The Damascus Project is tackling an issue of vital importance to the future of the Wisconsin Conference and the wider United Church of Christ – the critical shortage of pastors – with an online gathering for individuals who might be in the early stages of discerning a call to ministry.

Called “Here I Am, Lord,” the Zoom conversation will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 15. The gathering is intended as a first step toward creating a discernment cohort of the same name that the Damascus Project can nurture over the coming year. Damascus is the joint educational ministry of the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences.

In a message to clergy and churches announcing the new initiative, Damascus Project Director the Rev. Stephanie Perdew encouraged pastors to keep their eyes and ears open during the holiday season for individuals who might be considering ministry.



“In the United Church of Christ, the path to ministry always begins in the local church,” she said. “Many of us could tell the story of an important mentor, pastor, youth leader or church volunteer who recognized gifts in us that we may not have seen in ourselves. If there is a person or persons in your congregation who may have the gifts and graces for ministry, we want to know.” Email Stephanie with the name and contact information of someone in your congregation who is pondering their calling.

The launch of “Here I Am, Lord” comes six months after Conference Minister Franz Rigert challenged clergy and congregations at the 2024 Annual Meeting to help identify 20 new potential pastors over the next two years. “You know how most people discern a call to authorized ministry?” he said during his State of the Conference Address. “Not by a lightning bolt or a billboard. Not by hearing the voice of God. But by someone who loves them, sees gifts in them and taps them on the shoulder saying, ‘Have you ever thought about pastoral ministry?’”

“Here I Am, Lord” isn’t the only big news out of the Damascus Project. They’ve also rolled out a new website and logo, both designed by Corin Knowles, principal at JollyGood Studio in Duluth, who also redesigned the Wisconsin Conference website.

The design evokes the path of the Damascus Road, where the Apostle Paul’s transformational encounter with the Risen Christ gave him new vision and reoriented him as a minister and leader.

Improved navigation makes it easy for users to learn about the Damascus Project, find courses designed especially for them, and move through the course registration process. The website address has been updated, too – it’s now thedamascusproject.org.

Meanwhile, registration is now open for Damascus Project winter and spring courses. Head over to the new website today to see what’s in store:

Congregational Care, taught by the Rev. Lex Cade-White, a UCC minister and hospice chaplain, will focus on learning about and reflecting on pastoral care.

Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Dates: Tuesdays, Jan. 14-March 4

Register

God-Talk: Wrestling With Models of God: Professor Trish Zimmerman of St. Olaf College will lead an exploration of the multiple models of God that appear throughout Christian history.

Time: 7 to 8 p.m.

Dates: Mondays, March 31-May 12

Register

Boundary Awareness Training: A Contemplative Approach: Course designed for members in discernment and authorized ministers of the UCC. Check with your Committee on Ministry to make sure this course meets your boundary training requirements.

           Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

           Dates: Thursday, Feb. 20 or Thursday, April 24

           Register



Exploring Implicit Bias: The Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown and Anna Stamborski will facilitate an introduction to implicit bias for authorized ministers and members in discernment.

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Dates: Mondays, April 28, May 5 and May 19

Register

Palestine Justice Working Group

The Wisconsin Conference work group educates UCC members about the state of Israeli-Palestinian relations and advocates for justice for all Palestinians. The group meets by Zoom on the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are open to all.

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Dec. 23

Register now

Morning prayer and reflection for pastors

Join the Rev. Teri Hanson and one of our associate conference ministers for a time of prayer and reflection at 8:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month. It’s a good opportunity to start the month with 20 minutes or so of centering yourself in the Holiness of God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Date: Jan. 2

Join us on Zoom.

Supportive Ministries conversation

The Supportive Ministries Team offers two opportunities each month to join a discussion on topics raised in its monthly Becoming the Beloved Community newsletter. The next conversations will take place by Zoom at noon and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2. Subscribe to the newsletter.

Register here for the noon discussion

Register here for the evening discussion

Pastoral Support Committee training

Pastor-Parish Relations Committees provide essential leadership in the life of a congregation. And the name has led to some confusion about the focus of their role. In this virtual workshop, the Rev. Tara Barber, UCC minister for ministerial support and accountability, will explore what it means to become a Pastoral Support Committee and share best practices from around the denomination. Open to pastors, lay leaders and judicatory staff.

Time: 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Date: Jan. 8

Register now

Winter Soulstice Retreat

The Wisconsin Conference will host high schoolers and college-age young adults for the annual Winter Soulstice Retreat, a chance to enjoy a weekend of relaxation and fellowship

Time and dates: 7 p.m. Jan. 24 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 26

Where: Daycholah Center

Register now

Monthly Ministry Roundtable

The Monthly Ministry Roundtable led by Associate Conference Ministers Rachel Bauman and Michael Jones will resume in February.

Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Date: Feb. 5

Register now

Faith Formation Retreats

Registration is now open for the two Youth Faith Formation Retreats planned for winter 2025. Retreats will take place at Daycholah Center on the weekends of Feb. 21-23 and Feb. 28-March 2. We offer the same retreat both times so that more young people can participate. Our planning team is creating a retreat that focuses on sacred space, sacred rituals and worship. We will have opportunities to explore Daycholah Center, engage in some fun and games, and hang out with old and new friends.

Register for the Feb. 21-23 retreat

Register for the Feb. 28- March 2 retreat

Save the Date

Annual Meeting 2025: June 6-7 at Green Lake Conference Center

In this Advent-Christmas season, consider joining others from the Wisconsin Conference in supporting Seeds of Change, a project of Church World Service that equips refugee farmers in developing countries with the tools and skills they need to support their families and grow sustainable futures. Every dollar given plants more than seeds in the ground—it plants hope in the lives of people seeking a better life for their children and a way to give back to their communities. By empowering these farmers, you help to build resilience and create generational change. Please consider making a gift today. Click here to give.

The Palestine Justice Working Group of the Wisconsin Conference has arranged for congregations to meet by Zoom with a lifelong resident of the West Bank.

Usama is a Palestinian Christian living in Bethlehem. He’s also a tour guide, and UCC members traveling to the Holy Land have benefited from his insights and stayed at the hostel run by his family. He also works with an organization that helps Palestinian children and youths cope with the trauma of occupation.

Usama is well-positioned to share with your congregation stories of everyday life in Palestine during these difficult times, and he is one more resource for congregations studying the issue of a just peace between Israel and the Palestinian people in preparation for the 2025 Annual Meeting. Delegates at Annual Meeting may vote whether to adopt the Declaration for a Just Peace Between Israel and Palestine adopted at the UCC’s 2021 General Synod. If your congregation already has engaged the issue, please let us know by completing this form.

To schedule a Zoom meeting with Usama, email Tom Beilman or the Rev. Diane Dulin.

With the new year just two weeks away, the Conference finance office needs your help to ensure a smooth closing of the books on 2024. Most important, please send your special supports, association dues and other payments before the year-end deadline so that we have ample time to process the large volume of end-of-year payments.

Individuals' year-end gifts are tax deductible in the year they are made. Checks must be made out with a 2024 date and postmarked by Dec. 31 for credit in 2024.

Churches' year-end gifts must be received no later than Jan. 9. Please indicate that your gift is intended for 2024 by including a 2024 remittance form or by clearly identifying the amount you are paying for 2024. Download the remittance form. 

Send all payments to Wisconsin Conference UCC, W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971. Please note: The Conference office and Outdoor Ministries site at Daycholah Center have different addresses. Only Conference correspondence should be addressed to W1000 Spring Grove Road.