WI Conference Weekly ENews - May 25, 2022

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Register Now For Annual Conference 2022

Annual Conference 2022 is quickly approaching and there is still time to register. Late Registration is $250.00 from now until June 3, 2022, at 12:00pm. June 3, 2022 is the last date to register. Absolutely no registrations after the deadline. All Clergy and Laity must register by June 3, 2022, at 12:00pm to attend and vote in the sessions.
Annual Conference Website
Annual Conference Registration/Fees

You Are Invited To A Celebration of Leadership Ministry For District Superintendent Kate Jones

You are invited to a celebration of the leadership ministry of our District Superintendent Kate Jones, on Saturday, June 4, 10:00 am at Manitowoc: Lakeshore UMC.

The North East District farewell to DS Kate Jones will begin with a worship service at 10 a.m., followed by a light brunch. Kate has completed seven years of service as District Superintendent, beginning in the North West District in 2015 and moving to the North East District in 2019.  She will be leaving superintendency to resume serving as pastor of a local church at Wauwatosa Avenue UMC, on July 1, 2022, in Wauwatosa. Gifts given in honor of Kate's ministry can be directed to Wisconsin Camping Ministries.

You Are Invited To An "Open House Reception" For District Superintendent Scott Carlson

Date: Saturday, June 25th from 10:00AM-12:00PM at Verona: Sugar River UMC, 415 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593

Scott has completed seven years of service as District Superintendent. He will be leaving superintendency to resume serving as the new Congregational Development Director, effective July 1, 2022.  What a joyful opportunity to come celebrate and honor DS Scott’s leadership, talents, gifts, and services to our South West District for the past seven years!
Read District Superintendent Scott Carlson's Bio

Wisconsin Conference Graduate From Saint Paul School Of Theology

Leawood, KS – Saint Paul School of Theology held its first hybrid Commencement at 11:00 am on Friday, May 13, 2022. Graduates came together for one celebration with attendees on both the Kansas and Oklahoma Campuses and via Zoom. Alumnus and 2022 Distinguished Graduate Award recipient Dr. Stan Copeland spoke about "New "Salty Dogs" Needed Now." The seminary welcomed one student from the Wisconsin Conference to the graduating class of 2022: Anna-Lisa Erickson Hunter (MDiv)

The ceremony closed with a reading of the Saint Paul Covenant and Prayer by alumna and Executive Director of Admissions and Communications Rev. Shannon Hancock '10 and a benediction by the President of Saint Paul School of Theology, Rev. Neil B. Blair '80.
Learn more about Saint Paul School of Theology at www.spst.edu.

Wisconsin Council Of Churches: World Refugee Day is June 20

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2000, World Refugee Day has been recognized globally since June 20, 2001. It serves to focus the world’s attention on the plight, resilience, hopes, and dreams of refugees around the globe. Many events are led by or include refugees or are hosted by governments, agencies, and other organizations to tell stories, share information, and increase support for refugees. World Refugee Day is a wonderful opportunity for you and your congregation to learn more about refugees, engage with your ecumenical neighbors, and/or reach out to your local community. 

Below are some links and resources gathered from the UN and some Wisconsin Council of Churches denominational leaders/partners to help you and your church plan an event. It could be as simple as including some of the resources in your worship service one Sunday around June 20 or hosting a bible study or discussion group. With some creativity, however, there are innumerable ways to connect with your fellow Christians and community. If you would like assistance in starting the conversation or planning for your congregation's World Refugee Day, feel free to contact Rev. Peder Johanson, Volunteer Coordinator, Afghan Refugee Response . 
View All Resources
UN Refugees Agency
World Refugee Day Core Messaging Document

Ruling Opens Door For Bishop Elections In 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church's top court ruled that the Council of Bishops has the authority to call jurisdictional conferences this year to elect and assign new U.S. episcopal leaders but not to change the date when those new bishops take office. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story

United Women in Faith: Postcard campaign for the environment

NEW YORK — A postcard campaign to motivate leaders to better address pollution and climate change is being undertaken by United Women in Faith. Postcards can be printed from the website and there are instructions on sending included.
Read story
Postcards and instructions

Merrimac UMC Completes Inclusion Project "Listen To The Lord!"

Merrimac UMC recently updated its sanctuary for Sunday services to make it more enjoyable for the hearing impaired. This project was accomplished through funding via the United Methodist Conference and the Global Ministries of the UMC. Implementation was completed successfully as Merrimac UMC partnered with Fearing’s Audio and Visual in Madison. New church features now include:

•  Assisted listening system – over the ear speakers and receivers for those with hearing difficulties, special lanyards and receivers for those with hearing aids
• Wireless microphones for leaders who speak away from the lectern
• A new over the ear microphone for the pastor
• Two 65-inch monitors to display many portions of the worship service
• New Yamaha speakers with improved sound quality

 

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 

Volunteers In Mission Team Complete One Week of Work & Fellowship At Pine Lake

A team of 40-plus Volunteers in Mission completed a week of work and fellowship at Pine Lake. The event, coordinated by VIM members Don Mevis and Don and Felice Bastian and staff at Pine Lake, occurs annually.  This year the group had as one of its main projects the building of another "treehouse" for campers to sleep in.  While that crew measured, cut and then put together lumber to create another home on stilts, others varnished benches, cleaned cabins, painted Oakwood center, designed and created covers for tanks, checked the fire alarms, worked at the beach and just generally helped to prepare the camp for summer activities. Both morning and evening devotions were led by participants, and evening activities included cards, puzzles, conversations and enjoying the balcony on the Rader Center. 

The National VIM Committee is planning a return trip to Pine Lake in mid-September, as well as a week at Lake Lucerne the end of September.  Other VIM trips on the burner are a trip to Michigan in October, a week at Midwest Mission Distribution Center in March and a possible trip to Marion, Alabama.  More information on National VIM trips can be found on the conference website under Ministries/Volunteers in Mission.

Midwest Mission Distribution Center: Woot! Woot! Operation Ukraine Loaded And Shipped

Over the last two weeks, more than 400 volunteers gave nearly 3,000 hours to fill 48,000 rice meal bags for the people of Ukraine. We are thrilled that 275 new volunteers were on campus for the event. Keep spreading the word about Midwest Mission opportunities. Bring your friends and family. They'll be glad you invited them! On Friday, May 20, your efforts culminated in the shipment of 40 pallets with 30 cases each (Value: $96,000 ). Way to go! It is a privilege to serve alongside you to send hope and empowerment around the world and around the corner. Additional funds that come in for Ukraine will be designated for ongoing support there.
Donate To Ukraine

Lowell UMC Concert on May 29

All are invited to a violin, cello, guitar and piano concert at the Lowell UMC, (225 Cross St, Lowell, WI 53557) on Sunday, May 29 at 3:00 P.M. The musicians will be Prisca and Young Choe and their friend, Woohee Lee. There will also be a time for coffee and fellowship after the concert. Bring your friends! Questions, call 920-927-0022.

 Wauwatosa Ave UMC Healing Service & Mental Health Resource Fair, May 28

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Wauwatosa Ave UMC, recognizing the need for mental health awareness in the community, is partnering with professional organizations to offer a variety of mental health resources to our congregation and local community. As we have passed the two-year mark of the pandemic, many people in our community continue to suffer from heightened realties and challenges surrounding mental health including fear, burnout, depression, anxiety and loneliness. Suffering and loss continue to blanket our community from Covid-19, isolation, war, violence, social injustices and inequality. The Healing Service, starting at 4:00, is open to the public and will offer mediation, prayer, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, inspirational and Taize music, witness and open testimony.

The Mental Health Resource Fair will “wrap” around the service from the hours of 3:00-4:00pm and again from 5:00-6:00pm. A number of public figures are joining us, including Chief Aaron Lipski of the Milwaukee Fire Department, Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride and Sarah Pfeiffle, Director of Education and Outreach from NAMI SE-WI. In addition, we will have health professionals on hand from Rodgers Behavioral Health, Mental Health American Milwaukee, R & R House, and Community Medical Services. Please join us, bring friends or family as we gather as a community in this special service of peace and healing. View Flyer 

UMC IT Support: Ransomware Response Checklist

Ransomware is a form of malware that keeps your data encrypted until ransom is paid. It comes in many variants (such as CryptoLocker, Petya, and WannaCry) but it’s constantly evolving, making it very difficult to protect against. And although the average amount of ransom requested is $4,300, the average cost of downtime from a single attack can be as high as $46,800! So what should you do if you are hit by ransomware? Check out this checklist to ensure you are taking the right steps: View Checklist