SWA Clergy Support Check-in Association Minister Lorraine  Ceniceros:

Schedule a phone call, meeting, or preaching engagement, click here: https://calendly.com/support_with_lorraine

Zoom Office Hours
Clergy and Colleague Support
Wednesday
May 12 1:00-2:30
May 26 1:00-2:30

Join meeting through Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84821180978
Meeting ID: 848 2118 0978

Conference Annual Meeting 
May 11-16
Powered by Generosity 
Click here for more information.

UCC Webinar—The Work of Justice: Job Creation and Climate Action

To emerge from the pandemic, an economic recovery that prioritizes jobs and justice is desperately needed. Now is a time to cast a vision for a holistic recovery that is guided by a commitment to employment, affordable housing, racial justice, public health, and a transition to a decarbonized economy. This webinar will focus on what a just recovery would look like and what faith communities can do to call for legislation that embodies our values. Three panelists will share with us. Natalie Mebane is a policy specialist for 350.org, one of the nation’s largest climate organizations. Bracken Hendricks has served as a climate advisor to former president Bill Clinton and the Clinton Foundation in addition to more recently advising Jay Inslee in his presidential campaign. The Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll founded Green the Church, which works at the intersection of Black churches and environmental justice. Even if you can’t make the webinar’s scheduled time on Wednesday, May 12^th, at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording of it. Sign-up now for the webinar!

Videos of Andrew Warner’s Webinars Available

Treasurers and Financial Secretaries video

Stewardship Chairs and Teams video

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AWAKEN DANE -Project of WI Council of Churches

The Wisconsin Council of Churches invites churches to commit to discerning God’s call in this time together. Individual members of congregations may contact their leaders to encourage their

church to be a part of the 40 congregations of diverse traditions that will participate.
There will be a Zoom workshop on Wednesday, April 28, 1:00-2:15, to help churches get a taste of what’s involved.

Check out the details here. Applications are due by May 24 or until the cohort is filled.

GRANTS AVAILABLE!
Conference Creation Care Team is offering grants of up to $1,000 to WI Conference congregations that are planning initiatives to deepen their love of Creation and positively change their relationship with the environment.
For more information and to submit a grant application, go to wcucc.org/creationcare. Contact Lisa Hart with questions.

Here is the complete article

Grant application

Click here to see Grants Received 

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.

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.