WI Conference Weekly ENews - July 19, 2023

Conference News  l  Denominational News  l  Local News  l   Mission News  l  Events  Resources  l  Classifieds

Art Of Hospitality Two-Session Webinar
August 9th and August 16th

Join First United Methodist Church, West Allis, for a webinar on the importance of hospitality. As a vital sign of any church, hospitality is a top priority for the United Methodist Church. This webinar will introduce "The Art of Hospitality," a comprehensive program developed by experts from The Church of the Resurrection. The author of the book "The Art of Hospitality" Yvonne Gentile will lead TWO sessions discussing how to create a culture of Radical Hospitality that will help local congregations thrive. We will learn the principles and best practices of exceptional hospitality. Read more
Zoom Webinar Registration Link

Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation’s Stewardship Conference at Pine Lake August 11 & 12:
Growing Generosity from the Ground Up!

Are you looking to increase generosity in your church? Hoping to learn how to make stewardship about helping people grow in their discipleship rather than just raising money for the church budget? If that’s you, this year’s Stewardship Conference at Pine Lake on August 11 & 12 is for you! Receive resources that can help you both this fall and for years to come as you grow generous givers in your church and community.

Participation options include in-person Friday only, Saturday only, both days, and virtual via Zoom. For more information, a complete schedule, or to register visit https://www.wumf.org/upcoming-events/. All participants will receive recordings of the workshops they can share with their congregations.

Save The Dates For Upcoming Conference Events
Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church

Please save the date for several upcoming Wisconsin Conference events. Stay tuned for more information!


School for Ministry 2023
Dates: October 4 – 6, 2023, registration to open soon.
Location: Green Lake Conference Center

Racial Ethnic Clergy Leadership Summit with Bishop Jung 2024 
Dates: February 5 - 6, 2024 
Location: Green Lake Conference Center

Five-Day Academy For Spiritual Formation 2024
Dates: May 20 - 24, 2024
Location: Siena Center, Racine, WI

Join Bishop Jung & Rev. Scott Carlson For A Journey To The Holy Land
January 11-20, 2024

In January of 2024, Bishop Hee Soo Jung and Rev. Scott Carlson will be leading our Annual Conference pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan. Please see the attached brochure for more details. Bishop Jung has been so privileged to lead these trips during his time as an Episcopal Leader. He feels that these are important ways for clergy and lay members to learn about the land of the Bible. This awareness helps to grow and add depth to our faith. Future Annual Conference pilgrimages are being planned for Italy (To study Paul and the Early Church) for November of 2024 and for England (To study John Wesley and the Early Methodist Movement) for April of 2025. Please pray about whether God is inviting you on one of our upcoming journeys.
View Trip 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).

Bethel UMC Hosts Community Meal
by Kristine Weir-Martell

On Saturday, July 8, 2023, Bethel UMC in Elkhorn, WI, hosted a free Community Meal for anyone in need of a little kindness. Bethel is part of a local three-church coalition, along with Sugar Creek Lutheran and St. Patrick's Catholic Church, that organizes and hosts a monthly community-wide meal. Each church takes a Saturday a month to serve as a host. On Saturday, July 8, Bethel was honored to welcome 28 community members who were cared for by 16 Bethel volunteers. The brunch served included egg bakes, quiche, assorted fruits, pasta and spinach salads, homemade breads and muffins, and crowd favorite pumpkin bars and crumb cakes. Guests and volunteers alike had a great time together, sharing food and fellowship.

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 

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar Dies At 72
United Methodist Council of Bishops

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church (UMC), died yesterday, July 18, 2023. Council of Bishops (COB) President Bishop Thomas J. Thomas announced the news today to the COB Executive Committee which was meeting outside Chicago this week.

Bishop Devadhar was elected to the episcopacy in 2004 by the Northeastern Jurisdictional (NEJ) Conference of The United Methodist Church. He retired on January 1, 2023. 

Read full press release

Church Court Sets Timeline For Docket
United Methodist Judicial Council

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church’s top court, plans to post the docket for its fall session on or about July 29. Electronic submission of petitions for declaratory decisions and bishops’ rulings of law are due July 15. The deadline for briefs will be Aug. 28 and reply briefs on Sept. 7.
See details

Feminine Hygiene Kits Give Girls A Chance To Stay In School
Midwest Mission Distribution Center

Having access to feminine hygiene products is one key to giving girls around the world the chance to receive an education. Without feminine hygiene products, many girls have to stay home from school for three to eight days each month. This time off of school quickly adds up. They fall behind in their studies, begin to do worse on exams, and eventually have to make the difficult decision to stop going to school altogether. 

Without continuing their education, these girls won’t have the opportunity to get good jobs, go on to college, or travel to other countries for business opportunities. From an early age, their dreams and aspirations have been limited to what can be done without an education, simply because they are female and don’t have the resources they need. Read more

Centering Yourself In Your Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointment
United Methodist Religion & Race

New appointments started July 1. So check out this resource (recently translated into Korean) filled with helpful tips on how to succeed in a cross-racial/cross-cultural appointment in the first 90 days and beyond.
Read more

Revitalize Your Church's Social Media
UM Communications

Are your church’s social media accounts not getting much engagement? Do you want to learn how to transform them into vibrant channels to communicate with your congregation and community? Join us for this four-week learning experience that will start July 31. We will explore social media through a strategic lens, share the tools to build a social media plan and discover fresh ways to engage your audiences through social media. Space is limited, so don’t wait!
Register Today!

PAUMCS Advanced Training - August 27-30

Build on your leadership and personal development skills, with individual course work and group projects that focus on adding value to The United Methodist Church global connection and structure.
Learn more

Post Annual-Conference Reflections: 10 Essential Resources
General Council on Finance and Administration