"Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:8

This morning I ventured out for a jog along Lake Wisconsin, just north of Lodi. Despite the lingering darkness and frigid temperature I had been cooped up long enough! Bundled and braced for the cold, I had no anticipation of encountering the sacred. But it came. This new dawn, with softly falling snow, gradually appeared. It unveiled an owl perched atop a majestic oak tree, and glistening sunlight streaming over the lake. There was sheer silence and still beauty--the promise of another day--"Then shall your light break forth like the dawn." Isaiah offered these words to a people who longed for a new day of justice and kindness, for the light of peace and the warmth of spiritual connection.

I sense a longing for this new dawn, in our country so divided along the lines of race and politics, and in our common life as the United Church of Christ throughout Wisconsin. We have weathered some storms, yet I dare say there is a spirit of hope and joy in the air. Our Conference office is buzzing these days with a staff eager to serve you and to resource your congregation. We have some wonderful ideas about linking churches and programming. Nearly every congregation in this conference is doing some ministry spectacularly well, and we should share that!

I am excited to work with our Board of Directors in setting vision and addressing the future mission of our conference. In the next month we will launch a search for two Associate Conference Ministers. I will enthusiastically encourage congregations to support the United Church Camps, Inc. (UCCI) in Campital Campaign, designed to strengthen and endow our ministries at Pilgrim Center and Moon Beach Camp. And, of course, we will be out in the "field" guiding, consulting, connecting and resourcing our pastors and congregations.

I look forward to meeting with clergy clusters and individual pastors on a regular basis. You can reach me by email (frigert@wcucc.org) or at the Conference Center (608-846-7880) or by cell phone (414-704-2625). If you want to schedule me for worship or an appointment, feel free to email Lisa Hart (lhart@wcucc.org).

Last Sunday I was in Manitowoc and Two Rivers. The drive along Lake Michigan that morning, at dawn's early light, was spectacular--a glorious orange sunrise and waves cascading onto the frozen beach. Let a new day begin! Let's partner in collaborative ministry so that we can bring the light of Christ to those for whom the dawn has not yet come.

With gratitude for the opportunity to serve you,

February 27-28, 2015
Wisconsin Conference 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. In the Turnaround Church workshop, you'll learn how to turn your hopes and good intentions into action through planning, teamwork, and fun. Sign up soon: the deadline is February 13, 2015.

It's time again for Yearbook data input! This year churches will input their own information directly into the UCC Data Hub.

The Data Hub is open for church data input as of January 5, 2015. We must have your information submitted prior to March 9th, 2015.

Last year, the Wisconsin Conference was ranked 4th (out of 38 Conferences) with a 83% return rate in Yearbook Reporting. For the past seven years, the Wisconsin Conference has been listed in the top 6. Thanks for all your time and effort with this yearbook reporting - let's keep up the good work! If you have any questions, please email or call Susan Taylor.

Access the Data Hub here

June 12-14, 2015
Green Lake Conference Center 

Make plans now to join us for a very energizing and uplifting experience at this year's Annual Meeting. Rev. Eric Elnes, well-known host of Darkwood Brew, will lead us through the weekend with thought-provoking presentations, worship and workshops. Rev. Elnes is Senior Minister at Countryside Community Church (UCC) in Omaha, Nebraska, and was lead author and editor of The Phoenix Affirmations.

In addition to Rev. Elnes' program, a great selection of workshops will enhance your life and ministry. There will be workshops by Rev. Elnes, jazz musician Chuck Marohnic, and Ben Guess, UCC Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries. Dr. John Whitcomb will be back with his standing-room-only workshop on stewarding your health, while Rev Holly Whitcomb will help us face life's changes with courage. Rev. Winton Boyd will share Parker Palmer's teachings on discussing difficult topics. And so much more.

All are welcome to attend Annual Meeting. Don't miss it! Registration will be available soon.

More information

Faith Formation #ConfirmationChallenge2015
February 27-March 1, and March 6-8, 2015
Pilgrim Center 

Is your faith fully formed? Are you on the journey? Where have we come from? Where are we going? How do we get there?

All these questions, and more, will be explored during the Faith Formation Retreat for confirmation classes and their adult leaders/mentors. Don't have a confirmation class? That's okay! Bring your youth who want to explore their faith with other youth and supportive adults.

Register for the February 27-March 1 retreat

Register for the March 6-8 retreat

34th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
Wartburg Theological Seminary Center for Theology and Land
March 1-3, 2015
Dubuque, Iowa 

More information

2015 Wisconsin Council of Churches Winter Forum
February 27-28, 2015
Wisconsin Dells

Christians are meant to be radical non-conformists, interrupting the patterns of our world with prophetic imagination-a holy counterculture. Join the Wisconsin Council of Churches and Winter Forum Presenter Shane Claiborne for a weekend of exploration around what it means to be both disciples and church in a culture that seems increasingly at odds with the heart of the gospel.
More information