 Looking at Life Through God's Lens
by Lisa Hart
I recently returned from moving my youngest child to UCLA to begin her freshman year of college. UCLA is a beautiful campus, with lots of hills and stairs to climb. While the students will never be able to claim that they walked uphill in snow and ice to and from class, they can honestly claim to walk uphill both to and from class.
During my time on campus, I became aware of my tendency to look at things through the lens of my personal experience. I found myself wondering how Kati would handle the long walks to class once it was cold, and what it would be like to walk the hills and the stairs once it was icy. Almost as soon as I had those thoughts I would laugh at myself, realizing that those are conditions she will not have to deal with. The ice and the cold are my realities here in Wisconsin, but her reality in California will be much different.
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Special Meeting to Vote on Conference Minister Candidate
Churches, please send your delegates to this important meeting
A special meeting of the Wisconsin Conference has been called for Saturday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m. to vote on the
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Rev. Franz Rigert
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candidate brought forth by the Board of Directors for Conference Minister. This meeting will be held at First Congregational UCC in Wisconsin Rapids. Read the official meeting notice here.
All church delegates and clergy are asked to attend this important meeting in our common life as we engage the Rev. Franz Rigert in discerning our future together. Find more information about Rev. Rigert here.
If you have any questions about church representation and delegate selection please read "Who Can Vote?"
We ask that all attending the Call Meeting register online. More information can be found on the Wisconsin Conference website.
Meet Rev. Rigert in October at one of the remaining sessions around the Conference: (no registration needed for these sessions)
- October 11, 11:00-Noon, Sheboygan First Congregational UCC
- October 18, 11:00-Noon, Moon Beach Camp
- October 18, 4:00-5:00, Eau Claire First Congregational UCC
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National UCC Yearbook Offers Opt-out on Personal Data
You can opt out of having your personal information published in the national UCC Yearbook & Directory and Access UCC. Go to the UCC opt-out website before December 31, 2014, to update your privacy preferences using your personal denominational ID number. Be on the look out for a postcard in the mail from the UCC Center for Analytics, Research and Data (CARD). This postcard will have your ID number printed on it. |
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How Can the Wisconsin Conference be a Catalyst for Congregational Renewal?
Share your experiences and ideas on renewal
In mid-October at different locations around the state, the Conference Church Development and Renewal Team is inviting you to participate in an upcoming conversation gathering to talk about this question.
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Knock Knock Middle School Retreat
November 21-23, 2014
Pilgrim Center
Join us for this retreat for middle school youth groups and their leaders! Knock Knock is designed to help groups bond as the youth explore some of the many issues they will encounter during their middle school years...and beyond. Leadership is provided by the Conference Youth Ministry Team (CYMT), the Drama Team and Bryan Sirchio. Cost: $145 per registrant. Register early...there is limited space! More informationRegistration
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 Turnaround Church
February 27-28, 2015
Trost Center, DeForest
Is your congregation ready for something new? Do you believe that your church has the potential for revitalization, if only you knew what to do? The key to growing a church is to build relationships with people in your community by offering a genuine welcome to your congregation. Many of us have forgotten the simple, practical ways that members reach out to new people that used to be a natural part of church life. In this workshop, you'll learn how to turn your hopes and good intentions into action through planning, teamwork, and fun. More information and registration
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 Neal Plantinga Featured at Second Annual Mutton Lectureship
Cornelius Plantinga Jr. will give the Second Annual Robert Mutton Lecture on November 22, 2014. Dr. Plantinga will discuss his latest book, Reading for Preaching, as well as explore the topic "Preaching Sin and Grace in a No-Fault Culture." Plantinga is Senior Research Fellow at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and president emeritus of Calvin Theological Seminary.
Time: Saturday, November 22, 2014, 9:00am - 3:00pm; registration and coffee 8:30
Place: Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ Trost Center
4459 Gray Road, DeForest, WI 53532
Register here for the event, which includes morning coffee and lunch for a total cost of $15. |
 Hear Diana Butler Bass Speak
Saturday, March 21, 2015: First Congregational UCC, Eau Claire
Sunday, March 22, 2015: First Congregational UCC, Watertown
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Economic Justice Forum at Lake Edge UCC Hosts Dr. Edith Rasell
The gap between rich and poor is widening. The middle class is disappearing. God created a world of abundance. Why is there so much poverty and economic distress? Join Lake Edge UCC in Madison for a conversation with Dr. Edith Rasell, the Economic Justice Minister for UCC Justice and Witness Ministries, Sunday, October 26, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
More information
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Outdoor Ministry Matters
The United Church Camps, Inc., and Wisconsin Conference UCC "Camp-ital Campaign" is underway! Read an update of how the Campaign is going here. |
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This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | PO Box 435 | DeForest, WI 53532
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Church Spotlight 
This church in the Southeast Association was founded in 1862 and used to meet in the first brick and stone building in Wisconsin. Now, the congregation meets in a new building that opened in 2008, after a tragic fire in late 2005. The church's pastor is Rev. Jim Gorman.
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Is your church considering an Open and Affirming Process? The Wisconsin Conference has a committee to help! Please feel free to use us as resources for your discussions and preparations. Contact Micah Schlobohm or Rich Fluechtling of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Committee on Ministry with LGBTQ Persons. |
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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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