Hilda's Hope will meet at 1:00 on Wednesday, February 6th in the Parlor.  We are reading and discussing A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans.  Copies from Barnes and Noble are available cheaper than any online copies.  This title is also available on Kindle and Nook.  Please call Jonie Varner at (262) 521-8187 if you would like to arrange for her to pick up a copy for you.  All women of the church are invited.

Dear St. Matthias Members,

Our guild would like to thank you for your generous donations toward our weekly arrangements.  You are core of our being able to survive.  We will continue to strive to make our church beautiful with your help.  If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to call any of our members.  We are grateful for your participation.

Sincerely,

The Flower Guild

Presiding Bishop Catherine Jefferts Schori visiting Milwaukee

January 27, 2013

In calling attention to the "mounting urgency" of environmental degradation and its impact for the planet and all of humanity, the Episcopal Church House of Bishops issued a pastoral teaching last year. "This is the appointed time," they wrote, "for all God's children to work for the common goal of renewing the earth as a hospitable abode for the flourishing of all life. We are called to speak and act on behalf of God's good creation."

In the spirit of the pastoral teaching, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will discuss Perspectives on Spirituality and the Environment on January 27^th at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 914 East Knapp Street, Milwaukee. All are welcome to attend this important discussion. Evensong, a choral service with prayer and readings, will follow for people of all faiths.

Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori is the first woman elected as a primate in the worldwide Anglican Communion and earned both a PhD in oceanography and a Doctor of Divinity. She is an outspoken advocate for environmental and climate issues. She testified to the U.S. Senate on climate change and its impact on people living in poverty in the U.S. and around the globe.

Service Schedule for This Week:

FABIAN

BISHOP AND MARTYR (20 JANUARY 250)

Fabian was Bishop of Rome for 14 years. He organized the city of Rome into parishes and appointed scribes to record the lives of the martyrs for posterity. When the Emperor Decius began a persecution of Christians, probably the first one to be waged simultaneously in all parts of the Empire, Fabian was one of the first to be put to death, setting a courageous example for others. His tombstone, with the inscription dimly visible, can still be seen at Rome. 

by James Kiefer

Upon the death of Pope Saint Antherus in 236, a council was convened in Rome to elect his successor. In the crowd was Fabian (Fabianus), a layman from another part of Italy (it is not known where). According to the historian Eusebius, a dove flew into the building and landed on Fabian's head. The people immediately interpreted this to be an omen, and unanimously acclaimed Fabian their new pope. He turned out to be an excellent leader. He organized the parochial (parish) structure of the Church that is in use to this day. He developed the custom and rites of veneration of the martyrs buried in the catacombs, and appointed fourteen scholars to record the lives of the martyrs, so that they would not be forgotten in future years. In 239 the Emperor Decius instituted a persecution of Christians. This was the first persecution to be waged throughout the entire Empire instead of just locally. Fabian was captured and brutally executed. The courage with which he went to his death was an inspiration to thousands who followed him in martyrdom. His broken tombstone in Rome still exists, and three words on it are still barely legible; "Fabian ... bishop ... martyr."  by Fr. Rick Losch