Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
March 1, 2023
'Changing Church: Following Jesus Forward'
is Annual Meeting theme
“Our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not.” 

That’s one of the UCC’s favorite self-descriptions. But what does old faith-new thinking mean in the third decade of the 21st century in a culture that’s been disrupted by pandemic and in which institutions – religious and secular alike – no longer command universal loyalty? That question prompted this year’s Annual Meeting theme: “Changing Church: Following Jesus Forward.” The theme also is a nod to Leadership Forward, the campaign to raise $2 million to invest in developing clergy and lay leaders for the Wisconsin Conference.
 
Meeting planners said this of their hopes for the Annual Meeting: 

“The Body of Christ has always existed in paradox: We are called to participate in God’s everlasting covenant and to imagine the Church renewed in every generation. We gather this year, listening for our still-speaking God, to equip the saints to go forth in a spirit of creative courage and hope as followers of Jesus in an ever-changing world.” 

The Annual Meeting will take place June 9-11 at Green Lake Conference Center.
In this issue: scroll down to find these articles
  • UCC general minister and president nominee announced
  • Clergy respite program
  • WISE reporting deadline extended
  • Rural Ministry Conference
  • Upcoming webinars
  • Reset for Renewal conference
  • New ONA executive director announced
  • Trost Center farewell open house
  • Becoming Welcoming Communities guide updated
  • Help others
  • Conference transitions
UCC general minister and president nominee announced
After a yearlong search, the United Church of Christ Board’s Search Committee for General Minister and President has made a historic choice. The committee will be recommending the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson to the UCCB this week as nominee for general minister and president. If elected, she would be the first woman, and the first woman of African descent, to lead the denomination.
Clergy respite program
The unique demands of ministry make rest and renewal a necessity. United Church Camps, Inc. is pleased to introduce a new Clergy Respite Program. This opportunity offers pastors a few days away for spiritual reflection and quiet time at any of our three sites – Cedar Valley, Daycholah Center and Moon Beach.
These three-day/two-night stays are offered at a reasonable cost through a grant from the Brown Endowment of United Church Funds.

Download the flyer for more information about the program and contact UCCI to make a reservation.
WISE study response deadline extended to April 25
As we move toward being able to vote on the resolution about the Wisconsin Conference becoming a WISE-- Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged -- Conference for Mental Health, we need to receive the WISE study response form from all congregations who have engaged the issue of mental health, mental health challenges or what it means to become WISE for Mental Health. We are excited by the response so far and inspired by the number of congregations that are either working toward or considering, becoming a WISE Congregation for Mental Health. We need to receive at least 64 responses to be able to vote on this resolution at our Annual Meeting in June.

We recently learned that we can extend the response deadline. Responses now are due April 25.

WISE Study Response Forms should be scanned and emailed to Lisa Hart at lhart@wcucc.org

Please note: Congregations are not required to vote or act on becoming WISE. All that is required for Wisconsin Conference delegates to be able to vote on the resolution is for congregations to discuss or study the issue of mental health, mental health challenges or the resolution. This can be done through sermons, small or large group discussions, educational forums, book studies or other means. 
Rural Ministry Conference and International Rural Churches Association Meeting/immersion experience
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The Rural Ministry Conference will be held April 16 -18 in Dubuque, Iowa. The theme for this ecumenical event is "Flourishing: Land, People and Communities." The Bible tells us that God is a God of abundance but it is hard to ignore society's message of scarcity. We will be joined by delegates from the International Rural Churches Association to look at what flourishing means in our own and global contexts. For more information, click here.

The International Rural Churches Association will hold its quadrennial meeting April 13-19 in Dubuque and will include some joint sessions with Wartburg Theological Seminary's Rural Ministry Conference. The international pastors have indicated that they would like to experience and talk with rural congregations in the U.S. We are looking for some congregations within two or three hours of Dubuque that would be willing to host one or more of these delegates for a rural immersion experience April 15 and 16. Many of the delegates have indicated a willingness either to preach or to share what rural ministry is like in their home country. For more details, contact Barbara Fritschel, or click here.
Upcoming webinars
Creation Care summer programming ideas for all ages
The focus of this event, hosted by the Wisconsin Conference Creation Care Team, is on creation care/environmental justice summer programming for faith formation. We will have several presenters share creative program ideas and we will learn about opportunities available at our outdoor ministry sites. There will be time to ask questions and to share your own ideas.
Date: Thursday, March 2
Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Central

UCC Webinar: Leaky stoves and deadly gases
Gas and electric stoves have been in the news recently. In this webinar, we will seek to put this debate in its proper ethical context in terms of environmental justice, public health, and concerns about methane pollution. This webinar will prepare faith communities for informed action in caring for our neighbors and our planet. 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: Wednesday, March 8
Time: Noon Central

Changing Landscape of Giving: What we can learn from Millennial and Gen Z Donors 
The Rev. Dr. Colie Bettivia of Grace UCC in Two Rivers will discuss insights and ideas the Church can learn from Millennial and Gen Z Donors.
Date: Wednesday, March 22
Time: 6:30 p.m.

TryPie!
The name should intrigue you enough to want to find out how pie and youth ministry have combined into something awesome. Join Megan Tensen to learn about her innovative approach to working with young people. Registration is required. You can learn more about TryPie by visiting this website.
Date: Monday, March 27
Time: 4-5 p.m. Central time
Youth Ministry Reset for Renewal Conference
The third edition of the Reset for Renewal Conference will take place virtually on March 6 and 7. The event will provide opportunities for worship, learning, collaboration and thinking through what is needed to thrive in youth ministry these days.

Registration is now open and can be found here. The registration fee is $25, but scholarships are available if needed. Please reach out to Trayce or your NOWCYM rep if you have any questions.
ONA Coalition taps new executive director
The Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh has been named executive director of the ONA Coalition. The Coalition's leadership and search teams chose Marsh after a months-long search, noting that her skill set and experience made her uniquely qualified to lead the organization forward. She assumed her to duties on Feb. 16. To learn more about her, click here.
Trost Center farewell open house
UCC members and friends can say goodbye to the Trost Center in DeForest, longtime home to the Conference office, during an open house from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15. The Conference office will move to Daycholah Center at Green Lake in April.

The open house will provide an opportunity to share memories and to participate in a liturgy of farewell as the Wisconsin Conference enters a new phase. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served, and there will be time to peruse the many books and artifacts that need a new home. All are welcome.
'Becoming Welcoming Communities': 2nd edition
of immigration study guide released
Immigration and migration are rooted in the Bible and who we are as Christians with a long history of God's people moving throughout the world, whether by choice or by force.

The second edition of "Becoming Welcoming Communities" from the Wisconsin Council of Churches has been newly updated and includes new resources, including videos, interviews, worship resources and more. It is designed to help congregations respond to immigrants and immigration in light of biblical faith. The curriculum includes lesson plans for six 45-minute study sessions that weave together Wisconsin history, Bible passages, personal stories, information on immigration policies, and suggestions for how to take action to support today’s refugees and immigrants.
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
Conference transitions
Searching Churches
  • First Congregational UCC in Janesville is searching for a Director of Christian Education. Details
  • Zwingli UCC in Paoli is searching for a pastor. Details
  • Community Church of Fontana is searching for a pastor. Details
  • First Congregational UCC in Oconomowoc is searching for a pastor. Details
  • First Congregational UCC in Appleton is searching for a pastor. Details
  • To see all searching churches, click here.

Wider Church Searches
  • The United Church of Christ has several openings. Details
  • The Cornerstone fund has one opening. Details

In Memoriam
  • Jacqueline H. Kuck, wife of the late Rev. Dale G. Kuck, died on Feb. 18. 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.
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.

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.
Ignite Your Fire, Feed Your Soul,
Build Your Faith... In Nature's Sanctuary

We invite all to subscribe to the UCCI email newsletter to receive our latest news and inspiration! Also, please consider liking and following UCCI on Facebook and Instagram. It's a great virtual community–you are an important part of it!

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.
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.

Also: check out the Facebook page for ONA churches!
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.

More information on the Racial Justice Task force is available on the Conference's Racial Justice webpages.

This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.

The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference, and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.

Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | DeForest, WI 53532