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Welcome you to the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee's weekly electronic newsletter!
Please help us expand readership by forwarding this e-mail to others who may enjoy it. Parishes are asked to forward E-NEWS to their members. All to whom you forward E-NEWS may continue receiving it by clicking on the "Join Our Mailing List" icon .
We invite readers to send news AND photos of interest to the wider diocese to E-NEW at info@diomil.org !
Please be sure to give us AT LEAST TWO WEEKS NOTICE for posting upcoming events!! Thank you!
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A Christmas Message from the Presiding Bishop
By The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. -Isaiah 9:2
That's how the first lesson of Christmas Eve opens. It's familiar and comforting, as the familiar words go on to say that light has shined on those who live in deep darkness, that God has brought joy to people living under oppression, for a child has been borne to us. The name of that child is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - and God is bringing an endless peace through an heir to the throne of David (vv 3, 4, 6, 7).
This year we're going to hear a bit we haven't heard in Episcopal churches before, in that missing verse 5. It's pretty shocking, but it helps explain why the hunger for light is so intense, and the joy so great when it comes: "For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire." The coming of this prince of peace will mean the end of all signs of war and violence. An occupied people will finally live in peace, without anxiety about who or what will confront them the next time they go out their front doors.
People in many parts of this world still live with the echo of tramping boots and the memory of bloody clothing. Many Episcopalians are living with that anxiety right now, particularly in Haiti and Sudan. Americans know it through the ongoing anxiety after September 11 and in the wounded soldiers returning to their families and communities, grievously changed by their experience of war. Remember the terror of war when you hear those words about light on Christmas Eve. Remember the hunger for peace and light when you hear the shocking promise that a poor child born in a stable will lead us all into a world without war. Remember the power of light when you go out into the darkness after hearing those words - and pray that you and those around you may become instruments of peace.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! -Luke 2:14
click for bulletin insert
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 Week of Prayer for (from a letter from the Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Cathoic Covenant Community, issued Advent 2011) On the occasion of The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2011, we three bishops, Jerome Edward Listecki, Steven Andrew Miller and Jeff Barrow, reaffirm that unity is a gift which Christ has promised to all who seek to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit according to the will of the Father. We believe that the diverse gifts and traditions of our Communions are blessings from God that will enrich a wider and fuller communion.
This year's Week of Prayer theme "One in the Apostles' Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer" (Acts 2:42ff) reminds us of the original unity of the Church and provides a foundation for the unity we desire . . .
click to read full letter
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Julian Gathering
Wednesday, January12, 7:15 - 9:00 PM
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Madison, Wisconsin
What is a Julian Gathering? A Julian Gathering is open to everyone and you are welcome at all times. We support each other in the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative spirituality. These gatherings are initiated and supported by the Order of Julian of Norwich (www.orderofjulian.org) and have the quintessentially Anglican writings of Bl. Mother Julian of Norwich at their core. They are for all who want to deepen their life of faith through the practice of contemplative prayer, for beginners as well as those already practicing. Each meeting includes time for contemplative prayer, fellowship, and reading/discussion of Bl. Julian's revelations. We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7:15 to 9 PM at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 6205 University Ave., Madison, WI. Our next meeting is Wednesday, January 12. For additional information, contact Susan Fiore: (608) 845-2413 or lento@chorus.net. |
 UTO Grant Applications Available
The 2011 UTO application information is now on line. Applications for 2011 will need to be in the BIshop's office by Monday, January 10th. They will be reviewed by the diocesan grant committee and then passed to the Bishop for final recommendation. Each diocese can only submit ONE grant request per year. However, a SECOND request can be submitted for a companion diocese or for work abroad that is closely linked with a parish or the diocese. Please go to www.episcopalchurch.org/uto to find information about grant guidelines, criteria and the application itself, all available for downloading. Click on grants under the United Thank Offering topic rather than in the top bar to reach the application. For questions please contact Connie Ott, diocesan UTO coordinator at cott@chorus.net or 608-798-3688. Again: deadline for applications to be in diocesan office is JANUARY 10, 2011.
Also: Thanks to all of the parishes who have sent in their fall UTO ingatherings. Many have been received and they will be forwarded on by Dec. 15 to the National Church UTO office so they can be part of the granting process for 2011. If you have not sent yours in yet, please do by the 15th of December - send to Connie Ott, UTO Coordinator - 7995 Shagbark Circle, Cross Plains, WI 53528 |
Meachem Fund & Trustee Grant Applications Available
The Meachem Fund & Trustee Grant application is available to parishes by clicking on the link below. The application explains the various parish projects/programs for which funding may be available. click for application
Parishes are urged to investigate this funding opportunity! Interested parishes may also contact Peggy Bean (formerly Worzalla), Bishop's Deputy for Congregational Development, for more information at (414) 272-3028/ext. 158.
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Up-Coming Events
DECEMBER 11 (Saturday) 10am - 2pm
Holiday Fair - St. Aidan's, Hartford (670 E. Monroe Ave.)
DECEMBER 11 & 12 EVENTS at St. Mark's, Beaver Dam
700 Mill Street, Beaver Dam 53916 (920) 885-3536
Cookie Walk Sale on Saturday
Click for details
DECEMBER 12 (Sunday) 4pm
"What Child is This? A Christmas Celebration in Story and Song"
St. Boniface Episcopal Church
3906 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 53092 / 262-242-2994
Features songs and stories reflecting on the true meaning of the Christmas season, the birth of Jesus and its effect on our lives today. In addition to lessons and stories about Christmas, there will be an audience sing-along of familiar carols in a contemporary style. The singing will be led by a choir made up of musicians from several local churches as well as the Rays of Light praise and worship band from St. Boniface. Jahmes Finlayson, a founding member of Milwaukee's One Drum, will be the guest artist. For more info call parish (262) 242-2994 or check website www.saintbonifacechurch.com
DECEMBER 12 (Sunday)
(Dec 12) Festival of Lessons and Carols at Trinity, Mineral Point with Bishop Miller. Absolutely everyone is invited to join us for this special celebration! click for flyer
DECEMBER 18 (Saturday) 10:30 am - Noon
Carol Sing-along for guests of The Gathering
St. James' Episcopal Church
833 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233
www.stjamesmilwaukee.org
All are welcome to share in this annual tradition of spirit and song as we welcome guests to The Gathering on the last Saturday serving before Christmas. Please come for all or any part of this carol fest. Ample street parking is available and free.
DECEMBER 19 (Sunday) 7pm
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Trinity Episcopal Church, Janesville
419 East Court Street, Janesville 53545 Ph: (608) 754-3402
The Choir of Trinity Episcopal Church, Janesville, will present A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 19 at 7 p.m. Trinity's Choir, which has the distinction of being the first vested Episcopal choir in the Western Territories, will be joined by organ, keyboard and strings to provide a beautiful and memorable way to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. "Lessons and Carols" is a format of the Christian worship service first held on Christmas Eve in 1918 at King's College, Cambridge culminating with the Christmas Service, celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus.
DECEMBER 19 (Sunday) 4pm
Words of Hope Songs of Comfort service
St. Alban's Episcopal Church
W239-N6440 Maple Avenue, Sussex, WI 53089
(corner of Maple Ave. & Main St.)
A unique worship opportunity for all people seeking an experience rich in meaning. Service features music from different eras and readings from many translations of the Bible, intended to help everyone get more out of preparing for Christmas. For more information call St. Alban's at 262-246-4430 or go to www.stalbans-sussex.org
DECEMBER 19 (Sunday)
Caroling in the Courtyard! Come join Jon Augspurger and his band from 4:00-5:30pm on Dec. 19th and sing Christmas Carols to the guests of the Men's Shelter. Cider, sheet music, and a roaring fire will be provided. Everyone is welcome. Donations of food pantry items (cans of tuna are great) and heavyweight men's socks will be a welcome bonus to cheerful singing!
Grace Episcopal Church www.graceec.org (608) 255-5147
116 West Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703
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One more time . . . THANK YOU for forwarding this newsletter to parishioners and others who may be interested and for sending YOUR news/events / photos to See you next week! Sincerely, Barb
Barbara Klauber
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
info@diomil.org . |
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