Honorary Advisory Committee: the Rev. Dr. April Ulring Larson, the Rev. Dr. Carl R. Simon, the Rev. Sharon Rader and the Rev. Dr. Fredrick R. Trost
Four former Wisconsin denominational leaders are welcoming pastors and lay leaders to join Friends of the Council and to actively pledge to support the mission of the WCC (We pray and work together for the unity and renewal of the church, and the healing and reconciliation of the world). The Rev. Dr. April Ulring-Larson, the Rev. Sharon Rader, the Rev. Dr. Carl R. Simon and the Rev. Dr. Fredrick R. Trost initiated the “Friends” in a September 2010 mailing to Wisconsin churches, pastors and lay leaders.
The four former leaders have been active in the life of the WCC and are committed to the future of ecumenism in this state. The Rev. Dr. April Ulring Larson is Bishop Emeritus of the La Crosse Area Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Senior Pastor at First Lutheran Church, Duluth. The Rev. Dr. Carl Simon, honorably retired, was Presbytery Executive of the Milwaukee Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (USA). Rev. Sharon Zimmerman Rader was Bishop of the Wisconsin Conference, United Methodist Church from 1992-2004 and Secretary of the Council of Bishops until 2004, and retired in 2008. The Rev. Dr. Frederick Trost served as Conference Minister and President of the Wisconsin Conference, United Church of Christ from 1981 to 2001. All of them have agreed to serve on an honorary advisory committee to help shape the ecumenical future through leadership of the WCC. Others are welcomed to become charter members of the Friends of the Council and to participate in this initiative.
The leaders point out that these are challenging times. Major shifts in the culture are compelling local congregations, regional denominational bodies, national church structures and ecumenical organizations like the WCC to rethink their mission and deal with diminishing resources. The recent recession has simply added to this already difficult situation.
The initiative supports the WCC’s action plans to “form leaders, empower public witness and to equip the missional church.”
Interested persons can become a charter member by pledging $250 over the next year. Regular membership starts at $35 ($15 for low income families and students).
To make a donation online (any amount in $5 increments) use any WCC “Donate Now” link.
