The following is an excerpt from a reflection paper written by Ross Michaels, a Lay Academy participant in Faith Foundations Year 1 and member of Middleton Community UCC in Middleton. Ross wrote this reflection paper to fulfill a Lay Academy requirement that each participant do something each year that engages them with the wider church and reflect upon it.

Ross chose to chaperone a group of Middle School and High School youth from congregations around Madison as they engaged in service projects on January 19, 2015, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Groups of Middle and High School students were dispatched throughout the city to do various projects. Ross' group of Middle School students went to a local nursing home to serve the residents there. His reflection highlights the value of risk-taking mission and service and how stepping out of our comfort zones for the sake of others and with God in our hearts can be a transformative experience of the Holy Spirit in our midst. It also highlights the many, tiny acts of service we all engage in regularly that make such a difference and that enable us to share the love of God with our wider community. May this reflection bless you and inspire you to acts of mission and service within your own community and congregation.

Read Ross's reflection

Last Sunday the Islamic State released a video purportedly showing the beheadings of 21 Egyptian "Coptic" Christians in Libya. The Wisconsin Conference has shared a partnership with the Coptic Christian community, through the efforts of some in our Southwest Association. Additionally, the Wisconsin Council of Churches includes two local Coptic Orthodox congregations: St. Mary & St. Rewais Coptic Orthodox Church in Sun Prairie, served by Fr. Marcus St. Antony, and St. Mary & St. Antonius Coptic Orthodox Church in Oak Creek, served by Fr. Rewis Awadalla.

We invite your continued prayers for those who grieve and those who remain committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of such hostility and hatred. May the God of unity and love bring a spirit of consolation and solidarity.

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 online
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The Annual Meeting Planning Committee has decided to take a new approach to choirs for our get-together in June.  We would like to have a choir from one of our 222 member churches to be this year's Annual Meeting choir.  All of you have wonderful groups, SATB, SSA or TTBB, who would enhance our worship on Sunday, June 14.

To be considered, directors should submit the name of proposed music that fits that theme, along with type of choir, size of choir, and name and location of your church. Please submit this to Mugs McFadden by April 6, 2015 (that's the Monday after Easter!).

Are you currently engaged in or considering serving a church during interim and transitional times? Then this workshop is for you! Using Biblical illustrations, the following will be explored: 

• leadership needed for adaptive and technical changes
• utilizing leadership roles and styles for different situations
• care and accountability for pastor and lay leaders
• leading a congregation into a new vision

The same program will be presented in two locations. Cost: $10 for those with standing in the Wisconsin Conference UCC, and $60 for all others. Includes morning refreshments and lunch. Presenters: Linda Kuhn and Dave King of Sand Bur Consulting.  

Wisconsin Conference Trost Center, DeForest
Monday, May 11, 9:30am-3:00pm 

Register online 

Grace UCC, Wausau 

It's the event you've been waiting for!

Save the Date for the first ever Lay Academy Alumni Event! The Heart of a Leader: Courage and Wholeness will take place Friday, July 31 at 7:00 pm until Saturday, August 1 at 3:00 pm.

Come Friday evening to reconnect and build community and stay for Saturday when Rev. Winton Boyd will help us explore the relationship between our inner spiritual lives and our outer or public leadership. Using material from Parker Palmer's "A Hidden Wholeness," we will work individually and in small groups to explore what it means to live an undivided life as a church leader.

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Moon Beach and Pilgrim Center are looking for excited, dedicated, and skilled staff to fill a few more summer positions this year.  f you or someone you know is seeking a summer position that is life changing, spirit filled, and one that matters, encourage them to apply today by visiting www.ucci.org or contact Moon Beach or Pilgrim Center directly. 

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.

• It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.
• It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration - the first Friday of March - to which all people are welcome.
• It is a movement that brings together women of various races, cultures, and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding, and action throughout the year.

World Day of Prayer takes place internationally on the first Friday of March every year. In 2015 that will be March 6th. If you can't celebrate World Day of Prayer on the first Friday in March, choose another date that works for your community and you can celebrate in symbolic solidarity with women around the world!
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