Reflections on the January 6
Assault on the Nation's Capitol
Some of our church leaders and pastors have shared thoughtful responses to the assault on our nation's capitol on January 6. Here is a sample.
"...As people of faith, we condemn such violence and we call upon the highest leaders of our land to uphold the democratic principles and constitutional integrity of our government. As people of faith we also acknowledge that words matter, and that political (and religious) leaders of every persuasion have particular responsibilities never to incite violence and never to promote anarchy..." Here is the complete statement. The Ministerial Staff of the Wisconsin Conference UCC
"...Those besieging the U.S. Capitol could be seen erecting crosses, carrying flags with Christian symbols and "Jesus saves" banners--one more example of the ways that the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ has been twisted to support racial and other forms of social and political oppression. The assault, and the lies that fueled it, are attacks not only on our democracy, but also on the way of Jesus and on all who long and work for the realization of God's beloved community of love and justice..." A Statement from the Wisconsin Council of Churches The complete statement is on their website. In addition, the Council, working through justice-oriented allies, organized ongoing prayer vigils.
"...Other than the horrifying video of police being beaten and the visceral images of hatred and rage, I have been most disturbed by the 'Jesus' or 'Jesus 2020' signs and banners that were visible in the crowd... It is troubling, to say the least, to see how white Christian nationalists are trying to claim that the Jesus of Scripture is somehow leading them on the front lines of their violent agenda..." Rev. Bryan Sirchio, McFarland UCC His full statement.
Rev. Laura Holden, of 1st UCC, Belleville, related the events to Epiphany: "...Perhaps this is what a true Epiphany does. It brings us face to face with what we have not always seen or known even as it points us to a greater truth...that 'God is our refuge and our strength...'" Read her complete statement.
|
|
Our Congregations
Move into the New Year
|
New Year's Eve was observed by MCC/Community of Hope UCC by inviting members to walk on their Prayer Path, highlighted by luminaries. McFarland UCC had a simple and informal zoom gathering to reflect on the ending year and to share hopes for the new year. |
MCC/Community of Hope UCC lifted up the season of Epiphany by sending a star, with a word for the season, to each member."
|
On Christmas Eve, the pastors of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, said prayers for each household in their congregation. |
Members of Lake Edge UCC, Madison, put together 19 Christmas dinner baskets for families in need with help of Moravian churches and the Goodman Center. |
Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, has entered into a new partnership with the Goodman Community Center, helping to promote its Social and Emotional Learning Programs |
1st UCC, Bellevlle, had a Remembrance Sunday in late January for members who died during the past year and others who are being grieved.. |
The adult Sunday School class of Salem UCC, Verona, has begun looking at the life and work of Fred Rogers because of the way in which he used his own faith and ethic of love in his television series fo |
The adult education time at MCC/Community of Hope UCC has begun focusing on participants engaging in a guided practice of sharing stories from their lives with a partner as a way to see the movement of God in their lives. |
On January 17, 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, celebrated the 15th anniversary of their Prison Ministry Project. Hundreds of volunteers have gone into the Wisconsin prisons, for a total of more than 2000 times, to share in restorative justice circles with prisoners and victims, and to lead worship. More than 1000 men and women have graduated from the programs. Survivors of crime, both victims and perpetrators, have testified to the life-changing impact the circles have had on them. |
Middleton Community UCC had a virtual Trivia Fun Day in which they tested members' knowledge of such things as our public lands, literature, birds and sports.. |
Lake Edge UCC, Madison, and Middleton Community UCC are continuing their regular serving of meals for the homeless families who stay at the Healing House following hospitalization of family members.. |
MCC/Community of Hope UCC will resume their serving of breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks for Lussier students at their church. |
1st UCC, Belleville, joining in a national movement of youth, will have their annual Souper Bowl of Caring, as they drop off their donations of soups, cereals and money for the local food pantry."
Zwingli UCC, Monticello, is broadening their Souper Bowl of Caring to include other items needed by their local pantry besides soup.
|
A photographer of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, is guiding members to see their world through the lens of their cellphone camera and to explore examples of faith found in plain sight. |
As a way to celebrate Valentine's Day, members of Middleton Community UCC are being invited to shower love on their church friends and family through small token gifts and messages dropped off at their homes.
Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will have an online adventure with a story about the origin of the day and crafts/activities.
|
The Women's Book Study of 1st Congregational UCC, Madison, will be discussing Apeirogon, a novel by Colum McCann about an unlikely friendship between a Palestinian father and an Israeli father. |
Zwingli UCC, Monticello, will host a community blood drive in February. |
A young member of Lake Edge UCC, Madison, gave the gift of her bone marrow to a stranger. In her gratitude, the stranger told the child how that gift has made it possible to continue to share the love of precious family members in the years to come.. |
The Madison CROP Walk raised $30,283 in spite of the limitations caused by the pandemic Eleven Madison area congregations participated in the virtual walk. |
The proud recipient of the 2020 Monticello Christmas Decoration Contest was Zwingli UCC, Monticello. |
Congregations Continue
Racial Justice Conversations
|
1st Congregational UCC, Milton, had a series of events to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. On Saturday, January 16, they had a Family Night in which participants watched a short video and had breakout discussion groups. On Monday, the 18th, they had a community service project that could be done from home That evening, the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association had a celebration |
Lake Edge UCC, Madison, encouraged their members to celebrate MLK Day by purchasing a meal to be shared with a member of the community who is in need. |
MCC/ Community of Hope UCC began a series in late January, which will run into May, of racial justice book immersions, using Who Will Be a Witness: Igniting Activism for God's Justice, Love and Deliverance, by Drew Hart. Small group break out rooms will incorporated to foster conversation. Books can be purchased through the publisher, memmomedia.org,, or any book outlet. Register here. (This series was also promoted by Memorial UCC, Fitchburg.) |
Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison, had a movie discussion on When They See Us, a four-part series based on the wrongful convictions of five teenagers in the Central Park Five case. They also co-sponsored Complicity in the Making of Race-Based Slavery: From Roger Williams to the Cotton Kingdom. |
Middleton Community UCC is continuing their conversations by watching videos and then discussing implicit bias and how it affects our actions and words. |
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day for 1st to 8th grade children was held on Monday, January 18 at 1st Congregational UCC, Madison. Thirty seven children from across many faith traditions participated in a virtual event celebrating the life and work of Dr. King, including action projects, justice research. and a scavenger hunt. Take-home boxes provided the necessary supplies for at home/family activities, including learning the song, "Dream God's Dream," by Bryan Sirchio.. |
|
Pastoral Transitions
Following the retirement of Rev. Lois Rosko, 1st UCC, Reeseville, will be served by Carrie Schuett as its Lay Pastor. A daughter of the congregation, she has served in several leadership positions in the congregation..
|
Our Association Minister's
Clergy Support
and Office Hours
Clergy and Colleague Support
Thursday
February 4 - 10:00-11:00
February 11 - 10:00-11:00
February 18 - 10:00-11:00
February 25 - 10:00-11:00
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 895 1408 8661
Zoom Office Hours
Wednesday:
February 3- 1:00-2:30
February 17 - 1:00-2:30
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 848 2118 09788
|
Association Meeting
Church in the Afterscape
The Annual Meeting of the Southwest Association on May 8 will feature Dr. Christopher James, Associate Professor of Evangelism and Missional Christianity at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He will speak of the theme of Church in the Afterscape.
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. He will draw upon his research among churches in Seattle and Dane County to offer hope and practical wisdom for faithful ministry and mission in the afterscape. Watch for registration information in the next Shalom.
|
Let the Dollars
Keep Rolling in...
The Wisconsin Conference continues to offer webinars on stewardship. Check these out:
Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar - Webinar in 6 sessions, February 9 - April 27. This is for pastors and lay leaders to explore faithful, practical and tested ways for promoting generosity in their congregations. The cost is $150 per participant. Register by January 31..
|
Antisemitism, Islamophobia and Christianity: Sharing our faith stories to increase understanding and respect
This virtual event on February 1 is a joint project of the Wisconsin Conference Christian Education/Faith Formation Commission and Lakeland University.
|
Lakeland professor Rev. Dr. Karl Kuhn will moderate a panel consisting of UW-Madison and Lakeland University professors and the Director of Religious Affairs of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Please register here by January 28 or call (920) 565-1023, ext. 2151. |
Conflict Transformation Team Workshop
Sunday, February 21
What Unites Us? Using Core Values to Navigate Conflict will be a workshop of the Wisconsin Conference's Conflict Team, on Sunday, February 21, 3:00-5:00, online.
|
Social Concerns Grants Invited
The Division on Social Concerns of our Association is inviting congregations to submit applications for grants for justice and witness activities, including those involving partnerships with local social service agencies and other congregations..
Here is a more complete description of the invitation. You can find more information on the Request for Proposals here. the application form for grants can be found here. |
Damascus Project
Offers a Wealth of Resources
As we enter Lent this month, note that the Damascus Project offers a 40-Day Practice: Strengthening Emotional Stamina for Countering White Fragility.
They also offer the Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leaders Cohort.
And A Transforming Church, an 8-week course that will help guide congregations through the transitional period before a vaccine becomes more widely available.
|
Contemporary Theology Book Group
The Contemporary Theology Book Group will next meet online by Zoom on Tuesday, February 16, 2:00 p.m., to continue its discussion of How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi, from page 165 to the end of the book. Contact Ken Pennings at ken@orucc.org if you wanted to be added to the list serve.
|
SW Constitution and Bylaws
|
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
|
|
Southwest Association | swacommunications@gmail.com
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532 | 608-846-7880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
