WI Conference Weekly ENews - August 2, 2023

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The Anti-Racism Task Force Introduces Participatory Theater to Address Racism

During our recent Annual Conference session in Green Bay the Anti-Racism Task Force gave their report in a very different way. Working with Dr. Amy Sarno, professor of theater at Beloit College, the Anti-Racism Task Force spent four days putting together a very short example of Participatory Theatre. If you were at the Annual Conference session, you may have seen the performance, if you did not attend, you may have heard about it. Now that you’ve seen or heard what it looks like, the Anti-Racism Task Force would like to offer a window into the central ideas of Participatory Theater (also known as Theatre of the Oppressed [TO])

We’re hoping that you’ll join the revolution by taking a performer or Jokering workshop. Beginning on July 31, the Anti-Racism Task Force will introduce a group to the concepts and ideas of TO on Zoom. We’ll be following that meeting up with in-person trainings sessions at two different locations in August and October. Once we have a trained group of performers, we’ll begin developing scenarios that can travel around the state to congregations interested in creating an inclusive and anti-racism place of worship. By spring, we should have some performers interested in developing their Jokering skills and we’ll find time and space to offer these opportunities. We encourage anyone – whether you’ve ever been on stage or not – to take advantage of this exciting opportunity. To sign up, please contact Jill Nowlen at nowlenjill@gmail.com
Read more about Participatory Theater

Wisconsin Conference Mission Service, From UMVIM News
by Keri Johnson, Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministries at Cargill UMC, Team Leader Wisconsin YOUTH 2023 UMVIM Mission

Forty-five individuals from seven different Wisconsin churches traveled together and worked hand-in-hand with the amazing disciples from "7 Bridges to Recovery" & "M25 Mission Camps" to become the faces of love and hope for those who struggle with homelessness in the Atlanta area. 

The impact from this experience was transformative for the Wisconsinites! While they did facilitate a mini carnival for people who frequent a local park (allowing them to win snacks, drinks, hygiene kits, socks, & shoes) and pack 150 sack lunches, they got to actually minister to those who live under the bridges and overpasses of the city and learn about the best ways to help our brothers and sisters break free from the binds of homelessness, alcohol, drugs, sexual addictions, prostitution, and abuse!

The large team of youth and adults offered a sack of lunches to the people they met and would encircle a few homes at a time to pray for those who live there; they would also share hugs and prayers with anyone they met who desired them. Each day, hundreds and hundreds of struggling people receive food, clothing and prayer thanks to the leadership of these generous organizations: https://7bridgestorecovery.org/  & https://m25camp.org/

All of this was made possible because of you. Through your generous giving to UMVIMNCJ and the faithfulness of local church apportionment giving, these youth were able to experience Love in Action. Grant funds from the NCJ Mission Council. the Mission Volunteer Office of Global Ministries, and Discipleship Ministries supported this project. Thank you!

Equitable Compensation Grant Cycle Application Available For Fall 2023

Equitable Compensation Grants are available for churches and charges served by a full-time pastor that are experiencing financial hardship. There will be two rounds of Equitable Compensation Grants this year, each totaling $20,000.  Churches may apply for only one grant per year.  The deadline for this second round of 2023 applications is September 30, 2023. The maximum award to a church/charge for first time recipients is $4,000.
Download Application

Save the Date - UMCS 60th Anniversary Open House!
United Methodist Children's Services of Wisconsin

Our 60th Anniversary Open House will be a joyful gathering of friends, supporters, and well-wishers, where we can reflect on our remarkable journey and express our gratitude for the continued support that has propelled us forward throughout the years. It will be an evening filled with nostalgia, camaraderie, and a glimpse into our future endeavors.

Thursday, September 21, 2023
5:30 PM to 7:30PM
3940 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208

School For Ministry 2023
October 4 - 6, 2023, Green Lake Conference Center

All clergy in the Wisconsin conference are invited and expected to attend School For Ministry 2023 for learning and sharing. We welcome and encourage retired clergy to join us. Our guest will be Dr. Ron Bell who serves as Director of Healing and Resilience for Discipleship Ministries and The Upper Room. He is passionate about emotional formation and the intersection of faith and mental health. This year's theme is Journey in the Spirit – Re-membering, Re-connecting, Re-newing: A theological and spiritual perspective for finding emotional stability amid shifting and unequitable terrain. Finding and creating healing and hope in the midst of challenging times.

Participants are eligible for 1 CEU for attending and participating in School for Ministry.
Learn more and register

Cultural Immersion And Education Learning Experience In India
With Dr. J. Samuel Subramanian, Ph.D., Jan. 12-22, 2024

Dr. J. Samuel Subramanian, Ph.D. is Elder in Full Connection in The United Methodist Church. He currently serves as Lead Pastor for a 4-Charge (Danbury-Grace-Siren-Lewis Memorial) appointment. Dr. Subramanian will lead a 10-Day cultural immersion experience where you will have practical exposure to religions, cultures, and social Interactions with people of India in Tamil Nadu. This trip will count as 2 continuing education credits. Reading materials and full trip details can be found in the link below.
Learn more and view trip brochure

Join Rev. Dr. Samuel Royappa For A Journey To The Holy Land
April 2-11, 2024

Pastor Sam will lead/host a Holy Land Journey 2024 - April 2 - 12, 2024. In this journey, we will explore the Life of Jesus, His times, His land, and His Hebrew Faith. We will see the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Church of the Fish and the Loaves at Tabgha, the Chapel of the Primacy, Magdala, the Wedding Chapel in Cana, Tel Megiddo, Caesarea, Jericho, Qumran, Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity, Shepherds' Field, Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust Memorial, the Mount of Olives, the Palm Sunday Road, the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount Zion, House of the High Priest Caiaphas, the Upper Room, Hezekiah's Tunnel, Jerusalem, and much more! If interested, please email to  sroyappa@fumcwa.org for a brochure with further details such as cost, itinerary and registration. 
View brochure

First-Ever Licensing School in Wisconsin
May 5-11, 2024, Onalaska UMC

The purpose of the Licensing School as a Local Pastor is to foster the spiritual growth and skill development of persons called into ministry.  Students will share in collegial fellowship, worship, study and practical experience, which will enable them to qualify for a License as a Local Pastor and service in a congregation. The school emphasizes practical preparation for ministry, and the development of attitudes that will lead to future growth by each participant.  The focus will be on understanding the local congregation and leading the congregation in worship and preaching, sacraments, weddings, funerals, pastoral leadership, Christian education and formation, spiritual formation, evangelism and mission, and pastoral care. 
          Details:       May 5-11, 2024
                             Onalaska UMC
                             Registration fee $750
Watch for more details, or contact Mary Beth Scow (pastormarybeth@hotmail.com), or Cathy Hamblin (aacath@hotmail.com).

Making A Difference In Our Community
By Joe Hilke, Chair NE District

On Tuesday July 25, 2023, members of the Sheboygan Area United Methodist Churches as part of the NE District-Circuit 12 Laity Committee, provided a cook-out for the guests of the Sheboygan County Food Bank Community Café, located inside of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Sheboygan, WI. According to Donna Klein, Community Café Manager, the group served a record-breaking number of guests. More than 80 guests were treated to grilled brats, hamburgers and hotdogs along with potato salad, baked beans, and a selection of desserts. “You have a really great team…Thank you for such a great, successful, lovely, fun day!”, stated Donna.

The Herb Kohler and Natalie Black Community Café serves warm meals and coffee over the lunch hour to anyone in need, especially serving our homeless neighbors. The Community Café serves free meals Monday through Saturday and averages 50 guests, including children, per day. The Community Café provides a comfortable space for guests to overcome challenges they are facing. Read more

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 

Korean Peninsula Needs A Peace Treaty
UM Church & Society

WASHINGTON — Marking the July 27 anniversary of the armistice agreement that put the Korean War in ceasefire mode 70 years ago, the Rev. Dr. Liberato Bautista offers his reflection for peaceful coexistence in the Korean Peninsula, Asia Pacific region and the world. “My fears lie in politics and economics being relegated to war. And peace relegated to culture,” he writes.
Read commentary

Facing The Future 2023 Workshop Is Less Than 4 Months Away
UM Religion & Race

This is a friendly reminder that Facing The Future 2023 is less than four months away! We invite you and your colleagues to join us for in Atlanta, GA from November 14th - 16th, as Cross-Racial, Cross-Cultural, and Multi-Cultural clergy come together to support one another, all while equipping themselves with practical tools for their journey in ministry. For those who have already registered, we invite you to remain connected with the Facing The Future webpage, as we are regularly updating the site with more information on speakers and other details.

World Communion Sunday Is October 1st
Resource UMC

On World Communion Sunday, United Methodists will join Christians of different traditions to recognize our ecumenical oneness in Christ and to bring Christians together in a spirit of unity and peace. We have resources to inspire your community to fully embrace this Special Sunday. In the pastor and leader kit, find offertory talks, children’s messages, age-level resources, social media graphics and more. Core resources will be available in multiple languages. Start planning today!
See resources

God Provides- Recent God Moments At Midwest Mission
Midwest Mission Distribution Center

We have talked about it before (and we will surely talk about it again): one of the biggest blessings of being around Midwest Mission is the God Moments that continually occur. It is so evident that God sees and hears our needs, and provides in His time. 

Some people call these moments coincidences, but we know God is behind it all, for “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) And isn’t that so true in the things we see Him doing at Midwest Mission. Together, we work to show God’s love in a practical way, and He provides so we can accomplish this. Read more

There Is Still Time To Register For NCJ Mission Academy!
August 9 - August 12, 2023, Epworth Conference Center, Webster, IN

What if mission was really about creating friendships that have the power to mutually transform each person across boundaries that were created to divide? During this time, we will explore how Jesus calls us into the paradigm of friendship and the radical reordering of power and relationships that result. Learn more and register here

Resources On United Methodist Identity
UM Discipleship Ministries

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An “Identity Marker” collection of resources is being prepared to help members of the denomination better understand the basics of being a United Methodist. Authors include Bishops Ken Carter, Rueben Job and Will Willimon. Motoe Yamada Foor has the story.
Read story