Everyone Can Do Something...

Report on Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice  

by Christina Schoenwetter, First Congregational UCC, Madison

 

Imagine a culture of peace. No violence.  Loving and treating 

Christina Schoenwetter

others as brother and sister.  In today's society and in our world, I find imagining a culture of peace to be extremely challenging.  Random, senseless shootings on highways and in neighborhoods and businesses; home invasions; human rights violations; violence directed toward those different from ourselves; domestic, sexual, and gender-based crimes; foreign wars; racial profiling investigations; police brutality; manipulating and pitting one another against each other--the list goes on.  When do we hear about peace-building initiatives?  Is a culture of peace obtainable? 

This past March I attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice in Washington D.C.  Nearly 1,000 people of different faiths from as far away as Alaska and Sri Lanka gathered to learn, reflect, develop advocacy skills, network, learn about other denominations, worship in different styles, and participate in liturgical art design.  The focus was on resisting violence and building peace. 

The opening keynote speaker, Rev. John Dear, was captivating and inspirational.  He leads by example through his actions, sermons, writings, demonstrations, and speeches and has spent over three decades fighting for peace and justice.  Listening to his experiences struck my core and ignited a fire in my soul. Read more>

United Church of Christ, Congregational in Delavan Adopts Open & Affirming Mission Statement

After a nine month engagement in study and prayerful discernment, the members of United Church of Christ, Congregational in Delavan voted to adopt an Open & Affirming mission statement on Sunday, May 4th.

The statement reads:

"We, the congregation of the United Church of Christ-Congregational, Delavan, embrace the designation of Open and Affirming. We regard all persons as creations made in God's very image, regardless of sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or expression, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, abilities, economic status, family structure, or any other label that would seek to divide rather than unite. We affirm the rights and responsibilities to all of full participation in the ministry of our church."

In response to the affirmative vote, Rev. Laura McLeod remarked "I'm so proud of the loving, brave and gracious congregation it is my privilege to serve!"

As its first official act as an Open & Affirming congregation, United Church of Christ, Congregational will host the celebration of the ordination of Erik Koepnick on Saturday, May 31st at 2 pm.  

Read more about this congregation's process to becoming Open & Affirming > 

Conference ONA Vote to Take Place at Annual Meeting  

At the 2013 Annual Meeting, the The Wisconsin Conference voted to undergo a year of study regarding whether the Conference should become Open and Affirming. This year is nearly over and the final vote on this issue will take place on Saturday, June 7, at the 2014 Annual Meeting in Green Lake.  

Read the ONA resolution
More information about Annual Meeting 

"Mission: Our Calling as the Church"

Read Rev. Michael Obenauer's sermon, "Mission: Our Calling as the Church," delivered at St. John's UCC in Black Creek during the Northeast Association Annual Meeting on April 26, 2014.

Read sermon 

Register Now for the Great Lakes Regional Youth Event: Space is Running Out 

The Great Lakes Regional Youth Event, held this year at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, June 10-13, is nearly 2/3 full. Registration goes through June 30, 2014, but is expected to fill up before then. Get those registrations in ASAP! 

More information

Youth registration
Adult registration 

Light Your Fire with the Lay Academy  

Deepen your faith and knowledge, grow in spiritual maturity and gain skills for empowering the ministry of God's church! The Lay Academy starts anew this fall. Registration is available through July 31, 2014, for Faith Foundations Year 1 and Lay Leadership Skills Year 3. 

More information and registration

UCC History and Polity with Dr. Martha Baumer

This UCC History and Polity course is an introduction to the United Church of Christ and is appropriate for any person interested in UCC history and polity. The course meets online weekly on Wednesdays starting September 10, and runs through October 29.  

More information and registration