WI Conference Weekly ENews - September 14, 2022

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Resource UMC #BeUMC Campaign Reminds Us To Be Disciple-Making People

We are the People of God.

The #BeUMC campaign reminds us of who we are at our best. As people of God called The United Methodist Church, we’re faithful followers of Jesus seeking to make the world a better place.

This grassroots effort, built upon powerful stories of congregations and people living their faith, celebrates what draws us to The United Methodist Church and what we aspire to be.  

Learn more about the campaign's foundation, the four key messaging themes and the related core values, all of which offer messaging and graphics you can use in your communications. 

WUMF- Grant Applications Due Nov. 1

The Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation exists to help United Methodist churches, ministries, boards and agencies with all things financial regarding their ministries.  We hope to support your church or group in expanding your ministry. Fall grant cycle applications for new projects are due Nov. 1. To get started, click here. 

Breakthrough Prayer Initiative
September 24 / 10:00am- 3:00pm / St. Paul's UMC, Stevens Point

Every church recognizes prayer as important. But what happens when a congregation unites to pray collectively and consistently for God to break through in new and miraculous ways? You can launch your congregation into the kind of churchwide breakthrough prayer initiative that fuels the atmosphere of possibility, and the entire focus begins to shift from inward to up-and-outward. It's easier than you think--and the results will make spiritual history right in your own community and beyond.

On September 24, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, at St. Paul’s UMC, 600 Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point, WI the next  Breakthrough Prayer Initiative Training Event will take place. The cost will be $10/person with a max of $60 per church. Registration deadline is September 17, 2022. If you are bringing more than six people, please contact Lori Denoyer via email ldenoyer@wisconsinumc.org. Registration is now open!

In order to attend, each church must bring a team consisting of the pastor plus at least five church members (or as many as you like), in order that implementation of the training is effective.
Read more / Register

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
Are You Prepared?

United Methodist Communications
Ways To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — During National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 every year, The United Methodist Church is called to incorporate and listen to Hispanic voices and speak out in support of them being heard in the public forum. ResourceUMC offers several ways for churches to observe the event.
View resource

Join Rev. Scott Carlson For A Journey To The Holy Land
February 8-17, 2023

Rev. Scott writes, "I am so excited about the opportunity to be helping to lead a pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan in February of 2023.  I invite you to pray and consider joining me on this adventure of faith.

Traveling to the lands of the bible has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of the scriptures we read and hold as sacred.  It has been described that the land of the Holy Land is the fifth Gospel.  That has certainly been my experience.  Just being in the place that is talked about in the Holy Scriptures, opens up how I hear the stories anew. 

When in Nazareth, I had a chance to see how a first century home may have looked.  The home consisted of just a few rooms.  One was a living area, where the food was prepared.  Where, at night, the bed mats were laid out and where, during bad weather, the animals were brought in and placed (The stable).  Seeing this house helped me hear the birth stories very different." Read more
View Trip Brochure

What is “Connectional Ministry?”- By Pastor Lynne Hines-Levy

I have often wondered just what “connectional ministry” actually entailed, and I finally started asking the question. What I found was that I was far from alone in my confusion. In fact, I found a lot of “I think it might be’s” and “I guess it is’s”, all accompanied by crinkled foreheads as others realized that they really had no clue, either. So, I took a long, hard look around me and found what I was looking for “in my own back yard” (as they say).

At Summerfield UMC in Milwaukee, I found that we are at the hub of “connectional ministry.”... The problem is, given our tiny congregation, the increasing need for food for our neighbors on the street, and the loss of volunteers due to changes following the pandemic and varying individual reasons, right this minute we are threatened with the need to close at least 1 of our 3 days of service.  This will adversely impact the lives of 40-70 people on Milwaukee’s east side; some for whom this will be 1 of the 3 meals they have in any given week.

If you or your ministry are interested or willing to give of your time and talents by providing and/or serving at our meal program, we serve Monday & Wednesday from noon to 2:00, and Saturday from 3:30-5:30. Just give a call 414-272-2610 and we, too, can connect…
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 

World Communion Sunday is Oct. 2

United Methodists join Christians of different traditions to recognize our oneness in Christ and to bring us together in a spirit of unity and peace. In the ResourceUMC pastor and leaders’ kit, you can find Spanish, Korean, French and English resources to help you prepare for your World Communion Sunday service.
Learn more

Religion & Race
30 Days of Anti-Racism

September 1st began the Religion & Race 30 days of anti-racism campaign. Each day we will engage in an activity that helps us to become more anti-racist in the ways we think and act. Share your progress with a picture or a reflection using #30DaysAntiRacism.

GCORR invites allies to spend the month of September doing #30DaysAntiRacism. Please post photos of your activities using #30DaysAntiRacism and encourage your friends, members of your congregation, Sunday school class, pastors, and community partners to join for these 30 days. Learn more / View Daily Activity Calendar

UM Communications:
Communications Impact Week is Here!

Nashville, Tennessee – United Methodist Communications will celebrate the power of effective communication to drive successful ministry during Communications Impact Week (September 12-16, 2022). The event will showcase how communication resources and tools are empowering ministry near and far -- shared via their website and social media channels throughout the week.
Read Press Release

Global Ministries
UMCOR Needs Cleaning (Flood) Kits, Menstrual Hygiene Kits

UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response, working through annual conferences and the UMCOR Relief Supplies Network, is aiding those impacted by several flooding events of this summer, which has led to an immediate need for additional cleaning (flood) kits. For example, nearly 4,000 cleaning and hygiene kits have been delivered to those affected by flooding in Kentucky. Churches interested in providing kits can find information about kit components and assembly instructions here. We encourage churches to 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. 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.

Midwest Mission Distribution Center
Food For The Poor Recipients In Honduras Give Thanks For Bicycles

According to Food For The Poor (FFTP), Honduras is an impoverished country with the highest level of income inequality in all of Latin America. Nearly 65 percent of the population live in poverty – rates that are even higher among rural and indigenous people. Honduras also has one of the world’s highest murder rates. It is a country with many barriers to progress. Unemployment, gang violence and lack of opportunity is widespread.  We are always grateful to hear when donations sent by Midwest Mission have been received. Recently, Food For The Poor shared stories of people in Honduras who have received bicycles. 

Food For The Poor, an interdenominational Christian ministry, provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
Read more

Ask The UMC
More Disaffiliation Questions Answered

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the fourth installment of its "Is The United Methodist Church really…?" series, Ask The UMC answers three more questions related to disaffiliation, including inquiries about the status of appointed clergy and members after their congregation decides to disaffiliate. The series is a response to widespread misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps.
Read Q&A
Read Part 1 on theology and pensions
Read Part 2 on human sexuality
Read Part 3 on Paragraph 2548.2

United Women In Faith
Learn About Work Of Women's Organization

NEW YORK — Three members of United Women in Faith who are closely involved with the group's National Mission Institutions will discuss their work and the impact it has during a free Zoom forum. The women will talk about their callings to serve organizations that are transforming lives and communities. The virtual conversation will take place at 4 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 27.
Read press release
Register

United Methodist Communications
Agency Seeks Ethnic Panel Volunteers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications is seeking people in leadership roles within local United Methodist churches to participate in upcoming ethnic leader panel discussions. Panelists will be invited to take part in online surveys and focus groups throughout the year. People may volunteer for the agency's Latino leader and/or Black leader panels. Additional panels will be introduced soon.
Read press release
Black Leader Panel volunteer interest
Latino Leader Panel volunteer interest