|
UPDATES POSTED AT www.wisconsinumc.org
HIGHLIGHT FROM WISCONSIN CONFERENCE UMC: THE 2012 WISCONSIN ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMMEMORATED BISHOP LEE’S SERVICE, CONDUCTED BUSINESS, AND EXHIBITED UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
The 2012 Wisconsin Annual Conference took place at the Chula Vista Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells May 31st - June 3rd. The conference session featured the theme “Live, Give, Love...Beyond All Expectation,” which is the culmination of our 2009 - 2012 Quadrennium themes. Conference attendees lived their ministry by participating in a mission project for Kids Against Hunger over the lunch hour on Saturday, June 2nd, to pack 50,000 meals; enough to feed 137 kids for a year. They gave generously for Ingathering, amassing a number of items, including 1,020 health kits, 1,589 school kits/bags, 145 cleaning buckets, 243 birthing kits, 482 sewing kits, 251 bedding kits, $5,962 in funds for Ingathering shipping, as well as donated $7,320 in Offerings, and $4,539.93 in Pennies for Angola. The attendees also celebrated groups throughout the Wisconsin Conference UMC who show God’s unconditional love to people in their local communities and around the world. Read the complete report. Visit our Ustream page to see the daily coverage of the Annual Conference. Visit our YouTube page to see one-minute clips from Annual Conference highlights. Also, the Wisconsin version of the General Conference 2012 video that was shown during lunch at Annual Conference is available on DVD at no cost. Contact Michele Virnig at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 888-240-7328.
VISIT THE WISCONSIN CONFERENCE UMC’S NEW FLICKR ACCOUNT!
The Wisconsin Conference UMC has a new Flickr account! Flickr is a popular image hosting website that allows users to post and organize pictures. When you visit the site you can view all of the Wisconsin Conference UMC’s photos in what is called a Photostream or you can view individual sets of photos. You can also view pictures as a slideshow, leave comments, and search for photos using tags. Pictures are currently posted from the staff Change the World day. Look for pictures from Annual Conference soon! Visit www.wisconsinumc.org and click on the FIickr icon to view the pictures or follow these links:
OUR NEW BISHOP WILL BE APPOINTED IN JULY AT THE JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE
The 2012 North Central Jurisdictional Conference, which is being hosted by the East Ohio Conference, will take place July 18-20 in Akron, Ohio. The website for the 2012 North Central Jurisdictional Conference is now active and can be accessed by visiting www.eocumc.com/ncj2012/. The United Methodist Church world-wide is divided into the “Central Conferences” (non-US) and the 5 “Jurisdictional Conferences” in the United States. Wisconsin is in the North Central Jurisdictional Conference (NCJC). A Jurisdictional Conference is a collection of Annual Conferences. The NCJC includes the following Annual Conferences: Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Northern Illinois, Illinois Great Rivers, West Michigan, Detroit, Indiana, East Ohio and West Ohio. An “Episcopal area” may include more than one Annual Conference. For example, West Michigan and Detroit are currently served by a single Bishop, and the Dakotas and Minnesota will be merged into a single Episcopal area with a single Bishop beginning September 1, 2012. The NCJC currently has ten Bishops, and with the combination of the Dakotas and Minnesota, will be shrinking to nine Episcopal areas. Bishop Lee will be retiring, so the remaining nine Bishops will be assigned to serve the existing areas. Visit our delegate blog for more updates on the Jurisdictional Conference.
SIGN UP FOR THE IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO MENTOR™ WORKSHOP ON JUNE 23RD
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference and Black Methodists for Church Renewal, this insightful mentoring workshop will take place 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on June 23 at Solomon Community Temple UMC, 3295 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212. The workshop will describe a model for mentoring, outline the critical skills required by mentors, share some tools to help manage the mentoring relationship, and more. Youth, young adults and adults are welcome. This free workshop will be led by J.T. Jackson, a leadership empowerment trainer and coach. Register by June 15th by contacting Marilyn Higgins at 414-372-2101 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
DON’T MISS INTERFAITH DAY AT MILLER PARK ON JULY 17TH
Plan to attend the third annual Interfaith Day at Miller Park on July 17th. It’s easy for family, friends, coworkers, congregations or faith communities to sign up and sit together. Act now for discounted tickets and t-shirts. For more information, click here.
GCORR INVITES YOU TO FACING THE FUTURE: A CLERGY NETWORK FOR CROSS-RACIAL/CROSS-CULTURAL APPOINTMENT AND MINISTRY JULY 26TH- 28TH
The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) invites you to their 2012 event entitled Facing the Future: A Clergy Network for Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointment and Ministry at the Westin Baltimore Washington Airport, July 26th - 28th. The event will focus on creating a denominational network of education and support for pastors in cross-racial/cross-cultural ministries (CR/CC) and clergy committed to multicultural ministries, introducing best practices in strategic planning, relationship building, and ministry, and connecting pastors in CR/CC ministry sites and all clergy committed to multicultural ministries with the new intercultural competency initiatives at our UM schools of theology/seminaries. You are invited to participate in the following ways:
- Send a delegation of at least six clergy who are in their first few years of a CR/CC appointment or anticipating such an appointment, and clergy who are committed to multicultural ministries and seeking the empowerment of such a network.
- Add your voice of support for this event in conversations with your extended cabinet and your colleagues on the Council of Bishops. (Letters and mail out cards were sent to the Deans of all conference cabinets the last week of March.)
- Offer your prayers for the success of this event and those who step forward to face the future with great anticipation and hope for effective and dynamic leadership in our global church.
GCORR is excited about this event and the possibilities it will unleash as we carefully discern the future of God's people called United Methodists. We look forward to partnering with you to develop leaders ready to serve God and the world. Online registration is available here.
ATTEND THE EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY STEWARDSHIP EVENT IN TEXAS AUGUST 1ST-3RD
The National Association of United Methodist Foundations (NAUMF) has planned an event that will capture the attention of stewardship leaders across the church. For those interested in knowing more about the Extravagant Generosity Program, it's hard to imagine a better opportunity to explore it in depth than with co-author Jennifer Tyler this August 1-3, 2012 at First UMC, Richardson, TX. Co-sponsored by NAUMF and GBOD, it includes a two-day training in stewardship and an add-on for those interested in learning more about capital fund campaigns. More information can be found on their web page.
GBGM YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES 60TH CELEBRATION WILL BE HELD IN VIRGINIA AUGUST 2ND-5TH
The GBGM Young Adult Ministries 60th Celebration of service by US-2s, Mission Interns, and Threes is being held this Aug. 2-5 in Arlington, VA. Check out the website for early registration and plan to join in the Celebration!! Sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, the goal of this conference is to bring alumni and partners together who have been involved in mission and justice work around the world. Participants can expect to network, to learn about groundbreaking efforts led by current partners, and to gain tools and strategies to support alumni’s continued social action work. 300 attendees are expected.
A SPECIAL INVITE TO THE CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS INSTITUTE AUGUST 4TH-9TH
Sponsored by the Institute for Transformative Leaders and Communities at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, in cooperation with the Bay View Religion Department, the Congregational Leaders Institute is a renewal and study opportunity for pastors and other leaders that will take place August 4-9 in Bay View Michigan. This year's theme is: Will the Center Hold? Seeking Gravity in a Polarized Culture. Is there a center of gravity that will provide stability in the tug and pull of our polarized culture? Can the central affirmations of the faith draw us together rather than push us apart? Paul’s letters to the Corinthians may provide an answer. The speakers for the week will be Rev. Dr. James A. Harnish of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida, and Rev. Dr. Mark A. Fowler, Director of ITLC at Garrett- Evangelical. The registration fee is $275 and includes lunch Monday - Thursday. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Terrace Inn, but will be released soon. Contact the Terrace directly to reserve a room under this block at 231-347-2410. For more information or to register for the event, visit their website.
YOUNG CLERGY INITIATIVE APPROVED BY GENERAL CONFERENCE 2012 WILL TAKE PLACE AUGUST 20TH-21ST
Administrators, pastors and young clergy will gather in Nashville from Aug. 20-21 to launch an initiative to encourage and assist young people who feel God’s call to ordained ministry. The Young Clergy Initiative, approved by General Conference 2012, focuses on lifting up a new generation of leaders of The United Methodist Church. Read full story.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE WISCONSIN CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS FELLOWSHIP’S 2012 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Wisconsin Christian Educators Fellowship’s 2012 National Conference will take place October 12th - 16th in Green Lake, Wisconsin. This year’s theme is “Come and See.” The theme will be woven through the conference speakers’ presentations:
- “Come and Journey” with Andrew C. Thompson, pastor, teacher, and historical theologian. He is the general editor and one of the authors of Generation Rising: A Future with Hope for the United Methodist Church.
- “Come and Renew” with Anne Jackson, writer, speaker, and social change activist. She is the author of Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic and Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace.
- Prepare to “Go and Serve” with Olu Brown, lead pastor of Impact Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the author of Zero to 80: Innovative Ideas for Planting and Accelerating Church Growth and has helped grow Impact into one of the fastest growing new church starts in the United States.
Cost is: $359 member, $459 non-member (March 1st - August 31st), $399 member, $499 non-member (after September 1st). For more information and to register, visit the Christian Educators Fellowship website.
JOURNAL DOCUMENTS UNITED METHODIST COMMITMENT TO JUST, HUMANE IMMIGRATION POLICIES
The General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) Civil & Human Rights work area has compiled a 70-page journal of grassroots actions by United Methodists across the United States in support of just, humane immigration policies. The Journal includes events ranging from prayer vigils to meetings with members of Congress. The Immigration Reform Grassroots Journal documents more than 570 events, actions and resolutions advocating reform of U.S. immigration laws. The Journal includes actions in 46 states and the District of Columbia from the years 2009-2012. “That’s almost 200 events per year or one public event every 42 hours,” emphasized Bill Mefford, director of GBCS’s Civil & Human Rights work area, which compiled the Journal. The Immigration Reform Grassroots Journal tells about people who are passionately advocating for just, humane immigration reform, said Mefford. He explained that just, humane reform will provide a pathway to legalization for undocumented immigrants and reunite families. The Journal is an ongoing project and will be updated periodically, according to Mefford. The current edition can be downloaded at Immigration Reform Grassroots Journal from the GBCS website.
UMCOR UPDATES
- Study Reports that Many Children in U.S. are Going Hungry: According to the US Department of Agriculture, 16.2 million children in the United States live in households that struggle to put food on the table. More than one in five children in the United States is at risk of going hungry. In the United States, we produce more than enough food to feed everyone. We have the infrastructure to deliver it and stores to distribute it. Food is available. People only go hungry because they can’t afford to buy it. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) helps address these and other causes of hunger through a grant program that awards funds to organizations that are “economic-justice oriented,” explains June Kim, executive secretary of UMCOR’s World Hunger and Poverty programs. For example, UMCOR supports the Advocating Congregations project of the Faith Action Network. In the face of economic recession and huge spending cuts at every level, this ecumenical project aims to preserve state-funded programs that help the most vulnerable people in the state of Washington. Read more. UMCOR is “leveraging United Methodist resources to create a lasting impact,” says Kim. Your support is what makes it possible. Send your check to the Wisconsin Conference UMC Treasurer for World Hunger and Poverty, Conference Fund #3265.
- Use UMCOR Video to Tell Their Story: UMCOR’s new video, Hope Rises, helps tell the story of how hope emerges from crisis. Use this video to tell the story of UMCOR’s work around the world
- Commemorate World Refugee Day: June 20th is World Refugee Day. Use this new church bulletin insert to tell the story of how UMCOR is helping refugees in Lasu, South Sudan.
TIPS AND RESOURCES
- Free Webinars for Congregational Leaders: Free webinars are available from the General Board of Discipleship. Register and view here. Upcoming webinars include:
- Summertime Discipleship - view any time
- Making Disciples in the Summertime (archived webinar) - view any time
- Clergy Health: 2012 Survey Results and Vocational Implications - June 21st, 6:30 p.m. CDT
- What Happens When the Rules Don't Work? - July 24th, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. CDT
- How Adults Learn, Part 1: The Emotional Aspect of Learning - August 28th, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. CDT
- How Adults Learn, Part 2: The Behavioral Dimension of Learning - September 18, 6:30-7:30 PM (CDT)
- How Adults Learn, Part 3: The Cognitive Dimension of Learning - November 13, 6:30-7:30 PM (CDT)
Browse Adult Ministries Seminars for additional GBOD webinars!
- Top 10 Mobile Apps for Church Leaders: Following the example set by Ecclesiastes, this is the season of mobile apps for just about everything. You can use your phone to post the church potluck on Facebook, look up this week’s biblical texts and instantly sift through 4,000 names in the Bible. United Methodist Communications has a top 10 list of must-have apps for United Methodists on the go. Read more.
- Info from Parish Nurses on Lupus: Many of us know or heard of someone who has been diagnosed with “Lupus” or Systemic Lupus Erythematous. This is a multisystem, autoimmune disease that presents with a variety of symptoms. It is a multi-organ disease that may be organ threatening or non-organ threatening. Read more.
- Info from Parish Nurses on Tick Borne Illnesses: Once again, it is time to become concerned about ticks and the diseases they transmit. According to a recent newspaper article, there was an early emergence of the pests due to the earlier warm weather we had. Because the ticks are so small at this point, they can easily attach themselves to an animals’ coat and fall off unnoticed when the pet comes into the house. The tick can then attach itself to household members. Of course, the ticks also attach themselves to humans when they are in wooded or outdoor areas. Because the ticks are so tiny and tend to be found in warm, moist areas such as under the arm, back of the neck, under the waistband and around the tops of shoes and ankles, as well as the hair line in children, it is important to perform thorough daily “tick checks”. Read more.
- Safe Sanctuary Resources Available: Detailed information on Getting Started and Updating Safe Sanctuaries policies can be found here. Reporting Abuse now includes information for young victims and a flow chart that offers clear steps to reporting abuse.
- News from Mujila Falls Agriculture Center: Click here.
HALLELUJAH MOMENTS
- A Word of Thanks to Bishop Lee from David Green: I would like you to have a copy of the statement I made at your retirement banquet during Annual Conference on behalf of the Health and Welfare Ministries Committee. I was very honored to be one of the small group asked to “witness” to the impact you have had on the Wisconsin Conference during the eight years you have been our Bishop. The H&W Ministries Committee greatly appreciates the significant support you gave us by hosting the 2006 governance event, committing many hours of Steve Polster’s time to meet with the Ministry boards, hosting the annual Bishop’s Luncheons, and making sure the Ministries received substantive attention at the Annual Conference sessions. Together, we laid a solid foundation for a stronger relationship between the Ministry governing boards and the Conference. Personally, I greatly valued the opportunity to work directly with you and the mutuality of the relationship we developed. May you continue to find God’s blessings in the next phase of your life.
- UMVIM-NCJ Gives Thanks to Our Mission Volunteers: It is with sincere thanks that we lift up these mission-minded churches and UMVIM mission teams that have given to the UMVIM-NCJ program over the last few months, including Sugar River UMC, Verona, WI.
CLASSIFIEDS
- Wisconsin Conference Seeks an Administrative Assistant for Ministry & Outreach: This individual will serve as primary receptionist for the conference center, and support the ongoing work of the Ministry & Outreach team through clerical, accounting, communication, copying/printing/mailing and database management. Submit application and current resume to: Dan Dick (
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
), 750 Windsor Street, PO Box 620, Sun Prairie WI 53590-0620. Click here for full job description and application.
- Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Seeks a Part-Time Custodian: This position will be responsible for cleaning and upkeep of our building, unlocking the church at certain times during the week, and arrangement of rooms for incoming group. Send resume to SPRC, 702 North Street, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590, Attn: Scott.
- Franksville UMC Seeks Musician: Church seeks an enthusiastic musician with keyboard experience to lead music ministry in our congregation. Salary commensurate with experience. Send resume to Franksville United Methodist Church, 10402 Northwestern Avenue, Franksville, WI 53126, 262-886-0326, or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
- Free Stove for Camp or Church: St James United Methodist Church in East Troy, Wisconsin is willing to provide a South Bend commercial grade and completely operating well maintained stainless steel cooking stove to a group or camp in need. The only cost would be the shipping. The weight of the stainless steel cooking stove is approximately 900 lbs. It has 6 natural gas burners and a 24 inch X 24 inch grill. Above the grill and burners is a 12 inch stainless steel shelve which is full length and the overall length of the cooking stove is 61 inches. The unit has two ovens, which are 34 inches deep. The stove was purchased in 2005 and has had minimal use. If interested, contact St James United Methodist Church at 262-642-7642 or Jane Moyer at 262-642-5529.
INPUT FOR ENEWS
If you have a Conference-related event, a hallelujah moment or a newsworthy story that you want included in ENEWS, or if you have a suggestion for ENEWS, please contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Please send your submissions by the Friday prior to the week you would like the information featured. Note that ENEWS is also posted weekly on the home page under Newsletters at www.wisconsinumc.org. If you experience a web problem after hours, please report the issue to 608-729-4349. |
