to care for them better. Through the wisdom of the Enneagram, and through honest and open sharing, this class is designed to help expand your heart and mind. This is meant to ground you more deeply in yourself, your relationships, and your connection to God.
Introduction to the Enneagram: Forming the Beloved Community:
- Featuring one month of self-guided learning: Feb. 3 - March 3
- Three live Zoom sessions: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 19
- Registration open now through Feb. 1
- Instructor: The Rev. Casey Martinez-Tinnin
To enroll in the Enneagram workshop, find the "Length of Study" drop-down menu and select "Unit 2: Enneagram and You" at this link. |
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Conference campus ministry connections |
Did you know that the Wisconsin Conference supports ministries to college students at several University of Wisconsin campuses? These ministries provide a warm welcome, spiritual nourishment and meaningful programming and social opportunities. Share these ministries’ contact information with your student friends and loved ones.
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A commentator with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle discusses the numbers challenge facing that country’s Protestant and Catholic churches. . . . From Religion News Service: Scholars evaluate fresh evidence about Mary Magdalene’s place in the early church. . . . Crux reports on an Italian bishop who has barred unvaccinated priests from distributing Communion.
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Creation justice series from the Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative continues |
Good Money After Bad: How to invest in Creation Care
6"30 to 8 p.m. Central time Feb.
Creation Justice from the Sanctuary to the Street: Linking Worship, Action, & Advocacy
6:30 to 8 p.m. Central time March 3
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Virtual conference to examine future of youth ministry |
The National Setting will offer a two-day virtual conference Feb. 7-8 for youth ministers and leaders designed to rethink the future of youth ministry, The conference, "Re-imagining for Tomorrow: Building the Future for Our Youth," will examine the direction of youth ministry in a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration can be completed here.
In addition, anyone who has regular contact with youth in the UCC is asked to complete a short survey to provide additional insight to the Faith INFO team and National Setting. Access the survey here through Feb. 1.
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Hurt People Hurt People:
Using a Mental Health Focus to Address and Prevent Domestic and Foreign Terrorism
Extremism and terrorism have seldom been addressed nor understood from a public health lens. In my anti-hate work over past 10 years, I have come to conclusion that our country is headed in the wrong direction when it comes to both addressing and preventing domestic and foreign terrorism. My presentation will highlight what we could do to build a more resilient society against targeted violence and help those who are currently entangled in the mindset of extremism themselves. In this presentation, I will highlight the work that Parents4Peace has done in the past and is currently embarked in now, provide resources that can help families exit from hate, and speak about the need for the mental health focus to terrorism. I will also speak about why the need for Interfaith collaboration and understanding is crucial to addressing the concern of religious-based extremism. Speaker: Pardeep S. Kaleka
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Help others by donating now |
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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Searching Churches
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Emanuel Church UCC in Hales Corners is searching for a pastor. Details
Wider Church Searches
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Heartland, Indiana-Kentucky conferences seek communications pro. The UCC’s Indiana-Kentucky and Heartland conferences are seeking a part-time director of communications to serve both organizations. The director is expected to assist the staff and volunteers of the two conferences to communicate their vision, mission, ministries and values with member churches and partners. For more information and to apply, go here.
New Calls
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Rev. Deborah Kunkel has been called as pastor at Hope UCC in Cochrane, and as pastor at St. Johns UCC in Fountain City, effective Jan. 1.
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Uriah Williams has been called as pastor at Peace UCC in Shawano, effective Jan. 10.
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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The Kairos Call to Action Newsletter was created to support the efforts of congregations, families and individuals who want to be a part of the UCC’s Kairos Call to Action. Through this newsletter the Conference Creation Care Team will provide resources for study and worship, encourage advocacy on behalf of climate justice, and help congregations find and connect with partners who share this common concern and commitment.
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Tending the Soul of the Beloved Community is a communication dedicated to sharing resources and tools, wisdom and insight for congregations and individuals navigating these challenging days. Created by the Conference Supportive Ministries Team, this publication will highlight resources to aid in steering your path forward.
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Ignite Your Fire, Feed Your Soul,
Build Your Faith... In Nature's Sanctuary
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Join the Conference-wide Creation Care Team!
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.
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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.
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Get Involved! A Conference-wide Racial Justice Task Force gathers resources and encourages congregations to engage in conversations around race. If you and your congregation are interested in participating in this group, you are welcome. Contact Lisa Hart get involved.
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Image credits:
- Warming center image from St. Johns UCC, Sheboygan
- Refugees Welcome Here sign image from Adobe Stock
- Great Lakes image: NASA
This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
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