What do you do when your hometown makes national news for the wrong reason?

If you’re First Congregational UCC in Eau Claire, the answer is easy: Change the narrative by creating a Welcoming Neighbors Project.

The heart of the initiative is an exhibit called “Welcome Quilt – Sewn Together in Unity,” which aims to educate local residents about immigration and share the personal stories of recent immigrants. The quilts on display were created in Arizona by migrant and U.S. native children. The immigrant kids made squares depicting things they love, and the U.S. children created squares welcoming the migrants. The quilts will be on display from Sept. 18 to 29 in the chapel at First Congregational. The exhibit was made possible by a $5,000 Catalyst Grant from the Wisconsin Conference.

The project came in response to pushback by some residents and lawmakers who opposed plans for an Eau Claire office by World Relief, a Christian humanitarian organization that provides resettlement and employment services to refugees. Opponents included federal and state legislators who proposed measures to require more buy-in from local officials and to give state and local governments the authority to block the arrival of new refugees. The conflict caught the attention of national news organizations.

That’s when First Congregational stepped up. It helped that the congregation could point to local history. Although its population is overwhelmingly white, Eau Claire has a decades-long history of welcoming newcomers, including several waves of Hmong refugees and, more recently, migrants from Central America, Afghanistan and Ukraine.



“We believe the great majority of the community is a welcoming and open community,” said Ginny Close, a member of the congregation’s Immigration Task Force.

If you go

What: Welcome Quilt – Sewn Together in Unity

Where: First Congregational UCC, 310 Broadway St., Eau Claire

When: Sept. 18-29

Schedule: Weekdays 3 to 7 p.m.; Sundays noon to 5 p.m.

Does your church have a cool idea for a dynamic new ministry that will address an unmet need in your community? The Wisconsin Conference Catalyst Grant program exists to help congregations and their community partners turn ideas into reality.

In addition to funding the Eau Claire Welcoming Neighbors project, grants approved in August will go to

First Congregational UCC in Appleton, for a community conversation on homelessness; Orchard Ridge UCC in Madison, to support its Flicker Wild Church ministry;

and St. Paul’s UCC in Malone, to support a childhood literacy initiative.



Deadline to apply for the next round of Catalyst Grant funds is Sept. 30. Learn more and apply.

The Northwest Association will host “Unplug and Reconnect,” a retreat open to all clergy in the Wisconsin Conference from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at Moon Beach Camp. The event will be light on structure but offer plenty of time for rest, reflection and connection with others in ministry. Optional activities will include pontoon rides, yoga, a hymn sing and guided painting. Worship, group meals and opportunities to enjoy the beautiful surroundings at Moon Beach, will round out the event. 

Cost of the event is $200. Register today.

Get your congregation’s sixth through eighth graders started on their faith adventure at this fall’s Knock Knock Retreat, scheduled for Oct. 11-13 at Daycholah Center. It’s a great opportunity for your middle schoolers to bond as a group – and to discover that love and acceptance constitute the true experience of church.

Throughout the weekend, young people and adults will use the lens of faith to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by middle school youths. They'll focus on navigating changes in relationships, dealing with the tough issues today’s teens experience, and exploring the influence we have on those around us. The Rev. Jacob Nault will be on hand to inspire the group through music and worship. There will be plenty of time for fun, too.

Questions? Email Lisa Hart, associate conference minister for faith formation and justice ministries, or call her at 608-438-1571.

If you go

Where: Daycholah Center

Retreat begins: Check-in at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11. Program starts at 8 p.m.

Conclusion: 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 13.

Learn more and register

Our ministry partners at United Church Camps Inc. are seeking ideas from around the Conference. They’re hiring, too. Read on for the details.

Survey: UCCI is gathering input from campers, retreat guests and faith communities to help shape future camps and programs, with a goal of meeting the evolving needs of stakeholders. UCCI encourages churches, pastors and youth ministry partners to complete the survey. Learn more and complete the survey.

Managing director sought: UCCI is seeking a managing director for Daycholah Center, a year-round camp and retreat facility on the shores of Green Lake. The position includes on-site housing and offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of outdoor ministry while creating transformative experiences for youth campers, retreat guests, and staff. Ideal candidates will be proven leaders with experience in camp management and waterfront oversight, and a passion for fostering a welcoming, inclusive community. Applications are due by Sept. 20. Learn more and apply.

The Wisconsin Conference Supportive Ministries team will launch its new program year with an additional opportunity to connect each month and an updated focus for its monthly essay series.

The team will host two hourlong Zoom conversations, at noon and 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The new evening session is designed especially for lay leaders who can’t make a noontime meeting. The first gatherings are scheduled for Oct. 3. Each month’s conversation will be based on the team’s new monthly “Becoming the Beloved Community” essays, which will focus on opportunities for us to become the beloved communities God intends. 

 

Register for the noon sessions.

Register for the 7 p.m. sessions.

Subscribe to “Becoming the Beloved Community.”

Local Church Profile system training

Following the launch this spring of the digital local church profile portal, MESA continues to offer monthly general orientations to the new system for search committees. Church staff members are welcome to attend trainings, too. Email the Rev. Jeff Nelson, minister for ministerial calls and transitions with questions. The training schedule for the rest of the year:

6 to 7 p.m. Sept 11. Register now.

6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9. Register now.

6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 6. Register now.

Creation Care webinar

“Plants Matter: Invasives vs. Natives” is the subject of the September Creation Care webinar led by Cindy Halfen, a lifelong gardener and a member of Plymouth UCC in Eau Claire. She’ll discuss how to add native plants to our yards, church properties and communities and how to combat invasives. 

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Sept. 12

Register now.

Sermon Talk

Join Associate Conference Minister Michael Jones for a Zoom discussion of biblical texts and sermon ideas, with the focus on topics for the month ahead. Whether you use the Revised Common Lectionary or the Narrative Lectionary or choose your own texts, this discussion is for you. Sessions take place at noon on the first Tuesday of each month.

Time: Noon

Date: Oct. 1

Register now

Palestine Justice Working Group

The Wisconsin Conference work group educates UCC members about the state of Israeli-Palestinian relations and advocates for justice for all Palestinians. The group meets by Zoom on the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are open to all.

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Sept. 23

Register now

Save the date

Youth events:  The Wisconsin Conference and United Church Camps Inc. will host five youth retreats at Daycholah Center in the coming program year.



Oct. 11-13: Knock Knock Retreat for middle schoolers (grades 6-8)

Nov. 8-10: Youth Faith Formation Retreat I (grades 6-12)

Jan. 24-26: Winter Soulstice Retreat for high schoolers (grades 9-12)

Feb. 21-23: Youth Faith Formation Retreat II (grades 6-12)

Feb 28-Mar 2: Youth Faith Formation Retreat III (grades 6-12)

Are you looking for contact information for Wisconsin Conference colleagues? There are two options: Create an account in Realm and use the Realm Connect app, or use our newly updated PDF directory. You can access the directory here. For the password, please email Andrea Vik or call her at (920) 352-1089.

Please note that Realm Connect will only show you the contact information for people who have Realm accounts and who have opted to share their information. The more Wisconsin Conference people who use Realm and opt in, the more useful it will be. For help with Realm Connect, please email Nola Risse-Connolly or call her at (224) 258-0364.