Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
Oct. 10, 2018 
Witnessing for Immigration Justice
by Rev. Dr. Charles Wolfe

ICOM image On the second Tuesday of every month for more than a year, the Bishop Henry Whipple* Federal Building, has been the site of a gathering to pray, sing and bear witness to the multitude of injustices in the Immigration policies of our country. Organized and hosted by the Interfaith Coalition on Immigration (ICOM)** centered in Minneapolis-St. Paul, a gathering of between sixty and eighty people-Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and others, arrive for the 7:30 a.m. hour long event. In the warmth of morning sun, in the cold of winter storms, or in the midst of rain this cadre carrying signs of protest--wearing business suits, casual dress, or clerical garb--they come to bear witness to their convictions.
 
Since spring of this year, most of those Tuesdays, I have joined my sisters and brothers for these vigils after I learned that the Bishop Henry Whipple building is where immigration cases are adjudicated, not only for Minnesota residents, but also for immigrants from South Dakota, portions of Iowa, and most of Wisconsin.
Continue reading 
50 Miles More: Marching Against Gun Violence
 
Youth from First Congregational United Church of Christ in Janesville, Wisconsin, are living out their faith by taking a stand against gun violence. In this video, two youth from the church and their pastor, Rev. Tanya Sadagopan, are interviewed about their experience standing up to gun violence.
Watch Video 
Copyright and Local Churches
Copyright and Churches

The issue of copyright rights and materials used by congregations is one that we must pay serious attention. Heather Kimmel, the UCC National Legal Counsel, has put together a YouTube video intended to offer clarification about the use of copyright material.
Watch the video

Wisconsin Conference Shared Cost Health Insurance Program

In these changing times, the Wisconsin Conference finds the existing shared cost health insurance program for pastors and retirees to be unsustainable. It is with much regret the decision was made for 2019 to be the final year for cost sharing. The Pension Boards will still provide health insurance and will bill churches and retirees directly. Billing will occur monthly beginning January 2020. Several meetings, led by Pension Boards staff, were held around the state to help churches, pastors and retirees understand what insurance options are available from the Pension Boards. You can find a video of the conversation from the DeForest meeting on our Vimeo page.

Churches and retirees will continue to be invoiced by the Wisconsin Conference office in 2019. The rates for 2019 are in the Financial and Insurance section on our website.

Please contact either Vicki Graff or Tracy Hauge if you have further questions.
man in desert with water jugs image Church "On the Border"
with Rev. Randy Mayer
November 3-4, 2018

Want to learn more about what communities and migrants are experiencing "on the border" and about how we can join others in fighting for more humane immigration justice? Come to hear Rev. Randy Mayer, pastor of The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita, Ariz., who will be in Madison on November 3-4 for two events.
Read more


From now until October 22nd, you can participate in the UCC's Date with Nature Photo Contest. Celebrate your romance with nature by submitting a photo that captures your love of God's creation. To make a submission, simply post your photo on Instagram using the hashtag #UCCDateWithNature. Contest rules can be found at: http://www.ucc.org/a_date_with_nature.
Annual UCC Climate Survey
 
Where do members of the UCC stand on climate? For the second year, the UCC is partnering with Blessed Tomorrow to track the climate opinions of members through an online survey that allows us to compare where we stand with the rest of society. Take 15 minutes to help with this important measure. Find the survey here.
Two Upcoming Youth Events
 
Two youth events are coming up in November! The Youth Faith Formation Retreat meets at Pilgrim Center on November 9-11, 2018, and the Knock Knock Middle School retreat meets November 16-18, 2018, also at Pilgrim Center. You can find out more about these events, and find the links to register, on the youth pages on our website.
Travel to the Holy Land
 
Join the Bethlehem Partnership in 2019 for their "Come and See" tour, September 30 - October 12, 2019. Highlights of the trip include visits to the Dead Sea, Petra, Mt. Nebo, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Hebron, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee.
Tour flyer
 
Conference Transitions

Searching Churches
  • The United Church of Christ in Prescott is seeking a part-time pastor. View details
  • To see all searching churches, click here.

Wider Church Opportunity

  • The Cornerstone Fund is searching for a Client Relationship Manager. View Details
New Calls
  • Rev. Bill Wineke has been called as interim pastor at Congregational UCC in Brodhead, effective October 8, 2018.
Installations and Ordinations
  • Rev. Rich Pleva was installed at Zwingli UCC in Paoli on October 7, 2018
  • Rev. Lynn Martin was installed at Immanuel UCC in Kaukauna on October 7, 2018
Anniversaries
  • St. Paul's UCC in Marshfield is celebrating 125 years this month. Congratulations!
  • United Christian Church in Campbellsport is celebrating their 150th anniversary on Sunday, October 21 with a special service at 2pm followed by a light luncheon. All are welcome! The color for the day is red.
In Memoriam
  • Esther Mansavage, mother-in-law of Rev. Jim Klein, passed away on October 7, 2018. Obituary
  • Marilyn Olm, wife of Rev. Carroll Olm, passed away on October 9, 2018. 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.
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, and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.

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

In This Issue
Youth March Against Gun Violence
Copyright and Churches
Health insurance update
Church "on the border" events
Photo contest
UCC climate survey
Youth events
Holy Land trip
Conference Transitions
Resource Center Spotlight   

Have you checked out the Conference's Resource Center lately? You'll find resources on vital and innovative ministries, church ministry and management, community engagement, and MUCH MORE!
Church Spotlight



This Southwest Association church's motto is "spiritually alive, joyfully inclusive, committed to justice." Their pastor is Rev. Winton Boyd.
 
CONFERENCE CALENDAR

Check the Conference calendar for upcoming events.
The Parish Paper
 
This month's Parish Paper is " Don't Disagree, Deliberate: How to Lead Community Conversations in Your Church." Access this issue and archived issues here!
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 Laura McLeod of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons.

Also: check out the Facebook page for ONA churches
 
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.