Join us on December 5th for the Wisconsin Council of Churches Annual Meeting. We are happy to return to meeting in physical space this year, and will be meeting at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton. Registration includes the keynote speaker and access to the business session held on the morning of Tuesday, December 5th, lunch and other refreshments through the day, and access to workshops held in the afternoon. If you will be in town the evening before, you are invited to join us for a NEW pre-event that will create space for networking and visiting an interesting venue in Madison. More information coming soon.
Our best estimate of annual meeting “true cost” is about $206 per person. A gift at or above the “true cost” rate will support more council programming and our ability to scholarship folks who would otherwise be unable to participate.
Registration closed November 17th. Questions? Contact us at wcoc@wichurches.org.
Schedule
8:30 – Registration and pastries and refreshments available
9:00 – WELCOME AND MORNING WORSHIP
9:30 – BUSINESS SESSION
10:30 – Break
10:45 – KEYNOTE ADDRESS Jay Hulme
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – WORKSHOPS (see below for options)
2:00 – Break
2:15 – WORKSHOPS (see below for options)
3:30 – Adjourn
Pre-Event
New this year is a pre-event mixer! Join us from 7 to 9 PM for desserts and drinks (non-alcoholic options included) in a relaxed atmosphere located in a historic former sugar mill on the East side of Madison. As we were thinking about this year’s theme, we were excited about the connection with this space which was just a few years ago crumbling and abandoned but now has been brought to new life. The Garver Feed Mill is a welcoming event space at 3241 Garver Green on the East Side of Madison. Your registration fee covers the cost of one drink and additional will be available for purchase. There are several dinner options located at the venue and so if you’d like to come early for dinner on your own or with others that is encouraged. Cost: $25.
Business Session
The Business Meeting of the WCC will also take place on Tuesday morning. Based on previous experience, we anticipate this lasting approximately an hour. This year’s agenda should include program reports, review of financials, voting on new bylaws, voting on new associate members, and elections. Business booklets should be sent out to delegates approximately a week before the meeting. All delegates should plan to attend this session. Visitors are welcome to attend or take a break and walk the monastery grounds.
Keynote Presentation by Jay Hulme
Jay Hulme is a poet, speaker, and theologian from Leicester, in the UK. His books for children have been nominated for some of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious writing and illustration awards. His books for adults are published by one of the UK’s leading Christian publishers and are widely reviewed and praised, with his poem ‘Jesus at the Gay Bar’ becoming an international sensation. Jay regularly speaks and preaches at churches, cathedrals, and theological conferences.
When he isn’t writing, speaking, or caring for the 1144 year old church where he serves as Churchwarden, Jay enjoys exploring (and climbing up) the ancient churches and cathedrals that litter the british landscape, finding inspiration in their beauty, and in the faith which has been practiced there for centuries.
Workshops
Conversation with keynote speaker Jay Hulme
Join Jay Hulme for a deeper dive into his writing and work. Bring your questions for this informal conversation with Jay and participants as he shares his perspectives on poetry, what it’s like to be a churchwarden at an 1100+ year old church, and more.
Innovation, Justice & Advocacy (with WCC Staff)
Join the WCC justice and advocacy team to learn about advocacy and the experiments they are piloting. They will share recent success stories such as when they caused a stir at the capitol by helping droves of clergy show up to testify at hearings. They will also share some of the larger vision of the WCC’s advocacy program and what other things they have planned for the future. Learn how to engage in advocacy both at the capitol and in your local community.
Hindu Nationalism in the US & Other Religious Nationalisms (Revs. Chakravarthy Zadda & Mindi Welton-Mitchell)
Religious nationalism is something that touches all faiths. Join Rev. Chakravarthy Zadda and Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell as they share some of the work being done around Hindu nationalism and how this affects other areas of work as well, including confronting Christian Nationalism. The American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin have recently developed a statement on Religious Nationalisms and welcome dialogue. The statement will be included in your Annual Meeting materials.
Indigenous Justice Efforts in WI Churches (Rev. Kerri Parker)
Many churches are writing land acknowledgment statements but wonder if there is more work to be done. The answer is Yes! WCC’s Executive Director will share about how churches can build relationships with local tribes, participating in reparations and restorative actions, and collaborate with others. Whether your Church has already written a land acknowledgment and has made some progress, or if you are just beginning, this workshop will introduce you to actionable steps that invite you deeper into the work.
Wayfinding/The Soul-Tasks of Aging (Rev. Julia Burkey)
How do we support people as they enter the last phase of their lives? Rev. Julia Burkey journeyed with 50 elders in her congregation last year as they met monthly for a series to reflect on their legacies and lives. Tied to the cycle of the Christian year, this powerful process taught both participants and leaders what it means to age with grace. Rev. Burkey will share what she learned leading this group in this workshop.
Being With, Being For, Working With, Working For (S.S. Morris Community AME & Awaken Dane staff)
Why did a group of strangers walk into the nursing home in their neighborhood? Because they realized that God was calling them out of their church building to serve those who were often forgotten. Join members of S.S. Morris Community AME and Awaken Dane Staff as they share about how listening to what God is up to in your neighborhood can invite your church into new areas of ministry. Experience an activity that Awaken Dane uses to help churches better understand and reflect on the ways they are already showing up in their neighborhoods. Learn more about the program here.
Friends Forum (must be a Friend of the Council member)
An event for those who have invested in the Council through our Friends of the Council program! (Learn more here). Do you ever wonder what is happening behind the scenes at the Council? Where do these new programs come from? What undergirds the ministry of an organization responding to the ever-changing needs of our state and world? Join the WCC Executive Director for this intimate conversation about the Council. This is also a great opportunity for you to share what you are passionate about and see if there are ways to connect it with the wider ministry of the WCC.
Guided Forest Walk Mini Experience (Rev. Zayna Thomley) OUTDOORS, please dress appropriately for the weather, including footwear.
Have you ever heard of the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, or “forest bathing”? Rev. Zayna Thomley is a certified Forest Therapy Guide and will lead a group in this practice that is shown to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Using poetry, ancient wisdom, and contemplative prayer, join her in this time to tend to your soul on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at WCC’s Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting includes our business meeting (hear updates on the Council’s operations, vote for new members, etc), our plenary speaker, and workshops. This is a great way to connect with the vast amount of work that the Council is doing across the state and network with other leaders who care about ecumenical ministry. The Meeting is designed to spark your imagination to give you a taste of what is happening across the state and give you ideas to take back to your own community.
Where will the Annual Meeting be held this year?
Annual Meeting will be held at Holy Wisdom Monastery (4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, WI).
Who is invited to WCC’s Annual Meeting?
Everyone is invited and there are two ways to attend.
Each WCC member organization has official delegates who are able to vote and participate in the business meeting and all the events. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, reach out to your judicatory/organizational leaders about joining your delegation.
If you are not serving as a delegation member, you are still welcome and encouraged to join us! Anyone can attend. You will have access to all the events, but for the business meeting, you will only be able to observe. Only delegates have voice and vote for the business session.
When is the registration deadline?
We need to organize logistics and so our registration deadline is November 17th.
Registration closed November 17th. Questions? Contact us at wcoc@wichurches.org.
