Out of Office Hours for Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros

Bridging Borders Presentation

November 24 2:00
St. John’s Lutheran co-hosted by Congregational UCC Evansville
312 S. 3rd Street, Evansville, WI

Retired pastor Marcy Pharmer will discuss and show pictures of her volunteer work at Annunciation House providing support for  migrants as they sought asylum and journeyed to sponsors in the U.S. Her main desire is to find ways to connect in this divisive time, to be a “bridge no a wall”.
A free will offering will be taken.
Everyone is invited.

Kettlewood Retreat: Bread of the Advent Journey: Nourishing Ourselves, Nourishing Others, and Advent Retreat
Lead by Rev. Holly Whitcomb
December 13 9:30-3:00
at Cedar Valley
To register send $50.00 check to Rev. Whitcomb at 2095 Elm Tree Court, Elm Grove, WI 53122
Include name, address, email and phone number
For more information call : 262-784-5593

Flourishing in Ministry: Cultivating Trustworthy Relationships
Step away from daily work to explore your inner life, reconnect with your calling and join a global movement that believes that leadership begins from the hear of who one is.

Three Series Retreats
May 11-14, 2020
November 6-11, 2020
May 10-12 2021
at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine
Leading the retreats are: Rev. Winton Boyd, Chelsey Hillyer, Rev. Katrina Jenkins and Sharia Steever
Learn more here.

Faith and Freedom Tour: Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma
March 13-20 or March 20-27
Pilgrimage exploring American slavery and black American civil rights in Alabama
Information here.

Can Interfaith Collaboration Strengthen Democracy?
WI Council Council of Churches is  reaching out across the state to a broad range of faith communities and community organizations. In early 2020, we will convene a day of dialogue to explore what civic and democratic engagement means to those gathered, how it connects to their faith, and the challenges and opportunities for religious organizations’ participation in the public square. This will be followed by training for “voter ambassadors” from diverse communities to conduct voter registration drives.

If you, your congregation, or community organization might be interested in joining with us in this effort, please let us know! Contact Dr. Peter Bakken, WCC Coordinator for Public Policy, or Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice.

More information here.

Borrow “God’s Doors Are Open to All”
Created to remind us to boldly stand in Solidarity with LGBTQ & Orlando, Florida communities to represent our Open and Affirming congregations and to encourage us all to let love be stronger than hate.
Click here for more information.

Interested in Visiting Palestine and Israel?
Rev. Nick Utphall will be leading an eleven day trip to the Holy Land in November.
For more information click here.

Damascus Project

Returning to Sacred Texts and Finding Stories You Can Live In

Leadership development initiative to form spiritually-grounded leaders for a changing church.

Registration  and more information

Communities of Practice Groups for Clergy and Christian Educators
More information

Sign up

Communities of Practice for  Christian Education Faith Formation
More information

Sign up

Thinking about retirement or already retired?

The Conference has started a Facebook Group to discuss the many issues involved in transitioning to retirement.
It is open to all Authorized Clergy and any denomination. More information.

Lay Leaders take note!

Are you a lay leader for a congregation which has called or is calling a pastor who will be serving in that for the first time?

New resources are being developed to help with the transition from seminary to a first call in ministry. Members of the SW Association that are working on this are: Rev. Mark Yurs, Rev. Leslie Schenk, Dave Pearson and Rev. Joanne Thomson.

New Process for Licensed Ministry

The Southwest Association, along with the three other Associations in the Wisconsin Conference, has adopted a new process for licensed ministry. Both the Conference Commission on Church and Ministry and our national MESA (Ministerial Excellence, Support, and Authorization) team have developed a new framework for understanding licensed ministry.  We encourage you to take a look at www.ucc.org/ministers to learn more about the changes affecting the authorization of ministry in the United Church of Christ.