2018 Wisconsin Annual Conference

The Wisconsin Annual Conference celebrated the theme "One With Each Other" from June 15-18 at the Madison Marriott West. Here is a link to our Flickr photos and livestream.

Here are the highlights:

Learning from inspirational guest speakers

Guest speakers included Bishop Modesto Mamani of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia; Bishop Eduard Khegay of the United Methodist Eurasia Episcopal Area; retired Bishop Linda Lee; retired Bishop Donald Ott; Thomas Kemper, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries; and the Rev. Howard Hintzman.

Mamani delivered an inspirational sermon during opening worship. He reminded us of Genesis 32:30 when Jacob said, "I saw God face to face, and my soul was saved." He urged, "We need to get those encounters back: see the eyes of God face to face." He continued, "God always wants to be with you. Jesus wants to be with you so you can be with the other… Jesus Christ promotes encounters of sincerity, encounters of humility, encounters face-to-face. These are only possible in his name." Click here to read the full recap of opening worship.

Hintzman, who is retiring after serving in the Wisconsin Conference for over 40 years, preached during the Retiree Recognition and Worship Service. His sermon was on the importance of simply showing up. "Just like when Jesus told the mustard seed to just show up," Hintzman said, "Jesus didn't tell the seeds that they must be a certain size or have certain characteristics. All they had to do was show up. It's about being present. Showing up is simply about letting God work through us and with us. I have also learned how to show up better through the people who have showed up in my life." Click here to read the full recap of the retiree service.

Thomas Kemper led a two-part Bible Study on Luke 10:1-11, when Jesus sends out 72 disciples in pairs. He discussed how this passage relates to missionary work today. He said, "The first lesson we can learn is we are sent in pairs – we are one with each other. Jesus did not send his disciples alone, but he sent them in pairs. So mission is not something we can do alone. But this whole concept of partnership in mission is key." View Part 1 of his Bible Study here and view Part 2 here.

At the service of Licensing, Commissioning, and Ordination, 13 individuals were licensed as local pastors, four were commissioned for the work of an elder, two commissioned for the work of a deacon, three were ordained elders, and two individuals ordained in the Korean Methodist Church were recognized as elders in full connection in The United Methodist Church. After the Gospel reading of Mark 8:34-38, Khegay gave his sermon on the way of Christ. "Jesus says the way of Christ is full of rejection. It is a way of suffering and death," Khegay said. He discussed what the way of Christ means in our modern life, "Today we live in a different era. At least in my country and in your country, I don't see anybody killed or crucified because of faith. But try something like reforming your church, or try something to transform your community, and you may learn what the suffering and hostility is. I'm sure many of you have experienced that already in your ministry and your life." Read more.

Celebrating 50 years together

On Saturday evening, the Commission on Archives and History hosted the "50 Years Together" Banquet to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the union between the Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church to form The United Methodist Church at the historic Uniting Conference in Dallas, Texas in 1968. A panel of five people took part in the program, in addition to the Rev. Dan Dick who acted as host.

Ott and the Rev. Donald Fenner reflected on their personal history together, and the history of The United Methodist Church. Fenner was a pastor in the EUB before the union. On his thoughts of the union at the time, he said, "I didn't know where it was going to lead me, and that's all right. I was a minister, and was ready to go wherever I was asked to go, and do the best I could. I'm happy that the merger took place." Fenner also discussed how the issue of race was very important for the EUB. The Evangelical United Brethren insisted that the Methodist Church get rid of the race-based Central Jurisdiction before union. EUB members held onto that issue and fought for it. There were several other issues that the EUB had to compromise on in order to make the union happen, but that was the issue its members refused to give up.

Ott warmly remembered the many contributions the EUB brought to the union that he personally experienced. And even though he came from a Methodist background, he thought that he might have "EUB elements in his DNA."

Lee discussed the demise of the race-based Central Jurisdiction, and how we can view that today. She said, "It is a memory we can use now to help lead the culture, instead of following it… Even though we still have a long way to go, the church taking that step towards wholeness is important, and I'm appreciative of the EUB."

The Rev. Christine Bethke discussed the changing role of women in leadership in our conference, and the impact of Bishop Marjorie Matthews' election. Matthews was the first woman elected bishop of any mainline Christian church. She served the Wisconsin area for four years, retiring in 1984.

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung was the fifth member of the panel and he reflected on the diverse face of Wisconsin. The evening ended with the Rev. Jorge Luis Mayorga leading the singing of "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love," which was also sung at the 1969 Wisconsin Uniting Conference. Throughout the evening, there were several videos shown that were put together by the Commission on Archives and History. Click here to watch the videos.

Launch Out! Fundraising Campaign approved

Allie Scott and Steve Scott presented the Launch Out! fundraising campaign on Saturday, and the resolution to approve the campaign was voted on Sunday. Launch Out! is a $6.8 million campaign to fund "a dream for the future" of the conference. That total includes $2.92 million for developing new ministries, $2.48 million for mercy and justice ministries, $1.15 million for revitalization of current ministries, and $250,000 to pay for the campaign. Allie explained, "Launch Out will focus on leadership development for laity and clergy, which more than any specific program will develop momentum." Steve discussed why the Launch Out! team believes this campaign will be successful, saying "We find hope in reaching new people because of past successful starts," and gave several examples from Wisconsin churches.

The resolution to authorize the campaign was approved on Sunday. Here is Saturday's script. Here in Sunday's script. View Sunday slides here.

Listening to ideas from youth

On Saturday evening, 14 youth from the annual conference presented a panel discussion focused on Generation Z, and what they have to say to the church. Several themes emerged from the youth. Several said that Gen Z youth share more in common with youth around the world, than with older adults in their own countries. Despite the differences among people of different ages that youth feel exist within their congregations, they expressed a strong desire for intergenerational relationships. When asked about the future of the church, they dreamed of a church where all ages were present. The theme of inclusivity also emerged throughout the session. They shared the importance of saying that "all people are welcome" to church activities, and being explicit about your welcome. The youth also shared the importance of getting outside the church walls. They talked about the need for churches to be doing mission and service, quoting Thomas Kemper from the Bible study saying, "There's a church because of a mission, not vice versa." The session ended with the youth asking questions of the adults, including questions like "What if leading the way is completely outside our doors? What if church changes fundamentally?" and "Are you scared of youth?" But they shared a vision of hope saying, "You don't have to be afraid of what the youth are bringing," and "There's going to be a lot of change; it's important to not just embrace the change, but be the change."

State of the Church: Bishop calls for unity and peace

In his State of the Church Address, Jung read from Ephesians 4:1-6, and said, "This is a powerful witness: to be in Christ means to be united in Christ. In our baptism, as in our Holy Communion sharing, we become ONE in Christ, ONE with each other, and ONE in ministry to all the world... It is time to set aside our own opinion of what the church should be, and together, prayerfully, discern what is the will of God for our church. We cannot achieve this alone, but only together."

"Our Church has long been divided about the acceptance and full inclusion of gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, queer, and questioning individuals," the bishop said. "When we begin from the position that we are all created in the image of God, and that Christ died so that all the dividing walls of hostility have been destroyed, we are able to converse in a much more loving, compassionate, caring, gentle and just manner… The things that unite us are always greater than the things that divide us," he said.

The bishop explained that we are launching new ministries throughout the state that serve multicultural and multilingual congregations. The global nature of our conference continues to grow with Hispanic, African, Burmese, Congolese, Hmong and Korean ministries. We have launched the Missional Churches Consultation Initiative to "turnaround" and strengthen existing healthy churches, he said. A Multicultural Ministries Center, called "Just Be Hope," is being developed in Milwaukee on the site of the Kenwood United Methodist Church.

The bishop concluded by telling the Conference to "Launch Out!, to let God use us for the transformation of the world." Read full report here.

The Rev. Forrest Wells delivers cabinet address

In his Cabinet Address, the Rev. Forrest Wells, cabinet dean and district superintendent, said that 2 Corinthians 4:7 is a favorite verse of his. He said that Apostle Paul sums up: "For we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." Wells continued, "One conviction I state without reservation is that everyone on your cabinet absolutely treasures the ministry of God that includes the call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

The cabinet is so enthused about the Launch Out! campaign, Wells stated. "We are excited about new faith plants that are launching, and have launched in each district. We grow excited about what new thing God can do in our Conference…We celebrate almost 100 people trained so far in the Institute for Congregational Development and the Instituto De Desarrollo Congregacional. God's treasure, the ministry of Jesus Christ, when unleashed, cannot be stopped!"

Wells concluded his address by saying, "Ministry is precious; it is a treasure. Clergy and lay leadership, you are the treasure holders of the ministry of Jesus Christ. The cabinet is positioned to support you, encourage you and challenge you as we together launch into the coming year." Read full report here. View slides here.

Deanna Shimko delivers laity address

In her laity address, Deanna Shimko began her presentation echoing the theme of the annual conference, "We are One with Each Other!" She talked about the importance of unity. She said, "God calls us to unity of purpose." Shimko went on to thank many individuals and groups who serve locally and in the world, including ministries across the conference, churches, General Conference lay delegates, lay circuits with the help of Don Greer, all lay leadership and lay servants, Conference staff, full cabinet, Board of Laity, and especially the Bishop.

She highlighted the fifth annual Bishop's Convocation with Laity Leadership in March, which included presentations on our Launch Out! faith-raising/fundraising campaign, Commission on Way Forward, Hispanic Pentecost Emergence Initiative in Wisconsin, peace living as a core congregational value, birthing and partnering new ministries in our existing churches, and why spiritual formation in the Church. Shimko also celebrated the graduation of participants in a two-year Faith Alive! class, and "witnessed the personal and spiritual awakenings and transformations." A new two-year class begins in September 2018. Read full report.

Approving several action items

During plenary sessions, 19 action items (some amended) and two motions were approved. The approved action items/motions included a 2019 budget of $6,783,839. The General Conference Corrected Constitutional Amendment was also brought forward; the amendment votes will be reported to the Council of Bishops Office to the attention of the executive secretary. Read more.

Additional motions that were approved, included:

Bishops Jung and Mamani also signed a joint agreement to enter into an equal partnership with the Methodist Church of Bolivia.

Giving generously

Annual conference members gave generously to special offerings and Ingathering during Conference:

Opening Worship (offering for Eurasia in Mission Together and Thiu Rancho Project): $1,940.70
Ordination and Commissioning Service (offering for the Clergy in Transition Fund): $1,791.48
Ingathering: more than $8,000 and 16,087 pounds of items needed for Midwest Mission Distribution Center.

Submitted by Michele Virnig, Director of Communications, and Chrissy Graham, Communications Assistant, Wisconsin Conference.