You know you’re going to experience great worship, music and preaching at Annual Meeting 2024. You’ll also hear from speakers who will make you think and learn about the state of the Wisconsin Conference.

But we’re also planning more than a dozen workshops that offer tools for strengthening ministry within congregations and to the wider community. Here are some of the sessions we have on tap:

Annual Meeting 2024 will take place June 7-8 at Green Lake Conference Center. Register today

Catalyst Grants: Sparking Church Innovation and Mission. The Conference Catalyst Team, which provides grants of up to $5,000 for creative ministries, will offer examples of successful projects and help attendees understand what makes a strong grant application.

The Singular ‘They’: An Introduction to Understanding Gender/Gender Identity in Today’s World. Gain a better understanding of the rapidly evolving spectrum of gender, using the Our Whole Lives sexuality education curriculum for adults. Topics will include biological sex, orientation, gender identity and pronouns.

It’s A Small World After All. The Rev. Shari Prestemon, UCC acting associate general minister and co-executive of Global Ministries, will share the history of the UCC’s work around the world and the ways in which the denomination’s global witness and partnerships make a difference today.

Leadership Forward Campaign. Find out how your congregation can help strengthen leadership in local churches through the Leadership Forward Campaign, which supports the Damascus Project, Catalyst grants and care for clergy at every stage of their careers.

Where God Is Still Speaking on the Border and Back Home. Panelists will share their personal experiences at the Southern border and with immigrant-welcoming activities back home.

Palestinian Christians: Their Stories and Call to Us. Hear about the challenges facing the Palestinian people as they work for a just peace in the Holy Land. The workshop also will include an explanation of the Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel adopted by the UCC at General Synod in 2021.

Coaching Workshop. Learn how to live out your strengths, passions and intentions so that you can focus on what really matters in ministry.

Wisconsin Gospellers Open Rehearsal. Interested in singing with our statewide music ministry? Here’s your chance. The Gospellers are recruiting new members in anticipation of hosting German singers in summer 2025.

Together for Tomorrow: Planned Giving in the Local Congregation. The Rev. Andrew Warner, development director for the Wisconsin Conference, will share key concepts and new tools that can help your congregation promote planned giving.

The New Culture of Congregational Care. How can our congregations support individuals dealing with dementia and those who care for them? This workshop will answer that question with examples of programs that have enabled churches to sustain relationships with dementia patients and their loved ones.

You’re ONA. Now What? Learn how your congregation can respond to the struggles of LGBTQIA+ individuals and ensure that they truly feel welcome and part of the community.

From Conflicting to Complementary: How the Medical and Peer Support Models Can Work Together in Mental Health. Gov. Tony Evers has called mental and behavioral health a “burgeoning crisis” affecting Wisconsin’s kids, families, and workforce. Learn about the differences between the Medical Model and the Certified Peer Specialist – and about how both approaches can complement each other for better mental health.

Creation Care: Witnessing Global Climate Action at COP28. Heather Phelps, who traveled to Dubai with the Christian Climate Observer Program for COP28, will share her experience and provide a faith-based perspective on climate change.

Finding Common Ground in Divided Times. In a deeply divided society, it’s easy to see individuals with whom we disagree as enemies. This workshop will draw on applied psychology to provide tools needed to have meaningful conversations, build connections, and listen for common ground.

Becoming Accessible to All (A2A). Learn how to evaluate your church’s physical structure and programming to respond to Christ’s call to welcome all people. Members of the Accessibility Committee at First Congregational in Madison will share their church’s journey to A2A status.

Visit the Annual Meeting website for more information.

Annual Meeting is where we do the business of the Wisconsin Conference. But it’s also a family reunion, where we reconnect with decades-long friends and meet new ones. This year’s Annual Meeting will offer a couple of new twists:

Drop-in day camp at Daycholah Center. Kids ages 8 to 14 whose parents are attending Annual Meeting can attend camp from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 7, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. The day camp will offer a variety of age-appropriate activities. Cost for the Friday session is $45; the Saturday session fee is $80. You can reserve your spot when registering for Annual Meeting. Please note: The day camp will be offered only if at least 14 participants sign up each day.

Cocktail reception. Daycholah Center will host a cocktail reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The event will feature hot and cold appetizers and complementary beer and wine. Payment is due at the time of Annual Meeting registration.

Annual Meeting delegates will be asked to decide whether the Conference should begin the process that could lead to a resolution of witness to adopt the 2021 General Synod Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel. An affirmative vote would launch one year of study and engagement by local congregations, followed by a confirming vote at next year’s Annual Meeting.

The motion that will be voted on this year reads: “Is this an issue that the Holy Spirit is calling the Wisconsin Conference to engage in the coming year and consider for a possible resolution of witness after a year of study and reflection?” The resolution process calls for at least 30% of the congregations to report that they have engaged in some study. This study can be in the manner chosen by the local church. This local study calls only for some discussion; it does not require that any action be taken or decision voted on. Responses are due by May 1, 2025. 

The Palestine Justice Working Group, which supports the resolution, is available to provide support congregations that study the issue. To reach the group, email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries.

Read the resolution

Together for Tomorrow: Planned Giving in the Local Congregation

Significant wealth transfer occurs as each generation passes, but many congregations and ministries remain unprepared to promote planned giving options. This Zoom workshop will share key concepts and help you create an action plan for your congregation or ministry to promote planned giving.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Date: May 22

Register now 

Sermon Talk

Join Associate Conference Minister Michael Jones 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, these sessions are for you.

Time: 1 p.m.

Date: June 4

Use this link to join in

Conversation with the Supportive Ministries Team

The Supportive Ministries Team will host an hourlong Zoom conversation with ministry colleagues from around the Wisconsin Conference to explore questions that can “Nurture the Soul of the Beloved Community.”

Time: Noon

Date: June 5

Register now

Great Lakes & West Central Regional Youth Event

Young people who have completed sixth through 12th grade are invited to attend with their pastors, youth leaders and adult chaperones. Programming will be designed around worship and liturgy created by The Many, a diverse music-making collective that invites people to sing together about peace and justice and a world where all belong. The event theme, “Love > Fear,” is taken from one of their songs.

Date: July 17-20

Place: Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois

Register today.

Narrative Budgets: Telling your Story by the Numbers 

A narrative budget that translates the line items of a traditional budget into a story of how your congregation makes a difference can be a helpful tool for a stewardship campaign or annual meeting. By telling the story of our congregations' impact, we can inspire generosity in our donors.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Date: July 24

Register now 

Most congregations will receive the 2024 Strengthen the Church offering on Pentecost Sunday, May 19. It’s an important expression of the generosity of people across the Wisconsin Conference and the rest of the United Church of Christ. Gifts to Strengthen the Church are shared equally by the Conference and the national setting to support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry and innovations in UCC congregations. You can donate online anytime here.

Download Strengthen the Church resources.