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Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
May 23, 2016
How Do New People Hear About Your Church?
The Parish Paper, May 2016
 
When asked, "How did you first find out about this congregation?" visitors give surprisingly diverse answers. Because not all visitors are seeking the same thing, their path to your church door reflects their specific needs and interests. Thus, congregations need multiple strategies to publicize and promote their presence in the community.
Leading Adaptive Change with Your Congregation
With Mark Tidsworth, Pinnacle Leadership Associates
June 9, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Green Lake Conference Center
 
Wondering why the tried and true strategies don't seem to be working as they did in the past? And what to do about it? This workshop by Pinnacle Leadership Associate's Mark Tidsworth will help congregations better understand their current pressures and consider how they might address key questions we are facing today.
 
Geared to both laity and clergy, participants will also gain proven tools and strategies for solving problems and adapting to change.  You will learn:
  • the Key Practices for cultivating healthy adaptive change,
  • a framework for identifying your congregation's next steps in pursuing God's calling in your context,
  • the Developmental Response Continuum which informs us about our congregation's journey,
and hear illustrative stories of adaptive and non-adaptive congregations. Participants will leave better able to be responsive to change.  
Register >>   Cost is $50 including lunch.
Shift meeting logo 2016 Annual Meeting: SHIFT: A Hope-filled Future

Join us at the beautiful Green Lake Conference Center for this year's Annual Meeting.  Meeting highlights include:
  • Keynoter Rev. Cameron Trimble of the Center for Progressive Renewal
  • Workshops exploring five key areas of ministry
  • Small group breakout sessions to connect and work together on new paradigms
  • Worship and fellowship
  • Social gathering Friday evening
  • Entertainment Saturday evening
Attend for the weekend, or come for the day on Saturday.
 
 
Volunteers are still needed!  Please consider giving a little of your time to help. Check out all the volunteer opportunities at this link.   
Clergy Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice groups for clergy are facilitated by a seasoned pastor or experienced therapist, meet monthly for a 2 1/2 hour session, September through May, focus on the practice of ministry and the pastor's vocation as leader, and encourage peer support, care, and reflection. Registration is now available for the 2016-2017 groups. 

Lay Academy

Lay Academy is a ministry of the Wisconsin Conference that engages lay people in spiritual growth and development through theological education. Anyone who longs to grow in faith, discover new ways to serve God and their community, and deepen their knowledge of Christian tradition, ministry, and mission is welcome.
Lay Academy brochure
Lay Academy Summer Gathering
The Spirit Within: Where is God Leading You?
July 22-23, 2016

Where is God leading me? is one of the most commonly asked and pondered questions in and around Lay Academy. This is a question of faith and discipleship; a question of discernment, personal and life transformation, quiet listening and hopeful yearning. It is a question that is never fully answered and that never goes away.

Join fellow Lay Academy participants from across the state for a weekend dedicated to the ongoing exploration of this question through drumming, worship, journaling and art, individual, small and large group conversation. Our leaders for the weekend are Elmore Lawson and Carla Peterson.

All current and past participants of Lay Academy are welcome to attend. If you know of people who are considering Lay Academy, feel free to invite them to join you.
Registration
National Youth Event
Last day to register is this Saturday!

Mark your calendar to attend the most magical NATIONAL YOUTH EVENT (NYE) of all! Join 4,000 UCC and Disciples youth from across the country and world at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Pride T-shirts

Show your UCC ONA Pride!

Purchase one of these made in the USA shirts for less than $20.  Shirts will all be shipped to one location and then either shipped to you or delivered to you at the Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting (if you are attending).  Order deadline is May 25.  Order your shirt at:  https://www.customink.com/g/azd0-00ah-aragQuestions? Contact Christine Wilke.
Conference Transitions

Searching Churches
There were no churches that recently started searching for a new pastor.  To see all searching churches, click here .

Installations and Ordinations
  • Rev. Daniel Schultz was installed at St. Paul UCC in Malone on May 22, 2016.
Retirements
  • Rev. Bob Ullman has retired. A celebration of his ministry was held on May 15, 2016, at Redeemer UCC in Sussex.
In Memoriam
  • Rev. Roger Buffett passed away on May 8, 2016.
     

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.
This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.

The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference.

Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI  53532

In This Issue
Annual Meeting
Communities of Practice
Lay Academy
Summer gathering
National Youth Event
Pride t-shirts
Conference Transitions
Shift blog 
Check out the
SHIFT BLOG for inspiration! 
Read about & share congregational shift stories.
 
 
CONFERENCE CALENDAR

Check the Conference calendar for upcoming events.
Revd Up logo
Follow Franz Rigert's Rev'd Up Blog for thought provoking ideas. Join the conversation!

Quick Links



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.
 
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.