Members displayed their artistic talents in the Fiber Arts & Faith Show that 1st Congregationlal UCC, Janesville held on July 9-10.

They continued to follow their art and faith theme by offering two art classes for older children and adults this summer

Washington Reformation UCC, Monticello, continued a tradition dating back to 1876 when they had a Music Festival on the 4th of July.

Lake Edge UCC, Madison, publicized an event of their partner congregation, Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church--Grieving Parents Against Gun Violence Breakfast. Mothers shared their stories.

1st Congregational ULCC, Baraboo, has a Farmer's Market in which members provide their produce, with proceeds going to a local food pantry.

Also, 1st Congregational UCC, Evansville, publicizes the Senior Farmers' Market Vouchers of Rock County for those whose income qualifies them.

The Congregational UCC, Edgerton, had Pieces of Peace artwork at the Edgerton Night Market.

Youth of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, participated in summer mission projects--a Family Field Day, preparing and packaging meals on wheels, and sorting back-to-school supplies for backpacks.

The summer worship of 1st UCC, Bellevlle, has the theme, Beguiled by Beauty. It includes photos, artwork and writings that illustrate expressions of God's love and beauty in the world.

McFarland UCC has created a natural landscape on their property--a "pollinator garden" that includes native plants and trees.

Magnets for one's car or refrigerator designed by members have been made available at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison

The Women's Book Group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, discussed The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World, by Laura Imai Messina..

The August book for the Lake Edge UCC, Madison, book group will be Driving Miss Norma: An Inspirational Story About what Really Matters at the End of Life, by Tim Bauerschmidt and Rami Liddle.

1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, will again have a hospitality stand at the Sauk County Pride Festival on August 6.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg; Community of Hope UCC, Madison and Middleton Community UCC were among the sponsors of the first Interfaith Pride Service in the Madison area, which will be held at First Baptist Church (516 N Franklin Ave.) on August 18, 6:30 p.m.

The weekly reflections of Rev. Bill Wineke, pastor of 1st Congregational UCC, Evansville, are wonderfully apt, and filled with humor and irony. A recent example is his reflection on the Good Samaritan text. After explaining that the priest and the Levite walked on by the beaten man because it would have compromised their religious duties, he concludes, "The only thing left is for me to figure out how that lesson doesn't mean me."

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison (2401 Atwood Ave.), is having a huge Rummage Sale on Saturday, August 13, 8:00-4:00. Items will include childlren's clothes, toys, furniture, small appliances and tools. All the benefits will go to ;the Goodman Community Center.

1st UCC, Belleville, has resumed their partnership with Friends of the State Street Family to provide monthly sack lunches for homeless persons.

The Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, served their community meal in July.

The Congregational UCC, Edgerton, participated in the Downtown Edgerton Night Market with an art collaborative, Pieces of Peace.

As a part of their summer theme of Spirituality and the Arts, one Sunday the Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, worship inviting members to paint during the service, relating to the question, What does your hope for the world look like?

On August 6 there will be a celebration of Old Sauk Community Gardens, where MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, has been home to 55 community garden plots since the 1960s.

Pam Oliver led a discussion of Christian Nationalism for Java & Jesus of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison. This followed up on discussion of "resistance" and topics of polarization and disinformation.

The late summer and early fall book of Coffee and Conversation of Middleton Community UCC will be Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians, by Austen Harke.

The Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, is collecting new baby items as gifts to share with a family in need--what they refer to as Christmas in July.

Rev. Brad Brookins has been called as the interim minister for First UCC, Sauk City, effective May 31.

Rev. Gayle Tucker will be the pastor for Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, during Rev. Leslie Schenk's sabbatical absence July 4-August 15.

The newsletter of St. John's UCC, Monroe, called attention to the opening address by Conference Minister Rev. Franz Rigert at the Annual Meeting of the Conference in June.

"Comparing the conference to an Earth buffeted by climate change, (he told attendees) that despite the hurdles posed by the pandemic, the UCC in Wisconsin is poised to thrive."

"'It would be fair to say--here in the ecosystem of the Wisconsin Conference--we are also enduring plenty of climate change (such as a tornado and a drought of available ministers).

"'Amid the challenges, however, there is good news.'" He then pointed to our underlying strengths, such as our belonging to each other, our extravagant hospitality (even as we need to extend it 'to those who aren't quite as progressive as we might like', and our caring for the earth

'"'These values find exponential impact when embraced in the sweet space where the secular and the sacred come together...(and as) we partner our spiritual values we those beyond the church, we build a bigger beloved community.'"

The above are quotes from St. John's summary, but here is a vimeo of Franz's complete address. Here is the text of his remarks.

At the 2022 Conference Annual meeting, a resolution was passed to encourage congregations' study of a Resolution of Witness tor declaring the Conference a WISE Conference (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged).

WISE is an official designation offered through the UCC Mental Health Network. Here is the complete text of the message of Lisa Hart, of the Conference staff.

The Wisconsin Conference shared a; response by leaders of the United Church of Christ to the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on abortion.

"'This is a moral outrage,' said John Dorhauer, UCC general minister and president. "'The court has signaled they are beholden to religious zealots with a clear minority status over the rights of women... As a Christian leader I want to clearly state that their use of religion to end these rights for women is neither Christian nor defensible and threatens to undermine the establishment clause that underpins our democracy.'"

Three leaders of the UCC explained, "'Long before the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, the United Church of Christ, by action of the General Synod, affirmed the right of every individual to follow their personal religious and moral convictions regarding their reproductive healthcare...'"

A three-day training at the Daycholah Center in Green Lake will be offered for persons who want to provide in their congregation the program, Our Whole Lives (OWL). This is a comprehensive human sexuality curriculum for elementary-age children through older adults. The training will be August 26-38.

The program in co-sponsored by the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences, in partnership with the national setting of the UCC. It was developed by the UCC and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Cost is $375 for a shared double-occupancy room, meals and training for UCC participants.

The United Church of Christ webinar on Wednesday, August 10, 12:00 noon, will dsiscuss how we can make effective and equitable strides in reducing water pollution, including so-called "forever chemicals" found in almost everyone's blood.

Associate Conference Minister:  

Moderator: 

Vice-Moderator:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Division on Church & Ministry: 

Social Concerns Committee: 

Shalom Editor:

swacommunications@gmail.com