A milestone in the Wisconsin Conference’s anti-racism journey will take place next month when the Conference Racial Justice Ministry Team hosts Unlearning Othering: Building Community and Breaking Barriers, a training event to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 12 at Daycholah Center. “The work of anti-racism begins with a personal commitment of heart and mind,” Conference Minister Franz Rigert wrote in a letter to the Conference. “Because our biases are so deeply embedded in the structures of society, it takes practice and sustained effort to recognize and dismantle them. . . . But transformation is indeed possible, especially when we engage in anti-racism training together.”

Learn more and register.



Read Franz’s letter.

If you’re a church musician, make sure to check out United in Spirit, Diverse in Sound, the biennial national conference of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, scheduled for July 8-11 at First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. The conference will offer workshops, worship services, concerts, activities to help refine musical skills, and more, all in the name of helping congregations find creative ways to express God’s Spirit in these challenging times. A highlight of the conference is everyone’s participation in a conference choir that will perform at the closing worship service. An early-bird rate is available through May 15.



Register for the UCCMA conference.

The Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences have teamed up to offer a new two-part intergenerational care-of-creation experience this summer. It's called Freshwater Faithworks, and it 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.

Register now for family camp.



Register now for the middle-school trip.

Go online at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, for Small Town – Full Building, part of the UCC’s Future of Faith webinar series. You’ll learn how First Congregational Church UCC of Benzonia, Michigan, shifted its focus from lamenting the lack of children in church on Sunday mornings to opening its doors to community organizations throughout the week. The Future of Faith series brings together thought leaders from across the country who dare to dream about the church of the future.

Learn more and register for Small Town – Full Building.

Also on May 18, check out the monthly meeting of the Wisconsin Conference Small Church Working Group, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Topic for discussion is “Exploring your church’s ‘Why?’”

Register for the meeting of the Small Church Working Group.

The next Listening from the Heart workshop will take place on Zoom from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference Palestine Justice Working Group and McFarland United Church of Christ, the session is an opportunity to learn more about the lived experience of Palestinians and Israelis amid the conflict in the Middle East. The two speakers, Elana and Bassam, will share their stories of losing children to the conflict.

Register to attend the workshop.



Download the event flyer.

You can still donate to the Wisconsin Conference’s special appeal to aid victims of last month’s flooding in northeast Wisconsin. 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. . . . If you’re a pastor or lay leader looking to strengthen giving in your church, check out 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 United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul. . . . If you’re a member of your congregation’s Green Team, consider attending the 2026 Great Lakes Collaborative Retreat, scheduled for Aug. 23-25 at Five Oaks Retreat Center in Paris, Ontario.

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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

W1000 Spring Grove Road, Ripon, WI 54971

mail@wcucc.org

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