Camp Webb 2012

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"What Have You Done For Me Lately?"

That was a Janet Jackson song in the 1980's when I was growing up. But it reminded me of a question I was asked at a luncheon a few weeks ago, "When do we find out what you can do for us?" I understood their question to be asking what can the diocesan office of Christian formation do for their parish. I didn't have an answer at that moment at that luncheon. I have been pondering on the answer for several weeks now. My response today is "What can this office do with you and your parish to support and grow Christian formation?"

At the diocesan level we have set some goals for our Christian Formation staff for this year. Our goals include moving the Resource Center from St. Francis House, Madison to Nicholson House and making sure all resources are currently listed on our diocesan website. The move has taken place and we'll have it organized and ready for folks to borrow items by Tuesday, January 17^th.

Kate McKey is reevaluating Happening and youth events in our diocese, working to create opportunity for diocesan youth service projects, and to lead a successful Camp Webb this summer. She has set up a Happening reunion in March and will be working with Deacon for Formation, REGS Scheeler on a new Middler Steering Committee, for youth event reevaluations. An Urban Plunge weekend is coming this spring for a youth service project and camp planning and registrations are already underway.

            I am working with several diocesan committees, including the Life Long Christian Formation Commission, Continuing Studies Committee, Deacons' Council, and Commission on Ministry. Our focus is on working to create formational opportunities and programs for children, youth, adults and inter-generational that our parishes can plug into to support, form and grow disciples for Christ.

            I have met with several parishes to discuss their Christian Formation plans, questions and inquiries for resources. I hope to meet or at least talk with every parish by end of 2012 about what you are doing in Christian Formation for every age group, your resources you have to share with the wider diocese and your needs for Christian Formation training or programming.

            I want to thank the many parishes that are calling to set up Safe Guarding God's Children (SGGC) trainings. Keep calling! We have a "Train the Trainers" training this month on Jan 14^th. Also, you can sign up to attend a SGGC training through our diocesan website. The next opportunity is Jan 28^th at St. Luke's, Whitewater. I know of two other parishes that are in conversation and setting up their dates, so those should also be posted soon. Check out our Christian Formation webpage to register for training or to register your church to host a training. Deacon Terry Garner, St. James, Milwaukee, is the contact person and SGGC coordinator for the diocese. You can also go to our website to see who is required to attend training. Our guidelines require that renewal of SGGC certificate is every five (5) years. If your renewal date is coming up or past, we will soon be able to let you renew on-line. I am currently working with Church Pension Group to get our diocese set up for on-line renewal for individuals. If you have never attended training you will be required to attend in person; but, renewals should be available by February 2012.

            Some have also inquired about the second portion of training required for chaplains and clergy and church staff "Safe Guarding God's People." This is two-part training. We are working with Church Pension Group to become one of the first dioceses to use their on-line training. As more information becomes available, we will get that out.

            So, back to the original question, "When do we find out what you can do for us?"

            We need your help to know what our team can do for you and your parish. Call us, email us, invite us to be with you for your Christian Formation meetings, youth meetings or gatherings, to come for a parish visit and teach, preach or preside, to assist you to find a training or program resource to fit the needs of your parish. We are here to serve you and to serve with you.

Blessings,

Carla

A Lifetime of Transformation: Serving at the Altar for 50 Years

After spending two and a half hours on Saturday mornings for ten weeks in the fall of 1961, a class of about a dozen youth prepared to become Acolytes. 

They would begin in prayer and then be instructed on what to do, whereto stand, how to bow and when to genuflect. Sitting was allowed onlyduring the sermon. They were taught how to kneel; hands in fronttouching only at the finger tips, back straight, no bending at thehips, and feet still at no more than shoulder width.  Acolytes kneltat attention for everything except for the Gospel, sermon and theoffertory. 

The students were repeatedly told that they were to lead the peoplefor the mass, but to be invisible so they would not distract theworshipers. They were drilled to move slowly, and breathe deeply, toavoid fainting and stumbling on their floor length albs. 

I was one of those students, and faint some did. We would be so nervous and tense that the blood refused to reach our brains.  If wefelt faint our goal was to make it to the side door before we hit the floor, moving slowly and carefully as to not attract attention, wherethe Rector's wife would tend to us until we felt better. I rememberthat if I made it to when the priest turned the page in the Missal,where I could see a black and white illustration of a stained glasswindow, I could rest assured that I would make it through the rest ofthe mass without fainting. 

Our instruction would then continue with a "dry run" with popquestions.  We would end our training for the day by having theEucharist.   If we were not one of the lucky ones to serve at thealtar we would kneel at the altar rail.  At communion time those thathad been confirmed would receive the body and blood of Christ. Therest of us, including me, would just cross our arms as the priest pastus by. 

Now I have the honor to train Acolytes, and the rules have changed abit, especially with the introduction of the 1979 Prayer Book.Acolytes are permitted to sit and stand during the readings, a welcomechange because the Old Testament reading and Psalm were added to theorder of service.   Lay ministers were able to participate more in theMass, and communion was offered to all that had been baptized. Insteadof the 25 hour curriculum I endured, I usually train Acolytes forabout an hour, stressing the importance of why we do what we do, andthat it is alright to have some fun. Deep breathing is still, andalways will be, a part of the training. And today, we are grateful forsummer weight vestments. 

My first occasion of serving as an Acolyte was Christ Mass 1961.  Thatwas 50 years ago, and you can imagine the awe I felt as I was allowedto serve.  My responsibility was to hand the collection plates to theushers and then place the offering on the credence table.  I did notfaint. That Christmas Eve Mass 50 years ago was one of the high pointsof my life, it was an honor, and continues to be an honor to be ableto serve at our Lord's table. 

What I find most interesting is listening to the stories of those thathave served at the altar, and how they were transformed.  Most of ourordained ministers today, served as Acolytes when they were young.During Bible studies and vestry meetings I hear how lay people wereable to start their lives in ministry by being Acolytes, regards ofthe age they began to serve. 

I know that my ministry began back when I first had the opportunity toserve at the altar. Although the liturgy and my role within the Churchhas changed over the years, I recognize that being an Acolyte was afirst step in my ministry.  I've come a long way since then and Ican't wait to see how the Holy Spirit will continue my transformation.

Camp Webb 2012 Camper Registration and Staff Applications are Online!     

Embracing Emergence Christianity:

Phyllis Tickle on the Church's Next Rummage Sale

As of January we will have two (2) copies for this DVD series at our diocesan Resource Center. If you and your parish are interested in borrowing please email the Resource Center to reserve a copy today. This is a six (6) week series and each participant will need to order a copy of the book that goes along with the DVD. The books can be purchased through Amazon.com. Resource Center email: McCook@diomil.org.

 The Abundant Life Garden Project: A Program for Children of the Episcopal Church

An Offering to Share

An Offering to Learn

An Offering to Engage

    The Abundant Life Garden Projectis a children's curriculum offered to parishes, teachers, groups, families and others who seek to share the ministry and work of Episcopal Relief & Development with elementary-age children. This resource is a very flexible, low-cost program that can be implemented by any Episcopal parish, no matter its budget or resources.

This resource is based on the work and mission statement of Episcopal Relief & Development, along with the Baptismal Covenants of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church. The goal of the program is that children will become more aware of the overwhelming needs of others in the world, link these needs to stories in the Bible and work towards addressing the needs of the world, both as individuals and in community.

This Free curriculum is available from ERD (Episcopal Relief and Development). You can find a download version on our Christian Formation webpage (www.diomil.org). You can also contact Melanie Stewart our diocesan ERD contact for more information. Each of the five segments can be done as one whole study or each segment individually. It could be used for Sunday school or youth group, for a camp or Vacation Bible school series.