Here’s a final reminder of important deadlines related to Annual Meeting 2025, starting with the most important.



The deadline to register to attend Annual Meeting is May 26. That’s Memorial Day, so it should be easy to remember. Register today to attend Annual Meeting.

May 26 also is the deadline to register for the pre-meeting workshop, “So, We Did This Thing.” It’s an interactive experience set to take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 5, at Ley Chapel at Daycholah Center. Designed for lay leaders and clergy, the workshop will explore innovative approaches to ministry. Participants will share real-world experiences — what has worked, what hasn’t, and what we’re learning together. Learn more and register. 

To receive discounted meal tickets, purchase tickets no later than today, Wednesday, May 21. After today the cost per meal goes up by $2 for each ticket. All tickets must be purchased by June 2. No meal tickets will be sold after that date. To purchase yours, call 920-294-3323.

Highlights of Annual Meeting 2025, scheduled for June 6-7 at Green Lake Conference Center, will be a keynote by UCC General Minister and President Karen Georgia Thompson, a vote on the future structure of the Conference, and Franz Rigert’s State of the Conference Address. Breakout sessions will provide a variety of learning opportunities. Worship will be led by some of the Conference’s favorite musicians and friends, and the Rev. Jen Petricca Bloesch, pastor of Community of Hope in Madison, will preach the closing sermon.

Picture the Bible’s “Kid Lit” – a Bible study for children – is now complete. Created by the Rev. Stacy Johnson Myers, minister of Christian education at First Congregational UCC in River Falls, Picture the Bible is a set of 52 images depicting 52 individual Bible stories. The images and corresponding student engagement pages offer a creative approach to Bible study that fosters biblical literacy and interpretation and encourages people to see connections between their lives and the biblical story. The program, designed especially for children from kindergarten through sixth grade, can be adapted by Sunday schools of all sizes.

“If we don’t provide for Christian education for our kids when they’re small, we won’t have a church to worry about in the future,” Stacy said. The goal is to raise up a generation of young Christians who can think critically about Scripture.

“One of the things we’re anxious to get away from is telling kids what to think,” she said. “It’s cliché, but the future of the church is in the children. If we don’t do this work now, the church will not find its identity in the gospel."

She is eager to help church educators across the Conference adapt “Kid Lit” to their settings. “If I’m invited, I’ll go,” she said. “This is something that belongs to the Conference.”

Email Stacy to learn more or to invite her to your congregation.

If your congregation is studying the crisis in the Middle East, here’s one more resource to tap: She’s Marilyn Raschka, a Hartford native and member of the Palestine Justice Working Group, who spent 35 years as an educator and journalist in the Middle East and whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, among other publications. She was a member of the now-closed St. John’s UCC in Hartford.



During her career, Marilyn lived at various times in Beirut, Damascus, Cairo and Jerusalem and observed firsthand the plight of the Palestinian people. She is available to share her insights with congregations in the Conference. Email Marilyn to learn more and arrange a visit.

Cedar Community was recently recognized nationally by U.S. News & World Report as a 2025 Best Senior Living Community, earning the distinction of Best Continuing Care Retirement Community. Cedar Community is one of only 57 communities in the nation to receive this honor. Additionally, they were recognized for Best Independent Living and Best Memory Care, adding to their existing ranking for Best Skilled Nursing Short-Term Rehabilitation.

Read more

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: May 26

Register now

Overcoming a Taboo: Why Pastoral Knowledge of Giving Matters

How do we talk about money in church? And can our pastor be one of the people who talks about it? Or is there a taboo about pastors and money? These questions will be at the heart of conversation about pastoral knowledge of giving and why it matters to the effectiveness and strength of your local congregation. Join Rev. Tara Barber, Rev. Wendy Vander Hart, and Rev. Andrew Warner to reframe our taboos about money.

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

Date: May 28

Register Here

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, June 12. Subscribe to the newsletter.

Register here for the noon discussion

Register here for the evening discussion

Save the date

Aug. 8-10: Our Whole Lives Facilitator Training at Daycholah Center is coming up in August and registration will be opening soon.  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). Learn more.

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