Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
March 7,2024
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Waukesha county congregations collaborate to resettle refugee families |
You don’t have to go it alone.
That’s one lesson provided by five Waukesha County UCC congregations that joined forces to resettle two families of Rohingya refugees who arrived in Wisconsin in spring 2023.
Working together, members of the congregations -- St. John’s in Merton, Redeemer in Sussex, First Congregational in Oconomowoc, Emmanuel in Dousman and First Congregational in Hartland – overcame challenges that included the language barrier, cultural and religious differences, and the lack of affordable housing to help the families build new lives in southeast Wisconsin.
“It deepened my faith in the church,” said the Rev. Steve Hecky, a retired UCC pastor and Redeemer member who, with his wife, Debbie, helped assemble the church coalition. “This brought great joy, togetherness and unity to the five churches that got involved.”
Officially, the UCC team was a co-sponsor of the refugees, working in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan to support the newcomers during their first six months as they adapted to life in their new home. The congregations raised more than $6,000 to help the families with living expenses and received a $3,000 Catalyst Grant from the Wisconsin Conference and a second small grant from the Conference. But because the refugees were eligible for other financial assistance, most of the money never was spent, and the money is available for future resettlement work.
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Catalyst Team awards grants to four congregations |
The Wisconsin Conference Catalyst Team has announced grants to four congregations in the most recent grantmaking cycle. Some details:
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First Congregational UCC of Hartland received $4,100 to create a safe space for LGBTQ teens. The grant is helping to pay for a comfortable hangout at the church where the young people can be themselves. The church reports that from 15 to 25 students in eighth through 12 grades show up on a typical Friday night.
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Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in Ripon received $3,700 to support a free community meal on the first Tuesday of each month. He church is making special efforts to ensure that seniors and low-income individuals are aware of the meal. Three other congregations offer free meals on other Tuesday.
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Congregational UCC in Ladysmith received $5,000 to help support Lighthouse Homeless Shelter of Rusk County after the deaths of its executive director and her successor. Two members of the congregation immediately stepped up to help, one as a case manager and one as a grant writer. The church says the Catalyst funds will be used to get Lighthouse back on track.
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Zwingli UCC in Mount Vernon received $1,000 to support conversations intended to identify ways the congregation can expand its role as a community gathering place.
The Conference Catalyst Team offers grants of up to $5,000 to support innovative ministries that help address unmet needs in local communities and smaller grants to underwrite community conversations around critical issues. Catalyst has supported community feeding programs, public dialogues, racial healing projects and more. The deadline to apply for the next grant cycle is March 31. Learn more and apply.
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Annual Meeting Worship Leaders Announced |
They’re back.
For the second straight year, popular worship leaders Andra Moran and Christopher Grundy will join us for the Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference. Annual Meeting 2024 is scheduled for June 7-8 at Green Lake Conference Center.
Andra, based in Nashville, is a songwriter, singer, author, worship designer and freelance touring musician. She is a popular clinician and workshop leader, teaching songwriting, worship design and creative expression. Andra sings and writes full time and works part time on the staff of Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville as creative director and worship pastor. To learn more about Andra, check out her website.
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Christopher is professor of worship and preaching and dean of the chapel at Eden Theological Seminary. A UCC pastor, he is a leader in progressive Christian worship music. For the past two decades, he has been writing and playing for national, regional and local church events, as well as at colleges, coffee houses and benefit concerts. Learn more about Christopher at his website.
More Annual Meeting details and registration will be available soon. Watch Wisconsin Conference Life for details and save the dates for the meeting.
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Andrea Vik joins Conference team |
Andrea Vik has joined the Conference staff as office coordinator. Andrea lives a few miles from our offices at Daycholah Center with her partner, Zach, and their blended family of five children. Andrea has high-level proficiency in computer applications and exceptional organizational and time management skills.
She will work from the Daycholah Office four days a week and will handle most phone calls and general emails as well as all administrative, and data and file-keeping functions. She also will support communications to our associations.
Andrea discovered the United Church of Christ while living in the Pacific Northwest after a relative who is a UCC pastor encouraged her to check it out. “I was drawn to the UCC church because of its welcoming, inclusive vibe that I got when I first visited one in the early 2000s,” she said. More recently, Andrea attended First Congregational UCC in Appleton.
Andrea plays the piano and sings and says if there’s one thing to know about her, it’s this: “I always have a song in my head. Sometimes I will be humming or whistling it without realizing I am doing so.”
We are deeply grateful to Carla Myers. You may recall that Carla Myers was hired in December to succeed Susan Taylor as office coordinator. Carla and Sue are close friends, and Carla was excited to take on the role. Sue subsequently began six months of medical treatment for a newly diagnosed illness, and Carla determined that the scope of her job as office coordinator would not allow her sufficient time to support Sue. So we determined that the best way forward was to use Carla’s gifts in a transitional “interim” time. We are very grateful for Carla’s help in onboarding Andrea and for her continued support of our friend Sue.
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Early-bird rate available for Regional Youth Event |
Registration is now open for the Great Lakes & West Central Regional Youth Event, scheduled for July 17-20 at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. An early-bird rate of $200 per person is available through March 31.
Young people who will complete sixth through 12th grade before the event are invited to attend with their pastors, youth leaders and adult chaperones. Programming will be designed around worship and liturgy created by The Many, a diverse music-making collective that invites people to sing together about peace and justice and a world where all belong. The event theme, “Love > Fear,” is taken from one of their songs. Register today.
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Climate Change: An Opportunity to Reimagine Our World
Faith-based communities are in a unique position to address the changing climate and its effects on community members and the natural world. Nancy Turyk, an emerita water resource scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and chair of the Climate Change Work Group for Wisconsin’s Green Fire, will discuss the ways Wisconsin's climate is changing and some potential solutions. Presented by the Wisconsin Conference Creation Care Team.
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, March 14
Celebrate the Mess
Join fellow faith formation leaders at the 2024 Messy Church USA National Conference. Messy Church offers a fresh approach to faith formation, a new form of church for families that uses creativity, celebration and hospitality to engage the stories our faith. The conference will include workshops, large group sessions and Messy Church-style worship and music.
Date: April 18-20
Place: Northfield Community Church, Northfield, Illinois
Save the date
June 7-8: Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting at Green Lake Conference Center.
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Conference organizations are hiring |
Are you interested in part-time work? Two organizations aligned with the Wisconsin Conference are looking to hire.
The Damascus Project, the collaborative educational ministry of the Minnesota and Wisconsin conferences, seeks a part-time registrar to provide administrative support to the director and program participants. Learn more and apply. Questions? Email the Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew, director of the Damascus Project.
The Wisconsin Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, or CHHSM, looking for a coordinator to work around 15 hours a month. CHHSM supports a number of UCC-affiliated human services organizations, and the coordinator would perform tasks that include maintaining the group’s social media presence and keeping agency representatives informed about council business. Email Petra Streiff with questions.
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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
Wider Church Searches
Installations and Ordinations
- The Rev. Jennifer Seaich was installed at Plymouth UCC in Dodgeville on March 3.
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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Nurturing 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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