News from Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

Wishing you a blessed Eastertide and a joyful Spring! Thanks for your continued interest in E-NEWS . . . please help us expand our readership by FORWARDING this e-mail to others who may be interested in diocesan news and events. They can then elect to continue receiving E-News by clicking on the large "Join Our Mailing List" icon on the left!

Please also remember to send news that may be of interest to the diocese to info@diomil.org !

Thank you!

Altar Guild Adventure VII

Wednesday -- May 13, 2009 (8:30 am - 4:00 pm)
In our own backyard this year, the Altar Guild Adventure VII will visit three churches, a vestment company, and Bacchus, one of Milwaukee's premier restaurants. Secure your place on the tour and the luxury coach bus by sending your reservation and check for $50.00 [payable to Diocese Of Mil. Altar Guild] to Jane Henning, 2006 Chadbourne Ave., Madison, WI 53726. Participants will meet at Brookfield Square Sears parking lot at 8:30 am to board the bus and return to Brookfield Square at 4 pm.
Cost: ($50.00) includes bus, guided tours at each location, and lunch. For more information Follow this link or call Jane Henning, Altar Guild President, at 608-238-4089.

Resources for Hard Times

A timely recommendation from Peggy Worzalla, Bishop's Deputy for Congregational Development: The National Church has put out a downloadable booklet in both English and Spanish called "Finding Hope in Hard Times." There are some practical steps as well as prayerful reflections for all us during this economic crisis. If you are thinking of having a discussion in your congregation this may be a good starting point.

Another suggestion comes from Bill Webster, Senior Warden at St. Anskar's, Hartland, who recommends a seminar he recently attended called, "How to find a hot job in a cold market". He says, "I found it to be very useful, and it was pretty inexpensive..... less than $30 with the early registration discount. For more information, click on the link below:

http://hotjobcoldmarket.eventbrite.com

New website for Diocese!

Check out the Diocese of Milwaukee's new/redesigned website at www.diomil.org ! We are still adding content and if there are resources you'd like to see on the diocesan website, pleae send your ideas to info@diomil.org . The diocese is grateful to Kyle Oliver, UW-Madison student and resident of St. Francis House, who did the redesign work.

Rest in Peace

We offer our prayers and condolences to the families of:

Carol Himmerich, wife of The Rev. H. Fred Himmerich (retired rector of St. Paul's, Watertown ).

John Peterson, who served on the diocesan Executive Council and was a member of St. Andrew's, Madison.

ECW - UTO Spring gathering

This year's ECW spring meeting with luncheon and UTO Ingathering takes place May 16th at the Church of the Resurrection in Mukwonago and features The Rev. Shannon Kelly speaking on Lifelong Formation. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs through lunchtime. Cost is $12/person. Registration forms are available on the diocesan website or by calling Church of the Resurrection at (262) 363-9016.

Join us at Camp Webb

Do you want to have a life-changing summer? Do you know a child or teen who does? Do you know a young adult who is looking for an amazing opportunity for growth? Send them to Camp! Please visit www.campwebb.org for a registration brochure and forms, for Counselor-in-Training information and for job opportunities for this summer!

If you need scholarship assistance, please let us know. NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM CAMP DUE TO FINANCES! We have scholarships and funding, so please join us as a camper, CIT or staff!

Please pass this information along to all in your churches who are doing children, youth and/or young adult ministries.

Contact The Rev. Shannon Ferguson Kelly at kelly@diomil.org or 414-272-3028 x114 for more information!

Parochial Reports

Parochial Reports - a Reminder for Parishes
A number of parishes have not yet sent in their 2008 Parochial Report. Remember to file your report with the National Church on-line by May 1, 2009. Send a hard copy of your parochial report to the diocesan office by May 1, 2009, including a copy of the completed "Financial Workbook" or the work papers used to complete the financial portion of the parochial report and a copy of your yearend balance sheet and income and expense report. Please contact the Financial Reviewers at 414-291-2883 ext. 122 (Kay Boesen) or ext. 123 (Carolyn Raymaker) if you have questions or concerns about completing / filing your parochial report - they will be pleased to assist you! You can download the parochial report form at www.episcopalchurch.org.

Special Invitation from The DeKoven Center

The 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, will be featured speaker on May 13 at DeKoven's Spring session of "New Wine." This will be a wonderful opportunity for all of us to hear Bishop Griswold's perspective on the issues facing the Church today and to have time for conversation and questions. His topic is "The Episcopal Church: Gift and Challenge." The DeKoven Center is hoping that many people of the Diocese will want to be present for this unique event, both clergy and lay. We are hoping so much for strong verbal announcements in every parish!

The event will begin with a reception at 6:00 and dinner at 7:00. Bishop Griswold's talk will follow, with ample time for questions and reflections. Suggested donation for the New Wine event is $50.00. Please call Donna at 633-6401 for reservations. MasterCard and Visa welcome

Cathedral needs your used books!

Every summer All Saints Cathedral in Milwaukee puts on a used-book sale known to readers far and wide as a not-to-be-missed event! This year's sale will run from July 30 - August 4 and the Cathedral is already accepting donated books. Those with books to donate are asked to call the Cathedral to arrange for help with unloading or to schedule a pick-up(414) 271-7719.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 Training Course will be offered at St. Bartholomew's, Pewaukee June 15-19 and October 16-17 in 2009. Part 2 will be held in March and June of 2010. Inspired by Montessori metholody, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religous formation of children ages 3-12 based on the convication that God and child are in relationship. The Level 1 course is the foundation for all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Register by May 1, 2009. Space is limited to the first 20 registrants. Call St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church at (262) 691-0836 for more information or contact them at stbartholomew@stbartspewaukee.com .

General Convention Hearings

All members of the diocese are invited to attend one of the pre-General Convention hearings -- to learn about the business GC will deal with, to provide input, and to meet members of the diocese's delegation. The hearing schedule is listed below.

May 12 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke's, Madison
May 16 (Saturday) 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's, Dousman

May 19 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. at Trinity, Wauwatosa

No RSVP is necessary -- all are welcome!

One more time . . . THANK YOU for forwarding this newsletter to parishioners and others who may be interested and for sending YOUR news/events to info@diomil.org .

See you next week!

Sincerely,

Barb

Barbaraa Klauber
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee