NORTHWEST WORD December 2021

Advent/Christmas greetings to the congregations and ministers of the Northwest Association, Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ.

The first snow falls of the year are covering the ground and trees of my yard causing me to smile and take deep, refreshing breaths. I do look forward to December’s enchanting gifts of beauty and calm. With all that is going on in our world there is an inviting peace that comes with the cold and the snow. While winter brings hardship it also brings visual magic that can transport me, at least for a few moments, into the wonder of God’s tender creation.

The season of Advent is meant to have this same transporting impact on our lives. Advent, like a blanket of fresh snow, is meant to give us pause so that we can breathe in life’s wonder and not just its peril. Advent is a time to welcome back what may have been forgotten about God’s love that can transform our hearts. Into what seems so dark a time, a light shines and the darkness cannot put it out. In March, when I have been shoveling snow for several months I will no doubt be ready for a blanket of warm sunshine, but for now, I welcome the blankets of snow and let them transport me into a place of hope and peace as I/we wait for God’s birth once again.

After having had the gift of a sabbatic leave for three months I am glad to have returned to my ministry as a member of the Wisconsin Conference staff. As many of you know my wife Wendy had a cancer diagnosis this past summer and she continues to receive chemo therapy treatments for it. Because I need to be available for her I will be working exclusively from my home for an indefinite period of time. Wendy and I have deeply appreciated all the love and support shown to us by so many pastors, church members and Conference staff during this difficult time in our lives.

Please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (715-308-6120), text or email (rmacdougall@wcucc.org), I am on duty and look forward to hearing from you.

I pray that you have a blessed Advent and joyful Christmas.

Rev. Rob MacDougall

NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION DONATES

$4000 TO AID AFGHAN RESETTLEMENT

Many of have asked “What can we do to help Afghan refugees?”

The situation is fluid and just the physical needs change day by day. So the Northwest Association Executive Committee decided that the best thing to do is to give $4000 from the Northwest Association’s surplus funds to a state-wide agency that sees the big picture and keeps tabs on what’s going on until things get sorted out.

And we don’t have to look far for such an agency. Our Wisconsin Conference has established an Afghan Refugee Resettlement Fund to do just that.

Our own Wisconsin Conference Immigration Working Group’s liaison, Mary Kuenning Gross, who was the UCC Executive for Refugee Ministries for 10 years, will administrate that fund to provide support where it is needed.

Funds may go to an agency in a particular area that is doing resettlement, meet a specific need of a refugee or provide support to local churches in our Conference who are resettling Afghan refugees. The motion to provide these funds to the Wisconsin Conference Afghan Refugee Resettlement Fund was seconded, then voted in by the Executive Committee of the Northwest Association on Nov. 15, 2021.

Individuals and churches are also warmly invited to donate to the Wisconsin Conference Afghan Refugee Resettlement Fund on line here or by sending a check to the Wisconsin Conference UCC , 4459 Gray Road, DeForest, WI 53532 with “Afghan Refugee Resettlement Fund” in the memo line.

UCC Digital Programming

Tuesday, December 14, 3:30pm ET -

The State of Rural Churches & Communities

Deadline approaching for submitting

Annual Information Review Form

December 30th

If you haven't submitted it yet Sue Taylor is sending out a duplicate December 10th. Please return it :-)

Save the Date

Saturday, February 5th

9:30 am - 12;30 pm

ZOOM

Licensed Minister Retreat

Help Others - Donate Now

The General Fund of the Wisconsin Conference helps us connect, support, and resource pastors, leaders, and congregations. Your gift allows the Conference to provide relevant and timely help during the current pandemic and beyond. Donate to the General Fund.

Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar

Explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations with Rev. Andy DeBraber and Rev. Andrew Warner. Pastors and leaders participating in this program will be equipped to lead an effective stewardship campaign and, more broadly, help their congregation reclaim generosity as a spiritual practice. $300 for Two Leaders – additional spots in the seminar available at $150/person.

Learn more and register here

Sometimes Clergy have a hard time making ends meet after they retire. They spent their lives pastoring without asking a lot financially from their beloved churches, providing for family needs, but sometimes not having enough left over each week to save for a comfortable retirement. So when there is a sudden change in rent or utilities, unexpected car repairs, difficulties caused by Covid, medical emergencies or a need for expensive medical equipment, life can get scary for clergy/ lay retirees and low-income pastors. We know that seeing the grateful relief expressed in letters thanking the Pension Boards for stepping in to fill those gaps with the gifts we and our churches give to the Christmas Fund (this year December 19th.) “We don’t know what we would have done without your gift” is said over and over again. If you know a pastor/lay church worker in need, let Conference Minister Franz Rigert (frigert@wcucc.org) know.

In 2019, Nationally, $1,347,419 was given to 350 persons so they can provide for basic needs
$123,727 was provided to 69 individuals and families that face unforeseen circumstances.
Health premium supplements totaling $374,577 were provided to 144 persons.
And at Christmas time, $260,500 in “Thank you” gift checks given to 521 retired UCC clergy/lay employees.

So if you had ministers who evoke wonderful childhood memories or visited family in the hospital or helped you through a difficult time or said something you didn’t like at first but now you realize made all the difference, perhaps a gift to the Christmas fund on December 19 would be the best “thank you” of all. You can find promotional materials or give online at www.christmasfund.org. Checks payable to the Christmas Fund can be sent to The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Christmas Fund, 75 Remittance Drive, Suite 1637, Chicago, IL 60675.

Meet one of our new ministers

JASON DERR is the campus minister for United Campus Ministries in La Crosse, Wi, representing the UCC, UMC, PC(USA), Episcopal Church and American Baptist Church on campus. He is also the quarter time minister at Congregational UCC in Sparta, Wi (CUCC). He has studied creative writing at Eastern Washington University and has his MA in theological Studies from the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, BC, Canada where he wrote his MA thesis on Theopoetics.

His fiction has appeared in Relief, The Midnight Diner, Green Brier Review, Literary Orphans, X-Y= and the anthology Pick Your Poison. His non-fiction has appeared in A Beautiful Resistance, Poptheology.com and Directions: a Mennonite Journal. His theatrical work has been performed by La Crosse Community Theater, Shoestring Radio Theater, Howler's Theater Orlando, Play Readings With Friends NYC and Chronosphere podcast.

Theologically he is interested in developing theologies of inclusion for neurodiverse folks, pairing William Stringfellows notion of speaking in tongues of speaking truth to power that the powerful can never understand with the 'gifts of ADHD' and truth telling aspect of pressured speech. He is also interested in exploring the question of what it means to be a story formed person and the ways that stories are owned, shaped, formed, developed and challenged by communities. The question of how to be a post-christendom church excites him. He is married to educator and textile artist Erin Derr and they are parents to Bodhi (9), Eden (6) and Whitman (almost 4).His hobbies include vegan cooking (not a vegan), vegan cheese making (still not a vegan) and winemaking (hrm....will CUCC let me make homemade communion wine from beets....or too weird?)

Pulpit Supply list avail on NWA webpage, https://www.wcucc.org/associations/northwest-association/

Churches should be fair and forthright in agreeing upon honorarium and travel expenses for persons they invite to provide pulpit supply. The WI Conference Division of Church and Ministry suggests a minimum of $150 plus mileage reimbursed at the IRS rate for 2021: 56 cents per mile. Where a church has two points and two services, consider an additional $75 plus mileage.

Conference staff persons serve local congregations in a variety of ways. Honoraria are not accepted, and travel costs are covered by the Conference travel budget. Except in emergencies, Conference staff cannot provide pulpit supply; however, the staff welcomes opportunities to preach for special occasions or to meet with members of the congregation.

Please note: Persons licensed to the NW Association and ordained pastors

are authorized to administer the Sacraments.

EAU CLAIRE TO TWIN CITIES AREA:

Jill Christopherson 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825

715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Rev. Bill Clyma 834 Hazel Street North, Apt. 305, St. Paul, MN 55119 763-415-0779 pastorbill111@outlook.com (will travel 75 mi.) Land line: 651-330-5958.

*Note: I would be happy to provide “virtual” pulpit supply.

Rev. Elizabeth Hazel, 1060 Marian Lane, Park Falls, WI 54552 (will drive 3 hours)

715-744-2373 morrinhazel@pctcnet.net *Note: I’m willing to share “virtual” worship services.

Rev. Carol J. Heckmann, 1789 County Road EE, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

651-269-4950 cj.heckmann@yahoo.com (willing to travel)

*Note: Just wanted to let you know that after November 1, 2020, I will be available to do Zoom worship supply if a church is in need. I do not have a Zoom account, so prefer someone else be the host and I join in on the Zoom. Or, if it’s within a reasonable distance, I could do a YouTube worship if there’s someone to do the technical part.

Rev. Sandee Kosmo, 3214 Chasewood Lane, Eau Claire, 54701

715-834-2112 skosmo14@msn.com

Rev. Norm Luecke, street address: 301 Alvey St, Bruce, WI 54819

925-639-1652 normluecke@yahoo.com (Available June-Sept: willing to travel 2 hours.) *Note: I would be glad to provide zoom pulpit supply.

Stephen P. Ottman, 733 First Street, Plum City 54761

715-495-2017 cell s.ottman53@gmail.com

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449

715-650-1761 patti-steevens@hotmail.com

*Note: I am willing to do in-person or virtual. Do not have a zoom account, will need to work with local ‘tech’ to do zoom or YouTube. Will travel throughout the state, generally not available in Jan or Feb.

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456

715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

Rev. Charles Wolfe, 715-441-7362 chaswolfe411@gmail.com

LA CROSSE AREA:

Jill Christopherson, 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825 Licensed to the NWA

715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449

715-650-1761 patti-steevens@hotmail.com

Rev. Tom Uphaus, 2650 N Pine Creek Rd, La Crescent, MN 55947 507-895-2152 tuphaus@acegroup.cc

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456

715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

SUPERIOR-ASHLAND AREA:

Jill Christopherson, 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825, Licensed to the NWA

715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Rev. Bill Handy, 715-682-0168

Rev. Elizabeth Hazel, 1060 Marian Lane, Park Falls, WI 54552 (will travel 3 hours)

715-744-2373 morrinhazel@pctcnet.net

*Note: I’m willing to share “virtual” worship services.

Rev. Norm Luecke, 301 Alvey St, Bruce, WI 54819

925-639-1652 normluecke@yahoo.com (Available June-Sept: willing to travel 2 hours.) *Note: I would be glad to provide zoom pulpit supply.

Rev Robert Rice, 5695 Hunter Cove, Conover, WI 54519

405-642-6118 robertsrice@msn.com (Eagle River area; available mid-June through Fall.)

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449

715-650-1761 patti-steevens@hotmail.com

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456

715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

WAUSAU AREA:

Jill Christopherson 2113 7th St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-2825, Licensed to the NWA

715-514-7361 christopherson.jill@gmail.com

*Note: I would prefer not to preach by zoom or otherwise. I can write something to be emailed or posted or something else.

Rev. Dale Bishop, 511 Sundstein Rd., Eagle River, WI 54521

715-479-1152 dalebishop511@gmail.com

Rev. Wayne C. Drueck, 1811 Perry Drive, Schofield, WI 54476

715-355-8895 home 715-212-8376 cell retired.rev@gmail.com

Rev. Elizabeth Hazel, 1060 Marian Lane, Park Falls, WI 54552, (will travel 3 hours)

715-744-2373 morrinhazel@pctcnet.net *Note: I’m willing to share “virtual” worship services.

Rev. Norm Luecke, 301 Alvey St, Bruce, WI 54819 925-639-1652 normluecke@yahoo.com *Note: I would be glad to provide zoom pulpit supply.

Rev. James Mohr, 35 Hewett St., Neillsville WI 54456,

715-743-7626 jmohr13@outlook.com *Note: I would be available to drive to anyplace South of Wausau, East of La Crosse, and Southeast of Eau Claire. I’m willing to do some in-person pulpit supply, as well as virtual pulpit supply.

Rev. Robert Rice, 5695 Hunter Cove, Conover, WI 54519

405-642-6118 robertsrice@msn.com (Eagle River area; available mid-June through Fall.)

Patti Steevens, 1809 E. McMillan St, Marshfield, WI 54449

715-650-1761 patti-steevens@hotmail.com

Rev. Pat Tucker, 511 Sundstein Rd., Eagle River, WI 54521

715-479-1152 cell: 715-891-5051 ptucker511@frontier.com

Susan Vornholt, 301 Oak Street, Neillsville, WI 54456

715-797-4031 sjvornholt@yahoo.com

Mary Wright, 7010 Evergreen Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

bmw@tznet.com or 22bowzer@gmail.com 715-325-3602

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NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION DONATES

﻿$4000 TO AID AFGHAN RESETTLEMENT

UCC Digital Programming

$4000 TO AID AFGHAN RESETTLEMENT