Welcome to Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ |
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Welcome
by Lisa Hart, Youth Ministries Coordinator
 | Lisa Hart
Youth Ministries Coordinator
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Early in January, sixty youth and adults gathered at Pilgrim Center for Jesus Core. This annual retreat for high school youth focuses on exploring where they are on their faith journey and on deepening their faith. This year's theme focused on the significance of water in our faith, specifically baptismal water.
Throughout the weekend, we used symbols and rituals designed to help participants reflect on the baptism of Jesus and the significance of their own baptism. The symbols and rituals added a richness to our discussions and reflections. In Holy Things For Youth Ministry, Fred P. Edie suggests that "Symbols, like the liturgy that puts them into play, are often preceded by the word 'just'. 'It's just a symbol,' or 'That's just a ritual'...Incarnation means, however, that God's extraordinary saving presence may be communicated through ordinary water in a commonplace bath." He goes on to say that "Symbols hold the capacity to stir our hearts if we learn how to attend to them."
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New Hope UCC, Jackson, WI
Receives Grant to Help Children in Kenya
In Kenya, discrimination and injustice can be seen everywhere. New Hope UCC's Genesis Grant will be used to provide schools in Kenya with computer labs, libraries and resource rooms. The congregation hopes to ultimately reduce intolerance and increase justice among the people of Kenya by giving children access to knowledge and information. Read story
The UCC Make a Difference! Genesis Fund provides seed money for faith-based projects that are innovative or experimental, that represent a new initiative in Christian mission, or that may be deemed controversial. Genesis Fund grants are made for domestic and international projects.
Next deadline: March 15, 2012. More info |
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 |
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. |
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Menu Selections
by Rev. Jim Imse, Pastor Congregational UCC - Mellen
There's a new restaurant in town, called The Pastor's Pasture. The waiter recommends the crow. It is particularly delicious this evening.
I grumpily signed up for an unnecessary and expensive insult to my intelligence and dignity, and found that I was completely wrong. The Clergy Development Group has proven to be both a grace and a pleasure. While it's a long drive, what isn't from Mellen at the lonely edge of remote? And it costs a bit, but there's both a scholarship from the Association and a satisfaction.
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From Our National Office...
Many have inquired about our plans to follow-up with a thorough evaluation of Mission: 1. I am happy to share the news that Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi has accepted an additional assignment to lead us in this important process over the next three months in order to discern the fuller impact and learnings gleaned from Mission: 1, both within our congregations and on the denomination as a whole. It is our hope that we will have preliminary results to share with the Executive Council Development Committee in March and more final analysis in time for the Annual Consultation in April. Findings also will be shared with the wider church through the help of the PIC Ministry Team.
Kristina is currently serving an 18-month position as the UCC's Minister for Christian Faith Formation Research in the Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, where she is heading up an assessment of faith formation practices and future needs among our churches. Kristina's position has been expanded temporarily to include her work on the Mission: 1 evaluation, in addition to her continuing work on faith formation research.
Kristina is a trained researcher and evaluator. She brings a wealth of knowledge to this kind of work, and the Collegium is delighted that she is willing to take on this important task.
Respectfully,
Ben Guess |
 Welcome...(continued)
As I read this, I found myself reflecting on how often I hear statements such as, "it's just the youth" or "it's just youth ministry". As we focus on the business of being the church, dealing with day to day concerns, it can be easy to dismiss the youth. Too often we think of youth ministry as something "extra" that we offer if we have the time, the volunteers or staff, or the money. And, yet, I am reminded that youth 'have the capacity to stir our hearts if we learn how to attend to them.'
We have many reasons to be attentive to youth ministry: - We made promises at their baptism to bring them up in the faith. This means that we have promised to be engaged in their lives; to accompany and support them on their faith journey.
- We have a responsibility to be intentional when ministering to youth...we are forming disciples. If we don't make this connection with them when they are youth, they are very unlikely to return to the church as adults.
- When youth feel connected to their church, they bring energy, hope and passion to the life of that congregation.
- Youth who feel accepted are not afraid to ask questions. They can bring new understanding and renewed vision.
- Youth are pulled in many directions...they are offered many opportunities. They need to feel that what the church has to offer them has relevance and meaning to their lives now. We need to believe that the church has something to offer that is valuable and not present in the other areas of their lives.
Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.'(Mark 10:14) I have to believe that Jesus would have included youth in this invitation. Youth are inquisitive beings who are actively seeking meaning for their lives. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to walk with them on this journey, but first we need to extend the invitation. It takes time and energy...it may feel like you are entering uncharted waters...but if you extend the invitation and are attentive to youth ministry, the youth will 'stir your heart' and enrich the life of your congregation. Blessings, Lisa Hart |
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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
(website)
dittmannw@uwstout.edu
Southeast:
Tammy Wallsch twallsch@yahoo.com
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United Church Camps Now Offers Online Registration
Online Registration is up and running.
Go to ucci.org
Click on the "Online Registration" link
Follow the easy steps to create an account.
Once you have set up your account you can register for any of our wonderful 2012 events! We are so excited to share in the blessings of meaningful, memorable time together. We warmly welcome you to experience the hospitality, sanctuary, and ministry that Moon Beach and Pilgrim Center have to offer!
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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.
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Do you have friends who do not receive our newsletter,
Wisconsin Conference Life ?
Tell them to text WCUCC to 22828 to subscribe to the email subscription.
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Save The Date
Annual Meeting 2012
The Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference will be on June 8-10, 2012.
Mark your calendars! |
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