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Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
December 20, 2023
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Dear Sue: Thanks for saying 'yes' | |
It’s hard to believe we’re writing these words: After 16 years with the Wisconsin Conference, Susan Taylor is retiring.
For much of that time she was the friendly face at the front desk of the Conference headquarters at the former Trost Center in DeForest. More recently, Sue transitioned with the rest of the team to the new Conference office at Daycholah Center.
Behind the scenes, she provided administrative support for key Conference functions such as clergy oversight – think Boundary Training, Anti-Racism Training and Annual Information Review Forms – and helped ensure that the i’s were dotted and t’s crossed for milestone events like Conference and association annual meetings. She also serves as search-and-call coordinator, assisting congregations looking to fill pulpits and tracking candidates.
Over the years, Sue became a trusted confidant and cherished friend to staff colleagues and to pastors and lay leaders across the Dairy State. She also learned to feel good about herself again, having stepped into the job during a tough chapter in her life.
Fortunately, Sue isn’t going away completely. She’ll still work a few hours a week as search-and-call coordinator from her home in Waunakee. And her successor as administrator of the Conference office, Carla Myers, is a friend of 20 years and comes highly recommended by Sue.
Within the Conference team, Sue’s organizational skills are legendary – as is her sense of humor.
“For me, Sue has been an organizational wizard, with a gracious personality – with some spiciness thrown in for fun,” said Conference Minister Franz Rigert. “Her work ethic was impeccable, her follow-through on any task a given, and her care for our mission and the people of the Wisconsin Conference immense.”
Associate Conference Minister Jane Anderson put it simply: “Without her, we could not function.”
The work suited Sue. Her favorite part? “The variety. I was never bored,” she said. “Something new always came around.”
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And as for Sue’s wit?
“I joke about her snarky self,” Jane said, “but honestly she makes me laugh and her dark humor is also welcomed on staff.”
Said the Rev. Rob MacDougall, a retired associate conference: “She kept me from taking myself too seriously.”
Retirement will mean more time for family, writing, volunteer work and travel. Sue is mom to Annie, a graphic artist who’s married and lives in Sheboyban, and Nathan, who lives with his wife and two young children outside Washington, where Nathan is on the faculty of Catholic University of America.
The timing couldn’t have been better for Sue when she was hired. She was going through a divorce and needed a full-time job with benefits – and the emotional lift that came as she assumed more and more responsibility within the Conference team.
“At that point in my life, I needed to feel good about myself again,” she said. “I was very low. I used to tell people that the Conference made me feel good about myself again.”
Sue brought to her work her own strong Catholic faith, an asset that kept “us from being too religiously myopic,” Rob MacDougall said. A beloved uncle, the Rev. Larry Nemer, was a member of the Society of the Divine Word, a Roman Catholic missionary order.
“When I answered the (help wanted) ad, I had no idea what the UCC was,” Sue said. “I remember talking to my uncle Father Larry, the priest. He said, ‘They are lovely people, Susan. Take the job.’ I’m so glad I did.”
Her colleagues are glad, too.
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In this issue: Scroll down to find these articles | |
- Concert proceeds donated to Leadership Forward
- End-of-year finance reminder
- New Damascus Project courses
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- Events
- Help others
- Conference transitions
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Concert proceeds donated to Leadership Forward Campaign | |
The Wisconsin Conference’s Leadership Forward Campaign received an early Christmas present, courtesy of the combined choirs of four UCC congregations in eastern Wisconsin. The choirs, from St. Peter's and Bethlehem in Kiel and Salem and First Congregational in Plymouth, performed a Christmas concert for the community that raised $1,000 – all of which will be donated to Leadership Forward.
The Rev. Nicole Herda, pastor of St. Peter’s said the concert was the idea of the congregations’ choir directors, who wanted to revive it after a three-year hiatus forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Peter’s hosted the event.
Leadership Forward is a campaign to raise $2 million to equip lay people, clergy and congregations with the wisdom and skills to meet the challenges faced by God’s church today and in the future.
Investing in church leadership is personal to congregations in her part of the Wisconsin Conference, Nicole said, so the idea to donate concern proceeds came naturally. Five pastors in the area plan to retire in the next six months. “People understand this affects everyone,” she said.
Learn more and donate to the Leadership Forward Campaign.
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Reminder: End-of-year finance deadlines are near | |
The Conference finance office needs your help as we close the books on 2023. Here are the deadlines for any special support, association dues and other payments:
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Individual year-end gifts. Contributions are tax-deductible in the year they are made. Checks must contain a 2023 date and be postmarked by Dec. 31 to be deductible on 2023 returns.
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Churches’ year-end gifts. These should be received no later than Jan. 9. Please indicate that your gift is intended for 2023 by including a 2023 remittance form or by clearly identifying the amount you are submitting for 2023.
Please send payments to Wisconsin Conference UCC, W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971. Timely payments will help us manage the volume of payments that arrive in the final weeks of the year.
Questions? Email Finance Manager Tracy Hauge.
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Two new Damascus courses on tap | |
The Damascus Project is gearing up to offer two new learning opportunities after the first of the year.
Starting Jan. 11, “The Pandemic Pivot: What We Learned That Will Lead Us Forward,” part of the Damascus Leadership Skills track, will invite clergy and lay leaders to assess the best ways to lead in this moment. Instructor will be the Rev. Dr. Elena Larssen of the UCC’s Office of Philanthropy,Technology, Identity and Communication. Learn more and register.
Beginning Feb. 22, Associate Conference Minister Michael Jones will teach “UCC History and Polity,” a course designed for clergy and lay people on the Faith Foundations track. Register today.
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Wild Church plans solstice gathering
Flicker Pop-up Wild Church will gather to celebrate the Winter Solstice. The Flicker community is led by the Rev. Daniel Cooperrider, a UCC pastor.
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 21
Place: Donald County Park west of Madison.
Learn more
Webinar to examine ‘Just Peace’ resolution
The Palestine Justice Working Group will host a webinar that explores the UCC’s 2021 Resolution of Witness that labeled Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian lands and apartheid system. The session will be led by the Rev. Diane Dulin, a retired UCC pastor, and her husband, Tom Beilman, who served on the steering committee of the UCC Palestine-Israel Network.
Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Date: Jan. 3
Register now
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: Wednesday, Jan. 3
Register now
Join the Immigration Justice Work Group
Are you concerned about the immigration crisis? Consider joining the Wisconsin Conference Immigration Justice Work Group, which works to stay informed on the issues and to support local congregations in their work with refugees and immigrants. The group holds an hourlong Zoom meeting on the second Tuesday of each month.
Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
Date: Jan. 9
Join the meeting
Sign up today for Winter Soulstice Retreat
Attention all high schoolers and college-age young adults: If you’re looking for an opportunity to enrich your faith journey, check out the Winter Soulstice Retreat set for next month at Daycholah Center in Green Lake. Winter Soulstice is sponsored jointly by the Wisconsin Conference and United Church Camps Inc. Questions? Email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries, or call her at 608-438-1571.
Dates: Jan. 26-28
Learn more and register
Save the date
Feb. 6-7: LeaderWise Boundary Training Course (online)
June 7-8: Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting at Green Lake Conference Center.
July 17-20: 2024 Great Lakes and West Central Regional Youth Event at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.
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Help others by donating 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
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Searching Churches
Wider Church Searches
Of note
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Please join us in welcoming Redeemer United Church of Christ in Menomonee Falls as a newly.certified Open and Affirming congregation! Redeemer is UCC ONA church 1,852. There are 73 ONA churches in the Wisconsin Conference.
In Memoriam
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William C. Klemme, father of the Rev. Tammy Martens, died on Nov. 28. 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.
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The Kairos Call to Action Newsletter was created to support the efforts of congregations, families and individuals who want to be a part of the UCC’s Kairos Call to Action. Through this newsletter the Conference Creation Care Team will provide resources for study and worship, encourage advocacy on behalf of climate justice, and help congregations find and connect with partners who share this common concern and commitment.
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Nurturing the Soul of the Beloved Community is a communication dedicated to sharing resources and tools, wisdom and insight for congregations and individuals navigating these challenging days. Created by the Conference Supportive Ministries Team, this publication will highlight resources to aid in steering your path forward.
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Ignite Your Fire, Feed Your Soul,
Build Your Faith... In Nature's Sanctuary
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Join the Conference-wide Creation Care Team!
Are you passionate about Creation Care? Want to connect with others who are taking action to care for the earth? The Creation Care Team's primary focus is to encourage, support and provide resources to congregations in the Wisconsin Conference as they do what they can to care for creation. If you would like to be a part of this team, or for more information on the Creation Care Team, contact John Helt. You can also go to the Creation Care webpage to learn more.
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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 Jan Doleschal or Micah Schlobohm of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons.
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Get Involved! A Conference-wide Racial Justice Task Force gathers resources and encourages congregations to engage in conversations around race. If you and your congregation are interested in participating in this group, you are welcome. Contact Lisa Hart get involved.
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This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971
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