 Hooked on Lent
by Joanne Thomson
When I was on the staff of First Cong Madison, a colleague (you know who you are) would mock me for enjoying Lent more than Christmas. It was true! Growing up in the UCC's Congregational tradition, I had been taught that Lent was for Catholics and led to bad habits. My father, a former Catholic, was particularly adamant on this subject. As a result, I did not discover the real Lent until pretty late in the game, and when I did, I was hooked. Lent is for people who yearn, stumble, regret, trust, persist, and yearn some more. It seems to me that people today who are not part of the church, and who are not familiar with the gospel, might be open to being hooked by Lent. Here is a quotation from Kathleen Norris' The Cloister Walk. She describes a woman (an SBNR woman) who, it seems to me, is hungry for Lent:
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Wisconsin Conference Launches Search for Two Associate Conference Ministers
The Wisconsin Conference is in an exciting time of renewal and we are looking for two staff people to help lead us into our future.
For information and to apply go to wcucc.org/profile.
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5th Annual Communities in Action to Prevent Suicide Conference
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
Stevens Point, WI
7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cost: $50 per person
A conference for school professionals, emergency services, law enforcement, mental health professionals, AODA professionals, veteran groups, clergy, healthcare providers, community coalitions - existing and starting, and anyone interested in suicide prevention on the local and state level. Please download the conference flyer for the breakout sessions and other details.
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Thursday Program:
Gifts of the Dark Wood Retreat
with Rev. Eric Elnes, Ph.D.
Thursday, June 11, Green Lake Conference Center
Join us as Rev. Eric Elnes, Ph.D., leads us on a provocative and inspiring journey designed for anyone - clergy or laity - who feels awkward in their search for God, who seeks to find holiness amidst their holy-mess, who desires real, concrete reasons for hope in a Christian landscape that often seems bleak or barren.
Detailed information
Registration
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 Courage in the Struggle
Annual Meeting
Wisconsin Conference UCC
June 12-14, 2015 This year's Annual Meeting keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes, will lead us through a journey that will aid us in our "struggle for justice and peace." Over the course of our time together, Dr. Elnes will take us on a journey into the Dark Wood -- a place of struggle and uncertainty feared by the poet Dante but that the ancient Christian mystics knew to be the central place where revelation (and hope) is experienced. By exploring the Dark Wood "gifts" of emptiness, uncertainty, getting lost, and misfit community in their biblical and modern expressions, we will find ourselves - and our denomination - poised to enter a beautiful clearing that some are calling The Great Convergence.Annual meeting highlights:
- Rev. Eric Elnes, Ph.D., Author, Senior Minister of Countryside Community Church (UCC), Omaha, Neb., and host of Darkwood Brew.
- Rev. Ben Guess, Executive Minister, Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ
Other highlights: - More than 20 workshops and faith formation sessions
- Opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues
- Worship to deepen our collective faith
- Participate in the business of the Conference
- Saturday night social event
- Gain respite in the the beautiful setting
Read on for more information about Annual Meeting: Registration Annual Meeting websiteDelegate informationTime to begin delegate selection for your church. To check for the number of delegates your church can send, click here (PDF). Thank you to the 2015 Reception Sponsor: Cornerstone Fund Cornerstone is graciously sponsoring our Saturday evening social gathering at Annual Meeting. Be sure to attend this event to catch up with old friends and new acquaintances. Also make sure you visit the Cornerstone Fund table in the exhibit hall. |
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Be an Exhibitor at Annual Meeting
Do you have a product or service that clergy and lay people in the Wisconsin Conference UCC might be interested in? Become an Annual Meeting Exhibitor and for three days -- noon on Friday, June 12 through noon on Sunday, June 14 -- get in front of over 400 like-minded people in the Wisconsin Conference. Past exhibits have included such things as clergy stoles, custom made liturgical artwork, educational materials, books, faith-based retirement communities, and mission ministries.
Exhibitor Information (PDF)
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UCC All-Church Initiative
The national UCC has undertaken an all-church initiative, Reading Changes Lives, which began last fall with One Read as One Church and continued with March Forth For Literacy. In the lead-up to General Synod, there are exciting activities to be involved with. Check out Reading Changes Lives on the UCC website for more information on this important issue.
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Boundary Training Planned for June 11-12
The Conference Church and Ministry Commission is sponsoring a boundary training workshop immediately prior to Annual Meeting. Training begins Thursday evening, June 11, from 7pm-9pm, and concludes on Friday morning, 9am-12pm at Green Lake Conference Center. There is no cost for the workshop (for UCC pastors), which includes Thursday dinner and Friday breakfast. Advance registration is required. Go to wcucc.org to register. You also need to reserve a hotel room for Thursday night with Green Lake Conference Center (920-294-3323).
Why not plan an entire weekend of learning, reflecting, worship and camaraderie by signing up for the Thursday Retreat, Boundary Training, and Annual Meeting! Thursday will be a thought-provoking and energizing day at the Gifts of the Dark Wood Retreat with Rev. Eric Elnes, Ph.D., known for The Phoenix Affirmations and Darkwood Brew. Rev. Elnes will continue his theme throughout the annual meeting where he will offer presentations and workshops, and lead worship. Go to wcucc.org/annualmeeting for all the details and to register for the Thursday Program and Annual Meeting.
Boundary Training registration
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 Campital Campaign Update
Click here to read the latest update from the Campital Campaign office.
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This newsletter is made possible by contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.The Wisconsin Conference UCC is an Open and Affirming Conference.
Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ
4459 Gray Road | PO Box 435 | DeForest, WI 53532
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Church Spotlight 
This Northwest Association church's pastor is L. Scott Crandall, who says his focus in Sunday morning worship is "to communicate God's love for, forgiveness of, and acceptance of each and every one of God's children."
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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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