WI Conference Weekly ENews - May 24, 2023

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Annual Conference Is June 9-12, 2023

There will be no weekly Enews the week of June 12th. Please check the Conference website and social media accounts for Conference Updates. Keep an eye out for the 2023 Annual Conference Summary the following week!

Training Workshop at Annual Conference 2023
Growing Together: Cultivating Inclusive Life In The Church
In-person & Hybrid Option Available

On Monday, June 12, 2023, 9:00am - noon, we are hosting a workshop open to everyone in our Conference, particularly those attending Annual Conference. The intent of this workshop is to provide practical, ready-to-implement ideas for guiding our congregations toward greater inclusion and belonging. This workshop continues our Conference commitment to becoming Beloved Community in our Conference and churches. There is no cost for the workshop. If you have registered for lunch, we can continue discussion around the lunch tables. Workshop description

To sign up for the session, please contact Lori Denoyer at ldenoyer@wisconsinumc.org.

Farewell Celebration For Superintendent Barbara Certa-Werner

On Saturday, May 20th, a celebration was held for Superintendent Barbara Certa-Werner! Memories and gratitude were shared for her time spent serving the Wisconsin Conference as a District Superintendent. Barbara will continue working with the Wisconsin Conference, now as Assistant to the Bishop. Congratulations!

3rd Harmony Choir Rehearsal Was Great! There's Still Time For You To Join!

We had a great Harmony Choir Rehearsal at Columbus UMC on May 22nd. We enjoyed praising God and ate a very delicious Korean BBQ provided by Conductor, Rev Park and his wife with Bishop Jung and the Cabinet. Bishop Jung and cabinet members encouraged us a lot!

The next practice is June 10th at 8:00PM at the KI Convention Center Auditorium with the Pastors and Lay members who signed up to sing during the Ordination Service.  For more information click here.

Peace With Justice Sunday
New Berlin Our Lord's UMC

Our Lord’s United Methodist Church in New Berlin has received funding from the Peace with Justice Grant Program, enabling them to establish an “Intergenerational Peace and Justice Storytelling Path” within the church grounds. They purchase children’s books on topics related to racial justice, peace, environmental care, and gender inclusion, to name a few. The books are divided into three sets: the first set of the books will be available in the church library, the second set will be prominently displayed along the outdoor pathway, and the third set will be donated to local elementary school libraries and classrooms. Read more

Volunteer Performers Needed For The Anti-Racism Task Force's Theater Performance At Annual Conference 2023

You are invited to participate in an experience of participatory theater (forum theater) offered by the Wisconsin Conference Anti-Racism Task Force. Dr. Amy Sarno, director of theater at Beloit College will conduct the performance and training sessions. No prior acting or performance experience is needed. Rehearsals will be on June 8th and 9th with the performance taking place Saturday, June 10th during plenary at Annual Conference. Contact Rev. Lamarr V Gibson for more information at (608) 509-6832 or lvgibson48@gmail.com.
More Information

Affected by Disaffiliation? Find Out How You Can Move Forward With The WI Conference

The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  This is our mandate regardless of what circumstances come our way and pull us off track. This is a difficult time for many in The United Methodist Church. Some of our congregations in the Conference have voted to disaffiliate from the denomination. 

In any congregation that leaves, there are people who want to remain faithful to The United Methodist Church and remain a part of our denomination. We most certainly welcome you to remain United Methodist and carry on the legacy we have had as a denomination that is rooted in the historic faith in Jesus Christ, committed to social justice and welcoming all people.

If your church has decided to disaffiliate and you would like to remain United Methodist, please visit our website at https://www.wisconsinumc.org/moving-forward-with-beloved-community   

Lodi UMC's New Year Challenge, “A Psalm A Day”
By Melissa Lederhaus

Lodi United Methodist Church’s All Church New Year Challenge, “A Psalm A Day” began the first week of January 2023. Each day, a new reader volunteers to read the psalm of the day, and it is video recorded. The readers have been diverse, ranging from Sunday School kids to the elderly in assisted-living facilities, and from Confirmation Class youth to snowbird church members in the south. They also include members of the church’s Praise Team, mid-week Bible study participants, and newcomers to the church as well as those who grew up in Lodi and now live in another state. Read more

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 

CT And GCFA Boards Affirm Budget Allocations
Connectional Table & General Council on Finance and Administration

On May 18, 2023, the Connectional Table (CT) and General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) met to discuss the allocations to the apportioned funds that each entity oversees. Both boards affirmed the allocations.

The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church requires both of the church entities to achieve a mutual agreement per ¶ 905.7(a) and ¶ 806.1(b) on the allocations to the World Service Fund, Ministerial Education Fund, Black College Fund, Africa University Fund, and the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund. The allocations reflect the outcome of negotiations between CT and GCFA’s Committee on General Agency and Episcopal Matters (GAEM). Read more

Peace With Justice Sunday Is June 4th
United Methodist Communications

Peace with Justice Sunday celebration is June 4, 2023. This offering is collected the first Sunday after Pentecost and it supports peace with justice ministries through the General Board of Church and Society and the annual conferences.
Learn more about Peace With Justice Sunday
Peace with Justice Pastor and Leader Kit

Save the Date for Facing the Future 2023!
United Methodist Religion & Race

We invite you to mark your calendars, November 14-16, and join us in Atlanta Georgia for Facing the Future 2023, where leaders from all over the country will come together to be affirmed and equipped to be effective change agents in their ministry in the world. Themed Be3: Being, Belonging, and Becoming, Facing the Future 2023 will be grounded in biblical and theological reflection, foster an environment of affirmation and support, have engaging and dynamic multicultural worship, and provide practical and relevant workshops and tools to further equip attendees as we journey toward together in building a more inclusive and connected future. We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta! Registration Opens June 1st! Sign up for Updates!

Solar Panel Installation Begins
Midwest Mission Distribution Center

In 2020, Midwest Mission’s board of directors and staff began to dream and plan what it would look like for Midwest Mission to have solar panels. With a desire to steward resources well, and go more “green,” the Solar Project began.

The plans were made, and God continually showed up, orchestrating the work and connections in his perfect timing. This has been a long process as we fundraised, prayed, and waited for the construction to start, but we are excited for the end-result and the good it will do for the ministry.

This week, after a year of anticipation, the Solar Panels were installed on the warehouses. Read more

Venture Out Into Your Church's Neighborhood With Courage To Sincerely Know Your Neighbors
You Unlimited: Guidance to Paths of Clarity

Summer Of Peace For Gun Violence Awareness
Cudahy United Methodist Church

Beginning with a Service of Unity and Communion on June 4th, we dedicate this summer to the awareness of Gun Violence and it's affects on the whole community. We will have Services and events through Labor Day and invite other UM churches to join us or to have events  of their own. For more information, contact Cudahy UMC at cumc5865@gmail.com  or 414-769-6770. 

Make Summer Successful With The Latest Church Marketing
UM Communications

With vacations and family events, summer can be a challenging time. Make sure you stay in contact with your church and your community no matter where they are! MyCom provides the latest tips on church communication to keep your website, social media and other online outreach tools updated. The online content collection is waiting to inspire you! While you’re there, subscribe to the e-newsletter and tune into the podcast!
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