Shalom April 2022 issue

Shalom

APRIL 2022

SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

April 30, 9:00-12:30

Sometimes resilience arrives in the moment you discover your own unshakeable goodness…

And when that happens, we begin to foster tenderness for our own human predicament.

Father Greg Boyle

We invite you to take time to connect with others for sustenance and affirmation at our 2022 Southwest Association Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Given the geographic range of our Association, and the varying degrees to which the pandemic is still among us, we determined that an online format for the meeting would serve our Association best at this time. During our morning together, we will hear a spiritual message of encouragement from our Conference Minister, Rev. Franz Rigert, have the opportunity to meet our very new Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Amy Lunde-Whitler, and conduct the annual business of the Association.

We’ve worked hard these past two years in a pandemic to figure out how to “do” and “be” church, all the while navigating new territory in our personal lives. As a response to this tender time, the Wisconsin Conference UCC brought together many of its programs and resources through a Supportive Ministries Task Force. Under the theme, “Tending the Soul of the Beloved Community,” this group will provide the programming for our gathering.

We will hear a brief keynote and attend two breakout sessions from a menu of Supportive Ministry offerings designed to support congregational leaders, and engage and empower congregations. The breakout sessions will also provide an opportunity for the Supportive Ministries Task Force to learn from participants what additional support might be helpful. Here is a document link to the details of the breakout sessions.

Registration information has been sent to all churches and clergy, and can be found here. Registration Deadline is April 24.

The SWA Annual Meeting Planning Team

Ann Beaty, Joylynn Graham, Paul Hodel, David Mickle, Lori Powell, Janet Pugh, Roberta Tucker

swaucc@gmail.com

CONGEGATIONS USE THE THEME, GOOD ENOUGH, IN THEIR LENTEN CELEBRATIONS

In addition to 1st Congregational UCC, Madison (mentioned in the March Shalom), several congregations are using the theme, Good Enough: Embracing the Imperfections of Life and Faith, for their Lenten services.

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, explained that the theme calls us to expansive living and added that "if you waited until you had all your ducks in a row, you'd never get across the street. Sometimes you just have to gather up what you've got and make a run for it."

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, pointed out that "ordinary lives can be holy."

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, called attention to the devotional, Good Enough: 40'ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection, by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie,

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, is using that in their mid-week devotionals. Their pastor, Rev. Julia Burkey, also told of how their drive-by Ash Wednesday event became a time of lingering and outreach to the community.

Rev. Eldonna Hazen, pastor of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, pointed out in a recent sermon that Jesus, in responding to his temptation in the wilderness, told the devil that his relationship with God was good enough. In addition, their mid-week vespers include reflections by lay members.

OTHER CONGREGATIONS ARE CELEBRATING LENT

Other congregations, such as 1st UCC, Belleville, are using the theme, Filled to the Brim, to point out that Lent provides a multitude of opportunities to nurture one's spiritual life; the stories of Jesus, for instance, overflow with an abundance of live and grace. They are using A Sanctified Art, a consortium of writers artists and musicians.

The Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, emphasizes that the theme doesn't ignore or deny sin and suffering, but rather contextualizes our faith.

Olivet UCC, Columbus, is using the theme, Giving Up Something Bad for Lent, based on a book by James W. Moore.

The Edgerton Congregational UCC is using The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity, by William P. Young/

Zwingli UCC, Monticello, is using The Four Gospel Journey with Alexander John Shaia on the Wednesdays in Lent.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, and 1st UCC, Belleville, are having mid-week prayer/meditation times. Windsor UCC is having Soup and Psalms on Wednesday nights.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is showing a video series, Sustaining Creation--A Faith Journey, on the Wednesdays in Lent.

The Lenten book study of Swiss UCC, New Glarus, will be based on He Chose the Nails, a book by Max Lucado

The Coffee and Conversation of Middleton Community UCC will read Hope and the Nearness of God during Lent.

Java & Jesus of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, focused on Liberating the Gospels: Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes, by John Shelby Song, and Who Is Your Jesus? in March. An April program featured writings of the well-known, late Buddhist, Thich Nhat Hahn, offering a Buddhist perspective on the Eucharist.

The Racial Justice Task Force of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, encourages its members to support Black-owned business in Madison as a Lenten practice of love and hope. One can check out the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce for details.

As the Racial Justice Task Force of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, shows a Lenten video series, they point out that "sometimes a bit of humor can lighten our spirits, open our eyes and hearts, and light our way as God's people toward a better, just future."

At Middleton Community UCC, the children are searching for Macy Mouse throughout Lent as a way to make the scriptures come alive.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will celebrate Maundy Thursday by having Agape Meals at members' homes as a way to strengthen relationships.

OUR CONGEGATIONS ARE

SERVING IN A VARIETY OF WAYS

Rev. Kristin Gorton, of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, has resumed her practice of connecting with members in a local cafe.

The confirmation students of MCC/Community of Hope, Madison, will work on projects focused on creativity or generosity, each receiving $25 of seed money.

in a similar vein, 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, provided each Sunday School and youth family with $50 to "Do Something Beautiful for God."

The annual Amazing GRace Race of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will be April 16. The youth of the church had a fund raiser game show Generation Gap: Boomers vs. Boomers, in which contestants answered questions, such as, What does the term bussin' mean?

A member of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, who is the Madison Community Development Project Manager, alerted members to the program, Wisconsin Help for Homeowners. The details are in this document.

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, explained why some are using "they" pronouns. "Often, people make assumptions about the gender of another person based on a person's appearance or name. Then, they apply those assumptions to the pronouns and forms of address used to refer to a person... (This can result) in send(ing) a potentially harmful message."

Zwingli UCC, Monticello, and Lake Edge UCC, Madison, hosted community blood drives in March.

1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, took their turn, with First English Lutheran Church, hosting their two Family Promise families.

Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will host a Gospel Music Fest involving area musicians on April 9

Swiss UCC, New Glarus, is offering Fair Trade products, such as coffee and chocolate, and encouraging members to support local farmers everywhere.

The Middle School Winter Retreat of Middleton Community UCC was held at their church camp in March.

Rev. Julia Burkey invited the members of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, to join her and others in the march around the Madison square and rally on March 28 as a part of the nation-wide Poor People's Campaign

The following books are being discussed: Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way and Presence. by Diana Butler Bass, at Middleton Community UCC's Tuesday Night Fellowship; Redeeming Justice; From

Defendant to Defender, My Fight for Equity on Both Sides of a Broken System, by Jarrett Adams at Memorial UCC, Fitchburg; The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah, at Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison's Women's Book Group; and The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II, by Madeline Martin, at Lake Edge UCC, Madison.

Recognizing that one in four persons over age 65 has a fall each year, Zwingli UCC, Monticello, is having Stepping on Workshops on Thursdays beginning in April.

Members of Lake Edge UCC and its partner congregation, Alliance, had a trivia contest to celebrate Black History Month at the end of March.

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PASTORAL TRANSITIONS

Revs. Zayna Thomley began her ministry at Middleton Community UCC on March 19.

Rev. Karsten Snitker's last day at Davies Memorial UCC Potosi, and 1st Congregational, Boscobel, will be April 17.

Rev. Amy Lunde-Whitier begins her ministry as our Associate Conference Minister on April 25.

Rev. Bill Kapp, pastor of 1st UCC, Sauk City, has announced resignation, effective May 29

Bill Whitford is the Pulpit Supply Pastor at Immanuel UCC, Darlington.

AFGHAN REFUGEES: HELPING

AND LEARNING ABOUT THEM

Laura Stalder, a member of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, reported on her two-week stay at Fort McCoy in which she volunteered to support the remaining 3000 Afghanis who have been temporarily housed there since last August. She tells of how she was "in awe of the strength and resiliency of the guests," even as they told of their fear and sadness as they thought about those whom they left behind. Here is her full report.

McFarland UCC and Lake Edge UCC, Madison, called attention to Immigration from Afghanistan on March 22, sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference Immigration Justice.

In addition, McFarland UCC hosted Common Good Immigration Justice Presentation on March 26.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, presented Living Undocumented, a six-part documentary series of Netflix and sponsored by the Dane Sanctuary Coalition.

SOME CONGREGATIONS ARE

RELAXING COVID PROTOCOLS

In addition to returning to in-person worship, some of our Association congregations are relaxing other COVID protocols for their Sunday worship services. For instance, Salem UCC, Verona, and Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, are resuming singing. dropping the requirement to wear masks and removing the every-other-pew seating requirement. 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, McFarland UCC and Lake Edge UCC, Madison, are resuming singing, and the worship leaders will no longer be masked,

UCC WEBINARS WILL

HIGHLIGHT EARTH DAY

The United Church of Christ webinar on Wednesday, April 13, at 12:00 noon, Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience, will help prepare congregations for Earth Day celebrations. Register here.

Then on Saturday, April 23, at 9:30 a.m,, there will be a special online Earth Week event, a keynote followed by a panel discussion, that will focus on what the Hebrew prophets can teach us as well as what prophetic actions are currently being taken. Register here.

A CONVERSATION ABOUT

CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

We are invited to Lakeland University's Spring Ethics Conversation, "What's All the Fuss About? A Conversation about Critical Race Theory" on Wednesday, April 6, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Two panelists will discuss what it is and is not. Register here

WISCONSIN CONFERENCE

ANNUAL MEETING

The 2022 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference will be held June 10-12 at the Green Lake Conference Center. The theme will be, Building up he Beloved Community. It will acknowledge the toll that the pandemic has taken on congregations, pastors and lay leaders. Save the date!

SW CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

SW Association Constitution

SW Association Bylaws