Because of the highly transmittable omicron variant and following the advice of a medical professional, Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, has decided to refrain from in-person worship beginning after Christmas and at least until early February.

In addition, Middleton Community UCC has also canceled in-person Christmas Eve and Sunday worship services. at least until mid-January. (Their interim pastor, Rev. Jen Bloesch, tested positive for the coronavirus.)

McFarland UCC invited their members to submit artwork, such as the painting pictured, for use during their Christmas Eve service and/or the next couple of Sunday services after Christmas.

For their Christmas Eve services,1st UCC, Belleville, placed luminarias on the walks by their church. Luminarias, meaning "little bonfires," come from a Spanish tradition of placing little fires alongside the road to guide people to midnight mass.

Once again, walking meditations guided members on the prayer path of MCC/Community of Hope UCC., Madison

Members of the Congregational UCC, Barneveld, participated in their annual Christmas concert. It featured six nationally-, regionally- and locally-known mujsicians.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, carried on with their Advent workshop in spite of the pandemic. At their Nifty Gift Advent Workshop, members created ornaments and enjoyed hot chocolate. At 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, 15 family units gathered for their Advent workshop.

A number of our congregations observed Blue Christmas--A Service of the Longest Night. They included Olivet UCC, Columbus; 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville; Middleton Community UCC; Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison; Memorial UCC, Fitchburg; MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison; and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison.

In doing so, they recognized there are those who struggle to find Christmas joy because of more complicated feelings, and reminded them that they are not alone. For instance, there are those who are grieving a loss and are anxious about how things are going in the world

The children's Christmas program of Windsor UCC featured a live outdoor walk through their nativity scene.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, has a "Give What You Want, Take What You Need" table to keep their community warm this winter.

Members of 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, provided Christmas caroling at Cunningham House and then caroled in the streets. Members of 1st UCC, Belleville, caroled at a local shelter, and members of McFarland UCC caroled at the homes of several members of their church

The literacy campaign of Mazomanie UCC reaches their community in three different ways. Each newborn at Sauk Prairie Hospital's birthing center receives a board and storybook. The Little Free Library in front of the church allows persons to take or donate books for others. And books are available for free at the Christians in Action Food Pantry.

Members of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, are invited to be paired with with other members to encourage cross-generational conversations.

Members of the Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, served their monthly meal in in person, as a curbside pickup, or as a home delivery.

Raising chickens is a part of the environmental ministry of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison.

Books being discussed at Lake Edge UCC are A Single Thread, by Tracy Chevalier; and at Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, The Waldensians: The Advent of Protestantism.

Swiss UCC, New Glarus, is opening a food pantry for their community. It will be open every Wednesday afternoon.

Middleton Community UCC is planning to go ahead with their winter retreat for high school and middle school youth, on the theme of women's rights.

The All-Church Retreat of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will be held at the Daycholah Center (formerly known as Pilgrim Center) in mid-January.

The Prison Ministry Project of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, provided 470 holiday gift bags for the men and women residents at the Wisconsin Resource Center

The next annual meeting of the Southwest Association will be Saturday, April 30, starting at 9:00 a.m. at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison. One can attend in person or with the hybrid format.

The next United Church of Christ webinar will be on Wednesday, January 12. at 12:00 noon. Three panelists with local and national experience as organizers will explain how people of faith can best organize themselves to place pressure on Congress to act in 2022.

Frederick Douglass once said, "Power concedes nothing without a demand." So the Creation Justice Webinar will focus on the art and craft of making a demand. Register here.

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 chance to sign up.

Associate Conference Minister:  

Moderator: 

Vice-Moderator:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Division on Church & Ministry: 

Social Concerns Committee: 

Shalom Editor:

swacommunications@gmail.com