Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
August 3, 2023
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Grow in faith, learn to lead in the Damascus Project |
Are you looking to deepen your faith? Learn more about the history of the church? Sharpen your leadership skills to better serve your congregation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re likely a good fit for the Damascus Project, the joint educational ministry of the Minnesota and Wisconsin conferences of the United Church of Christ.
The Damascus course lineup for fall 2023 and spring 2024 includes instruction in three core areas: Faith Foundations, Ministry Studies and Leadership Skills. The courses are a blend of self-paced content designed for adult learners and Zoom discussion sessions, all created by expert instructors.
The Damascus Project serves both clergy and lay people. For minsters, it is a source of continuing education and professional enrichment. For lay people, it provides a platform for theological study and leadership skills. And for Members in Discernment, the Damascus Project provides an alternative path of theological education for individuals seeking to become authorized ministers in the UCC.
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Communities of Practice for clergy |
Registration now open for groups starting in September
Note: Previous COP participants need to register again each year to continue in a group.
Communities of Practice clergy groups provide the sustenance that your ministry needs in order to be effective well into the future. COP groups are designed to be peer learning groups, focused both on the practice of ministry and your growth in your role as a pastoral minister.
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Join a Christian Education/Faith Formation Community of Practice |
The Christian Education/Faith Formation Commission of the Wisconsin Conference offers a Communities of Practice program for educators similar to the successful COP program for pastors. Lay volunteers or paid staff involved in Sunday school, youth group, or overall education/faith formation are supported and enriched by involvement in a COP with others practicing ministry in similar ways.
Groups will:
- Be composed of about six Christian educators/youth leaders from throughout the Wisconsin Conference.
- Have a trained facilitator who has experience in Christian education/faith formation ministry.
- Meet every four to six weeks for three hours at a day and time that is reasonable for those involved.
- Meet at a central location when possible, or use technology to meet remotely.
If you, or the faith formation leader/staff at your church, would appreciate the support of a network of Christian education/faith formation peers, register today. COP groups for 2023-2024 will start in September. The cost for the year is $250. For more information, read the webpage or contact Lisa Hart. Note: Previous COP participants need to register each year to continue in a group.
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Using Kid Lit in your congregation
Quick! This takes place TODAY
The Wisconsin Conference has joined forces with the Rev. Dr. Stacy Johnson Myers, minister of Christian Education at First Congregational UCC in River Falls, to offer congregations a new faith formation resource from Picture the Bible. Called Kid Lit, the program brings together Bible stories, children’s literature and art to support students as they explore biblical stories and theological concepts and connect them to their own lives. Kid Lit is easy to follow and includes the core components of a faith formation event – a lesson, art, conversation and prayer, plus background for leaders. Wisconsin Conference congregations are welcome to use this free link to download, print, and use four lessons of Kid Lit. To purchase additional lessons or art reproductions featured in the resources, visit www.picturethebible.org. Join Stacy by Zoom when she’ll offer tips for using Kid Lit in your congregation.
Time: 2 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 2
UCC Webinar: UCC Trailblazer, the EPA and New Grant Programs
Charles Lee, lead author of the UCC’s landmark report on toxic waste and race as well as the lead organizer of the historic First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, will be one of two featured speakers on environmental justice at the EPA. Lee is now senior policy adviser for environmental justice at the EPA. He will be joined by Jacob Burney, who directs the EPA’s Environmental Justice Grants Division.
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 9
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Our Whole Lives facilitator 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. 25 to 27 at 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 registration deadline is Aug. 8.
Facilitator training will be offered at the elementary and youth 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.
The training is hosted by the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences of the United Church of Christ.
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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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No churches recently began a new search. To see all searching churches, click here.
Wider Church Searches
- United Church of Christ openings: Details
New Calls
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The Rev. Bob Gross has been called as interim pastor at First UCC, Green Bay, effective July 17.
Installations and Ordinations
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The Rev. Christopher Ross was installed at First Congregational UCC in Watertown on July 23.
Of Note
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The Rev. Kathleen Gloff, pastor at Somers Community UCC near Kenosha, has started a blog dealing with grieving the loss of a spouse. You can find the blog here.
In Memoriam
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Janice Stull, mother of the Rev. Susan Stull Carr, transitional pastor at Congregational UCC in Mineral Point, died on July 23. 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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Renewing 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 Jan Doleschal or Micah Schlobohm 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
W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971
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