The Rev. Shannon Joshi has been selected as the next associate conference minister for the Northern Region. She currently serves as associate minister at First Congregational UCC in Eau Claire. “Shannon will be a terrific addition to our Conference staff team,” Conference Minister Franz Rigert said. “Her collaborative style and joyful approach to ministry will be a blessing for all.” A search team consisting of Franz, Bob Reinertson, Carol Merriman, Tom Schmelzle, and the Revs. Beth Petzke and Kate Mackey whittled a pool of seven applicants to three finalists before unanimously deciding on Shannon. “I am honored to bring my experience, gifts, and faith to this role and to the shared ministry of the Wisconsin Conference,” she said. Shannon and her two sons will continue to live in Eau Claire. She will begin her Conference duties June 22.



Read Shannon Joshi’s letter to the Conference.

The Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences are partnering to offer Freshwater Faithworks, a new intergenerational care-of-creation event set for June 28-July 1 at Daycholah Center. Freshwater Faithworks will offer a family camp experience centered on the importance of freshwater and what we can do to protect it as people of faith. Activities will include exploring the waters of Green Lake and White Creek with the Green Lake Association, a trip to the Wisconsin Dells, lots of camp fun and worship, and, of course, the opportunity to make new friends. Also on tap is a Freshwater Faithworks program for middle schoolers -- a service and learning trip to Minnesota from July 29 to Aug 2. More information and registration details are forthcoming. In the meantime, email Lisa Hart with questions.

More than 20 denominations and allied organizations will sponsor a Joint Christian Advocacy Summit May 5-7 in Washington, D.C., to press members of Congress to adopt policies that promote justice, accountability and peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. Organizers hope to mobilize 500 participants, who will receive training to prepare for meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. Speakers will include the Rev. Khader El-Yateem, a native of Bethlehem who serves as executive director for service and justice for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and American journalist and political commentator Peter Beinart. Questions? Email Beth Moore of the Wisconsin Conference Palestine Justice Working Group.



Learn more about the Christian Advocacy Summit.

The Wisconsin Conference has launched a special appeal to support recovery in regions of Hawaii that have been devastated by floods this month. Damage estimates exceed $1 billion. At least three UCC churches in Hawaii are in communities directly affected by the flooding, and several other UCC churches have opened their doors as shelters. The flooding, caused by back-to-back storms known as Kona Lows, is the worst to strike Hawaii in more than 20 years. Contributions from the Wisconsin Conference will flow through Church World Service. Donate now.

The Wisconsin Conference is looking for a church to host training in 2026 for facilitators of the Our Whole Lives sexuality curriculum. It’s a great opportunity for individuals in your congregation to undergo OWL training without having to travel. Grant funding is available to underwrite some of the cost incurred by the host congregation. Interested? Contact Lisa Hart to learn more.

The Conference Supportive Ministries Team has postponed the next Beloved Community conversation until May to avoid conflicts with Holy Week preparations and worship and the press of business ahead of Annual Meeting 2026. The next conversations will take place by Zoom at noon and 7 p.m. on May 7.



Register for the May 7 conversations.

Wednesday, April 1, is the last day to sign up for “Youth Voices: Bold Faith,” the program that will take 10 Wisconsin Conference high schoolers to Washington this summer to learn the ins and outs of faith-based advocacy. To register, email Lisa Hart of the Conference staff. . . . The Creation Care Team has compiled a list of suggested activities for congregations and individuals participating in the 2026 Earth Day Challenge. Earth Day is April 22. . . . The Interfaith Peace Working Group will host “Nonviolence in Action: An Interfaith Conversation on Building the Beloved Community” on Thursday, April 23, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. Learn more and register.

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Hawaiian archipelago image: Jacques Descloitres, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference, WISE for Mental Health Conference and an Immigrant Welcoming Conference.

Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ

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