SPIRITUAL CRISES AND SUFFERING

"I've just been reading about a study published in the Scientific Journal of Religion that claims people with deep religious faith tend to suffer greater spiritual crises when faced with illness or loss than do less religious people.

"Which is not (what) anyone thought would be the case.. I guess there are two ways to respond to that.

"One. The study might be nuts. Just because a researcher does a study doesn't mean the results are true. Maybe the study was flawed.

"The other way to look at it is to speculate on why it might be true. My guess is that distrust in God is part of spiritual growth. When things are going well, it is easy to give God the credit. It is also easy to conclude that God is rewarding me for my faith. When the bottom falls out, we tend to ask why God would do that to me, a faithful Christian.

"The Bible holds some examples of faithful people who question God (such as Job)... A second biblical example is Jesus, who, as he hangs on the cross, laments, 'Why have you forsaken me?'

"Questioning how a just God might cause me anguish is not an act of disbelief.. It is an act of belief."

Rev. Bill Wineke, pastor of Congregational UCC, Evansville

Used with his permission

SPRINGING INTO SPRING

...AT LAST!

On Easter 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, dedicated their two new stained glass windows. The windows were featured in a front-page article in the local newspaper.

In preparation for their Trans Fall Family Fair MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is having a silent auction and other publicity events.

Community of Hope UCC, Madison, also had a Holy Humor Sunday, an ancient Easter celebration that affirms that God played a joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead.

The Green Team of Middleton Community UCC pointed out that the words "dated" and "outdated" lead to overconsumption and eco-unfriendly overproduction.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, used their education hour to celebrate Earth Day by having an intergenerational work day, doing such things as garden and prairie work.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, also had a Spring Cleanup Day to pressure wash items, paint and clean up debrIs.

The workday of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, included freshening up the trails in their woods.

The Palestine Justice Mission Team of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had a Zoom interview direct from Bethlehem with a man who co-leads an organization that helps Palestinian children and youth cope with the trauma of occupation. They also heard from a member who participated in the Stones Cry Out solidarity delegation to the occupied West Bank.

1st Congregational UCC Baraboo, shared the information that buildings related to our Bright Stars ministry--the Gaza headquarters of Dar al-Kalima and a clinic run by the Middle East Council of Churches--were destroyed or severely damaged in strikes by the Israeli military.

Rev. Zayna Thomley pastor of Middleton Community UCC led embers of 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, on a Spring Forest Bathing experience the Sunday after Easter.

As a follow-up to the El Paso visit by members of MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, the congregation has welcomed a migrant couple originally from Venezuela. A couple of the church has opened their home to them, and the congregation is helping them settle in.

The chair of the Immigration Justice Team of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, recently told of her experiences during the five weeks she spent in Tucson and Casa Alitas. One highlight was hosting Rev. Julia Burkey, pastor of the church. Another was telling of the advocacy work of Casa Alitas

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is holding three in-person and Zoom opportunities in April and May to relate to their designation as a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) congregation

Not waiting for the fire of Pentecost, MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, did their own annual restoration and renewal by burning their prairie on April 13.

Prior to that their Faith in Action for Racial Equity (FARE) group had a Racism Repentance and Restoration Ritual Bonfire to call attention to ways that members have unwittingly supported racism.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, had their 2nd annual Black History tour to museums in Milwaukee, including the Black Holocaust Museum. The confirmands of 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, also visited the Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee.

McFarland UCC and Salem UCC, Verona, are also holding a blood drives.

Rev. Jen Bloesch, the pastor of Community of Hope UCC, Madison, was the guest speaker at the Annual Gala of The Crossing, a ministry to students and staff at the UW-Madison, where she was a participant.

55 Alive of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, highlighted the ministry of The Crossing by having the executive director speak. Rev. Eldonna Hazen, pastor of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, received the Cecil Findley Award at the gala because of her work supporting LGBTQ+ students and advocacy for trans youth.

To celebrate Uptown Sanctuary's 20 years of supporting women affected by the trauma of incarceration, Rev. Julia Weaver will speak of her ministry of weaving on May 30 at Grace Episcopal Church. She has Covenantal Call with Lake Edge UCC, Madison.

Windsor UCC concluded its video/discussion tour through he Holy Land with author Max Lucado.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, has a new digital board in their lobby to call attention to announcements

1st Congregational UCC, Madison, has launched a plastic bag recycling project. Their goal is to collect 1,000 lbs. so that they can receive a new bench made from the recycled plastic.

In another way the church is making their contribution to sustainability, they are now using washable, ceramic coffee cups.

1st Congregational UCC, Janesville, participated in the community's annual CROP Walk to help their local food pantry, ECHO, as well as Church World Service.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is collecting eclipse glasses to offer them to persons in the world where eclipses occur and children would not otherwise be able to have them.

The Congregational UCC, Evansville, called attention to a similar project and to the Lions project of receiving eyeglasses and hearing aids.

Again this year, Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, will join with other organizations in Madison in the annual Gallery Night. Theirs will feature art and music by students in the nearby Lowell Elementary School.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had a presentation on Green Burial in Verona.

Members of Lake Edge UCC, Madison, will provide and serve their monthly dinner at Luke House.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, participated in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Just Dane.

St. John's UCC, Monroe, is offering a Creation Narrative Watercolor Workshop

Salem UCC, Verona, is offering a crafting Saturday for those who enjoy the company and ideas of others and for those who lack space to spread out at home.

The Mineral Point Congregational UCC is another of our congregations that has Messy Church events. Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will have an interactive program that includes Bible stories and crafts similar to Messy Church events.

MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, is having a moving meditation, Qi Gong and Tai Ji, each Wednesday evening.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, will have their 2nd annual camping weekend at Wildcat Mountain State Park May 31-June 2.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will have a Flicker Wild Church on Wednesday, May 1, at Donald County Park.

Middleton Community UCC will have four sessions of a Caring for Our Aging Parents Group during May and June to explore the complexities involved.

WHAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

HAVE BEEN UP TO

Camp Sunday at Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, explained the camping experiences available at our Conference camps.

The children and youth of 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, had a Climate Hope Art Contest in which they were invited to draw, paint or color about the world and the environment in which they want to live.

Youth Sunday at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, featured puppets and, music to remind us of the beauty of creation and challenged us to do better so the resources are plentiful for generations to come. Following worship, a creation mural, designed and painted by a group of young church artists was revealed and dedicated.

Young people of St. John's UCC, Monroe, and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, participated in Escape Room adventures. In the latter one team had to beak into a bank vault to grab a valuable gem before others could nab it and the other worked their way into an abandoned laboratory to obtain a vaccine before turning into zombies.

A Lock-in for 5th and 6th graders of 1st Congregational UCC, was held.

Middle school and high school youth participated in retreats at Middleton Community UCC's Camp Balsams.

In recent Savory Sundays, the youth of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, provided a home-cooked meal to the community and packed 40 sack lunches for distribution to guests at the Capitol.

Service has also been featured for the confirmands and other youth at the Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, Salem UCC, Verona, and Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.

Current Music Scholars were honored by 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville.

PASTORAL AND

OTHER TRANSITIONS

Rev. Lori Powell has been called as pastor of Grace UCC, Fort Atkinson, effective May 22.

Rev. Lex Liberatore will be installed as the pastor of 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, on May 19 at 3:00.

Rev Bob Wilkins will be installed as pastor of Immanuel UCC, Darlington, June 23.

Rev. Susan Shands will provide pastoral care for Windsor UCC in the period after Rev. Craig Jan-McMahon's departure and prior to the start of an Interim Minister.

We thank David Mickle for being the Moderator and Vice Moderator of our Association these four past years.

SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the Southwest Association, held in conjunction with the Southeast Association at Oconomowoc on April 28 provided an inspiring message by the keynote speaker, Rev. Sandhya Jha. The adult drum choir of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, assisted in the opening worship, and a member of the church offered words as part of the reflection.

Don Taft, a member of the church, presented the budget and it was adopted with little change from the previous budget. Members of the Executive Committee and divisions were elected and installed by outgoing Moderator David Mickle and Rev. Rachel Bauman.

CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING

The theme of the Conference Annual Meeting on June 7-9 at Green Lake Conference Center will be Where God Is Still Speaking: Listening in New Ways.

It was inspired by the God Is Still Speaking marketing campaign launched by the United Church of Christ decades ago. "It conveys our UCC spirit of openness, wide welcome and our understanding of God's extravagant love," Conference Minister Franz Rigert said. It also reflects our understanding of the scriptures as a continuing testimony, and the importance of listening to the "spiritual but not so religious in our midst."

Keynote speaker will be Rev. Shari Prestemon, Acting Associate General Minister of the United Church of Christ and a long-time friend of the Wisconsin Conference. Rev. Bryan Sirchio, pastor of the McFarland UCC, will be one of the worship leaders.

A drop-in day camp will be provided for children ages 8-14 of clergy and lay persons. It will offer hiking, nature exploration, music, arts and crafts, and devotional time. Register here. For additional details, such as lodging, meals and costs. click here.

MINISTRY WITH OLDER ADULTS

Jan Aerie is Coordinator of the Conference's Older Adult Ministries Working Group. In a recent interview reporting on a survey, she tells of ways that churches are ministering to older adults.

For instance, some are providing rides to worship services, and some are providing vouchers in which the church pays for taxi service. Some relate to hearing loss in worshipers by having a T-coil system. Some relate to individuals coping with dementia by having special worship materials and recognizing that such persons often can relate well to music

The Working Group is offering materials to enhance congregations' ministry to older adults. See the complete interview here.

In addition, persons attending the Annual Meeting of the Conference will have an opportunity to learn more about the group's work. For the complete explanation, click here.

CLERGY COMPENSATION GUIDELINES DISCUSSION

There will be a presentation on how to use the Clergy Compensation Guidelines in a Zoom discussion involving our three Associate conference Ministers on May 14, 1:00. Register here.

RETHINKING MINISRY

TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The Wisconsin Conference is offering a free, five-day virtual summit to explore the future of youth ministry and offer practical guidance and innovative approaches. It will be held May 20-24. Click here for more information and/or to register

RELATING OUTDOOR MINISTRIES

TO EASTER AND SACRED SPACES

Greetings Friends:

In outdoor ministry, we celebrate the continued operation of our sacred spaces and the lifeline provided by selling Daycholah Center to the Wisconsin Conference UCC...

In her sorrow and uncertainty, Mary provides an example of unwavering love for Jesus and her encounter outside the empty tomb becomes a pivotal moment of reassurance and revelation. She is the first evangelist to share the "good news"! Similarly, I believe our sacred spaces can help us encounter Jesus and find the reassurance we need in today's fast-paced world.

In the tranquil landscapes of Moon Beach, Daycholah Center,and Cedar Valley, outdoor ministry offers a unique and sacred experience that beckons us to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters. We invite you to unplug and reconnect while enjoying modern and comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and the warm embrace of a loving community. The wonders of nature: the sun, stars, water and trees along withe the Spirit of God, will meet you here and remind you that you are loved...

We look forward to welcoming you to embark on a journey of healing, renewal, and self-discovery. So come, immerse yourself in the sacred, and rediscover the beauty of simply being. (Here is his complete reflection.)

Jim Schleif

FALLING IN LOVE

WITH THE NATURAL WORLD

The Creation Care Team of the United Church of Christ will host a Zoom presentation by naturalist John Baes, exploring the relationship between ecological and emotional literacy on Thursday, May 9, 7:00. Register today.

BLACK CHURCHES

LEADING WITH SOLAR

The United Church of Christ webinar on May 29, 12:00, will explain how Black churches are leading with solar, noting that with the federal government paying 30% or more of the costs, churches cannot afford to not go solar. Register here.

WANT ADS

1st UCC, Belleville, will be seeking a part time (20-25 hours/week) Office Administrator by the end of the summer. It is one that required good technology skills and one who enjoys working with people. For more information and a more detailed job description, call the church office at (608) 424-3572 by May 20.

The Office Manager position of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will become open at the end of this month. A job description will be available soon. The position involves quite a bit of bookkeeping.

CONGREGATIONS DISCUSS

BOOKS AND MOVIES

The April movie of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, at Oakwood West was The Burial, a court drama. The May movie will be American Fiction, an Academy-winning story about an African American writer who discovers to his chagrin that his blackness is to be used rather than appreciated.

They are also having a study/discussion on Tuesday mornings of The Emancipation of God: Postmarks on Cultural Prophecy, by Walter Brueggemann, about reading the Bible seriously but not literally.

McFarland UCC had a discussion of books by authors who are members of their church--Womb to Tomb to Womb: Holy Longing, by Dawn Cogger, and When Grace Becomes Amazing: A Twelve-Step Journey iinto Freedom, by Howard Olson

The book group of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, discussed The Women, by Kristin Hannah.

A group from the church attended a production of Encore at the Mary Dupont Walers Theater.

Lake Edge UCC, Madison, will discuss Switchboard Soldiers, by Jennifer Chiaverin.

CONTACTS

Associate Conference Minister:  

Rev. Rachel Bauman

608-630-2992

Moderator: 

Lori Powell

Vice-Moderator:

Rev. Jennifer Seaich

Secretary:

Marlea Gilbert

Treasurer:

Donald Taft

Division on Church & Ministry: 

Rev. Ruth Bradshaw, Chair

Social Concerns Committee: 

Jessica Taft, Interim Chair

Shalom Editor:

Roger Brooks

swacommunications@gmail.com