Soul Food – Journey

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. (Mark 1:12-13)
My beloved Wisconsin siblings in Christ, we enter again into the period of Lent through the archway of Ash Wednesday, a day of repentance, contrition, and kenosis (self-emptying and abasement).  We follow the footsteps of Jesus, sent by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for forty days.  During this Lenten period leading to Holy Week and Easter, we tend to focus on temptations by Satan and the threat and danger of the wild beasts, but this year I invite us to focus on the angels.  Read More

Lent 2021 - Children’s Message Videos from Pastor of Color   This Lenten season, as most churches continue to stream video for Sunday worship, pastors of color in our conference provide you with a short video of Children’s Message every week. We tell our stories of what we learned about Jesus when we were a kid. You may find us introducing a song that we learned in Sunday School. Some of us sing the song in their mother language. Our hope is that through our sharing of stories our brothers and sisters in Christ - young and old alike - may experience the riches of diversity in Christ’s Church.  Each week during Lent, a new video clip (2 or 3 minutes long) will be available to download from this link Church and Local Events

Korean Peace Forum

Stories of Two Young Americans: How Peace in Korea Became Important to Them

 Korea Peace Forum - U.S. relations with North Korea, what does our Christian faith tell us about it? 
Daniel Jasper is a native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He is now one of the most knowledgeable and experienced Americans about North Korea. Jennifer Joy grew up as a daughter of missionaries in Mozambique and followed God’s call to advocate for peace with her experiences of Pyongyang, North Korea. 
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, a courageous leader committed to peace and reconciliation in Korea, is going to moderate the Zoom event in a talk-show style on Thursday, February 25th, 3pm. 
 
At the end of the forum, you will find you being better aware of the history and having tools for action that promotes peace. Read more and register online here. 

Bishop's Convocation of Laity Leadership - Radical Hospitality Virtual Event - All are invited! Saturday, March 20, 2021 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM There is no fee to attend but registration is required.  Registration Deadline:  March 19, 2021, 12:00 pm Register here United Methodist Hospitals Ministry News Release   With sad hearts, the United Methodist Hospitals Ministry Committee, at their meeting on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, voted to end the Chaplaincy ministry to four Madison hospitals, effective February 15, 2021.  This ministry has provided pastoral care to United Methodist patients from all over the Midwest for over 50 years.    Our current chaplain, Lamarr Gibson announced in January his impending move to Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the end of the Conference year.  The Chaplaincy Committee has been reviewing the effectiveness and future of the program for a number of years.  Read More   If you have any questions, please contact Jon Traver, Committee Treasurer, at 608-286-9889. United Methodist Women - Mission Action Day Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Women hosts an annual Mission Action Day where they meet to equip Methodist women (and men) to be informed about social issues and equip ourselves for action.  Everyone is welcome.  This years event will be a virtual Mission Action Day on April 10, 2021 from 9:00 to Noon.  Speakers Dr. Kathy D. Hartke and Marti Gobel will speak on Maternal Health and Racial Equality.  Deadline to register is March 27, 2021.  Read More Annual Conference Awards & Ingathering Information Nominations are now being accepted for several awards to be given out during Annual Conference.  Deadline for nominations is April 16th.  For more information and to download the nomination forms, please click here.  The Wisconsin Conference Disaster Response Team and Mission Motivation Committee has been working with Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC). There are several locations within each district of the Wisconsin Conference – where the supplies can be collected.  Click here: 2021 Ingathering List & 2021 Ingathering Drop-off Sites Other Resources Record Temps are here!  Temperatures across Wisconsin have dropped dramatically, greatly increasing the chances of frozen pipes and resulting damage.  Church Mutual has provided some useful tips and what to do if you sustain damage due to the cold temps.  Read More Global Ministries - Discovery Events  The Mission Volunteer office is hosting virtual “Mission Discovery Events” in March and June. Those who join will receive an overview of the ways to serve and can engage in conversation with the program directors. The announcement for more information and registration link can be found here: https://umcmission.org/news-statements/discovery-events-offered-for-those-interested-in-volunteer-service/   UM Scholarship Deadline March 1, 2021 Only TWO WEEKS remain for students to apply for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation! If you (or students you know) are planning to attend a United Methodist-related college, university, or seminary in the Fall of 2021, you are invited to apply for a variety of scholarships available through the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF). Applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically or postmarked by March 1, 2021.* Classifieds   ?President and Chief Executive Officer, Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation (WUMF) is accepting applications for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Eric (Rick) Churan has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2021.  Read More Coordinator of Clergy Credentialing and Vocational Discernment The Coordinator of Clergy Credentialing and Vocational Discernment works with the Board of Ordained Ministry and Leadership in the Wisconsin Conference to assist and facilitate the administration of processes, records, organizational and vocational discernment needs.  Read More Coordinator of children's ministry - Cargill UMC  Read More Administrative Assistant - Central UMC Milwaukee  Read More