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In This Issue
Diocesan Fall Youth Event
VORTEX
Womens' Advent Retreat
A Sunday Lesson in Diversity
Camp Webb
Safeguarding God's Children
IntelliCorp
New Reads!
Carla's Corner
Send In Your Articles
Websites, Facebook, and Twitter. OH MY!
Christian Formation Staff
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

Camp Webb - An Outdoor Formation Ministry of the Diocese of Milwaukee

Camp Webb logo

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
Join Our Mailing List! 
 
 
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Visit us on the web at
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 and catch up with long time friends
  • Learn about the connection of Halloween & the Feast of All Souls
  • Wear your Fancy Dress for our Fancy Feast 5 Course Dinner

Sunday:

  • Assist in leading the Sunday morning worship at Zion Episcopal Church using Puppet Ministry

Registration Deadline: October 25th!

Cost is $25.00 payable to Diocese of Milwaukee; Memo: Youth

Remit to Rev. Carla McCook, 804 E. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202

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

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

Family Skate Park Project, Portage

The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus and sent him into the wilderness. Some days that is how we feel when we find ourselves involved in a community project that seems to be on the bottom of the list of supporters.

I have found myself volunteering on The Portage Family Skate Park Project in Portage, WI. There have been a minority of youth and adults in Portage who Skateboard and would like a Skate Park to be built in Portage. But they have been a minority and there have been other projects that have always taken precedence. As result some children who were unable to get to communities where there were/are skate board parks made poor choices. As a result all skateboarders were labeled as troublemakers and other children who didn't skate board went to their gathering places and vandalized what they were attempting to build and this is part of the reason we've had trouble getting a safe neighborhood Skate Park built.

After praying about this problem I found myself accepting a request to serve on the committee. Since then we have earned the cooperation of the City of Portage Council, the Portage Police Department and the local Kiwanis Organization. We are now gaining support from the schools and hope to gain support from local churches as well. Our efforts were recognized by the Tony Hawk foundations who gave us an early $5000 challenge grant! These are all good things, but the truth is we could use more grants and/or donations to assist us with this project.

When I spoke with a young person who truly loves skateboarding, (Jr. High age) he said this to me: 'Everybody hates skateboarders.' I reassured him this isn't true and encouraged him to do everything possible to work on this project and help inspire his other skateboarding friends to do the same.

The State Median Average Income of families living in Portage is less than the State Median Average. That is why I believe we need both spiritual and practical help from the Church. Sometimes support coming from outside of a community can inspire those who live within the community in need. I have three requests:

  1. I am asking that you would consider praying for The Portage Family Skate Park Project on a daily basis.
  2. I am also asking if you know of any grants The Portage Family Skate Park Project might qualify for if you would please notify The Portage Family Skate Park Project.
  3. If you feel personally called to donate to the Project please go to http://portageskatepark.org

Thank you,   June G. Paul

[email protected]

Camp Webb - A Reflection from a 2013 Camper
Camp Webb logoA Reflection About Camp from a 2013 Camper 

 

Hi, I'm Kristin. I've been a camper at Camp Webb for two summers now, 2012 and 2013. Camp was a really good experience. The theme this past summer was Living the Adventure; Living Compass. I learned more about God, and about how to care for my body, mind, heart and soul. My favorite daily activity was the camp fires and activities and singing at campfires and singing grace by the bell tower. My favorite game was GaGa Ball - a game played with a ball, many players and played inside a pit - awesome fun! I liked going to the farm this year. I enjoyed waterfront time because I got to play in the water with my friends. Before we get to swim we have to pass a swim test and always swim with a buddy. The lifeguards call buddy checks during our swim time. I'm looking forward to going back to camp this summer and see my friends and make new friends. If you're a new kid - you should really come to camp. It is really fun. I'll get to see you there. PS - I have an older brother who goes to camp too.

 

 

Camp Webb 2014 - Staff Week June 15-21; Camp June 22-27

Safeguarding God's Children & Safeguarding God's People In-Class Trainings and On-line
safeguarding picture

Safeguarding God's Children

  

2013-2014 Training Sites and Dates:

October 26, 2013: 9 - Noon - St. Christopher's, River Hills

 

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 TRAINING 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.

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Register Today: Put the following link into your browser:

 

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Complete the 1st page of the registration process and enter Promotion Code DOM.

 

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News Books in the Resource Center

The New Interpreter's Handbook of Preaching, Paul Scott, editor. 

     This scholarly and pracitcal reference tool includes articles by homileticians, preachers, and writers on every facet of Christian sermon prepartation and delivery. It focuses on the most distinctive feature and greatest strength of homiletics as a discipline. It's rooted in interdisciplinary scholarship and develops theory geared to practice. The guiding question throughout is: Will it preach?

 

Preaching Essentials a Practical Guide, Lenny Luchetti.

     Offers new and seasoned preachers a comprehensive, practical perspective on preaching to a new generation. Short, eay-to-read chapters cover topics like the rationale for preaching, importance of context, process of preparation, mechanics development of a growth plan. Includes fresh insights - like using story, imagination, and mind-mapping - and ways to reenergize your preaching.

 

Church Worth Getting UP For, Charles E. Gutenson.

     They are playing soccer, shopping, visiting museums, meeting friends for breakfast. They have reasons to get up on Sunday morning, but they're not getting up for church. Meet ten church leaders who offer insights from their own experience. Instead of tips on how to dress up what you've already got, to make it more appealing, this book will challenge you to make church worth getting up for.

 

Should We Change Our Game Plan? From Traditional or Contemporary to Missional and Strategic, George G. Hunter, III

     We can continue following rules that no longer apply, or we can craft a new game plan. This book lays out a radically new approach, showing a clear picture of where we are now, the new rules, and four critical aspects of church life we must evaluate and reshape, if we are to fulfill Christ's mission in this new age.

 

Get Their NAME, Grow Your Church by Building New Relationships, Bob Farr, Doug Anderson, and Kay Kotan

     You are probably targeting the wrong people with your "evangelism" efforts, operating a model that no longer works becouase it is too passive, and focused in the wrong direction. Discover the ways most churches unwittingly misdirect their reach into the community, and learn how to change the habits of leaders and congregations, so that invitation is natural, constant, genuine, and easy.

 

Leadership Excellence, Pat Williams with Jim Denney.

     Learn the essential skills to help your people achieve, in whatever setting you serve. This book draws lessons from leaders of history to the present - in business, sports, religion, school, the military, or politics - to distill great principles that apply to leaders of any age, background, and setting.

 

Youth Mininstry - What's Gone Wrong and How to Get It Right, David Olshine.

     Increasingly, young people are biblically illiterate, and find the church to be irrelevant. And high school and college students are leaving the church in droves. What on earth has gone wrong? This book shines a revealing light on standard youth ministry practices, and helps the reader see what needs to change.

 

COMING SOON:

Joy Boosters 120 Ways to Encourage Older Adults, Missy Buchanan

 

NEXT Surviving a Leadership Transition, Marvin A. Moss

 

Carla's Corner: "A Change is as Good as a Rest."

      The title for this months' Corner is from one of my favorite (but old) BBC comedies, Are You Being Served?

     In this episcode the staff of the men and women's department are made to work for one week in the toy department because Mr. Grace thinks that the change will do them good and give them a rest.

      The problems begin, for the staff, when they take their traditional ways of running the men/women's department and try to apply those same rules to running the toy department. They argue about who is selling which items, instead of working as a full team to sell all the items in the new department, thereby raising everyone's commission.

      How often do we find this same approach happening today? A change can be as a good as a rest, if we see the change as a new opportunity not just a challenge to overcome. Opportunity can offer time for a new way of looking at things, a new and creative means of doing things. It can be a risk taking time, an uncertain time, an "I'm not overly comfortable and confident" time.

      I'm happy to report that by the end of the 25minute sitcom it seems as though the staff have learned to work in new ways together, and even play games together in the toy department. (They're having so much fun they don't want to go home).

      Think of the last time you were working at something and having so much fun you didn't want to go home. When and where were you?

Send your articles into the Christian Formation E-News 
If you have formation news, events, or resources that you Email
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 [email protected] . 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.  

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.

 

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and our Twitter feed is here: Follow us on Twitter

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.

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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 [email protected] or (414)272-3028 ext 116.  

 

 

 

 

RegsThe 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 [email protected]  or (262)827-9378.

The Rev. Carla McCook
Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation
The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
[email protected]
www.diomil.org
414-272-3028 x116

The Rev. Deacon REGS Scheeler
Bishop's Deacon for Christian Formation
The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
414-378-7390