Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
June 7, 2023
|
|
WISE resolution clears threshold, heads to Annual Meeting vote |
Delegates to Annual Meeting 2023 this week will vote on a resolution declaring the Wisconsin Conference Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged – WISE – for Mental Health. The vote comes after 68 congregations reported to the Conference that they had engaged issues around mental health in some manner.
WISE is an official designation of the UCC Mental Health Network. Delegates to the 2022 Annual Meeting voted to enter into a year of study and conversation around becoming a WISE Conference for Mental Health. Conference rules require at least 30%, or 64, congregations to consider the issue for the resolution to be brought to a vote.
Twenty-five congregations reported that they are in the process of earning the WISE designation, 25 are considering becoming WISE, and seven are in the early stages of exploring WISE.
This week’s Annual Meeting at Green Lake Conference Center will include a Saturday-morning workshop about the WISE process and how congregations can support individuals and families facing mental health challenges. Email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries, for more information.
|
|
In this issue: Scroll down to find these articles |
|
Delegates to vote in new Conference treasurer |
Delegates to this week’s Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting will vote on the nomination of Andy Lyke to become Conference treasurer. Andy will succeed longtime treasurer Farrel Smith, who is retiring.
A Ripon native, Andy has spent most of his life in his hometown. He earned an accounting degree from Notre Dame and a spent few years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen before returning to join Ripon Printers, a family business started by his father. He and his wife, Jeanne, a pediatrician, have two 20-something sons. Andy is treasurer of his home congregation, First Congregational Church of Ripon, and has served on the local school board for 20 years.
Andy will serve the final year of Farrel’s term and in 2024 will be eligible for election to a full two-year term.
|
|
Catalyst grants to fuel innovation by 9 congregations |
The Wisconsin Conference Catalyst Team has awarded grants totaling more than $33,000 to nine congregations to support innovative ministries designed to address unmet needs in their communities. The team received a record 13 applications.
“It is exciting and inspirational to see so many churches trying new things and having a positive impact on their communities,” said Mike Whiteley, chair of the Catalyst Team. “The applications represented a wide range of diverse projects addressing critical needs in many communities such as hunger, homelessness and refugee resettlement. We are grateful to see so many people doing God's work in our Conference.”
|
|
UCC support vital to interfaith booth at Pridefest |
Think of it as Prideblessed.
Thanks in part to a group of UCC clergy and lay volunteers, hundreds of people received a blessing at Blessed at Pridefest, an interfaith booth at last weekend’s Pridefest Milwaukee. Ministers used a “blessing menu” to help guide people, and there was no proselytizing, said the Rev. Christine Wilke, interim pastor of Evangelical & Reformed UCC in Waukesha and one of the organizers of Blessed at Pridefest.
“When they were done with the blessing, we offered the opportunity to write a blessing or prayer intention on a piece of ribbon and tied it to a gate,” Christine said. “Then we let the wind blow it out into the universe.”
Fourteen UCC clergy and three UCC lay volunteers took part in the ecumenical initiative. This year marked the fourth Pridefest to feature the blessing booth, which debuted in 2018. COVID forced cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021. Pridefest Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQ festival. It’s held at Henry Maier Festival Park, home of Summerfest.
|
|
Seizing an Opportunity: Strengthening EPA Protections in 2023
As UCC congregations across the country embark upon collecting thousands of signed postcards for the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Climate Hope Cards campaign, this webinar will cover how the coming months at the EPA present a significant opportunity to save thousands of lives, address societal inequalities, and put the United States on a path to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035. Sign up even if you can't make the webinar at its scheduled, and you'll receive a link to a recording of it.
Time: Noon Central
Date: June 14
|
|
Exhibition at Lake Mills church spotlights the vulnerable |
First Congregational UCC in Lake Mills is hosting an exhibition of work by Sheboygan artist Toril Fisher through Sunday, July 16.
The exhibition, “Divine Ambiguity: Reclaiming the Sacred,” celebrates humanity. It is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. The church is at 307 W. Madison St. in Lake Mills.
Fisher's work lifts up vulnerable humans in a world that is seeing a rising movement toward authoritarian, nationalistic and fear-based political rhetoric that dehumanizes those who differ in skin color, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity and economic status.
To arrange a private showing for your organization, call (920) 648-2495.
|
|
Help others by donating 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
|
|
Searching churches
-
Congregational UCC in Edgerton is searching for a pastor. Details
-
To see all searching churches, click here.
Wider church searches
Installations and ordinations
-
The Rev. Jean Pagliaro was installed at Trinity UCC in La Crosse on May 14.
-
The Rev. Carol Reynolds was installed at Hope UCC in Sturgeon Bay on May 21.
In Memoriam
-
The Rev. H. Richard "Dick" Hoblin died on May 17. Obituary
-
Eugene (Gene) Krymkowski, husband of the Rev. Ruth Ann Krymkowski, died on May 16. Obituary
-
Rachel Cowan Karch, daughter of Paul Karch, died on May 21. Obituary
-
The Rev. Gerald W. Schrankler died on May 28. Obituary
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.
|
|
Renewing the Soul of the Beloved Community is a communication dedicated to sharing resources and tools, wisdom and insight for congregations and individuals navigating these challenging days. Created by the Conference Supportive Ministries Team, this publication will highlight resources to aid in steering your path forward.
|
|
Ignite Your Fire, Feed Your Soul,
Build Your Faith... In Nature's Sanctuary
|
|
Join the Conference-wide Creation Care Team!
Are you passionate about Creation Care? Want to connect with others who are taking action to care for the earth? The Creation Care Team's primary focus is to encourage, support and provide resources to congregations in the Wisconsin Conference as they do what they can to care for creation. If you would like to be a part of this team, or for more information on the Creation Care Team, contact John Helt. You can also go to the Creation Care webpage to learn more.
|
|
Is your church considering an Open and Affirming Process? The Wisconsin Conference has a committee to help! Please feel free to use us as resources for your discussions and preparations. Contact Laura McLeod of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons.
|
|
Get Involved! A Conference-wide Racial Justice Task Force gathers resources and encourages congregations to engage in conversations around race. If you and your congregation are interested in participating in this group, you are welcome. Contact Lisa Hart get involved.
|
|
This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
