WI Conference Weekly ENews - September 7, 2022

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Resource UMC
What Makes You Proud To #BeUMC?

#BeUMC honors the core values that connect the people of The United Methodist Church. No matter the challenges we face, God is with us, and we continue to have opportunities to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

The campaign calls us to embrace our Wesleyan heritage and envision a promising future. Every day offers a chance to live into our mission and to strive to #BeUMC — to be the church our communities so desperately need. 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.
Learn more

Equitable Compensation Application Now Available

Equitable Compensation was established to provide economic support for Churches/Charges experiencing financial hardship. It is the purpose of Equitable Compensation to support full-time clergy serving as pastors in the charges of the annual conference. Applications are now available for submission by September 20, 2022. If your Church/Charge is in need of these funds, click here to access the application. Awards will be announced on or before October 21, 2022 and a single payment will be mailed the week of November 15^th.
Download Application

Introductory Lay Servant Course & Basic Preaching Course
Sept. 24 & Oct. 8 / 10AM - 3PM / Caldwell UMC

You are invited to a class that is a combination in-person/on-line course that will complete the introductory course and the preaching course for lay servants. If you are no longer certified because of the rule changes or would like to get certified to serve as a lay servant/speaker in your church, this will meet those requirements. There will be a $5 donation for materials and refreshments. Course Instructors will be Melissa Freiberg and Judy McFarlane. For questions, contact Melissa at 262-227-1554
 
How to register:  Complete the application and return it to: Melissa Freiberg, gmfreiberg@gmail.com or 2512 Elise Dr., Waukesha, WI  53189.

Regarding Scam Emails

The internet has information that can help us stay connected, enrich our lives and give us valuable information. It can also be used in harmful ways. This is the world we live in and we want to offer you some helpful reminders.  

DO NOT RESPOND to emails that are from people you don’t know. Be sure to carefully inspect the email address of the sender. DO NOT CLICK on links in the emails. When you receive emails from staff at the Conference Office, they will be from our Brick River e-mail account @brtapp.com or from an address ending in wisconsinumc.org.
 
The staff of the Conference will never contact you to run an errand, purchase gift cards, make a payment to us or ask you to update your banking information via an email. If you are unsure about any email message you receive from the Conference, please contact our main office line at 608-837-7320 or email at treasureroffice@wisconsinumc.org.

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. 

Inquiring Candidates Retreat- October 2022
Do you know someone who is feeling called into ministry? 
Maybe you are feeling called, but don’t know where to begin.
The Inquiring Candidates Retreat is the starting place to exploring ministry in the United Methodist Church in Wisconsin.  Participants will be offered time in community conversation, prayer and individual discernment about the call to ministry God is prompting in their lives.  At the end of the retreat participants will know the next steps to pursue ministry in the UMC in WI. 
The retreat will be at Pine Lake (https://wiumcamps.org/pine-lake/) Friday, October 14 (evening) through Sunday, October 16 (morning).
Cost of this retreat is $75.00. Scholarships are available.
To register please contact Rev. Ty Hines, Coordinator of Clergy Credentialing and Vocational Discernment at bordmin@wisconsinumc.org. When registering, please indicate if you will need special accommodations or translation.

Retreat United Methodist Church-
Preparing For A New School Year

On the morning of Monday, August 29^th, Retreat United Methodist Church opened a door on a new ministry.  A popular mission for many churches and organizations this time of year is to collect school supplies for area youth-in-need. Retreat UMC is no stranger to this mission, having participated in years past and is also continuing to participate this year through the donation of several backpacks stuffed with supplies. 
 

However, the members of the church wanted to do something more to help. While the children need and certainly deserve our support, school staff also needed care and encouragement! To show their support, members of the church delivered lunch for the teachers and staff at Prairie View Elementary School (De Soto Area Schools) as they were preparing for the new school year. The teachers and staff greatly appreciated the nourishment for their bodies and the encouragement for their souls. This ministry uplifted those who delivered the meals as well!  Colleen Inman, one of the church members delivering the lunch stated, “I have to say, I felt so good after delivering it. They were so appreciative that we had thought of them and prepared lunch.” -Submitted by Jeffrey Nelson

Black Methodist for Church Renewal WI (Black Caucus) Gathers for a Picnic at Brown Deer Park

Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) is the organized Black caucus of the United Methodist Church for those of African ancestry across the denomination. On Saturday Aug 20th, BMCR WI gathered together with 30 members for prayer, food, and fellowship in Brown Deer park. Even with a 100% rain forecast for the day, the caucus decided to go ahead with the picnic not wanting to delay being together since COVID. 


God provided the blessing with over two hours of fellowship before God gave the park and surrounded areas the needed drink from the rain. 


If you are interested in the work or joining BMCR WI contact our President, Muriel Smith-Gross at imgrossey@gmail.com. If you would like to learn more about Black Methodist for Church Renewal and our history in the UMC check out the national website http://bmcrumc.org/ 
-Submitted by Stephen McClinton

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 

Council of Bishops
Retired Bishop John Russell Dies

Bishop John Russell, a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, died on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the Reunion Court of the Woodlands, Texas. He was 96.

“We give thanks to God for the special calling placed upon Bishop Russell’s life and are grateful for the ways in which his ministry was a blessing to many.  We extend our sincere thoughts and prayers to Bishop Russell’s family and friends in the midst of their loss,” said Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops.
Read more

UM News
African Churchgoers Train To Write Devotionals

ANAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — United Methodists were among interfaith leaders trained to write daily devotions during a two-day writers' workshop and listening pilgrimage hosted by Africa Upper Room Ministries. The goal is to expand resources and encourage disciple making across the continent. Gad Maiga has the story.
Read story

Amplify Media Webinar: Prepare For The Celebration Of Advent With Adam Hamilton And Susan Robb
Thursday, September 15^th, 2022 – 1:00 p.m. CT

Advent is a time of waiting, preparation, and celebration. In this webinar, Amplify Media presents two new studies to help you, your small group, and your congregation prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
 
In Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist, Adam Hamilton explores the Advent themes of John’s life and ministry, and how John calls all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts for his coming. In each of the Gospels, the story of Jesus is intertwined with that of his cousin John, the one whom the prophets foretold would come to “prepare the way of the Lord.” When we hear the message of John the Baptist, it makes us and our world ready to receive Christ.
Learn more and register

UM Communications
Are You Ready To Invite Your Community To Christmas?

Advent is not too far off, and when it arrives, people will be searching for a place of welcome and acceptance where they can belong. Take advantage of customizable outreach resources such as banners, postcards and more to provide a warm invitation. A wide variety of designs, messages and languages are available!
Order Now (English)
Order Now (Spanish)

UM Communications
Developing A Strategy For Communication Planning

Are you looking to envision a new future for your congregation and effectively communicate what you believe? Join us for Developing a Strategy for Communication Planning, a four-week, self-paced online learning experience full of video workshops, interactive discussion and engaging assignments. Register now through Sept. 7. The course begins Sept. 12, so don’t wait!
Register now