John Reed of McFarland, a longtime lay leader who died July 28 at age 99, is being remembered for his deep commitment to his local church and the wider Wisconsin Conference. He served for years on the Wisconsin Conference board of directors and was a former moderator of Lake Edge UCC in Madison and a founding member of McFarland UCC.

Read the complete obituary.

In an email, former Conference Minister Fred Trost expressed his “high admiration for John Reed, who helped sustain, nurture, and build the Wisconsin Conference in some important ways: He was a person of faith, in whom hope and love were the bright lights of true discipleship. . . . his vision and determination, his infectious joy and wit, helped shape and strengthen the ministry of the Conference for years.”

Former Conference Minister David Moyer said Reed played a key role in the success of the Conference’s “With One Accord” capital campaign 35 years ago. “John worked tirelessly to promote the campaign, far above what was required of a volunteer,” Moyer said in an email.

The results of that campaign were nearly double the $3.4 million goal and helped finance improvements to the Moon Beach and Daycholah Center church camps and construction of the Conference’s former headquarters in DeForest, said Moyer, who was association minister in northwest Wisconsin at the time.

“These things shaped the Conference for 30 years and continue to have impact today,” he said. More recently, Reed assisted the campaign to build the Ralph and Ruth Ley Chapel at Daycholah.



A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at McFarland UCC, 5710 Anthony St. in McFarland. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

The new Conference-wide Committee on Ministry is off and running after a two-day retreat of the COM Executive Committee at Daycholah Center. The COM, one pillar of the new Wisconsin Conference structure adopted at June’s Annual Meeting, has assumed the work previously conducted by the divisions on church and ministry of our former associations.



Chair of the Executive Team is the Rev. Eldonna Hazen. Vice chair is the Rev. Beth Petzke. Goals of the retreat were to build trust and identify steps needed to ensure a seamless transition to the new structure. The team will meet again in August.

Former Lakeland University President Stephen A. Gould died Aug. 1 from injuries sustained in an auto accident. He was 80.

Gould, who was president of the Sheboygan County institution from 1998 to 2012, was a significant figure in Lakeland’s history, helping transform the main campus and expand its global reach. More than $20 million in construction and upgrades took place on campus during his tenure. Lakeland has historic ties to the UCC.

“President Gould was the embodiment of everything that is Lakeland,” Lakeland President Beth Borgen said. “He cared deeply for this institution and its people and became a role model for countless others to feel the same. Thanks to his leadership, Lakeland made significant strides forward that have us well-positioned today for success for years to come. We are stunned at his sudden passing, and while he will be deeply missed, we will forever celebrate his legacy.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.



Read the statement from Lakeland University.

The new structure of the Wisconsin Conference is designed to promote collaboration and sharing of resources across traditional geographical lines. For that to happen, we need to get to know one another better. 

With that goal in mind, over the next few months we’ll be introducing a feature to Wisconsin Conference Life called “Someone You Should Know.” Think of it as a mini-biography of an individual who can be a resource for the Conference. It might be someone whose expertise or passion elevates your congregation’s creation care initiatives, community outreach, ministry to older adults, formation program or some other area of ministry. There are thousands of possibilities. 

To get the new feature off the ground, we need your help. Email us one or more names of individuals whose work should be known across the Conference, along with a brief description of their involvement in the church. Write “Someone You Should Know” in the subject line. Questions? Email Conference Communications Director Mark Baldwin. 

The UCC’s Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization team has scheduled three training opportunities for pastors and lay leaders. The specifics:

PPRC to PSC – Pastoral Support Committees: Pastor/Parish Relations committees have provided essential leadership in the life of our congregations -- but the name has led to some confusion about their role. The Rev. Tara Barber will help us explore what it means to become a Pastoral Support Committee and lead a discussion of the priorities and commitments of a well-functioning PSC. Open to pastors, lay leaders and judicatory staff. When: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28. Register now.

Boundary Training for Ministers in Specialized Settings: This training is open to ministers serving in specialized settings throughout the UCC. Serving in specialized settings requires particular attention to boundaries within the ministry setting and home church that are challenging and different from those serving as local church pastors. This training, led by the Revs. Tara Barber and Anissa Glaser-Bacon, will focus on matters that relate specifically to issues that these ministers face, providing opportunities for clergy to reflect on best practices and growth in their practice of ministry. (This training completes individual requirements for boundary training only when authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.) When: 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4. Register now.



Boundary Training for Retired Ministers: Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly difficult attending to boundaries while transitioning out of a last call and while in retirement. Case studies, plus books including the Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's "The Jubilee Years," will provide the content for this training. The Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. (This training completes individual requirements for boundary training only when authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.) When: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 24. Register now.

Palestine Justice Working Group

The Wisconsin Conference work group educates UCC members about the state of Israeli-Palestinian relations and advocates for justice for all Palestinians. The group meets by Zoom on the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are open to all.

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Aug. 25

Register now

Small Church Working Group

The Small Church Working Group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month to discuss the unique challenges and rewards of small-church ministries.

Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Date: Aug. 26

Join the conversation

Top 10 Ideas on Generosity

Jump-start your stewardship and fundraising efforts with 10 practical ideas you can implement in your congregation. Try one or try them all to generate more financial resources for your ministry. 

Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Date: Aug. 27

Register here

Regional Creation Care event

The Creation Care Team invites you to learn about Conference-wide and local church efforts to engage in growing faith-based environmental ministries. Perfect for Green Teams or individuals interested in starting a team in your own congregation.

Date: Sept. 6

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Place: First Congregational UCC, 31 Milwaukee Ave. West, Fort Atkinson

Register today

New events are added all the time to our online calendar. Click to check it out.

Registration is now open for Community of Practice groups starting in September.

Communities of Practice clergy groups provide the sustenance that your ministry needs in order to be effective well into the future. COP groups are designed to be peer learning groups, focused both on the practice of ministry and your growth in your role as a pastoral minister.

Note: Previous COP participants need to register again each year to continue in a group.

More information

Register for a clergy COP group

The Christian Education/Faith Formation Commission of the Wisconsin Conference offers a Communities of Practice program for educators similar to the successful COP program for pastors. Lay volunteers or paid staff involved in Sunday school, youth group, or other education or faith formation ministries are supported and enriched by involvement in a COP with others ministering in similar ways.

If you would appreciate the support of a network of peers, register today. COP groups for 2023-2024 will start in September. The cost for the year is $250. For more information, read the webpage or contact Lisa Hart.

Note: Previous COP participants need to register each year to continue in a group.

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