Northwest Word

Northwest Wisconsin Association

United Church of Christ

July 2023

Internet Scams Hit

Many Churches Recently

Internet scammers have found many ways to attempt to steal from people. One of the newer scams is for scammers to pretend to be the church pastor and to send an email or text to a church member requesting money. Scammers often create an email address that is similar to the pastor’s current email address or that has the pastor’s name within the email address to confuse the recipient. In these messages, scammers often ask the church member to buy gift cards for charities, and then to send the gift card number and information to the scammer.

This has happened in many churches! Always follow up with your pastor or anyone from which you appear to have received this request through another mode of communication to verify that it was sent from them. For example, if you receive an email with this request that you believe is from your pastor, call your pastor to verify the appeal.

Licensed Minister Jean Pagliaro was installed as Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in rural LaCrosse during the congregation's morning worship service on Sunday, May 14. Rev. Michael Jones, Associate Confer-ence Minister, preached for the oc-casion. Pictured above are Rev. Jones and Ms. Pagliaro.

Hold the Date: Pastor's

Retreat October 1-3

Return to the Sacred: Rest and Renewal shapes the theme for this fall's Northeast-Northwest UCC Asso-ciation's Clergy Retreat. Rev. Catherine Duncan, a UCC minister, chaplain, and spiritual director, will lead the program. The retreat, planned for Moon Beach Camp in St. Germain, begins at the dinner hour on Sunday, October 1 and concludes on Tuesday morning, Octo-ber 3. More information will be coming as planners finish the details of the event.

Hancock UCC Joins

Northwest Association

Hancock United Church of Christ in Hancock has become a member church of the Northwest Wisconsin Association of the United Church of Christ. The Executive Committee received the congregation into membership at its meeting on May 18. The church, founded in 1871, had been a member of the Northeast Wisconsin Association since 1962.

The congregation asked for the change when an opportunity arose to share a pastor with Peace United Church of Christ in Stevens Point. Rev. Micah Schlobohm has been serving both congregations as their called pastor for almost a year.

Previously, the Hancock Church had shared a pastor with the Wild Rose United Methodist Church.

New Pastor for St. John's UCC LaPointe

Ordained

On Sunday, June 25, the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ celebrated the ordination of Nathan Holst at Peace United Church of Christ in Duluth, where he has been the Faith Formation Minister for many years. Nathan has been called to serve as pastor at St. John's UCC in LaPointe (Madeline Island) on August 18..

Stewardship Moments: Do your givin' while you're livin' so you'll be knowin' where it's goin'.

From the Desk of Michael Jones,

Associate Conference Minister

Dear Friends,

The past two months in in the NWA have been busy with installations and services of farewell. There are many transitions happening with pastors and churches, and I encourage you to watch for opportunities to stay connected with and to support one another in our various ministries.

The Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting was a wonderful gathering. It was nice to see so many of you from the NWA and to meet some of you for the first time. Thank you for representing the NWA! Many things happened, but some of the highlights were the vote on the Wisconsin Conference becoming a WISE Conference through the UCC Mental

Health Network, Conference Minister Rev. Franz Rigert’s State of the Conference presentation, and the celebration of the many exciting ministries that make up the Wisconsin Conference, which includes all that we do in the NWA. If you were unable to attend and haven’t watched some of the videos of the gathering, please consider doing by going to the Conference website (www.wcucc.org) and finding the “About Section”, where you will find “Annual Meeting 2023.” There you will find links to the various parts of the gathering. I recommend watching Franz’s inspiring address!

The National Gathering of the United Church of Christ, General Synod, is in late June/early July. Delegates from the NWA and Wisconsin Conference will be headed to Indianapolis to be part of the many discussions regarding the future of the UCC. Please keep all of those attending in your prayers as they will vote on important resolutions and take part in important discussions.

As a reminder, please be in touch with me if you or your church are in need of support and/or resources. I have enjoyed meeting pastors, attending worship services, and getting to know the people of the NWA!

God's peace,

Michael Jones

Powered by Catalyst, a Community Works

to Dismantle Racism

Reprinted with permission from Generosity Forward, June 2023

Building an All-Inclusive Community hosted an event centered on the experience of the local Black community from the 1860s to the 1920s. Pictured here: Mr. James Curry

At Prescott United Church of Christ, the drive for racial justice has been part of the congregation’s ethos for more than a century and a half: In 1861, the church’s pastor and 13 members joined the Union Army to fight for the North, and against slavery, during the Civil War.

Yet the congregation also has had to contend with the ebb and flow of the racial history of Prescott, which sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers in far western Wisconsin.

In the mid-20th century, for instance, Prescott High School sported an Indian mascot. More recently, church members discovered that U.S. Geolo-gical Survey map used an outdated term for Black people to refer to a local landmark.

That’s the context that gave rise to Building an All-inclusive Community, a collaboration of community stake-holders including Prescott UCC and

Gentle Reminders

General Synod of the United Church of Christ, June 30-July 4, Indianapolis
New UCC General Minister and President's Term begins, August 1
Rev. Nathan Holst's first Sunday as Pastor of St. John's UCC, LaPointe (Madeline Island), August 20
Installation of Rev. Okogyeamon Herbert Perkins as Pastor of St. Paul's UCC, Ellsworth, Time TBD, September 30
Northwest-Northeast UCC Associations' Pastors' Retreat at Moon Beach Camp, October 1-3

other faith communities, educators and civic leaders committed to building bridges of hospitality as the community becomes more diverse.

Formed in May 2021, BAIC received a $5,000 Catalyst grant from the Wisconsin Conference to support activities that have included producing yard signs promoting inclusion and a series of “Voices of the Confluence” events that so far have highlighted Native and Hmong culture, with more events scheduled for later this year.

The perspective of the Rev. Lisa Bodenheim, pastor of Prescott UCC, has been one key to BAIC’s success to date. She brought to the effort experience gained serving alongside a Black pastor at a multiracial congregation in the Twin Cities, which exposed her to the stories of nonwhites. “I grew up in a small town in Minnesota,” Lisa says. “I didn’t know the difficulties Black people could face until I listened.”

Got News for the NW Word?

Send your suggestions to the Pastor Bill Clyma, the NW Word's Editor at pastorbill111@outlook.com, or call him at 763-415-0779.

The Northwest Word is published six times a year in January, March, May, July, Sep-tember and November.

Stewardship Moments

Some people say, “Give till it hurts.” But God recommends that we give until it feels good. God loves a cheerful giver. Brian Kluth

Northwest Association Pulpit Supply List June 2023

Churches should be fair and forthright in agreeing upon honorarium and travel expenses for persons they invite to provide pulpit supply. The WI Conference Division of Church and Ministry suggests a minimum of $150 plus mileage reimbursed at the IRS rate for 2023, 65 cents per mile.

Where a church has two points and two services, consider an additional $75 plus mileage.

Conference staff persons serve local congregations in a variety of ways. Honoraria are not accepted, and travel costs are covered by the Conference travel budget. Except in emergencies, Conference staff cannot provide pulpit supply; however, the staff welcomes opportunities to preach for special occasions or to meet with members of the congregation.

Please note: Persons licensed to the NW Association and ordained pastors are authorized to administer the Sacraments.

EAU CLAIRE TO TWIN CITIES AREA:

Jill Christopherson (licensed to the NW Association) 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825 715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Rev. Bill Clyma 81840 University Avenue West, Apt. 304, St. Paul, MN 55104 763-415-0779, pastorbill111@outlook.com (will travel 75 mi.) *Note: I would be happy to provide “virtual” pulpit supply.

Rev. Elizabeth Hazel, 1060 Marian Lane, Park Falls, WI 54552 (will drive 3 hours) 715-744-2373 morrinhazel@pctcnet.net *Note: I’m willing to share “virtual” worship services.

Rev. Carol J. Heckmann, 1789 County Rd EE, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 651-269-4950, autumnsky1353@gmail.com. I am willing to travel 2 hours.

Rev. Sandee Kosmo, 3214 Chasewood Lane, Eau Claire, 54701 715-834-2112 skosmo14@msn.com

Ann Larrabee 817 Hamilton St. Wausau WI 54403 715-216-6119 bookworm1952@hotmail.com *Note: I would prefer to preach in person

Rev. Norm Luecke, 301 Alvey St, Bruce, WI 54819 925-639-1652, normluecke@yahoo.com, (Available June-Sept: willing to travel 2 hours.) *Note: I would be glad to provide zoom pulpit supply.

Rev. Kent Meyer, 179 McKnight Rd. N, #201, St. Paul, MN 55419, revkmeyer@gmail.com, 507-458-0757

Stephen P. Ottman, 733 First Street, Plum City 54761 715-495-2017 cell s.ottman53@gmail.com

Heather Rushfeldt, 201 Church Ave, Amery, WI 54001-1284, 706- 593-8208, heather.rushfeldt@gmail.com

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449 715-650-1761, patti-steevens@hotmail.com

*Note: I am willing to do in-person or virtual. Will travel throughout the state, generally not available in Jan or Feb.

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456 715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

Rev. Charles Wolfe, 715-262-2133, chaswolfe411@gmail.com

LA CROSSE AREA:

Jill Christopherson, 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825 Licensed to the NWA 715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Rev. Jean M. Feeney, 726 E. Montgomery St. Apt 3, Sparta WI, 54656. Jfeeney16@yahoo.com

Ann Larrabee 817 Hamilton St. Wausau WI 54403 1-715-216-6119 bookworm1952@hotmail.com

*Note: I would prefer to preach in person

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449 715-650-1761 patti-steevens@hotmail.com

*Note: I am willing to do in-person or virtual. Will travel throughout the state, generally not available in Jan or Feb.

Rev. Tom Uphaus, 2650 N Pine Creek Rd, La Crescent, MN 55947 507-895-2152 tuphaus@acegroup.cc

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456 715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

SUPERIOR-ASHLAND AREA:

Jill Christopherson, 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825, Licensed to the NWA 715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Rev. Bill Handy, 715-682-0168 williamhandy18@gmail.com

Rev. Elizabeth Hazel, 1060 Marian Lane, Park Falls, WI 54552 (will travel 3 hours) 715-744-2373 morrinhazel@pctcnet.net

*Note: I’m willing to share “virtual” worship services.

Rev. Norm Luecke, 301 Alvey St, Bruce, WI 54819

925-639-1652 normluecke@yahoo.com (Available June-Sept: willing to travel 2 hours.) *Note: I would be glad to provide zoom pulpit supply.

Rev Robert Rice, 5695 Hunter Cove, Conover, WI 54519 405-642-6118 robertsrice@msn.com (Eagle River area; available mid-June through Fall.)

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449 715-650-1761 patti-steevens@hotmail.com

*Note: I am willing to do in-person or virtual. Will travel throughout the state, generally not available in Jan or Feb.

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456 715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

WAUSAU AREA:

Jill Christopherson 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825, Licensed to the NWA 715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Temporarily unavailable Rev. Wayne C. Drueck, 1811 Perry Drive, Schofield, WI 54476

715-355-8895 home 715-212-8376 cell retired.rev@gmail.com

Rev. Elizabeth Hazel, 1060 Marian Lane, Park Falls, WI 54552, (will travel 3 hours) 715-744-2373 morrinhazel@pctcnet.net *Note: I’m willing to share “virtual” worship services.

Ann Larrabee 817 Hamilton St. Wausau WI 54403 1-715-216-6119 bookworm1952@hotmail.com *Note: I would prefer to preach in person

Dr. Pamalyn Lee, PO Box 1042, Land O Lakes, WI 54540-1042, 715-891-5579, pam.lee43@gmail.com

Rev. Norm Luecke, 301 Alvey St, Bruce, WI 54819 925-639-1652 normluecke@yahoo.com *Note: I would be glad to provide zoom pulpit supply.

Rev. James Mohr, 35 Hewett St., Neillsville WI 54456, 715-743-7626 jmohr13@outlook.com *Note: I would be available to drive to anyplace South of Wausau, East of La Crosse, and Southeast of Eau Claire. I’m willing to do some in-person pulpit supply, as well as virtual pulpit supply.

Rev. Robert Rice, 5695 Hunter Cove, Conover, WI 54519 405-642-6118 robertsrice@msn.com (Eagle River area; available mid-June through Fall.)

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449 715-650-1761 patti-steevens@hotmail.com

*Note: I am willing to do in-person or virtual. Do not have a zoom account, will need to work with local ‘tech’ to do zoom or YouTube. Will travel throughout the state, generally not available in Jan or Feb.

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456 715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

Mary Wright, 7010 Evergreen Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 bmw@tznet.com or 22bowzer@gmail.com 715-325-3602