We've had a catastrophe at St. Luke's, Madison.  Sometime between when everybody left Sunday at noon, and 10 am Monday morning, the men's urinal backed up and flooded the entire lower story.  A team of volunteers shop vac'd and swept water for hours on Memorial Day.  Carpets and a lot of furniture are ruined.   The phones and internet were down for 48 hours due to the water/electrical combination, and we may have wiring concerns.  We had started collecting rummage for our annual "Lotsa Loot" sale, and are sorting to see what can be cleaned and what is too unsanitary or water-damaged to rescue.  We may need to cancel the sale, which usually nets the church between $6500 and $7500 per year but takes all summer to prepare for.

Thankfully we are finished with children's classes for the summer, but we lost our nursery, and are relocating our many groups elsewhere in the church:  La Leche, an English class for Hispanic parents, several 12 step groups, a Bible study and a  www.livingcompass.org study group.  The insurance company and disaster restoration manager are telling us it will be weeks, not days, before we can begin to restore and repair the church. 
 

The wardens are doing a super job collaborating and leading. We'd appreciate everyone's prayers.  To make a donation, write "Flood" on the memo line" and send your check to St. Luke's Episcopal Church / 4011 Major Ave. Madison, WI 53716

 (Report submitted by The Rev. Dr. Paula Harris, rector)

The Rev. Dr. Paula Harris (center) at graduation ceremony

The Rev. Dr. Paula Harris graduated from the ACTS Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program in Chicago, writing a professional paper titled "Telling Bible Stories to Cops and Nurses."  She assumes that all Christians are theologians and learning and using scripture stories for our own meaning-making is foundational to Christian formation.   Bible stories are only one tool among many for a preacher.  They help preachers retell a gospel metanarrative (the grand story of what God is doing with His or Her people), and help all of us learn Christian thinking and living.  The thesis explores the preacher's process of study and sermon-writing, both hermeneutical (knowing what's true) and homiletical (how we preach it), and poses questions to consider in preaching narrative texts.   The congregation practiced theological reflection; the stories helped them articulate their own theological ideas about God, Biblical characters and their own lives and experiences. 

(Note:  The Rev. Dr. Paula Harris serves as rector of St. Luke's, Madison)

Bishop Miller among Religous Leaders calling for Season of Civility during recall and fall elections

            On Monday, May 21st, 35 religious leaders from throughout Wisconsin call upon the citizens of our state to enter a "Season of Civility" amidst the partisan rancor of the current recall campaigns and the anticipated divisiveness of the fall election cycle. 

            "As a result of extreme political polarization in Wisconsin, many in our congregations and communities feel marginalized or demonized by their neighbors on account of their economic status, occupation, or political beliefs," the statement says.

Rev. Scott Anderson, executive director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, which represents 14 Christian denominations, commented that "politics is not a zero sum game or a winner-take-all contest.  Rather it is a joint effort to reach a workable consensus on how to advance the common good.  From the perspective of Wisconsin's religious community, the current political environment is unacceptable in our public life."

          In the statement, religious leaders commit to model and support respectful and honest conversations on public issues within their congregations, assemblies and forums.                               

The initial list of 35 signatories to the Call for a Season of Civility is expected to grow over the next several weeks as more religious leaders are invited to support it.of differing political persuasions. (NOTE: Religious Leaders who would like to add their name to the list of signatories may send an email with complete contact information to wcoc@wichurches.org ) 

 Read Statement with list of signatories

Swedish Pancake Breakfast

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Burlington is hosting a special fund raiser, Swedish Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, June 10th from 8:30-11:30 am.

The menu will be the same as past Swedish pancake breakfasts: pancakes with lingonberries and strawberries, ham and sausage, breads and cheeses, and beverages. There is no specified cost; a free will donation is welcomed. Bring your friends!

St. John the Divine is located at 216 East Chandler Boulevard, Burlington, WI 53105.  Ph: (262) 763-7482.

"Welcome to St. Marc's"

On Wednesday, April 18^th my 17 year old son, Jacob; Elizabeth van der Weide; John Meachum of the Diocese of Eau Claire; and Megan Larscheid, an intern at St James Milwaukee, left O'Hare Airport on our journey to Saint Marc's Parish in Jeannette, Haiti. We were traveling to Jeannette to join in the celebration of the Feast of St Marc, their patronal feast day.

We spent Wednesday night in a hotel in Port au Prince and made the drive to Jeannette on Thursday morning. On the way out of Port au Prince we found the main road closed and we took a detour through the suburb of Carrefour. The traffic was stop and go and this detour added two hours to our trip. It was hot and cramped, there were six of us in the car, but in those two hours I saw more of urban life in Haiti than I had in the whole week I spent there last July.

continued

2012 Gathering Golf Classic

Proceeds benefit The Gathering's meal programs   

Monday, June 25, 2012

Evergreen Golf Course  - Elkhorn, Wisconsin

12:30 - Lunch buffet � 1:30 - Shotgun start; Scramble � 6:00 - Dinner & Raffle

$125 per golfer ($60 tax deductible) includes 18 holes, cart, lunch, dinner, drink tickets. 

To reserve your spot register by June 15 on line at www.thegatheringwis.org or Call The Gathering at 414-272-4122 or Download registration form from our web site and mail to: The Gathering, 804 E. Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202.  Evergreen Golf Club is located 3 miles north of Elkhorn on Hwys 12 & 16. 

For specific directions go to www.evergreengolf.com     

Fr. John Allen and friend

 Sunday, June 10th bring your best fluffy friend for a FREE dog blessing!  On Sunday June 10th, The Rev. John Allen will be conducting an outdoor celebration of the Eucharist and dog blessing at St. Mark's, South Milwaukee at 1314 Rawson Avenue.  All are welcome!  After the blessing, enjoy food fresh off the grill and visit with pet-friendly businesses and the great folks of St. Mark's!

For a $15 donation, photographer Peggy Morsch will capture a wonderful image of you and your dog.  Proceeds help families and animals in the community.  Please note:  For everyone's safety and enjoyment, dogs must be up to date on vaccinations, leashed, and under your supervision and control at all times. 

For more information  call (262) 620-1588 or visit us at www.stmarkssouthmilwaukee.com .  Join us!

FREE! Children's Worship Bulletins 

Check out the newest on-line resource at http://www.diomil.org/christian-formation/children-s-ministry and download weekly children and youth bulletins that coordinate with the lectionary. This new resource is free to our parishes. The children's bulletins are intended for young children (ages 2-6) and the youth bulletin is intended for older children (ages 7-12). Every bulletin is in an easy PDF format, ready to download and print. Most are intended for black and white copying.

Thank you Robin Lebron, creator and editor for your dedication to this project.

The actual anniversary date, April 4^th, was in the midst of Holy Week this year. This special date was acknowledged with an evening Eucharist on that day.

Through a special gift from a Trinity parishioner, a song has been commissioned for Trinity. This lovely gift has made it possible to have a song designed to celebrate the blessings of the Trinity community and capture the essence of Trinity's mission and ministry. This special hymn will be sung at the celebratory Eucharist on June 3, 2012 and at all special Trinity occasions.

The main celebration will be through two events Trinity Sunday weekend, June 2^nd and 3^rd. On Saturday June 2^nd, the Anniversary Committee will host a gala dinner. Plans for the dinner include music, and entertainment.

On Trinity Sunday, June 3^rd, a celebratory Eucharist will be held at 9:30AM. Following the service there will be guided tours at various points of interest throughout the church and grounds along with an ice cream social in the Welcome Garden. Tours of the church, with docent's present, will highlight architectural features of the church, the organ and interesting stories of our renovation history.

The year-long observance of our 125th Anniversary will culminate with the Bishop's visit on November 4th. This day will include a celebratory Eucharist giving thanks for 125 years of Grace upon Grace withprayers of thanksgiving for all that has brought us to this time and for continued blessings as we move forward into ministries that will build the body of Christ. There will be a reception in the parish hall following this service.

We invite our friends and family from throughout the diocese to join us for any and all of our celebration activities. Please call our parish office (414-453-4540) for details and reservations for the Anniversary Dinner on June 2, 2012.

Permaculture Workshop offered at St. Dunstan's

Permaculture Workshop on designing productive landscapes, led by Mark Shepard (CEO of Forest Agriculture Enterprises) will be held June 8 & 9, 2012 at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church located at 6205 University Ave., Madison 53705.

Permaculture is an approach to designing perennial agricultural systems, large or small, that mimics the complex relationships found in nature. The design process seeks to create habitats that are ecologically sound, nontoxic, economically productive, functionally efficient and beautiful.

Presenter Mark Shepard runs New Forest Farms, a 140 acre perennial agricultural forest near the town of Viola in southwestern Wisconsin, and one of the most ambitious sustainable agricultural projects in the United States.

Registration fee is $40 for both Friday and Saturday, or $15 for Friday only. To register, send your name, address, phone number, and email address with a check made out to St. Dunstan's Church, to:  

Permaculture Workshop c/o St. Dunstan's Church, 6205 University AvenueMadison, WI, 53705.  Call 238-2781 with any questions.   Read more

Misconduct Prevention Training  offered at Trinity, Wauwatosa

Safeguarding God's Children; Preventing Child Sexual Abuse is a program used throughout the Episcopal Church to train parents, clergy, lay employees and church volunteers in understanding the steps parish communities should take in order to make our church safe for our children.  

Our Diocesan Misconduct Prevention Policy requires that this training be completed by all clergy, all vestry members, all lay employees who work with children or supervise adults who work with children, as well as all volunteers who regularly work with children or youth. The training is highly recommended for Sunday school teachers.  Training opportunities will be offered twice this spring at Trinity Church, Wauwatosa.

• Sunday May 20^th     
• Sunday June 17^th

Both trainings will be held in the Trinity parish hall and will begin at 11:45 AM. If you are interested in participating you may call the Trinity office, 414-453-4540, to make a reservation.

WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING?

A Note from the Commission on Global Reconciliation

Each year our diocese allocates 0.7% of the diocesan budget to support work done to achieve MDGs by parishes and entities within the diocese.    The Eight Millennial Development Goals are  

1. ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY & HUNGER
2. ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION
3. PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN
4. REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY
5. IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH6.
6. COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES
7. DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
8. ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Last year, contributions were sent to 5 projects that are supported by congregations within our diocese. It's time again to consider distribution of the 0.7% to projects that work toward the achievement of the MDGs.

If your congregation is involved in such a project, you may apply for additional funding from the diocese. Applications are due July 1, 2012. For more information, please see our "Letter to Parishes" on the Diocesan website or contact: Deacon Carol Smith at 608-230-6888 or csmith@carthage.edu    

Come to the Book Sale at  

St. Mary's, Dousman!

Gigantic Book Sale at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, located at Hwys 18 & 67 in Dousman, Wisconsin!

Wednesday   May 30     Noon - 7pm

Thursday      May 31     8am - 7pm

Friday           June 1       8am - 7pm

Saturday       June 2       8am - 7pm

We will have some wonderful fiction, mysteries, biographies, history, etc. in both hardback and paperback.  Many DVDs, VHSs, CDs and large coffee table books.  Some surprises in older and interesting category.  Most of the children's books will be marked 10 cents.  We have a huge collection for beginning readers to youth.  We have a special children's room.  For information:  Call:  262-470-8750 or 262-965-4104.