The Rev. Darrel Goodwin, executive conference minister of the UCC’s Southern New England Conference, will keynote the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference. In his role, Goodwin leads more than 600 congregations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. A Chicago native, he previously served as an associate conference minister in the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota conferences. Annual Meeting 2026 will take place April 10-11 at Green Lake Conference Center, with the theme “Cultivating Community: Rooted in Christ and Bearing Fruit.” Look for annual meeting registration in January.

Learn more about Darrell Goodwin

Whether you are new to Centering Prayer or seeking to deepen your existing practice, this Advent retreat promises a welcoming space for silent reflection and intimate communion with God. Facilitated by the Revs. Rachel Bauman and Tim Perkins, the retreat will help us slow down, let go of distractions, and create an inner quiet where we can listen for the voice of the One who is coming. The day will be held in a spirit of peaceful solitude and gentle community. The retreat, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at Cedar Valley Retreat Center, is open to all. For more information, email Rachel or Tim.



Learn more and register.

Are you a young adult considering a gap year after high school or a service year after college? If the answer is yes, check out the volunteer opportunity offered by Berliner Missionwerks, the mission arm of the Evangelical Church in Germany, which has a longtime relationship with the Wisconsin Conference. The agency places young people ages 18 to 28 in local churches, schools, kindergartens, and other service capacities. Berliner Missionwerks placed Sophie Muldenhauer, a recent high school graduate from Berlin, in Ripon, where she works at Our Saviour’s UCC and in the Conference office and volunteers in the community.

Learn more about this opportunity.

The Crossing, a progressive Christian ministry that serves students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is looking for board members. The organization, supported by the United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church and American Baptist Church, brings together students from a variety of faith traditions to advocate for social justice and take time for spiritual reflection. Board meetings take place by Zoom at least six times a year, and board members also volunteer at student events and take on other. Questions? Email board Co-President Jen Petricca Bloesch.



Complete the board member interest form. 

Plenty of slots remain for the Wisconsin Conference Civil Rights Tour, scheduled for Feb. 1-6. So far, 20 people have signed up to join us on our 50-seat bus. Learn more and claim your seat today. . . . The deadline to submit workshop proposals for the 2026 Conference Annual Meeting has been extended to Nov. 30. Learn more and submit your proposal. . . . There’s still time to take advantage of fall learning opportunities offered by the Damascus Project, beginning with Media Training for Church Leaders, which kicks off Tuesday. . . . “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. Keynoter is Christian ethicist Kate Ott. . . . You’ve heard about the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa as it tore through the Caribbean. To support the recovery effort, please consider a donation to the Wisconsin Conference Disaster Relief.

• 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