“Cultivating Community: Rooted in Christ and Bearing Fruit” will be the theme of the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference, scheduled for April 10-11 at Green Lake Conference Center. The theme is intended to emphasize the importance of wider relationships across the Conference to the vitality of local congregations. It is drawn from John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

“Two-Way Giving: Life Income Agreements That Pay You” is the topic of an online seminar from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, that will explore how charitable giving annuities and remainder trusts are a smart way to give for lasting impact. These life income agreements provide donors with steady income, significant tax advantages, and a way to support the causes they value most. They can be a wonderful way to align your financial goals and values.



Register here

Here’s a good opportunity to see the wider church at work: the Ecclesiastical Council for Mike Whiteley, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, at First Congregational UCC of East Troy. All are welcome. Mike will lead a short worship service, then make a presentation based on his ordination paper that addresses his faith journey and theology. Following time for discussion, the gathering will vote to affirm the wider church’s support of his candidacy for ordination. Mike currently serves as pastor of the East Troy church and as chair of the Conference Catalyst Team.



Read Mike’s ordination paper.

Is your church looking for a resource to help it better live out its call to be a welcoming place for everyone? Check out “The Singular They,” Jeff Rabe’s workshops that explore the evolving gender spectrum. Jeff, director of Christian education at First Congregational UCC in Madison, uses the Our Whole Lives sexuality curriculum to explore topics including biological sex, orientation and gender identity, and terms such as cis, trans and nonbinary. The workshops offer a safe space for adults to ask questions and provide information needed to understand all of God’s people. Interested? Email Jeff to learn more and arrange to host a workshop

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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

Annual Meeting 2025 photo by the Rev. Rob Van Ess.

Pronoun image by Anonymous_contributor, CC0, 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