WI Conference Weekly ENews - March 23, 2022

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Bishop's Day Apart for Clergy & Laity

During these days together, we will feature our quadrennial focus, Radical Inclusion and Racial Justice, as our continuous mission and ministry direction. Our Anti-Racism Task Force and Bishop's Task Force are working on how we can build the beloved community together in the Wisconsin Conference. During Bishop's Days Apart with Clergy and Laity, each district will participate in study and reflection on Radical Inclusion and Racial Justice. Read More

Registration Links:
North Central: https://wisconsin-reg.brtapp.com/northcentralbishopsdayapart 
North East: https://wisconsin-reg.brtapp.com/NorthEastDistrict2022DayApartwithBishopJung 
North West Clergy: https://wisconsin-reg.brtapp.com/NorthWestDistrictDayApartClergy
North West District Laity:  https://wisconsin-reg.brtapp.com/BishopsDayApartLaity
South East (deadline 3/24) : https://wisconsin-reg.brtapp.com/southeastbishopsdayapart
South West (deadline 3/28): https://wisconsin-reg.brtapp.com/southwestbishopsdayapart

District Administrator Heidi Careaga Shares her Passion and Support for UWF Rebrand

Heidi Careaga writes, "It is an exhilarating time, as we commit to even greater diversity, action, and impact as United Women in Faith. We remain women of passion and power, united by God’s love and committed to our PLEDGE to the mission for women, children, and youth. This is a time for us to STAND UNITED! Each unit in our local churches can continue to be part of our organization because each of you in the units is valuable, and most of all you are loved. To share this love, to have faith, action, and to be a sisterhood is our calling as we reach out to invite new women to join us on this wonderful journey and find new ways to support one another." Read full article

Bishop's Task Force Update

During the February meeting of the Bishop's Task Force, a growing number of resources were identified to help move us toward inclusion of every gender identity, skin tone, culture and origin in every aspect of United Methodist ministry. The next question we face: How will we connect the ministry of local churches to these resources?  Here are some of the offerings we want to be certain Wisconsin United Methodists put to use in the months ahead: Read more

Basic Lay Servant Class at Black River Falls UMC

Are you interested in becoming a Lay Servant? The Basic Lay Servant Class is the entry point to leadership within the United Methodist Church. It helps you to recognize God's call in your life and to recognize your spiritual gifts. The class shows you and prepares you for opportunities to serve God. These might include teaching, leading, guiding, reaching out to others, and other ways that proclaim and demonstrate the love of God in Jesus Christ.
       Dates:       Friday, May 13th (6-9pm) and Saturday, May 14th (9am-4pm) 
       Place:       Black River Falls UMC
                        100 N. 4th Street, Black River Falls, WI 54615
       Cost:        $10.00 (fee will include book)
       Leader:     Pastor Inwha Shon
       Deadline:  April 31, 2022

Email Mike Zahn at mmzahn57@hotmail.com if you are interested in participating. 

Delegates Urge Hope for Denomination's Future

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Amid talk of denominational division, more than 275 General Conference delegates and other church leaders have signed an open letter sharing their commitment to staying in and strengthening The United Methodist Church. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read letter

Church court weighs annual conference questions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Judicial Council released three decisions dealing with annual conference matters, as well as a memorandum clarifying an earlier ruling on church disaffiliations. The United Methodist Church’s top court also is now accepting briefs on two docket items added at the request of the Council of Bishops. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story

Global Ministries- FAQ on UMCOR's efforts for Ukraine

ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has prepared an FAQ about how the United Methodist Committee on Relief is responding to the crisis in Ukraine. The article addresses how United Methodist individuals and congregations can be supportive, and it includes specifics about the United Methodist presence in the country.
Read FAQ

Weekly Prayer Vigil at Riverside UMC in Niagara, WI-
Prayers for Peace in Ukraine and the World

Do you believe in the power of prayer?  Do you sense a need to pray for peace?  You are invited to a weekly prayer vigil at Riverside United Methodist Church in Niagara (1957 River Street, Niagara) on Fridays from 2-5 PM, with a time for common prayer at 4 PM for 15-20 minutes.  For questions or more information contact Rev. Linda N. Pliska, 920-217-8591. More Information

Bristol UMC and Wesley Chapel UMC Collected 325 pounds of Canned Goods During Annual February Challenge

The Outreach and Missions Committee, in coordination with The Sharing Center in Trevor, determine what will be collected and then the two churches then "compete" to bring in the most items. In 2022, members of the two churches were asked to provide soups and/or canned goods.  Although somewhat hindered by the closing of both churches in January due to COVID, the entire collection was taken to The Sharing Center on Monday, February 28 and weighed. According to the committee, "Bristol brought in more canned goods, but The Sharing Center was the real winner of the challenge". In previous years the challenge has provided salad dressing, fish, cereal, peanut butter, diapers and wipes, toilet paper, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Bristol and Wesley Chapel also participate in the "Shalom-to-Home Kits" program coordinated by Living Waters Ministries which helps people moving into their first home. That program began in 2018 and has provided 426 kits to 154 families.

Save the Date: 2023 Mission Trip to Lima, Peru
March 3-13, 2023  l  Faith UMC, Sheboygan Falls, WI

Faith United Methodist Church located in Sheboygan Falls Wisconsin will be leading a Mission Trip to Lima, Peru in March 2023. The total cost for the trip will be $1,500 plus airfare to and from Lima. Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2022. Please email Jody Pratt at prattgji09@gmail.com for applications and more information.

The Nyadire Connection: Mission Team Members Sought

PITTSBURGH — Volunteers are wanted for a missionary team scheduled to travel to Zimbabwe June 16-July 27. The Nyadire Connection is looking for people with skills in education, ministry, agriculture, health and maintenance. The faith-based nonprofit organization seeks to support and sustain the Nyadire United Methodist Mission in Zimbabwe.
Read press release
UM News: TNC celebrates 15 years of sharing God’s love

UM Communications- Hybrid- Worship Course Available

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications is offering an online training course to explore best practices for engaging in-person and online worshippers. Creating Hybrid Worship Services is a free, self-paced course that allows participants to register at any time.
Read press release
To register

Northern Illinois Conference: 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, October 2-7, 2022

The Five-Day Academy is a program of Upper Room® Ministries, providing an opportunity to tune our hearts toward God through a daily rhythm of prayer, worship, learning and reflection. Each day includes teachings by gifted spiritual leaders to deepen our walk with God, periods of silence, morning and evening prayer, Eucharist, and an opportunity to share with others.
Learn more and register

UM Communications: Is There A Place For Your Church on TikTok?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The social media app offers a way to promote churches, engage congregations and reach new people with the Christian message. Tricia K. Brown offers ideas for church TikTok videos. While is may seem odd at first, making use of Tiktok, which has more than 1 billion monthly users, could be a great way to engage your congregation and promote your church to a wider audience. 
Read story

UMC Communications Offers Free Video Strategy Guide

Do you want to spread the word about your ministry through digital discipleship, but don’t know how? Or are you making videos, but feel like you are stuck in a rut? Check out UMC Support’s handy guide offering tips, tricks, and a place to start to put you on the road to dynamic video content that tells your authentic story.
Download Your Free Ministry Video Guide

Resource UMC- Coaching, Social Media Sharables and More

Did you know that our Local Church Services team can help your church with free one-on-one coaching sessions? We can help you be more effective in using social media, placing ad buys and boosting your church’s posts on Facebook. We also can help you promote your upcoming Lent and Easter events and even provide you with a free library of graphics to use. Apply for help