Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Even now, nearly 58 years after his assassination, we are stirred by his prophetic words, and the message is as important as ever to remember. Here's a brief excerpt from his final Sunday sermon, delivered at Washington National Cathedral on March 31, 1968, four days before his death:

"We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

Note: The Conference office is closed today in observance of the holiday.

Rooted and Reaching: Connecting within and beyond the local church takes place on Thursday, April 9. The Intensive workshop will offer a full-day opportunity for learning, reflection, and connection. This year’s focus is on the ways we connect within congregations and beyond church walls. The day will explore two complementary dimensions of ministry: connecting within congregations through worship practices such as preaching, music, prayer, and the arts, and connecting beyond the local church through community ministries and justice initiatives.

Learn more and register

Registration is now open for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference, to take place April 10-11 at Green Lake Conference Center. The theme of the meeting, “Cultivating Community: Rooted in Christ and Bearing Fruit,” points to the broad, deep relationships the Holy Spirit makes possible across the Conference as we share resources, stories and ministry how-to’s.

Register for Annual Meeting

Reserve accommodations and purchase meal tickets at Green Lake Conference Center

The Wisconsin Conference Palestine Justice Working Group is providing an opportunity for churches and members to learn more about the lived reality of both Palestinians and Israelis. This Listening from the Heart program will be held primarily on Zoom, giving members of the conference the opportunity to gather with others across the state to learn together.

Learn more and register here for the first workshop on Feb. 12.

You're invited to join the Small Church Working Group for this month's discussion on worship music. The meeting takes place on Zoom, Monday, January 19, at 6:30 p.m. (That's today!)

Sign up here

With Associate Conference Minister Michael Jones wrapping up his ministry with the conference, the Rev. Stephanie Perdew is taking over facilitating the monthly Sermon Talk gathering. The group meets for a Zoom discussion of biblical texts and sermon ideas, with the focus on topics for the month ahead. Whether you use the Revised Common Lectionary or the Narrative Lectionary or choose your own texts, this discussion is for you. Sessions take place at noon on the first Tuesday of each month.

Join the next Sermon Talk on February 3 at noon.

The theme for this year's Climate Hope Art Contest is “A Future with Hope.” Children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. There are winners for different age groups and an overall winner, who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC, with a parent or guardian. Art submissions are accepted from February 6th to March 20th. 

Register your congregation now to participate.

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) recently released resources for Health and Human Service Sunday, which takes place Jan. 25, 2026, the Third Sunday after Epiphany. The resources help UCC churches, CHHSM members, and friends bring the message of serving leadership and support for all health and human service workers to their local congregations and worship services.

Read more here

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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

Martin Luther King Jr. image credit: Public domain 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