SeaCurrents Newsletter

Southeast Association

Companions in Ministry Cohort Forming

Companions in Ministry (CiM) is an ecumenical support program for Christian pastors and ordained deacons in southeastern Wisconsin. Sponsored by Marquette University, the program offers four cohorts, and is funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Forty-three pastors from various denominations are involved at this time.

CiM engages pastors in retreat days; plenary sessions; spiritual accompaniment; small group discussions about clergy well-being and resiliency; self-assessment; and the “Shared Inquiry” methodology. In addition to their self-care, participants explore topics such as leading congregations during a pandemic; racial justice; serving multiple congregations; serving multi-cultural congregations; leading small congregations; serving in specialized ministries; bi-vocational pastors; female pastors and seasoned pastors. Small ecumenical groups are the key to the Companions program (they meet virtually during COVID-19).

Expenses are fully-funded and participants receive a stipend upon completing the two year program. Cohort Four begins on April 20, 2021. Pastors are asked to apply by March 20: https://www.marquette.edu/companions-ministry/

These upcoming webinars can help fuel your 2021 Generosity program. Check them out!

HERE'S MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES

Generosity How-To Video Series

Check out this 14-video series "Extravagant Generosity" - The series begins by looking at the spirituality of generosity through conversations with the national leaders of the UCC. Then, it looks at ways to express gratitude for people's generosity. Lastly, the series turns to the practical elements of a campaign, such as giving a testimonial and creating a narrative budget. You can watch the videos as a series or singly. The videos on the spirituality of generosity might be useful as devotionals before a board or committee meeting. Find the videos HERE.

Generosity Resources on the Web

Check out the resources available on the Wisconsin Conference Generosity Resources website at wcucc.org/generosity

Generosity Forward Newsletters

Another resource for your generosity practices:

LAKELAND UNIVERSITY FOUNDERS' DAY LECTURE

Tuesday, Mar. 9, 2021

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join us for a conversation with Rev. Dr. Emily Carrington Heath (they/them/theirs) and Rev. Heidi Carrington Heath (she/her/hers), married members of the queer community and ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ. The Revs. Heath will be sharing their stories of their faith journeys and answering questions about what it means to be queer Christians. Rev. Dr. Julie Mavity Maddalena, Lakeland University chaplain, assistant professor of philosophy and religion and Ulrich Ethicist in Residence, will facilitate the conversation.

The Rev. Dr. Emily Carrington Heath currently serves as Pastor of the Congregational Church in Exeter, New Hampshire and is a writer and public theologian. Their work has been heavily featured in Christian Century, the Huffington Post’s religion section, the Still Speaking Writers’ Group’s Daily Devotions and more. They are currently completing their third book, a devotional for LGBTQ Christians and friends. Rev. Dr. Carrington Heath has spoken to numerous educational and religious groups on topics of faith, gender identity, LGBTQ+ rights, and public policy.

The Rev. Heidi Carrington Heath is a public theologian, writer, consultant and Spiritual Director. She is someone who holds joy and pain with the same breath, and is a teller of hard truths. She curates an online community on Facebook at Notes from the Chaplain, and serves on the Board of Directors for Young Clergy Women International.

MDIV SCHOLARSHIPS

Request for Information on Scholarships for MID’s

The Wisconsin Conference is seeking to increase our emotional, spiritual and financial support of our Members in Discernment. The Wisconsin Members in Discernment Cohort (a committee of members from our four associations) would like to inform MID’s of churches who have scholarship money available to those who are following a path to authorized ministry.

When I attended Seminary, a church in the Association where I held my In-Care (MID) status, gave me a scholarship for three years. There was also an individual in the Conference, a retired pastor who had an endowed scholarship which I received. Their gifts made a difference in my being able to complete my theological education. Your church and members can also make a difference to our Members in Discernment today. Helping our MIDs fund their education is essential to supporting the development of future leaders.

Does your church have a scholarship available to your Association or Conference members who are discerning their call to authorized ministry? Are there expectations that must be met in order to receive a scholarship or forgivable loan?

Thank you for helping us put together a list of available financial support.

Please email Pastor Jacoba Koppert at nuccpastor@gmail.com with your information about scholarships or loans of which you are aware or your questions. Thank you for your assistance.

JOURNEY THROUGH LENT WITH THE ONA COALITION!

Many of us are wondering how we can observe Lent this year: many of feel that Lent 2020 never ended, and after a year of restrictions and sacrifice we've had enough of "giving up." But Lent is also about giving to: works of love are an ancient spiritual practice during Lent. And so is prayer. Every weekday morning during Lent and Easter the ONA family will continue to offer a contemplative service of Taizé Morning Prayer at 9 and 11 am (EST) in the Coalition's Zoom Chapel—Monday through Friday. We'll also gather at 10 pm (EST) Sunday for Compline—an ancient experience of prayer, silence and song at the close of day. Each service is about 20 minutes and draws from ancient Christian practices of daily prayer, although in inclusive, non-binary language. Morning Prayer and Compline are sometimes posted on Facebook, but you can always join us on Zoom at zoom.us/j/5556624822.