A Note from your Editor: I am sending this issue early, because I will not have computer access for several weeks. (The restrictions here at Oak Park Place are quite severe.)
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On top of the disappointment of probably not being able to resume in-person worship any time soon, we now have the bitter disappointment of racial injustice and violence against African Americans and other persons of color again raising its ugly head in spite of many decades of efforts.
Rev. Laura Kolden, pastor off 1st UCC, Belleville, has some pertinent reflections on this. She tells of how she has been reading
Canoeing the Mountains (a book referred to by Rev. Franz Rigert at our 2019 Southwest Association Annual Meeting), which recalls the journey of Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean in 1804-06 . "When they reached the headwaters of the Missouri River, they were sure that over the next rise would be a new river, leading them downstream to the Pacific Ocean." How disappointed they were! But instead of abandoning their quest, they pushed on.
"Like Lewis and Clark, we are now called to explore uncharted territory... We cannot ignore the sense of loss that comes with change, but we can also step out in faith, rejoicing in the possibilities that lie before us..."
Here is her complete reflection.
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Church Bell Ringing Invited
This Friday Evening, June 19
UCC congregations are invited to ring their church bells in union this Friday, at 8:00 p.m.--once every nine seconds for a duration of nine minutes to commemorate Juneteenth and George Floyd's death and the injustice that it represents.
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Congregations Respond
to the Racial Crisis
Members of several of our Madison-area congregations participated in a Black Lives Matter Solidarity March on Sunday, June 7, organized by the African American Council of Churches. The impressive march, estimated to have more than 10,000 participants, stopped every nine minutes in memory of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
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At the Capitol the group heard from five black women who shared their own stories with impassioned words that energized those gathered to work for justice. For a more complete description of the event,
see this article by Rev. Eldonna Hazen, pastor of
1st Congregational UCC, Madison.
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In another response to the "latest spate of violence against black lives" (MCC/
Community of Hope UCC newsletter), several of our congregations are having online "prayerful conversations" of their members These include
1st UCC, Belleville;
1st Congregational UCC, Platteville;
Plymouth UCC, Madison (which also suggested reading books, e.g.
Between the World and Me, by Ta-nishi Coates);
Memorial UCC, Fitchburg (which is offering things members can do together, e.g. activities and opportunities to reach out to others);
McFarland UCC (the pastor posed some provocative questions); and MCC/
Community of Hope UCC, Madison.
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Lake Edge UCC, Madison, points out that supporting Just Bakery is one way to support a business that hires many people of color. They are selling cookies online (https//www.justbakerymadison.org/shop).
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1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, publicized a Peaceful Plates of Platteville on Sunday, June 14, organized and led by black leaders in their community.
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The Prison Ministry of
1st Congregational UCC, Madison, invited its members to help with a Father's Day project--donating new or gently-used children's books so that Fox Lake prison inmates could prepare videos of them reading them and then having those videos shared with their children.
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Middleton Community UCC has invited their children to create Driveway Diversions--e.g. chalk creations--to help with the boredom of being confined
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Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison had a "Friendship Circle" picnic on their church lawn as a way to take a small step toward in-person gatherings.
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1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, will have an outdoor worship on June 28, marking Rev. Karsten Snitker's last Sunday with them.
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Many of our congregations have formed special task forces or committees to reflect and make appropriate decisions on when and how to resume in-person worship and other activities"
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Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, is taking advantage of its very public location by inviting its members to create colorful paper hearts of various sizes to be taped in the street-facing windows of the church.
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Middleton Community UCC challenged their children and youth to create art using recycled items. The results, which ranged from being musical to whimsical, were posted on their website.
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The
McFarland UCC is having a Not in Our Name event, postponed from March. on June 25, at 6:30. Joining forces with the Wisconsin Conference's Immigration Task Force, their virtual event,
Stories from the Border, will feature Rev. Randy Mayer, pastor of The Good Shepherd UCC, Sahuarita, AZ, and a Rockford, IL, attorney
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Marking 12 yerars since declaring themselves an Open and Affirming Congregation,
1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, had a Pride Worship and Ally Training on June 14.
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At their annual meeting
1st Congregational UCC, Platteville, shared tips about reaching new people from their Church Vitality Team. An example: "If you live in a neighborhood or apartment building, contact your neighbors and ask if you could compile a neighborhood phone/email list to help people not feel so isolated and caring for each other as needs arise.
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The Coffee and Conversation of
Middleton Community UCC will have an online discussion of
Tightrope, a book by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn that focuses on empowering girls and women around the world.
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The Tuesday Night Fellowship of
Middleton Community UCC has launched a series of TED Talk videos. Included have been these: My wish: the charter of compassion; The lies our culture tells us about what matters--and a better way to live; and What six years of captivity taught me about fear and faith.
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Rev. Kelly Volk, the pastor, of
Washington Reformation UCC, Monticello, has invited members of the congregation to participate in a summer book study.
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Many of our congregations have been and are having regular online Bible studies.
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The
Congregational UCC, Evansville, was host of the regular free community meal distributed carryout style in June.
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The Java & Jesus of
Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, will discuss
Why Christianity Isn't About Being Good, by Adam Ericksen. Their Women Book Group will discuss
The Leavers,by Lisa Ko.
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On Rights and Responsibilities
Rev. Doug Fauth, of 1st Congregational UCC, Baraboo, shared these reflections in a recent church newsletter:
When the Founding Fathers drafted the Bill of rights, they should have balanced it with a "'Bill of Responsibilities.' It seems a major oversight. Today, even suggesting shared, official responsibilities to the common-wealth is sure to draw squawks of outrage and name-calling: socialist,a commie, and the like...
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Pastoral Transitions
After suffering a stroke two days earlier, Rev. Frank Turpin died in Madison on June 9. Here is an
obituary.
On June 1 Rev. David McDonald became the Designated Interim Pastor for the
Congregational UCC, Whitewater.
Rev. Gary Wilner will become the Intentional Interim Minister of
Zwingli UCC, Mount Vernon on June 29
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A Message from Our
Association Minister
Beloveds in Christ,
The last few months have been an emotional roller-coaster for all of us... Many of our congregations have made the decision to hold off on in-person worship while others are beginning to consider what safety measures need to be in place as they discern how to start worshiping in-person while considering the health of all. We at the Conference continue to urge caution.
The events, protests, and marches of the last few weeks have weighed heavily on many of us... There are opportunities available to provide support for radical justice issues while maintaining care for yourself and your loves ones...
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Out of Office Hours
of Our Association Minister
Clergy Support and Check-In
Thursday, June 18, 10:00 - 11:00
Thursday, June 25, 10:00 - 11:00
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 895 1408 8661
Support for Authorized Ministers Serving in Alternative Ministries
Saturday, June 20, 11:00 AM - 12:00
Saturday, June 27, 11:00 AM - 12:00
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 344 515 600
ACM Zoom Office Hours
Wednesday, June 24, 1:00-2:30
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 893 0991 9615
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Lay Academy and
Damascus Project Join Forces
Starting this fall the Lay Academy will come under the umbrella of The Damascus Project. Much about Lay Academy's structure and course work will remain the same.
In addition to changes in the format, a benefit of this collaboration will be the ability to expand beyond the Lay Academy's original reach to add additional courses for lay people, Members in Discernment and clergy. Joining forces with the Minnesota Conference also opens a wide range of learning opportunities to the people of that conference.
See the complete description here.
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UCC Webinar:
Protest During a Pandemic
Instead of becoming suppressed by the pandemic, the spirit of justice has arisen with fierce determination and become embodied in countless ways. This webinar will reflect upon how protest has manifested itself during this time and the lessons that can be learned for communities of faith dedicated to answering the unrelenting call of justice.
On Wednesday, June 24, three panelists will share what they have learned: Sophia Benrud from the Black visions Collective in Minneapolis; Lindsay Harper from Arm-in-Arm in Atlanta; and Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick from the University of San Diego.
Register here.
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Racial Justice Webinar
Series Launches June 30
The Minnesota Conference, UCC, invites us to participate in their webinar series, "Justice Talk to Justice Walk: Building Awareness, Strengthening Our Resolve." The opening session on June 30, 7:00-8:30 p.m., will feature Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister of the United Church of Christ.
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Women Authors Reading Group
The group has no plans to meet at this time.
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Contemporary Theology Book Group
The Contemporary Theology Book Group will next meet online by Zoom on Tuesday, July 16, 2:00 p.m., to discuss
White Fragility, by Robin Diangelo, to page 51...
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SW Constitution and Bylaws
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Contacts
Associate Conference Minister
:
608-630-2992 (cell)
608-846-7880 (conference office)
(calendar scheduling)
Moderator
:
Vice-Moderator
:
Secretary
:
Treasurer
:
Division on Church & Ministry
:
Social Concerns Committee
:
Shalom Editor
:
Roger Brooks
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Southwest Association |
swacommunications@gmail.com
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532 | 608-846-7880
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