WI Conference Weekly ENews - October 28, 2022

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The North Central Jurisdictional Conference
November 2-5, 2022

The Wisconsin Conference is one of nine midwestern episcopal areas that will send lay and clergy delegates to the North Central Jurisdictional Conference that will take place, Nov. 2-5, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As of the time of this writing, there is an anticipated need to elect three bishops to fill the ranks of our jurisdiction after three retirements. Once the full complement of bishops is elected, the North Central Jurisdiction’s Committee on the Episcopacy meets to prayerfully work out the assignments that match stated needs from the episcopacy committees with the gifts from among our pool of North Central Jurisdiction bishops.  The pandemic forced this effort to be pushed back from 2020 until now.  The next election is anticipated to fill more retirements expected in 2024. For updates and livestream links on NCJ please visit our webpage at https://wisconsin-www.brtsite.com/jurisdictional-conference.

United Methodist Children's Services Honored with "Landlord of the Year" Award

United Methodist Children’s Services has been honored with a “Landlord of the Year” award from Milwaukee’s Continuum of Care for the agency’s contributions as a landlord and social service provider in the fight against homelessness. This is truly a team award, and one that wouldn’t be possible without all of us working together in collaboration on a day-to-day basis. 

We also acknowledge the incredible support that has come from the Board and, in particular, the diligent work of the Housing Task Force over the past several years to stabilize the housing program and position us for continued success, improvement and growth as we seek to live out the mission of the agency to care for those in need and to do so in ways that uplift the dignity and value of all those with whom we work.

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.

WUMF Grant Cycle Applications Due Nov. 1

WUMF’s Fall Grant cycle applications are due Nov. 1. This grant is for new projects only, with the potential to apply for second and third cycles. Please view the application here and read the qualifying criteria carefully.

Please mail grant applications to WUMF, 750 Windsor Street, #305, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, fax to 608-837-2492, or email to wumf@wumf.org when completed. 

Suamico UMC
Seasoned Seniors New Season!

Suamico UMC has started a new season of their Seasoned Seniors Outreach Ministry for older adults. Every month during the fall and winter, adults gather for conversation, puzzles, devotions, and a hot meal. Each year has a different theme and we host approximately 50-80 adults each month. This season we are learning about different animals and the lessons each animal has for us. In October, we looked at geese and considered the ways they are faithful to their partners and how God calls us to be faithful partners in building God's Kingdom. Ruth Ann Voelz is our local leader and she has a faithful team of volunteers showing generous hospitality to older adults in our community during our cold and dark season.

Appleton: Emmanuel UMC Celebrates 150th Anniversary

Appleton: Emmanuel UMC celebrated its 150th anniversary as a church on October 9th. It was a day filled with special music, fellowship, and celebrations. Bishop Jung presided and preached for the occasion. Names of former clergy were read aloud by District Superintendent Park Hunter and Emmanuel’s Lay Leader Michael Pfahler. Former clergy in attendance included Robert LeCount, Mark Geisthardt, and Lynn Kollath. Worship was followed by a meal and fellowship.

Emmanuel began as a German speaking congregation in the Evangelical Association in 1872, eventually joining the Evangelical United Brethren. The day's celebration began with a prayer walk from the original location of the church at the corner of Franklin and Durkee Streets in Appleton. The church has been on College Avenue since 1952.

A recording of the Anniversary Celebration Worship can be found on Youtube at https://youtu.be/fnDJN78RxIo. More photos are available here.

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 

Ukraine A Top Priority for Global Ministries

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has approved more than $17 million so far to help the people of Ukraine cope with the invasion by Russia, and more aid is on the way, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries announced during its fall meeting. Grants to help people affected by natural disasters and to bring better and profitable food production in Africa also were approved. Jim Patterson reports.
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UMCOR Hurricane Response
Ian & Fiona

As each day has brought new reports of the extensive damage caused by hurricanes Ian and Fiona, UMCOR has been there to help. Prior to Ian’s arrival, UMCOR used a preemptive approach and helped the conferences that expected to be impacted prepare their response. After Ian made landfall, solidarity grants were issued to Florida and South Carolina, where damage was most severe. Lara Martin, UMCOR’s director of U.S. disaster response, traveled to Florida six days after the storm. While she was there, she met with conference leadership to express support and share the message that United Methodists everywhere were praying for them. Read more here.

UMCOR Request: Cleaning (flood) Kits, Hygiene Kits

UMCOR needs cleaning (flood) kits to replenish supplies used by recent hurricane and flooding activity. Churches interested in providing kits can find information about kit components and assembly instructions here. Churches should coordinate their shipments with their local affiliate warehouse in advance to determine which kits are most needed. Learn more about the UMCOR Relief Supplies Network here.  Throughout the fall, UMCOR would also like to build its supply of menstrual hygiene kits, launched recently in partnership with Church World Service to provide essential health and dignity products to vulnerable communities across the U.S. Learn more here. 

#BeUMC Campaign
Give the #BeUMC Campaign a BOOST with a FREE Banner!

The #BeUMC Campaign is a grassroots effort built upon powerful stories of United Methodists living out their faith and celebrating what draws us together. Give this campaign a boost within your congregation with a 4-by-8-foot banner customized with your church’s name! Set it up as a selfie backdrop for your members. Hang it outside to send a warm invite to your community. Include it among holiday decor. Only a few FREE banners remain!
Order Now

Amplify Media Webinar- What Now? What's Next?
A Conversation with Will Willimom About Methodist Hope
Wednesday, Nov. 2- 1:00 p.m. CT

What’s next for us? What does it look like for a Methodist leader (or congregation) to respond to God’s call now? What biblical texts, stories from our past, and core Wesleyan convictions can guide us from this point? And are we at Good Friday or at Easter?

In Will Willimon’s new book, Don’t Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next, he draws from conversations, his own experience, and reflections on the state of the Church. It is frank, clear-eyed, and deeply theological. It offers practical, actionable guidance and firm handles for leaders and congregations to grasp as they move forward.
Additional Information and Registration

Religion & Race
New Series Looks At Many Facets of Anti-Racism

WASHINGTON — In its new “What Is?” series, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race offers a compilation of concise definitions, examples and biblical/theological foundations to create common vocabulary for Christians engaging in anti-racism work. Topics addressed include ableism, cultural bias and gaslighting.
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