Easter is just over two weeks away, and that means our churches will be seeing an influx of members who attend only occasionally as well as seekers -- people from the wider community who want to participate in the joy of the Resurrection and at the same time check whether the UCC branch of the Christian movement might be a good fit.

For Wisconsin Conference congregations, there is no better time to tell your story to your local community. That’s why the Conference created the Identity Campaign Toolkit, an evolving set of resources designed to provide practical help to local churches. Here are some ways to begin to put the toolkit to good long-term use:

• Church councils or leadership teams might start with the section called "Reflections for Leaders," which are designed for group use. Try one per council meeting.
• Share with your congregation Conference Minister Franz Rigert’s essay titled “Do One Thing Well,” which explores how small congregations can thrive by focusing on a single high-impact ministry. What's the “one thing” of your congregation? Could a Catalyst Grant from the Conference help you do that in a better or bigger way in your community?
• Tap the worship section of the toolkit for practical sermon and prayer resources that can help pastors talk to the congregation about evangelism.
• Adapt the Conference logo, with its “Where God Is Still Speaking” tagline, for your church’s use. Contact Nola Risse-Connolly of the Conference staff with questions.

And here are some tips for getting the word out about your congregation’s observance of Holy Week and Easter:



• Take advantage of free media by reaching out to local media organizations with your Holy Week and Easter service times. They might appear as small news items in print or be turned into public service announcements by the local radio station.
• Consider buying an advertisement in your local newspaper or online news organization. Ask whether the organization offers a special church or nonprofit rate.
• Make the most of your congregation’s social media presence. What about posting a daily reflection each day of Holy Week? (You could even repurpose the daily reflections published by the UCC.) Post service times early in the week and special reminders on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. And engage with social media visitors who have questions or leave comments.
• Take lots of photos. Holy Week and Easter often provide opportunities for beautiful visuals. Does your congregation process around the block with palms on Palm Sunday? Does your Maundy Thursday service include foot-washing? Post a photo or two to social media to show your community how your congregation marks these landmark days of the church year.

Download the Identity Campaign Toolkit.

Annual Meeting 2025 is just over two months away, and there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved. Annual Meeting will take place June 6-7 at Green Lake Conference Center.

Exhibitors: Annual Meeting is a great chance to get your company or organization in front of an audience of 350 or so clergy and lay leaders and to showcase your products and services. Past exhibits have included custom clergy stoles, books, liturgical artwork, educational materials, jewelry, faith-based retirement communities, outdoor ministries, Conference work groups like the Creation Care Team, and more. Nearly all attendees visit the exhibit space, and most do so multiple times during Annual Meeting. The meeting schedule provides ample time for attendees to peruse the exhibits during breaks, and the traditional Friday night reception will take place in the Exhibit Hall. Questions? Email the Rev. Phil Schneider or call Phil at 715-842-3733.

Register now to be an exhibitor.

Volunteers: Volunteers are the engine that makes Annual Meeting go – and volunteering is a great way to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. We’re looking for folks to serve as greeters, register attendees as they arrive, serve as ushers during worship and workshops, and more. Learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Sign up now to volunteer.



Register today to attend Annual Meeting 2025.

Thousands of people were killed last week when an earthquake devastated communities across Myanmar and Thailand. You can support the rescue effort by contributing to the Wisconsin Conference disaster relief fund. The Conference partners with Church World Service to get help to affected communities. Although its office in Bangkok has been evacuated for now, CWS continues to communicate with local partners to determine how and where CWS can provide the greatest support.



Your generosity can ensure that earthquake survivors receive critical, lifesaving resources in a timely manner. Donate today.

Does your congregation ever wonder about the impact of your gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission? A new bulletin insert explains just how important your generosity is to OCWM Wisconsin Impact, formerly known as OCWM Basic Support, and to the wider mission and ministry of the United Church of Christ.

Download the bulletin insert (PDF)

Download the bulletin insert (Word)

If you like to watch live baseball in the company of friendly faces, don’t miss the May 21 outing planned for authorized ministers, family and friends to watch the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch is set for 12:10 p.m., with a tailgate beginning at 11 a.m. Cost of a game ticket and lunch is $35.



To order tickets and arrange payment, call Tim Perkins at 414-403-0221. In an email, Tim extended a warm welcome to all: “Even though you may be a fan of a Baseball Club other than the Brewers you are – in good UCC fashion – WELCOME HERE. (Yes, even you Cardinals and Cubs fans are invited!)”

If your congregation is studying the issue of a just peace between Israel and the Palestinian people, check out this video featuring author and physician Gabor Mate. In “Gabor Maté: Gaza, Zionism, and the ‘exploitation’ of Jewish trauma,” he shares his story as a Holocaust survivor and Zionist whose journey eventually led him to become an advocate for a just peace in the Middle East.



Remember, if 30 percent of Wisconsin Conference congregations engage the issue of a just peace in the Middle East, the 2025 Conference Annual Meeting will vote whether to adopt the Declaration for a Just Peace Between Israel and Palestine adopted at the UCC’s 2021 General Synod. If your congregation already has studied the issue, please let us know by completing this brief form.

If your church has not yet submitted yearbook data, please use this Survey Monkey link to do so. This link was created by the national office due to ongoing issues with their new system. The deadline to report Yearbook data is April 11.

Morning prayer and reflection

Join the Rev. Teri Hanson and one of our associate conference ministers for a time of prayer and reflection at 8:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month. It’s a good opportunity to start the month with 20 minutes or so of centering yourself in the Holiness of God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. All are welcome.

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Date: April 3

Zoom link

Supportive Ministries conversation

The Supportive Ministries Team offers two opportunities each month to join a discussion of topics raised in its monthly Becoming the Beloved Community newsletter. The next conversations will take place by Zoom at noon and 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 3. Subscribe to the newsletter.

Register here for the noon discussion

Register here for the evening discussion

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: April 28

Register now

Save the date

Aug. 8-10: Our Whole Lives Facilitator Training at Daycholah Center. Participants can choose to be trained in the Youth Level (grades 7-9 and grades 10-12) or the Adult Level (young adult, adult and older adult). Registration details coming soon.

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

Earthquake image: United States Geological Survey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.

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

Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ

W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971

mail@wcucc.org

www.wcucc.org