 The Question of the Pastor's Compensation
by Rob MacDougall
My first call was as an Associate Pastor. I had worked as a social worker for a few years after graduating from college. During these years I married my wife and the two of us soon went off to seminary. While in seminary our first child was born and we lived off a very meager income. When I received my first call our family had no savings, our car was twelve years old and we had almost no home furnishings. The church that called me had been a large, prominent UCC church, but their membership and finances had been shrinking for years and they had not yet moved into their new identity. Though they wanted a relatively young pastor with a family on their staff, they had little understanding of what it would take to provide a compensation package that would sustain a young family. Their budget was shrinking but they continued to believe they should have the size staff they had become accustomed to. If I hadn't been married to a professional person who could earn much more than I did, it would have been impossible for me to serve this church.
Elements of my story can be found in the stories of other churches and clergy today. Continue article
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 Make Plans Now for Annual Meeting!
SHIFT: Our Unfolding Story
June 9-11, 2017
Green Lake Conference Center
This year's annual meeting offers a great lineup of special guests!
- The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ, will share with us the vision of the United Church of Christ and the important justice issues of our time. bio
- The Rev. Everett Mitchell, pastor of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Madison, is the Saturday morning keynote. Rev. Mitchell's theological focus has been examining the relationship of the church to social issues, such as poverty, war, incarceration and immigration. bio
- Bringing us an inspiring new worship experience this year will be Gary Rand, Director of Worship Activities and Adjunct Professor in Worship at McCormick Theological Seminary. Previously Gary led worship and the arts at LaSalle Street Church in Chicago. Gary designs worship that actively engages people through music and actions. Bio see below
- Joining in worship with their unique music style will be The Many, an indie folk/gospel, liturgically-grounded, new kind of worship band. Pianist Rob Clearfield will also be on tap.
Other Annual Meeting Highlights:
- Share Fair - Congregations will share their inspiring stories of ministry in the Wisconsin Conference. Take away fresh ideas for new ministries for your congregation!
- Vote on proposed resolution to become an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.
Share Fair info
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Thursday Workshop: Sparking Creativity and Expanding Vision
June 8, 2017, Green Lake Conference Center
Don't miss this opportunity to spend a day with Paul Nixon, author of Weird Church. Workshop participants will gain knowledge and acquire tools in three key areas, to use in their home churches:
- Weird Church: Gain an understanding of the critical shifts church leaders need to live into in order to reach the thrilling future that is possible, and learn inspiring ministry models to imagine what is possible.
- Readiness 360: Learn about a tool that helps leaders to look deep within their congregations to address the issues that really drive vital, growing ministry and enable congregations to multiply their church's impact.
- Mission Possible: Play an interactive game to learn human centered design thinking for social change. Design thinking is used to spur creativity and to help us think differently about the challenges and opportunities we face in ministry. Participants take a set of "dealt" resources" and create the most transformative or creative solution possible to a complex social problem.
Registration is open!
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 Manual on Ministry: 2017 Draft Edition
All members of the United Church of Christ are encouraged to read, reflect and engage with these resources as we together commit to seeking faithful responses to God's call for excellence in ministerial formation, authorization, and oversight.
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Racial Justice: The Courage to Act
April 1, 2017, at Alverno College in Milwaukee
A Workshop Featuring Chris Crass, Racial Justice Activist and Trainer, sponsored by the SEWA UCC Mission Team with local Universalist Unitarian churches.
Now is the time to build collective liberation! This workshop will provide you with tools, action items and courage to combat racism and stand on the side of love and help you:
- Get motivated, stay motivated and take action: Turn your passion for equity into productive, positive,racial justice actions.
- Build broader relationships and coordination between cross-divisions of race: Learning different perspectives and different experiences creates synergy and excitement while exposing you to new approaches and solutions.
- Heighten the conversation around systemic racism: By understanding systemic racism isn't about you but about the system, you will be better positioned to "spread the word" and challenge the status quo.
More information
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 Break the Silence Sunday
April 23, 2017
Break The Silence Sunday is an effort to open up a conversation within the church about rape and sexual assault. Within the context of our faith communities we hope to:
- acknowledge the reality of rape and sexual violence in our world;
- support survivors by creating a place where they can tell their stories, feel loved and supported, and find encouragement on their healing journey;
- commit ourselves to the work of changing the world, creating a future where rape is a memory.
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WISDOM Madison Action Day
by Kathy Gloff, Sommers Community UCC
I would like to get the word out about a wonderfully powerful event that is happening on Thursday, March 30th, in Madison. On that day, the WISDOM (a statewide, grassroots, interfaith, organizing network of which I am a part) will convene in Madison to speak out from a faith perspective to our government officials. I was there last year...along with hundreds of others from throughout the state.
We are looking for a turn out of nearly 1,000 concerned citizens...and anyone and everyone can be a part of it! During the day long event, we will gather at a church near the capitol. We will hear inspirational speakers; we will identify and discuss urgent matters surrounding Mass Incarceration, Immigration, Environmental Concerns, and other issues that affect us right here and now. I will be on one of the buses traveling to Madison from Southern Wisconsin...you can be on one too! Join us. Don't just fret and complain about the government; put your faith into practice on March 30th!
Contact Rev. Kathy Gloff with questions
View event website and register
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Honest, Open, Proud
Ever wonder how to best support a youth (or anyone) in your congregation who is struggling with mental health issues?
Join us on Saturday, April 1, for a HOP (Honest, Open, Proud) Facilitator Training. Whether you hope to facilitate this program in your congregation or you just want to be better prepared to offer support to those in your congregation and community, we hope you will join us.
More information
Register online by March 26, 2017
For more information, contact Lisa Hart
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 Come Learn How to Light and Fuel the Campfire!
April 1, 2017, 10:00am-2:30pm
$15 (Northeast Association members receive a $10 scholarship)
Spend a day at Pilgrim Center learning about how churches in the Wisconsin Conference and Winnebago Presbytery raise money for outdoor ministry.
Learn about the programs and offerings at Moon Beach and Pilgrim Center as well receive an update on the Campital Campaign projects.
Co-sponsored by UCCI and the Northeast Association Division of Local Church Ministries. Registration online at ucci.org.
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Conference Transitions
Searching Churches
No churches have recently started searching for a pastor. To see all searching churches, click here.
New Calls
- Rev. Judine Duerwaechter and Rev. Dr. Matt Sauer have been called as co-pastors at Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry. They will serve the following three Manitowoc churches together: First Reformed UCC, St. John's UCC, and First Presbyterian USA.
In Memoriam
- Rev. Brian Tokoph died on February 17, 2017. 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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This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
Image credits:
The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an
Open and Affirming Conference.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
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Church Spotlight
This Northeast Association church is led by pastor Cheryl Lepak. Located in the country between Plymouth and Sheboygan, this church says they are "a traditional family-focused small congregation who serve the Lord with great joy and live out the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ."
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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
Micah Schlobohm of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons.
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Got News?
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Let us know! If you have something you'd like considered for publication in
Wisconsin Conference Life, email
Nola at the Wisconsin Conference.
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