The Southwest Wisconsin Association is involved in three ecumenical partnerships.

United Evangelical Churches in Germany, the UEK. The Association is partnered with the Moers Church District of the Church of the Rhineland. This partnership has existed for more than twenty years. An adult and a youth trip are planned for the summer of 2008.

This working group consists of Rev. William Kapp, chair, Karen Crawford, Sally Iverson, Joyce Landmark, Rev. Terese Leonhard and John Reed.

Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem in Palestine
In the fall of 2004, the Southwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ voted to join Memorial United Church of Christ in its partnership with Christmas Lutheran Church and in its support of the work of the International Center of Bethlehem.

Rev. Mitri Raheb visited Memorial UCC in Fitchburg during the fall of 2004 and annual trips to Bethlehem are being planned for 2008 and beyond.

The goals of the partnership include the following:

• a commitment to educating ourselves- and advocating with others, including political leadership - about the humanitarian issues involved in the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict, especially as it pertains to the Bethlehem community
  
• a commitment to prayerfully and financially support the life and ministries of Christmas Lutheran Church and the International Center of Bethlehem, the mission arm of the congregation. Currently, money is being raised to support the work of the church in three areas: summer Bright Stars program for children ($350 supports one child's tuition), Ajyal - a senior citizen program of activities, tutoring opportunites, and health care for senior citizens), and college tuition scholarships ($3000 supports one student's tuition cost for the year). Contributions for these scholarships can be sent to Memorial UCC, 5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 (note: Bethlehem Partnership scholarships). Brochures describing these programs and individuals in these programs will be available in 2008.
  
• a hope to build personal relationships between UCC folk in Wisconsin and people in the Bethlehem church and community, including relationships between children; maybe e-mail can make this happen more easily
  
• a hope that travel (in both directions) can deepen these relationships and our understanding of the situation and can provide the opportunity to share faith and skills; yearly trips to Bethlehem will be scheduled as conditions allow and members of the Bethlehem community will be invited to visit Wisconsin. Contact Bonnie Van Overbeke if you are interested in having someone come and speak to your church or women's group or civic organization.
  
• a hope that through this relationship the faith of each congregation will be strengthened and empowered to live out the commitments and dreams God has for them
  

If you have any questions or interest in this partnership or one of the yearly trips, please contact Bonnie VanOverbeke, pastor of Memorial UCC and chair of the Southwest Association Bethlehem partnership committee (608-273-1008 or BonnieVanO@aol.com ) or Bob Mutton, Southwest Association Minister of the Wisconsin Conference (608-244-3350 or bobmutton@swwaucc.org)

Coptic Orthodox Daughters of St. Mary in Beni Souef Egypt. Primary contact is with Sister Agapie Assad. She visited here last year and met with the Board of Directors to express thanks for the support in the development of the House of Progress, a residential facility for retarded children. In addition the summer offerings of United Church Camps sent more than $14,000 to support this venture.

If you have interest in serving on any of these working groups please contact the Association Office, office@swwaucc.org.