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 |
All Soul's Youth Event
"Puppets, Saints & Masquerades"
Nov 2-3, 2014 at Zion, Oconomowoc
VORTEX
Nov 23-24, 2013
St. Boniface, Mequon
Womens' Advent Retreat
"Meet Mary"
Nov 9th 9-3
St. Dunstan's, Madison
Women's Lenten Retreat
March 22, 2014
Acolyte Festival
April 5, 2014, Grace, Madison
Camp Webb 2014
Camp Staff Week June 15 -20, 2014
Camp Webb Camp Week
June 22-27, 2014 |
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Camp Webb - An Outdoor Formation Ministry of the Diocese of Milwaukee | |
Camp Webb 2014
June 15-21, 2014 - Staff Week
June 22-27, 2014 Campers' Week
Registration Begins December 15, 2013!
For more information go to http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/camp-webb/
Follow us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/CampWebbWisconsin?ref=hl |
| 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 .
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Find us on Facebook!
Visit us on the web at |
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| Fall Diocesan YOUTH Event! Nov 2-3, 2013 |
 All Souls' Youth Event!
November 2-3, 2013
Begins Sat, Nov 2 @ 9AM
Ends Sun, Nov 3 following the 9 AM worship service @ Zion Episcopal Church, Oconomowoc (135 Rockwell Place)
This will be our Diocesan FALL YOUTH Event!
It's an opportunity to deepen teens' understanding of and engagement with one of the great feasts of the church!
Saturday:
- Build Life-Size Puppets
- Meet new friends or catch up with other friends
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Learn about the connection of Halloween & the Feast of All Souls - Attend the Fancy Dress Dinner
Sunday:
- Lead the Sunday morning worship at Zion Episcopal Church using Puppet Ministry
Cost is $25.00 payable to Diocese of Milwaukee; Memo: Youth
Remit to Rev. Carla McCook, 804 E. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
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VORTEX -
Did You like Happening - You'll Love VORTEX! |
VORTEX
What is vortex?
Vortex is a weekend for 8-12th grade students. It is led by youth for youth.
During this weekend experience, participants examine and explore their
relationship with God and each other through singing, discussions, and mini
sermons from people who have experienced the weekend themselves. This is
an unforgettable, life-changing event full of new friendships and discoveries.
How much does this cost?
The weekend is $40 a person, which covers food for the weekend, a t-shirt, and
bible. Scholarships are available if needed.
When and where?
Vortex will take place at St. Boniface Episcopal Church (3906 W. Mequon Rd.,
Mequon, WI 53092). Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. on November 23rd, and
conclude on Sunday, November 24th, with a church service at 10:00 a.m.
Participants must attend the entire event. Family and friends are welcome to
come to the closing Eucharist.
What to bring?
Sleeping bag and pillow (we'll be sleeping on the floor so feel free to bring an
air mattress or sleeping pad).
What not to bring?
Electronics, pets, illegal drugs, weapons, alcohol, cigarettes, cell phones.
Any questions please call
St. Boniface at 262-242-2994 |
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Children's Ministry Symposium |
"We are pleased to send this information on the upcoming Children's Ministry Symposium taking place here at Nashotah House September 27-28, 2013 (Friday evening and all day Saturday).
The thrust of the teaching and discussion will centre on fostering children's spirituality through a more catechetical approach rather than a merely content driven Sunday School. The Presenters will be Dr. Leslie Thyberg, who specializes in pedagogy with children, and Mrs. Shelley Buchan, who is a second tier certified Instructor in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. In view of their experience, passion, and hearts for the Lord as well as for children, we heartily commend them to you.
This event would be appropriate for Sunday School teachers, clergy, seminary students and any who volunteer with children in religious contexts. It would serve those just getting started as well as those seeking opportunities for continuing ed. Additionally, it can also be taken as a 1-credit module in Pastoral Ministry. The cost of the symposium, for non-credit, is $125.
Below you will find the link to our website where you can find more information and register (at the bottom of the page). The cost for this symposium includes all meals, Instruction and handouts. Additionally, should you need it, there are a number of economical options for lodging at nearby hotels. Some limited scholarship funds are available. Should you require assistance feel free to contact me "Fr. Jack Gabig" <jgabig@nashotah.edu> |
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Women's Advent Retreat |
Annual Pre-Advent Retreat for women of the diocese of Milwaukee and their friends -
Spend a day with Mary
Saturday - November 9
9 am to 3 pm
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church
6205 University Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin 53726
Retreat leader: The Rev. Anna Doherty
Registration
Name______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
Phone_______________________________
E-mail______________________________________________
Parish______________________________________________
Dietary restrictions:____________________________________
Cost: $25 [Includes retreat and lunch]
Please make checks payable to ECW-Diocese of Milwaukee
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Send registrations to: Connie Ott
7995 Shagbark Cir., Cross Plains, WI 53528 |
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A Sunday School Lesson in Diversity | |
Fruit Salad Theology
From The Rev. Gigi Conner, Priest in Charge, St. Alban's Church, St. Pete Beach, Florida
Purpose of this exercise:
To help children learn to recognize and honor differences
Help children get to know others in church through group exercise Theological Implications: God made humankind and saw that it was good. Each of us is a unique individual, created and loved by God.
Supplies Needed: as many different types of fruit as you can get -try to include a Kiwi berry; paper cups and plastic spoons-- 1 for each participant; large mixing bowl; plastic knives, regular knives, mixing spoons, paper towels.
Lesson Directions:
Have everyone wash hands. Make sure all supplies listed above are on table. Make sure any adults present participate also - no sitting on the sidelines watching.
1. Hold each fruit up, ask children to describe what they see. Include the point that each fruit looks different - size, shape, color, smell, skin type.
2. Cut each fruit open. Pass around. Again encourage children to talk about differences in smell, texture, etc. Bring into conversation the fact that the inside of the fruit is different from the outside, and usually a surprise, especially the Kiwi berry.
3. Tell a child that each fruit of and by itself is wonderful. Each one is different on the outside, and a wonderful surprise on the inside. And, when all the fruit is mixed together, it becomes even better; it becomes a yummy fruit salad.
4. Then say this is how we are as human beings. Each one of us is different, and made in image of God. We are different colors and textures on the outside (get people to name all the ways we can be different on the outside). Each one of us is a surprise on the inside. We don't know what a person is like until we get to know them. We can never decide who someone is or what they believe just from looking at them.
5. Each one of us, all by ourselves, is a wonderfully unique creation. Like the fruit, we look one way on the outside and are a surprise on the inside. And, like the fruit, when we are all put together, we are even better because we become a community. We are strengthened by our differences. Each person ads a bit of 'spice' to the mix.
6. Have children make the fruit salad and then eat it. Little children can pull apart grapes or use plastic knives to cut up bananas.
7. Clean up together. |
| Camp Webb - A Letter from a Staff Member |
A Reflection About Camp from Staff Member: Josh Fuher
When I was asked to write this article about my experience with camp, it took a while for me to gather everything I wanted to say, almost to the deadline as it were. But I know how important this experience has been to me over the past several years, and it's time a small piece of my admiration towards it was brought out.
First on the agenda, is what did I get out of it? And there's no short answer. As future educator I can say I got great experience working with youths, their likes to better connect with them, their mindset to know how young people think about anything and everything as wells as how they approach life, and how I can better prepare myself and them to take this ever changing world head-on. I got more out of them than that though. I got to see how these young people experience faith, from their view-points, their approach, and their general understanding even. It gave me perspective on my own faith, and as I absorbed something from them, I like to think over the past four years I've said my piece on my own approach on how to experience God, love, dedication, and community that they've taken very positive moments from it. I've seen faces light up during moments of clarity - be it how they saw God, saw how to treat each other, or even saw how to treat life in general. To interact with young people with such a safe and wholesome time, to discuss some of the biggest questions, the moment can't be described, it transcends my current vocabulary, but it becomes a moment in life that's altering towards a personal and spiritual betterment.
I originally approached the opportunity for camp, because it was my chance to work with young men and women in a fun and safe environment. It would give us a chance to learn about faith from not only various spectrums of our shared religion, but also the experience. My desire came from the need to help and see development in those that will lead us. In the camp community we're surrounded by role models - even the counselors. These role models, of which I like to think I was a positive one, learned from each other, and all made the most prominent choice that our main role was what's most important is how to approach our faith. The result was joyous children to young adults who came to understand better what it means to be a family of God, and not just the benefits, but also the responsibility it comes with, which was followed by enthusiasm, and that shared enthusiasm is what always made me come back.
Some day when I have kids, I'm hoping to give them the same opportunity that my campers have had. They'll have the opportunity to pray together one moment, and canoeing the next. They'll show a great joy in singing "You are my All in All" followed by Smores around the campfire. They will able to learn what it truly means to be a child of God as their counselors encourage them to be a impactful member of our faith community as they share stories in their bunks.
So, being a camp counselor was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I can tell you it wasn't money that made me come back every year. It was being able to inspire those who are looking for answers from God at various times in their life, and showing them how to reach the answers God has set out for us. Inspiring others to believe in what truly matters, and what truly will make a difference.
Josh Fuher |
| Safeguarding God's Children & Safeguarding God's People In-Class Trainings and On-line | |
Safeguarding God's Children
We are changing the way we schedule trainings this fall to hosting regional trainings in place of scheduling trainings on an as needed basis. We want to be proactive and resourceful in these trainings for the diocese. Regional trainings allow us to plan the dates for trainings in advance for calendar planning.
2013-2014 Training Sites and Dates:
October 5, 2013: 9 - Noon - at Nashotah House
February 22, 2014, 9- Noon - two places, same time! Madison Area: St. Dunstan's; Milwaukee Area: Trinity, Wauwatosa.
Register ONLINE to attend any one of these 3 options! http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/safeguarding-gods-people-misconduct-prevention-training/
ONLINE SGC and SGP CLASSES INFORMATION:
SGC is also available for renewal of certificate on-line!
Safeguarding God's People (SGP) is ONLY ONLINE. http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/safeguarding-gods-people-misconduct-prevention-training/
NEW Online Course: For VBS and Day Camp Staff
If you or your parish is leading a VBS or hosting a Day Camp (non-overnight camp) your staff can now take the Safeguarding Training Online! We are one of the first dioceses to make this training available. http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/safeguarding-gods-people-misconduct-prevention-training/
Online registrations are always done on or before the 20th of each month. Online course certificates are sent out on the 30th of each month.
You can always visit our website, www.diomil.org to view Master List of Attendees, Know Who's Required to take these trainings, and more information. |
| Back Ground Checks made easier and with a Discount.... |
Background Checks - It's Time to do them!
All church employees must have a background check. It is highly suggested that non-stipendiary employees have background checks, especially those who oversee or have direct contact with children, teens, or the homebound.
And you can get everything you need from IntelliCorp.
Register Today: Put the following link into your browser:
http://www.intellicorp.net/marketing/RegisterNow.aspx
Complete the 1st page of the registration process and enter Promotion Code DOM.
Call or Learn More:
IntelliCorp Sales
Toll-Free: 800-539-3717
sales@intellicorp.net |
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Awesome New Reads! | |
Title: Hold Fast
Author: Blue Balliett
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: March 1, 2013
ISBN: 9780545299886
Audience: Ages 8 and up
Summary: The Pearl family-Dashel, Summer, Early, and Jubilation-live in a one room apartment and dream and save for the day when they can have a house. Dash works as a library page sharing with his family his love for words and poetry. He does extra work processing and transporting old books to a book seller to make money for this dream house. From one of these boxes Dash removes The First Book of Rhythms by Langston Hughes, paying a fair price for it to Al, who brings him the boxes. Then one day Dash disappears leaving on the street his notebook of words, his bike, and the groceries. The police treat this as the normal disappearance of an irresponsible man but his family knows something has happened. The next day four masked people break into their apartment, destroying its cheerful order while they take all their books. Early has been reading the Hughes book and the thieves do not realize they have missed it. With the door to their apartment broken and no money, three Pearls are forced to move to a homeless shelter where such things as doing laundry, making a phone call, finding privacy, and taking a bath are continuous challenges. Colds and flu love shelters. Early finds help from one of Dash's favorite high school teachers and returns to the library to investigate his disappearance. The First Book of Rhythms has a part in the solution of this mystery. Resourceful Early starts a campaign to reclaim abandoned houses for the homeless before Dash finally returns to them.
Literary elements at work in the story: The author and her characters are in love with words-definitions, etymology, a table of contents of single syllable words, and poetry demonstrate their importance. It's a suspenseful mystery with characters that claim respect and attention. Page layout is part of the books charm. The book's title, Hold Fast, comes from a Hughes' poem, "Dreams."
How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? Poverty is the major character in this story, the context for all the events. Race is not mentioned although the book cover indicates this is an African-American family. Neither Summer nor Dash has more than a high school education but their daily engagement with poetry and words defies the stereotype of poor and ignorant. The reaction of the police and the community to Dash's disappearance was a stereotypical response to the disappearance of a poor black man and discouraged any effort to find Dash.
Theological Conversation Partners: Hold Fast , in addition to entertaining the reader, will do two things: it will present a vivid picture of life in a homeless shelter and it will introduce her/him to the poetry of Langston Hughes. Balliett says that at the close of the school year in 2012 there were 30,000 homeless children in Chicago. She suggests that you count out 30 pennies; pretend each has a name; now make 1,000 groups of 30. It makes homelessness come to life. One missed pay check makes life in a shelter the only option. This story is about a strong family that survives. The family goes to church about twice a year, Early, the daughter volunteers; actually this is no indication of faith. Hughes' The First Book of Rhythms functions as their Bible and his poems about dreams keep Early's hopes alive. But this is a story that Christians should read for it will open the world of homelessness to us and will highlight the wonder of words for those who believe "In the beginning was the WORD."
Faith Talk Questions:
- The author tells us that the most treasured things the Pearl family owned were invisible. What were some of them? What are the most treasured things that your family owns that are invisible?
- What impression do you have of the Pearl family as you read about them in the first few chapters before Dash disappears.
- Try to imagine what it would be like to have your shelter home destroyed and all income stopped. Where would you go? What would you do?
- What are some difficulties with living in a shelter?
- Sum and Early find kind and helpful people in different situations through this story. Who are they? Where are they? How do they help?
- Early finds Langston Hughes' emphasis on rhythms comforting. How did it affect her feeling about the shelter?
- Who are friends that Jubie and Early make at the Helping Hand Shelter? What are some of the problems with making friends there?
- What do Hughes' dream poems prompt Early to do?
- How do the students at the new school accept children from the shelter?
- Is there a homeless shelter in your community? What do you know about it. Does your church help to support it? Do you know the number of homeless people in your community?
- What responsibilities do Christians have for families who are homeless?
http://storypath.upsem.edu/hold-fast/ For more information or to see other reviews
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What is new in Christian Formation? | |
What's new in Christian Formation?
Webbster, the Camp Webb mascot is traveling with me everywhere I go to re-introduce Camp to a new generation of campers! You can follow Webbster's weekly travels on the Camp Webb Facebook page.
Alexander Lempke has joined the diocesan staff as an intern from the Diocese of Milwaukee Episcopal Service Corp. His primary goal will be working with us to help us use our tools of communication to an even greater extent. Please welcome Alexander if you are by Nicholson House.
As you've already read in the earlier portion of this newsletter there is the upcoming diocesan Youth Event, All Souls Youth Event. This is going to be an amazing weekend of "ghost" stories, making life sized puppets, creating drama and storytelling and celebrating together with a Fancy Dress dinner! You don't want to miss out on this "spooktacular" weekend. Register today on our website on the Youth page!
If you've missed Happening in our diocese, well then, you don't want to miss going to the VORTEX weekend at St. Boniface. St. Boniface youth created and developed this weekend for youth led by youth! Register through St. Boniface, information in their box above.
Deacons' Formation School completed our first weekend of this academic year at DeKoven Center, Racine. A fantastic beginning! Thank you for the prayer and financial support we've been receiving. Join us for worship on our Saturdays at 5pm in the St. Mary Chapel at DeKoven.
Many parishes have been working hard to get teachers and vestry trained in our Safeguarding programs. Register online at the diocesan website on the Safeguarding page for both classes and online programs. And don't forget to do those background checks! See the information for IntelliCorp above if you have paid/volunteer directors or youth leaders or staff who need background checks.
Watch for our October edition which will have resources and ideas for the Season of Advent. |
| 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 . We love to receive the "before" announcements and also the "What Happened" after the event. ALL ARTICLES MUST BE IN NO LATER THAN THE 7TH OF EVERY MONTH. Next CF E-News, August 2013. Thank you for your ministry, for your commitment to Christian Formation, and for sharing your gifts with the church. |
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Website, Facebook, Blogs and Twitter.
OH YEAH! | |
The Diocesan Website is www.diomil.org
Feedback is vital to our staff so we can continue to improve the website and keep it current!
IN-FORMATION BLOG is mccookblog.wordpress.com.
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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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,
and sustain 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 at Convention, and 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 he tries 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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