|
|
|
Imagine
 | | Lisa Hart, Coordinator for Youth Ministry |
by Lisa Hart, Coordinator for Youth Ministry
Over the years, church leaders have talked to me about the power of wider-church experiences they had as youth. I often witness the life-changing and faith-forming experiences that our youth have at these events. I truly believe that while the local congregation provides the foundation and ongoing nurture of faith formation, wider-church events often play a significant role in youth choosing to "own" their faith and developing a desire to deepen that faith. read on> |
2012 Annual Meeting Promises to Inspire, Energize and Rejuvenate
Make your plans now to join us at the 2012 Annual Meeting
¬ Connect with friends old and new
¬ Expand your knowledge through our great lineup of speakers
¬ Engage in lively discussion
¬ Be the voice of your congregation
More than ever, our neighbors are people from different countries and religious traditions. Whether we live in northern Wisconsin or in Milwaukee, a better understanding of other faiths is necessary and good if we are to live in community with each other. This is especially true about the three traditions that share common roots: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
This year's Annual Meeting with give us a deeper understanding, broader perspective, and insights into how we can learn from different religious traditions and, in turn, enhance our own faith.
A good beginning to greater understanding is learning about the texts that are sacred to the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. This year at the Wisconsin Conference UCC Annual Meeting we will hear from expert speakers representing the Abrahamic faiths - Charles Cohen, Karl Kuhn, and Othman Atta, with Peter Makari, from the national UCC staff. Their first panel discussion will focus on the sacred texts of each faith tradition. Do we really understand the importance of the Torah, the Bible and the Koran? What is the authority of each? What do they share? read more |
| On Back Bay Mission..
by Rev. Bonnie Van Overbeke
I have now finished my first week of my volunteer month at Back Bay Mission. I've learned a lot - and eaten a lot of shrimp! Lucky me. I thought I would update you all (see I already have picked up the lingo) on what is going on here. First, it seems that most of the recovery from Hurricane Katrina is completed; at least all that will be rebuilt. The communities along the Gulf Coast are about 80% back although it may not be the same population and many people have relocated their homes away from the beach to be safer in case of another hurricane. Most businesses are back and, of course, the Casinos are thriving! read on> |
WCUCC Lay Academy Builds Stronger Congregations
 The Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy offers an exciting and provocative opportunity for adult learning! Lay Academy courses are taught by experts from the Wisconsin Conference, national leaders in the UCC, and nationally renowned theological professors. Lay Academy instructors are humorous, knowledgeable and very approachable.
By bringing in professors and ministers who are dynamic teachers in their area of expertise, the Conference offers a high quality educational experience that would be difficult to replicate at the local church level. Instructors and participants in The Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy continually recognize it as one of the best teaching ministries within the United Church of Christ.
|
9 Ways the Life of Faith is Like Running
by Quinn G. Caldwell
I've recently become something of a runner, and the more I've done it, the more convinced I've become that the running metaphors one finds all over the New Testament work quite well.
1. Most of the time, it feels like work...But every once in a while, it feels like flying.
read more> |
UCC Musicians National Network Conference
June 22-25, 2012
 The United Church of Christ Musicians National Network (UCCMNN) will be holding their 2012 biennial conference "Renew, Refresh, Re-imagine" from June 22-25, 2012 at the Country Club Congregational Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
This event is for musicians, pastors, liturgical artists, worship planners, and anyone interested in the worship life of the church! The 2012 conference will feature Maren Tirabassi, Paul Hobson Sadler, Christopher Grundy, and composer and guest artist Craig Courtney. For complete information visit the UCCMNN website. The UCCMNN is sponsored by Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ thanks to your generous support to Our Church's Wider Mission.
|
Your Gifts Made a Difference - Thank You!
The letter below was received from the Rev. Frank Picard of Minot, North Dakota. You will recall that in 2011 the city of Minot, in northern North Dakota, was subjected to dramatic flooding. Frank was a Student In Care of the Northwest Association and, upon graduation from United Theological Seminary, he was ordained. He wrote to us as friends in Wisconsin to ask for assistance as his congregation, Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot, sought to help people of the community deal with the catastrophe and then recover and rebuild. In his note, Pastor Picard offers his appreciation on behalf of the congregation for all the gifts that came from Wisconsin. read the letter> |
|
|
|
|
|
Association Annual Meetings
Northeast
Saturday April 21
St. Peter's UCC, Kiel
Information
Northwest
Saturday, April 28
First Congregational UCC, Wisconsin Rapids
Southeast
Saturday, April 28
Zion UCC, Milwaukee
Information
Southwest
Saturday, May 5
First UCC, Sauk City
|
|
PO Box 435
De Forest, WI 53532
|
National Youth Event Registration Reminder
National Youth Event registration is available online through May 21. The Wisconsin Conference has a long history of making it possible for individuals from churches to be able to attend NYE. For this reason, we ask that when you register, you indicate that the group you are with is the "Wisconsin Conference".read more>
|
|
