A Lenten message from Bishop Miller

Early this fall in the aftermath of the shootings in Oak Creek and Brookfield, I initiated a conversation with some fellow bishops regarding the issue of gun violence. It seemed to me at the time that the Episcopal Church and the House of Bishops in particular could make a significant and well-reasoned statement inviting our nation to address this issue. I believed this because of the broad spectrum of opinions in the House. Among our members are sportsman and former law enforcement officers who understand the need for sane and enforceable gun laws as one way of diminishing the culture of violence that envelopes our nation. Murders committed using firearms are a regular part of our daily news in Southern Wisconsin. As we began this work the massacre at Newtown occurred, adding increased urgency to our task and a renewed awareness of this issue in the public square.

As a part of this work bishops and clergy of the Diocese of Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington led by the bishops of Connecticut will gather on Monday in Holy Week in our nation's capital to walk the way of the Cross beginning at St. John's Lafayette Square and ending at the Capital. As the bishop who initiated these efforts I plan on joining this liturgy accompanied by our newest deacon who is finishing her studies at the Virginia Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dorota Pruski.

I write to invite you the people and clergy of our diocese to join in me in this witness. On Monday in Holy Week, the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Milwaukee and St. Dunstan's, Madison will hold Stations of the Cross liturgies using the liturgy that we will be using on the National Mall. Service times are 6pm at the both the Cathedral and St. Dunstan's.

If you are unable to attend one of these liturgies, the order of service will be available on the website of the Diocese of Connecticut and the Facebook page of Episcopalians against Gun Violence for your personal devotion.

Please join me in working to address the culture of violence that pervades our nation. Christ is counting on us to join his work of turning swords into plowshares.

Yours in Him who is our peace,

The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller

Bishop of Milwaukee

Update your parish listing on

The new Episcopal Church Website has a "Find a Church" opportunity.  The Rev. Martha Berger is updating information about the parishes of our diocese.  Please take a look at you parish's information by clicking here.  Check the site for correct information and send an update to martha.branson.berger@gmail.com .  Here's a list of important information: current clergy, website and email addresses, a paragraph describing your parish, and current worship times.  Feel free to attach a couple of good photos of your church life/building.

Please submit by March 30.  

Vote for St. Luke!

Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of an Episcopal Priest, the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church's Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born in partership with Forward Movement.

 St. Luke's, Milwaukee is asking you to help their patron saint in this educational contest.  In Lent Madness, saints and famous individuals are paired in a March Madness type bracket with the goal of winning the Holy Halo. St. Luke won his bracket on February 18 to advance to the Saintly Sixteen. He will compete against poet and writer John Donne on March 12. If St. Luke wins he will then advance to the Elate Eight, then (with your help) to the Faithful Four and the Championship. We can't do it alone so we are asking for your help.

Go to www.lentmadness.org (you do not have to wait until March 12 to check it out). You can vote daily on the pairings but please only one vote per person per website. The cyber angels do watch for voting fraud and stuffing the ballot box. The instructions for voting are on the website.

St. Mary's, Dousman is asking for donations of books for their Used Book Sale in June. Pick up service is available.  Call (262) 965-3924 or (262) 470-8750 or (262) 965-4104.  Books, DVD's and CD's all accepted!  Tax deductible!

The sale runs from June 5-June 8, 2013.  St. Mary's is located at the corner of Hwys 18-67 in Dousman, Wisconsin.

Food Pack for Haiti hosted by St. Aidan's

St. Aidan's, Hartford is once again hosting the 2013 Hartford Community Hands "For the Love of Haiti Food Pack" which returns on Saturday, February 16th, 2013 and runs through March 23. To date, Hartford Community Hands have packed 227,000+ meals that have been delivered to the people of Haiti. Our goal for 2013 is to pack 120,000 meals, the equivalent of 556 boxes.

Please, click here for flyer and to sign up to participate! 

Sign up now for

Vestry leadership Day is scheduled for March 16th from 8:30 until 4:00 at Zion in Oconomowoc.  Seating is limited and we have a cap of 3 from each congregation.  The reason for the cap per session (you can send 3 to each one) is because what we heard you say is that it was in the conversation with others where you learned, and you wanted more time to share.  Now you will have it.  You will also have more specifics on roles and responsiblities of vestry; a vestry manual and how to use it; effective meetings; and building community.  We look forward to seeing you so  sign up now .

For Treasurer's we have a session for you too.  On March 16th from 8:30 until 2 at Zion in Oconomowoc.  This will be a great session to network with others, learn about financial programs as well as reports, and payroll - using a service is more economical than you think.  Patricia Tucker from Church Pension Group will be with us to discuss pension and payroll options.  She will stay longer and answer specific question if you like. Sign up now .

Safeguarding God's Children

Safeguarding God's Children training is mandatory for all who have never attended a class with a trainer in the past. All Clergy, vestry members and all who work with children & youth are required to have their certificate updated every 5 years.   A number of training sessions have already been held around the diocese in 2013.  No additional sessions are scheduled after the March 9th (9am-Noon) training at Grace, Madison.  Clergy and Lay persons in need to training may contact The Rev. Carla McCook, Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation, at (414) 272-3028/ext. 116  or McCook@diomil.org . 

Safeguarding God's People is the training program which is for protection of adults with regard to sexual exploitation and sexual harassment. This training is required for all Clergy, vestry members and all who work with adults, such as Lay Eucharistic Visitors. Certification must be updated every 5 years. This training is only available on-line at http://dioceseofmilwaukee.wufoo.com/forms/safeguarding-gods-children-and-people-online/ .