WI Conference Weekly ENews: Anti-Racism Training, Groat Grant Awards, Bishops Offer Framework for Inclusive Church

11/10/2021 - Conference News
Conference News

 

Anti-Racism Task Force Cultural Competency Forum: 
Background and Foundational Concepts

Reducing Prejudice and Bias in Church Congregations: Pruning the Roots is the second training and application session of the Anti-Racism Task Force Cultural Competency Forum Module 1. The Anti-Racism Task Force Cultural Competency Forum is an emerging platform created to enable persons and congregations to become culturally competent. The Forum consists of 5 modules containing educational and training material on essential topics important for gaining cultural competency. Each module contains 3 or more monthly sessions for learning and application.

There is no cost for the event but you do need to register. All clergy and laity are invited to attend. Registration Deadline: November 29, 2021 at Noon
Learn more
Register now

Northcott Neighborhood House & Giving Tuesday- November 30, 2021

A Global Day of Generosity has been proclaimed on November 30, 2021. It is a movement of generosity, unleashing the power of radical generosity to transform communities across the World! This is our opportunity as Northcott Neighborhood House (NNH) Board and Supporters, to invite friends, families and peers to donate on Giving Tuesday. As we come together to help, show kindness and give and share with those less fortunate.

Learn more about how you can support Northcott Neighborhood/ Donation Form

Mauston UMC Receives Groat Grant

The Mauston United Methodist Church was awarded a $10,000 Groat Grant in 2018 for an Elevator addition project.  It took another 18 months to complete the project and have it fully operational. The elevator has made it possible to host a gently used/re-purposing clothing give-away program year round, as well as provide a community meeting place for 3 AA groups, 1 NA Group, and 1 AL anon group.  The prayer room and other classrooms are now accessible and being used often during the week. As a result of the elevator, Mauston UMC has been able to carry out creative ministry during the pandemic and help the least and marginalized, when no other community places were available. The Groat grant got Mauston UMC spurred on to raising the necessary funds to make this project possible and completely funded with no loan. Thank you!

Groat Grant Helps Jacksonport UMC Install Handicap Ramp

The Groat grant awarded to Jacksonport United Methodist Church helped support reconstruction of the handicapped ramp. The old ramp was over 25 years old and in dismal shape. The new ramp is made of plastic polymer and will be good for up to 50 years. The new tread has a ridged pattern, so it should not be slippery on a rainy day. Thank you for the contribution from the Groat Rural Ministry Grant.

 

Lay Servant Course at Cudahy UMC: Embracing Interfaith Cooperation

Cudahy UMC is offering a Lay Servant course that is open to to anyone, in addition to those in the Lay Servant Program. Join interfaith commentator Eboo Patel as he explores what it means to be literate about other faiths, how interfaith cooperation works, and why. This is a video and text presentation that will be offered in-person and on zoom. Cost of the class including the text book, is $10 per person. Class will be held on November 21, 28, and December 12 from  1:30-5PM.

Please register by email at cudahyclasses@gmail.com or by phone (414) 769-6770
This class is eligible for LSM advanced class credit. Learn more

United Methodist Women Assembly 2022- TURN IT UP!

Registration for the United Methodist Women’s Assembly 2022 is open. The quadrennial event titled “Turn it Up!” is scheduled for May 20-22 at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, with an optional Ubuntu Day of Service on Thursday, May 19. Early-bird registration discounts are available through Nov. 30. Deadline for early registration is November 30th!
Learn more and Register

WI Conference Response Team Begins Training

October 6th marked the second meeting of our new Wisconsin Conference Response Team. This team's purpose is supportive response for persons and churches that have experienced boundary violations of a financial or sexual nature. We are blessed to enjoy experience that includes persons with multiple cultural backgrounds, persons from the criminal justice system, a seminary professor, chaplains, and experienced practitioners in this field. They will meet periodically for training and updates. For now, we ask that you hold the team members in prayer: Jim Babler. Kris Delano, Rey Diaz, Claire Douglas, Terry Frankland, Cathy Hamblin, Deb Hastings, AHyun Lee, Peter Lee, Meg Lybeck-Smoak, Lourdes Magalhaes, Ryan Moore, Sue Ott-Holland, Ferdinand Serra, Sue D’Alessio, and Dan Schwerin. If you wish to suggest resources or seek resources, call the episcopal office at 608.837.8526.
Denominational News

 

United Methodist Student Day- November 28

United Methodist celebrate on specific days to unite and make clear the commitment of the church as the people of God, and to give everyone the opportunity to contribute to special programs approved and supported by the Church. United Methodist have been investing in our students for more than 100 years. United Methodist Student Day invites the church to support United Methodist students in achieving their educational goals. The funds received award the United Methodist scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. Your gifts help young people achieve their educational calling with more financial freedom.
Student Day Resources
To give online, click here

Bishops Offer Framework for Inclusive Church

The Council of Bishops has cast a vision for a future United Methodist Church that transcends the labels many church members use to describe themselves.

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung leads the Wisconsin Conference and serves as president of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the denomination’s mission agency. He has hopes that the narrative provides a vision for unity in the church. “Our unity is not our doing, but God’s,” he said. “We may accept what God has done for us, and stay together in full unity, or we may choose our own way and separate. But it is clearly God’s will that we be together.”

“Our best witness is to love each other as Christ loves us, to show the world the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to bind us together despite our differences,” the narrative proclaims. “This is living out the gospel.”
Read more
Other Resources

 

Keep the Holidays Bright- Avoid Copyright Infringement

Before the holidays arrive, we want to be sure your ministry is protected when it comes to copyright infringement. When your church uses creative media like music, lyrics, images, and videos in your worship services, make sure you have the correct copyright licenses or you could face possible penalties or fines. Our legal services department has compiled guidelines for the proper usage of creative content that has a copyright.
Understand Copyrights Today

UMC Support's Work from Home Webinar

Our team of Human Resources professionals are here to help you understand how to manage employees as many are continuing to work from home. During this live webinar, we will provide you with a thorough overview of remote working best practices, tips for developing a Work from Home policy, and ideas for how to handle a hybrid work environment.

The world of work is changing. UMC Support's HR professionals are here to help you be ready for what comes next. 
Register Today

General Commission on the Status and Role of Women Re-launches UM Sexual Ethics Website

The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women has partnered with UM Communications to bring the UM Sexual Ethics site to ResourceUMC. This collaboration has allowed this crucial website to be more user-friendly. You can visit the new site at umsexualethics.org. Along with the UM Sexual Ethics re-launch, GCSRW has released a new sexual ethics resource entitled Do No More Harm to assist those navigating the complexities of the complaint process in a more comprehensive way. You can find this resource at donomoreharm.org. 

The UMC is committed to responding to sexual misconduct in a way that holds all parties accountable and promotes healing. Both umsexualethics.org and Do No More Harm will help those navigating the formal complaint process. These resources will also equip those in annual conference leadership to achieve our denominational commitment in responding to formal complaints of sexual misconduct well and with care. 
Classifieds
Looking For More Ways To Connect?
WI Conference Homepage   I   Weekly Devotion   I   Conference Events   I   News