Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
June 21, 2023
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Conference team ready to help congregations get WISE |
With our recent designation as a WISE Conference for Mental Health, the Wisconsin Conference is poised to help your congregation work toward earning WISE status or simply to become better prepared to recognize and welcome individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges. WISE – the acronym stands for Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged – is an official designation of the UCC Mental Health Network, which is an excellent source of information about mental health and offers connections to other mental health organizations. The Mental Health Network also offers guidance for congregations considering the WISE designation.
It’s easy for congregations to start the WISE process. Just complete an online form to be connected to a liaison from the UCC Mental Health Network. And make sure to let the Wisconsin Conference WISE Team know that you are beginning the process so we can support you along the way. Questions? Email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.
To learn more about mental health, check out these websites:
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NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
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NAMI FaithNet: An interfaith resource network of NAMI members, friends, clergy and congregations that provides encouragement to faith communities that welcome and support individuals and families living with mental illness.
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MHA: Mental Health America
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Green Bay congregation underwrites Juneteenth meal |
A $2,500 grant from Union UCC in Green Bay paid for a free community meal at last weekend’s Junteenth celebration in the city’s Joannes Park. The congregation also sponsored at booth at the event and handed out a message to festival-goers from Senior Minister Bridget Flad Daniels touting the church’s long history of racial justice activism.
In 1855, the church’s pastor and other church leaders harbored formerly enslaved people seeking to move to Canada. Today, the church is listed on the National Network to Freedom, a database of sites with links to the Underground Railroad that is maintained by the National Park Service.
“Our pride in having been on the side of racial justice continues to inspire our ministry,” she wrote. Earlier this year, Union added a twist to its usual remembrance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: a special offering, called “Royalties for the Spirituals," taken to acknowledge the debt owed to those who created the African American spirituals that often are used in Christian worship. The congregation donated the funds raised to We All Rise African American Resource Center in Green Bay.
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In the news: St. Paul’s UCC in Colgate |
St. Paul’s UCC in Colgate, an unincorporated community that straddles the Washington-Waukesha County line, made news recently thanks to its Mission Maniacs Sunday School program.
In response to a challenge from Pastor Bonnie Jacque-Gorecki, the kids raised more than $500 to buy food items for third-graders challenged by food insecurity, the Daily News of Washington County reported. It was just the latest achievement for the Maniacs, who over the past year have donated stuffed animals and books to homeless children, filled Operation Christmas Child boxes that were sent all over the world, and donated money to a local girl who needed help paying for training for her service dog. The Mission Maniacs’ reward for their good work: They got to dye their pastor’s hair. (Photo courtesy of St. Paul's UCC.)
Has your congregation made the local news recently? Wisconsin Conference Life wants to know. Email us at [email protected].
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Summertime means it's time for camp |
There’s still time to sign up for a summer camp experience at one of the three outdoor ministry sites run by United Church Camps Inc. Daycholah Center, Moon Beach and Cedar Valley each offer a variety of opportunities for children and families, church groups and individuals. To learn more and to register, go to the UCCI website. (And check out the next article for details about a brand-new camp.)
In addition to their natural beauty, the camps offer the opportunity for the human interactions that were impossible during the long slog of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent newsletter, UCCI Executive Director Jim Schleif, put it this way, alluding to the gospel story of Jesus walking on the stormy sea: “There is no substitute for physical presence – being in the same boat with Jesus or being in God's presence and the presence of others at one of our sacred sites.”
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- Become part of an instant community
- Be yourself freely in a safe and accepting environment
- Have fun and laugh like a kid again
- Recharge in nature
- Have an authentic summer camp experience as an adult
Queer Qamp is open to all LGBTQI2A+ adults, who fall under the wide queer umbrella. Enjoy the traditional activities of camp. You may spend time in and on the lake, sleep in a cabin, be creative doing arts and crafts, make new friends, relax around the campfire, and feel renewed while embracing the belovedness of who you are and who you are becoming. Hosted by the Rev. Leanne Rose. Call the Daycholah Center office at 920-745-4746 to register.
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UCC Webinar— Seeing through the Smoke: Wildfires, Climate and a Path Forward
How can we find a path forward in addressing the wildfires that have created a landscape of crisis in our climate-changed world? This webinar will feature leading thinkers and practitioners in answering this question. Panelist John Vaillant has recently released an acclaimed book entitled "Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World,” while panelist Kimiko Barrett from Headwaters Economics is a wildfire research and policy analyst who has been interviewed by national news outlets for her insights. Sign up even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
Date: July 12
Time: Noon Central
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.
Date: July 26
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
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Our Whole Lives Facilitator Training |
The Minnesota and Wisconsin conferences are co-sponsoring training for Our Whole Lives facilitators.
What: OWL is a lifespan comprehensive human sexuality curriculum created and offered by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Who: Lay leaders and clergy who plan to facilitate an OWL program in their church or community, as well as those who want to become familiar with the curriculum.
Where: Daycholah Center on beautiful Green Lake in Wisconsin.
When: 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27
Cost: $425 for shared (double-occupancy) lodging, meals and training; $525 for single (limited availability) lodging, meals and training. Commuter rate is $275 for training and meals.
Registration is underwritten by a generous grant from the Ashley Fund and the Wisconsin Conference Youth Ministry Scholarship Fund.
Registration opens soon. (Contact Lisa Hart to be added to the registration list.)
Facilitator training will be offered at the elementary and youth levels. Each participant may take the training for only one age level.
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Annual Meeting videos now available |
Missed Annual Meeting? Here are videos from the event.
- The Rev. Franz Rigert's State of the Conference Address: Watch here
- The Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond's keynote address: Watch here
- The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew's sermon, "Extraordinary, Improvised Plans": Watch here
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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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Zwingli UCC in Paoli is searching for a pastor. Details
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To see all searching churches, click here.
Wider Church Searches
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United Church Funds has an opening for an Institutional Relationships Associate. Details
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Click here for career opportunities with the national United Church of Christ.
New Calls
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The Rev. Nikkeya Berryhill has been called as pastor at Bethel-Bethany UCC in Milwaukee, effective May 22.
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The Rev. Jeannie Douglas has been called as interim pastor at Congregational UCC in Neenah, effective June 1.
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The Rev. Philip Hobson has been called as pastor at Salem UCC in Verona, effective June 1.
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David Kohls has been called as interim pastor at Hope UCC in Fremont, effective June 1.
In Memoriam
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Melvin Veldman, father of the Rev. Paul Veldman and father-in-law to the Rev. Wanda Veldman, died on June 3. 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
W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971
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