WI Conference ENews: Ingathering for Afghan Refugees, Hero of the Month, WI Conference UMW's Annual Gathering, #StillinMission September

9/8/2021 - Conference News
Conference News

Ingathering for Afghan Refugees at Fort McCoy

As Afghan people are entering Fort McCoy, efforts are being coordinated to offer the needed support and care for them. Of the thousands of refugees coming to Wisconsin, 9% are under 3 years old; 60% are under 18. Rev. Deb Burkhalter, pastor at Winding Rivers UMC, has been working part-time for Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Following the relief efforts from flooding a few years ago, Winding Rivers UMC still has “dormitory” housing available. They are currently feeding and housing non-military people who are serving and supporting the relief efforts at Fort McCoy.
 
Rev. Mary Balson has been coordinating a list of items needed and drop-off locations across our Conference which will be picked up and delivered to the Fort McCoy warehouse area.  Please share this information with your congregations.  Read more to find out about the relief efforts and how you can be involved.

Hero of the Month: Lisa Jones (Brown Deer UMC)

Lisa Jones, Executive Director and Lead Organizer of Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) and a member of Brown Deer UMC, receives Hero-of-the-Month award for her leadership and social justice advocacy work.

"When Jay Anderson was killed by a Wauwatosa police officer in 2016, it hit home for Lisa Jones, the Executive Director and Lead Organizer of Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH). At the time, she was living down the street from the park where Anderson was shot to death while sitting in his car. “It just disturbed me that I would be driving past this park,” she said. “One day I actually pulled into a parking spot, and I thought, ‘could this be the spot?’” Read More

Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Women's Annual Gathering

The Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Women is planning an in-person Annual Gathering On Oct. 15-16, 2021 at First United Methodist Church- Baraboo. The theme of the meeting is "Knitted Together for God’s Good Work".  The afternoon breakout sessions will give you an opportunity to learn about the Good Trouble Team at First UMC- Baraboo, the Neighborly Store and Backpack project, cross cultural appointments, People Helping People, One Sauk, Naturally by Ho-Chunk District Legislator, and registration information for Assembly 2022 in Orlando, FL. Hope to see you at our Annual Gathering at First UMC- Baraboo!  More Information and Register Now

Webinar: Hybrid Models of Worship - Presented by Jason Moore

As we prepare for worship this fall – in the midst of the unknowns of another wave of COVID-19 – our Conference is sponsoring a follow up event with Jason Moore with practical knowledge of preparing for and running hybrid worship.  This is being offered to you at no cost (our apportionment dollars at work). In addition, he has made available at no extra cost, the recording of the first Both/And webinar. This link is available until the Both/And to be Continued webinar. This is a great opportunity for clergy and lay teams to learn together and support each other in worship preparation and presentation.

BOTH/AND: To Be Continued is offered September 28, from 11:30 – 1:00.

Even though this webinar is free, we ask you to register, so you can receive the materials and the link of the recording which will be provided after the webinar is presented. Register Here

Iron Creek UMC Celebrates 160th Anniversary

On Sunday, October 10, 2021, Salem Iron Creek UMC in rural Menomonie celebrates 160 years of ministry. It is one of the oldest church congregations in northwestern Wisconsin. The church was established in 1861. The first trustees were Peter Sippel, Christian Quilling, and Carl Schaefer. Several of their descendants are still members of the Iron Creek church. Church members first met in the homes of fellow members. They then met in a log schoolhouse until 1863 when a building was constructed. Read more
Denominational News
 

United Methodist Pitch in with Afghan Resettlement

With the recent tumultuous end of the 20-year Afghan war, tens of thousands of Afghans are arriving in the U.S., and United Methodists are part of the massive effort to help them make a fresh start. That’s particularly evident with churches near military bases.

El Calvario United Methodist Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is used to caring for those who have come across the U.S.-Mexican border but now is collecting clothes (including hijabs), sandals, sanitary napkins and other basics for Afghans whose first stop is the U.S. is Holloman Air Force Base or Fort Bliss — both relatively close to the church. Read more

WMC Names Bishop Yambasu as Recipient of 2020 World Methodist Peace Award

The World Methodist Council (WMC) has named the late Bishop John K. Yambasu as the recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award for 2020. Bishop Yambasu served as The United Methodist Church (UMC) resident bishop of Sierra Leone until his untimely death in August of 2020. 

"This Award is given annually by the World Methodist Council to individuals or organizations who have contributed significantly to peace, justice and reconciliation," WMC General Secretary Ivan Bishop Abrahams said when he made the announcement today. Read full press release
Mission News & Information

 

#StillinMission September 2021

Despite the pandemic, United Methodist missionaries remain deeply engaged in work around the world. Normally, a number of them "itinerate" each year to visit the churches and individuals that support them in ministry. Covid-19 has put a stop to most travel but that doesn't mean the missionaries aren't available to meet virtually! Each month, we invite four missionaries to be in conversation with laity and clergy throughout the church to share the joys and challenges they've experienced. Click here to Register and learn Zoom dates and times
Other Resources

 

Amplify Media Presents "Sharing the Christmas Story, Sharing Our Faith: Advent Studies for Every Church"

Coming together with our faith communities will be more important than ever this Advent season. In this special online event, three of our most popular and thoughtful authors discuss together their new studies and what inspires them at Christmas. Whether you’re looking for personal encouragement this Advent season or ways to strengthen your churches and small groups through a shared experience, these Christmas studies will inspire you in a variety of meaningful ways. Read More / Register Now

Harrington Lecture Featuring Dr. Eboo Patel

 

Saint Paul School of Theology is excited to share the news that on September 21 at 6:00 pm CT we will host a free, online lecture featuring Dr. Eboo Patel. He will be speaking on “We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy.” We hope you will join us for this event and invite you to share the event information with your colleagues, church, and community.  For more information and to register, visit https://app.donorview.com/Y4Gm5.
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