Wisconsin Conference This Week | | 4 congregations receive Catalyst grants | |
The Wisconsin Conference Catalyst Team has awarded grants totaling more than $17,000 to four congregations pursuing innovative new ministry initiatives. The congregations and their projects:
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First Congregational UCC, Appleton: Grace Trail, which will open the church grounds to more people seeking a place for reflection.
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Plymouth Church, UCC, Milwaukee: From Pride to Prom, which will create safe, joyful, and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
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Hocak (Ho-Chunk) UCC, Black River Falls: Doctrine of Discovery Task Force, which will explore the history of boarding schools and General Synod resolutions adopted to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and address U.S. treatment of indigenous people.
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Ladysmith Congregational UCC: Asylum Assistance for Jordanian Family, which will pay for the services of an immigration attorney helping a Jordanian family through the asylum process.
| | ‘This is who I know us to be,’ pastor says of flood response | | |
The Rev. Moira Finley, who helped coordinate the response to April’s flooding in northeast Wisconsin, praised all those involved. “A lot of folks from aid organizations who came to our communities were amazed by what we did, how we pulled together in a matter of hours and days, to mobilize all kinds of help,” she wrote in a letter to her community. “I am not in the least surprised because this is who I know us to be, who I expect us to be.” Moira is pastor of St. John’s UCC, Black Creek; Trinity UCC, Shiocton; and St. John’s UCC, Cecil.
Read Moira’s message.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a way to help those affected by April’s floods in northeast Wisconsin, consider a donation to the flood relief fund established by the Wisconsin Conference. Gifts received from congregations and individuals will be funneled to local organizations in areas where UCC churches are playing a key role in assisting families displaced by flooding. Donate today.
| | Book study signup deadline is today | | |
There is still time to sign up for the Conference-wide virtual book study of Nice Racism, which will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays May 5, 12 and 19. The deadline to register for the book study is the close of business today. The Nice Racism study represents a key step as the Wisconsin Conference presses forward in the work of antiracism. In the book, author Robin DiAngelo examines how well-meaning progressive white people perpetuate racial harm – a critical point of discussion for members of a largely white progressive denomination in a predominantly white state.
Register now.
| | May 7 is deadline for Savoring Spirit Retreat | | |
If you’re looking for an oasis of calm in these chaotic times, check out the Savoring Spirit Retreat, scheduled for May 28-30 at Moon Beach Camp in St. Germain. The retreat will introduce participants to the Wild Church movement and explore ways to savor a spiritual life connected to the presence of the Spirit in nature. Activities will include vespers, meditation, sunsets, and campfires within a spiritual community. Cost of the retreat is $215 per person. Retreat leader will be the Rev. Sara Rabe, pastor of First Congregational UCC in Fort Atkinson. Interested? Email Sara for registration details.
Download the Savoring Spirit flyer.
| | Learn how to boost your church’s generosity | | |
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and the Minnesota Conference UCC are teaming up to offer Cultivating Generous Congregations, an in-person one-day workshop to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the seminary in St. Paul. The curriculum, created by the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, is designed to help pastors and lay leaders think through their role in church finances, become better stewards of donors’ gifts, and awaken a spirit of generosity within their communities. Cost is $150 for each team of three to eight people.
Register now.
Download the Cultivating Generous Congregations flyer.
| Godly Play kit offered for free to a good church home | Our former Conference colleague Tisha Brown, now serving as pastor of Zwingli UCC in Mount Vernon, asked us to pass along an offer from one of her members: a free set of Godly Play materials that cover most of the church year. Godly Play is a popular faith formation curriculum that uses story, wonder and play to nurture children’s spiritual lives. The cost to start a Godly Play program can be steep, so this is a valuable offer for the right congregation. The materials include a children’s Bible, books, and a variety of other materials. Interested? Email Jess D’Souza of Zwingli UCC or call her at 608-692-5827. | Andrea Vik adds Damascus duties | Our Conference staff teammate Andrea Vik has added to her portfolio, taking over as interim registrar of the Damascus Project. Andrea also serves as Wisconsin Conference office coordinator and search-and-call coordinator. Please direct Damascus Project questions to Andrea at 715-304-2411 or email damascus@wcucc.org. | | The next monthly discussion hosted by the Supportive Ministries Team will take place at noon and 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7. The focus will be the creation of online communities. For background, read Lisa Hart’s article, Creating Online Community. . . . The Wisconsin Conference Racial Justice Ministry Team will host Unlearning Othering: Building Community and Breaking Barriers, a training event open to everyone in the Conference, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 12, at Daycholah Center. Participation will qualify as required antiracism training for authorized ministers. . . . The Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences have teamed up to offer a new two-part intergenerational care-of-creation experience this summer called Freshwater Faithworks, which will explore the intersection of freshwater ecology and faith The first part is a three-night family camp scheduled for June 28-July 1 at Daycholah Center. A four-night service and learning trip to Minnesota designed for middle schoolers will take place from July 29 to Aug. 2. | |
Searching churches
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First Congregational UCC in Sheboygan is searching for a pastor. Details
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Ebenezer UCC in Chilton is searching for a pastor. Details
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Fellowship Church in Shawano is searching for a pastor. Details
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Evangelical and Reformed UCC in Waukesha is searching for an associate pastor. Details
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Raymond Community UCC in Franksville is searching for a pastor. Details
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First Congregational UCC in Port Washington is searching for an office administrator. Details
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First Congregational UCC in Port Washington is searching for a Christian education coordinator. Details
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Pilgrim UCC in Fond du Lac is searching for a pastor. Details
Wider Church searches
- For current openings at the national United Church of Christ, click here.
Installations and Ordinations
- The Rev. David Kohls was installed at St. John UCC in New Holstein on Feb. 15.
- The Rev. Dana Caldwell was installed at Immanuel UCC of Darlington on Feb. 22.
- The Rev. Jim Schleif was installed at First Congregational UCC in Port Washington on April 19.
New Calls
- The Rev. Bob Gross was called as interim pastor at Christ Church UCC in Milwaukee, effective Jan. 5.
- The Rev. Tisha Brown has been called as pastor at Zwingli UCC in Mount Vernon, effective Jan. 15.
- The Rev. Peter Strobel has been called as pastor at Zwingli UCC in Monticello, effective Jan. 19.
- The Rev. Laura Hawkins has been called as pastor at Olivet Congregational UCC in Columbus, effective Feb. 1.
- The Rev. David Bowles has been called as interim pastor at First Congregational UCC in Sheboygan, effective Feb. 10.
- The Rev. Amy Nyland has been called as pastor at St. Pauls UCC in Menomonee Falls, effective March 5.
| | Help others by donating now | 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. Donate to the General Fund | | |
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, WISE for Mental Health 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
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