News from Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

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Barbara Klauber, Editor

Palm Sunday - a message from Bishop Miller

"Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Dear Friends in Christ,

The above prayer from the Liturgy of the Palms reminds of the call of Holy Week--- to enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby God has given us life and immortality.

What struck about this prayer as I write you is the word, joy. It made me wonder how much joy has there been in my holy week journeys in my years of ordained ministry. My experience has often been that Holy Week is often seen more as a burden than a joy, something to be gotten through rather than embraced and relished. I remember too many Easter Week conversations with colleagues that began with the phrase, "Did you survive?" I am wondering now if many of us who are ordained pass that attitude on to others making it the equivalent of tax seasons for accountants. If this is the case, I am certain it is affecting the perception of those outside the community of faith as well.

Let us make our intention this Holy Week to look for the joy -- Joy that Christ enters Jerusalem, a town that welcomes him with gladness but turns on him quickly, an entry that often mirrors his entry into our hearts and lives and well. Let us swell with joy that he still enters and continues to knock at the door of our hearts. Let us delight in the one who came to serve and feed. Let us exult and glory that he gave himself for us on the cross and won for us eternal life. And finally let us resolve to share this joy with everyone we meet.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller

Bishop of Milwaukee

Bishop Miller joins bishops leading Stations of the Cross in Washington, D.C. as Church focuses on gun violence

[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] On Monday, March 25 at 10:30 am Eastern, more than 20 Episcopal bishops from throughout the church will lead hundreds of clergy and lay people in praying the Stations of the Cross in Washington, DC, as they process along Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the U. S. Capitol to challenge violence, especially the epidemic of gun violence that claims so many thousands of American lives each year.

Read more . . .

A MKE Church Without Walls Good Friday Pilgrimage

On Good Friday morning, we invite you to join others from several Milwaukee Episcopal parishes as we bring the Stations of the Cross into the City. Leaving from All Saints Episcopal Cathedral at 9 a.m. on March 29th, we will carry a wooden cross to different stations in the city of Milwaukee. The stations will represent centers of power, desolation and comfort to witness that Jesus both challenges our vanities and bears all our sorrows. At each station, a nail will be driven into the cross, a piece of the Good Friday Scripture read, and a prayer or hymn offered. Participants and passer-bys will then be invited to write a short prayer and place it on the cross. Those confidential prayers will be used to kindle the Easter Fire at each participating parish.

Our pilgrimage will end at St. James Episcopal Church on Wisconsin Avenue sometime between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Pilgrims are invited to attend the Good Friday service at St. James or return to their own churches. Anyone may participate and anyone may join or leave the journey at any of the stations. A more detailed timetable will be available soon. If you wish further information, please contact mkechurchwithoutwalls@gmail.com . MKE Church without Walls is a group of Milwaukee area clergy and lay people interested in exploring different ways of doing church in our changing world.

CREATING FOR A CAUSE

episcopal service corps/mke

CREATING FOR A CAUSE, an initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, has been approved to become a member of the national Episcopal Service Corps network.

The unique mission of CREATING FOR A CAUSE is to provide a collaboration between Milwaukee area non-profits and creative young adults seeking a service internship experience working on social justice communication projects. The program matches Intern talents with partner non-profit communication needs. Six Interns will live in an Intentional Community at St. Luke's Episcopal Church rectory in the Bayview neighborhood. It has long been the dream of Bishop Steven Miller to establish an Episcopal Service Corps in Milwaukee.

Amy Clark is the Program Director and developed the concept of the program. She is a documentary photographer and filmmaker. Amy is active with her family: two college age daughters and young son.

For additional information please contact Amy Clark at 414-588-6466 or

aclark@diomil.org

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS - to apply click HERE or go to

www.episcopalservicecorps.org/apply

Invitation to attend new Julian Gathering

The Affiliates of the Order of Julian and St. Matthias Parish invite anyone who would like to learn more about contemplative prayer and the theology of Julian of Norwich to join a new Julian Gathering. Julian Gatherings are small group meetings for meditation (Centering Prayer) and the study of Julian's writings. Their objective is to nurture and support contemplative prayer practice, to encourage a deeper relationship with God, and to explore Julian's theology of God's unceasing love and joy in us.

Gatherings will take place the first Tuesday of each month (starting April 2) from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at St. Matthias Episcopal Church at 111 E. Main St., Waukesha 53186 ( corner of Main St. and East Avenue).

Gatherings begin with introductions and conversation, then a period of Still Prayer, and conclude with reading and reflecting on passages from Julian's Revelations of Love.

No prior knowledge is needed, and anyone is welcome - from seekers to saints!For more information, call Tess Clark at 262-574-7521.

What in the World are you doing?

A Note from the Diocese of Milwaukee

Commission on Global Reconciliation

Each year our diocese allocates 0.7% of the diocesan budget to support work done to achieve MDGs by parishes and entities within the diocese.

Eight Goals

Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality and empower women
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Develop a global partnership for development
Ensure environmental sustainability

Last year, contributions from our diocese were sent to 2 projects that are supported by congregations within our diocese:

A program at St. Mary's Cathedral, Newala in which the church leaders trained last year will conduct public meetings throughout the diocese for education about HIV/AIDS and diagnosis. The request includes funds for refresher training, public meetings and transportation, and diagnostic equipment. Project proposed by All Saints Cathedral, Milwaukee.

A program at St. Francis Anglican Church, Johannesburg, South Africa to develop and pilot a faith-based 12 month support system for young women (15-24) who are HIV positive, pregnant and vulnerable, in order to ensure the good health of the baby and mother and to break the cycle of deprivation. Project proposed by St. Dunstan's, Madison.

It's time again to consider distribution of the 0.7% to projects that work toward the achievement of the MDGs. For more information, please see our Letter to Parishes on the Diocesan website or contact: Deacon Carol Smith at (608) 230-6888 or csmith@carthage.edu .

National Episcopal Health Ministries Conference

This year's National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) Conference will feature two speakers well known to many in the Diocese of Milwaukee: The Rev. Amy Richter (formerly rector at St. Paul's, Milwaukee) and The Rev. Scott Stoner (Executive Director of Samaritan Family Wellness Center in Milwaukee). The conference takes place May 9-11 in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. For details and schedule see conference brochure . Click HERE to register on-line.

The Eleventh Altar Guild Adventure

All Saints' Chapel - Elkhart Lake

The Eleventh Altar Guild Adventure: May 29, 2013 starting at 8:30 am at St. Aidan's, Hartford.

Branchin' out - goin' Up North! The Eleventh Altar Guild Adventure will visit the Diocese of Fond du Lac's cathedral, St. Paul's, as well as Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan. You won't want to miss the special stop at All Saints' Chapel near Elkhart Lake, a charming church in the woods! A visit to St. Simon the Fisherman in the Diocese of Milwaukee at Port Washington will round out the church tours. Gardeners and those who love gardens will enjoy the Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan. Designed for children and all those who love books, the gardens are amazing! Appropriately, we will stop at an English pub in Sheboygan for lunch!

Lunch and the bus are included in the registration cost of $50.00.

Click to open REGISTRATION FORM

The Mecan River Ramblers

Bluegrass Concert

at St. Francis, Memononee Falls

Come for an evening of great music and fun on Saturday, April 20th at 7 pm.

The concert takes place at St. Francis, Menomonee Falls at N84 W16525 Menomonee Ave., Menomonee Falls 53052

The Mecan River Ramblers is Southeast Wisconsin's premier bluegrass band. Adults/$10, children under 10/free. $2 off with donation of a non-perishable food item for the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase during intermission. Get a taste of the Ramblers' music at their website: www.mecanriverramblers.com .

St. Matthew's, Kenosha honors The Rev. Gary Lambert on his retirement

On Sunday, April 21st, St. Matthew's, Kenosha will be honoring The Rev. Gary Lambert on the occasion of his retirement with a celebratory Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon / reception. All are welcome!

St. Matthew's is located at:

5900 Seventh Avenue

Kenosha, WI 53140

www.stmatthewskenosha.net

Commission on Ministry - important dates

Please note the following important dates set by the Commission on Ministry for anybody in ministry discernment, the ordination process, or anybody considering a move in that direction.

MONDAY, APRIL 29th, 10am-2pm: Ordination Interviews with COM and Standing Committee, St. Mary's, Dousman

THURSDAY, MAY 23rd, 5-8:30 pm: Candidacy Interviews with COM and Standing Committee, St. Mary's, Dousman

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th, 7-9 pm: Informational Meeting for those initially inquiring about discernment, St. Dunstan's Middleton OR Trinity Wauwatosa. Please go to whichever meeting location is closest.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3rd, 7-9 pm: Parish Ministry Discernment Committee (PMDC) training, St. Dunstan's, Middleton OR Trinity Wauwatosa. Please go to whichever meeting location is closest.

OCTOBER 18th: This is the Friday before Diocesan Convention and tentatively set for anybody requiring aninterview who is on track for a December diaconal ordination. This meeting date with both COM and SC will be in Milwaukee.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8-9, 6pm Friday through 3 pm Saturday: Ministry Discernment Weekend (MDW) & Postulancy Interviews. Location TBA, but will be in the general Madison area.

Please consult the Discernment Manual on the diocesan website for all information pertaining to the ordination process, paying particular attention to the pertinent checklists. Most of your questions can be answered there. All paperwork and deadlines are the responsibility of the person in process, not the COM or SC. Please keep copies of all paperwork and materials submitted to Nicholson House. In order to facilitate our planning, please e-mail COM President if you plan on attending the informational meeting or other events. If you have any further questions, please e-mail Fr. Scott Seefeldt at skotallen@yahoo.com.

Daughters of the King Spring Assembly

The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) Spring Assembly takes place on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 9am - 3pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, Wauwatosa.

Theme: Ancient Wisdom for Ageless Women: the wisdom of St. Benedict for women of all ages, through the ages". Cost: $12 (includes lunch and program). Registration deadline April 6, 2013.

All women of the diocese are invited to attend! Click HERE for details / registration form.

Renowned Organist to perform free concert at All Saints' Cathedral in honor of Nashotah House anniversary

Clive Driskill-Smith

In celebration of the 170th Anniversary of the founding of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, world renowned organist Clive Driskill-Smith will perform a FREE organ concert at All Saints Episcopal Cathedral in Milwaukee.

The concert is sponsored by Nashotah House and All Saints Cathedral, and begins at 3:00PM on Sunday, April 7th.

Clive Driskill-Smith will perform on The Pepper-Graves Memorial Cathedral Organ. Driskill-Smith is one of the leading organists of his generation, and performs throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. In the UK he has played at the BBC Proms and The Royal Festival Hall. Currently Clive Driskill-Smith serves as Sub-Organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.

All Saints Episcopal Cathedral is located at: 818 East Juneau Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202. A Reception will follow the concert.

Julian Gathering Reconvenes

Julian Gathering Reconvenes Wednesday, April 10th at 7:15 - 9:00 PM at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Madison, WI 53705.

What is a Julian Gathering? A Julian Gathering is open to everyone and you are welcome at all times. We support each other in the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative spirituality. These gatherings are initiated and supported by the Order of Julian of Norwich (www.orderofjulian.org

) and have the quintessentially Anglican writings of Bl. Mother Julian of Norwich at their core. They are for all who want to deepen their life of faith through the practice of contemplative prayer, for beginners as well as those already practicing. Each meeting includes time for contemplative prayer and reading/discussion of Bl. Julian's revelations. Don't worry if you've never practiced silent prayer before, we can set your mind at ease. We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7:15 to 9 PM at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 6205 University Ave., Madison, WI. Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 10. For additional information, contact Susan Fiore: (608) 845-2413 or slfiore@mac.com .

Kate the Great: The Songs and Times of Kate Smith

April 12th at 7:30 pm

St. Matthias Episcopal Church
Corner of Main St. and East Ave.
Waukesha, WI, 53186

Jeanne Scherkenbach, accompanied by Jamie Johns, celebrates the music and life of American legend Kate Smith. Miss Scherkenbach will take you on a musical journey through Kate's career to remind everyone exactly why Kate was Great. Traversing from World War I thru World War II and into the 1950s television variety shows, the program will include many of Miss Smith's signature songs such as "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain", "The White Cliffs of Dover", "I'll Be Seeing You", "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" and, of course, "God Bless America".

This concert is a fund raising event for the music department of St. Matthias. A post concert reception will be included with your admission.

To purchase tickets contact the church office at 262-547-4838. For online ticket sales go to: http://stmatthiasepiscopalchurch.ticketleap.com/

Prices range from $5 - $15 in advance; $10 - $20 at the door.

Christian Formation News & Updates

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.

CAMP WEBB: June 16-21, 2013 - LIVING the ADVENTURE!

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/ . Scholarships are still available.

DIOCESAN MISSION TRIP: JUNE 30-JULY 6, 2013

TO IRVINE, KENTUCKY

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/ .

domseal1 DEACON'S SCHOOL OF FORMATION

Deacon's School of Formation OPENS September 13, 2013 for our first weekend of classes. 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 .

Lenten Lessons & Carols

Join the musicians of St. Paul's Church for a unique and beautiful way to meditate on the mysteries of Lent as we present a service of music, readings and prayer centered on the themes of Lent, our Lord's passion and death.

Our third annual Lenten Lessons & Carols service takes place at St Paul's Church , 914 E. Knapp, Milwaukee 53202, on Saturday, March 23 at 4PM. Music will be provided by the St Paul's Choir and Organist and Music Ministry Director Tim Benson. We invite you to join us for this service of peace and beauty as our Lenten observance draws to a close, and the glory of Easter and our Redemption approaches.

For more information, please contact Mary Beth Haubrich, 414-228-0148 or marybethh@wi.rr.com .

ECW of Province V meeting

The dioceses of Province V

Annual Province V Women's Gathering - April 4-7, 2013 outside of St.Louis. The theme this year is "Gather Us Together". The keynoter will be the Rev. Gay Jennings, President of the General Convention House of Deputies. Workshops include Self-Defense for Women, Meditation and Prayer, Making of a Gather Us Together bracelet and Cleaning with God. There is an opportunity to visit the Missouri Botanical Gardens on Friday morning. The meeting closes with Eucharist on Sunday morning.

Scholarships are available from the Diocese of Milwaukee ECW. For questions contact Connie Ott at cott@chorus.net. For scholarship help contact Val McAuliffe at vmcaul@gmail.com. Please note a correction for the registration blank. The cost of registration with a private room is $375.

more info - registration form

Members of LYRA
Russian choral concert

at St. Dunstan's

LYRA, an a cappella group of five professional vocalists from St. Petersburg, Russia, will present a concert of Russian choral music at St. Dunstan's Church on Saturday, April 6, at 7pm. The first part of the concert, sacred music of Russian Orthodox church, includes works of famous masters and little-known but remarkable Russian composers of the 18th through the 20th centuries. The second part of their program is made up of Russian folk songs: comic, lyric, dancing, love songs. The duration of the concert is about 70 minutes. A donation of $10 is suggested at the door. CDs will be available for sale.This is a unique opportunity to share the enormous Russian musical heritage. Come and enjoy the sounds of Russia as interpreted by real Russians. All the singers are professionals who sing in professional choirs and opera houses in St. Petersburg. To learn more about LYRA and hear a little of their music, visit their website, lyra-online.org,
http://www.lyra-online.org/en/home_en.html

St. Dunstan's is located at 6205 University Ave., Madison, on the border of Middleton and Madison. The entrance to the parking lot is on the south side of University, just west of Allen Blvd.

Update your parish listing on

the National Church website!

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.

Confirmation/Reception

regional service for 2013

To clergy in charge of parishes from

The Rev. Mark Moore (rector, STOC, Greendale):

Do you have people to be received or confirmed this spring? So do I! I have spoken with the Bishop's Office about picking a date and place to hold a regional confirmation/reception service in May. We have selected May 4th at 1:00PM either at the Cathedral or St. Thomas of Canterbury. So here's the question, how many of you have people to be confirmed/received this spring and would like to have a regional service for this. Please let me know at:

414-939-6866 or rector@stocchurch.com .

One more time . . . THANK YOU for forwarding this newsletter to parishioners and others who may be interested and for sending YOUR news/events / photos to info@diomil.org !
See you next week!

Sincerely,

Barb

Barbara Klauber
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee