RSVP for Wisconsin Council of Churches Annual Meeting

media release: 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 5, 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.

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.

This Friday, November 17, is the registration deadline, so if you're thinking about joining us, register now!

$99 Registration

$206 True Cost

Register Here

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 – CLOSING WORSHIP

4:00 – Adjourn

Pre-Event

You are invited to join us the night before the gathering for a pre-event at a local establishment. We will provide light refreshments and an opportunity for networking and connecting. Cost: $25. Location TBA.

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

Innovation, Justice & Advocacy (with WCC Staff)

• Hindu Nationalism in the US & Other Religious Nationalisms (Revs. Chakravarthy Zadda & Mindi Welton-Mitchell)
• Indigenous Justice Efforts in WI Churches (Rev. Kerri Parker)
• Wayfinding/Becoming Wise (Rev. Julia Burkey)
• Being With, Being For, Working With, Working For (Rev. Karla Garcia & Awaken Dane staff)
• Friends Forum (must be a Friend of the Council member)
• Guided Forest Walk Mini Experience (Rev. Zayna Thomley) OUTDOORS, please dress appropriately

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.