Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
July 6, 2022
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Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling draws sharp UCC response |
Leaders of the United Church of Christ reiterated the denomination’s long-standing support of reproductive rights in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which struck down the constitutional right to abortion established in 1973’s Roe v. Wade ruling.
“This is a moral outrage,” said John Dorhauer, UCC general minister and president. “The court has signaled they are beholden to religious zealots with a clear minority status over the rights of women. I fear what awaits us, now that this court has shown its willingness to represent that religious minority and cast aside constitutionally protected human rights. As a Christian leader I want to clearly state that their use of religion to end these rights for women is neither Christian nor defensible and threatens to undermine the establishment clause that underpins our democracy.”
In a separate statement, Dorhauer and Associate General Ministers Traci Blackmon and Karen Georgia A. Thompson restated the UCC’s long-held position.
“Long before the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, the United Church of Christ, by action of the General Synod, affirmed the right of every individual to follow their personal religious and moral convictions regarding their reproductive healthcare,” the three leaders said. “We continue to stand by this conviction today. This religious and moral agency includes the autonomy of birthing people to decide whether to complete or terminate a pregnancy.” They vowed to stand with those pained by the decision, saying, “God has not abandoned you and neither will we.”
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In this issue: Scroll down to find these articles |
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Faith communities have a role in ensuring ballot access
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Congregations can take steps to help members exercise their right to vote. That was the message to participants in a webinar on voting rights, race and faith organized by the Racial Justice Task Force of the Wisconsin Conference.
Speakers Anjali Bhasin of Wisconsin Conservation Voters and Rabbi Bonnie Margulis of Wisconsin Faith Voters for Justice said one of the most important actions congregations can take is to ensure members have access to accurate information about how to register to vote, the location of early voting sites, the location of polling places on Election Day, and who is on the ballot. In addition, faith communities can advocate for early voting hours and improved polling locations, and encourage get-out-the-vote efforts.
The speakers noted that Wisconsin has some of the most restrictive voting laws in the nation and that the impact of these laws falls disproportionately on people of color and young people.
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WISE resources available for study and engagement |
Delegates at the 2022 Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting voted to enter into a year of study and reflection on mental health and the ways in which faith communities can be Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged, or WISE. Congregations are asked to learn more about this issue and about the process of becoming a WISE congregation. If at least 30 percent, or 64, of our congregations submit the report form indicating they spent time engaging this issue prior to March 1, 2023, delegates at the 2023 Annual Meeting will vote on a resolution to make the Wisconsin Conference to become a WISE Conference.
The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network offers a wealth of resources, including resources for WISE Certification:
Other mental health resources that may be helpful include:
Although the process requires only 30 percent of our congregations to study the issue by March, the Wisconsin Conference WISE Team has set an aspirational goal of having at least 10 percent, or 21, congregations achieve the WISE designation by June or be working toward WISE status.
WISE Team members are available to provide support, guidance and encouragement. If you have questions about WISE or would like to connect with someone on the WISE Team, please contact Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.
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Mediation skills training set for August |
Openings remain for the Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders scheduled for Aug. 1-5 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Participants in this in-person events, presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, will learn how to deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational and other forms of group conflict, and acquire knowledge and skills that will help them guide their congregations towards greater unity of spirit and purpose.
The fee for the five-day event is $750 and includes a hard copy of the training manual. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to qualified applicants. For details, call the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at 630-627-0507 or via email. To register online, click here.
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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.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: July 27
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Menomonee Falls church to host Prairie Fest |
Call it “eco-evangelism.”
Redeemer UCC in Menomonee Falls is inviting members of the public to attend Prairie Fest, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. The 10-acre church property contains a 4-acre prairie and six gardens that are home to more than 50 plants and grasses native to Wisconsin.
Prairie Fest visitors can take guided tours of the prairie, participate in crafts, games and scavenger hunts, and take advantage of learning opportunities including sustainability displays and demonstrations. To learn more, visit the church website.
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Save the dates: Youth Faith Formation retreats are back |
Planning is still underway, but the dates are confirmed for Youth Faith Formation retreats at Daycholah Center in Green Lake. The retreats, for those in grades 6 through 12 and their adult leaders, will take place Nov. 11-13, Feb. 24-26 and March 3-5 and are appropriate for confirmation classes.
Additional information about registration will be available soon. To reserve space for your group, please contact Chris Kocos at Daycholah Center for more information. Questions about the retreat program? Contact Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.
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Register by July 24 for OWL training |
Clergy and lay leaders who plan to offer an Our Whole Lives program in their congregations are invited to three days of facilitation training from Aug. 26 to 28 at the Daycholah Center in Green Lake. Our Whole Lives, or OWL, is a comprehensive human sexuality curriculum for elementary-age children through older adults, developed by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association. The August training is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences, in partnership with the national setting of the UCC.
Cost is $375 for a shared double-occupancy room, meals and training for UCC participants and $450 for non-UCC participants. A limited number of private rooms are available for $475 for UCC participants and $550 for non-UCC participants. Commuter rate (meals and snacks included) is $275 for UCC participants and $350 for non-UCC participants.
Facilitator training will be offered at the elementary, youth and adult levels. Each participant may participate in training for just one age level, so consider sending a team to be trained to start or expand the OWL program in your church.
Questions? Contact Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.
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Asylum Accompaniment churches webinar series |
At Team Global HOPE, we urge you to consider discernment about ways your church can host or accompany different types of migrants. In light of the MPP reversal, we need more churches now than ever to train as Asylum Accompaniment churches. We are aware that the immigration process to the U.S. is multifaceted and difficult to understand, so the series we are offering this month is meant to clarify for your ability to discern if your church has the capacity to host a particular type of immigrant among the migration patterns occurring in 2022.
The series schedule (all times Central):
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2 p.m. July 6: Overview of the International Migration System: Why Afghanistan, Ukraine, the Southern Border, and Syria All Look So Different
- 2 p.m. July 13: The Ukrainian Crisis, Horn of Africa Crisis, and Refugee Resettlement: Where do We Go When Our Country is Burning?
- 2 p.m. July 20: The Afghanistan Crisis, The Ukrainian Exception, and Humanitarian Parole: Who is Responsible for our Suffering?
- 2 p.m. July 27: The Border Crisis and Asylum Accompaniment: Who Decides if I’m Worthy to Survive?
These workshops will provide an overview of what happened in these countries, how the U.S. determines visa types eligible for these displaced populations, and most important, how your church can organize to welcome one or more of these groups. We encourage you to attend the live presentation in case you have questions or concerns. Please register here.
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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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Wisconsin Conference UCC search
- The Wisconsin Conference UCC is searching for an Associate Conference Minister. Details
Searching churches
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Congregational UCC in Sparta is searching for a pastor. Details
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Plymouth Congregational UCC in Burlington is searching for a pastor. Details
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First Congregational UCC in Fort Atkinson is searching for a pastor. Details
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First Congregational UCC in Elkhorn is searching for a pastor. Details
New calls
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Rev. Wanda Veldman has been called as interim pastor at Nekoosa UCC in Nekoosa, effective June 26.
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Rev. Jennifer Bloesch has been called as interim pastor at Community of Hope in Madison, effective June 27.
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Rev. Tim Miller has been called as pastor at Ely Memorial UCC in Land O' Lakes, effective July 3.
In memoriam
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Robert Landowski, father of Rev. Emma Landowski Sancomb, died on June 25. 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 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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