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Wisconsin Conference Life Newsletter


March 18, 2014 
Rev. Michael Obenauer

Moving Forward

I was privileged recently to help celebrate the ordination of the Rev. Justin Grommoll at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in River Falls. Every time I participate in an ordination, I repeat the ordination vows which I took when I was ordained. It is somewhat like being present at a baptism, where love and community are celebrated, and faith in the future is affirmed. As we together laid our hands on Justin, I experienced again the power of the founding motto of the United Church of Christ, "that they may all be one." I left this gathering with great hope for the future . . . with new, vital leadership added to already vibrant leadership, with the community of faith affirmed and strengthened, with a vision for the future burning brightly, leading us forward.

 

I was reminded of another recent experience with being in the larger United Church of Christ as I drove home from River Falls on the first above-freezing afternoon.
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Southwest Association's Bethlehem Partnership Broadens to Engage the Wider Conference

R
ead about the opportunities for you and your congregation

In 2004, the Southwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference UCC voted to establish a partnership with Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Over the past ten years, several delegations of clergy and lay people have traveled to the Holy Land not only to see the places where Jesus walked but also to listen to the voices of the people who live in the land of his birth. We have hosted Palestinian and Israeli speakers--and a dance troupe from the Diyar Academy (an outreach project of Christmas Lutheran Church)--who have helped us grow in our understanding and relationship with our sisters and brothers in Palestine. Some of our churches have used resources--local speakers, books, films, study guides--to learn more about the faith and life of Palestinians and Israelis; some of our churches have raised money to support the work of the Bethlehem Church and Diyar Consortium, its institutional arm. In 2010, Rev. Mitri Raheb was the Thursday Workshop Speaker and one of the preachers at the Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference. Our partnership has nourished our faith and increased our understanding. Our minds and hearts have been changed.

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Flag of Lesotho
Mark Behle, Missionary to Lesotho, to Visit Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Conference is delighted with the opportunity afforded to congregations to welcome Mark Behle in October 2014.  Mark has served as a Common Global Ministries missionary in Africa since 1985. He first served as a Math Teacher in a secondary school in Kafue, Zambia, for eleven years. Mark has served since 1996 in Lesotho, first as a Math and Religion Teacher in a secondary school, and since 2011, as a planning officer for the Lesotho Evangelical Church.

 

Mark is available to visit local congregations in the Wisconsin Conference during the month of October, on Sunday mornings, or at other times when he might present a program on his experiences for congregations and communities. These visits will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please be advised that Mark's time in October will be shared between the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Illinois Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

 

The Rev. Bill Kesting, pastor of St. James UCC and St. Marks UCC in Cleveland, and the Rev. Kim Henning, pastor of Grace United Church of Christ in Two Harbors, will serve as co-coordinators of Mark's visit in the Wisconsin Conference.  You may contact them to reserve your congregation's date.  Please keep in mind, the earlier you make your plans, the more assured you can be that you will receive a visit from Mark Behle.

 

Rev. Bill Kesting: 920-693-3299 

Rev. Kim Henning: 920-553-2888 

Navigating the New UCC Ministerial Profile System and Discerning Your Personal Path

Take time for self-care in this busy Lenten Season!

 

In support of Wisconsin Conference UCC clergy, we are fortunate to engage the Rev. Malcolm Himschoot to lead a day of learning and reflection around the UCC's new ministerial profile system.

 

Malcolm is the Minister for Ministerial Transition, on the MESA Team (Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization) in the United Church of Christ Church House in Cleveland. Malcolm will blend elements of spiritual journey with education and learning about recent developments in the new profile system and how authorized ministry is defined and described in the United Church of Christ. Malcolm describes this day as a "mini-retreat, engaging the whole person - mind, body, and spirit."

Saturday, April 5, 2014, 9:00am - 4:00pm, Trost Center, DeForest
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Register
Summer Internship Opportunity at Back Bay Mission

Back Bay Mission Opens Applications for 2014 Shari Prestemon Social Justice Internship

 

The Shari Prestemon Social Justice Internship provides a member of the United Church of Christ between the ages of 19 and 35 with a unique opportunity to participate in a 10-week summer program tailored to their interests. Drawing on the Mission's long experience in community engagement and advocacy for justice, the internship will nurture participants' passion for social justice and develop their appreciation for the church's role in seeking social justice.

 

In order to attract the highest quality candidates, interns are generously provided for while at the Mission. Interns have the cost of their travel to and from Biloxi covered by Back Bay Mission, stay in Mission housing while in Biloxi and receive a stipend of $250 per week. During their time at the Mission, interns will work in each program and engage in reflection with Mission staff.

More information 

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb
Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb to Speak

The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, and President of the Diyar Consortium (Global Ministries partners), will be in the US in the coming weeks to promote his new book, Faith in the Face of Empire. He will be presenting in Dubuque, Iowa, Madison, Wisconsin, and Belvidere, Illinois, on March 31. Mitri is an active promoter of a positive Palestinian presence in the midst of occupation. Contact Dr. Peter Makari with any questions.  
Speaking schedule
Upcoming Wisconsin Conference Events

Tensions in the Church: What's a Pastor to Do? 
A workshop for Interim and Transitional Ministers (and those considering this specialized ministry) 
Two dates and locations to choose from: 
Tuesday, April 29, Grace UCC, Wausau, or 
Thursday, May 15, Wisconsin Conference Trost Center 
More information
Wausau workshop registration
DeForest workshop registration

 

Great Lakes Regional Youth Event 
July 10-13, 2014, Lakeland College, Sheboygan
Contact:  Sharon Nelson  
More information and registration

Lay Academy

Faith Foundations Year 1 and Lay Leadership Skills Year 3

Five weekends, September 2014 through April 2015, Trost Center, DeForest

More information and registration   

 

FIRE in the pews! 
June 6 - 8, 2014
Green Lake Conference Center
More details coming soon 
http://www.preventsuicidewi.org/registration-communities-in-action.aspx
Fourth Annual Communities in Action to Prevent Suicide Conference

Tuesday, April 29, 2014
8:00am - 4:00pm
Holiday Inn, Stevens Point

A conference for school professionals, emergency services, law enforcement, mental health professionals, AODA professionals, veteran groups, clergy, healthcare providers, community coalitions - existing and starting, and anyone interested in suicide prevention on the local and state level.
Brochure and registration 


Image credit: Lesotho flag by Zscout370 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons. Unchanged. 

  

Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ | 4459 Gray Road | PO Box 435 | DeForest, WI  53532
In This Issue
Bethlehem Partnership Opportunities
Missionary Visit
Malcolm Himschoot event
Summer Internship
Pastor from Bethlehem to Speak
Upcoming Conference Events
Suicide Prevention Conference
Quick Links
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Church Spotlight
 
St. Paul's United Church of Christ is one of the Wisconsin Conference's largest churches, and has consistently been among the 100 largest congregations in the United Church of Christ. St. Paul's has a strong emphasis on preaching and music, and hosts several reach-out ministries, such as a jail and prison ministry, an organization that provides support to local Indian Tribes, and a place for health care and medical support. Every Tuesday evening, the church hosts a "neighborhood meal" that serves 120 to 150 each week.  
 
Organ Available
 
A Baldwin Fantasia Electronic Organ is available for donation to a church. The organ is in excellent condition with two keyboards and a full pedal board. The recipient should be prepared to move the organ. Contact Chuck Krueger at 920-609-5580. 
 

Fire in the Pews!

Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting

June 6-8, 2014
Green Lake Conference Center 


 
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