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Springtime Reflections
by Rev. Art Wille, Associate Conference Minister
 | | Rev. Art Wille, Associate Conference Minister |
A springtime ritual at my childhood grade school was the Maypole dance. Each spring the physical education teacher would instruct the sixth graders how to perform this folk dance. Many colorful cloth ribbons hung down from the top of a pole that must have been at least ten feet tall. The students were taught to dance forward and back to the rhythm of the music, and then begin dancing among one another in a manner that wove a pattern with the ribbons. The effect was to weave all of the individual colors together into a pattern that was very attractive. It took instruction for the children to know how to produce that lovely pattern.
I thought of that childhood event when Cathy and I attended the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert on Friday evening, May 4th. Read on> |
Strengthen The Church Changes Congregations, Changes Lives
On Sunday, May 27 - Pentecost - we will be receiving the Strengthen the Church special mission offering of the United Church of Christ. This offering builds the UCC's future. It funds new congregations and renews existing ones. It supports programs for youth
 and young adults and nurtures current and future leaders. Strengthen the Church gifts help to create vibrant church communities of extravagant welcome.
In the Wisconsin Conference, Strengthen the Church offerings are used for ministries such as coaching for congregations seeking to grow or develop new ministries, new church starts, and the Conference's Church Renewal and Turn-Around Church Programs.
Fully half of what is received in the Strengthen the Church offering stays right here in the Wisconsin Conference. In the past year -
- 15 congregations participated in the Church Renewal Program
- 14 congregations attended the Turn-Around Church Workshop
This year, Rev. Dave Moyer and Ann Moyer will honor each of the Conference's 224 churches by giving $224 to Strengthen the Church.
Please make this opportunity available to the members of your congregation. In 2011, 130 of our congregations participated (thank you!). Imagine the possibilities with even wider participation!
Strengthen the Church resources from UCC |
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To register for Annual Meeting!
Pastors, Lay Leaders, Delegates, Inquisitive Learners...
don't miss this energizing event!
Where else can you experience 2 full days of informative workshops, enlightening discussion, and the fellowship of good friends, for $60?!
Check out all the great speakers, workshops and panels at wcucc.org/annualmeeting.
Keynote Speakers:
- Othman Atta, Esq., Islamic Society of Milwaukee
- Charles Cohen, Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahamic Religion- Karl Kuhn, Lakeland College- Dr. Peter Makari, United Church of Christ- Dan Pawlus And don't miss the Thursday workshop featuring Rev. Geoffrey Black, June 7 more info> |
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Business of the 2012 Annual Meeting
While the Annual Meeting provides opportunities to reconnect, renew and revitalize, an equally important component to the meeting are the business items. The work of the Wisconsin Conference is shaped through the business conducted.
This year, background materials for votes at the Annual Meeting are:
Make your plans now to be part of the business of the Wisconsin Conference. Register now!>
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Local Church Treasurers Take Note -
Small business health insurance tax credit
by the Wisconsin Conference Treasurer
Visit the IRS website to learn about this tax credit that could provide a payment to your church from the federal government.
If your congregation has only one employee (the minister) and does not withhold income tax or medicare tax, then you will not benefit.
For many congregations there is money to be gotten by completing the Form 8941 and filing with Form 990-T. The forms are attached or you can go to www.irs.gov and search by form number. The instructions for Form 8941 say it will take 3-4 hours to learn about the law and fill out the form. I think you can do it in less time.
The official file deadline was May 15 if you are using a calendar year for accounting purposes. However, there is no penalty for filing later.
(I have filed for two religious organizations. One with a small staff got about $1,900. The other with more staff got $8,000.) |
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7 Thoughts on the Spirituality of Sunshine by Connie Larkman
 Take a lesson from nature and capitalize on one of God's gifts. Be like the animals who bask in the warm glow from above on a sunny day, but be mindful of your limits. Reach for your spiritual self as you celebrate sunshine.
Thought #3 The radiance of sunshine makes everything brighter, newer, somehow better than before. Use it. read more>
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Trustees Initiate "Seminary Exploratory Year" Scholarship for UCC students
The Eden Seminary Board of Trustees has initiated scholarship covering full tuition for an "exploratory year" for entering United Church of Christ Master of Divinity students. The scholarship affirms Eden's historic engagement with the United Church of Christ. The board chair, Virginia Toliver, said "Eden trustees are opening a way for women and men eager to explore God's call to ministry but restricted because of finances. Although the trustees want very much to open such a scholarship to the broad ecumenical community, we have acted today to begin with Eden's core church relationship-the UCC." read on> |
Harry Potter and MADD Camps!
Mike Klemp-North, Director of Pilgrim Center
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Mike Klemp-North, Acting Director of Outdoor Ministry at Pilgrim Center |
Do you wish you were a witch or wizard and eagerly awaiting your Hogwarts acceptance letter? Then grab your cloaks and wand and come to Harry Potter Camp! During your time here you will be able to take a stroll down Diagon alley, be sorted, compete in the Triwizard Tournament and even learn to play quidditch! After breakfast (watch out for the owl post), we'll start our day by learning about parables, then you'll attend magic classes including potions, charms, divination and a night time astronomy lesson. Come to Harry Potter camp to share your passion for the great books, enjoy themed activities and make new friends! - Katie D.
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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>
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PO Box 435
De Forest, WI 53532
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