Be prepared.

In two words, that is the overarching message from immigration experts to faith communities worried about the possibility that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will show up at their doors.

“There are significant threats to immigrant communities across this country that have increased significantly in recent weeks,” Ryan Cox, legal director for ACLU Wisconsin, told participants in a webinar co-hosted by the Wisconsin Council of Churches. Of particular concern is Trump administration’s decision to rescind a Biden-era policy that protected certain “sensitive locations,” such as churches, hospitals and schools, from immigration enforcement. Key takeaways from the webinar:

Prepare before ICE arrives. This means creating a response team, training church staff and volunteers, learning the difference between an administrative and judicial warrant, enlisting the support of an attorney and immigrant advocacy organizations, and clearly designating public and private spaces within your building.

When ICE agents arrive. Your designated spokesman should approach the agents respectfully to de-escalate the situation; ask for identification; request a warrant and make sure that it’s signed by a federal judge and specifies the individuals and areas to be searched; and politely deny access to private areas, unless a judicial warrant permits entry.

While ICE agents are on the premises. Stay calm and do not run or resist; contact your attorney immediately; inform affected individuals of their legal rights, especially the right to decline to answer questions; activate your congregation’s response team; avoid providing any information to ICE about individuals unless legally required to do so; document the details of the encounter; and take photos or videos without interfering with the agents.

After ICE leaves. Offer emotional, spiritual and legal support to affected individuals; connect those affected with legal assistance; provide a safe space for individuals to recover and regroup; debrief with church staff and volunteers to review the incident; update the response plan based on lessons learned; and obtain the consent of those affected to inform the congregation and trusted news organizations.

Whatever you do, do not try to be a hero. “Do not obstruct ICE,” Cox said. “They will arrest people who stop them from doing their job.”

For more details, download the ACLU checklist of what to do if ICE arrives.

More resources

The National Immigration Law Center has produced a guide titled “What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace” and a fact sheet explaining changes to the protected-areas policy.

If you ever wonder about the impact of your gifts to Church World Service through the Wisconsin Conference Disaster Relief Fund, consider this:

Last fall, CWS was able to provide life-sustaining aid to 80,915 individuals in North Carolina whose lives had been upended by Hurricane Helene. What’s more, people in the Wisconsin Conference packed 150 CWS Cleanup Buckets and 800 CWS Hygiene Kits in response to the disaster in North Carolina and wildfires in California. Your support also made it possible for CWS to train communities in disaster preparedness, improving resilience in Florida and California. Watch this video to learn more about CWS’ work in North Carolina.

The Conference Creation Care Team will host a gathering of Creation Caregivers from eastern Wisconsin from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 15 at Pilgrim UCC in Fond du Lac. The event comes nearly five years after the 2020 Annual Meeting at which the Conference adopted the decade-long Kairos Call to Action encouraging congregations and individuals to address the twin challenges of climate change and environmental justice.



Since then, the Conference Creation Care Team has provided resources for climate action through the Kairos Newsletter, helping connect people across the Conference and encouraging collective action in the public sphere.  

The March event is designed to provide feedback to the Creation Care team about the effectiveness of its efforts and to generate ideas for the next five years. It will build on the work done at a similar regional event held last fall in northwest Wisconsin.

Attendance is free. Register today.

The Wisconsin Conference Palestine Justice Working Group has called our attention to a recent online post by Jonathan Kuttab, executive director of FOSNA – Friends of Sabeel North America – reflecting on the plight of Palestinian prisoners who are being released as part of the ceasfire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

In his piece, titled “The Other Hostages,” Kuttab acknowledges the joy surrounding the release of three Israeli hostages and writes: "From the Palestinian perspective: There are about 13,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails who are just as worthy of our concern and also merit our sympathy, and whose families will rejoice at their long-awaited release. More and more Palestinians are arrested, continuously, including the medical staff of hospitals in Gaza and ordinary Palestinians in the West Bank. In fact, Israel just arrested 60 additional Palestinians, who were all the male worshippers in a Qalqilia mosque, the very same day as the release of the three Israeli hostages. It was as if they wanted to compensate for the 90 Palestinian hostages they released that day."

FOSNA is an interdenominational Christian organization seeking justice and peace in the Holy Land through education, advocacy, and nonviolent action.

Monthly Ministry Roundtable

 “All Things Lent!” is the theme of the next Monthly Ministry Roundtable facilitated by Associated Conference Ministers Rachel Bauman and Michael Jones. Join them to discuss Lenten themes, sermon ideas, Lenten spiritual practices and more. Come with ideas to share and to learn something new.

Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Date: Feb. 5

Register here

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: Feb. 6

Zoom link

Supportive Ministries conversation

The Supportive Ministries Team offers two opportunities each month to join a discussion of 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, Feb.6. Subscribe to the newsletter.

Register here for the noon discussion

Register here for the evening discussion

Together for Tomorrow: Inspiring Legacies, Empowering Ministry

As we make our plans for 2025, let’s resolve to continue to put our love into action. Join The Pension Boards, FreeWill, and our Together for Tomorrow partners in this free webinar to learn more about planning your legacy and writing a will.

Date: Feb. 13

Time: 3 to 4 p.m.

Register here

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

Dreaming God’s Dream: Planning for Year-round Stewardship

An introduction to the Stewardship Theme Materials for 2025 with an overview on how churches of all sizes can use them to promote stewardship throughout the year. This webinar focuses on practical steps to move from a brief annual campaign to a year-round plan that continually engages and inspires.

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

Date: Feb. 26

Register now

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: Feb. 24

Register now

Beyond Robert’s Rules: Best Practices for Church Governance

Join Associate Conference Minister Rachel Bauman and Andrew Warner, president of the Wisconsin Foundation UCC, for a conversation about good governance for local congregations. We’ll look at best practices for the roles of boards and pastors, financial controls, and ways to make your meetings more effective.

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

Date: March 26

Register now 

Save the date



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

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