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Welcome...
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| Rev. Barb de Souza,
Retired Missionary of Brazil |
The United Church of Christ celebrated its 54th anniversary this year. Rev. Barb de Souza, Retired Missionary of Brazil recently wrote in response to the 54th Anniversary of the United Church of Christ:
Yes, Congratulations to the UCC. I am proud to be a member of this denomination.
When I was in seminary, because I was not the ordinary student, I had invitations from several denominations. I was brought up in the Episcopal Church, but when my children were little we attended the Presbyterian Church. However, when I chose to be a member of the UCC, I learned that one of my ancestors was a Congregational Minister in the early colonization of America.
Why did I choose to be ordained in the UCC? Because I felt that the UCC theology and practice were open to all types of people; that it was the most ecumenical denomination I knew; that it left it's members with the freedom to approach the love of God in each one's own way; that there were many paths to God; that it's members were truly open to devote themselves to the community, the world and other churches; that with less dogma, in my way of thinking, I would be free to share my experiences and theological interpretations accordingly. My experience as a student pastor in the Black River Falls UCC church was an example of this.
For the last 25 years, I have worked and worshiped in the Catholic Church and was accepted even though all knew I was a Protestant Pastor. Certainly, the dogma and practices are far different than my much loved UCC.
But, I firmly believe we must "all be one" and not just the UCC Congregations but all peoples of the world, especially all Christians. Though, in fact, I believe all humanity is linked and whatever the culture, religion, we must all be one if we are to live in peace in this complicated world. We must recognize, that if "God is still speaking" (I love this phrase), God is speaking to all humanity that WE MAY ALL BE ONE.
What a privilege it is to be an ordained woman in the United Church of Christ.
Barb de Souza |
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Introducing Rev. Deborah Payden;
Director of Lay Academy 2011-2012
 | | Rev. Deborah Payden Lay Academy Director |
The Wisconsin Conference is pleased to announce that Rev. Deborah Payden will serve as the Director of The Lay Academy for 2011 and 2012.
Deborah is an ordained UCC pastor with a passion for the teaching ministry and faith formation. She is married to Tom who serves First Congregational UCC in South Milwaukee. They have two grown daughters. Deborah has served as an Associate Pastor at First Cong UCC in South Milwaukee, as an Association Minister in Faith Formation minister, and now serves as a consulting pastor. She has also served several churches in the Southeast Association as a faith formation consultant, Associate pastor, pulpit and sabbatical supply minister.
She serves as a consultant in faith formation ministry and has a website Faithgrowing. Rev. Payden is the author of many church curriculum, camp resources, books for families in faith formation, and magazine articles. She is also a reader and reviewer for the new Common English Bible. Most recently Deborah was an author for the new Feasting on the Word educational resource.
Deborah also adds "I also love singing, reading, gardening, baking, theater and travel."
Rev. Payden will join us officially on August 1, 2011.
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Pastoral Study Grants Available
The Louisville Institute offers pastoral study grants of up to $15,000 to clergy engaged in study of a wide range of ecclesiastical and theological issues, or who are pursuing plans for sabbatical. Grant proposals will be received this year in August and September and are awarded in March, 2012. Gail Irwin, Interim Pastor at St. John's UCC in Black Creek, was a grant recipient in 2011 and can answer questions about the program (lgail.irwin@gmail.com). The website for the Louisville Institute is www.louisville-institute.org
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What'sUCC Folks "Imagine The Possibilities"
 | | Rev. Phil Haslanger, Delegate to the 28th General Synod |
by Rev. Phil Haslanger,
Memorial UCC Fitchburg
There was sand everywhere at the national gathering of the United Church of Christ this past week.
There was a small sandy beach at the foot of the stage that was the platform for worship. There was sand in the bright red cabanas at the far ends of the assembly hall. There was the expanse of a sandy desert projected on the screen across the back of the stage. And, of course, there was sand on the real beaches of the Gulf shore along the coastline near Tampa.
This gathering is called a General Synod - the 28th such gathering since the UCC was formed in 1957. It is the decision-making body for our denomination, but it is also a place to connect with the many and varied segments of the UCC, to delve into vital social issues and to get new energy in those times when we feel we are just wandering on the hot sand.
"Imagine What's Possible" was the theme of this gathering. As the event moved toward it's conclusion, the images of sand gave way to images of water - an ocean on the screen as well as fresh branches dipped in water that was sprinkled over the crowd at the closing worship as we sang about "crashing waters at creation" and "living water, never ending" that can "drench our dryness, make us whole."
Read on |
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General Synod 28 - Wrap-Up Video
 | | General Synod 28 - Wrap-Up |
Courtesey of the office of General Communication
United Church of Christ |
Join The 2012 Annual Meeting Planning Committee
Interested in volunteering on the 2012 Annual Meeting Planning Committee? The committee meets monthly 4-6 times a year to plan the upcoming Annual Meeting. Lunch and mileage (volunteer rate) are provided.
Email Liisa Analore at lanalore@wcucc.org if you are interested in serving. |
Women's Ministries Request
 The National Listening Campaign on Women's Ministries in the United Church of Christ is being conducted from July 1 to September 16 in order to gather information from UCC members that will assist them in shaping the future of women's ministries for the United Church of Christ.
"We seek input from women of all ages (high school through 90+!) about what matters to you in your lives and faith experiences. We seek input from pastors and other church leaders, both men and women, who have or want to have activities designed especially for women in their congregations. We want to know what matters to you and why!"
Click here to take survey
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Pastor Exchange Report
by Rev. Mary Black
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Tapestry made by the members of Trinity-Henleaze United Reform Church in Bristol. |
I just returned from an amazing month in England - as part of the pastor exchange program that our Wisconsin Conference has with the Southwest Conference of the United Reformed Church. I saw a lot of wonderful sights while I was there; met some deeply spiritual and dedicated people, and experienced the utmost in hospitality and welcome. It was a great time. But the underlying purpose of the trip was to observe life in the church. It was a time for preaching and being preached to; for talking and listening; for observation and learning. At times I was thrilled and inspired by the ministry that is happening there. Other times I came away with a sense of depression and foreboding for a future that is not very rosy.
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The Cathedral Church of the Holy Undivided Trinity - Bristol, England |
England has a state church but it is a very secular society. The church is more and more being relegated to the sidelines and making disciples is becoming increasingly difficult. I toured a number of cathedrals - majestic - incredible stone monuments - some started as much as 1000 years ago. Even though a recent article in the Christian Century states that attendance is up in the cathedral churches, many have become museums of a past glory - mausoleums commemorating the rich and the famous of by-gone days rather than living testimonies to the newness and the life that is ours in Jesus.
And yet there is evidence that God's Spirit is at work in new and creative ministries that reach beyond the walls of the churches and across denominational lines; coffee houses, street pastors, "youth on the street" ministries, and "mum's day out" ministries that use "Godly play" for their curriculum. I came home feeling that while we may not always be able to see as far ahead as we would like to see, the church is still in God's hands and God's Spirit will continue to blow blessing upon her. Where there is death, there is also resurrection. Where the old is passing away, the new is being ushered in. God is Good. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!
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A Gospel Workshop, sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference UCC, is being held on Saturday, September 10 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Pilgrim Center Camp in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Cost: $40, lunch included.
The workshop leader will be Robert Robinson, founder of the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir (see website ) -- gospel singer, choir director, and master teacher. With the help of a pianist, drummer, and section leaders he will teach us gospel songs. Come ...
· Sing and learn gospel songs.
· Receive resources to help you perform them, practice CDs and accompanist scores.
Through this workshop you take part in the gospel choir tours that have gone back and forth between the Wisconsin Conference and the church in Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany for the past few years. Robert Robinson has trained both the German and American choirs involved in this exchange: The Gospellers of the Wisconsin Conference and the West End Gospel Singers of Eberswalde, Germany. He is the source of their common repertoire and the workshop this year is the initial gathering of The Gospellers travelling to Germany in 2012.
Download a brochure with a registration form, from the homepage of the Wisconsin Conference UCC
God is still singing! |
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Association
Media Contacts
Northeast:
Bill Clyma
(bill@neaucc.org)
Southwest:
Lois Rosko (larosko@hotmail.com)
Northwest:
Mary Jo Laabs(newsletter) (Believe417@gmail.com)
Wendy Dittman(Webmaster)
dittmannw@uwstout.edu
Southeast:
Tammy Wallsch (twallsch@yahoo.com)
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Links
Association web sites
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Take a UCC Polity
course online this fall.
Wednesdays, beginning
Sept 14 - Nov 2 with Dr. Marti Baumer
$40.00
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General Synod Delegates
From Wisconsin
Interested in learning about the actions taken at the 28th General Synod?
Contact a delegate from your Association to speak or provide a written report.
(email mail@wcucc.org to request email addresses)
Northeast
Joel Schuler
Laura Schultz
Linda Alsum-O'Donovan
Marlene Verkuilen
Rev. James H. Hollister
Rev. James W. Klein
Rev. Judine Duerwaechter
Rev. Keith R. Weiland
Rev. Melinda L. Feller
Rev. William E. Rishel
Northwest
Carol Merriman
Matt Davis
Chad Murray
Mary Anne Biggs
Cindy Larson
Michelle M. Holdorf
Rev. Deris Rice
Rev. Wayne C. Drueck
Southeast
Brydie Hill
Eliza Stoddard-Leatherberry
Laurel Bentz
Carolyn Morris
Debbie J. Manley
Rev. Jeannie Douglas
Rev. Lisa M. Schmatzhagen
Southwest
Carol Holmes
Rich Fluechtling
Rev. Douglas E. Fauth
Rev. Eldonna Hazen
Rev. Jennifer Johnson
Rev. Phil Haslanger
Terri Wolff
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On Sale through
August 31!
Half off!
was $600 now $300!
Order online
Faith Practices is a new set of online resources for every age group and setting in your congregation. Created by and for local churches, Faith Practices helps us practice and discuss our faith in daily life.
· At least 24 different faith practices to explore over the coming years.
· Each and every faith practice has more than 600 activities to choose from. That's more than 50 activities per age group!
· Affordable, online downloads always available when you need them.
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Nov. 1-11, 2011... ONE UNITED CHURCH on a shared mission for 11 powerful days to feed the hungry and confront food-related injustice. This is MISSION: 1
 | | This is 'Mission: 1' |
Learn how you can help |
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Conference Events Calendar 
United Church of Christ Polity Online
Sept 14-Nov 2
Lay Academy
September 9-10
Gospel Workshop
September 10
GLAUCE Fall Event
October 11-13
Church Renewal Program/Five Practices
October 15
Women Gathered at The Well
October 21-23
Discernment Day
November 4
Knock Knock - God's at the Door
November 18-20
Jesus Core
January 6-8, 2012
German Gospel Tour
August 7-22, 2012
For a complete listing of our events and committee meetings, please see our calendar.
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