supporting congregations
creating disciples
building community
nurturing growth
Please forward this on to any and all you you think might be interested, including teachers, volunteers, parishioners, vestry, lay leaders and friends! |
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| Upcoming Events |
Family Fun Saturdays
January 19, 2013 9am-3pm
Zion, Oconomowoc
& February 16, 2013 9am-3pm St. Dunstan's, Madison
Camp Webb
Open House, June 2, 2013 10am-2pm
Camp Webb Camp Week
June 16-21, 2013
Summer Mission Trip
July 2013
All Soul's Youth Event
Nov 2-3, 2014 at Zion, Oconomowoc
Camp Webb Oct 12-13, 2012 |
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Camp Webb 2012 & 2013 | |
For more information go to www.campwebb.org.
Intersted in being on staff?
2013 Staff Applications will be available Jan 2013!
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| Resource Center | |
If you are looking for ideas, curricula, books or videos, please visit our online database for our Resource Center which is kept up to date, so as soon as we get a new resource, you will see it online! We have the full collection of NOOMA videos. You can find out more about them at http://nooma.com
You can search through book ISBN, by DVD or VHS or by curriculum.
You can also find online resource links there. If you would like more information or if you would like to check out any materials, please let us know! Rev. Carla McCook is the Resource Center Coordinator and you can find her at mccook@diomil.org .
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Find us on Facebook!
Visit us on the web at |
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| Living Compass: Advent 2012 Program |
 Embracing and Living the Love of God in Advent: An Advent Program and Resource from Living Compass
Advent is often said to be the favorite season in the church by many people. It is a time when we begin to think and plan for gatherings of family and friends, and ways we will show our love for those we love in many ways: preparing special food, decorating, buying or making gifts, singing certain songs, and eating together just to name a few. This beautiful season can also be a time when we prepare ourselves for Christmas, for welcoming in our hearts once again, the Love of God in Christ. We may wonder how we can do this, or perhaps how to do this better. After all, it isn't necessarily easy with all the other things we have to do to prepare for our Christmas celebrations. Jesus himself reminds us that we can welcome him and love him with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 7:27). It is Jesus' own words we will be exploring in this 4 session program about how this Advent we can love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength and in so doing welcome God's love into our busy world especially at Christmas, and every day.
This Advent program is a resource of Living Compass. In addition to the 4 sessions which can be used individually for small or large groups or Bible Studies, or for a retreat, Living Compass offers a companion book of readings for each day of Advent. This booklet can also stand alone as a personal daily devotional and makes a great gift. You can order the Advent program and/or the companion book Living Love: Daily Readings for the Season of Advent by emailing Edith Braeger at edith@livingcompass.org.
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| Bexley Hall & Seabury: Continuing Education |
January & Spring 2013
Courses
ALL HELD AT:
Seabury Western Theological Seminary
8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago
Register online at www.seabury.edu
For more information, please visit www.seabury.edu or talk with Registrar Peggy Pearson at 773.380.7041 or email eggy.pearson@seabury.edu.
A Preview of January Courses - to see them all and the spring courses see the website listed above.
JANUARY COURSES:
Contemporary Issues in the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church
Instructor: Dwight Zschiele, Assistant Professor of Congregational Mission and Leadership, Luther Seminary
Dates: Online work from December 26-February 15 and a weeklong intensive, January 7-11
The Anglican Ethos Embodied Grace
This course is available for academic credit or enrichment. In addition, several sessions will be open to the public on a drop-in basis.
Instructor: John Dally, Professor of Theology and Culture, Seabury
Dates: Online work from January 2-February 15 and a week-long intensive, January 14-18. Daily times to be determined.
Nonprofit Management and Community Development Making Mission Possible in Tough Times
Instructor: Susan Harlow, Director of Congregational Development and Professor of Practical Theology, Seabury
Dates: Online work from January 2-February 15 and a weeklong intensive, January 21-25
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| Advent Quiet Day |
 | | "I stand at the door and knock." |
Advent Quiet Day: "Inviting Jesus In" or the Madison-area Episcopal Churches Saturday, December 8, 2012, 2-5pmSt. Dunstan's Episcopal Church
"If in your heart you make a manger for his birth, then God will once again become a child on earth." - Angelus Silesius
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock." - Revelation 3:20
Please join us for an afternoon of shared silence, guided reflection on images of Christ's coming, and exploration of how we might make space for Christ's coming into our lives. Our Quiet Day will be led by the Rev. Jonathan Melton, the new Chaplain at St. Francis House, the Episcopal campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This event is free and open to all. Please RSVP by Monday, December 3, by contacting the church office at office@stdunstans.com or by calling 238-2781. Child care will be provided; please let us know if you are bringing kids, and their ages. |
| Carla's Corner: Anticipate the Season in Advent | |
The season of Advent is set aside in our liturgical (Church) calendar as a season of prayer-filled anticipation. I imagine that at one age or another in our not-so-long-ago-years we did live in anticipation and expectation. Think back on your own childhood, your thoughts, and your wishes for the coming of Christmas. Our prayers may not have centered on the return of Christ; but I bet you secretly prayed for a special something or someone for Christmas. As children often do, they have an uncanny way of noticing how slow time moves when they are anticipating the next special day in their lives. They are able to focus on one holiday at a time and fully live in the excitement and anticipation up to and through the day.
Advent is exactly the season for us as Christians to live in the excitement, anticipation and expectation of the celebration of the coming of Christ into our lives. A season wholly set aside for slowing down [time] and living in each moment leading up to and through the glorious day.
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Image Copyright: Warner Bros. 1983 |
I love the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story. I love watching Ralph live every moment in hopeful anticipation of getting his "official Red Ryder carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle". The lengths he is willing to go to let his parents, teachers, sibling and friends know exactly what he's hopeful for is so childlike. He is so filled with imagination of just what it will be like when he gets his air rifle and how it will change his life.
We can't really slow down time; but we can live with intention of paying attention to the moment and not worrying about what may be coming in the next few moments or days. We can try to live with hope-filled hearts, reclaiming joy, and live with anticipation of spirit. When this way of living seems difficult perhaps we can stop and watch the children and learn from them.
Blessed Advent,
Carla |
Advent: Women of Faith, Nov. 30th @ St. Thomas, Greendale
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Our Women of Faith family would like to join yours for Christmas! Gathering together in one hope-filled and joyful celebration. This event will be the biggest Christmas event of the year!
Please join the women of St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church for an evening of relaxation, fellowship and celebration
on Friday, November 30, 2012.
simulcast from 7:00 - 9:30pm
doors open at 6:30pm
Schedule of Events
Refreshments will be served during the break
Part 1:Joy Part 2: Hope
Carol of the Bells Little Girl Angel narration
Narration from Isaiah "Joy to the World" Kari Jobe
Point of Grace Francis Chan
Sheila Walsh and Lisa Harper Welcome Rachel Chan Song
Pastor Jack Graham Prayer Lisa Harper - Gospel Message
Anthem Lights Kari Jobe, Anthem Lights, Point of Grace
Narration about Nativity Sheila Walsh - "One Solitary Life"
Kari Jobe Finalie with Nativity
Sheila Walsh Speaks Reprise - "Go Light Your World"
O Come All Ye Faithful
St. Thomas of Canterbury
7255 W. Grange Ave. (On the corner of Grange & Westway)
Greendale, WI 53129
414-421-0130
(free will offering will be accepted)
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What's New in the Resource Center | |
Resource Center Needs Volunteers!
We are currently taking names for volunteers able and willing to be semi-librarians at the Diocesan Resource Center. The R.C. is located at Nicholson House, diocesan offices, 804 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee. Volunteers are currently needed to assist in updating the R.C. database listing, sending out requested materials and checking in returned materials. If you are interested please contact Rev. Carla McCook (mccook@diomil.org) or call the diocesan offices.
New Items in the Resource Center:
- FAMILY: The Forming Center "A Vision of the Role of Family in Spiritual Formation" by Marjorie J. Thompson {In a time when "family" is being redefined daily, Thompson provides core theology behind the understanding of family - family in all its diversity. She speaks of ways to strengthen the spiritual bonding within the family so the family can enact the social witness to which it is called}.
- Reclaiming the "C" Word; Daring to be Church Again by Kelly A. Fryer {Here is an understanding of the church that is less about buildings and meeting times and more about the church as a community of people participating in the healing work of God in our world. Review by Ryan Torma, Minister of Community Life, Spirit Garage, Minneapolis, Minnesota}.
- Including Children in Worship: A Planning Guide for Congregationsby Elizabeth J. Sandell {This book provides worship committees, pastors, parents and other adults with suggestions and questions to consider, and describes ideas and strategies geared to a variety of age levels}.
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| Childrens' Worship Bulletins - "A Bulletin Update!" | |
 Need a Volunteer for our Childrens' Worship Bulletins!
Due to time consuming family obligations that are beyond my control, I will not be able to produce the Children and Youth Formation Bulletins for The Milwaukee Diocese after December 30, 2012.
If there is anyone in the Diocese that wants to take over where I left off, I would be happy to share all my sources, ideas and basic bulletin formats.
I pray that the bulletins for 2012 have opened the door to the Gospel for our children. I hope that someone can continue the process.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you are interested in taking over this important ministry. Our children are part of our church families, and need to feel included and important.
Blessings & Peace
Robyn Lebron
FathersBride@msn.com
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| All Kinds of Family FUN! | |
All Kinds of Family FUN Saturday!
Fun and family time for Parents, Grandparents, Teens and Children - Any ages, size, or shape of family!
Take this day to spend some quality family time together, learn together, play, eat and make lasting memories together!
TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND:
Sat, Jan 19, 2013 9AM-3PM or Sat, Feb 16, 2013 9AM-3PM
Zion, Oconomowoc, 135 Rockwell Place St. Dunstan's, Madison, 6205 Oconomowoc University Ave, Madison
"Spend a day exploring how to live out our faith in one of the most familiar and most challenging contexts: our family life. During the day, kids, youth, and parents will explore central themes as separate groups; then come together as families to eat, share, play and create.
In the morning session, we'll explore the voices we use in our household: How do we talk to each other? How well are we connected? Who gets a say? How well do we listen?
In the afternoon session, we'll look at the concept of "discipline" and how it relates to "discipleship" - everyone in our family is learning and growing; how can we do it together, in love?
We hope you'll end the day with some new tools and new ideas for daily life!"
Sample schedule:
9am - Gathering together
Family Puzzlers
Break-Out Session one: Parents' Group, TEENS' Group, and Kids' Group
Family Style Lunch
Family Craft - creating a conversation starter
Family play time - bring your winter gear to play in the snow
Break-Out Session two: Parents' Group, TEENS' Group, and Kids' Group
Closing Gathering
Each day is limited to ten (10) families. Register early! Registration begins November 30, 2012. Registration for January date is due by Jan. 7th. Registration for February date is due by Feb. 4th. Registrations will close when the event date is full, so early registration is encouraged. Register on-line at http://dioceseofmilwaukee.wufoo.com/forms/family-fun-day/ or on the diocesan website at http://www.diomil.org/christian-formation .
Cost is $10 per person or $33.75 per family.
Send check, payable to Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, to 804 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Attn: Rev. Carla McCook. All checks due one week prior to event date. |
| CAMP WEBB | |
Camp Webb 2013: Living the Adventure with Living Compass
June 16-21, 2013 $375 early bird registration
GIVE CAMP for CHRISTMAS! 
This summer join the adventure at Camp Webb! All campers, ages entering 2nd grade through 12th grade can attend this exciting week of outdoor diocesan ministry. We will be on adventure quests with maps and compass to discover the treasure we have in Christ: Our Strength, Our Minds, Our Hearts and Our Souls. {"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your mind and all your being; and love your neighbor as yourself." Paraphrase from Deuteronomy 30:6 & Luke 10:27}. YOU can give Camp for Christmas! You can send you money to send a grandchild or a child from your congregation or simply give so that we can give scholarships to kids who need help to get to camp. Send you checks, payable to the Diocese of Milwaukee, to 804 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Attn: Camp Webb. Early Registration for Camp begins Dec 1, 2012 at http://www.diomil.org/christian-formation.
Here is what some 2012 Campers' had to say about their time at camp this last summer:
What the Tess Kids Love about Camp Webb
Adam, age 11, enjoyed Camp Webb because he liked making new friends and understanding God more.
Isaac, age 12, said he enjoyed being with other kids who are Christians because at school it makes others uncomfortable when they talk about God, but at Camp Webb they can talk about it freely.
Ann, age 10, enjoyed getting to know other kids that are Christians and Pastor's kids too.
Emily, age 9, enjoyed making new friends and getting closer to God.
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| Safeguarding God's Children & Safeguarding God's People In-Class Trainings and On-line | |
Safeguarding God's Children
For the latest information on Safeguarding God's Children
and to register for a training, please click here
NOW SCHEDULING FOR JAN-MAY 2013
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.
SGC is also available for renewal of certificate on-line! Contact Rev. Carla McCook directly to register, include your full name, date of birth (mm/dd), parish and parish city. (mccook@diomil.org)
Please make note of all who are required to have certified SGC training : clergy, vestry, Vacation Bible School Teachers and Volunteers, Youth Group Leaders and Volunteers, Sunday School Teachers, Church Staff, and those going on trips with youth. SAFEGUARDING GOD'S PEOPLE is now on-line! This is mandatory for all cleargy, vestry, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, church staff and volunteers who work with adults. On-line is the only way to take this SafeGuarding portion. Contact Rev. Carla McCook directly to register, include your full name, date of birth (mm/dd), parish and parish city. ( mccook@diomil.org)
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Websites, Facebook and Twitter. OH MY!
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In today's social media age we at the diocesan office are trying to be more social media savvy. The Diocese is in the process of developing a new website which is schedule to go "live" November 2012. Christian Formation is excited that we are already using Facebook and Twitter to get the Formation Message out!
Please like our Facebook page 
and our Twitter feed is here: 
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!
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| Send your articles into the Christian Formation E-News |
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 Carla at mccook@diomil.org . 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. |
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Christian Formation Staff | |
Rev. Carla McCook is the Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation. She works in conjunction with clergy, laity, parishes and convocations to create, promote, sustain and formation and education. Her mission is to resource, equip and empower formation leaders of all ages throughout our diocese. Diocesan Christian Formation has oversight for Resource Center, Safeguarding God's Children & People, Education for Ministry, Camp Webb and Outdoor Ministries, Life Long Christian Formation Commission, Youth & Family Commission, Youth@Convention, teaching & preaching around the diocese. She is available to lead a teaching series or preach on request. She is passionate about partnering with you for Christian Formation. She is available at McCook@diomil.org or (414)272-3028 ext 116.
 The 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 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 dnregs@wi.rr.com or (262)827-9378. |
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The Rev. Carla McCook Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee McCook@diomil.orgBishop's Deacon for Christian Formation
The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
414-378-7390
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