Love. You see the word everywhere — from the Bible to sweatshirts and charm bracelets. But what does it mean to convey love through the administrative structure of an organization — especially love that shows that we have truly listened to the words of Jesus and seek to follow as best we can his unstoppable love?

I used to think we’d experience that happening only when we got to the Kindom of Heaven. Then I came across the United Church of Christ, especially the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. It’s a source of love we can all plug into by contributing our talents and by contributing to Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support. Seventy-seven percent of our gifts stay in Conference, with 23 percent going to the wider church, thereby supporting local churches as well as helping them work through issues that affect our whole society — climate change, racism, abuse of individuals or groups.

But enough of pretty words. Here's how an organization like the Wisconsin Conference can be the source of Christ’s love right down to its structure.

Faith communities often are on the front lines of responding to climate-related disasters. More than a spirit of goodwill is required to respond effectively and minister in such critical moments. Because disasters often expose, widen, and exacerbate existing disparities, it is essential that communities of faith hold fast in their commitments to equity and justice. This webinar, scheduled for 12 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, Feb. 9, will equip faith communities with the knowledge and awareness required to act in accordance with our values. Featured speakers will be Marcus Coleman Jr. of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Marcie Roth of the World Institute on Disability, and the Rev. Fred Meade of the Southern New England Conference Disaster Resource & Response Team. Register here.

Ministers who are developing or updating a pastoral profile are asked to use the criminal background check link being offered within the Engage UCC Profiles Portal. Your updated criminal background check will automatically be forwarded to the National Setting for insertion in your pastoral profile.

The National Setting has made available the tutorial video for the UCC Profiles Portal. Click to watch the video.

The pandemic has increased the isolation and loneliness of seniors in many congregations. Now, gerontologist Jan Aerie has approached the Wisconsin Conference about the possibility of developing resources for supporting and interacting with older adults.

Jan has consulted with the Missouri Mid-South Conference for more than seven years and has worked for six years as a consultant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a sister denomination of the UCC. Her work focuses on the church’s role in serving and supporting the spiritual growth of older adults. 

If you are interested in exploring this important ministry in your local church, please email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.

The national setting will offer a two-day virtual conference Feb. 7-8 for youth ministers and leaders designed to rethink the future of youth ministry, The conference, "Re-imagining for Tomorrow: Building the Future for Our Youth," will examine the direction of youth ministry in a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration can be completed here. 

For questions or additional information, contact the Rev. Trayce Potter.

Stewardship campaigns last for just a few weeks, but we hope that people will make gifts throughout the year. In a one-hour webinar starting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23, Conference Development Director the Rev. Andrew Warner focuses on practical steps to move from a brief annual campaign to a year-around plan that continually engages and inspires. Register here.

Milwaukee's CAPITA Productions is offering faith-based and community groups a virtual learning package for Black History Month, suitable for both face-to-face and online gatherings. The package includes CAPITA's signature production, "We Are the Drum," accompanied by a series of learning activities. A $150 registration fee (for up to 30 participants) provides unlimited access to the 90-minute show through March. Click to register your group. CAPITA (the acronym stands for City at Peace in the Arts) is a nonprofit community theater company.

In financial terms, “investing” is the process of lending or giving money in support of something – a company, a product, a person, an idea – in the hope that the investment will yield an economic return. “Divestment” is the opposite of that: taking money away from something in which one previously invested. The Wisconsin Conference will host a discussion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 10 on how we spend our money and the damage done to Earth. “Investors” at every level will learn concrete ways to reduce that damage.

Register here.

Please contact us before registering at 920-745-4746, or email Chris at ckocos@ucci.org.

First Congregational UCC in Appleton will host a Zoom webinar from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14, to discuss ways to respond to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources environmental impact statement on the potential rerouting of Enbridge Line 5. Speakers will be Lawrence University senior Gillian Buckardt, who has studied the hydrogeology and environmental justice implications of the move, and Philomena Kebec, an Ashland County supervisor and member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Click to register for the webinar.

The webinar is made possible in part by a Catalyst Grant from the Wisconsin Conference.

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 pandemic and beyond. Donate to the General Fund

The Conference Transitions feature appears monthly in the Wisconsin Conference Life. Please share your transition information, including church anniversaries, with the newsletter editor by emailing Nola.

This month's Parish Paper is "Planning the future by appreciating the past." Access this issue and archived issues here!

The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference, and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.