MOVE TOWARD RE-OPENING

A number of our congregations have processes in place, such as discussions in their Church Councils or by special committees (e.g. medical professional in the case of Congregational UCC, Whitewater), which have been meeting to discuss whether and when it might be appropriate for them to have in-person worship, or to open their buildings to other activities. The Windsor UCC and the Congregational UCC, Whitewater, have taken it a step further--comprehensively surveying their congregation on their thoughts and preferences, such as "when safety protocols are clearly defined and enforced.")

MCC/Community of Hope UCC offered two vaccine information presentations by a member who is a cell biologist. Salem UCC, Verona, provided a panel discussion on vaccines by members with medical backgrounds.

IN OBSERVING LENT

For Ash Wednesday, some congregations had services or brief blessings, with Ashes to Go. in church parking lots, such as Olivet UCC, Columbus (an ecumenical worship with the local Lutheran church), MCC/Community of Hope UCC and Memorial UCC, Fitchburg. Middleton Community UCC provided their members with a take-home box of Ash Wednesday materials. 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, encouraged their members to create a "sacred space" in their home with a candle for the online worship. Others, such as 1st UCC, Belleville, and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, had their traditional service online.

Several provided Lent in a Bag or a Lent Kit for their families to use during Lent, with a variety of at-home activities and supplies, such as Olivet UCC, Columbus, Congregational UCC, Edgerton, Middleton Community UCC and Memorial UCC, Fitchburg. 1st UCC, Belleville, has provided Lenten calendars with daily suggestions for prayer, scripture and activities to their members

In the Lenten study of St. John's UCC, Monroe, members are being encouraged to reflect on a fresh perspective on evangelism. The Wednesday Lenten study of Olivet UCC, Columbus is using devotionals based on Love Is the Way, by Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Edgerton Congregational UCC will study the book during Lent, and Pat Pluss of Swiss UCC, New Glarus, will be preaching from that book. Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is using videos from the curriculum, Saving Jesus Redux. They are also focusing on a faith practice from the Abbey of the Arts, including radical acts of hospitality.

A member of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, is offering to their members a Healing Touch technique called Self Mind Clearing during Lent.

Salem UCC, Verona, and 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, are providing Lenten daily devotionals written by their members, in the former case on the theme of Responding to Jesus, in the latter case on the theme of wilderness. Members of MCC/Community of Hope UCC are providing short prayers during Lent.

1st Congregational UCC of Milton is examining racial justice as acts of faith during Lent, using the book, How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice, by Jemar Tisby

St. John's UCC, Monroe, had a presentation on "Love the stranger, for you were strangers": Racial Equity and Faithful Works of Justice, by Rev. Dr. Zachary Moon, Associate Professor of Theology and Psychology at Chicago Theological Seminary.

.Middleton Community UCC took a different tack in continuing their conversations about race. They posted daily images and brief facts that highlight often untold stories, which celebrate the achievements of black authors and musicians.

The racial justice mission team of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, set up a Zoom discussion of the film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

The Coffee and Conversation of Middleton Community UCC, is discussing the book, Love Thy Neighbor, A Muslim Doctor's Struggle for Home in Rural America, by Ayaz Virji, about the doctor's partnership with a local pastor to address Islamophobia.

As an alternative to their annual Mardi Gras celebration, Lake Edge UCC, Madison, provided bags of Mardi Gras food to members in their parking lot.

For the past year 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, has posted Weekly Shared Blessings on their website. They have been blessings by pastors Rev. Eldonna Hazen and Rev. Ann Beaty that consist of prayers, quotes, poems and short stories, accompanied by images that reflect the theme

St. John's UCC, Monroe, had a re-scheduled observance of Health and Human Service Sunday in which they remembered the 400+ UCC-affiliated health care centers, hospitals, affordable housing and retirement communities, daycare, counseling centers and shelters.

The March fellowship event of Middleton Community UCC will be a St. Patrick's Day themed scavenger hunt, using a slide show format.

The women's group of Salem UCC, Verona, discussed the movie, My Octopus Teacher.

The 1st Friday Fellowship of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg had a a Zoom presentation by Cheryl Porior-Mayhew, a member of their church and author of the book, Facing Life Challenges: The ABCs of One Women's Journey to Healing Her Heart.

McFarland UCC hosted a meeting for village residents in which visions were shared toward developing a Sustainability Plan for McFarland, one that will include transportation, water quality and usage and community health. Professionals are assisting in the process.

Members of Swiss UCC, New Glarus celebrated Valentine's Day with a Sending Love Parade, in which they drove around town with brightly-colored hearts, scriptures and balloons on their vehicles.

Members of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will watch and discuss a Zoom showing of the movie, Intelligent Lives, about persons with intellectual disabilities.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, continues their series of monthly visits to houses of worship with visits to Blackhawk Church and to the AHA Shiva Vishnu Temple.

Memorial UCC, Fitchburg called their members' attention to this initiative of Sacred Site Visits of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice. Here is the link to the 2021 series.

Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison (1501 Gilbert Rd.), is offering 50 free yard signs pictured here. Stop by the church and pick one up with a stake.

The Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, provided their usual community meal, but reservations and curbside pickup were required. The Congregational UCC of Evansville will also provide a community meal in March.

Lake Edge UCC, Madison, will host a community blood drive on March 31.

Dr. James writes this: "Congregational ministry is not what it used to be. We are called to lead in a moment that can be described as post-COVID, post-Christian, and postmodern. Ours is a time after, in which there is a growing sense that one era is winding down while the next has yet to take shape"

In his keynote, Dr. James will draw on his research among churches in Seattle, WA and Dane County, WI to offer hope and practical wisdom for faithful ministry and mission in the afterscape.

Registration will be sent to ministers and churches in early March. Also beginning in March, you can check the Conference website, and go to the Associations tab to find the registration form.

Rev. Sonny Graves will serve as the Intentional Interim for the Congregational UCC, Mineral Point, starting March 1. Rev. Graves comes to us from the Northern California Nevada Conference.

Rev. Dr. Dean Kucera will serve as an extended pulpit supply for Zwingli UCC, Paoli, He comes from the Illinois Conference.

The mother of Rev. Eldonna Hazen, pastor of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, died recently.

Ministry with LGBTQIA+ Youth will be on March 12-13.. How can our churches move beyond affirmations to creating spaces that are truly welcoming? Here is more information and registration (deadline is March 10).

Engaging and Ministry with Cultural Traditionalists. The 40th Annual Rural Ministry Conference will be held on Monday, March 8, 8:30-3:30, via Zoom. Keynote speaker Tex Sample will explore the divisions in our communities and our congregations. Details and registration.

Member in Discernment Retreat will be on Sunday, March 21, 4:00-600. It will offer guidance and break-out conversations. Register here..

With the Annual-Meeting-adopted goal of 100 congregations joining this Call to Action in mind, the Conference is offering support through resources, advocacy and connections.

Congregations are encouraged to take action on this Call to Action in time for Earth Day in April. For more details, click here and/or contact Lisa Hart at lhart@wcucc.org.

The theme of Powered by Generosity will include an exciting keynote address, a variety of workshops and small group discussions.

The business meeting will take place on Saturday morning, and the meeting will conclude with a Conference-wide worship service on Sunday. Look for more details, available soon, on the Annual Meeting website.

It was a wide-ranging overview of what to expect from immigration policy (and reality) under the Biden administration. The conversation featured Noel Andersen, the UCC & CWS Grassroots Coordinator for Immigrants’ Rights; Rev. Randy Mayer of Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita, Arizona; Katie Adams, Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues in the UCC’s Washington, D.C. office; attorney Linda Zuba; and representatives from Al Otro Lado.

They talked about the work they are doing with family reunification. A recording of this webinar will be posted to the Immigration Justice page of the Conference’s website for both individual and group viewing.

The Wiscsonsin Conference is seeking to increase our emotional, spiritual and financial support of our Members in Discernment.

Does your church have a scholarship available to your Association or Conference members who are discerning their call to authorized ministry?

Please email Pastor Jacoba Koppert at nuccpastor@gmail.com with your information about scholarships or loans, or your questions.

The Contemporary Theology Book Group is taking a break until September 21. Send your suggestions for a next book to Robert Mutton at bobvera@charter.net

Associate Conference Minister:  

Moderator: 

Vice-Moderator:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Division on Church & Ministry: 

Social Concerns Committee: 

Shalom Editor:

swacommunications@gmail.com