WI Conference Weekly ENews - August 10, 2022

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Boy Scouts of America Update: August 10, 2022
6:30- 8:00pm via Zoom

For those congregations seeking updates regarding ministry relationships with the Boy Scouts, we invite you to participate in a Zoom meeting Wednesday, August 10th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Any representatives from boards of trustees, scouting ministry, or clergy would find this information helpful. We ask that you please register for the meeting. Once you register you will receive the Zoom link for the meeting. Materials for the meeting will be sent out as we get closer to the date. Thank you for your ministry with young persons. Registration link: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcu-urToiHNYS3XmGGz48spooF8TRgANe 

WI Conference Covid Task Team:
Recommendations for Worship Gatherings During Late 2022- Early 2023

As we move through this year it has become obvious that the Omicron variants of COVID-19 present challenges for our communities that are different from those of the past. It now appears that very few of us will escape having a COVID infection. The good news is that the likelihood of serious illness or death from all of the COVID-19 Omicron variants is very low. However, the disruption from our getting back to ‘normal’ clearly remains with us. For those fully up to date on vaccination, if you develop a COVID infection the risk of hospitalization and severe disease is well below that from seasonal influenza, especially if you start taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid soon after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Since it is likely this virus will be with us well into 2023, it is good to think about what we have learned and apply that to our worship moving through the next several months.
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Fall Relaxation Retreat at Pine Lake Camp, Sept, 8-11, 2022
Finding Harmony – How music helps us to find peace, and bring us closer to God.

Join Pine Lake Camp's 2nd Annual Fall Relaxation Retreat! Enjoy a time away with as much or as little activity as you need. This year’s activities include: Yoga, Drums, Tea, Forest Bathing, Hiking, Swim, Fish, Boat, Crafts, Chocolate Meditation, Gratitude, Prayer Labyrinth, Scavenger Hunt, Sound Immersion, Christian Music, and more!

What to bring: Journal or Notebook and Pen, Yoga Mat, and or blanket (Sound Immersion is 90 minutes and worth every second. We will be lying down). Percussion instrument if you have one, (we are bringing lots). Favorite Christian song to share. A favorite tea if you’d like to share (a variety will be provided). Rain activity or craft. Christian Video if you have one you’d love to share on a rainy day. IF you want to fish, you’ll need to purchase a license prior to camp. We will have experienced anglers on hand to help you, and provide gear and bait, and even help you clean the fish so you can bring a meal home!

To register, click here: http://wiumcamps.campbrainregistration.com

Provisional Retreat at Pine Lake

The Provisional Members of the WI Annual Conference met at Pine Lake July 17-19 for their yearly Provisional Retreat. This is just one part of the Provisional Residency Program in WI. The other two parts of the Provisional Residency Program include monthly mentor meetings and two Provisional Continuing Ed. Workshops per year that focus on theological or pastoral topics. At this retreat we welcomed the nine new Provisional Members that were commissioned at 2022 Annual Conference, met in mentor groups, learned about the Board of Ordained Ministry, met in Order (Elder or Deacon) groups and had sabbath time. 

Pictured: Front row (L to R)): Debi VanDenBoom, Jill Nowlen, Claudia Dorsch, Jenny Lee, Sarah Mae Gabuyo, Grace Cho, Joeng Hie Lee, Hyunwoong Hwang 

Back row (L to R): Elizabeth Alexander, Hakki Min, Ho Lee, Chris Van Beek, Adam Woods, Zachariah Bloom 

Those that are not pictured but are a part of the Provisional Residency program include: Mary Beth Shear, Ben Morris, Grace Baldridge, Luis Velasquez, Claire Douglass, Beth Staniforth-Seamster, Jonathan Kim and Joshua Larson. 

*Thank you to Rev. Krysta Deede, Rev. Ty Hines, Rev. Steve Scott, Rev. Cathy Weigand, Rev. Tina Itson, Rev. Susan Amann, Rev. Gary Holmes, Rev. Kris Androsky and Rev. Meg Lybeck-Smoak for your leadership in this Provisional Retreat.*

LAST CHANCE to Participate in This Weekend's WUMF  Stewardship Conference at Pine Lake

This year’s Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation Stewardship Conference at Pine Lake is this Friday and Saturday. There is still time to sign-up to attend the drive-in day, the full Conference, or virtually. You don’t want to miss out! Is it worth the time? Past attendees have said:
 
“Loved ideas shared through casual conversation around the campfire, hearing ideas and networking with other participants.”
 
“Our stewardship team needs to see Dan Dick’s inspiring presentation. I couldn’t share the information with the same meaning and enthusiasm.”
 
For more information, to see the Conference schedule, or to register, visit https://www.wumf.org/upcoming-events/. If you have a question, email Jason Mahnke, Director of Programming and Campaigns, at jason@wumf.org or call 608-837-9582.

New United Methodist Church, "Pacto de Gracia", in Fond du Lac

After a year of working with the Hispanic/Latino community in Fond du Lac, Pacto de Gracia United Methodist welcomed visitors and members with an opening service on Sunday, July 10th at 2:00 p.m.
 
Pastor Janet Martinez led the welcoming service, with the participation of Rev. Park Hunter from Northeast District, Superintendent Rev. Scott Carlson, New Director of Connectional Ministries for the United Methodist Church of Wisconsin Conference, and Pastor Ho Lee, senior pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church.


Fifty-five people from nine nationalities attended: USA, Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Korea. The celebration continued after the service with a fellowship time and Hispanic food: tacos, tamales, and dessert. Read more

Anti-Racism Task Force Cultural Competency Forum Presents Zoom Webinar: A Time for Sharing
Saturday, August 27, 10:00am – 12:00pm on Zoom

A Time for Sharing will provide an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and offer mutual support in regard to issues of multiculturalism and cross-cultural relationships. Feel free to share observations, comments and bits of wisdom or critique. The aim of the “Time for Sharing” is to assist clergy and laity in their preparation to receive cross-cultural appoints and to welcome diverse persons into membership. You are invited to continue your journey to cultural competency by attending A Time for Sharing.

Participation is free of charge to Wisconsin Conference clergy and laity.
Register Here

Korean Caucus serving the Wisconsin United Methodist Church! Annual picnic at Devil’s Lake State Park

Almost two months ago the Korean Caucus decided for having an annual summer gathering at Devil's Lake where all 55 pastors and their families can spend a day together. August 8 was chosen for the gathering date - Number Eight-Eight, easy to remember and it is also Monday. The cloudy sky on August 6, however, made all of us worried about whether or not we could have a picnic on that day. What is worse, the rumble of thunder growing louder and a series of lightning flashes overnight on August 7 discouraged us - in fact, some were too discouraged and decided to stay at home. Nevertheless, there were 31 adults and 6 children who willingly hit the road early morning on August 8 to enter Devil's Lake.

They worshiped together, thinking of and enjoying the importance of stepping back from their pastoral ground and looking into themselves from different perspectives. They ate together, observing their Koreanness - eating is one essential element for living together along with talking and laughing unconcernedly. They played soccer together, hiked together, took a walk together as their age and physicality allowed. Yes, on August 8, 2022, those Korean pastors and their children gathered at Devil's Lake - we all hoped that it should have turned into Angel's Lake. Retreating from our ministerial life, we simply became God's children, God's friends, and God's families in the midst of one of God's amazing creations. When we left, going back to our pastoral ground, we felt fully armed with the spirit of an authentic community. Submitted by Hyunwoong Hwang

Equitable Compensation Application Now Available

Equitable Compensation was established to provide economic support for Churches/Charges experiencing financial hardship. It is the purpose of Equitable Compensation to support full-time clergy serving as pastors in the charges of the annual conference. Applications are now available for submission by September 20, 2022. If your Church/Charge is in need of these funds, click here to access the application. Awards will be announced on or before October 21, 2022 and a single payment will be mailed the week of November 15^th.
Download Application

The Cudahy UMC Story

Cudahy UMC has served the city of Cudahy and surrounding area for over 135 years.  We have always put the community first, serving outside our walls to bring the Good News to our neighbors. Over the past 5 years, our focus has been almost 100 percent on the community at large with our Safe Haven Center and our Community Health Ministry. The first week in August saw us at National Night Out events in both Cudahy and St Francis bringing both fun and education to our neighbors.  One of our friends, Bernie Brewer stopped to play the bean bag toss game and was one of the over 200 winners between the 2 events.

On the more serious side, we had information on the changes in Districts and websites that can be accessed for voting information, sample ballots, or registration. We also had educational materials on our city resolution which made Racism a Health Crisis and ways others can get involved in Racial Justice events in the area.

Besides all this, we continue our commitment to Laity Education with a Congregational Prayer class in October as well as plans for more classes after the New Year. Plus, through our Youth Center we partner with Summerfield UMC to assist with their Meal Program for the Homeless using it as an educational opportunity for area youth. Cudahy is a small church but we are mighty.  We are committed to the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of all people.  As our motto says, we Care For Cudahy and Beyond. Submitted by Cudahy United Methodist Church 

Immanuel UMC in Jefferson Makes Huge Impact!

Immanuel UMC in Jefferson, WI is a lot like other churches, especially working through the Covid-19 pandemic. They worked hard to find ways of connecting through virtual worship, keep employees employed, and givers giving. But, during the beginning of the Covid shutdown, they also looked to address the growing issue of food insecurity in Jefferson County. When Covid hit, many within the community struggled to have enough money to pay bills and food, and the pantries felt a surge. So, at a time of dwindling resources, during a global pandemic, when attendance was low and worship was solely online, volunteer Amy Hansen and pastor Kellen Roggenbuck began discussing bringing Ruby's Pantry to the community.

Ruby's Panty is a share purchasing program that provides hundreds of dollars of food and occasionally nonfood supplies for a share cost of $20-25. These items are often a mix of specialty products that are expensive or specialized, like gluten-free, staples that are nearing expiration or are discontinued, and fresh, local produce. Immanuel UMC contacted the local fair grounds and set up their first monthly event in September 2020, selling 382 shares. There was much to learn and improve upon, but Jefferson had already outsold the next two closest Ruby's sites in Wisconsin. There are several active sites in Wisconsin, though the largest at the time was in Minnesota, where Ruby's is headquartered. Submitted by Graham Park
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Share Your Story!

We are called to share the good news in all the ways we can. Sharing your stories is way for us to be in community together. Every church has a story to tell and we want to hear about them and what is happening in the life of your church.  We want to hear from churches around our conference so if you have a story that you would like included in an upcoming ENews please use the link below and fill out the form.  We would love to have pictures to accompany the story! Submit story here

Share Your Event!

We're looking for events that celebrate local church communities across the state. Help us spread the word about your upcoming event by sharing it with us here!  Please be sure that your submission provides complete details. Subject to our editorial review, we will add your event to our Events Calendar and share it in the weekly Enews. Submit your event here 

NCJ Press Release
NCJ Committee on Episcopacy Recommends Episcopal Election

The North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) will convene in Fort Wayne, Indiana, November 2-5, 2022 with the theme We Press On. This Jurisdictional Conference will gather delegates (lay and clergy) from across Illinois (Northern Illinois, Illinois Great Rivers), Indiana, Iowa, Ohio (East Ohio and West Ohio), Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin for a momentous time filled with worship and collective discernment regarding the election of episcopal leadership and receiving episcopal assignments.

During the Special Called NCJ Conference in 2021, the delegates affirmed the recommendation from the Committee on Episcopacy to reduce the number of active bishops in the North Central Jurisdiction from nine to eight (Called Special Session November 2021 | NCJ United Methodist Church). This recommendation came from the NCJ Committee on Episcopacy, who, with the NCJ College of Bishops, had determined the prudence of anticipating a GCFA-announced reduction ahead of the 2020 General Conference. The recommendation was made prayerfully and proactively, using the data and information we had at that time. 2020 NCJ Recommendation Press Release 
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Church & Society Now Accepting Applications For 2022 Grant Funding

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) awards grants to United Methodist congregations and groups related to The United Methodist Church through the Ethnic Local Church, Human Relations Day, and Peace with Justice programs.

To apply for grants, applicants must complete forms on the new GBCS online system. All those who previously submitted applications must re-apply using the revised online form. 

Only complete online applications with all required documents submitted by the September 16, 2022 deadline, will be considered for funding. Click here to apply online.

Wisconsin Council of Churches
Afghan Refugee Response & Relief

August marks the 1-year anniversary of the US military withdrawal and the historic evacuation effort following the fall of the Afghan government. From August 15-30, the US military airlifted an unprecedented 120,000 US citizens, citizens of our allies, and Afghan allies out of Kabul. About 76,000 Afghans fled to the US or American military sites abroad during the operation, and another 9,000 are reported to have left Afghanistan since September 1, 2021. One year later, there has been progress but much work remains. Read more

United Methodist Communications
Outreach & Design Using Canva

United Methodist Communications facilitators will lead Outreach and Design Using Canva, a four-week online learning experience that can empower you to create and share a variety of inspirational content online. In this course, church leaders will learn how to use Canva for social media graphics, presentations and much more. The course will begin Aug. 15. Registration is underway.
Learn More

General Council on Finance and Administration
7 Steps To Improve Data Security

Fire and natural disaster – two ways a church’s data could be compromised.  Unfortunately, identity theft, ransomware, and digital breaches are also ways a church’s sensitive assets can be stolen or burglarized. However, there are steps a church can take to minimize the occurrence of digital poaching within its IT systems. 

Download 7 Steps To Improve Data Security