Conference Minister Franz Rigert was among conference ministers who gathered last week in Washington to take the prophetic voice of the UCC to Capitol Hill. The group gathered under the theme “Love Knows No Borders” to seek justice for individuals and groups living in fear of white supremacy and Christian nationalism. “I came away encouraged by our conversations,” said Franz, who visited the offices of Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson and Rep. Glenn Grothman. “While D.C. is a mess right now with federal agents still on the grounds, many staffers think we are closer to some compromises than the news would suggest.” 



Read Franz’s story.

Download the prayer left with lawmakers.

“Hope, Fears, and Realities: Religious Leadership and AI” is the theme of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches, to take place Tuesday, Dec. 9, at First Congregational UCC in Appleton. Keynote presenter will be Kate Ott, a Christian social ethicist who studies the formation of moral communities with a special focus on technology, sexuality, and relationships. She is the Jerre and Mary Joy Stead Professor of Christian Social Ethics and director of the Stead Center for Ethics and Values at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Learn more and register.

You know that idea you’ve been itching to share with others in the Wisconsin Conference? Consider turning it into a workshop at Annual Meeting 2026, scheduled for April 10-11 at Green Lake Conference Center. The Annual Meeting theme is “Cultivating Community: Rooted in Christ and Bearing Fruit,” and we’re looking for programming that focuses on inspiring faith, fostering community, and promoting justice in today’s world. Workshops will run for 60 minutes. Proposals are due by Nov. 15. Learn more and submit your proposal.

It’s not too late to sign up for one of the fall offerings from the Damascus Project, the joint educational ministry of the Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences. On tap next week is the first of five sessions of Media Training for Church Leaders. Days later comes a single-session Boundary Awareness Training class. Coming up in early 2026 are Reading the New Testament and Sunday By Sunday: Worship Leadership. Download the flyer for more information.

You better act fast if you want to bring middle schoolers to the Knock Knock retreat scheduled for Nov. 21-23 at Daycholah Center. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 5. One of our most popular retreats, Knock Knock is a great chance for young people and their adult leaders to explore the challenges of the middle school years through the lens of faith. Learn more and register today.

The Wisconsin Conference WISE Team would love to hear from you if your church is working to become a WISE Congregation – the acronym stands for Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged for mental health. (You can let us know even if you are simply considering the WISE process.) WISE is an official designation offered through the UCC Mental Health Network to congregations, conferences and other faith communities and organizations. Email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries, to let us know your status.

• Conference website homepage
• Online event calendar
• Facebook page

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