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Please forward this on to any and all you you think might be interested, including teachers, volunteers, parishioners, vestry, lay leaders and friends!
In This Issue
Youth @ Convention
Women of Faith Conference
A Book in Review
New in the Resource Center
Carla's Corner
What's Up Kate?
Websites, Facebook, and Twitter. OH MY!
Safeguarding God's Children
Send In Your Articles
Making Curriculum Decisions
Christian Formation Staff
Upcoming Events

 Happening Reuion

May 19th

@ St. Aidan's, Hartford

 

J2A Training

June 9th and 10th @ St. Edmund's, Elm Grove

 

Camp Webb

June 2012

 

For more information

Camp Webb 2012

Camp Webb logo

 

For more information go to www.campwebb.org.

 

Intersted in being on staff?

Click here for information!

 

 

Resource Center
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Visit us on the web at
Youth @ Convention! Oct 12-13, 2012
 

Youth @ Convention

Friday, October 12 & Saturday, October 13, 2012!

  • Friday - Convention Eucharist 5:30 PM
  • And Our Own Y@C Table for Convention Dinner!
  • Sleep over at St. Dunstan's, Madison
  • Saturday - Service Project Morning (we get to serve and have fun while the adults have to work)
  • Then Lunch and Hang-Out Time!
  • We will end at 2 pm.

 

For More Information and to register check our website: www.dio.mil.org/youth

Call Carla: 414. 272.3028 ext 116

Registration will be online only!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women of Faith Conference Oct 5-6, 2012
 
 

Milwaukee, WI

Oct 5, 2012 to Oct 6, 2012

You've never seen Women of Faith like this before!

We all experience good times and bad days, triumphs and tragedies. But no matter what life throws at you, this is what matters: God loves YOU. (Always has. Always will.) You're invited to be part of a very special celebration. Compelling stories, Bible-based teaching, world-class music, unstoppable inspiration, and a few surprises combine for an experience like no other. God loves you! And that means there is always a reason to celebrate.

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Psalm 33:20-21 NKJV

My friends and I from St Thomas will be attending for the third year. It has been great fun and has brought us closer to one another as a church community, as well as building stronger friendships. I strongly urge you to go to the website, www.womenoffaith.com and watch the video, see the line-up, and order your tickets! There are standard and premium seats, along with discounts for 10 or more people.

Bradley Center

1001 N Fourth Street
Milwaukee, WI 53203

Friday: 7pm - 10pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Submitted by

Gayle Radavich, Director of Christian Education, St Thomas of Canterbury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Book in Review

Pathway to Renewal: Practical Steps for Congregations

No pastor can lead a congregation to renewal alone. It requires a complete change of heart for the whole congregation. Congregational renewal occurs when people engage communally in a transition in their very understanding of the nature and purpose of their church. This goes far beyond a simple retooling of the mission statement or addition of a few programs. Authors Mary Sellon and Daniel Smith lead congregations through this process of renewal, breaking down into understandable components what is happening in the people themselves that makes renewal efforts successful.

 

Pathway to Renewal offers pastors and congregational leaders a framework for understanding and addressing the deep cultural shift facing the people of a congregation during congregational renewal. This book will help leaders make sense of where their congregation could get stuck and guide them in thinking through what needs to be addressed next as a congregation seeks renewal. The realigning of a congregation's heart and sense of purpose can be a long process, but one that ultimately all congregations must experience in order to fully live out the world-transforming mission that God has given them to do.

Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by Kara E. Powell and Chap Clark

Nearly every Christian parent in America would give anything to find a viable resource for developing within their kids a deep, dynamic faith that 'sticks' long term. Sticky Faith delivers. Research shows that almost half of graduating high school seniors struggle deeply with their faith. Recognizing the ramifications of that statistic, the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) conducted the 'College Transition Project' in an effort to identify the relationships and best practices that can set young people on a trajectory of lifelong faith and service. Based on FYI findings, this easy-to-read guide presents both a compelling rationale and a powerful strategy to show parents how to actively encourage their children's spiritual growth so that it will stick to them into adulthood and empower them to develop a living, lasting faith. Written by authors known for the integrity of their research and the intensity of their passion for young people, Sticky Faith is geared to spark a movement that empowers adults to develop robust and long-term faith in kids of all ages.

An Inconvenient Faith

by: Paul Citerony                                                  5/ 17/ 12

 I wrote the this piece as a cathartic exercise at the time of the general rancor and discontent of the recent State's recall election process. These are still troublesome times and it still is all so disconcerting that I had to wonder: "Why has our culture come to this" and "Can't we all be better than this?" And then I also wondered what might it take to help restore a sense of  Christian peace and and mutual love

in our society. I've concluded that it can be best done by serving, - reaching out as Christ would have us do

in practice of "An Inconvenient Faith". If you would like to read this piece visit our website at

 

https://docs.google.com/a/diomil.org/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGlvbWlsLm9yZ3xob21lfGd4OjJkZDQ3Y2ZmNTA2ZDMyNDY&pli=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

TheNew in the Resource Center

 

Resource CenterWHAT'S NEW in the RESOURCE CENTER?

 

We have several new items in the Center this Summer. Call or stop by to check out new curriculum ideas!

 

  1. Christian Holiness & Human Sexualtiy: A Study Guide for Episcopalians

 

 

2. The Genius of Anglicanism Perspectives on the Proposed Anglican Covenant

 

3. Children's Worship Bulletins ages 2-6 and ages 7-12 now available on-line at http://www.diomil.org/christian-formation/children-s-ministry This free resource is available for weekly downloads.

 

4. ANGLICANS, SEXUALITY and SCRIPTURE

An African Consultation

 

5. The Bible Challenge

from The Center for Biblical Studies

Carla's Corner

Carla's Corner: Was Jesus a Quitter?

     

Was Jesus a quitter? Let's look at some facts:

  • He only gathered 12 "close" disciples
  • His highest ASA was 70 (which he sent away 2 by 2)
  • He didn't take credit for all the miracles he performed but gave credit to their own faith
  • He left before his 12 leaders were ready to take over for him
  • He didn't stick around to get everything finished
  • He didn't settle all the divisive issues

Maybe you can list other things that it seems maybe Jesus didn't "finish". These tasks were not the reason he came in the first place. Jesus knew his mission and he never lost sight of the vision. He stayed to the mission and vision even when religious authorities, rulers and even his close family and friends tried to persuade him differently. He did not waste time listening to the nay-sayers. He didn't run after those who turned away from him.

               He did pray for his disciples. He prayed for his enemies. He prayed to the Father in private. He took time out for his own spiritual needs. He did fulfill the mission and purpose for which he came, even when no one else understood it or stood by him in it.

               Maybe I need to be more of a quitter like Jesus. Stop worrying about the numbers who showed up or didn't come. Stop trying to gather more and more; but live contently. Give praise to others and offer more thanksgivings to God. Stop worrying about all the minute details or if everything is finished- perfectly. Take time to pray for others and my enemies. Take time to be with God alone and allow that time to feed my soul. If I could practice this, perhaps I'd feel more like a winner.

 

            Faithfully,

            Carla

 

What's Up Kate?

Kate A New Vision for Diocesan Camp Webb Ministry

 CW logo

We had a fantastic two weeks of camp this summer. We were once again at Lutherdale Camp in Elkhorn. We had 37 campers over our two weeks and nine on our camp staff. We played together and prayed together and I believe we all left with a little more formation and transformation in us all.

               One of the things we are learning over this summer is that the word, or even A Word, about Camp Webb is not being spread in our diocese. CAMP WEBB IS NOT DEAD! It did not die - It did move location.

               We have an awesome program for our campers and several continue to return these past three years we've been located in Elkhorn. The reason they are returning is they love the smaller camp groups we now host. They like our a/c lodge we get to use and sleep in. They enjoy returning to be with the friendships they created in the previous summers.

               Our young adults who are our camp counselors and staff have a heart and passion for Camp Webb and camp ministries. They shared with us these last few weeks that the one thing that makes Camp Webb so important and so different than any other kind of camp our campers could attend is that Christ is central to the message and purpose of our ministry.

               Camp is already set for summer 2013. Mark your calendars now for Camp Webb - all campers - June 16-21, 2013. Camp will run as a one week session next year. Campers entering 3rd grade through 12th grade will be eligible to attend. Our high school campers will attend the Leadership Camp that runs simultaneously during this same week. Leadership Camp offers them a chance to learn valuable leadership skills and have a chance to put those skills into practice as leaders in training while at camp with our younger campers.

               Not sure if you or your youth is ready for camp? Then come spend at day with us at Camp Webb Open House, Sunday, June 2, 2013 (10am-2pm). Get to try the rock wall and zip line, take a dip in the lake, eat a hotdog lunch, and try out all the other amenities at Lutherdale Camp facility.

 

 Blessings,

Kate

Websites, Facebook and Twitter. OH MY!
As Rev. Carla and I have been working together, we have seen a real need for more social media from the Christian Formation office. The Diocese is in the process of developing a new website so we took this as the right time to start upping our social media presence.
Please like our Facebook page Like us on Facebook
and our Twitter feed is here: Follow us on Twitter

These medias not only provide us a place to talk about what is happening in the Christian Formation office but it also gives us a space to give you many new resources that are not talked about in our e-News.

 Follow or Like us today!

Safeguarding God's ChildrenTraining Dates
safeguarding picture

Safeguarding God's Children

  • Aug, 18 2012, 9am-Noon, St Christopher's, River Hills

 For the latest information on Safeguarding God's Children
 and to register for a training, please
click here

.

 

If you would like to schedule a training in your parish or if you have a number of people who need to be trained, please let me know so that we can schedule an event at your church or in your area. You can call, email or click here to request a training.

 

 

 Please make note of all who need to be trained in SGC, such as: vestry, Vacation Bible School Teachers and Volunteers, Youth Group Leaders and Volunteers, Sunday School Teachers, Church Staff, and those going on trips with youth.

Are you wondering who needs to be trained?  Click here to find the Diocesan Policy as well as a link to the chart of who needs what training (which is found on page 42 of the Diocesan Policy Manual.) If you have any questions please let me know. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Send your articles into the Christian Formation E-News 
If you have formation news, events, or resources that you Email
think would be of interest to the Diocese at large and that you would like to see in this electronic publication, please do not hesitate to email Carla or Kate at
.


ALL ARTICLES MUST BE IN NO LATER THAN THE 7TH OF EVERY MONTH.

 

Thank you for your ministry, for your commitment to Christian Formation, and for sharing your gifts with the church.  

Making Curriculum Decisions 

From Sharon Pearson, Christian Formation Specialist at Church Publishing 

 

Support for Making Curriculum Decisions

 

Now is the time to begin evaluating your programs and resources before planning for the coming program year. And that includes looking at curricular resources. Remember, published curricula is a tool for helping you fulfill your goals and objectives. Here are updated resources to help in your planning:

To Sign up for a variety of Church Publishing newsletters, go to:





Christian Formation Staff

  The office of Christian Formation has recently undergone several changes. With the Rev. Carla McCook, Kate McKey, and the Rev. REGS Scheeler taking over, it is an exciting time of transition. They look forward to this year with new ideas and lots of energy! They would be happy to help others in the Diocese in any way possible, and can be reached by their contact information listed below. 

 

Rev. Carla McCook is the Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation.  She work in conjunction with parishes and convocations to create, sustain and promote education and formation and offer resources for all ages in Christian Formation. She is also available to lead a teaching series or preach on request.

She is looking forward to beginning this new ministry and can be reached at [email protected] or (414)272-3028 ext 116.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Kate McKey 

Kate McKey is the Youth and Camp Coordinator. She is in charge of the programing of Camp Webb, the Diocesan summer camp. She also plans other events such as Happening and a youth presence at Convention. She does most of the social media work for the Christian Formation office. Kate is also serving part-time as the youth minister at St. Andrew's in Madison.She can be reached at [email protected] or 414-272-3028 x114 or 608-770-5299. 






RegsThe Rev. REGS Scheeler has been a deacon of this diocese of many years, serving us in many different ways. Throughout his time, his passion and focus on formation and education for youth and their leaders has not changed. REGS is a non-stipendiary staff person who is available to help congregations move through transition, assist them in discernment or challenge them as they move forward. He can make visits on Sundays and some weekdays. If you think a visit from him would be of use to you, don't hesitate to call and discover the ways in which he might help your parish. He is also in charge of the New Beginnings weekend and is assisting with other formation events throughout the year. He has a gift and call for cooking ministry which we try to incorporate into all he does. He can be reached at [email protected]  or (262)827-9378.
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If you have formation news, events, or resources that you think would be of interest to the Diocese at large and that you would like to see in this electronic publication, please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]. ALL ARTICLES MUST BE IN NO LATER THAN THE 7TH OF EVERY MONTH.
 
If you want to be removed from this list, you may do so. If you have missed an issue or if you would like to look at old issues, links to the archives can be found on the Christian Formation Pages at http://www.diomil.org/christian-formation
.

 

Thank you for your ministry, for your commitment to Christian Formation, and for sharing your gifts with the church.  Please let me know if there is anything that you would like to see in this eNews in the future and don't forget to pass this along!

 

 

Peace,

 

The Rev. Carla McCook
Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation
The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
[email protected]
www.diomil.org
414-272-3028 x116

Kate McKey
Youth and Camp Coordinator
The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
[email protected]
www.diomil.org
608-770-5299
414-272-3028 x114