As the national debate over immigration rages, Conference Minister offers this pastoral message. 



Dear friends in Christ, 

Last year, more than 2,500 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. Although governments and humanitarian relief organizations fund rescue operations and resettlement efforts, a growing intolerance of global migration has fueled deep divisions around the world. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European nations have taken in 6 million displaced Ukrainians. During the dozen years of civil war in Syria, 6.5 million refugees fled to Middle Eastern countries.   

In Africa, more than 4 million South Sudanese have been forced from their homes since the country gained independence in 2011. Malnutrition, disease and violence perpetuate often overlooked humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. In Southeast Asia, 2 million people remain displaced in Myanmar — and that doesn’t count those who have fled to Bangladesh and other neighboring countries following the Rohingya genocide.  

Here at home, border officials in 2022 found the remains of 853 migrants along the U.S. Southern border, and by September of last year the number of deaths had already surpassed 500. Just last weekend, two children and a woman drowned trying to cross the Rio Grande. 

According to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, the number of international migrants grew to 281 million in 2021, meaning that 3.6% of the world's people lived outside their country of birth that year. The number trended down during the pandemic, but the numbers remain staggering. The causes of such massive migration are numerous: crop failure, famine, political oppression, pollution, forced removal, and the increase of natural disasters because of climate change.  

The politics of immigration are complicated and contentious, yet the scriptures speak clearly about “extending hospitality to strangers” (Romans 12:13) and offering rightful treatment and care “to resident aliens” (Exodus 22:21). Jesus was unequivocal in his advocacy for the poor and oppressed, saying, “Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40). 

Read Franz’s full message

The Rev. Mark Elsdon has been a trusted conversation partner in the Wisconsin Council of Church’s work around building redevelopment. Now, he is launching a new book entitled Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition as a tool to further the conversation about church property transfer that is set to occur as the way we do church changes. The conversation around church property usage is an important one that churches need to be having.

If you’re in north central Wisconsin, you’ll have an opportunity to engage Mark and his work from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 1 at St. Michael Parish, 611 Stark St. in Wausau. The event is an opportunity for faith communities to join together to share, listen and dream about how they could have an impact on their communities through housing justice. Register here.

United Church Camps Inc, has shared the 2024 schedule of camps, retreats and events. Follow the links below to browse the list of events. With so many great options to chose from, you're sure to find the camp or event for you.

Cedar Valley

Moon Beach

Camp AweSum

Daycholah Center

Orientation for Financial Leaders

This online presentation reviews basic aspects of the roles of treasurer, financial secretary and trustee in a local congregation. Participants will learn how to create a “financial dashboard” to help fellow board members understand the finances of the congregation, effective ways to record and thank donors for their gifts, and best practices around cash controls and cash management.

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

Date: Jan. 24

Register here

Uptown Sanctuary plans gathering

The Uptown Sanctuary, formerly known as Backyard Mosaic Women's Project, is having a winter gathering and you are invited. Celebrate our new fiber arts studio and 20 years of making art and providing spiritual care in community with food, music and conversation. Uptown sanctuary is in a new location at Grace Episcopal Church, 116 W. Washington Ave. in Madison.

Time: 3 to 6 p.m.

Date: Jan. 27

Youth Faith Formation Retreats (Feb. 16-18 and March 1-3): Faith is a journey, and it often helps to connect with others who are on the path. Middle- and high school-age youths are invited to Daycholah Center to explore what it means to be the church and how that commitment continues to evolve. These retreats are appropriate for confirmation classes, but are open to all youths in grades six through 12 who want to explore faith with other young people and supportive adults. Cost of the weekend is $240, and a nonrefundable deposit of $50 is required. Register for the February event or the March event (sorry: full). There is still space in the February event. Register today!

Save the date: Young people from the Great Lakes and West Central regions of the UCC will gather July 17-20 at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Details about the July gathering will be available soon. 

Each year, the national office of the UCC asks every congregation to provide annual church information online. Why is this information requested? Here are 12 important reasons.

The Data Hub will be available through March 6.

To avoid potential delays, please be sure to enter your information as soon as possible. For instructions and helpful documents, click here. Please do not contact the National Setting. Deadline for reporting is March 6. 

The conference also requests church officer data. To submit, fill out this survey online. 

Thank you for providing this important information. Need more details? Check your snail mail -- each church was mailed a packet of information about Yearbook data for 2024. You can also email Nola Risse-Connolly for help.

There's still time to sign up for learning opportunities offered by the Damascus Project, the online educational ministry of the Minnesota and Wisconsin conferences.

Beginning Feb. 22, Associate Conference Minister Michael Jones will lead “UCC History and Polity,” a course designed for clergy and lay people on the Faith Foundations track. Register today.

Registration is now open for the spring cohort of "Exploring Implicit Bias." The class fulfills the anti-racism training requirement for authorized ministers.

The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ is starting 2024 by introducing a new website and logo. Check it out!

And save the date for the ONA Coalition National Gathering, which will be held Sept. 18-22 at the Summit Hotel in Cincinnati.

The Wisconsin Council of Health and Human Service Ministries is searching for a coordinator. This as a part-time position, with a stipend of $4,500, plus $800 for expenses (approximately 15 hours a month, at $25 an hour). The position is open immediately. Interested candidates please contact Petra Streiff.

Position description

Searching Churches

• Interim Ministry openings
• Settled church searches

Wider church searches

• Current openings at the national United Church of Christ

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.