This report reflects highlights from the beginning of my time among you, August 15, 2013.

Life in the Wisconsin Conference in 2014 has been eventful. While the Conference sustains the many programs itemized in previous reports to you at this time of the year, here are some of the most memorable happenings in my tenure thus far.
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Charles E. Brown has been selected as the new Interim Executive Director at Back Bay Mission, a community ministry of the United Church of Christ in Biloxi, Missippi. Mr. Brown began serving on January 1, 2014.
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The Lord is my Jedi, who provides for me always.  The Force of God is peace, he calms my dark side.  God's presence in the landscape restores me.  He guides me to the light side and sets my ship on a straight course.  Even when I'm trapped, frozen, paralyzed, off course, I will fear no evil, for The Force is with me.  Your Love and Light Saber will protect me, defend me, and comfort me home.  The Table is set in the Cantina.  All are invited, all are welcome.  The door is open to friends and enemies alike.  After all I have been through, you still choose me to work for Your Light.  Goodness and Love will follow me for my whole life, and I will dwell in the Force forever.  May the Force be with you. Amen.

 

Written at Jesus Core on Jan 11, 2014 by Mike McKelvey, Alex McMillan, Monica Endres, Marcus Odell, Erik Sutter, Kati Hart, Laura Williams and Sarah Athorp.   

Plan ahead for 2015! The Back Bay Mission has opened its Mission Trips calendar for 2015. Mission trip volunteers work in a variety of Mission programs, including housing rehabilitation, the food pantry, and the Micah Day Center, or with the Mission's sister organization, Loaves and Fishes. Volunteers also have opportunities for education, fellowship and team building. Depending on group size and scheduling, some dates for 2014 may still be available as well.
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Calling young adults ages 19-30: Serve others in one of the Summer Communities of Service, an ecumenical collaboration of UCC Volunteer Ministries and the Alliance of Baptists. Change your life as you change the world! Volunteer opportunities are available in communities around the country. But hurry! Apply by February 15 for Summer 2014. Year-long Young Adult Services Communities for 2014-15 are also available.
Informational flyer
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Christian author, leader and activist, Brian McLaren, is coming to spend the day in Madison on Saturday, March 8, 2014. 

Brian is this year's featured speaker for the Dorris Weidemann Memorial Peace Fund. There will be a full day of programming, including a memorial lecture that will focus on Brian's latest book: Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? This is a book the Huffington Post calls, "A Christ-Like Message of Healing in our Violent Times." The event takes place at First Baptist Church, a progressive Baptist church on Madison's west side.

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Are you concerned about the divisive climate in Wisconsin's civic life?  Do you wonder how you and your congregation can play a constructive role in modeling a more life-giving approach to our differences in both church and the wider culture? The Wisconsin Council of Churches, Edgewood College and Parker Palmer's Center for Courage and Renewal are piloting an 8-week online learning experience for up to 60 Wisconsin clergy focusing on Palmer's recent book Healing the Heart of Democracy: How to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit.The program starts March 3, 2014, and applications are due February 3, 2014.
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Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ | 4459 Gray Road | PO Box 435 | DeForest, WI  53532

   

Youth Faith Formation Retreat
Pilgrim Center
February 28-March 2, 2014
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Registration

The Windsor United Church of Christ 

is the closest Wisconsin Conference church to the Conference offices, with its steeple visible from inside the Trost Center. Led by pastor Dave McDonald and associate pastor Julie Overman, this church, founded in 1858, has active Sunday school, vacation bible school, and music groups, and has an active outreach program serving the local community.