Fifteen members of Wisconsin Conference congregations are participating in the new Rooted and Growing in Faith Spiritual Formation Cohort created by the Damascus Project. The cohort gathered for an opening retreat Aug. 28-29 at Daycholah Center.
Designed specifically for lay members of Wisconsin UCC congregations, Rooted and Growing seeks to nurture participants’ spiritual lives, theological growth, and leadership and ministry skills through a combination of online and in-person learning. Over the next three Damascus Project semesters, participants will take up to six courses, attend a monthly online discussion, and gather for two more retreats.
“We expect, hope, and pray that the participants will find a deepening of their own faith and new skills and energy for contributing to their congregations,” Damascus Project Director Stephanie Perdew said. “All of them are already active and engaged lay people.” Stephanie, who is facilitating the cohort alongside Associate Conference Minister Rachel Bauman, expects to offer a second Rooted and Growing Cohort in 2028.
The cohort’s name is taken from Ephesians 3:14-19, in which the Apostle Paul prays that Jesus’ followers may be “rooted and grounded in love.” The program is underwritten by a Lilly Endowment Thriving Congregations Grant.
Cohort participants are Sara Stephenson, Plymouth UCC, Madison; Jessica Betts, Grace UCC, Two Rivers; Noel Barteck, Owen UCC, Owen; Sheila Feay-Shaw, Plymouth UCC Milwaukee; Jennifer Engstad, First UCC Belleville; Nancy Karlen, Zwingli UCC Monticello; Adelaide Aeschliman, Memorial UCC Fitchburg; Lauren Amburn, Orchard Ridge UCC Madison; Barbara Bendlin, First UCC Janesville; Linda Graebner-Smith, Redeemer UCC Sussex; Scott Kinnamon, First UCC Sauk City; Sheila Dembowski, Grace UCC Wausau; Paul Campbell, First UCC Belleville; David Mickle, Plymouth UCC Madison; and Karen Miller, First UCC Menomonie.