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! |
|
|
|
| Upcoming Events |
Camp Webb
Open House, June 2, 2013 10am-2pm
Camp Webb Camp Week
June 16-21, 2013
Summer Mission Trip
June 30-July 6
Irvine, Kentucky
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church and Appalachian Ministries
All Soul's Youth Event
Nov 2-3, 2014 at Zion, Oconomowoc |
|
Camp Webb 2013 | |
For more information go to http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/camp-webb/
Intersted in being on staff?
2013 Staff Applications are available. See website link above.
|
| Resource Center | |
If you are looking for ideas, curricula, books or videos, please visit our Resource Center which is located at 804 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee.
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 .
|
Find us on Facebook!
Visit us on the web at |
|
|
| Carla's Corner |
 Happy Easter!
The other day I was surfing while the program I was watching had a comercial break. While surfing, I caught just a few minutes of the show, Extreme Couponing, some of you may have seen this - it was new for me.
I've heard of the show and I applaud all who are able to use coupons to such a remarkable extent. I never have such luck - even with coupons I usually save less than $30.00. I'm not meaning to give negative press to clipping coupons. Sticking with a budget, using coupons, and being stewards of what we spend is a good thing.
Here is the concern that weighed on my heart for the women and her husband as I watched them shop for less than 5 minutes (because I went back to my original program). This woman had called ahead to her grocer and had him order 70 bags of 40lb bags of dog food along with other items she had clipped coupons. Who needs 2800lbs of dog food at any given time? Why are people shopping this way? What is driving the fear to bulk shop and keep pounds of food and supplies in our homes?
Chrisitans are Easter people, people who profess to follow a Lord and God that will supply all our needs. This doesn't mean we don't work hard or shop smart. But Jesus taught us not to worry, (Matthew 6:25-34), "Therefore I tell you, do not waorry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. But seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This is the end of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew's gospel account. And the things that "will be given to you as well," were all the things Jesus had just been teaching the crowd NOT to worry about.
I believe that when we seek God's will and righteousness first, we live in strength - not fear; abundance - not scarcity. We see God and his provisions around us and how we are given much so we can provide to others.
Blessed Abundance this Easter Season!
|
|
Women's Lenten Retreat was Sat, March 9 | |
 PRAYING AS THOUGH YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT...
...BECAUSE IT DOES!
A Women's Retreat
Women's Lenten Retreat: "Praying as though your life depended on it, because it does!" Retreat day was held at the Redemptorist Center, Oconomowoc, on March 9, 2013. We had a wonderful gathering of 19 women, sharing the day together learning about prayer through the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1-2:11). We shared together about how as women we sometimes worry about "everything," and how we can make decisions not to worry; but, to give everything to God in prayer. We are already looking forward to next year's retreat! Thank you to Sandi Smith and Carla McCook for a wonderful day. |
| Diocesan Mission Trip to Irvine Kentucky, Appalachian Missions | |
Diocesan Mission Trip to Irvine, KentuckyAppalachian Ministries,
June 30-July 6, 2013 Cost: $375.00
We currently have a total of 9 Men, Women and Youth going on our mission trip! There is still time to join the team! We will be working on construction/renovations to homes including roofing. And we will be leading a children's day camp.
Churches have already started collecting school supplies to send to the Irvine community, THANK YOU! If you have your collection, please let Carla McCook know so we can gather the supplies at the diocesan office.
Mission Team Applications at http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/diocesan-mission-trip-2013/ . |
| CAMP WEBB: UPDATE | |
Camp Webb 2013: Living the Adventure with Living Compass
Summer Camp is just around the corner!
Camp Webb 2013will be held June 16th-21st for all age groups at Lutherdale Camp, Elkhorn, WI
N7891US Highway 12, Elkhorn, WI
Get the Early Bird Rate for Early Registration!
Register before April 1st and camp is $375.00
Registrations, as of March 13th, are 16 campers. This is a good start; but we need to fill our camp this summer (total of campers needs to be 40). We are only 1/3 of the way to our total and we're already into March. After last summers' low numbers, the Executive Council made the decision that if Camp Webb does not fill in the summer of 2013, then 2013 will be the last year for Camp Webb. If you have a son or daughter, or grandchildren aging from rising 3rd graders to 12th graders (fall of 2013) we hope they will join us for camp. For more information visit our diocesan website at http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/camp-webb/
Camper Registration Here
NEW Camp Staff Application Here
RETURNING Camp Staff Application Here |
|
What's New in Resources, Books and Bible Studies | |
1.Discover God's Epic Story for All of Us - based on the new TV Mini Series - a Novel has been released: A Story of God and All of Us. Offered by Cokesbury
2. Stepping up to Staffing and Supervision - Conference
Mon, May 20, 9 am-4 pm, Tues, May 21, 8:30 am-3:30pm, at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St, Madison, WI
Cost: $260
Register Online or register by phone at 608-262-2451
Program #1023-13-PDAS
This two-day seminar is for clergy and administrators who are stepping into a supervisory role or for those who want to revisit the basics of supervision. In addition to the fundamentals of supervision, you explore the unique features and challenges of supervising in a congregational setting.
Instructor: SUSAN BEAUMONT
For additional information, contact:
ANN WHITAKER: 608-262-4509
3. POWER UP YOUR YOUTH MINISTRY THIS SPRING with TWO NEW RESOURCES!!
a. The Power of Youth by Rodger Nishioka
On Being Visionaries and Prophets - An Open Ended, Free-Flowing, Flexible Resource for Youth
b. What Did Jesus Do All Day? Great for Confirmation Classes - new study for Discovering the Teen Jesus |
| Childrens' Worship Bulletins - Free - but You need PASSWORD to Downlo | |
Thank you for the positive feedback. Many parishes are using the worship bulletins in multitude of creative ways.
The bulletins will continue to be offered FREE to the parishes of our diocese!!!!
However, because they are copyrighted material we cannot continue to post openly on our website.
If you are using them, you can STILL get them, print them and USE them!! Beginning the Sunday after Easter April 7th! You MUST email Carla (mccook@diomil.org) to get the ID and Password. We are so excited to be able to support our parishes by resourcing these great bulletins. |
| Deacons' School for Formation - Fall 2013 | |
Deacons' School for Formation OPENS
September 13, 2013
Changes to the New School include:
- New Time and Place for Meeting
- New Emphasis on the Practice of Ministry
- Ordained Deacons may return for continuing education and formation
One weekend a month (10 months) September thru June the School for Formation meets. Weekends begin on Friday evenings at 8:30PM and end Sunday afternoon at 4:00PM. All weekends held at the DeKoven Center, Racine. All postulants for Holy Orders to the Diaconal Ministry may begin this September. A new emphasis in the school is on the practicum of ministry in all academic areas. Deacons may come for continuing education and formation, for part of the weekend, for one class, or for the full weekends. Continuing education is on an "a la carte" payment plan. Due to the cost of staying overnights and meals, tuition for postulants has increased considerably. If a parish or individual would like to sponsor or send financial aid for our students your gift would be most appreciated. You may send a check to the Diocese of Milwaukee, c/o Deacon's School for Formation, 804 E. Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Memo Line: Deacon School. More information may be found on the diocesan website, www.diomil.org . |
| Safeguarding God's Children & Safeguarding God's People In-Class Trainings and On-line | |
Safeguarding God's Children
Our classes this Winter 2013 have been full.
SGC is also available for renewal of certificate on-line!
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. |
| 21st Century Formation in our Digital World - coming to Milwaukee July 23-25th. |
Please NOTE Change of Date - July Dates are correct.
We have several churches sending folks to this event! You can join the Diocese of Milwaukee group when you register and get the discounted rate. Go to http://vibrantfaith.org/faith-formation-training.html to register!
The Very Rev'd. Kevin Carroll, Dean of All Saints' Catherdral and The Rev. Carla McCook, Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation attended this conference this past February in Denver, Colorado.
Two persons who spoke very little "Geek" and were immigrants to the internet and social media returned ON FIRE about use of the internet, website, networking and social media for spreading the Gospel message.
We learned ways to connect with every generation present today - and that's 9 decades of people we're trying to reach in the world today.
We learned how to set up our own website for FREE! We learned how to use multiple social media sites to send out and connect people with formation content/Church teachings/mission and ministry.
If you can go you don't want to miss John Robertson coming to our area! I promise you won't be disappointed! |
Websites, Facebook and Twitter. OH MY!
| |
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!
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
