Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
December 1, 2021
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Fox Valley church helps Afghan family settle into new home
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Congregational UCC of Neenah/Menasha is helping to welcome eight members of an Afghan refugee family to the Fox Valley. The family – a married couple with five children and a nephew in tow – arrived earlier this month. The congregation created a Good Neighbor Team to work with World Relief, the government-designated resettlement agency for the Fox Valley.
“It’s difficult to find words for how inspiring it is to be able to be part of an effort to help people who find themselves needing to completely start over,” the Rev. Dave Frey, pastor of Congregational UCC, told Wisconsin Conference Life. Later, he added, “My sense is they feel welcomed and safe and kind of off to the next part of life.”
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Ministerial profile platform change |
The Ministerial Excellence Support and Authorization team at the national office of the UCC has announced that the platform for the Ministerial Profile is changing. Training for ministers, including members in discernment and others in the ordination process, will be offered from 3 to 4 p.m. Central time on Dec. 7 and 14. Click to register for the Dec. 7 session or to register for the Dec. 14 session. The training will walk you through the process of registration and use of the new UCC Ministerial Profiles Portal. The two training sessions are identical, so you need to attend just one, and the training will be recorded and available on the UCC website and the vendor’s YouTube channel for future reference.
The changeover will occur Monday, Dec. 6. Information in the old system will need to be saved by 3 p.m. Central time on Friday, Dec. 3. The current system will experience an outage beginning late Dec. 3 and continuing through Dec. 5. All content will be automatically migrated to the new system, and current users will be invited to create a new account in the new system.
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From Religion News Service: A conservative Reform rabbi dies. An oxymoron? No. Therein lies a heartwarming and tear-stained story. Rabbi Clifford Librach’s life provided the lesson in civility we all need right now. Read this appreciation by his friend Jeffrey Salkin.
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Register now for Faith Foundations, Leadership Skills courses |
It’s not too late to register for Faith Foundations and Leadership Skills, the two adult formation courses offered by the Damascus Project. Faith Foundations starts in January, so register soon. You can join Leadership Skills at any time during the year. The Damascus Project is a collaboration of the UCC’s Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences. Members of the two conferences receive a 15% discount on the registration fee. Click for more information and to register.
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Religious workers and clergy now qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The UCC has partnered with the National Council of Churches to sponsor a webinar at 1 p.m. Central time on Friday, Dec. 3, to walk you through the process and answer any questions about how to get your student loans forgiven. The discussion will be led by Ashley Harrington, an attorney with the Federal Student Aid Office in the U.S. Department of Education. Register here.
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Become an Ulrich Scholar at Lakeland University |
Is a just world your passion? Interested in exploring Christianity and other world religions and cultures while growing spiritually and intellectually? Turn these interests into a full-tuition scholarship at Lakeland University.
Become an Ulrich Scholar and join a dedicated community as part of the Ulrich Center for Faith,Ethics and Justice. One full-tuition and a limited number of renewable $20,000 scholarships are available each year.
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Please help the finance office by sending your special supports, association dues and other payments prior to the year-end deadline. Doing so will help us manage the volume of final payments that arrive in the last weeks of the year. Questions? Contact Tracy.
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Individual year-end gifts. Contributions are deductible in the year made. Checks will need to be made out with a 2021 date and postmarked by Dec. 31 for credit in 2021.
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Churches' year-end gifts. Congregational gifts must reach the Wisconsin Conference office no later than Jan. 5. Please indicate clearly that your gift is intended for 2021 by including a 2021 remittance form or clearly identifying what you are remitting for 2021.
Send payments to Wisconsin Conference UCC, 4459 Gray Road, DeForest, WI 53532
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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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Hope UCC in Sturgeon Bay is searching for a pastor. Details.
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St. Peter's UCC in Kiel is searching for a pastor. Details.
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To see all searching churches, click here.
Wider Church Searches
- MESA is searching for a Minister for Committee on Ministry Development and Leadership. Details.
- The national office of the United Church of Christ has a variety of positions available. Details.
Installations
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The Rev. Christie Mandas was installed at Congregational UCC in Delavan on Nov. 21.
In Memoriam
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The Rev. Marjorie Anne Ferrell died on Nov. 15. Obituary.
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The Rev. Patricia Jensen died on Nov. 19. Obituary.
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Robert Gross Sr. died on Nov. 19. 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.
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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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Tending the Soul of the Beloved Community is a monthly 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.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
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