Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
May 17, 2023
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Annual Meeting workshop topics include faith formation,
senior ministry, leadership development and more
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You know what to expect at Annual Meeting 2023.
Great worship and music.
Inspiring preaching.
Speakers who will make you think.
A State of the Conference report.
But we’re also planning a dozen workshops that offer tools for strengthening ministry within congregations and to the wider community. Here are some of the sessions we have on tap:
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Faith Formation at the Core of Congregational Life. The Rev. Stacy Johnson Myers, minister of Christian education at First Congregational UCC in River Falls, will offer inspiring, accessible ideas for congregations, including principles to guide faith formation programs and strategies for supporting biblical literacy.
Sharing Leadership with Wonder and Wherewithal. The Rev. Dr. Sarah B. Drummond will follow her Annual Meeting keynote with a preview of her current book project on leadership for ministry today.
Using Creation Care for Leadership Development in Congregations. Hear from the Creation Care Team about how establishing a Green Team can help your congregation recruit, inspire and develop new leaders who don’t feel called to traditional church leadership roles. Climate change is here, and all sorts of people are looking for ways small and large to make changes that have an impact.
Investing Together: Strengthening All Our Churches. Wisconsin Conference Development Director the Rev. Andrew Warner will walk participants through the process of establishing a church fund at the Wisconsin Foundation UCC, an efficient way to manage the endowment or long-term or reserve assets of your congregation.
Age-Friendly Congregations: What They Are and How to Become One. Traditional “senior ministries” no longer address the needs and gifts of older church members. An expert panel will discuss ways congregations can pursue new ministries with and for senior members.
Catalyst Grants: Sparking Church Innovation and Mission. The Conference Catalyst Team, which provides grants of up to $5,000 for creative ministries, will offer examples of successful projects and help attendees understand what makes a strong grant application.
Healthy Governance, Healthy Congregations. A strong relationship between clergy and lay leaders is one key to a well-governed congregation. A panel of clergy and lay leaders will discuss the best ways to build and maintain those relationships and how to manage the inevitable disagreements.
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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WISE responses accepted through June 5;
Mental Health Sunday is May 21
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so there’s no better time to remind our congregations that delegates to June’s Annual Meeting may have the opportunity to vote whether the Wisconsin Conference UCC should be designated a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged, or WISE, Conference for Mental Health. In order for delegates to vote on the WISE designation, however, we need responses from at least 64 congregations indicating they are discussing the WISE Resolution being considered by the Conference. The discussion can be with any subset of the congregation. Response forms will be accepted through June 5. Email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries, with questions. We're getting close to the magic number, but we still look forward to hearing from you.
Meanwhile, your congregation already may have plans to observe Mental Health Sunday on May 21. If you’re still looking for ideas, check out the resources offered by the UCC’s Mental Health network at mhn-ucc.org. The materials are designed to be used at any time.
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Celebrations: Association meeting concludes with blessing of ACM
The Annual Meeting of the Southwest Association concluded with participants offering a blessing to the Rev. Rachel Bauman, their newly called associate conference minister. “Bless her with love abounding, that she may have love to share,” prayed Pastor Leslie Schenk of Plymouth UCC in Madison, where Rachel is a member.
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Register now to attend General Synod, the UCC ‘family reunion’ |
Summer is a great time for family reunions, and that’s how we think about the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ, scheduled for June 30 through July 4 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The General Synod theme – “Making All Things New” – comes from Isaiah 43:18-19: “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
General Synod will be the first 100% in-person gathering in nearly four years. Delegates and visitors will experience dynamic workshops, thought-provoking plenary sessions, inspirational worship, engaging youth activities and networking opportunities. Delegates will conduct the business of the denomination, which this year includes consideration of a proposal to change the frequency of General Synod from every two years to every three years.
Click to learn more about General Synod and to register.
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UCC wants to hear from you on children’s ministry |
If you work on the front lines of ministry to children from birth to 12 years old, the UCC wants to hear from you. The denomination has created a 5-minute survey designed to assess the state of children’s ministry in UCC congregations. Click to take the survey. Responses are due by June 1.
Results of the survey will be used to develop new programs and resources for children’s ministry. The UCC received a $1.25 million grant from the Lilly Foundation under its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, which supports congregations as they design intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices that more intentionally engage children to help them come to know and love God and grow in faith. Questions? Email the Rev. Trayce Potter, the UCC’s minister for children’s and youth engagement.
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Building an Endowment
An endowment can support a congregation and its wider mission. But where do you start? This webinar will provide ideas and policies for creating and growing an endowment for your congregation. The Rev. Andrew Warner will draw on his experience with the Wisconsin Foundation UCC when discussing how to raise, manage, and use endowment funds.
Date: May 24
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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5 ways congregations can support asylum seekers |
Although the lifting of Title 42 pandemic restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border so far has not produced the expected surge of migrants, religious organizations are reminding the faithful that continued advocacy is needed to restore projects for people who cross the border. The Rev. Irene Willis Hassan, the UCC’s minister for refugee and migration services, shared five actions you and your congregation can take today:
- Issue a statement making clear that your faith community supports asylum seekers.
- Post your support for asylum seekers on social media and share positive stories.
- Tell members of Congress and the president to welcome asylum seekers.
- Organize a vigil or public witness event.
- Volunteer at a shelter or welcome center or accompany an asylum seeker.
Click for a collection of resources and advocacy materials.
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Conference considers work group to study Mideast conflict |
What’s the proper Christian response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? That question, among others, prompted a small group within the Wisconsin Conference to meet in April and May to listen and learn. The group’s objective was to gauge interest in creating a Conference working group around the tensions dividing the Middle East. The group would be open to anyone who wants to learn more about Israeli-Palestinian affairs and in educating others in the Wisconsin Conference.
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It's not too late to register for Youth@Synod! An excellent program, which includes service-learning opportunities, has been planned for youth who participate in Youth@Synod this summer in Indianapolis. We have learned that arrangements have been made for a reduced-cost housing package for youth and their chaperones at the Benedict Inn (while space is available). The package cost is $160 per person for a shared room for a Friday through Tuesday stay or $198 for a Friday through Wednesday stay. The cost for a private room is $248 or $279. Breakfast is included in the cost. There will also be a bus to take the kids back and forth to the convention center each day. Donations toward the cost of gas are appreciated, but not required. Arrangements for this housing need to be made by contacting Lisa Hart. Deadline for housing registration is May 31, although housing may fill before that date.
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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
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Searching churches
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First Congregational Church in Wisconsin Rapids is searching for a youth director. Details
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To see all searching churches, click here.
Wider church searches
Of interest
- Stairway chair lift up for donation. Link to details (Lift is listed for sale but will donate to a Wisconsin Conference congregation or related person). Email Rick with questions.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Ignite Your Fire, Feed Your Soul,
Build Your Faith... In Nature's Sanctuary
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
Israel/Palestine flag image: User:Justass, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
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