The Commission on Ministry of the Wisconsin Conference has two representatives from each of the four Association Church and Ministry committees as well as the Associate Conference Ministers. The Commission has accomplished significant work over recent years in coordinating aspects of C&M work so that these are consistent across the Wisconsin Conference. For example, the Commission has developed plans for the Boundary Training expectation so that each association does not have to individually plan for this, and more recently the Commission has worked on a unified assessment for Members in Discernment. This coordination has eased the demands for planning within the association C&M teams so they can engage in work with congregations, ministers and Members in Discernment as well as providing consistency when ministers move between associations within our conference.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., will share his reflections on the mass incarceration crisis with Wisconsin faith leaders from all traditions during a virtual gathering on Saturday, July 10.

The event, "Ending Mass Incarceration: Building a Theology of Restoration and Fairness in Wisconsin," will take place on Zoom from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Register here

Warnock, pastor of Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, is a founding member of the Interfaith Initiative to End Mass Incarceration. The gathering is hosted by the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee.

This summer's UCC General Synod is virtual, so it's an accessible opportunity for anyone attend and participate in the activities of the wider church. It's affordable and visitors can register by day or for the entire event. There are great keynote speakers and amazing, inspiring worship. 

More information about General Synod

Register here, by the day or for the whole event

The event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. CDT Tuesday, July 13, during the UCC’s Virtual General Synod. To register for General Synod, click here.

"Restoring Relationship with Mother Earth: A Four-Day Immersion Event on Ho Chunk Ancestral Lands” will offer a Native American perspective on nature and ideas of creation care. Event co-sponsors are the Alliance for Justice, Inc.; United Church Camps; and Hocak UCC in Black River Falls. This event will be a great way to connect with people from other UCC congregations from throughout Wisconsin, learn about justice and reconciliation efforts being made with Native peoples of Wisconsin, and deepen your understanding of the importance of indigenous wisdom to addressing the environmental crisis we find ourselves in. Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of "Braiding Sweetgrass," will offer the keynote presentation. More information and registration

The event fee for this four-day event is $300. Participants are encouraged to check with your local congregation to see if scholarship monies are available to help defray costs. The United Church Camps, Inc. will also offer scholarships to anyone who applies (details will be included in registration confirmation email).

Robin Wall Kimmerer's book is also the focus of a conference-wide Big Read being planned by the Conference Creation Care Team. More details will be available later this summer, but start planning to make this a part of your congregation’s fall program!

Register for a clergy COP group 

Campaign materials – The 2021 UCC Stewardship Theme Materials are now available at UCCresources.com. These new stewardship materials help congregations tell their story while making a request for financial support. The materials include everything needed to run an effective campaign such as bulletin inserts, pledge cards, and graphics. A practical campaign guide provides support for leaders running their first campaign and offers suggestions for those looking to customize stewardship messages to their own setting. 

The materials use the same theme as General Synod - Rooted in Love. They’re available now at Stewardship Theme Materials | UCC Resources.

Workshops – A series of online workshops is also being offered this summer and fall:

Find information about all Generosity workshops on the Conference website.

Some proposed climate policies have been described as false solutions by climate activists and policy analysts because they fall short in meeting the moral demands of science, equity, and justice. Learn what faith communities need to know in this webinar that will feature Leah Stokes, who authored of the acclaimed book Short Circuiting Policy, and Gabriela Sarri-Tobar, who serves the Center for Biological Diversity as the Energy Justice Campaigner. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 12 pm CT on Thursday, July 22, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register 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 pandemic and beyond. Donate to the General Fund

To see all searching churches, click here.

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.

The Kairos Call to Action Newsletter was created to support the efforts of congregations, families and individuals who want to be a part of the UCC’s Kairos Call to Action. Through this newsletter the Conference Creation Care Team will provide resources for study and worship, encourage advocacy on behalf of climate justice, and help congregations find and connect with partners who share this common concern and commitment.

Sign up for this newsletter here, and check out the latest issue here. 

This month's Parish Paper is "Is Drive-In Church a Good Idea?." Access this issue and archived issues here!

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