WI Conference Weekly ENews - March 3, 2022

Conference News

 

 

 

Bishop's Day Apart for Clergy & Laity

During  these days  together, we will feature our  quadrennial  focus,  Radical Inclusion  and  Racial Justice,  as our  continuous  mission  and  ministry  direction.  Our  Anti-Racism  Task  Force  and  Bishop’s Task  Force  are  working  on  how  we  can build  the  beloved  community together  in  the  Wisconsin Conference.  During  Bishop’s  Days  Apart  with  Clergy  and  Laity,  each  district  will  participate in  study and  reflection on Radical  Inclusion and  Racial  Justice.  

Bryan Stevenson’s  “Four  Pillars  to  Change the World”  will  lead  the  bold  steps  into our  adaptation. Read More


First Aid for Mental Health –
See the world through the eyes of others


Live, virtual training – March 10 and 24

Recognizing the need to create a more empathic community and environment within the United Methodist Church for those struggling with mental health, Wespath is offering first aid training for mental health. First Aid for Mental Health is for EVERYONE. Clergy and their spouses, Church leaders, staff and congregation members are all invited to attend—at no cost. The skills acquired can be applied to many situations, including home, social and professional environments. For more information and to register, scan the QR code or visit the First Aid for Mental Health event page at Wespath.org/r/firstaidmh

 


A Statement from Wisconsin Conference's Board of Church and Society

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
 
Can one be a child of God with the love of war? Our Church bluntly answers, “We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. (United Methodist Social Principles  ¶165.C The World Community: War and Peace)” 
 
We rebuke the evil of war that President Putin and Russia commits against the people of Ukraine. We stand with those who are suffering and trembling at the military invasion and bombing of cities. War is never an answer; it only brings more suffering and deeper hostility. Read full statement here


United Methodist Stand with Ukraine

United Methodists across the globe are condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As Christians “we believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy.” (2016 Book of Discipline, Social Principles ¶165.C). We also know our God stands with the oppressed and calls on us to support them. See some of the ways United Methodist leaders, organizations and individuals are responding to the invasion of Ukraine through their prayer, aid and witness. Read More

To make donation to Support UMCOR’s international disaster response efforts by making a gift to Advance #982450 or click here


Wisconsin Conference Workshop,  “Leading the Church through the Pandemic World”

April 30, 10:00-3:00 pm, In-Person and Zoom
 
What kind of church are you planning to be moving through the pandemic world?  Bring your team of leaders and come experience this interactive workshop where you will create a Ministry Action Plan (MAP) to enact the needed game changing leadership strategies in your church. Kay Kotan, author of "Being the Church in a Post Pandemic World" will lead the workshop. Groups of 4 or more may request a Zoom webinar option by contacting Lori Denoyer
, Conference Registrar, 608-837-7328.  She will arrange to receive contact information and appropriate payment for your group.
 
For more information and to register please click here.


Faith Alive 2.0 - Register Now!

Bishop Jung will be joining us on our Faith Alive 2.0 journey in April - and you are invited to join us, too!  Your involvement in the mission of the church has never been more necessary than now. Bishop Jung will lead us toward spiritual maturity and endurance for all times in CALLED TO MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP.
 
This opportunity to learn and grow together will be available virtually on April 8 and 9.  Join both Friday evening (7:00-8:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9:00 a.m. -8:30 p.m. - with meal breaks). The cost is $40 and checks should be made out to the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation.  If you have questions or need more information, contact Gail Burgess at 262-945-8578. Click here for more information and to register.


Advanced Lay Servant Course

Finding your Powerful Question within your Spiritual Gifts - Each of us has a Powerful Question lived out in the narrative of your own life's journey and one which is embedded within your God given Spiritual Gifts. This two-day ecumenical workshop is designed to help you become a more enlightened spiritual leader and move you to a more God-centered way of life. 

April 2 & 9, 2022 - 9 am to 3 pm @ Faith United Methodist Church, Sheboygan Falls, WI. For more information and to register, please go to www.askyourpowerfulquestion.com or click here
 


United Methodist Women Rebrand - United Women in Faith

NEW YORK, N.Y., Mar. 2, 2022: United Methodist Women is now United Women in Faith! The move is part of a refreshing of the organization that includes a new logo and an array of new and improved programs to nurture current members and welcome new women to join to put their love in action on behalf of women, children, and youth. Our own Heidi Careaga, District Office Administrator, is a national leader of Women in Faith and you can see introductory videos that include her presentation at: United Women in Faith | Love in Action (uwfaith.org).


Wisconsin Conference Communications Department launches website support for churches

Your church website has become more important than ever these days. Is your website current? Do you know how to edit your website? Do you need to create a website? Are you asking "Where do I start?" We are here to answer your questions and help you get your website up to date.  Lisa Wink, Director of Communications and Scott Huelsman, a professional webmaster, have created an online community for you to ask your questions and get the support you need. Join the community now! Click here to access the Microsoft Team. Please contact Lisa Wink at lwink@wisconsinumc.org with questions. 

Local Church Stories
 

Oak Creek Community UMC GTP Quilt Group Helps Feed Salvation Army

“Blessed are those who are hungry, for they shall be fed”,  Captain Jason from the Oak Creek Salvation Army, was presented with a check for $2,000 for the Food Pantry on behalf of the “Going to Pieces” quilt group from the Oak Creek United Methodist Church.  Captain Jason stated, this is a most welcome gift as this is a very slow time of the year for donations.  (GTP) group challenged its members after initially contributing $250 an additional $1,500 was raised. “By transforming the lives of others, our world is transformed.” 



Photo, left to right, Pastor Wendee, Judith P., Captain Jason, Judy E., Lois D.


Manitowoc: Lakeshore UMC Sewing Group Cares for Community

Lakeshore UMC's Thursday Sewing Group meets each week to share friendship and support while they teach sewing and quilting techniques to each other and anyone else interested. When they learned of a need at area nursing homes, they designed waterproof bibs for adults.  They also made hanging storage bags to attach to walkers or wheelchairs. As February ended, a selection of both bags and bibs were sent out with prayers and delivered to five different nursing homes in the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area and they are ready for next projects!


 

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

Mission News



Rainbow Covenant Reports due by March 31st!

Please take time to review your church's mission giving in 2021 and complete the Rainbow Covenant Report form.  The form is available online and can be printed and sent by post or emailed no later than March 31.  Rainbow Covenant encourages all United Methodist Churches in the Wisconsin Conference to support mission on local, conference, national and international levels through giving and sharing in relationship to fulfill Matthew 25: "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me".
Download the form (click here) and return it by March 31 to Rainbow Covenant, ATTN: Gail Burgess, 6510 203rd Avenue, Bristol, WI 53104 or email it to hb53104@aol.com. Questions? Contact 262-945-8578.  As you are planning your mission giving for 2022, the 2021 form can be a guide; some minor changes will be made when the 2022 form is posted after March 31.


                                                                   

Annual Conference 2022 Ingathering 

While plans still are coming together for Annual Conference 2022, the Ingathering list has been finalized. We encourage all churches to participate in providing much needed hygiene kits during our campaign. Monetary donations may also be collected with a memo that designates it to go toward Ingathering 2022. For a complete list of kits being collected please click here  For bulletin inserts click here.

 

Upcoming Events

Other Resources

 
 
Stewardship Isn’t Just About Giving
Saving Grace Grant – Offering Financial Wellness for Churches and Communities
 
The Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation wants to help your church improve financial wellness in your church and community through the Saving Grace Grant.  The Saving Grace Grant Program is designed to offer training, financial incentives, and seed money for
launching Saving Grace in your context. The program has two tracks. Track one is for clergy and their spouse/partner, is six sessions long, and includes financial incentives up to $865.99 for attending all sessions.  Track two is three sessions, is designed for potential local Saving Grace leaders (lay or clergy), and offers up to $765.99 in financial incentives for attending all sessions.  All sessions for both tracks will be held via Zoom.  For more information, session dates, a breakdown of financial incentives, and to sign-up, visit: https://www.wumf.org/assets/SavingGraceGrant2022.pdf  Questions? Email Rev. Jason Mahnke, Director of Programming and Campaigns at jason@wumf.org.  Groups start in April and space is limited. Register today!

 

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