Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
November 3, 2021
‘The if was never a question’: Congregations weigh options for serving Afghan refugees
Wisconsin Conference congregations continue to take concrete steps to welcome newly arrived Afghan refugees to the Badger State, but pastors say their churches also are in a period of discernment as they figure out exactly how God is calling them to help.

In This Issue: scroll down to find these articles
  • Rob MacDougall returns from sabbatical
  • Churches needed for COVID testing sites
  • Donate airline miles for refugees
  • Webinar: UN climate conference through a moral lens
  • Mary Gross to coordinate refugee welcome efforts
  • The Cost of White Christian Nationalism: Seeking a Faithful Response event
  • Faith Foundations and Leadership Skills registration open
  • 'Scenes from Our Own Backyard: Supporting Afghan Refugees': a workshop
  • Opportunity for faith formation leaders
  • Conversation: 'Doing Our Work: White Christians and Race'
  • Donate to help others
  • Conference transitions
ACM Rob MacDougall returns from sabbatical, expresses gratitude for prayers
Associate Conference Minister the Rev. Rob MacDougall returned to his duties on Nov. 1 following a three-month sabbatical, grateful for his time away and for the support and coverage provided by the Conference staff and the Rev. Dale Bishop, who stayed on top of developments in the Northwest Association.

Churches needed for COVID testing sites
From the Wisconsin Council of Churches

The state of Wisconsin is bringing back COVID testing sites, at least through the winter months. Previously, these sites were large and centralized. This time, they'll be more widely dispersed. That leaves room for churches like yours to get testing out where it belongs, in your community. To volunteer, fill out this survey, and a Department of Health Services representative will get in touch to make arrangements.
 
One caution: they don't confirm the schedule until the week before, so it's best to be both flexible and ready to go on short notice. But our team is always here to help, and after the event, your community is eligible for a $250 facility use payment.
 
If you're interested, or need more information, contact Vaccination Outreach Project Director Dan Schultz.
Donated airline miles will help refugees reach new homes
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Two nonprofits have joined forces to secure enough airline miles to pay for flights for about 70,000 Afghan refugees who need transportation to new communities in the United States. Welcome.US, in partnership with Miles4Migrants, hopes to secure 1 billion airline miles. The effort already has secured donations of more than 620 million miles. Thousands of Afghan refugees, many of whom aided U.S. service personnel and diplomats, are currently in temporary housing on military bases. Click to donate.
UCC webinar: UN climate conference through a moral lens
Not since the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 has there been a UN climate conference as important as the one taking place in Glasgow, Scotland, through Nov.12. In a world where global inequality is thoroughly enmeshed with the climate crisis, there are a number of key moral questions at stake in this gathering of leaders from over 200 countries. Of central importance is whether wealthy countries will stop investing in fossil fuels and start investing in a clean and just transition to renewable energy. In this webinar, we will hear from international climate policy specialists who will discuss the conference as it is happening: Kelly Stone from Action Aid, Chloe Noël from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, and Ruth Ivory-Moore from the Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The webinar is scheduled for noon Central time on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Can’t make it? Sign up anyway, and we’ll send you a recording. Click to register.
Mary Gross to coordinate refugee welcome efforts
Mary Gross will serve as the Wisconsin Conference Afghan allies welcoming coordinator, a position created through the UCC’s Partners in Service volunteer program. Mary is a former executive for refugee and immigration ministries with the national office of the UCC. In her new role, she will establish relationships with government-designated resettlement agencies and with Wisconsin Conference congregations engaged in the ministry of Afghan refugee resettlement. “Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position, and we are grateful to have her working to network and support the congregations engaged in supporting the Afghan refugees who are making their home here,” said Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.
The Cost of White Christian Nationalism: Seeking a Faithful Response
There's still time to register for this Nov. 6 virtual event. To receive a Zoom link, please register at Lakeland.edu/interfaith or call 920-565-1021, ext. 2151. Fee: $25. Register by Nov. 4
Younger Family Campus Center, Lakeland University

Featured Panelists:
  • The Rev. Dr. Julie Mavity Maddalena, chaplain and ethicist in residence, Lakeland University
  • Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, religious director, Islamic Society of Milwaukee
  • Dr. Charles Cohen, professor emeritus, UW Madison
  • Pardeep Singh Kaleka, executive director, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee
 
Moderator:
  • The Rev. Dr. Karl Kuhn, Grace Chair of Religious Studies, Lakeland University
 
 
This program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference UCC Christian Education/Faith Formation Commission, Lakeland University’s Ulrich Center for Faith, Ethics and Justice, and the Wisconsin Council of Churches.
Faith Foundations and Leadership Skills registration now open
Are you interested in exploring questions about God, Jesus and the Bible with fellow Christians? Or learning new tools for interpreting Scripture? What about gaining skills for building and leading in your faith community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you would be at home in the Damascus Project’s 2022 Faith Foundations and Leadership Skills programs. Registration is open through Dec. 3. Click to learn more and to register. Wisconsin Conference applicants receive a 15% discount.
  • Explore questions about God, Jesus, and Scripture in a non-judgmental space
  • Discover new tools for interpreting the Bible
  • Develop language for speaking with confidence about your faith and finding your voice
  • Explore gifts for serving God in ministries of all kinds
  • Learn about different leadership styles and identify your own
  • Be equipped with new skills for strengthening relationships, building community, and navigating conflict
  • Develop tools for organizing
  • Deepen your knowledge about the UCC
'Scenes from Our Own Backyard: Supporting Afghan Refugees'
Join the Wisconsin Conference Immigration Working Group by Zoom from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4 for “Scenes from Our Own Backyard: Supporting Afghan Refugees.” This interactive workshop will include a presentation from and conversation with the Rev. Irene Hassan, minister for refugee and migration services for the United Church of Christ. To participate in this workshop, register here. Please contact Lisa Hart with questions.
Opportunity for faith formation leaders - join a Circle of Trust Peer Group
If you are a local congregational leader – clergy, lay staff, or volunteer – whose ministry focuses on nurturing the spiritual lives of others – children, youth, families or adults – this opportunity is for you. These Circle of Trust Peer Groups will offer space for Faith Formation leaders to be nurtured and nourished by themselves and in community. Rather than addressing digital shifts or programmatic challenges, this is an opportunity to refocus on what inspires and sustains you in ministry. The Circle of Trust approach is an invitation and a structure for doing our own inner work in the company of others. The offering includes both an opening retreat and monthly small group calls and will be held entirely online.
Zoom discussion to focus on white Christians and race
Do you ever get the sense that people of color are expected to do all the work when it comes to dismantling racist structures and systems that continue to oppress even in the 21st century? You’re not alone.
 
That’s why the Wisconsin Conference Task Force on Race is inviting white Christians to a conversation about the personal and institutional anti-racism work that belongs exclusively to white Americans. We’ll start by reflecting on our own life stories through the lens of race during a Zoom discussion at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
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
Conference Transitions
Searching Churches
  • First Congregational UCC in New London is searching for a pastor. Details
  • St. Paul's UCC in Ellsworth is searching for a pastor. Details
  • United Church of Christ Congregational in Osseo is searching for a pastor. Details
  • To see all searching churches, click here.

Installations and Ordinations
  • The Rev. Lois Buchholz was installed at Mukwanago UCC on Oct. 24.
  • Carla Simmons was installed at Community UCC in St. Germain on Oct. 31.

In Memoriam
  • The Rev. Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Wick died on Oct. 10. Obituary
  • Fern Hernandez, wife of the late Rev. Ramon R. Hernandez, died on Oct. 24. 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.
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.
Tending the Soul of the Beloved Community is a monthly 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.
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.
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.

Also: check out the Facebook page for ONA churches!
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.

More information on the Racial Justice Task force is available on the Conference's Racial Justice webpages.

This month's Parish Paper is "Thinking Flexibly about Our Buildings." Access this issue and archived issues here!
This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.

The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference, and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.

Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532