Fire in the Pews! Wisconsin Conference UCC 2014 Annual Meeting 
The glowing ember of the theme scripture, Ephesians 4: 11-13, lights up the collective consciousness of our community of the Wisconsin Conference-- "God's purpose was to equip God's people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ . . . " In a quick glance at the 2014 Annual Meeting Logo, one can almost feel the Divine Breath blowing across the flame. In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Conference's Lay Academy, "Fire in the Pews!" will celebrate the way laity across Wisconsin are lit up by God's Spirit and continue to be inspired and renewed by the Conference's Lay Academy. Register online |
 | |
Rev. Dr. Ivy Beckwith
|
Thursday Workshop: These Times They Are A-Changin'
With Rev. Dr. Ivy Beckwith, UCC Faith Formation Team Leader We live in a rapidly changing culture and the local church can lag behind caught in outdated and outmoded paradigms. This workshop will explore the generational characteristics and needs of today's young adults, teens, and children discussing ways today's church can live into their lives. Participants will explore paradigm busting tactics for Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Ministry and adult education. Ivy Beckwith is the Faith Formation Team Leader for the national setting of the United Church of Christ. She has served churches in the East and Midwest in the area of Christian Formation and is the author of several books on the subject. She lives in Westlake, Ohio, with her Cairn Terrier, Lola. Thursday, June 5, at Pilgrim Center in the Ley Chapel 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. $30 includes lunch Register
|
|
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. At "Writing a Journey, Discerning a Call," 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 Read more
|
 | |
Call Me Malcolm
|
Exploring Gender Diversity and Social Justice
The Crossing, a campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is hosting Rev. Malcolm Himschoot, who will speak on Gender Diversity and Social Justice within faith communities, using his own perspective and experiences. Rev. Himschoot is an ordained UCC minister and transgender man who has served wider church and local church settings since being featured in the 2005 documentary film Call Me Malcolm (co-produced by the United Church of Christ and Filmworks, Inc.). He has traveled since then to promote gender dialogue and transgender diversity education. Malcolm is a steward for GenderFold Action Alliance, a network by and for transgender and gender variant people in the UCC, building potential and affirming intersections.
Thursday, April 3, 2014, 7:00-8:30pm, at The Crossing, 1127 University Avenue
|
|
Interim Ministry Workshops
Tensions in the Church: What's a Pastor to Do? A workshop for Interim and Transitional Ministers (and those considering this specialized ministry).Using Biblical illustrations and case studies of different kinds of tension-filled situations, we will explore insights and develop strategies for pastoral leadership to help congregations during interim and transitional times.
Workshop leaders: Rev. Linda Kuhn & Rev. Dave King of Sand Bur Consulting, LLC.
One workshop offered in two locations: Tuesday, April 29 Grace UCC, 535 S. Third Ave, Wausau; Thursday, May 15, Wisconsin Conference Trost Center, 4459 Gray Rd, DeForest.
Both workshops run from 9:30am - 3:30pm, with registration beginning at 9am.
Cost: For those with standing in an Association of the Wisconsin Conference UCC: $10. All others are welcome: $60. Includes morning refreshments and lunch. Deadlines: by Friday, April 25, for the Wausau workshop and by Monday, May 12, for the DeForest workshop.
Register for Wausau workshopRegister for DeForest workshop
|
 Great Lakes Regional Youth Event
Deepen your faith, get excited about God's calling for you, and form life-changing friendships at the Great Lakes Regional Youth Event! Every four years, hundreds of youth from around the Great Lakes gather for spirited worship, awesome fun and games, workshops on over 40 topics, engaging service projects, and time for socializing.
More information
|
 Attend Lay Academy
Do you want to deepen your faith and knowledge? Do you want to grow in spiritual maturity? Do you want to gain skills for empowering the ministry of Christ's church? Then Lay Academy is for you! The next sessions of Lay Academy, Faith Foundations Year 1 and Lay Leadership Skills Year 3, are now forming.
Each course meets five weekends per year at the Wisconsin Conference Trost Center in DeForest. The weekend sessions meet from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Lodging is provided at a nearby hotel. Courses are taught by seminary professors, Conference staff and clergy with expertise in a given area. Additional requirements are designed to enhance learning. The Spark by Ruth Schmidt: A Lay Academy Witness More information
|
 First Congregational UCC in Lake Geneva Celebrates 175 years
The First Congregational United Church of Christ in Lake Geneva is holding 175th Anniversary celebrations, and you are invited! There will be a Celebration Dinner on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 6:00 p.m., and a Celebration Worship on Sunday, April 27, at 3:00pm, with Interim Conference Minister Kent Ulery preaching. The church has three choirs, all of which will be performing at the worship.
|
 The Baraboo Tour of Historic Downtown Churches
On April 6, five churches in Baraboo will be taking part in a tour of historic churches featuring symbolism in the church. First Congregational UCC is one of the participating churches. There will also be a stop at nearby Circus World Museum with the movie Parable showing at 1:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
|
 UCC Pastors Featured at 2014 Washington Island Forum
The 2014 Washington Island Forum, sponsored by The Wisconsin Council of Churches & The Christian Century Magazine, features UCC ministers Rev. Lillian Daniel and Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver. The event is scheduled to take place June 23-27, 2014, on Washington Island. More information |
 Castaņeda Lecture - "Insiders Out"
Dr. Laurel C. Schneider, Professor of Religious Studies, Vanderbilt University, will deliver the 2014 Castaņeda Lecture, "Insiders Out," on May 1, 2014. The annual Castaņeda event brings together students, faculty, scholars, activists, faith communities and individuals to engage in religious and theological reflection toward greater justice for LGBTQ individuals and communities. This event will be available free of charge as a live stream at 6:30pm on May 1.Read more |
|
Correction
In the last issue of Wisconsin Conference Life, there was a mistake in the opening article. Rev. Justin Gromoll was ordained at First Congregational Church in Wisconsin Rapids.
Also, Rev. Kim Henning is pastor at Grace Congregational Church in Two Rivers.
|
Image credits:
Thanks to Gary Hueppchen for the use of his canyon photo for the Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy.
Annual Meeting Fire in the Pews! graphic by Rachel Wunsch.
|
|
|
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ | 4459 Gray Road | PO Box 435 | DeForest, WI 53532
|
|
|
| | |
Got News?
|
Let us know! If you have something you'd like considered for publication in
Wisconsin Conference Life, email Nola at the Wisconsin Conference.
|
|
|
