Shalom
SEPTEMBER 2022
THE TESTIMONY OF A CAMP VOLUNTEER

Many of the members of our congregations have participated in and volunteered at camps at Daycholah Center and Moon Beach Camp and experienced rich rewards. For instance, here is a link to a report by attendees at a Family Camp. We share this testimony of one such camper.

"I had the amazing opportunity during Camp AweSum Family Camp at Moon Beach.... Volunteers at Camp AweSum provide supervision for youth who are on the autism spectrum so their parents and caregivers can relax and rejuvenate while enjoying the support of a full staff and other families who embrace each other's differences.

"Zwingli has participated in Work Camps in the past and established posts for the specialized, sensory wings highly utilized during Camp AweSum.

"The camp is well presented due to the efforts of Word Camp volunteers, allowing exploration of God's creation We stood from a distance and observed a turtle preparing a next for eggs, walked through the woods, danced in a light rain, and rode on a pontoon! We explored archery, sang songs around a campfire, swam, and played in Moon Lake.

"We were treated to delicious, nutritious meals, and comfortable beds with beautiful scenes no matter which window you looked out.

"I encourage everyone to explore www.ucci.com for an event that interests you. Camp opportunities are offered throughout the year... Join in camp fun!"
'

Cindi Ritter, member of Zwingli, UCC, Monticello
Used with her permission
CONGREGATIONS MOVE INTO FALL
The adult drum choir of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, shared their talents with the members of 1st Congregational UCC, Fort Atkinson in one of their recent worship services.
1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, is resuming their once-a-month Messy Church events in September.

The comparable program of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, is known as Super Sunday.
1st UCC, Belleville, will help welcome new students to the UW-Madison campus by providing pies for The Crossing's welcome event on September 5. The Crossing helps students explore and develop their relationship with God. It is supported by the United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church and American Baptist Churches.
Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, provides members with an opportunity to recycle a variety of items, including all kinds of bags, wraps nd envelopes.
St. John's UCC, Monroe, offered a Safe Sitter course in August, so that young children and youth could learn safe practices when watching younger siblings or babysitting.
Several of our congregations are providing school supplies for their local public schools, including the Congregational UCC, Edgerton; 1st Congregational UCC, Janesville; 1st Congregational UCC, Madison; McFarland UCC; St. John's UCC, Monroe; 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo; 1st UCC, Belleville; 1st Congregational UCC, Platteville; Mineral Point ongregational UCC and Middleton Community UCC.
MCC/Community of Hope UCC, Madison, shares the urgent need of clothing for women being released from the Madison jail
Contact them for details.
A group of volunteers from 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, volunteered at Little John's Meals on Wheels to help provide good meals for those less fortunate.
Middleton Community UCC participates in Forward Garden, located in Middleton, which provides emergency food to the Madison Area Food Pantry.

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, delivers food from its garden to the Goodman Community Center.
The August book of the Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, book group was Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, by Katharine Hayhoe.
The Middleton Community UCC will participate in a research study to learn about LGBTQ+ people's experience in congregations, whether negative or positive. To learn more about this study, click here.
1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, hosted the Democracy Tour on August 18, featuring a community conversation about a statewide effort to turn out the vote and build a united movement for people, peace and planet.
The Rummage Sale that Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, had for the Goodman Community Center received more than a thousand donated items and raised $3.500!
The newsletter of Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, has a regular feature based on her book, Facing Life's Challenges, in which a member shares a reflection starting with a letter of the alphabet. One is S Is for SOMEONE. "Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they'll be thriving like never... Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to arrive, will get precisely what they want--and even more..." To read more of the musings of Cheryl Porior-Mayhew, go to www.facinglifechallenges.com.
Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, has a card-writing project in which members can take cards and send them, with a note, to other members
1s UCC, Belleville, is looking to recruit a team of volunteers to help build a home in Stoughton for Habitat for Humanity.
Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will celebrate Welcome Back Sunday, September 11, by having members distribute postcards to church neighbors in advance
Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, celebrated the Blessing of the Memorial Trees, in which trees are planted in memory of members who have died.
Several members of the Consistory and staff of Zwingli UCC, Monticello, attended a retreat led by Rev. Sara Rabe recently.
Rev. Julia Burkey, of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will guide participants in Wayfinding: The Soul-tasks of Aging, a series of ten workshops and conversations, during the coming year Topics will includeLiving with Mystery and The Winter of our Lives.
A member of McFarland UCC will take interested persons to an art exhibit at the Abel Contemporary Gallery in Stoughton.:
Middleton Community UCC is encouraging members to walk or bike to school as a way to reduce their dependence on air-polluting school buses.
The Girl With the Louding Voice will be the September book of Women's Book Group of Orchard Ridge UCC Madison.
The movie group of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, is suggesting that its members watch A Call to Spy, an historical drama inspired by the true stories of three women, and Double Indemnity, prior to their September 15 discussion.
Memorial UCC, Fitchburg, invited its members to walk the labyrinth at Madison Christian Community (including Community of Faith UCC) and learn about the congregation's Nurturing Your Creative Soul groups.
PASTORAL NEWS

Rev. Tiff Bates is the Interim Associate Minister at St. John's UCC, Monroe.

Rev. Tammy Martins has retired as Associate Pastor of Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison.

Rev.Ted Drewsen is ending his time as our Interim Associate Conference Minister, including serving as our Association Minister. Thank you, Ted!
Rev. Rachel Bauman begins in early September as our Associate Conference Minister. She delayed her beginning with us for personal and family reasons. Details about Rachel's background were in the June Shalom. Here is a link to that information.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE NEWS

Since some of the readers of this Shalom may not receive the newsletters of the Wisconsin Conference, we are encouraging you to read the enclosed newsletter of Rev. Franz Rigert.
In it he explains that difficult decisions have been made regarding the Daycholah Center at Green Lake, because of the pandemic-caused reduction in income. It is likely that the Conference will assume the deed of the property, and UCCI will adjust their programing.

In addition, he explains that discussions are taking place of eventually shifting the Conference home from the offices in DeForest to the Daycholah Center.

AN INVITATION TO JOIN IN CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES

Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, invites us to join in a 30-minute discursive meditation on the things of God and images/scripture that inspire and guide us on our spiritual journeys. They will be based on the contemplative prayer practices of the Desert Fathers and other past Christians.

They will be held on Wednesday evenings, 8:00 p.m., from September 14 through November 2. You can join in person at Plymouth (2401 Atwood Ave.) or via Zoom (contact davidcmicle@gmail.com for the link).
LABOR DAY RESOURCES

There's still time to participate in this year's program of Worker Justice, which runs throughout the month of September. to celebrate the dignity of work and to support low-wage workers and immigrant workers.
The theme is "Being Faith Allies," and you can find preaching ideas, their new handout, and a variety of other information resources in their Toolkit.

To confirm your participation, please complete their brief registration form. If you have questions, contact Gretchen Baumgardt, Faith Outreach Coordinator, at faithoutreach@workerjustice.org. Thank you for your support of worker justice.
CONVENOR OF RETIRED
MINISTERS SOUGHT

The Association Division on Church and Ministry is seeking a volunteer to convene occasional gatherings of retired ministers from across the Southwest Association. There is no set expectation about frequency or type of gatherings, but is clear that some of our retired ministers would be grateful for the opportunity to visit with other retired colleagues.
If you volunteer for this ministry, you will have freedom to structure gatherings either in person or online (and support for setting up online meetings, should that be helpful), or some combination thereof.

If you are interested, or have questions, please be in touch with one of the DCM co-chairs--Eldonna Hazen (ehazen@first congmadison.org) or Ruth Bradshaw (rwagnerbradshaw@gmail.com).
WISCONSIN CONFERENCE
WANT AD

The Wisconsin Conference is seeking an individual to serve as coordinator of the three-day Annual Meeting in June. The contract position offers competitive pay for approximately 350 hours of work, mostly between September and June. The ideal candidate will be a high-energy individual with strong organizational, communications and interpersonal skills who appreciates UCC values.
A more complete explanation of the position can be found here. Click here for a full job description.

Those interested should email a resume and cover letter to Nola Risse-Conolly (nrisseconnolly@wcucc.org). Write "Annual Meeting Coordinator" in the subject line.
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.

MINISTRY TO
OLDER ADULTS

The Wisconsin Conference is forming a working group to discuss ministry to older adults, building on a workshop at the Conference Annual Meeting last June.

Jan Aerie, who led that workshop, will identify a goal that the Conference and congregations can implement in the year ahead. To join the conversation, contact Conference Minister Franz Rigert or Lisa Hart, Associate Conference Minister for Faith Formation and Justice Ministries (see the link to the Wisconsin Conference website below).
UCC WEBINAR: WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
The United Church of Christ webinar on Wednesday, August 10, 12:00 noon, will discuss how we can be more effective and equitable strides in reducing water pollution, including so-called "forever chemicals" found in almost everyone's blood.
CONTACTS
 
Associate Conference Minister 
(920) 251-9640 (cell)
608-846-7880 (conference office)

Moderator
 
Vice-Moderator:
 
Secretary:
 
Treasurer:
 
Division on Church & Ministry
 
Social Concerns Committee

Shalom Editor:
Roger Brooks
Southwest Association | swacommunications@gmail.com
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532 | 608-846-7880