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Attend a Pre-Conference Briefing - ENews May 2, 2019
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May 2, 2019 |
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Soul FoodDo We Believe?
There are many United Methodists who are questioning whether we actually believe in the grace of God freely given. The recent session of General Conference redefined the foundation of our faith to create winners and losers, insiders and outsiders, and to differentiate the acceptable from the unacceptable. Theologically, we adopted a legalism that defies our Easter reality of grace freely given as atonement for the sins of the world. At the same time, there are some United Methodists who feel we have strengthened our moral center. This is a hard time in the life of our church where beliefs are leading to destructive behaviors. We are doing harm while failing to do good, and it is impacting our ability to stay in love with God and with each other.
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Pre-Conference Workbooks AvailableThe 2019 Annual Conference workbook is now available on the Conference website! Download the 2019 Annual Conference Workbook. The workbook has also been emailed to all those who have registered for Annual Conference; and for those who requested a printed copy at registration, they are in the mail. Read the 2019 Workbook Mailing Letter from Conference Secretary Susan Haller. |
Pre-Conference Briefings May 7 and 9Pre-Conference Briefings are scheduled for May 7 and 9, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Circuits throughout the state will be hosting these webinar viewings. The full recording of the webinar will be posted on the WisconsinUMC website and in the following week’s ENews for anyone who is unable to attend. If you have any questions about the briefing in your circuit, please contact your circuit leader. Read More |
Celebrate Golden Cross Sunday on May 12This is a special offering to support our Health and Welfare Ministries. All churches are encouraged to take this offering on May 12, or another Sunday in May. All churches should have received a mailing with a letter from Bishop Jung and Golden Cross offering envelopes. Health and Welfare Ministries have created a series of 4 videos that can be used throughout May so your congregation can learn about the ministries they are supporting with their Golden Cross contributions. Watch the videos here. |
Campus Ministry Witness in MilwaukeeUniversity Christian Ministries (UCM) is an interdenominational campus ministry on the UW–Milwaukee campus. Formerly known as the United Ministry in Higher Education–Milwaukee, the Rainbow House, and the Wesley Foundation, we welcome everyone in the UWM community! Regardless of where you are in your faith journey, you will find an open and understanding atmosphere at UCM where you can discover, explore, experience, and grow in Jesus Christ! Campus Minister, Alan McCalister, recently shared this testimonial from UCM student, Treena Glover. Read More |
Connectional News
Court Rulings Escalate Talk of Church SplitRulings by The United Methodist Church's top court on General Conference 2019 action have some church members celebrating and some planning exit strategies. Heather Hahn and UMNS staff report on reactions to the rulings and what they might mean for the church's future. Read story |
Ohio College Breaks with DenominationBaldwin Wallace University's trustee board has voted unanimously to end the school's formal affiliation with The United Methodist Church. The April 26 decision came in response to General Conference's strengthening of bans against same-sex unions and ordination of LGBTQ persons as clergy. Read story |
Board Recommends Revised Social PrinciplesThe board of directors of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society voted to recommend a major revision of the Social Principles to the 2020 General Conference. Read story |
Reminders
Register for Annual Mission Luncheon at Annual Conference 2019Persons with an interest in the mission activities of the Wisconsin Annual Conference are invited to attend the Annual Mission Luncheon on Sunday, June 16. To attend this luncheon, please contact Mary Balson by May 20, 2019. The cost of the luncheon is $15. Persons who have purchased the meal plan for the Annual Conference cannot use their meal ticket for this luncheon. Read More |
Register for Blueprint for WellnessAll participants in the HealthFlex active health insurance plan are encouraged to sign up for the BluePrint for Wellness health check during Annual Conference. Register by June 1, 2019. Read More |
Dinner Meeting to Focus on UMC FutureFriday evening, June 14, during the 2019 Annual Conference dinner break, Wisconsin UMs can hear from one of the Western Jurisdiction (WJ) leaders in the current dialog seeking to discern what new thing God may be seeking to birth. Rev. Mary K. Huycke will speak on Future Possibilities for The United Methodist Church: a Western Jurisdiction Perspective. Read More |
Morrow Home Community Looking for VolunteersMorrow Home Community, one of the Wisconsin Conference’s Health and Welfare Ministries, is looking for volunteer drivers for their Meals in Motion program. The program delivers weekday noon meals to seniors in local homes. Drivers receive mileage and a meal. If interested, please call 608-269-3168 and ask for Renee Thurston. |
Register for Annual Mission Luncheon at Annual Conference 2019Persons with an interest in the mission activities of the Wisconsin Annual Conference are invited to attend the Annual Mission Luncheon on Sunday, June 16. To attend this luncheon, please contact Mary Balson by May 20, 2019. The cost of the luncheon is $15. Persons who have purchased the meal plan for the Annual Conference cannot use their meal ticket for this luncheon. Read More |
Upcoming Events
2019 Summer Camp ProgramsWIUMCamps offers a variety of programs for campers of different ages and interests. Learn more. |
ERT TrainingJune 1, 2019 at New Lisbon: Winding Rivers UMC. Register here. |
Annual Conference 2019June 14-17, 2019 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, WI. Early bird registration ends May 17. Read More |
Ride the Bus to YOUTH 2019If you are headed to YOUTH 2019 with your church, join other Wisconsin churches on the bus ride to Kansas City on July 10, 2019 and back on July 14. Register here. Registration deadline: May 20, 2019 |
Bishop Jung’s Interfaith Retreat and Bus TourJuly 12–13, 2019 in Madison, WI. Registration deadline: July 8, 2019. Read More |
Boundaries TrainingIt is mandatory for all pastors serving local churches to attend before 2020. There are three sessions scheduled in October of 2019 for any pastors who did not attend one in 2017. Register here. |
2019 Spiritual Formation Academy: Boundless Compassion in a Broken WorldOctober 27 – November 1, 2019 at the Siena Retreat Center. Early registration ends July 1, 2019. Read More |
Help Wanted
| Administrative Assistant (Part-Time) |
| Campus Minister/Director (Full-Time) |
| Office Administrator (Part-Time) |
| UM Hospitals Ministry Chaplain (Part Time) |
Local Activities
| Lyons Lecture with Brian McLaren (Madison) (Sat May 04 @ 9:00AM) |
| Workshop for Teens (Milwaukee) (Sat May 04 @ 1:00PM) |
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, contact: mediacontact@wisconsinumc.org. 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 Wisconsin Conference website. If you experience a web problem after hours, please report the issue to 608-729-4349.
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