Dear Wisconsin Conference UCC,
As I am coming to the end of my time as an Associate Conference Minister in the Wisconsin Conference, I asked for the opportunity to write about some things I have loved about working in the Wisconsin Conference.
When I applied for the ACM position three-and-a-half years ago, I was in the Illinois Conference as a local church pastor, and the only information I had to go on about the Wisconsin Conference, other than the position posting, was the many comments I had heard from colleagues in Illinois who had served in Wisconsin. The comments were always the same: “The Wisconsin Conference is a great place to be a pastor!”
When I began my role, it didn’t take long for me to see that these words were true. I have only positive things to say about my time in the Wisconsin Conference. I don’t know that everyone knows what a great conference it is. Here are a few things I’d like to highlight about my time as an ACM:
The Wisconsin Conference has amazing staff! I so enjoyed working with each one of the members of the staff. They are all supportive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to the work and mission of the Conference. I have never worked with such a great group of people, and I enjoyed my regular interactions with them. One quick note on Conference Minister Franz Rigert. I know I don’t have to tell many of you that he is not only a great Conference Minister, but that he’s also a great boss! I told him recently that he gave me hope that there are still good bosses out there, and the Wisconsin Conference is blessed to have him leading into the future. Franz, Jane, Rachel, Andrew, Lisa, Stephanie, Tracy, Nola, Andrea, Mark, and Mary: I’ll miss you!
The Wisconsin Conference has dedicated leadership! So many of you are leaders in the conference through your work on the Board, the Committee on Ministry, Conference justice, advocacy, and support groups, the previous Association leadership teams and committees, and the many different groups that the conference supports in the work of the Gospel. Again and again, I saw so many great leaders giving their time, their talents, and their insights into making the conference not only welcoming to all, but a thriving gathering of local churches and authorized ministers.
The Wisconsin Conference has so many resources! There are few conferences within the United Church of Christ that can say they have the great and many resources available to Wisconsin Conference authorized ministers and local churches. Quite honestly, it’s astonishing! I hope that you are taking advantage of these resources. Much of this is due to the Wisconsin Conference’s financial health, which is as healthy as I’ve seen or heard of in any UCC Conference. This is all due to the work of Franz, Andrew Warner, the Board, and the generous gifts and support of local churches and so many of you!
The Northern Region of the Wisconsin Conference is strong! I have to give a plug to the Northern Region and former Northwest Association, which I staffed. I have appreciated the dedication and hard work of so many in that Region. Thank you for all you did in supporting me in my role and your love and care for your local churches and the United Church of Christ. I continued to be amazed at the hard work and commitment of so many pastors and lay leaders. Blessings to you all!
After reading the above, you may be wondering, “Why is he leaving if this Conference is so great!?” It’s fairly simple: I’m following a call back into Local Church ministry. But that doesn’t mean I’m sad to go, and I can honestly say that working in the Wisconsin Conference has been a huge gift to me in my ministry. If I could take the Wisconsin Conference with me, I would!
Every blessing,
Michael