Pastors who are new to the state of Wisconsin or new to parish ministry are eligible for grants from the Wisconsin Conference’s Seminary Debt Repayment program.

The program, made possible by the generosity of UCC members and congregations, offers need-based assistance for seminary debt repayment. Eligible clergy will be contacted by mail in October. Click for more information.

Pastors already in the Seminary Debt Repayment program will be invited by mail to apply for renewal of their grants.

How do Catalyst grants affect congregations? Read more here

“Braiding Sweetgrass and the Kairos Covenant: Time, Attention, Agency” is the theme of the next Conference-wide discussion of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book examining the intersection of indigenous wisdom, science and spirituality. The 90-minute event, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 30, will feature brief presentations from three congregations about they are acting on the call to care for creation, followed by an opportunity for discussion in small breakout groups. Register here. Want to learn how your congregation can get the most out of a group reading of Braiding Sweetgrass? Check out this webinar. And don’t forget to sign up for Kimmerer’s talk to the entire Wisconsin Conference on Oct. 9. This study guide can be used by congregations or individuals. 

The Creation Care Team will award grants of $1,000 to Wisconsin Conference congregations to support initiatives designed to positively affect the environment and demonstrate love of creation. Initiatives could include new models for community-based cooperation and ministry, environmental and economic justice projects, or theological grounding for your congregation’s response to the climate crisis. And because the Creation Care Team has connected with Wisconsin’s Native American communities, consideration will be given to projects that tackle cultural literacy and multicultural cooperation. Click to apply. 

The Wisconsin Conference Supportive Ministries Team invites you to join a Tending the Soul Zoom conversation from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, for a discussion of the September Tending the Soul of the Beloved Community article Can We Talk?

The conversation, which builds on the success of the BE-coming Church virtual gatherings held in June, will provide an opportunity to talk through our shared experiences related to being the church in the time of COVID. We seek hope, connection and a vision for transformation.

To join us, please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you missed reading Can We Talk?, you can read it here.

The Conference Working Group is hoping that congregations throughout Wisconsin will use this liturgy at a time that is convenient and appropriate for them. World Communion Sunday, Oct. 3, would be a wonderful choice. The liturgy, which includes a sermon written by the Rev. Randy Mayer, is available here. Additional liturgical resources created by Rev. Elizabeth Hazel, a member of the Immigration Working Group, are also available.

Plymouth Congregational UCC in Madison earlier this month dedicated a 46-panel solar array, one congregation’s effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The project was financed with a $1,000 Creation Care Catalyst grant from the Wisconsin Conference and $7,000 from RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good program, and $19,000 in congregational funds. Plymouth expects to save up to 85% on its electric bill. Click for more information.  

The Conference communications team wants to hear from you. What do you like about the newsletter? What needs work? Are there topics you want to hear more about? Less? Let us know what you think by clicking here to take a brief survey. Your input will help us improve Conference Life so that it becomes a must read for UCC members across the Conference.  

Would you like to learn more about how the actions and policies of the Biden Administration stack up against Joe Biden's ambitious and progressive immigration policy agenda, eight months into his first year as president? Have you been wondering about how your congregation (or your community) could get more involved in immigration justice work, including sponsoring an asylum-seeking family, right here in Wisconsin? Join the Immigration Working Group for a Zoom workshop, "Immigration Justice Update," from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30. Register now to hold your place. Presenters will include Katie Adams, policy advocate for domestic issues in the UCC’s Washington, D.C., office. The workshop will also include an update on the fast-changing situation of Afghan refugees who recently arrived in Wisconsin.

Are you seeking inspiration and creative renewal? Writer and composer Amanda Udis-Kessler's virtual workshop “Grit and Grace: Creativity, Spirituality, and Justice Work” is an ideal opportunity for clergy, lay leaders, and all people of faith.

Cost: $65 

Join us at 1 p.m. Central time on Sept. 29. Register here

Don’t have a CROP Hunger Walk in your community? You can still join the 2021 National CROP Hunger Walk to end hunger in the U.S. and abroad on World Food Day, Oct. 16. Walk on your treadmill, in your neighborhood, in a park with friends – you choose the location and the experience. Walk one day – 3.7 miles (the average distance a woman walks for water) – or take the Weekend Challenge and walk 11.1 miles (3.7 miles for 3 days). Every step you take and every dollar you raise make the walk shorter for neighbors in need by providing clean water, emergency food as well as livelihoods and access to education. Sign up and start raising funds today at crophungerwalk.org/usa. Contact [email protected] for more info.

This is a two year program and is funded by generous gifts within the United Church of Christ. Full program description and application can be found here. The application deadline is Oct. 31.

The summit produced the landmark 17 Environmental Justice Principles that are still used as a source of moral guidance for environmental organizations to this day. The ripple effects of the summit continue to be felt today. In this webinar, we will learn from three key participants in the summit: Charles Lee, Vernice Miller-Travis, and Richard Moore. Sign up even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 12 p.m. Central on Oct. 13, and we will send you a recording. Register 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

No churches recently began a search. To see all searching churches, click here.

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.

Sign up for this newsletter here, and check out the latest issue here. 

This month's Parish Paper is "Hospitality: Offering a Third Place to Gather." Access this issue and archived issues here!

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