Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter
October 19, 2022
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Tisha Brown to exit as Damascus Project director |
The Rev. Dr. Tisha Brown, director of the Damascus Project, will leave her post in December. Tisha has served on the Wisconsin Conference staff for eight years and previously directed the Lay Academy and led the Catalyst Grant Team.
“Tisha brought an amazing skill set to the life of our Conference, including a passion for lay leadership, creative out-of-the-box thinking, biblical and theological rootedness, and endless ideas about how the Church can engage the wider community,” Conference Minister Franz Rigert wrote in an email to the Conference. “Her spirit of curiosity, joy, and resilience have been wonderful gifts to staff colleagues, and her ever-widening definition of ‘Church’ has inspired countless people in the Wisconsin Conference and beyond.”
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Search begins for next Damascus leader |
With Tisha’s departure looming, the search for a new Damascus Project director is underway. The director’s job is a contract position averaging 30 hours a week. The initial contract term will be 12 months, beginning in January 2023. The director will report to the conference ministers in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The work includes program and curriculum development and implementation, recruitment and onboarding of faculty, and program evaluation. An essential aspect of the work is to build a network of relationships throughout the Wisconsin and Minnesota Conferences that increases enrollment in Damascus Project courses. Maintaining steady communication with Committees on Ministry in each Conference is also important. Click here for a detailed position description.
The Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences launched the Damascus Project in 2017 as a collaborative leadership development initiative. The mission of the Damascus Project is to nurture vitality within the body of Christ by transforming the people of God through theological study and equipping them for effective leadership within their congregations. The Damascus Project also provides a potential path to authorized ministry. (For more information about the Damascus Project, go to the-damascus-project.org.)
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In this issue: scroll down to find these articles |
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Pastor says new novel ‘is in part about us’ |
The Rev. Dale Storhe is accustomed to one title: pastor. Now, he can add a second: author. Stohre’s first novel, “Fifty-Three Weeks,” was published this month.
The novel explores the spiritual journey of Noel Garraty, who entered the ministry after a successful career in finance and eventually confronts circumstances that challenge his leadership. “The book is in part about us -- the protagonist is a progressive pastor, serving a not-so-unusual congregation, wrestling with matters of justice and leadership,” Stohre says.
Stohre, currently serving as interim pastor at Emanuel Church UCC in Hales Corners, says he started writing a novel in 1993. “I played with that for a few years, then I shelved that project,” he says. In 2004, he was stirred to try again after reading an article about homelessness. “Fifty-Three Weeks” was the result.
“One of the issues we all wrestle with coming out of COVID, and that the book wrestles with, is the issue of tensions and conflict in the church,” says Stohre, 76, who has served congregations in Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio as well as Wisconsin. “How do you resolve broken relationships and broken trust?”
Does he have a second novel in him? “I’ve got the old novel that I could easily make into a sequel,” he says. “People have said that when you write a novel you have to write a sequel.”
“Fifty-Three Weeks” is available at Amazon.com.
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Eco-preacher cohort starts in November |
As our climate-changed and changing world continues to demand courage, imagination, and resourcefulness, congregations and their leaders have a unique opportunity to offer voices of truth and possibility. With their skills and community connections, preachers are in a special position to offer spiritual guidance in the quest for understanding and resilience in a world in need of environmental healing and wholeness.
Now, the BTS Center has partnered with Creation Justice Ministries, a Christian eco-justice organization with a long history of religiously grounded environmental advocacy, to offer support to preachers looking to integrate climate consciousness into their preaching. Together, the two groups are offering a yearlong cohort of learning, companionship and exploration. This cohort will offer monthly meetings to help preachers understand climate change and other environmental justice issues more deeply as spiritual crises that require creative action rooted in faith. The cohort is designed to provide a covenanted space for preachers to learn and reflect together, and provide mutual support as they regularly preach in a climate-changed world. Cohort members will be introduced to eco-preaching resources including the EcoPreacher 1-2-3 resources being offered through the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development.
The cohort will mean once a month for 12 months beginning in November. Suggested fee for clergy participants is $60. Click for more details and to register.
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Monthly youth ministry webinar
With mental health concerns rising for youth throughout the country, come discuss with WonderSpace founder and executive director Stephanie Freemyer how her organization rallied churches and businesses to help children play their way through grief and trauma. You can learn more about WonderSpace by visiting their website.
Date: Oct. 24
Time: 4-5 p.m.
Trending Business Concerns for Ministries: What Churches Need to Know
Misclassification of workers, including ministers, as independent contractors when they are legally employees may result in financial liability to churches as well as unfairness to employees. Understanding the difference between an employee and an independent contractor is key to reducing this risk. Also, allowing community groups to utilize your facility may further your church’s mission as well as offset some of the costs of operating your church. Good stewards of church assets will consider the legal and financial risks associated with a third party’s use of the church property when establishing or revising the church’s facilities use policy.
Date: Oct. 26
Time: 1 p.m.
Planned Giving to Support Mission and Ministry
While significant wealth transfer occurs as each generation passes, many congregations and ministries remain unprepared to promote planned giving options. Only 5% of people leave a charitable bequest even though nearly a third of people would if asked or invited to consider one. Through this webinar, you will learn key concepts and create an action plan for your congregation or ministry.
Date: Oct. 26
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Climate ambassador training
How do we link our faith to the climate crisis? How do we effectively talk about climate change with others? What opportunities do we have to make a difference in our local churches and communities? These questions and more will be addressed in the Blessed Tomorrow Ambassadors Training Program that is being offered by the United Church of Christ and ecoAmerica. Featured presenters include the Rev. Carol Devine, the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, the Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin, the Rev. Michael Malcom, and Andrew Wells-Bean. Training participants will receive a free copy of Berndt’s book Cathedral on Fire: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis.
Date: Nov. 5
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
UCC webinar: Centering Africa at the UN Climate Conference
In November, leaders from the world’s nations will be convening at COP27, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. While this summit has been described as "the African COP," activists from the continent have asserted that they are already being shut out. In this webinar, we will center the climate concerns and issues faced by Africa, the continent that bears the least responsibility for the climate crisis yet is most vulnerable to its destructive impacts.
Date: Nov. 9
Time: Noon
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Wisconsin Conference-United Church Camps youth retreats |
Knock Knock Retreat (Middle School Youth)
Daycholah Center
Nov. 18-20
Winter Soulstice Retreat: A Winter Camp Experience (High School and College-Age Retreat)
Daycholah Center
Jan. 6-8
Youth Faith Formation Retreats (Youth in grades 6-12)
Daycholah Center
Feb. 24-26 or March 3-5
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OCWM bulletin insert for congregations |
The Conference has created a bulletin insert about Our Church's Wider Mission detailing how the gifts of a congregation to OCWM Basic Support make a real difference in the life of congregations across our state. Please share the bulletin insert in an upcoming worship service or e-newsletter from the congregation to members.
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Grants available to help repay seminary debt |
Clergy who are new to Wisconsin or recently ordained may qualify for Seminary Debt Repayment Grants made possible by the Wisconsin Conference Forward in Faith capital campaign. These grants, designed to help clergy manage their seminary debt, will be based on need and amount of funds available.
Funds will be awarded based upon the recommendations of the associate conference ministers and must be approved by the Commission on Church and Ministry and presented to the Conference board of directors. The process is confidential. Download the application here. Send your completed application by Nov. 7 to Mary Kuenning Gross, Wisconsin Conference grants and scholarship coordinator. Mary can also answer questions about income guidelines.
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UCCI seeks managing director for Daycholah Center |
Are you passionate about outdoor ministry? Here's your chance to shape the future of that ministry and have a significant impact on the lives of youth campers, retreat guests and staff as you lead Daycholah Center into the future. Ideal candidates will be motivated, business-oriented, passionate about summer camp, and people-centered with proven leadership skills in a collaborative environment. Daycholah Center's location on the shore of Green Lake requires waterfront experience.
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Join us for Leadership Forward |
The Wisconsin Conference is launching the Leadership Forward Campaign, designed to support good leaders in our congregations and equip them for creative ministry. The campaign will strengthen leaders through the Damascus Project, expand the Catalyst grants available to congregations, and care for clergy in every stage of their pastoral careers. Area Meetings around the Conference will provide an opportunity for pastors and lay leaders to learn more about the campaign. Together, we can make a difference in strengthening the UCC in Wisconsin because Leadership Matters.
Meetings are scheduled around the Conference:
River Falls: First Congregational UCC, 12-1:30 p.m. Oct. 22
Janesville: First Congregational UCC, 12-1:30 p.m. Oct. 26
Oshkosh: First Congregational UCC, 12-1:30 p.m. Oct. 27
Merrill: St. Stephen’s UCC, 12-1:30 p.m. Oct. 29
Kewaskum: Peace UCC, 12-1:30 p.m. Nov. 3
Milwaukee: Bethel Bethany UCC, 12-1:30 p.m. Nov. 10
Sheboygan: Ebenezer UCC, 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 10
Madison: First Congregational UCC, 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 15
Virtual presentation 1: 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 16
Virtual presentation 2: 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 30
Hartland: First Congregational UCC, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 13
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Update on the Church Life App and the Conference Online Directory |
Our database vendor has updated the process for accessing our directory. View this video for more information.
You can access the directory, called Church Life, from a browser on your computer, tablet, or phone. The Church Life App will work for now, but new downloads of the app will not be available after Oct. 31.
To use the Church Life directory, you need an online account with the Conference. If you have ever registered for a Conference or Association event online, you may already have the necessary account. You can use your email address and password to log in to Church Life. If you don’t remember your password, you can go to this page and click on “Forgot your password” to reset your password. If you don’t have an account, go to this page to create an account. Email Nola Risse-Connolly with questions. |
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Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery webinar series |
Join members of the Plymouth Justice Network at Plymouth UCC, Milwaukee in learning more about repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery.
This five-part educational series will center around both the book Unsettling Truths: The
Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery by Mark Campbell and Soong-Chan Rah and several indigenous scholars.
All sessions are from 7-8:15 p.m. on Zoom to allow the widest participation. View this flyer for a list of the sessions, speakers, and how to sign up for the Zoom sessions. |
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Parents and caregivers as sexuality educators |
Last chance to register!
Who are the primary sexuality educators of our children? Parents and caregivers. And who is best positioned to help them teach children what constitutes healthy sexuality? It might you.
If you’re a pastor or youth minister, part of a faith formation team or a volunteer in your congregation’s family ministry, plan now to attend a one-day workshop offered by the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences where you’ll learn how to implement a new resource to help parents and caregivers explore their roles as primary sexuality educators of their children. The workshop is set for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Carondelet Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Download the free resource and click to register now. The $25 fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. Questions? Contact Contact the Rev. Kevin Brown, associate conference minister for faith formation for the Minnesota Conference, or Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries for the Wisconsin Conference.
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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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St. John's UCC in Monroe is searching for a pastor. Details.
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First Congregational UCC in Watertown is searching for a pastor. Details
Wisconsin Conference UCC searches
- The Conference is searching for a Director for the Damascus Project. Details
Wider church searches
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United Church Camps, Inc. is searching for a Managing Director at Daycholah Center. Details
- The national office of the UCC is searching for a Digital Content Specialist and Team Leader and Minister of Gender & Sexuality Justice/Executive Director UCC HIV & AIDS Network. More info
New calls
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Mary Jo Laabs has been called as associate pastor for Congregational Life at First Congregational UCC in Appleton, effective Oct.15.
Installations and ordinations
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The Rev. Zayna Thomley was installed at Community UCC in Middleton on Oct. 9.
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The Rev. Micah Schlobohm was installed at Hancock UCC and Peace UCC in Stevents Point on Oct. 9.
In memoriam
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Joseph Weinbauer, father of the Rev. Wanda Veldman and father-in-law to the Rev. Paul Veldman, died Oct. 7. 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 Lisa Hart 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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