Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter

Annual Meeting Edition

June 11, 2025

A countercultural church

In his State of the Conference Address, Conference Minister Franz Rigert noted that the countercultural foundations of Christian faith echo today. “Here is something ironic: Amid all the MAGA pushback against DEI and all the ugly eagerness to deport immigrants, we recall the words of Genesis 1 revealing that all humanity was created in God’s very image,” he said. “The Latin phrase . . . is ‘imago dei.’ Spelled DEI and translated deity. Imagine that: The very representation of God in creation is in the expression of diversity, equity and inclusion.” He went on: “While we may fear retribution – bring it on. . . . Should we not be holy rebels drawing wider circles and proclaiming liberty for those too long held back?”



Watch the State of the Conference Address.

Transformation begins in each of us

UCC General Minister and President Karen Georgia Thompson told attendees that the transformation of the wider church begins in the spiritual practices of individuals. “Our spiritual practices help us to heal and live into the wholeness of who we are called to be,” she said. “And I believe who we are called to be is for the transformation of the church and the world. She added: “Our spiritual lives are not meant for ourselves…. They are for the community. In much the same way we need community to nurture our faith, we need community to live the faith.”

Watch the keynote address.

Reshaping the narrative

In a question-and-answer session following her keynote, Karen Georgia acknowledged that the dominant narrative surrounding the church today is one of declining numbers and eroding relevance. Instead, she suggested that we find ways to measure the impact of the church in our communities and communicate it effectively. “Many of our congregations are small congregations that are punching way above their weight,” she said. “How do we talk about the vibrant ministries among us? That’s what reshaping the narrative is. Maybe it’s about writing our own stories rather than having the stories written about us.”

A future of diverse possibilities

In her sermon at Annual Meeting’s closing worship service, the Rev. Jen Petricca Bloesch drew on St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that provided the meeting’s theme – “Transformation: Changing from Glory into Glory” – to ponder the many different ways transformation will emerge in the future church. “For some churches, transformation may look like selling the building and creating a ministry of a completely new kind,” she said. “For others, it might look like turning into more of a community center model where people do gardening and yoga as much as they do Sunday worship. . . . For others, it might look like pairing up with another church to become an ecumenical church, or an interfaith religious community. . . . What exactly is the church of the future is hard to predict, but the question I have for our denomination (is) …. Are we prepared to receive the change in all its diversity and say, yes, this is still church, this is still living out Jesus’ call to serve and love others?”

Watch Jen’s sermon.

Study period extended

Delegates unanimously approved a request from the Palestine Justice Working Group to extend until Annual Meeting 2026 the period available to study the Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel adopted by General Synod in 2021. If 30 percent of Wisconsin congregations – that’s 62 churches – study the issue, the 2026 Annual Meeting will vote on a resolution of witness to adopt the 2021 declaration. To learn how your congregation can engage the issue of a just Middle East peace, email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.

A new Annual Meeting schedule

For years, people have asked why we schedule Annual Meeting on a weekend that’s chock-full of Pride celebrations and graduations. We hear you. Next year, with no spring association meetings, Annual Meeting will take place April 10-11 at Green Lake Conference Center. The Conference has secured April dates for the next four years – all of them after Easter.

The next issue of Wisconsin Conference life will be delivered to your inboxes on July 2.

Searching Churches

• To see all searching churches, click here.
• To see all interim ministry openings, click here.

Wider Church Searches

• For current openings at the national United Church of Christ, click here.

In Memoriam

• The Rev. Jean Wallenfang died on May 27. Obituary
• Judith St. Martin, wife of the Rev. Peter St. Martin, died May 30. Obituary
• Tammy Whitford, wife of Pastor Bill Whitford, died on June 4. Obituary

Becoming 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.

Sign up for Becoming the Beloved Community here, and

check out the latest issue here.  

The Wisconsin Conference Older Adult Ministries work group has introduced a new monthly publication, Aging in Grace, which contains resources for congregations, reflections on the challenges and opportunities faced by senior members of our congregations, and questions intended to help congregations assess their ministry with seniors. Subscribe to Aging in Grace.



The Older Adults Ministries group emerged over the past two years as a platform for sharing ideas and resources to enable churches to be more intentional in ministering with older adults. Seniors account for around three-quarters of members of Christian churches in the United States.

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The Palestine Justice Working Group brings together laypeople and clergy to promote awareness of the injustices experienced by Palestinian people in the Middle East. Learn more and get involved.

Questions? Email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.