Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
March 15, 2023
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Damascus Project ‘Infinitely Expandable,’ Director Says |
Damascus Project Director Stephanie Perdew will preach at the principal worship service at the 2023 Wisconsin Conference Annual Conference at Green Lake Conference Center. The service is set for 4 p.m. June 10.
Stephanie was appointed to lead the Damascus Project in January. A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ and enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, she has served as a parish pastor and holds a doctorate in church history.
In an interview with Wisconsin Conference Life, Stephanie discussed her vision for the Damascus Project and the roles her Cherokee heritage and training as a historian play in her vocation as a religious educator.
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Make a Note of Our New Address |
Although the Conference staff’s move to Daycholah Center at Green Lake is still a month away, it’s not too early to share our new address. Starting April 12, we’ll be receiving snail mail at W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971.
Of course, any mail sent to Daycholah before the move will be waiting for us, and anything send to the Trost Center in DeForest will be forwarded. And remember: We’re all available by email. View staff contact info here.
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Public Theologian, Author to Keynote General Synod |
The 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ will take place June 30 through July 4 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The General Synod theme – “Making All Things New” – is rooted in Isaiah 43:18-19: “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Delegates and visitors to General Synod will experience dynamic workshops, thought-provoking plenary sessions, inspirational worship, engaging youth activities and networking opportunities. Delegates will conduct the business of the denomination and set priorities for our ministries. Keynoter will be Nadia Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran pastor, public theologian and author of books including the memoir “Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint.”
Click to learn more about General Synod 2023 and to register.
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Join the Conversation with Mental Health Advocate Sarah Lund |
How should you respond when you encounter someone experiencing mental distress?
That’s one of the topics of a Zoom conversation with the Rev. Sarah Lund scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Central on Tuesday, March 21. Lund is the UCC’s minister for disabilities and mental health justice. She’ll share stories of her own mental health journey, offer ways to open conversations about mental health, and discuss how to recognize the signs of mental health challenges. The event will include a brief time of worship and an opportunity for questions and answers. Lund’s appearance is sponsored by the Great Lakes Association of United Church Educators.
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Jacob Nault Ordained in Northeast Association |
Jacob Nault, known across the Wisconsin Conference as a musician, worship leader and disability activist, was ordained March 11 to the office of teacher and minister by the Northeast Association. The ordination service took place at Congregational UCC of Neenah/Menasha. Since November, Jacob has served as pastor of Union-Congregational UCC in Waupun.
Ordinations and similar milestones are moments of joy for the entire church. Do you have something to celebrate? Let us know by emailing a photo and a few words to [email protected].
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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: March 22
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Palestine-Israel Today: A Conversation
The Rev. Steve Davis, interim pastor of Zwingli UCC in Paoli, will facilitate a Zoom conversation on the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how Christians might respond. The intent of this meeting is to gauge interest in creating a Conference working group around the issue of Palestinian-Israeli relations. Davis’ interest in Palestinian issues was sparked by a 2019 journey to the Holy Land with an ecumenical clergy group arranged by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center in Lombard, Illinois.
Date: April 17
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
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Invitation to Join Book Discussion |
Our friends in the New York Conference invite us to join their racial justice book discussion series.
Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America
by Laila Lalami
March 29, April 12 and 26
5:30-7 p.m. Central time, on Zoom
In this deeply personal book, author Laila Lalami recounts her unlikely journey from Moroccan immigrant to U.S. citizen using her own story as a starting point for an exploration of the rights, liberties, and protections that are traditionally associated with American citizenship. Weaving together her experiences with an examination of the place of nonwhites in the broader American culture, Lalami illuminates how conditional citizens are all those whom America embraces with one arm and pushes away with the other.
This discussion will take place via Zoom and a link will be sent out prior to the first session. Please read pages 3-71 (“Allegiance” through “Borders” chapters) prior to the first session. This book discussion is sponsored by the UCC-NY Conference New and Right Spirit Antiracism Program and hosted by the Center for Racial Justice. Facilitators include the Rev. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Racial Justice and Racial Justice Consultant for the UCC-NY Conference. Register here.
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Domestic Violence: What Can We Do? |
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Event Space, Younger Family Campus Center
The panel will feature Diane Wallner Pauly, a local author and inspirational speaker; Hailey DeGrave, a Lakeland student and campus services specialist at Safe Harbor, and Deanna Grundle, sexual assault nurse examiner at Advocate Aurora Health. Registration and more information 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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First Congregational UCC in Elkhorn is searching for a pastor. Details
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Evangelical and Reformed UCC in Waukesha is searching for a pastor. Details
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To see all searching churches, click here.
Installations and Ordinations
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The Rev. Jacob Nault was ordained at Congregational UCC of Neenah/Menasha on March 11.
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Bonnie Jacque was installed at St. Paul's UCC in Erin on March 5.
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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