WI Conference Weekly ENews - August 9, 2023

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WI Conference Partnership With The Evangelical Methodist Church In Bolivia
By Reverend Anita Lang

Leaders from NATIONAL FEFENE (Methodist Women's Federation) have been gathering together and giving a testimony of the support from the WI Conference through the partnership between the WI Conference and the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia.

"It was a pleasure to share these activities with all the sisters in Christ at our Evangelical Methodist Church." - Sister Lidia Huallpa, Coordinator of District El Alto

"We are always grateful to GOD for life and the time that allows us to conduct these workshops in each district." - Sister Catalina Ticona, Coordinator of District Lago

"We learn confectionery, weaving, and sewing in these workshops. We will share what we have learned with the sisters of the local churches." - Sister Jenny Jamillo, Coordinator of District Altiplano Central

As the WI Conference, we are committed to continuing our work on this project. Our goal is to acquire at least 40 sewing machines to support our sisters in Bolivia. To achieve this, we kindly ask for the support of you and your local church. Your contributions and assistance will make a significant difference in empowering women in Bolivia through these sewing machines. Together, we can make a positive impact on their lives and communities. Thank you for being part of this important endeavor. For any questions, please contact Rev. Anita Lang at anitalang130@gmail.com. Click here to view more photos
Click here to donate to Bolivia - Sewing Machine Project

Lake Mills UMC To Host Safer Sanctuary Workshop
September 7 at 6:30 PM 

Lake Mills United Methodist Church is hosting a Safer Sanctuary Workshop to promote safe and supportive ministry practices for all age groups. Our guest speaker, Rev. Sue D'Alessio, Director of Connectional Ministries at the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church, will provide exceptional explanations and practical examples to guide us toward effective and safe ministry practices. This workshop will be an excellent opportunity for us to grow together as faithful leaders in The United Methodist Church. We aim to support and protect each other more safely, especially in children and youth ministry. For questions, please contact Rev. Seongmin Kim at office@lakemillsumc.org.

An Exploration Of Fresh Expressions 
Sept. 30- October 1, 2023, First Congregational Church (Plymouth, WI)

Are you excited to reach new people with fresh expressions of Church? How do you inspire your congregation to express their faith in new ways? ... to take risks and try new things?

The Wisconsin Conference of Lay Servant Ministries is thrilled to be able to bring this in-person workshop to Wisconsin on Saturday, September 30, 2023 and Sunday afternoon on October 1, 2023 to help answer these questions. The workshop will be held at a First Congregational, a fully accessible church in Plymouth, WI (The Cheese Capital of the World).

This workshop is being underwritten by the NE District – Circuit 12 Laity Committee to provide an affordable means for everyone to attend. In addition, this training has been approved by the Wisconsin Conference Board of Laity for Advanced Lay Servant credit and by the Board of Ordained Ministry for CEU credit for ordained clergy. Read more about Fresh Expressions

For detailed and registration information, please click here.

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. 

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. To sign up, please contact Jill Nowlen at nowlenjill@gmail.com
Read more about Participatory Theater

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

Join Bishop Jung & Rev. Scott Carlson for a Journey to the Holy Land
January 11-20, 2024

Rev. Scott writes, "I am so excited about the opportunity to be helping to lead a pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan in January 2024. I invite you to pray and consider joining me on this adventure of faith.
 
Traveling to the lands of the bible has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of the scriptures we read and hold as sacred. It has been described that the land of the Holy Land is the fifth Gospel. That has certainly been my experience. Just being in the place that is talked about in the Holy Scriptures, opens up how I hear the stories anew. 

When in Nazareth, I had a chance to see how a first century home may have looked. The home consisted of just a few rooms. One was a living area, where the food was prepared. Where, at night, the bed mats were laid out and where, during bad weather, the animals were brought in and placed (The stable). Seeing this house helped me hear the birth stories very different."
View Trip Brochure

God's Love For Animals
by Pastor Jim Cotter

The Moundville and Briggsville Churches celebrated God's love for our animal friends on Sunday, July 30th with a "Blessing of Animals" service. Worship was held outdoors at the Moundville Church, and many dogs, one heifer, one chicken, one bunny, and one cat graced the parking lot! One ceramic and one stuffed dog were also present at worship to mark important relationships. Pastor Jim Cotter prayed with each animal and associated family and offered a card with a printed prayer, too. Veterinarian Stephanie Loveland was also present. The event will likely be repeated by popular demand.  

Science Cafe With First UMC West Allis
October 17, 6:00 - 7:30PM

Come join us for the Science Cafe Program, an educational initiative sponsored by The Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and hosted by FUMCWA (7520 West Lapham Street, West Allis). This program aims to enhance public health by engaging in dialogues about current medical and health issues based on the latest scientific developments. The event will take place in a relaxed, non-academic setting. We welcome everyone, both members and non-members, to attend the first FUMCWA-sponsored Science Cafe on October 17, 2023, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm, preceded by dinner at 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Topic: Hypertension & Stroke with Overview of Cardiovascular Issues. Presenters: Marcie Berger, MD and Stacy Gardiner, MD. Please register at https://is.gd/Sciencecafe. Please contact Pastor Sam (Sroyappa@fumcwa.org) if you have questions.

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 To Our Calendar!

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 

Bishop Talbert, Advocate For Justice, Dies
Council of Bishops

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — From humble beginnings as one of seven children born to sharecropper parents in rural Louisiana, retired United Methodist Bishop Melvin G. Talbert took his ministry of justice and love for all people around the globe. Talbert died last week at the age of 89. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Read obituary
Read Council of Bishops press release

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

Save The Date For Midwest Mission Serving Sunday
Midwest Mission Distribution Center

Midwest Mission Sunday is a day to reinvigorate your congregation by getting them excited about serving and making a difference around the world and around the corner. Join people around the Midwest for a day of serving!

You and your church are relevant to God's Great Commission. Midwest Mission helps people in their times of crisis, but we also use our mission to revitalize congregations through service. We have easy and accessible opportunities to show God's love in a practical way and get people involved who may or may not know Jesus personally. This is a great opportunity for you and your congregation to learn about our hands-on activities and how to implement them right where you are. Click here to learn more

Special Sundays Raise Money, Awareness
United Methodist Communication

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church promotes Special Sundays that raise awareness and celebrate generosity in annual conferences and churchwide. Diane Degnan offers a guide to these annual observances.
Read story

Listen Now! Summer Playback: Friendship & Forgiveness
A United Women in Faith Podcast

In this pre-recorded segment, UWF spoke with Amanda Hoyt and the Rev. Cheryl Taylor of St. John AME Church about friendships and forgiveness. To sustain relationships, one must learn forgiveness. To live well, one must learn forgiveness. To enjoy emotional freedom, one must forgive. Forgiveness does not mean re-engaging in toxic and unhealthy relationships; it is a means of freeing us from the harm done to us. Join us for this amazing summer rewind.  
Listen here (on Speaker)

You can also join and listen to this episode and other previously recorded episodes wherever you get your favorite podcast OR by signing up on United Women in Faith Digital where you can more easily engage in community conversations. Sign up now and share with a friend!