MONROE — A three-day opportunity to experience spiritual revitalization through fellowship, hospitality, worship and inspirational music is planned at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe on Oct. 10-12.
The event — “A Time for Renewal” — is intended as a community-wide event open to “anyone from any place on life’s faith journey,” according to Rev. Todd Hackman, senior pastor at St. John’s.
“Those attending will experience dynamic speakers who come from a diversity of backgrounds and approaches to ‘renewal,’’’ Rev. Hackman said. “The event is intended to bring participants a sense of revitalized spiritual energy, a greater perspective of faith relevant for our times, and a sense of community and hospitality as folks come together for good food, fellowship and worship.”
Keynote speakers for the event are Wisconsin Conference Minister Rev. Franz Rigert at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10; Daniel Cooperrider at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, and Ericka Graham at the church’s 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Oct. 12.
No registration is needed and participants can attend an individual session or as many as they wish. “Just show up and enjoy,” Rev. Hackman said.
The event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, with a tailgate cookout of burgers and brats in the church parking lot followed by Rev. Rigert’s message entitled “Renewal of the Church.” Rev. Rigert serves as UCC Conference Minister of Wisconsin and grew up in Delavan. Since becoming conference minister in 2014, he has provided vision and faith for the future of the church. He has served churches in Buffalo Grove, Ill., and Grafton, and makes his home in Cedarburg.
Saturday’s focus will be “Renewal through Creation” and will be led by Daniel Cooperrider, writer, field theologian, and co-founder and Convening Pastor of Flicker Wild Church, an outdoor-based new church start in the Wisconsin Conference, United Church of Christ. Daniel is the author of “Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible,” winner of the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards (Religion & Spirituality of the West). His next book, “Live Each Season as It Passes: Re-Earthing Spiritual Practice,” will be published in 2026.
Cooperrider will speak at 6 p.m. on Oct. 11. The Up ‘N Smoke food truck will be serving barbecue sandwich meals in the parking lot beginning at 5 p.m.
Ericka Graham will speak on “Renewing Personal Faith” during the 9 a.m. worship service in the church sanctuary on Sunday, Oct. 12. Graham grew up in McFarland and fondly remembers hearing her grandfather, Rev. Dr. Linus L. Weirwill, preach at Swiss United Church of Christ in New Glarus where he served as pastor. She received her undergraduate degree from UW-Madison and a master’s from Rice University where she focused her research on sexuality in the Bible. She is a recent graduate of Iliff School of Theology and completed her thesis on soul-body integration. She is the creator of the podcast “Curiously.”
An expanded fellowship time featuring brunch items will be served following the service in Fellowship Hall.
Childcare will be offered on Friday and Saturday from 5:45 p.m. to conclusion of service and on Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to conclusion of service.
The event is unique to St. John’s, its creation evolving from the pastors and programming ministries of the congregation, Rev. Hackman said.
“Nothing like this has been offered in the history of the church,” he said. “It truly will be a unique time of fellowship and hospitality for anyone from any place on their faith journey. Anyone searching for an opportunity of spiritual revitalization should come for one day or all three. It is our hope participants will depart with a renewed sense of hope, faith and encouragement in their spirits.”
For more information, call the church office at 608-325-2165.
