Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
July 19, 2023
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Boarding schools study offers a learning opportunity |
Need a topic for an adult formation series? General Synod might have provided one for you.
Delegates in Indianapolis earlier this month adopted a resolution calling on the UCC to study any “legal and moral violations” that occurred in the treatment of Native Americans and Native Hawaiians who attended boarding schools run by the UCC’s predecessor denominations.
The crux of the investigation will be an effort to uncover whether the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, a missionary organization that included participants from the Congregational and German Reformed traditions, received any funding under the Indian Civilization Fund Act of 1819. The investigation is the first step toward possible reparations for harm done to Native people.
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Kid Lit introduces children to Bible’s riches |
The Wisconsin Conference has joined forces with the Rev. Dr. Stacy Johnson Myers, minister of Christian Education at First Congregational UCC in River Falls, to offer congregations a new faith formation resource from Picture the Bible. Called Kid Lit, the program brings together Bible stories, children’s literature and art to support students as they explore biblical stories and theological concepts and connect them to their own lives.
Kid Lit is easy to follow and includes the core components of a faith formation event – a lesson, art, conversation and prayer, plus background for leaders.
Wisconsin Conference congregations are welcome to use this free link to download, print, and use four lessons of Kid Lit. To purchase additional lessons or art reproductions featured in the resources, visit www.picturethebible.org.
Interested? Join Stacy by Zoom at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, when she’ll offer tips for using Kid Lit in your congregation. Register today for the Zoom event. For more information, email Stacy at [email protected].
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Looking to become more energy efficient? Read on |
Interfaith Power & Light has launched a survey of congregations designed to gather information needed to apply for a Renew America’s Nonprofits grant from the Department of Energy. IPL plans to apply as a “prime” recipient that would subsequently offer energy-efficiency grants to support congregations efforts to reduce energy use and emissions and cut their utility costs, thereby allowing critical funds to be redirected to mission-critical work.
The survey data will help estimate the volume of work and resources that congregations will request through the Renew America’s Nonprofits program. If your congregation wants to be considered for energy efficiency funding, click to complete the survey. Responses are due by July 28. Important to note: Solar and other renewable energy projects are not eligible for energy efficiency funds.
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Queer Qamp set for Aug. 25-27 at Daycholah Center |
Daycholah Center will be the site Aug. 25-27 of Queer Camp, a weekend of traditional summer camp open to all LGBTQI2A+ adults who fall under the wide queer umbrella. It’s an opportunity to be completely yourself in a safe and accepting space, have fun on the water, enjoy arts and crafts, make new friends and gather around the campfire. Most of all, it means leaving stress behind and feeling renewed while embracing the belovedness of who you are and who you are becoming.
Host for the event will be the Rev. Leanne Rose, an openly Queer pastor serving at Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Dousman. She holds a master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and previously served in various pastoral and youth ministry roles with the United Methodist Church before joining the UCC in ministry leadership five years ago. Register today.
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Discover Your Why: How a Clear Purpose Strengthens Evangelism, Giving, and Impact
Andrew Warner and Kent Siladi will talk about the importance of understanding the “why” of your congregation. You will learn methods to articulate this reason for being of your Church. Together, we will consider how to use the why to motivate and engage people.
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Date: July 26
UCC Webinar: UCC Trailblazer, the EPA and New Grant Programs
Charles Lee, lead author of the UCC’s landmark report on toxic waste and race as well as the lead organizer of the historic First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, will be one of two featured speakers on environmental justice at the EPA. Lee is now senior policy adviser for environmental justice at the EPA. He will be joined by Jacob Burney, who directs the EPA’s Environmental Justice Grants Division.
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Aug. 9
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Our Whole Lives facilitator training |
Clergy and lay leaders who plan to offer an Our Whole Lives program in their congregations are invited to three days of facilitation training from Aug. 25 to 27 at Daycholah Center in Green Lake. Our Whole Lives, or OWL, is a comprehensive human sexuality curriculum for elementary-age children through older adults, developed by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association.The registration deadline is Aug. 8.
Facilitator training will be offered at the elementary and youth levels. Each participant may participate in training for just one age level, so consider sending a team to be trained to start or expand the OWL program in your church.
The training is hosted by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Conferences of the United Church of Christ.
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Fall Trialogue on global migration |
Representatives from the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany and the Reformed Church of Honduras will travel to Wisconsin for a four-day colloquy to be held Sept. 26-30 at Daycholah Center. Members of the Wisconsin Conference UCC German partnership team invite your participation for one day or for the entire event. Costs for meals and lodging are $440.70 for double occupancy and $630.75 for a single room. Email the Rev. David Gaeth for more information.
Presentations from each trialogue partner will focus on a biblical grounding and theological framing of global migration as they experience it, and conversations about ways the Church can address this crisis. On Friday morning the group will discuss the subtheme of Christian migration from the Church.
That weekend our Honduran and German guests will be hosted by families in the Conference and treated to some good Midwestern hospitality.
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Communities of Practice for clergy |
Registration now open for groups starting in September
Note: Previous COP participants need to register again each year to continue in a group.
Communities of Practice clergy groups provide the sustenance that your ministry needs in order to be effective well into the future. COP groups are designed to be peer learning groups, focused both on the practice of ministry and your growth in your role as a pastoral minister.
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Join a Christian Education/Faith Formation Community of Practice |
The Christian Education/Faith Formation (CE/FF) Commission of the Wisconsin Conference offers a Communities of Practice program for educators similar to the successful COP program for pastors. Lay volunteers or paid staff involved in Sunday school, youth group, or overall education/faith formation are supported and enriched by involvement in a COP with others practicing ministry in similar ways.
Groups will:
- Be composed of about six Christian educators/youth leaders from throughout the Wisconsin Conference.
- Have a trained facilitator who has experience in Christian education/faith formation ministry.
- Meet every four to six weeks for three hours at a day and time that is reasonable for those involved.
- Meet at a central location when possible, or use technology to meet remotely.
If you, or the faith formation leader/staff at your church, would appreciate the support of a network of Christian education/faith formation peers, register today. COP groups for 2023-2024 will start in September. The cost for the year is $250. For more information, read the webpage or contact Lisa Hart. Note: Previous COP participants need to register each year to continue in a group.
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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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First Congregational UCC of Appleton is searching for a senior pastor. Details
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Zwingli UCC in Paoli is searching for a pastor. Details
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Community UCC in St. Germain is searching for a pastor. Details
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To see all searching churches, click here.
Wider Church Searches
- Career opportunities at the National setting: Details
New Calls
- The Rev. Matthew Schneider-Adams has been called as pastor at First Congregational UCC in Oconomowoc, effective July 2.
In Memoriam
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Memorial service announced for Cynthia Evans West. Cynthia, wife of the Rev. Frederick S. (“Fritz”) West, died Nov. 15, 2022. Services will be held at at 2 p.m. July 29 at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 111 Orleans Ave., Stillwater, Minnesota.
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Joyce Ross, mother of the Rev. Dr. Christopher Ross and mother-in-law of the Rev. Laura Yurs, died July 12. 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 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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