The No-No's of Parking Lot Conversations

by Jane Anderson

How often have you walked out of church to your car only to be stopped by another member wanting to engage you in a conversation about what just transpired at the meeting you just attended? Or, how often have you left worship, only to overhear the chit chat in the parking lot about the pastor's sermon? Or how often have you participated in a conversation in the parking lot that began, "Did you hear what happened to Joe?" Or, "Did you hear what Mary said?" We've all been privy to, or joined in, such conversations.

 

I believe that the intent of such conversations comes from a place within all of us that cares. Many of us care deeply about our church family, want to be involved in what's happening in our church life, and are committed to improving our spiritual lives.
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We realize many of our churches are in the process of budgeting for 2017. Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) goal requests for 2017 are in the mail. Please watch for them and make sure the appropriate leadership people are aware of the requests. The 2017 health insurance rates will not be available until late September. The Pension Boards have increased health care premiums by 9% for both non-Medicare and Medicare Supplements. Dental and Vision plans will see no increase. If your church needs to present the 2017 budget before early October please figure a 9% increase.

Many of our churches ask about computerized accounting systems for congregations. A survey was taken early this summer of Conference churches. You can find the results and information of churches willing to share their experience with the software they use on the Conference website. If you are thinking about computerizing or changing your current software you may want to reference this resource (Excel file).

Finally I have been receiving phone calls from churches requesting Neighbors in Need resources. Please order these from the National UCC office. There is no charge for these resources. The National church is no longer automatically sending these materials to churches.

With fall ministries beginning many churches are interested in reaching their communities using the Targeted Address Lists feature. MissionInsite has made customizable address lists easily accessible. Simply log in to MissionInsite, select ANY geography and choose "Purchase Address List" from the Info box.

 

There are many address list attributes to choose from - including New Movers, Children in Household, Mosaic Code (Household Types) and now also Racial Ethnic Surnames. Pricing for targeted address lists begins at $50 for 500 records.

 

As part of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ, you have free, unlimited access to MissionInsite, which provides access to community information for your church. If you aren't already using MissionInsite, go to our website to register.

 

For more information or questions about address lists contact [email protected] or call 877-230-3212 Ext. 1011.

November 14-18, 2016
Orchard Ridge UCC, Madison

 

May 2017
 

Kirchentag 2017 will be a special Reformation Jubilee celebration of the Protestant Church in Germany. The Wisconsin Conference is coordinating two trips, both of which will involve time with our German partners, visits to the castle in Wittenberg, and extensive time in the Rhineland and Berlin.

Next Generation Project (18-35 year old trip) - our German partners have invited 5 representatives from each of three Conferences (Penn Central, Wisconsin and Southern) to engage in a week of travel, culture, and relational connection. The team will have ample time at Kirchentag in Berlin and will visit sites in Silesian Upper-Lusatia as well as the Rhineland. Clergy and lay members are invited to apply. Cost includes airline tickets and incidentals. Our partners will provide meals, transportation and lodging. If you are interested, please contact Lisa Hart for an application: [email protected].

Conference trip coordinated by Rev. David Gaeth - We are assembling a Germany delegation (12-14 team of clergy/lay people) departing May 18th or 19th and returning on June 2. The itinerary includes time with our EKBO partners in the Goerlitz region (May 20-24), a full experience of the Kirchentag festival (May 24-28), and then a visit with Church of the Rhineland (May 28-31). We anticipate the cost of this trip to be between $2000 and $2400 per person. If you are interested in more information, please contact Dave Gaeth: [email protected].

 

Detailed trip information

 

Are you getting close to retirement, or have you retired in the last few years? We have started a Facebook group just to discuss the many issues involved in that transition. It is open to all Authorized Clergy and any denomination.
More information 

The Interim Ministry Training Institute (IMTI) is an intensive training program that is offered inter-denominationally at a location in Wisconsin. The rigorous program spans an eight-month period with monthly full-day sessions, reading and practicum assignments, and personal coaching. IMTI is designed for pastors considering or currently serving as interims, as well as settled pastors who wish to build skills and confidence in leading a congregation through an intentional time of change and challenge.
Brochure
Application

 

Faith Formation Leaders and Christian Educators: Please join us for the Christian Educator's Retreat at Pilgrim Center on October 7-8. Our theme for this year is Come to Be Fed, Go Forth to Proclaim. Susan Stabile will be leading us in some personal reflective and prayerful practices, and we will create some time and space for cracker barrel discussions about current topics in the Faith Formation arena. Spend a day focusing on your own faith formation, learn new ways to be beacons of hope in our ever changing faith communities, and network with other educators and faith formation leaders in the Wisconsin Conference UCC and Winnebago Presbytery. This is a "pay as you are able" event: donations are appreciated, but not required.  You can find more information at www.ucci.org , or contact Laura Pine, [email protected].

Thursday, October 20, 2016, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Grace UCC, Wausau

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New Calls

• Rev. Christopher Ross has been called as pastor at St. Peter's UCC in Kiel, effective September 1, 2016.

Installations and Ordinations

• Rev. Julie Goranson was installed as pastor and teacher for Grace UCC in Wausau on September 11, 2016.
• Rev. Michael Safford-Kennedy was installed as pastor and teacher for Ebenezer UCC in Chilton on September 18, 2016.
• Rev. Nancy Zorn Micke was installed as pastor and teacher for First Congregational UCC in De Pere on September 18, 2016.
• Rev. William Clyma was installed as pastor and teacher for Congregational UCC in Sparta on September 18, 2016.

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.