WI Conference ENews: Afghanistan Refugee Efforts, Covid Updates, Haiti Relief Efforts, Midwest Mission Deliveries to Haiti, Free Resources

8/25/2021 - Conference News
Conference News

 

Afghanistan Refugee Efforts

Afghan refugees are landing in Wisconsin and are being processed at Fort McCoy in an effort the U.S. army is calling "Operation Allies Refuge."

Wisconsin Conference Bishop, Hee-Soo Jung, is partnering with Donna Veatch, Chair of the Wisconsin Conference Committee on Immigrant & Refugee Ministries to ask you to pray and consider how United Methodists in Wisconsin can respond to the ongoing Afghanistan Refugee Crisis. Read more

Covid Task Team Update

The Wisconsin Conference Covid Task Team, along with Bishop Jung, members of the Cabinet, Personnel Committee, Connectional Table, Board of Laity and the Conference Chancellor, met Monday evening to discuss the every-changing situation with Covid-19 and the Delta variant. 

It was a time of conversation and listening but also a time to share ideas of how, we as a conference can come together to support one another.  We are called to love our neighbor 9Matthew 22:35-40).

The work of the Covid Task Team and the Conference will continue as we seek to provide education about the Covid vaccine and best practices for continuing to navigate the spread of Covid-19 and its Delta variant.  At this time, the Conference will not issue vaccine mandates for clergy or conference staff. New and updated information will continue to be posted through the Conference ENews and website.

UMCOR Disaster Relief in Haiti

On Saturday, August 14, Haiti experienced a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that produced widespread destruction in the western region of the country. The current death toll stands at 1,297 and left at least 5,700 people injured in the Caribbean nation, with thousands more displaced from their destroyed or damaged homes.

We invite you to make a donation to UMCOR to aid in the response efforts in Haiti. We invite you to pray for families of those who have died or are missing as we extend prayers of comfort. We also pray for communities experiencing upheaval and uncertainty. UMCOR stands in solidarity and is in communication with partners in Haiti as the full scale of this disaster unfolds.
 

Free Resources Available to all Laity and Clergy

The Conference office has several resources available for you or your church. There are several bibles’ studies, books and videos in the Conference room 204. If you would like to make an appointment to take a look at what is available, please call Dawn Suchomel at 608-837-7328. These items will be available until August 31, 2021.

Partnership of Wisconsin Conference and The Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia

The Wisconsin Annual Conference signed a partnership with the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia. This is one of the greatest gifts of our Conference, to be in mission with other Methodist churches around the world. 

We have the opportunity to participate in the mission of sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through contributing to buy four motorcycles for pastors in Bolivia. This will help them to mobilize through difficult roads where cars can’t ride, but still the need to bring words of hope and salvation are needed for God’s children. These pastors are the feet, arms and hands of Jesus, as well as ours to expand God’s kingdom in this place, where we can’t be fiscally present, but we can do it through our giving. For more information, contact Rev. Rosita Mayorga: pastorarosita98@gmail.com
Mission News & Information

 

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Delivers to Haiti

Midwest Mission has partnered with Food for the Poor and has already sent aid to Haiti! Midwest Mission received an urgent needs request right away and was able to get supplies to our FFTP Partner and to Haiti within 24 hours of the earthquake!

Midwest Mission received an email on Sunday, August 15th from Jisabelle Garcia-Pedroso, Food For the Poor Senior Programs Manager, Operations. She wrote, "because of your support to prepare together as partners, United in God's Work, YOU were already present in Haiti delivering aid within 24 hours!"

Nairobi Church Offers Home Care, Hope to Sick

NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — Members of Huruma United Methodist Church are providing help and hope to people living with cancer in Nairobi's slums. The church's free community home-care program focuses on strengthening end-of-life care and enhancing quality of life for underprivileged people who have no primary caregiver. Gad Maiga reports. Read story
 
Other Resources

 

Wesley Theological Seminary Invites UMC Congregations to Apply for The Source Collaborative

The Source Collaborative, a Wesley initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., seeks 10 UMC congregations who wish to thrive and grow in their community and context. 

The Source Collaborative will help selected churches identify their own markers of thriving and empower them to create and implement a congregational change strategic plan with the help of a coach. Following a one-year community learning and self-assessment process, a grant and an additional year of coaching for implementation will be provided. Application deadline: October 1, 2021

 The Source Collaborative 2022-23 Congregational Profile

For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Beth Ludlum: innovation@wesleyseminary.edu

How to Facilitate Hybrid Worship

LOS ALTOS, Calif. — While many people want to return to an in-person experience, others are choosing to continue worshipping online. This development brings with it unique challenges that church leaders need to resolve to best serve the needs of the congregation. The Rev. Jeremy Steele, associate pastor at Los Altos United Methodist Church, shares advice on juggling the two worship experiences. Read story
 
BeADisciple.com Hosts Course-
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Towards Racial Justice

This text by Jemar Tisby is a handbook for pursuing racial justice with hands-on suggestions supported by real-world examples of change. This study will offer the opportunity to come away with a clear model for how to think about race in productive ways and a compelling call to dismantle the social system based on skin color.
 

Classes are held one hour each Thursday evening (6:00 PM – 7:00 pm CST). Enroll Now

Financial Leadership Series for Churches

Garret-Evangelical Technological Seminary is presenting a course on Financial Leadership to empower congregational leaders to talk about money and financial aspects of ministry confidently and openly. 

This course will take place over three modules running from September 2021- February 2022. Learn More / Register
 
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