"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
The staff of the Wisconsin Conference UCC wishes you blessed Easter
|
Join the UCC in Prayer and Worship
The UCC began a UCC-wide online service on April 5, and plans additional services on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
|
|
Coronavirus and the Church Resources
The Wisconsin Conference UCC and the national ministries of the United Church of Christ are assembling a number of new resources and informational updates for local congregations as the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep most of the country in "Safer at Home" mode.
|
|
Emergency Response Fund Created
The Wisconsin Conference created the Emergency Response Fund to pool resources as congregations deal with critical needs. This fund will provide help as congregations deal with critical needs caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. All funds will be awarded to organizations experiencing financial hardship and those meeting crucial needs in their community. A grant application process is currently being developed. Information will be available soon.
Although we can't physically go to church, we can BE church for one another, emotionally, spiritually, and generously. Congregations will also be on the very front lines of helping people deal with the stresses and dislocations caused by the pandemic. We can help each other through this time.
Please consider making a gift to the Wisconsin Conference's Emergency Response Fund, and know that a gift in any amount will make a difference for those impacted by this pandemic.
Donate here
|
|
Break the Silence Sunday Postponed
Observance of Break the Silence Sunday, originally set to be observed on April 26, is recommended to be postponed to a time when congregations can meet together in person again and should not be attempted to be observed virtually. Pastor Moira Finley shares why this important observation should be postponed in her the Break the Silence Sunday blog. Read the blog post here
|
 Wisconsin Chaplain Ordained Virtually with Service in Two States
A Wisconsin hospital chaplain celebrated her ordination on Sunday, March 29, in a ceremony officiated in Maryland via Zoom. The Rev. Dana Caldwell, ordained by the Potomac Association of the Central Atlantic Conference, planned the sacred event with her association so she could virtually be in two places at one time. The ceremony, which was originally planned to take place with clusters in two different churches, one in Maryland and one in Wisconsin, was changed to include participants from their individual residences after the Wisconsin governor's "Safer at Home" order necessitated a completely virtual service.
Read more
|
|
Preaching Generosity - A Stewardship Skills Webinar
April 21, 2:00pm
It can be hard to talk about money. And yet Jesus talked about it often, second only to the Kingdom of God. Join Andrew Warner in an exploration of how to preach and teach about generosity and the use of our financial resources. The stories of Good Shepherd Sunday (May 3) speak to what it means to live generously in community (Acts 2: 42-47, Ps. 23, and John 10: 1-10). This Sunday offers a chance to think broadly about the many forms of generosity and they ways in which they reinforce community. We will plan out a preaching opportunity for teaching generosity as a spiritual practice.
|
|
Sitting At God's Table Film Screening
Easter Sunday at 6:30pm CDT
You are invited to the free virtual premiere of the documentary Sitting at God's Table, on Easter Sunday, April 12th, at 6:30 p.m. CDT. The film runs 1hr 15min.
What happens when a Rabbi, a Priest, a Baptist Reverend, an Episcopal Bishop, and a Muslim leader are invited to a 7-hour dinner? In the documentary "Sitting at God's Table," a film by Ellen L. Shepard, they try to make sense of why we do what we do in the name of God.
|
|
Keeping Faith: Empowering Faith Communities to Recognize and Respond to Child Abuse
Save the date!
September 21, 2020
Madison Christian Community
is pleased to announce an important training, Keeping Faith: Empowering Faith Communities to Recognize and Respond to Child Abuse, on September 21 in Madison. This interfaith training is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference UCC and endorsed by ELCA. This is an Interfaith Workshop with Victor Vieth of the Zero Abuse Project in Minnesota and Honorable Rev. Everett Mitchell, Dane County Circuit Judge and Senior Pastor of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church. Stay tuned for more information.
Flyer about the event
|
|
Conference Transitions
Searching Churches
- Community UCC in St. Germain is searching for a pastor. Details
To see all searching churches, click here.
New Calls
- Rev. Jan Doleschal has been called as pastor at St John's UCC in Germantown, effective March 16, 2020.
- Rev. Beverly Davis has been called as supply pastor at Congregational UCC in Mineral Point, effective April 1, 2020.
- Rev. Mary Carlin has been called as interim pastor at St. Luke's UCC in South Milwaukee, effective April 2, 2020.
Ordinations
- Rev. Dana Caldwell was ordained on March 29, 2020. See separate article earlier in this issue.
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.
|
|
|
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
|
|
|
Generosity Forward e-newsletter
to learn about new ideas, best practices, and training opportunities around
congregational fundraising
.
|
|
|
Check the Conference
calendar
for upcoming events.
|
|
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.
Also: check out the
Facebook page for ONA churches!
|
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 wcucc.org/creationcare to learn more.
|
| |
|
Got News?
|
Let us know! If you have something you'd like considered for publication in
Wisconsin Conference Life, email
Nola at the Wisconsin Conference.
|
|
|
