 Krista's Christmas
by Rev. Kent Ulery
It was the annual Christmas pageant at my sister's church. My then three-year-old niece, Krista, was to play the part of Mary, while her big brother, five-year-old Jacob, assumed the role of Joseph. The traditional script called for their Sunday School class to sing a carol while Jacob walked down the center aisle, staff in hand, Krista walking beside him carrying her doll baby. When both reach the chancel, Jacob was to stand in a certain spot, as Krista gently laid her doll baby down to rest in the manger.
Simple enough, right?
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 New Ministerial Profile Process to Begin January 31, 2014
The United Church of Christ has created a new Ministerial Profile process that will start on January 31, 2014. This new process will mobilize ministers in search of varied opportunities, standardize the profile validation process for Conferences and Associations, and improve search capabilities among profiles.
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 Conference Minister Search Committee Update
The Search Committee for a new Conference Minister is hard at work. The Rev. Jane Anderson provides great leadership as chair of the Committee. For our initial meeting, the Committee gathered with the Wisconsin Conference Board of Directors for a "visioning" retreat held at Moon Beach in September. The Rev. Susan Towner-Larsen, Minister of Conference Relations for the national UCC, provided much wisdom and shared guidelines for the Conference Minister search process. The Search Committee plans to meet once a month at the Wisconsin Conference Center in DeForest throughout the coming year.
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 New Email Addresses
Rebecca Johnston and Donald Baumann, the short-term Associate Ministers for the Northeast and Northwest Associations, respectively, have new email addresses. Please use these to communicate with Becky and Don.
Becky Johnston: rjohnston@wcucc.org
Don Baumann: dbaumann@wcucc.org
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 Did You Know?
- Did you know that the Wisconsin Conference Committee for Ministry to LGBTQ Individuals proposed a Resolution to declare the Wisconsin Conference an Open and Affirming Conference?
- Did you know that this resolution covers the Conference itself, and not individual congregations?
- Did you know this resolution will be voted on at the 2014 Annual Meeting?
- Did you know that congregations received a short Study Guide that should be reviewed regarding the Resolution and a response indicating that review should be sent to the Conference Office by March 1st?
- Did you know that the review does not need to be done by the entire congregation, but can be done by a small group of individuals within each church?
In order to get the resolution on the ballot at the 2014 Annual Meeting, there must be responses from 30% of churches.
Study Guide for Congregations
Response Sheet - Please return to the Conference office by March 1, 2014!
If you have any questions, here is a listing of Committee members. The committee chair is Rev. Micah Schlobohm.
Please make sure that your church takes a few minutes to complete this important discussion!
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New Directions to the Conference Office
If you have driven to the Conference office lately, you probably know there is road construction on Hwy 51. The project's Phase 1 has been completed, which means that the intersection of Gray Road with Hwy 51 has been permanently closed. Access to the Conference office from Hwy 51, going north or south, is currently at Windsor Road.
Exit Hwy 51 at Windsor Road, and navigate the three roundabouts to go west. Turn north (right) at North Towne Road, which is a new frontage road. This street meets up with Gray Road. Turn left onto Gray Road, stop at the railroad tracks, and then the Trost Center will be on your left. Welcome!
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 Join the Wisconsin Conference at an Upcoming Event |
 Women's Wild Winter Weekends at Moon Beach
It's not too early to start planning for the Women's Wild Winter Weekends
at Moon Beach.
Feb. 28 - March 2, 2014 and March 7-9, 2014
ucci.org
Rev. Pat Tucker will again be with us to help us explore "The Wind," with a special craft project on that theme. We have planned crafts, worship and various sessions with you in mind. If nature is kind to us, there will be enough snow to enjoy the newly improved trails around camp. The "Little Dresses for Africa / Haiti" was such a popular mission project in 2012 and we will do that again. More details to come closer to our weekends.
That's a sneak peak of what awaits you for your winter get-away to the Wisconsin North woods! Registration will begin Jan. 1, 2014.
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Interfaith Power and Light Preach-In on Climate Change
February 14-16, 2014
The Preach-In is Interfaith Power & Light's biggest event of the year. On the weekend of Valentine's Day (Feb. 14, 15, 16), thousands of faith leaders will join together in preaching and teaching about climate change and love of Creation.
This year's theme is "I Will" do my part to protect the climate for future generations. Together, we will send tens of thousands of Love Creation postcards to senators, asking them if they will do their part.
Pre-register
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Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ | 4459 Gray Road | PO Box 435 | DeForest, WI 53532
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Church Spotlight
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 First Congregational Church, Wisconsin Rapids
Rev. Paul Veldman has been the Senior Minister this church in the Northwest Association since 2003. This church is particularly proud of its musical talents and of its local, national and international mission programs. |
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Church Furniture for Sale
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Greg and Beth Welsh have recently purchased the former Albion Prairie Primitive Methodist Church and have 12 nine-foot pews for sale, as well as some other church-related lighting and furniture. Please call 608-438-8470 for more information.
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Lenten Lectionary Workshop
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Lakeland College Mission House Center is hosting a Lenten Lectionary Workshop featuring Rev. Dr. J. Clinton McCann on January 24, 2014.
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The Parish Paper
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The Parish Paper provides ideas, insights, research-findings, and practical methods that strengthen the effectiveness of congregations in accomplishing God's purposes through their various ministries. The Wisconsin Conference subscribes to The Parish Paper, and you can access issues at this link.
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Got News?
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Let us know! If you have something you'd like considered for publication in
Wisconsin Conference Life, email Nola at the Wisconsin Conference.
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