WI Conference Weekly ENews - December 21, 2022

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Thank You For 30 Years Of Foundational Support For Ministry Of Africa University by Andra Stevens, Africa University Development Office

I’m privileged to be able to say thank you to you on behalf of the students, faculty, administrators, support staff, trustees, and alumni of Africa University. It is truly a blessing that you continue to journey alongside this ministry, despite the uncertainties being confronted within and beyond the church. Thank you for your prayers and gifts that show great love and faithfulness. Your support is moving young people from the margins, into roles that uplift communities.
 
All year long, through its 30^th anniversary celebration activities, Africa University has been giving thanks for the legacy-making boldness of individuals and congregations in the Wisconsin Conference and across The United Methodist Church. Thank you for your leadership and for contributing so generously to Africa University’s growth and missional impact. The Wisconsin Conference contributed $35,450 in 2021 and $23,980 thus far in 2022 to Africa University through your local church apportionments and special gifts. Thank you !
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Watch Out For Email Scams

As we near the end of the year we wanted to remind you to stay vigilant for email scams claiming to be from the Bishop, Conference Staff or District Superintendents. Please remember that we will never ask you for gift cards or for you to wire money to any one of us. We also will not ask you to change your bank information for apportionment payments via an email. All apportionment payments are made either by check or through Mission Connect. If you receive a suspicious email and aren’t sure about it, please feel free to call our office and confirm.
 
Do not respond to the email and do not send any money or gift cards. All emails from Conference staff will be sent from our company email address: wisconsinumc.org

Be Prepared For Freezing Temperatures
Church Mutual Insurance

A polar vortex is expected to bring severe winter weather to your area this week. Is your facility prepared for sub-freezing temperatures, including the possibility of frozen pipes?

To help you weather this polar vortex, we want to share with you our Winter Storm and Freeze Preparedness Plan. The plan provides important information on how to prevent your pipes from freezing in the event your building loses power or heat. We also recommend this resource on how to prevent frozen pipes.

The Boundless Gift Of Generosity
United Methodist Children's Services Of Wisconsin

As another year comes to a close, we once again find ourselves in a reflective mood around here at United Methodist Children’s Services. If you are like us, these past few years have been a bit of a whirlwind. It’s hard to even recall all of the twists and turns, the ups and downs that we’ve been through, but despite all of those challenges, as we look back it’s clear to see that 2022 has been a year of turning the corner, and of not just getting back to normal, but of striving to do better than before.

We are ending the year with feelings of immense gratitude – gratitude for where we find ourselves now, for the journey that we have been upon, and, of course, for the overwhelming support that we continue to receive from you and so many others who have made UMCS a special part of their lives. Alongside those feelings of gratitude is a sense of responsibility, to do more and to do better with the resources we have and that we can employ in the service of others. This is what the team at UMCS has been dedicated to in 2022.
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Renewing Rural Ministry- Online Via Zoom
January 28, 2022  /  9:00am - 12:00pm 

Across North America, urban centers are growing, creating new challenges and opportunities for rural cities and towns. Rural churches, once a centerpiece of small- town life, need new tools for loving their neighbors, sharing the gospel, and connecting in community. This gathering will help our churches be prepared for the next season of ministry.

If you are a pastor, lay leader, or are simply interested in vital ministry in small towns, this opportunity is for you. There is an $18.00 non-refundable registration fee. 
Learn more

WUMF- Save the Dates (or Better Yet, Register Now!)

How to Reach & Welcome New People (and how Foundation Grants can help!) – Saturday, February 4 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Oak Creek Community United Methodist Church or virtually. Sponsored by the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation and the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Church.
 
Clergy Tax Seminar – Monday, January 24 at 1 p.m. at Sun Prairie United Methodist Church or virtually. Sponsored by the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation through a grant from a bequest from Rev. Carl Berry.
 
For more information and to register, visit www.wumf.org/upcoming-events/. Questions? Contact Jason Mahnke at jason@wumf.org. 

You Are Invited To Sponsor A Local Church In Bolivia 

With a small donation we can transform the lives of our neighbors near and far. Local churches in the Bolivian Evangelical Methodist Church are facing difficult times due to the pandemic, post-pandemic effects, inflation, and rural needs.

Bishop Huanca hopes that some of the churches in the WI Conference will sponsor a local church in Bolivia for one to two years. In Bolivia, Bishop Huanca listed eight local churches that are praying for a church in WI that might be ready to answer God's call. The goal is to build relationships, pray for each other, and learn and communicate with people from different cultures. 

Local churches in WI could assist local churches in Bolivia with minor projects like:

• Instruments- guitar, bass, and drums for worship 
• Mattresses, chairs, plates, a kitchen stove, chairs for the sanctuary, etc.

One of the first churches to support a church in Bolivia was Elkhorn FUMC. Thanks to the support of this congregation, the rural church in Bolivia is constructing a new church at the Zamora Location.

Watch Video: Bolivia Project Update

For questions, please contact Rev. Anita Lang at anitalang130@gmail.com. 

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 

United Methodist Communications
New Space-Sharing Move To Enhance Stewardship And Collaboration

Nashville, Tenn.: The General Commission on United Methodist Men will relocate their office from 1000 17th Avenue South in Nashville, Tennessee, to available office space in the United Methodist Communications’ facility at 810 12th Avenue South – just about a mile away.

United Methodist Communications (UMCom) and the General Commission on United Methodist Men (UMM) are working cooperatively to take advantage of space left vacant by the shift to a remote work environment. A majority of UMCom employees are now permanently working full-time from home. The building continues to house some UMCom staff and production and studio facilities.
Read press release

Special Sundays: Human Relations Day is January 15

Resources are now available to help churches celebrate Human Relations Day on January 15, 2023. This special offering benefits neighborhood ministries through community developers, community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services and works with at-risk teens through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program. Find resources here.

Midwest Mission
Hospital Bed Provides Peace Of Mind For Local Family 

When area resident, Chuck Williams, 86, lost his wife earlier this year, it was heart-wrenching and has taken a toll on the family, especially Chuck. But they look out for each other. Midwest Mission had the privilege recently of being part of their story.

On Thursday, December 1, Taylor, from Synergy Home Healthcare of Springfield called Development Manager, Lisa Rigoni, here at Midwest Mission. “I was at Midwest Mission for the Good Morning Springfield Chamber breakfast you hosted back in February. It might be my imagination, but I was thinking you had medical supplies. So, I thought I’d call in case I didn’t dream it. I work for Synergy and the Dad of one of my client’s needs a hospital bed. Would you have something like that? Is it even something you do?” Lisa said, “Yes, Midwest Mission does receive various medical supplies and sometimes beds.”
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United Methodist Communications
Essential Church Marketing Tips For A Successful New Year

Want to make your church communications more impactful? We want to help! MyCom is an expansive online content collection featuring share-worthy tips and tricks on all aspects of church marketing and communications. Discover great articles from church marketing experts and, while you’re at it, subscribe to the MyCom e-newsletter and tune into the podcast for important advice on telling your church’s story.
Start exploring