Since last year’s Annual Meeting, the Wisconsin Conference Older Adult Ministries Working Group has surveyed individuals, church leaders and retired clergy to obtain input needed to guide the group’s work. The working group’s mission is to enhance the ministry of Wisconsin Conference congregations by providing educational materials focused on aging, and the needs and gifts of older adults, with the guiding focus of engagement, recognition and accessibility. Coordinator of the group is gerontologist Jan Aerie. In a conversation with Wisconsin Conference Life, Jan talked about what the survey results reveal about some key challenges congregations face in ministry with older adults. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How have the survey responses opened your eyes?

What surprises me is the extent to which some congregations indicated that a lack of transportation due to their location was a challenge, and also the fact that many older adults don’t feel comfortable asking for a ride.

Have churches found ways to address the transportation challenge?

It’s always unique to where the church is located, but we’re seeing some really good models. Some congregations are offering a voucher system in which the church will pay any transportation system in the community. Sometimes it’s a taxi. Other times it’s a van provided by an office on aging. With a voucher system, there’s some anonymity and empowerment for the individual.

Why are individuals reluctant to ask for help? How can congregations address that issue?

There are many things that run through a person’s mind: We do not want to be seen as weak or disabled or unable. I was in that situation myself when I couldn’t drive after having surgery on my knee and ankle; I was reluctant to ask for a ride. One of the things we want to offer is classes on how to ask for help. The other side of that is how to offer help. It’s not as straightforward as just offering to help with anything a person might need. We need to learn to be specific in both ways, asking and offering.

What happens to individuals when hearing loss makes participation in church a problem? Are there any solutions?

There’s a retired clergy person in the Conference who has been traveling from church to church to find one where he can hear. He shared with us how we can educate congregations. The old amplification devices congregations used don’t really work any more -- it’s not just about amplifying sounds. It’s clarifying the sound. And many congregations don’t realize that loud music, as in organ music, can really strain ears that use hearing aids. What happens is people stop going. Or they turn to watching a livestreamed version of church, where they can adjust the volume. We need to help congregations become more aware.

What kinds of innovations are you seeing in caring for individuals coping with dementia?

What’s very exciting, not only in the Conference but across denominations, are the many new ways of handling worship for patients and caregivers. There are worship materials now that are inclusive of dementia patients and their families. One of the ways to adapt worship is to have a sermon be a different format or be very short or to include the sermon in the service in a much more visual way. Also, having music be a great presence in the worship service. Auditory recognition is a powerful thing for dementia patients that lasts a long time. Familiar hymns connect with folks with dementia. People with dementia are less able to participate in the traditional call-and-response of worship. But an invitation to recollect Bible stores and also their own experiences? That gives people a chance to be involved in a give-and take.

You can meet members of the Older Adult Ministries Working Group at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference, scheduled for June 7-8 at Green Lake Conference Center. Learn more about the group’s work by emailing coordinator Jan Aerie; Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries; or Conference Minister Franz Rigert.

Jan Braby, a member of Pilgrim UCC in Grafton, worked at the Ozaukee County Aging and Disability Resource Center for 15 years as an Information and Assistance Specialist and Caregiver Specialist. She is a member of the Wisconsin Conference Older Adult Ministries Working Group. Here, she explains the important role such centers play in our communities.

The number of older adults is increasing rapidly in society and in our church pews. Members of our congregations may be looking to the church to guide them when difficult situations present themselves to families.

The good news is that help is near. Since 1965, when the Older Americans Act was enacted in Congress, every county and tribe in Wisconsin has had a department that is responsible for assisting residents over the age of 60 with whatever questions they may have. This department expanded in the 2000s when the state created Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

An Information and Assistance Specialist is the frontline person to take inquiries. These specialists suggest resources that are appropriate for the situation. Referrals may also be made to the department’s Dementia Specialist, Caregiver Specialist, or Elder or Disability Specialist. Based on the financial situation and physical condition, a person may benefit from a program called Family Care -- a Medicaid program that is designed for folks who physically meet the qualifications for care and also are financially eligible. If a person’s physical condition is failing and they have financial means, referrals are made to agencies or facilities to be paid for privately. 

ADRCs are required to supply unbiased information about services that are available in the county. Other senior services operating in the state make referrals based on companies that pay them a fee if a person uses their services. The ADRC also produces a book on resources and services available in the county. These books are free and can be obtained at the ADRC office or area libraries. There is no cost for inquiries or consultations.

The Damascus Project’s newest course, “Ecospirituality,” starts its four-week run on April 10. Instructor Trish Zimmerman, a member of the religion faculty at St. Olaf College, will lead an exploration of climate using a theological lens and will introduce learners to the ways in which other spiritual traditions can enrich our connections to creation.



The course is a suitable theological elective for those pursuing a path to authorized ministry and will be of interest to lay people who care about climate and creation. Learn more and register.

The Rev. Kate West, the new pastor of First Congregational UCC in Wisconsin Rapids, was elected to the UCC board of directors last year at General Synod 34. She sits on the board’s Marketing and Governance committees. At the board’s meeting in March, members were asked to share their reflections with the wider church, along with the moderator’s report. Here’s what Kate had to say.

As we work to streamline the UCC into the one-board model, transitions are occurring, and I feel that communication between the various parts under the UCC umbrella are improving. Having the UCC offices on one floor of the same building is also helping connect our national staff and therefore streamline processes.

If you haven't looked at the denomination's website, www.ucc.org, please take a look at what is changing there. It's not completely overhauled yet, but the user experience is much better already with the changes that have been made.

As the report from board Chair Julie Gaughan notes, the Governance Committee is wrestling with term limits for the board after changes were approved to the UCC's bylaws at General Synod 34. We welcome feedback and suggestions on this topic. 

Read the board chair’s report.

Conversation with the Supportive Ministries Team

The Supportive Ministries Team will host an hourlong Zoom conversation with ministry colleagues from around the Wisconsin Conference to explore questions that can “Nurture the Soul of the Beloved Community.”

Time: Noon

Date: April 3

Register now

Learn about Situational Support Consultation process

The UCC’s Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team, better known as MESA, will host a training session exploring the way the Situational Support Consultation process can help clergy and congregations deal with the issues that arise during these stressful times for the church. The session will be led by the Rev. Tara Barber, the UCC’s minister for ministerial support and accountability.

Time: 5 p.m.

Date: April 3

Register now

Listening session on associations’ future

The Wisconsin Conference invites you to a Zoom session where you can weigh in on new ways congregations and ministry groups might collaborate across the Conference as we consider the future of our associations.

Time: 1 p.m.

Date: April 11

Register now

Does your church want to plant a prairie?

The Creation Care Team will continue webinar offering tips for controlling invasive plants and replacing them with a prairie, led by Cindy Halfen of Plymouth UCC in Eau Claire.

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: April 11

Register now

Celebrate the Mess

Join fellow faith formation leaders at the 2024 Messy Church USA National Conference. Messy Church offers a fresh approach to faith formation, a new form of church for families that uses creativity, celebration and hospitality to engage the stories our faith. The conference will include workshops, large group sessions and Messy Church-style worship and music.

Date: April 18-20

Place: Northfield Community Church, Northfield, Illinois

Learn more and register

UCC Earth Summit

Author and activist Bill McKibben will be the keynoter for the UCC's second annual Earth Summit, delivering an address titled “Energy from Heaven or Energy from Hell?” The 2 ½-hour summit also will include a celebration of the UCC’s newest Creation Justice Churches.

Time: Noon

Date: April 20

Learn more and register.

Learn what motivates donors to give

Once a upon a time, donors gave out of a sense of obligation and loyalty. Today, most donors care about the impact they make in the world. Join Wisconsin Conference Development Director Andrew Warner for a Zoom discussion about five basic ways donors look to create change and how you can talk about your congregation’s impact in your community.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Date: April 24

Register today.

Falling in love with the natural world: ecological and emotional literacy

We look to nature for more than a science lesson – we want to feel connected to it, too. The Creation Care Team will host a Zoom presentation by author and naturalist John Bates exploring the relationship between ecological and emotional literacy as we go about our lives.

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: May 9

Register today.

Save the date

June 7-8: Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting at Green Lake Conference Center. Registration will open April 8.

Searching churches

• Raymond Community UCC in Franksville is searching for a pastor. Details
• First Congregational UCC in Menomonie is searching for a pastor. Details
• To see all searching churches, click here.
• Interim ministry openings: click here.

Wider church searches

• Current openings at the national United Church of Christ

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.