WI Conference Weekly ENews - May 18, 2022

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Financial Obligations Of Disaffiliating Churches

Though churches disaffiliating under the provisions of ¶2553 are allowed to retain their property and other assets, there are financial obligations they must completely meet before the disaffiliation date, no later than December 31, 2023. If the local church fails to satisfy all of its obligations the entire agreement shall be null and void.

There is a crucial deadline for payment of financial obligations for disaffiliation even before the Annual Conference can vote on a request that has been adopted by a properly called Church Conference. At least two weeks prior to the opening of the Annual Conference session at which a disaffiliation request is considered, the disaffiliating local church must submit to the conference treasurer payment in full for the following items: Read More
Learn More: WI Conference Disaffiliation Information

Cultural Competency Training at WI Annual Confernece

At Annual Conference 2022, Monday Learning Day will be called Cultural Competency Training. This year we are offering a morning and afternoon session, In-person, or Online via Zoom. Please register and invite your congregations to register for this FREE Monday event.
 
Presenters include Lamarr V Gibson, Grace Cajiuat, and Afi Dobbins. The training will discuss the following topics:

• How prejudice, bias and group favoritism lead to discrimination, exclusion, and marginalization among persons of various ethnicities, orientations and abilities in the Wisconsin Annual Conference and its church congregations.
• How prejudice, bias and unequal uses of power can lead to harmful emotional and psychological consequences and potential remedies.
• Cultural Competency practices to reduce prejudice and bias and the potential for unequal uses of power in church congregations
• Models for application in church congregations

Morning Session
      Prejudice, bias, and group favoritism
      Power and internalized oppression
Afternoon Session
      Cultural Competency
      Models for application

Click this link to register: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=664223&&

Church Court: Conferences Can't Exit Unilaterally

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church's top court, ruled that current church law does not allow annual conferences in the U.S. to withdraw from the denomination. The ruling answers questions from the United Methodist bishops, who are dealing with the ramifications of a splintering denomination. Heather Hahn reports.
Read Story
Press release: Council of Bishops Welcomes Decision

GCORR Responds and Resources The Church Around Buffalo Shooting

GCORR is horrified and devastated by the recent shooting in Buffalo, NY. The white supremacist shooter acted with a violent and racist agenda against the Black community. This act of terrorism is a direct result of white supremacy and is unfortunately all too common in America. We grieve the victims of this senseless killing and stand in solidarity with the Black community of Buffalo and the United States.

All our church and community leaders must act to undo the work of racism that’s deeply rooted in our society. We must take responsibility for this ongoing work. Every anti-racist action and conversation is a step in the right direction. For those looking to act, we offer resources for faith communities and individuals working towards racial justice, below are some resources to consider: Read more

Bridges UMC Gratitude Project

The people of Bridges Church want to live a life of generosity and gratitude, plus they want to support people taking steps to engage in service projects and community outreach. They started a monthly Gratitude Project to meet new people and show our gratitude for the hard work of our neighbors. Every month, Bridges people gather for 15 minutes after worship to fill brown paper lunch bags with prepackaged goodies, such as candy, granola bars, chips, microwave popcorn and other fun items. 

They include a card that says, "Just for You, Just Because: Thanks for all you do for our community." People of all ages help fill the bags, from toddlers to 90+. The gratitude bags have gone to many groups around our community, such as police officers, fire station, public library staff and volunteers, humane society, city bus drivers, garbage collectors, city street staff, county jail employees, elementary and middle school staff. For the last set of bags, the department manager had all the employees come in for a "meeting" and our volunteers got to give the bags directly to every employee. Some of the recipients have noted that they have never gotten a thank you from anyone for the work they do for our community. This project has been great for new people at church to try a service project, and for introducing our church to the community. It reminds us to be aware of all the people who work hard to bring our community together.

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

UM News: In Ministry With Migrants

TAPACHULA, Mexico (UM News) — As record numbers of migrants continue to cross Mexico's southern border, the Methodist Church of Mexico is seeking new ways to be in ministry with immigrant families on the move. A UM News team accompanied Mexican church leaders and longtime partners from The United Methodist Church in April on visits with migrants, other faith communities and charitable and civic leaders in southern Mexico as they sought ways to help. Mike DuBose shares a photo essay.
See photos
UM News immigration photo essay: 'I Was a Stranger …'

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Trip- August 21-26, 2022

Would you like to join us?  Oak Creek Community UMC is planning our annual trip to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL.  Anyone age 11 and up are welcome to come.  (Youth need a parent or guardian.) We have been sending a team to MMDC every August since the facility opened in 2002 with the exception of 2020.  We keep going back because we are doing God’s work and we have so much fun.  Plus we get to use power tools!  This year's trip is August 21-26.  The cost is $20/night for a shared room + $12 per day materials fee.  You can come for a few days or all 5.  There are jobs for every skill level from sitting at a table counting items to making desks.  Come with a friend or make a new one as you work together on a wide variety of projects. Check out their website at midwestmission.org. Click MORE and pick MISSION JOURNEY to see what the volunteers do.  Contact Bonnie Clement at bonnieclement05@gmail.com or 262-497-9969 for details and to sign up.  Registration deadline & payment due June 1^st.

World Council of Churches: Webinar Explores Racial Justice Landscape

OKLAHOMA CITY — A World Council of Churches webinar, which will be held on the two-year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd, will explore how the racial justice landscape has evolved, particularly in the United States and the United Nations. The webinar is set for 8:30 a.m. U.S. Central time May 25. The Rev. Chebon Kernell of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is moderator. Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Rev. Leah Gunning Francis, a seminary dean and United Methodist, are among the speakers.
Learn more
To register

UM Communications: 5 Ways to Overcome Anxiety

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Take a one-minute break for self-care and learn five ways to overcome anxiety when feeling fearful or stressed. United Methodist Communications offers a guided space to pause and find the road back to peace.
Watch Video

Discipleship Ministries
Resources For Responding To Racism

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As people in the U.S. struggle to understand deadly shootings at a New York grocery store and a California church, United Methodist Discipleship Ministries is suggesting resources to help leaders undo the work of racism. Among the recommendations are videos on decolonizing the church, a book edited by prominent United Methodist pastor the Rev. Rudy Rasmus and an online anti-racism course from the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.
Read press release
UM News: Churches condemn hate, urge action after shootings