WI Conference Weekly ENews - November 9, 2022

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NCJ Elects Wisconsin's Own Dan Schwerin as Bishop 

The Rev. Dan Schwerin, Assistant to the Bishop for the Wisconsin Conference, has been elected as bishop at The United Methodist Church's North Central Jurisdictional Conference.
 
Delegates elected Schwerin on November 3 at the jurisdiction's meeting in Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on the sixth ballot. He received 100 votes out of 166 valid ballots cast. He needed 100 to be elected. (60% of valid ballots)
 
Schwerin was the third and final bishop elected at the Nov. 2-5 meeting. He proclaimed his joy, gratefulness, and hope for the call received at baptism.
Read more
Watch Video of Bishop Schwerin's Reaction and Speech

NCJ 2022 Recap Video

Last week our delegation, cabinet, and Bishop Jung were in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the NCJ Conference. We participated in meaningful worship services, a lot of fellowship, business of the NCJ conference, and elected 3 new bishops. There was an amazing group of communicators from across the conference who worked hard to provide photos, videos and recaps of the events of the conference.

Watch Recap Video: https://vimeo.com/767662106

Weekly Lectionary Gatherings for Clergy
Tuesdays at Noon / Begins November 22 / Greenfield Memorial UMC

Rob Odum and Tom Garnhart invite colleagues to join them for weekly gatherings. The intent is to build collegial relationships and to probe the lectionary for the following Sunday. Bring a Bible and a bag lunch if you wish. We will begin with informal conversations and end with prayer. Lessons will be read out loud. Conversations about what we've heard will follow.

Why listen to the word? Virtually all of scripture was intended to be heard by the ear rather than seen by the eye. Even letter writer Paul expected Corinthian letters to be heard when read to the congregation by a literate member. Focusing on written texts without having heard them can distract us from their main point.

Contact Rob at <robdodum@gmail.com> or Tom at <tgarnhart@mac.com> for further information. Let Rob know if you plan to attend.

First United Methodist Church- Appleton
Fall Festival at First Church a Success!

First United Methodist Church Appleton held a community outreach event on Sunday, October 30th. The annual Fall Festival/Trunk-or-Treat event drew over 400 people and was covered by a local news station.

APPLETON (NBC 26) — It was the perfect fall day with no tricks, just treats and fun, for the community at First United Methodist Church's Trunk-or-Treat event on Sunday in Appleton.

"This is just such a good opportunity for us as a ministry team to reach out to the community," Markus Wegenast, First United Methodist Church Lead Pastor, said. -Submitted by Amy Concepcion

See link to view the story: Click here

Elk Mound Trinity Church Dartball Champion

On Sunday, October 30, the Elk Mound Trinity UMC honored Gary Harrison, who hit five home runs in one night, and hit 7 homeruns for the 2021-2022 season! The church dartball team orchestrated the cake reception after worship with everyone from the congregation cheering him into the celebration, while MC Hammer’s “You Can’t Touch This” played. Scott Mueller, of the team, addressed the group noting that hitting five homeruns in one evening is unheard of, and that Gary should be nominated for the Dartball Hall of Fame. -Submitted by Joel Certa-Werner

Lodi UMC Launched Lodi Art Music Academy

We, Lodi United Methodist Church, want to be a gift to the people who make Lodi their home - people of all ages and stages. With an ambitious dream and firm commitment, the church launched a new initiative this spring, Lodi Art Music Academy (LAMA) to offer art & music classes to the community members. LAMA is a place where passionate art and music instructors meet with children and adults wishing to learn tools to express their world and enrich their lives. Since its opening, Children Musical, Adult Coloring Class, Fall Music Concert, as well as private music lessons have been provided. The local school district has joined in partnership and serves on the Steering Committee with leaders of the church.

For more information, please visit the website: lodiartmusic.academy
Contact Pastor Peace, pastorpeacekim@gmail.com, or Stephanie Krueger at the church office, office@lodiartmusic.academcy, or Sherrie Orcholski, Chair of the Steering Committee, sherrieo23@gmail.com. -Submitted by PyungAhn "Peace" Kim

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 

COB Welcomes Thirteen Newly Elected Bishops

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church is welcoming thirteen (13) bishops who were elected during last week’s jurisdictional conferences in the United States.
 
“It is a joy to welcome this new class of leaders to the Council of Bishops.  I anticipate that the impact of their leadership will be felt as soon as they arrive on the scene,” said COB President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton.
 
“This is a historic class that adds needed diversity to the work of our council. They also represent some of the shifts needed in the denomination at this point in our life together.   I truly look forward to the collaboration and mutual discernment that will unfold as we build trust and team work together,” Bishop Bickerton said.
Read press release

United Methodists to Meet in Charlotte for Worldwide Conference

Nashville, Tenn.: The Commission on the General Conference announced today that the 2024 United Methodist General Conference will be held April 23 – May 3, 2024, at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

“The Commission selected Charlotte as the site that best met our varied needs. We believe that delegates and attendees will be pleased with all the city has to offer,” said Kim Simpson, Chair of the Commission on the General Conference. “Charlotte is a part of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference – but due to the shorter timeframe for planning, both the Western North Carolina Conference and the North Carolina Annual Conference will co-host the event.” 
Read press release

Invest in our Students on November 27

The United Methodist Church has dedicated November 27 as United Methodist Student Day, where we set aside time to honor and celebrate students in our congregation and around the world. With this special offering, we invest in their future. Encourage support with resources like offering talks, sermon starters, liturgies, age level resources and more to help spread awareness and encourage giving. Core resources are available in multiple languages.
Learn more

Midwest Mission Distribution Center
Person Dignity Kits Make a Difference in El Salvador

Imagine a home in rural El Salvador.

Inside that home are rooms full of children. These children have come from a variety of different backgrounds, but most are without family and without basic necessities. But they have been welcomed into this children’s home. Now, they wake up, take a shower with their bottle of shampoo, and put on a freshly laundered set of clothes. They head to school and come back home. They eat a meal, do the dishes, then clean up the house. Finally, they get ready for bed, brush their teeth, and wipe their faces with a washcloth and soap.

Food For The Poor started the Angels Of Hope program to sponsor vulnerable children; clothing them, feeding them, and giving them an education, all within a caring and nurturing environment. When Midwest Mission sends Angels of Hope shipments, each and every item goes to a children’s home that is much like the one described above. These children are finally receiving the care they have always needed, in an environment that shows them God’s love.
Read more

The GCFA Collaborator
Clergy Housing Allowance Webinar
Nov 14, 2022 l 2:00 PM l Central Time

Don’t Lose Out! Don’t forget to designate a housing allowance in December so your clergy members can receive the full benefit of the housing allowance starting January 1st. GCFA will be holding a Q & A webinar on Clergy Housing Allowance where you can get all your questions answered.
Sign Up Now

The GCFA Collaborator
Take a Deep Dive into the UMCmarket

Join GCFA and iGive.com for a 30 minute deep dive on UMCmarket – your ministry’s way to easily earn donations from your supporter’s online shopping. 

When: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:00am Central Time 
Where: Online – free registration: Register Now