What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus in a world emerging from a three-year pandemic, and where loyalty to institutions like the church can no longer be assumed? Those questions prompted the theme of the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference UCC: “Changing Church: Following Jesus Forward.” Annual Meeting will be held June 9-11 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake. Register now.

Former Conference Minister David Moyer, pictured at right with current Conference Minister Franz Rigert, used the occasion to reflect on the Trost Center’s status as a sacred place within the Conference. “An important part of the sacredness of space for me and for us all on this day is to know when the Spirit is leading to shape life and ministry in another place,” he said. “To let go and to say a mission and a call is to be lived out and sacred moments are to be created in a new setting. This too is holy work.” Click for the text of David’s remarks.

Plymouth Congregational UCC in Madison has had a relationship with Goodman Community Center since the center’s founding in 1954. Goodman CEO and Executive Director Letesha Nelson will speak at Plymouth during worship on April 16, with a reception to follow. All are welcome.

Could your congregation expand its ministry by collaborating with a community center? Plymouth is glad to be a resource. Contact Laura Stalder at [email protected] to learn more.

Click to learn more about the fruits of cooperation between Plymouth and Goodman.

Do your pants fit? That’s kind of an odd question to ask in the church. Or is it? UCC pastor and spiritual director Holly Whitcomb includes “wear the pants that fit” on her list of discernment tools you can use to help discover what God might be asking you to do. Read more in Renewing the Soul. Join Holly and the Supportive Ministries Team to discuss discernment at noon April 5 by registering here.  

Our ministry partners at United Church Camps, Inc., have produced “Return to Sacred Ground,” a video overview of all that UCCI has to offer. UCCI programs include year-round camps and retreats at Moon Beach, Daycholah Center and Cedar Valley, all sacred places for spiritual renewal. "

Click for more information about UCCI’s outdoor ministries.

When Holly Whitcomb’s book The Practice of Finding: How Gratitude Leads the Way to Enough was published, it was named a “Best Spiritual Book” by Spirituality and Practice. Now, the group has asked her to teach a four-week international e-course from April 10 to May 5 on the Practice of Finding. Prior authors and spiritual writers including Joan Chittister, Cynthia Bourgeault, Wayne Muller, Thomas Moore and Mirabai Starr have led these courses. To find out more about this e-course or to purchase the course and enroll, click here.

The Rev. John Dorhauer, UCC general minister and president, will be joined by the Rev. Sarah Tevis-Townes, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sarah is a Tik-Tok innovator who has built a large following using video shorts to teach the world about progressive faith. This is Part 5 of the Create Playspace with the President series.

Date: Wednesday, April 12

Time: Noon Central time

Many churches celebrate God's creation on the Sunday closest to Earth Day, April 22. It is an opportunity not only to address some of the most pressing issues faced by our world today, but to also give people a vision of hope and a path forward. To assist with this vitally important undertaking, Creation Justice Ministries has created an ecumenical resource for churches. The resource for this year brings the lens of justice to food, the most immediate and tangible way that we connect with the natural world around us. In this webinar, Karyn Bigelow, co-executive director of Creation Justice Ministries, will introduce the resource and talk about specific ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday. Sign up even if you can't make the webinar at its scheduled time, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.

Date: Wednesday, April 12

Time: Noon Central time

In the week following Western celebrations of Easter, and during what is Holy Week for Orthodox and some other Eastern Christians, the Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac will share his understandings of the journey to Easter -- Palm Sunday, Last Week, the Cross, Resurrection -- and Easter stories.

Date: Wednesday, April 12

Time: 11 a.m. Central time

The Rev. Bridget Flad Daniels of Union UCC in Green Bay and the Rev. Elana Larson of the National Ministries will reflect on ways to engage volunteers and hear God’s call to something new when you can’t find volunteers. They will help us think about ways to make more dynamic volunteer experiences.

Date: Wednesday, April 26

Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Central time

This online event will take place on 10 a.m. Central time on Saturday, April 22. The theme is “What’s Possible? Earth Day Stories of Hope.” This 2 1/2-half hour summit will feature a keynote from the Rev. Jim Antal, a panel of inspiring speakers, the presentation of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award, and a video showcasing the uplifting story of Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis. Sign up even if you cannot make the event at its scheduled time, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now.

The General Fund of the Wisconsin Conference helps us connect, support and resource pastors, leaders, and congregations. Your gift allows the Conference to provide relevant and timely help during the pandemic and beyond. Donate to the General Fund

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.

The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference, and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.