 Rev. John Dorhauer Shares his Vision for the UCC
Today the narrative shifts, proclaimed the Rev. John C. Dorhauer. Today the United Church of Christ focuses on what the Holy Spirit envisions for its future.
Dorhauer, the UCC general minister and president, shared that vision with the members of the UCC Board of Directors during its October meeting, imploring them to believe, hope and expect - just as he does - that the denomination's best days are ahead.
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United Church of Christ and United Church of Canada Formalize Full Communion
That they may all be one.
Leaders from the United Church of Christ and The United Church of Canada came together to share worship, word and communion, fulfilling Jesus' prayer that "They may all be one" in celebration of their new partnership. The governing bodies of both denominations approved a full communion agreement this summer, formally culminating with an Oct. 17 worship service, celebration and document-signing by leaders from both denominations.
A full communion agreement allows two or more churches to recognize each other's sacraments and the ordination of ministers, granting ministers the privilege to be called by congregations of either denomination. This is the UCC's fourth full communion agreement and the first for the United Church of Canada, the largest Protestant denomination in Canada with about 3 million members in more than 3,500 congregations.
Read more
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McFarland UCC and Rev. Kerri Parker Awarded National Clergy Renewal Program Grant
McFarland United Church of Christ has received a grant to enable its minister, Rev. Kerri Parker, to participate in the 2015 National Clergy Renewal Program. McFarland UCC is one of 144 congregations across the country selected to participate in this competitive grant program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Established by the Endowment in 2000, the program's grants allow Christian congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.
The focus of Rev. Parker's sabbatical is tending relationships with God, family and self. She worked with a team of congregational leaders to design the sabbatical as well as parallel activities for the congregation while she's away. Planned for the summer of 2016, Kerri's sabbatical will begin with a solitary retreat at the Rhode Island shore, a special place from her childhood. In July she will travel to England accompanied by her daughter, and in August will be back home working with a spiritual director and integrating some of what she learned during this time.
McFarland UCC has planned some themes around sacred spaces and sacred relationships that should track loosely with Kerri's activities. According to Rev. Parker, "The turnaround and vitality work that's been done in McFarland over the last five years has been exciting and inspiring, and a privilege to be a part of. We (pastor and congregation) are hoping to make some adjustments to how we do ministry together to make our shared ministry sustainable for a longer period."
To learn more about the Lilly Endowment and the plans that McFarland UCC and Rev. Parker have developed for this sabbatical, read the press release.
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Bishop John Shelby Spong to Speak in Brookfield
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 Sister Simone Campbell Headlines 2016 Winter Forum
Wisconsin Council of Churches
February 26-27, 2016
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Portage
Sister Simone Campbell has served as Executive Director of NETWORK since 2004. She is a religious leader, attorney and poet with extensive experience in public policy and advocacy for systemic change. In Washington, she lobbies on issues of peace-building, immigration reform, healthcare and economic justice. Around the country, she is a noted speaker and educator on these public policy issues. She has led three cross-country
Nuns on the Bus trips, focused on economic justice, comprehensive immigration reform, and (most recently) voter turnout. She has received numerous awards, including a "Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award" and the "Defender of Democracy Award" from the international Parliamentarians for Global Action. In addition,
she has been the keynote or featured speaker at numerous large gatherings.
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 Deborah Krause to Speak at Mutton Lectureship
Saturday, November 14, 9:00am-3:00pm
Trost Center, DeForest
Dr. Deborah Krause is this year's Mutton Lectureship speaker and will present Being a New Creation: Paul's Revelation and the Purpose of the Churchon Saturday, November 14.
More information
Registration
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Conference Transitions
Searching Churches
There are no churches that began searches in the past month.
New Calls
- Julie Goranson has been called as co-pastor of Grace UCC in Wausau, effective September 29, 2015, and will be called as pastor upon co-pastor Wayne Drueck's retirement sometime in 2016.
- First Congregational UCC in Boscobel has called William Rettig as pastor for a three-month period, effective 10/18/15.
- Congregational UCC in Mineral Point has called Rev. David Moyer as pastoral supply minister, effective October 18, 2015.
- St. Paul's UCC in Sheboygan has called Rev. Jeremy Hylen as pastor, effective November 1, 2015.
- Rev. Doris Ruben has been called by Ebenezer UCC in Stratford, effective November 1, 2015. Doris also serves part time at Peace UCC in Dorchester.
- Peace UCC in Schofield has called Rev. Tom Williams as interim pastor, effective November 1, 2015.
- Rev. Dr. David J. Schnepf has been called by First Congregational UCC in Oconomowoc as pastor, effective November 2, 2015.
Installations and Ordinations
- Rev. Dr. Melinda Ann Quivik was installed as minister at Portage Lake United Church in Houghton, Michigan, on October 18.
- Rev. Phil Milam was installed as pastor and teacher for Congregational UCC in Cable and St. Paul's UCC in Delta on October 24.
- Rev. Ruth Hansen was installed at Salem UCC in Wayne on October 25.
- Rev. Sharon Rigby Osborn was installed as pastor and teacher at Namekagon Congregational UCC in Earl on October 25.
- Rev. Daniel James Stark was installed as pastor at Christ Church UCC in Milwaukee on November 1, 2015.
In Memoriam
Anniversaries
- Trinity UCC in Brookfield celebrated its 160th anniversary on November 1, 2015. Congratulations!
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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This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an
Open and Affirming Conference.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | PO Box 435 | DeForest, WI 53532
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Church Spotlight
This church in the Southwest Association will mark its 175 year anniversary on December 20, 2015. The current pastor is Gordon Cunningham. The name of Davies commemorates Thomas Davies, who gave of his talents and money in the promotion of Christian faith in the local community as well as in surrounding areas.
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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
Micah Schlobohm or
Rich Fluechtling of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons.
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Got News?
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Let us know! If you have something you'd like considered for publication in
Wisconsin Conference Life, email
Nola at the Wisconsin Conference.
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