WI Conference Weekly ENews - February 8, 2023

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Register Now For Wisconsin Annual Conference 2023
June 9-12, 2023, KI Convention Center, Green Bay, WI

Registration for Wisconsin Annual Conference 2023 is now open. All information about the event is available on the registration website. The Wisconsin Annual Conference 2023 (in person or online) will be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, WI from June 9 – June 12, 2023. If you are unable to attend in-person an online option is available. 

Register here: https://na.eventscloud.com/wac2023  
Early Bird Deadline is May 17, 2023, at 12:00pm

Absolutely no registrations after the deadline. *Clergy and Laity must register by June 1, 2023, at 12:00pm to vote in the sessions.

All confirmed registrations will receive a confirmation email. Please search for your name on the Registered Attendees tab. If it is not located, no registration has been confirmed.
If you need assistance accessing the website or registering online, please contact your pastor or call Lori at 608-837-7328

A Prayer For The Journey To The Holy Land

Rev. Scott Carlson and his group have left to Israel. Please join us in keeping them in our prayers.

Dear Lord, we ask that You bless those traveling to the Holy Land a safe trip and cover them with Your protection. Shine Your face on them Lord, so that no harm come upon them and shower them with Your grace as they go. We pray that they would experience Your presence and Your peace during this trip and that no trouble or mishap would come upon them. Keep them in good health and give them wisdom and alert mind throughout their journey. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

Volunteers in Mission Trip To Alabama

We currently have a Volunteers in Mission team serving in Marion, Alabama. Please keep them in prayer. 

We pray your help and blessings on the members of the Volunteers in Mission trip to Alabama. Thank you that each person is taking time out of their busy lives to serve You by serving others. Thank you that You have spoken to their hearts and that they are willing to venture outside of their homes, neighborhoods and comfort zones. Keep them strong mentally, physically and spiritually. Give them safe travels, energy and enthusiasm and an ability to be flexible when plans change. We ask that you bless the mission project, the team members and leaders, those they serve and the team member’s families back home. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to actively work in a meaningful way in Your wonderful Kingdom. Amen.

Celebrate Black History Month With Beloit Coalition Of Churches
Saturday, Feb. 18th, 10AM, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Beloit Coalition of Churches invites you to celebrate Black History Month! Rev. Dr. Norris E. Jackson, Jr. will present "Dismantling the 'Cradle to Prison' Pipeline" at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1905 Mound Ave., Beloit, WI 53511on Feb. 18th. The event begins with a breakfast fellowship at 10AM and is followed by the community event and speakers at 11AM. For more information, call Pastor Norris E. Jackson, Jr. at 708-305-0854.

Groat Grant Gratitude
Trempealeau United Methodist Church

The Trempealeau UMC was awarded a Groat Grant of $14,446 for two projects of equal importance in providing better accessibility for members and friends. The 56-year-old nursery was completely remodeled to create a safe and welcoming environment for families. Additionally, the obsolete sound system was replaced, with options to provide accessibility for our hearing-impaired attendees. 

These projects were connected in that the updates also allow children and caregivers in the nursery to hear the worship services. TUMC is so very grateful for the generosity of the Groat family, and the availability of funds through the Wisconsin Conference!

Mission u 2023: Living The Good News, Reflecting God's Love
United Women In Faith

Join us at Mission u as we explore the good news and what it means for our lives!

Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels proclaim the good news of the kin-dom or reign (basileia) of God. In fact, Jesus mentions the kin-dom 90 times in the Synoptic
Gospels! What does the Bible tell us about God’s basileia and why do we call it the kin-dom? For Jesus, the kin-dom was not simply something to talk about but something we could live and experience.

Live by Zoom: June 20, 22, 27 & 29, 2023
In-Person: July 13-15, 2023, Mauston UMC, 420 Suszycki Dr, Mauston, WI 53948

Address questions to Mission u Dean: Mary Lainberger—mlainberger@charter.net
Learn more

2023 Instituto De Desarrollo Congregacional

Registration for for the 2023 Instituto De Desarrollo Congregacional is now open! The Instituto De Desarrollo Congregacional is a comprehensive, ten months leadership development opportunity for those leaders ready to take their ministry to the next level. For more information or to register, contact Rev. Scott Carlson / scottcarlson@wisconsinumc.org or Pastor Carlos Sandoval / csandovalw11@yahoo.com 

Bishop's Day Apart For Clergy & Laity

All Clergy members of the Annual Conference are invited to the Bishop’s Day Apart. These gatherings will occur in each district, providing clergy with a worship experience, Bible study, conversation about moving forward as a denomination and fellowship. We pray that you will join in this special time with Bishop Jung. All clergy will receive an email with an invitation to register for the event. If you do not receive the invitation, please contact Lisa Wink at lwink@wisconsinumc.org. 

Volunteer For Tech Crew At Wisconsin Annual Conference 2023

Looking for a chance to help Annual Conference and to meet new people? Being a part of Tech Crew gives you the opportunity to do these things and also gives you an inside view on how the behind the scenes works.   

No experience is necessary, we will teach you how to set up and use the equipment. As a team we will also have time to play games and do other fun thing to get to know each other. We are looking for committed and responsible volunteers to work for the Tech Crew/Stage Crew. Must be 12 years old or older, by June 1, 2022. In some cases, this time can be approved for community service hours towards graduation (check with school).  Download the application here. Applications must be submitted to Sue Snellenberger at Snellenbergersue@gmail.com by May 2, 2023.

Statistical Reports Are Due 2/28/23

Here’s the information you need for your church to submit your 2022 statistical information. Remember that we use this information to help in planning for our Conference and to calculate your 2024 apportionments.  
 

• Watch the training video  Statistical Reporting - Wisconsin Conference of the UMC
• Log in at Annual Church Statistics (gcfa.org)
• Login: your church’s 6 digit GCNO
• Password: stats2022

Contact our Conference Statistician at statistics.wisconsinumc@gmail.org or call Sarah Sneider 608-478-4603 with any questions.

Continuing Education Course, Spring 2023
The Apostles in the Bible and Beyond: Thomas, Peter, and Paul

This Continuing Education Event, led by Dr. J. Samuel Subramanian, Ph.D., will explore the life and ministry of three apostles, namely Thomas, Peter, and Paul. We will look at the Biblical references to Thomas, Peter, and Paul and how they are being portrayed in the Apocryphal Writings which are not part of the New Testament Canon. This will help us to get a comprehensive view of who they are in the Biblical and Extra-Biblical Traditions. 

Cost: $45 for all three sessions (Handouts included)
CEU: 1
Dates: February 27; March 27; and April 24, 2023 (8:30am – 12:00 noon)
Location: Shell Lake United Methodist Church, 135 Reinhart Dr., Shell Lake, WI 54871
Contact: Pastor Jean Waldron, 715-468-2405 or 608-632-2792 (cell) / jeanlwaldron@gmail.com

More Information

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 

YOUTH 2023
The United Methodist Church Discipleship Ministries

Every four years, youth from throughout The United Methodist Church have gathered for four days of discipleship, fun, and fellowship at the YOUTH event. The event is filled with interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fellowship time. Adult leaders who bring youth to our event can expect inspiration, support, and chances to authentically experience what it means to be part of the Methodist and Wesleyan family.

Registration for YOUTH 2023 in Daytona Beach, FL, is now open! Click to learn more and get started today!

Spring Mission Volunteer Training
United Methodist Church Global Ministries

The next Mission Volunteers training will be held March 27-30, 2023, St. Raphaela Retreat Center, Haverford, Penn. Mission Volunteers are individuals or couples (ages 18 and up) who seek long-term partnerships with communities around the world and fund themselves. Mission Volunteer opportunities are diverse and range from working with refugees, children and youth to serving as a teacher, pastor, camp director or health care professional. The length of service ranges from two months to more than two years. Dates and registration information for all of 2023’s trainings are available here.

Fabric And Craft Supplies Donated In God's Timing
Midwest Mission Distribution Center

Robert Tom and his wife Lynette owned a fabric store located in Montpelier, Ohio. The fabric store, teeming with bright colors and fun patterns and craft supplies, was a big part of Robert and Lynette’s life. When Lynette fell ill and moved to a memory care unit, they made the hard decision to close their dearly loved store. 

Robert, wanting to make good out of this situation, decided to bless others through the closing of their store. He knew many of the handmade projects Midwest Mission offers require fabric, and that Midwest Mission would occasionally send bolts of fabric on shipments. Robert decided the best thing to do would be to donate all of the fabric and craft supplies to Midwest Mission. 
Read more

A Lenten Journey Through the Psalms with Barb Roose
Amplify Media, Thursday, Feb. 9th at 11:00 a.m. CT

For Lent this year, wouldn’t you like to connect with God in a more meaningful way? If so, you will want to join speaker and author Barb Roose as she walks you through how to intentionally practice and deepen your Christian faith with one of the most popular books of the Bible. In this webinar you will learn how to:

• See the connection between Jesus and some of your favorite Psalms;
• Overcome Lenten guilt by seeing Lent as a "preparation" season instead of a "performance" season;
• Apply three fresh Lenten activities to enrich your experience

Barb will be joined in conversation with Melissa Spoelstra, author of Isaiah: Striving Less and Trusting God More. Register today for this live conversation and start your Lenten journey through the Psalms. 
Learn more