Welcome to Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ |
|
|
Welcome
by David Moyer, Conference Minsiter
 | | Rev. David Moyer Conference Minister |
I sit here on Christmas Eve morning, looking out on a bright day and listening to the service of "Nine Lessons and Carols" from Kings College, long a tradition for our family. The service starts with a processional to "Once in Royal David's City", with the first verse sung by one unaccompanied solo boy's clear soprano voice. It always brings tears to my eyes.
Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.
Continue reading |
The Church Renewal Program
Five Practices - Space still available!  The kickoff event will be January 21, 2012.
Your church will benefit from this program if it... - Has plateaued or declining worship attendance for at least the past three years;
-
Has resources of faith, leadership, and finances that make it possible to devote time to a new project; -
Is not experiencing serious conflict and has a pattern of healthy communication among members and leaders; -
Can put together a team of lay leaders who can envision a different future; -
Can commit to full participation in all six back home sessions and the two gatherings at the Conference Center.
For more information please visit the Wisconsin Conference website. |
UCC Office Support Staff Network Meeting We are the Office Support Staff from local churches, conferences and national agencies and instrumentalities. We are the supporting hands of the on-going ministries of the United Church of Christ. Join the UCCOSSN at their annual meeting at the United Church of Christ National offices in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday April 12, 2012-Saturday April 14, 2012. This year's theme will be Silver Linings. UCCOSSN website and meeting information |
Bob Mutton Recipient of Elmhurst College 2011 Alumni Merit Award
 | |
Colleagues join Bob Mutton as he is honored by his Alma Mater, Elmhurst College, as a recipient of the 2011 Alumni Merit Award for Service to Church and Society.
Picture: Art and Cathy Wille, Bob Mutton and Vera Ames, Ann and David Moyer, Frederick and Louise Trost |
Gracious and holy God.............you spoke a word of creation, and the world was formed.
Your word, spoken in love and power, gave form to all life; creating that which is new and reconciling it with that which had already been called forth.
You spoke and all was "good"; in relationship, with purpose and path, all at the direction of your holy will.
You spoke words that called persons to be your partners in tending creation and in the ongoing task of redeeming all that falls short of your glory.
When moments came that needed leadership, you spoke...........called...........over and over, and there were always those who heard your voice.
There was a reluctant leader who brought people from bondage to freedom and led them through dry and barren places on a long and seemingly endless journey toward a promise that was not yet revealed; not yet clear...............a leader who brought down that which would govern a community fit for your service.
You spoke and prophets risked all to speak the truth, and rulers rose and fell as they followed or transgressed your purposes.
You spoke to Mary and promised a child of great moment and you reassured her that all would, indeed, be, according to your word.......your voice.
You spoke when Jesus rose up out of the water, and you called him "beloved son" and you spoke your pleasure at his purpose and power to save.
We are here today in response to your voice..........your call, and we especially thank you for your call to our colleague, our brother, our friend, our beloved one, Bob Mutton. Thank you that your voice called and your spirit nudged from early days and through critical relationships and through teachers and fellow students and pastors and family and all whose voices are lodged in his memory and which shaped his journey to ministry.
Thank you for those times you spoke to him and called him to speak for justice.
Thank you for the moments when you spoke to him and called him to speak a word of accountability and grace to a colleague who was lost or discouraged or off track and who was led back to vocation and grace.
Thank you for your voice, through him, to the church, to claim its identity as Christ's body in the world for good and redemption and transformation and his chiding of it for its timidity and fear and reluctance to engage.
Bless him for the voice that for these many years has opened the words that comprise your Holy Word and has taught and preached with passion and insight and has called on your pastors to be serious and joyous about their own preaching and teaching and of all your disciples in your church to claim the Word as the center of their life and the ground of their ministry.
We ask that these words, through this one who has labored and argued and fought and loved life and cherished relationships may continue to live in us and in our churches in the Southwest Association and the Wisconsin Conference and the United Church of Christ, that we may continue to grow; that we may honor that you are speaking to us still and still have need for us to be a part of your transforming and saving Word for the good of all.
Help us to live with what was always Bob's signature, and your gift, the "greatest hope" we can imagine. May it guide and empower us and may we find a voice that will honor all that this servant of yours has meant to us as our friend and colleague.
By your Holy Spirit, be present in his continuing journey of faith and life. Give him the "greatest of hope" that your truth will continue to empower him and your love surround him and the gift he has been to your church may return to him a hundredfold, to his peace and joy and to your everlasting glory. |
|
Rev Geoffrey Black To Keynote Upcoming Workshop
June 7, 2012 Green Lake Conference Center, Ripon
 | Rev. Geoffrey Black,
General Minister and
President of the
nited Church of Christ |
United Church of Christ General Minister and President, Rev. Geoffrey Black will keynote an upcoming workshop on June 7, 2012. This workshop is an additional event of the Annual Meeting and will provide small discussion sessions with an opportunity for lively discussion of topics introduced in the keynote presentation.
An afternoon panel led by Rev. Geoffrey Black will offer the opportunity to pose questions and engage in conversation with Geoffrey around the questions and issues raised in the small groups.
Learn his vision for the future of the UCC, ecumenical and interfaith, core values of the UCC and where the Still Speaking campaign is headed.
Registration information to be published soon. |
|
Andra Moran
Andra Moran is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN. She is a member of the Disciples of Christ and has shared her talents and gifts with thousands of youth and adults from the DOC, UCC, and other progressive mainline denominations. In the Wisconsin Conference UCC, Andra has been a part of the leadership for our Jesus Core retreat for high school youth since its early years. She has also provided musical and worship leadership at events such as Regional Youth Event, National Youth Event, and the UCC/DOC national women's gatherings. She also helped create and lead "SHIFT: Progressive Christian Music Summit" which was held at Pilgrim Center this past summer.
Andra is currently working on a new project that provide congregations with sing-able worship and congregational songs that reflect a theology that aligns with more of the progressive, mainline denominations. The following is a letter from Andra that introduces this project. If you would like to find out more, please go to her website at www.andramoran.com.
Blessings,
Lisa Hart
Coordinator for Youth Ministries
Hello from Harmony Grove
by Andra Moran
In my life as an artist, I can say unequivocally that music is a force to be reckoned with: Music can bring us to salty tears just as it can bring us to our feet, cheering. Music knits us together in ways nothing else can, and gives words to feelings that are hard to express. Music causes undeniable change in the ways we connect to each other and to God.
In my travels, I have met many people who consistently ask me for one thing: new music that reflects their theology, their hopes, their questions and their dreams. For years now, I have listened and prayed and written and sung my way into a new album of original worship and congregational songs called "Harmony Grove." These songs serve as a way to voice my own convictions, as well as my doubts, and navigate different seasons in our lives. The themes of Harmony Grove's songs are hope, never-failing love, welcome, renewal, justice, comfort, peace and finding our way on a journey.
All of these songs have been "road tested" with my congregation in Nashville, as well as other groups in retreat settings around the country and in Europe. It's exciting to hear and see these songs uniting people, linking our diverse stories through common musical experiences.
Most of the times in my life I have felt closest to God, I have been singing with other people. Perhaps that is true for you, too.
|
Lynne Panci's Memorial Service
 Lynne's Memorial Service will be held on January 7 at 1:00 pm at Moon Beach Camp in Saint Germain, WI. There will be a short service followed by light refreshments. Casual attire.
Accommodations are available at Moon Beach Camp for Friday and Saturday nights. For those staying overnight, brunch will be served at 9:30 on Saturday morning. A donation is recommended to cover the cost of your stay. Call the Moon Beach Office at 715-479-8255 byWednesday, January 4th for overnight stay reservations.
Directions to Moon Beach Camp |
Council of Health and Human Service Ministries Corner
Fairhaven Senior Services to Celebrate 50 Years of Service
 In 1962, five residents moved into a newly constructed apartment building in Whitewater that was designed for seniors. That building, Fairhaven, and the vision of its founders has continued to grow and in 2012, will celebrate its 50th year of service to the Whitewater Community and to residents who have traveled many miles to make Fairhaven their home. Fairhaven's motto "where life is added to years", is definitely evident in all the changes that have taken place since those first residents put their faith in Fairhaven's dream to provide spiritual, intellectual, cultural and recreational vitality to their lives. The Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ, its churches and members continue to make and shape Fairhaven today. In 1962, the idea of having all levels of care under one roof, now known as a continuum of care, was new to senior housing providers. Fairhaven has been a leader in this concept and continues to grow and provide even more services for its residents. Fairhaven is unique in that there has been only three Executive Directors: Rev. Carroll J. Olm, Founding Director & current resident of Fairhaven; Rev. David G. Yochum and Paul J. Kuenning, current Executive Director. Over the short 50 years of its existence, Fairhaven has added Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, Assisted Living, and Supportive Care levels to the Independent Living Apartments that it first offer ed. Fairhaven then recognized the need for housing that would give specialized care to those with memory impairment. Hearthstone was added to the campus. This building was designed and staffed to accommodate the needs of those with memory loss. The most recent addition to Fairhaven is a community of patio homes for 55+ seniors. Prairie Village residents enjoy an independent life style while knowing that they have access to the amenities of Fairhaven when the need arises. Many events are planned throughout 2012 to celebrate Fairhaven's 50 years of service. We hope you will join us in our year long celebration! |
National Youth Event
Location: Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN
Note: when you register, please note that you are arriving before 5 pm on July 10th and departing before 5 pm on July 14th. These are the Wisconsin Conference travel arrival days. |  | |
T-Shirt Design Contest!
Are you an artist? Do you like to color, draw, paint & create?
ENTER OUR T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST!!!
Who: Youth 18 and under in the Wisconsin Conference UCC How: Get a blank piece of paper (8-1/2x11). The National Youth Event Theme is Imagine. What can you imagine? You can use markers, pens, pencils, paints, etc. When: Create your picture and mail it by May 1st, 2012 (postmark deadline) to: Wisconsin Conference UCC PO Box 435 De Forest, WI 53532
Include your name, address, phone #, & e-mail address.
Win: Paid round trip bus transportation to and from the National Youth Event and a free t-shirt!
- Entries will be scanned and posted on the Wisconsin Conference Facebook page (names ommitted).
- Watch for yours!!
- The winning entry will be voted on by Conference Staff in May.
- The winning image will be printed on Wisconsin Conference NYE t-shirts.
Youth Ministries Coordinator, Lisa Hart will have information about the Wisconsin Youth traveling to the National Youth Event available soon. |
|
Rev. Richard (Dick) Wichlei Memorial Service
 | | Marjorie and Richard (Dick) Wichlei |
The Conference has received notice that a Memorial Service will be held for Rev. Richard (Dick) Wichlei at First Congregational UCC, Madison, on Saturday, January 14, at 10:30 AM. A fellowship time will follow the service which will be held in the chapel. |
 Welcome...(continued)
When our older daughter was about 10 years old, she and a boy from the children's choir were to sing the opening verse for an Advent service of the "Nine Lessons and Carols." I was eagerly anticipating the day, until I realized that I was scheduled to preach in another congregation that morning. Over many years of children's sports, music, academic, and social events, I made every effort to be there, often rushing out of meetings and making long drives to make it. This time there was no way to do it, and now, more than 20 years later, it is still one of those moments I regret, and the tears comes back every time I hear the carol's first verse. It's a little thing, I know, and doesn't compare to hurts and regrets many experience, but for me the ache is still there. The carol itself provides comfort: For He is our childhood's pattern; Day by day, like us He grew; He was little, weak and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew; And he feeleth for our sadness, And he shareth in our gladness. The carol also moves on and makes a transition that seems to me to be one of the critical transitions of Christmas, one we aren't always the best at making. In the text of the carol, Jesus moves on from being the baby in the "lowly cattle shed" to being "our Lord in Heaven above." Christmas in our culture, with all its commercial enticements, comes as a holiday, and then it's over and it's on to New Year's and travel and football. Too often our faith has the same dynamic. We celebrate the baby in the manger, and we have warm and hopeful feelings and sing songs of joy, and then it's over. We move on, and we pretty much leave the baby in the manger, and forget that this baby was sent to be a ruler and to be a watershed of change in human history. He loves our gifts and our praises, but he also grows up, and he expects our faith to grow with him. He hopes we can grow up into him, allowing his full, mature stature as Christ to impact our living. And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love, For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in Heav'n above, And he leads His children on To the place where He is gone. It isn't some other world, "Heav'n above", where Christ leads us. His "redeeming love" is intended to be a transforming power leading us into this world to confront all things that hold us back from full life and all things that stand in the way of peace and justice and "abundant life" for all. This is where he's "lead(ing) us on...", to a new and more fully redeemed life. What happened "once" in royal David's city, is intended to happen daily in our lives and in the life of this exhausted and searching and hoping world. May Christmas be a season and not just a day, and may the Child grow and redeem-- in you and me and in our world. Wishing you much hope and joy in the Christmas season and the New Year! David S. Moyer Conference Minister |
|
|
|
|
2011 Conference Books Closing
All 2011 giving must be postmarked by
Friday, January 13 to be included in the 2011 receipts.
Please call 608-846-7880 if you have any questions. |
|
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
(website)
dittmannw@uwstout.edu
Southeast:
Tammy Wallsch twallsch@yahoo.com
|
|
Conference Events Calendar
Jesus Core
January 6-8, 2012
Church Renewal Program/Five Practices
January 21, 2012 (Kickoff Event)
German Gospel Tour
August 7-22, 2012
For a complete listing of our events and committee meetings, please see our calendar.
|
|
Do you have friends and who do not receive our newsletter,
Wisconsin Conference Life ?
Tell them to text WCUCC to 22828 to subscribe to the email subscription.
|
Save The Date
Annual Meeting 2012
The Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference will be on June 8-10, 2012.
Mark your calendars! |
|
Jesus Core
January 6-8, 2012
Jesus Core is a retreat for High School Students, individually or with their church groups. Experience faith in community, meaningful worship and great music, silence and time for prayer, getting to know new people and hanging out with friends.
Learn more
|
2011 Annual Report of The Conference Minister
Each year I send out a copy of my annual report in the hope that it might be included with congregational annual reports as a sign of our covenant and the connection of the local church to the Conference and the other settings of the UCC. It is available through this link on our website. I am grateful to all the churches who publish my report with their own local reports. If you would like to receive a mailed copy of this report please email Liisa Analore at lanalore@wcucc.org. |
|
An additional message from our Conference Minister
"The Great Convergence"
A piece by Rev. David Moyer |
|
Correction:
A recent email sent out concerning the recent deaths of three of the original Association Ministers in Wisconsin incorrectly identified Rev. Roy Alberswerth as being the former minister of the Southwest Association. It should have identified him as the former minister to the Southeast Association. We apologize for the error.
|
|
