Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
January 18, 2023
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Green Bay congregation pays it back for King holiday |
Union Congregational UCC in Green Bay added a twist to its usual remembrance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: a special offering taken to acknowledge the debt owed to those who created the African American spirituals that often are used in Christian worship. The congregation plans to donate the funds raised to We All Rise African American Resource Center in Green Bay.
“As our congregation continues to strive to be anti-racist, our Worship Ministry has noted that we have prayed with the spirituals in worship regularly over the years, and that the people who wrote and created this music have never been recognized or compensated,” Senior Minister Bridget Flad Daniels wrote in an email to the congregation. She described the offering as “a symbolic effort to acknowledge the debt we owe to this tremendous heritage of music.”
She noted that other UCC congregations have taken similar steps in recent years and shared a statement articulating the rationale for such initiatives prepared by Susan DeSelms, minister of music at United Parish in Brookline, Massachusetts: “The enslaved people who first gave voice to the spirituals are not known by name, but their songs are,” DeSelms wrote. “’This Little Light of Mine,’ ‘Honey in the Rock,’ ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot,’ ‘Deep River,’ ‘Every Time I Feel The Spirit,’ ‘Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen,’ ‘There is a Balm in Gilead,’ ‘Were You There When They Crucified My Lord,’ ‘Go Down Moses,’ ‘Wade in the Water’ and many others, are songs that still speak to us and through us, and they make us want to sing. They are many of the ways we learn about grace.”
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Worship resources available for Health and Human Service Sunday |
The UCC has designated Jan. 29 as Health and Human Service Sunday, a time set aside to lift up the gifts of Health and Human Services Ministries across the church. The event takes place in partnership with the Council for Health & Human Services Ministries. Liturgical resources for Health and Human Service Sunday are available on the CHHSM website. This year's materials were composed by the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry and include unique elements such as a Meditation for Mental Health and Beatitudes for Essential Workers.
“Especially now, it is worth remembering that the word liturgy means ‘work of the people,’” the CHSSM Team wrote in an email, “and this special Sunday is a way to celebrate the healing work of our CHHSM members and those on the frontlines in our UCC congregations.” The UCC designates a Health and Human Service Sunday every January.
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Six-part series to examine contemplative practices |
The New England Conference UCC is hosting a six-part webinar series beginning this week to introduce clergy and laypeople to the roots of Christian contemplation. The series is designed to help congregations integrate a resolution adopted by the 2021 General Synod titled “Becoming a Church of Contemplatives in Action.” The series will be facilitated by the Rev. Matt Carriker, pastor of the Agape Spiritual Community, a UCC congregation in Waltham, Massachusetts.
The series “Engaging Christian Contemplative Practices” will be offered in 90-minute sessions beginning at 6 p.m. Central time on Jan. 18, Feb. 1 and 15, and March 1, 15 and 29. Cost for each session is $29. Register now. To learn more about the Contemplatives in Action movement, email ucccontemplatives@gmail.com.
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Send us your photos for 2023 Annual Report |
Hard as it is to believe, the 2023 Annual Report is just around the corner, and we’d like your help illustrating it.
If your congregation has pictures of the church in action — and in this age when everyone is a photographer, we know you do — we’d love to see them. It could be photos of festive Christmas worship, an outreach project in your community, your musicians, a Sunday School class or any one of countless other images that capture the vibrancy of church life.
Simply choose one or more of your favorite photos, write a couple of sentences that describe what’s going on, and email to admin@wcucc.org.
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Pension Boards webinar series
Are you 45 or older and an actively contributing member of the Pensions Boards of the UCC? If you answered “yes,” you’re invited to “Planning for the Transition to Retirement,” a financial wellness webinar. Among the topics: Social Security planning, decisions to make when starting your PBUCC retirement benefits, Medicare and other insurance considerations, and planning for a fulfilling life after retirement.
Date: Jan. 24
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central
Creation Justice Zoom Gathering Series
Come learn vital information about the environmental issues in our state as well as the planet. With the help of some amazing speakers, we will learn about and discuss microplastics in the Great Lakes and pollutants from mining. Please register for each event (they are all free) and share with your congregations and friends. Click here for detailed information about each webinar.
Monthly Youth Ministry Gathering
Join the national office of the UCC for a presentation on youth@synod. Registration is required and after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about accessing the meeting.
Date: Jan. 23
Time: 4-5 p.m.
3 Best Practices: Set a New Year’s Resolution for Increasing Giving
Lee Gagen will discuss the three practices most likely to increase giving in a local congregation: teaching about generosity, pastoral leadership and online giving options. The webinar will examine why these practices matter and discuss how to implement them in a congregation.
Date: Jan. 25
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
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Faith Formation Youth Retreat
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Feb. 24-26 or March 3-5
Grades 6-12 • Daycholah Center
Faith is a journey. We often have questions along the way…
- Is my faith fully formed?
- Am I on the journey?
- Where have I come from?
- Where am I going?
- How do I get there?
All of these questions, and more, are explored during the Youth Faith Formation Retreats. Together, we’ll explore faith through some of the journeys in the Bible, the journey of the United Church of Christ, and our own personal journeys. These retreats are appropriate for confirmation classes but are open to all youth who want to explore their faith with other youth and supportive adults.
The weekend includes plenty of time for having fun relaxing with friends, playing games, and the Daycholah Center dance party!
$180 through Church | $50 through Association
Note: Bring one adult chaperone for every five youths. If you are a leader for a church or confirmation class and would like to bring a group of kids to one of our faith formations, please contact us prior to registering at 920-745-4746 or email daycholahcenter@ucci.org.
For questions about the program, contact Lisa Hart at 608-438-1571.
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Generosity Forward print newsletter |
Have you received the Generosity Forward print newsletter in your mailbox? This eight-page quarterly publication provides unique content that highlights the impact of our giving, lifts up ways people can make gifts, and reflects on the practice of giving in our faith. Sharing our stories of giving helps us feel hope as we see the difference we make together. Stories help us feel connected, and give us a deeper understanding of how and why to give. You’re sure to find these insights helpful in your own generosity practices. Download the latest issue of the Generosity Forward print newsletter here. |
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Upcoming events at Lakeland University |
Surviving the Lectionary
Featuring Rev. Dr. Karl Kuhn, Grace Chair of Religious Studies and Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts
Feb. 9 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.
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Founder’s Day Lecture
"Never Forget: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story” featuring Marty Thau
Feb. 16 | 6:30–8 p.m.
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Join the next Leadership Matters Lecture and Conversation |
The Damascus Project’s Leadership Matters Lecture and Conversation series this month welcomes the Rev. Phiwa Langeni, ambassador for innovation and engagement for the UCC’s Center for Analytics, Research & Development and Data. They will speak virtually from 6 to 8 p.m. Central on Jan. 31. Cost to attend is $10. Click for more information and to register.
Originally from South Africa, Langeni has been a pastor and small-business owner. They will share the results of work with congregations and discuss the types of leadership needed by the church today. “I cannot wait to see how God shows up in January,” they said. Watch this video to learn more about Langeni and get a sneak preview of their talk.
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Exploring the Enneagram: A 6-week learning intensive with the Damascus Project |
Exploring the Enneagram is for lay leaders, seekers, authorized ministers and people exploring authorized ministry.
Jan. 30-March 12
$175 (lay leaders, seekers, authorized ministers)
$350 (if you’re exploring authorized ministry/MiD)
Leadership in congregations today is hard. It is more and more challenging to navigate change and respond with care to competing demands. Understanding your personality -- its strengths and its shadow sides -- is more important than ever before. When we know who we are, we are better equipped to work with others. In Exploring the Enneagram you will identify your unique personality type and gain insight into the personality types of others. This learning intensive on the Enneagram is meant to ground you more deeply in yourself, your relationships, and your connection to God.
By the end of this 12-week learning intensive you will:
- Understand the Enneagram’s 9 Types and the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are the strengths of each type.
- Identify the shadow side of your Enneagram Type and learn tools to move toward greater wholeness.
- Apply your new understanding of yourself to your role as a leader.
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Southeast, Southwest clergy invited to retreat at Daycholah |
The Wisconsin Conference Supportive Ministries Team will lead a retreat for clergy from the Southeast and Southwest associations from Feb. 5 to 7 at Daycholah Center in Green Lake. The event, Renewing the Beloved Community: Finding Hope in Uncertain Times, will provide opportunities for renewal, reflection and reconnection as the church emerges from nearly three years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click to learn more and to register. Registration deadline is Jan. 21.
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General Synod registration to open Jan. 23 |
Online registration for this summer’s 34th General Synod will open Jan. 23. The biennial gathering will take place June 30-July 4 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The theme of the synod, “Making All Things New,” is taken from Isaiah 43:18-19.
Among other business, delegates will elect a new general minister and president, vote on the reelection of Associate General Minister Karen Georgia Thompson, and consider amendments to the UCC Bylaws that would change the frequency of General Synod from two to three years. Check the General Synod website for more information.
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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
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Pilgrim UCC in Fond du Lac is searching for a pastor. Details
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To see all searching churches, click here.
New Calls
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The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew has been called as Damascus Project Director for the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences UCC, effective Jan. 4.
Installations and Ordinations
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The Rev. Nicole Herda was ordained at Grace UCC in Two Rivers on Jan. 14.
In Memoriam
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Joan Shands, mother of the Rev. Susan Shands, died on Dec. 31. Obituary
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The Rev. Kent A. Mosebach died on Jan. 3. Obituary
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Lavena Pauline McDonald, mother of the Rev. Dr. David McDonald, died on Jan. 10. 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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Renewing 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 Laura McLeod 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
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532
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