WI Conference ENews: Day of Remembrance for Native American Children, Clergy Appreciation Month, New Site Director- Lake Lucerne Camp, ICD 2022, Tuesdays at The Table, Afghan Donation Summary, Global Missions Fellows Program Applicants Sought
10/6/2021 - Conference News
Day of Remembrance, October 6th- "A Day of Truth Telling and Repentance"
We are grateful that God was in Christ reconciling the world and entrusting to us a ministry of reconciliation. I write with an opportunity to follow the invitation of Paul to be reconciled to Christ, and to allow Christ to invite you to a deeper reconciliation with our First Nation siblings. You have seen the news of more graves of Native Children being found at sites of the boarding schools located across North America. These boarding schools gave rise to deplorable conditions, and many were engineered by religious groups proclaiming the faith of Jesus.
Although our systems have not produced the equity of Jesus, our United Methodist ancestors in Wisconsin did not operate boarding schools. The Native American International Caucus of the United Methodist Church is advancing "A Call to Truth Telling and Repentance" on October 6, 2021 and designating it "A Day of Truth and Repentance for Our Children." Read More
October is Clergy Appreciation Month
October is Clergy Appreciation Month and a special thank you from everyone here at the Wisconsin Conference! This month, we celebrate clergy across the denomination who dedicate their lives to ministry. We invite you to join us in raising awareness about this month-long celebration and act within your organization in ways that show our clergy gratitude. For some pandemic-proof ways to say thank you, click here.
In this year's clergy wellbeing survey, Wespath found clergy are struggling. The survey looks at 5 dimensions: physical, emotional, social, spiritual and financial health. The only factor of these 5 dimensions that was stable is finances. Clergy health has declined, depression and isolation, even faltering faith were reflected in the survey results. "We cannot wave a magic wand and make all the factors challenging anyone's wellbeing go away. But perhaps this year is the right year to observe 'Clergy Appreciation Month,'" Rev. Arlene Christopherson, NIC Asst. to the Bishop/Dir. of Connectional Ministries writes in her monthly DYK article. "Who doesn't appreciate a word of encouragement, an acknowledgment that life has been hard, or a congregational 'hip-hip hurray.'" Read more
UMCOR Contributions and Other Special Giving Sent to The Conference
Thank you for your concern and support of UMCOR in response to national and international needs and also for your response to Immigration Assistance. We want to remind you to please make your checks payable to Wisconsin Conference of The UMC and note the designation on the check or in a note. We cannot deposit checks made payable to UMCOR and must return these to you. We remit payment to all designated gifts in the month following receipt. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Adler at ladler@wisconsinumc.org or Sarah Sneider at ssneider@wisconsinumc.org
Join us in Welcoming Tanner Clark- Newly Hired Site Director for Lake Lucerne Camp
Hi, my name is Tanner Clark. I am excited to begin my next step in my calling to camp ministry as the site director of Lake Lucerne Camp and Retreat Center. When I first began going to camp as a caregiver for my older brother who has special needs, I thought it was going to be the worst experience in the world. I couldn't have been more wrong. By the time I was a freshman in college, I had discerned a significant call to ministry. Specifically, to camping and retreat ministry. Coming from the Dakotas Conference, I have been an active camper, volunteer, and summer and seasonal staff at Wesley Acres Camp for the past 12 years collectively. My staff roles have transitioned from support and hospitality, to maintenance and project coordinator, to counselor and program intern. For the past four years, I have supervised a group home for children with special needs but have always looked forward to when God would bring me back to ministry in camp. I intend to continue the strong ministry that is present at Lake Lucerne and provide a safe environment to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! I can't wait to see you all there!
Institute of Congregational Development: Creating a Culture of Permanent Growth
Do you have a deep passion for people in your community who do not already have a relationship with Jesus or the church?
Do you feel the calling to plant a new church or start a new ministry or worship experience?
Do you feel the calling to revitalize ministry in your congregation?
Do you hunger for leadership development opportunities that result in more effectively making disciples for the transformation of the world?
Do you thrive when surrounded by people who are sharing new ideas, new possibilities, and new tools for improving ministry?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you are invited to participate in the Institute of Congregational Development (ICD) in 2022.
Denominational News
Talking about United Methodist identity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — David N. Field, theologian and ecumenical staff officer for the Council of Bishops, spoke about United Methodist identity during the first of the Connectional Table's online "Tuesdays at the Table" series. Field, who grew up in an independent church in South Africa, explained how he was first drawn to The United Methodist Church while teaching at Africa University.
UM News: Conversations address going separate ways
Ingathering Donations for Afghan Refugees
It all began with a simple question, "What are we going to do to help the refugees from Afghanistan who are at Fort McCoy…all 12,500 of them?" When faced with a challenging task, you do what you have learned to do best. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become necessary to seek new ways to do things and to improve those ways along the way.
The virtual 2020-21 Annual Conferences resulted in the development of drop-off and pick-up sites for the Ingathering of supplies for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. A similar plan was used for gathering clothing, blankets, winter jackets, and shoes for the Afghan refugees. With the cooperation of countless UM Churches within the WI Annual Conference, hundreds of pounds of supplies were delivered to drop-off sites and then moved to pick up sites where two U-Haul trucks with volunteer drivers gathered supplies and delivered them to the Winding Rivers UMC in New Lisbon. Read more/ Current Donation Needs
Applicants Sought for Mission Program
Adults ages 20 to 30 are invited to apply for a two-year assignment with the Global Mission Fellows program. Those selected will leave their home state and serve two years in a U.S. community facing issues such as food insecurity, immigration and poverty. The fall application deadline is Nov. 30.
Kentucky Conference Bishop Fairley Debuts Video/Podcast series
Beginning Oct. 5, Bishop Leonard Fairley will release a monthly video blog/podcast called "Grace for the Future," which explores different aspects of the means of grace that inform people's lives together. Fairley leads the Kentucky, Red Bird and North Carolina conferences, and "Grace for the Future" will feature guests from all three conferences. He announced the new series on Sept. 30 as part of International Podcast Day.
United Methodist Communications Podcast Resources
Emmaus Ministries to Host Virtual Walk and Challenge
Walk 14,000 steps like Jesus! The Upper Room / Emmaus Ministries has partnered with Charity Footprints to host the first-ever Emmaus Ministries Virtual Walk and Challenge. This spiritual and physical wellness event runs from October 1­–November 12.
Not your typical 5K, this event invites participants to walk in body, mind, and spirit the distance between Jerusalem and Emmaus, which is approximately seven miles (11.5 kilometers) or 14,000 steps.
Communicating during seasons of change
United Methodist Communications is launching "Communicating During Seasons of Change", a four-week online course that will be led by communications experts and include opportunities for interaction. Sessions will take place 1-2 p.m. U.S. Central time each Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 18-Nov. 12. Registration is open through Oct. 15.
Director of Media- Asbury UMC, Madison, WI
Director of Children's Ministry- Milton UMC, Milton, WI
Church Musician (Part-time)- Bashford UMC, Madison, WI
Custodian- Bashford UMC, Madison, WI
Organist- South Milwaukee UMC, Milwaukee, WI
Music Director- Part Time- Crossroads UMC, Waunakee, WI
Director of Children and Family Ministries- Appleton FUMC, Appleton, WI
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