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 Bishop Miller expresses appreciation to Diocese of MilwaukeeIt has been my privilege to serve as Bishop of Milwaukee for ten years now. To all who attended the garden party at All Saints' Cathedral on October 19th celebrating the tenth anniversary of my consecration -- thank you! To all who worked so hard on the garden party preparations (and clean-up!) please know how much your efforts were appreciated. Finally, to all in the Diocese of Milwaukee, thank you for the privilege of serving with you as together we seek to spread and live out the Gospel message in southern Wisconsin.
The Rt. Rev. Steven Andrew Miller
Bishop of Milwaukee
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Help the Hospitality Center make a difference
 The Hospitality Center, a ministry of the Diocese of Milwaukee at St. Luke's, Racine, is holding an open house from 8am on Saturday,December 7 to 8am Sunday, December 8, 2013. Walking tours (30 minutes in length) of the Center at 9am, 12 pm, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm will give visitors a chance to see and hear how the homeless survive in our midst.
This is the Center's primary fundraiser and Thrivent Federal Credit Union has generously agreed to match financial contributions received, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. You can help by sending a check payable to Hospitality Center to The Hospitality Center, P. O. Box 250972, Milwaukee, WI 53225. Checks may also be dropped off at the Center during the 24-hour fundraising event.
Donations of bottled water, ground coffee, non-perishable food items, hats, mittens, gloves, socks, coats, etc. are also needed and will be gratefully received.
Your support of the Hospitality Center's 24-hour fundraiser will allow the Hospitality center to continue caring for those who are hungry, thirsty, tired, cold, ignored, passed by and too often forgotten.
Questions? Contact the Center's director, The Rev. Kevin Stewart at clerickevin@me.com or (414) 405-5619.
The Hospitality Center's location is 614 Main Street, Racine, WI 53403.
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 "Ask A Theologian" is back! The Rev. Wayne Fehr publishes new book answering questions about the Christian faith
Tracing the Contours of Faith is a collection of brief essays written in response to specific questions about the Christian faith-vision of reality. It is addressed to Christian believers who are feeling the ambiguities and challenges of a life of faith. Many of them are uncertain about the meaning of the faith which they profess. The familiar words that they hear in sermons and prayers seem to belong to a reality far removed from the actual world they live in. They need to discover a meaning that seems related to their own life experience and their general knowledge of the world.
To meet this kind of need, Dr. Fehr wrote between 1999 and 2006 a monthly column called "Ask A Theologian" for the newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. Readers were invited to send in specific questions about the beliefs, doctrines and practices of the Church, and he would attempt to answer them.
This material was originally written for members of the Episcopal Church, but most of it is equally relevant to Christians of other traditions. The author has selected the best of these columns and revised them for publication in the belief that they are worth preserving and making available to a wider readership.
Wayne Fehr has been a priest for many years. He is also an academic theologian with a doctoral degree in systematic theology from Yale University. These two vocational commitments-as priest and as theologian-have come together for him in a life-long involvement with the interpretation of Christian faith for the benefit of his fellow believers. At present he serves as Priest Associate at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wauwatosa.
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Surviving mural at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port-au-Prince
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Bishop Miller joins with Presiding Bishop to ask assistance for people of Haiti rebuilding their earthquake-damaged cathedral
In her letter asking Episcopalians to aid the people of the Diocese of Haiti in their struggle to rebuild their earthquake damaged cathedral, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori notes that "Many Episcopalians, particularly in the United States part of our Church, have wondered aloud about the priority of building a cathedral when a number of Haitians are still hungry, un-housed, and without funds to send their children to school. Yet the people of Haiti are asking for this Cathedral. It is their priority." Bishop Miller explains in his letter supporting the Presiding Bishop's appeal, "The Cathedral Church of our largest diocese is much more than a center of worship. It is a center of ministry and a sign of presence."
Please take a few moments to read both Bishop Miller's letter and the Presiding Bishop's letter. They are available in a combined pdf document by clicking here. |
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS & etc.
 Trinity, Wauwatosa hosts Bach Chamber Choir's presentation of "Evensong" on Nov. 8th
The Bach Chamber Choir presents Evensong at 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2013 at Trinity Episcopal Church which is located at 1717 Church Street, Wauwatosa.
 Trinity, Janesville hosts "Pipe Dreams" Organ Concert
Sunday, November 10, 2013 from 2:00pm - 3:30 pm. at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 409 East Court Street in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Jane-Dries Syme, organist, invites you to an afternoon of beautiful music. Joining her are soloists Ken Regez & Madelynn Schultz; organ soloist, Anne Wanke. The afternoon's MC is Phillip Becker. There is no cost for this event but we ask you bring a non-perishable food item for the ECHO pantry. A free-will offering will also be taken and appreciated. Questions, phone Jane Syme at 608-757-9161.
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 DeKoven Center Events and Retreats
"Second Tuesdays" at The DeKoven Center begin with coffee and conversation at 10 AM in Taylor Hall, with the feature presentation following at 10:30 AM followed by a celebration of the Eucharist at Noon. The November 12, 2013 "Second Tuesday" will present The Rev. Tom Montgomery-Fate talking about his book "Cabin Fever: a Suburban Father's Search for the Wild" which he wrote partially here in DeKoven's Taylor Hall. Tom Montgomery-Fate is the author of five books of nonfiction, including Beyond the White Noise (1997), a collection of essays, Steady and Trembling (2005), a spiritual memoir, and Cabin Fever (2011), a nature memoir.
His essays have appeared in The Chicago Tribune,The Boston Globe, The Baltimore Sun, Orion, and the Iowa Review. They also regularly air on National Public Radio and Chicago Public Radio.  The DeKoven Center Silent Advent Retreat on November 22-24, 2013 features Canon Katherine Clark. The Retreat begins Friday at 5 PM with a reception followed by dinner and Compline. Silence ends at Sunday's brunch.
Suggested donation is $200 for the retreat.
To register for DeKoven events, contact Julia Peyton at 262, 633-6401 ext. 101 or email jpeyton@dekovencenter.org.
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 Ordination of Eleven Priests in Diocese of Newala
Our companion diocese of Newala will be ordaining ELEVEN deacons to the priesthood on November 20, 2013 and they ask us to remember them in our prayers. Those being ordained by Bishop Oscar Mnunga are:
1. Deacon Andrea M. Juma from Newala (Sponsored by the diocese of Hereford)
2. Deacon Kulwa Mahelela from Newala (Sponsored by the diocese of Hereford)
3. Deacon Daniel Mkangand'a from Newala (Sponsored by the R.M.S.A.)
4 .Deacon Geofrey Ndedya from Newala (Sponsored by the R.M.S.A.)
5. Deacon George Mummelele from Newala (Sponsored by the R.M.S.A.)
6. Deacon Thomas Akupita from Newala (Sponsored by the R.M.S.A.)
7. Deacon franco Asili from Mnyambe(Sponsored by St.Michael Bramhall)
8. Deacon Stephen Milanzi from Mwitika
9. Deacon Frank Mrope Mwiko from Mpeta
10 .Deacon Donald Nawa from Mpeta ( Sponored by the diocese of Hereford)
11 Deacon Adolf Masonga from Mpeta
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 Clergy Team at St. James' in West Bendby The Rev. Cathy Milliken
In the immortal words of Monty Python: "And now for something completely different..." At St. James' in West Bend, it's not only different, it's new and, to the best of our collective knowledge, has never been done before. This "something" is the parish's new clergy team.
Three years ago, St. James' was faced with the challenge of calling a new rector. Always a daunting task, the search process was even more difficult due to financial constraints. In short, the parish simply could not afford to hire a new, full-time priest. What to do?
Eventually, the solution came into focus. With full and much-appreciated support from Bishop Miller and Canon Peggy Bean, the Bishop's assistant for congregational development, St. James'-West Bend embarked on an entirely new model of parish ministry and leadership using a team approach. read more
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 | Canon Garvey
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Homosexuality, Theology, and the Bible: A day with Canon Victoria Lynn Garvey
Last summer our church's General Convention approved for trial usage a provisional rite to bless same sex unions. This summer the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. Currently, thirteen states and the District of Columbia legally recognize same-sex marriage. In many of our churches there are interesting discussions going on about these issues. Have you ever wondered what people mean when they talk about what "the Bible says" about issues of homosexuality?
Have you ever wondered what Jesus said about homosexuality? Have you ever wondered how our Baptismal promise to "seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves" applies to people who are gay or lesbian? Have you wondered what the Episcopal Church has to say about gay and lesbians to gays and lesbians?
This is a day to bring your questions, an open mind, and a willingness to learn, to explore and to share. Please plan to
spend the whole day if you come.
Where: St. Christopher's Episcopal Church (there is ample parking) located at 7845 North River Road, River Hills, WI 53217.
When: November 16, 2013 from 9:30AM to 3:00PM
Cost: $20 to cover the cost of lunch and materials
Register: Fill out the slip below with a $20 check made out to St. Christopher's with "Garvey" in the memo line. more info
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Newala, the Diocese of Milwaukee's companion diocese, reports that the tractor purchased with assistance from individuals and parishes in the Diocese of Milwaukee, is up and running and doing the work for which it was long needed: collecting cashew nuts, plowing, and other farming tasks.
On a related note, the collection at the Eucharist which closed the Diocese of Milwaukee's annual Convention on October 19th was earmarked for the Diocese of Newala. Bishop Miller's assistant, Patty Jaffke, reports that the collection totaled $2796.56. To all who gave so generously -- THANK YOU!
Newala is located in Tanganyika in East Africa.
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 Be an Academic Mentor: Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
Our Next Generation's Homework Club Academic Mentors get to have FUN while influencing the future of a young child! Here is what they have to say at 88.9 Radio Milwaukee. You can be a part of a team that engages students in academic activities. Each session you will help 'your' student with homework and participate in a structured literacy program. As a volunteer, you will be matched with an elementary-aged child to work one-on-one with 'your' student while building a lasting and meaningful relationship.
Academic mentors are needed Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, OR Thursdays from 5 - 6 PM at our Neighborhood Center located on the corner of 35th and Lisbon Avenue. Currently 25 students each night are without an Academic Mentor.
Please contact Our Next Generation to start making a difference in a child's life! After School Program Volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application, pass a background check, and attend an orientation prior to beginning service. The time commitment is 3-5 hours per month.
Click HERE for more information about Our Next Generation. Contact Codi Alger at 414-344-2111 or calger@ongkids.org.
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Episcopal Relief & Development offers matching gifts through December 6, 2013!Episcopal Relief & Development is launching a special opportunity to strengthen its work and mission of healing a hurting world. During the 2013 Matching Gift Challenge, taking place between October 1 and December 6, all donations to Episcopal Relief & Development will be doubled! Thanks to a group of very generous supporters who have pledged $500,000 in matching funds, the impact of gifts of any size - online, via mail or by phone - will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to that amount.
To have your gift matched, simply make a donation between now and December 6. Click HERE to donate online, or call 1.855.312.HEAL (4325). Gifts can also be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
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Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of The Episcopal Church and an independent 501(c)(3) organization.Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners to help rebuild after disasters and to empower local communities to find lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
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You are invited to attend the next Madison area  Julian Gathering on November 13th
Madison-Area Julian Gathering
Wednesday, November 13, 7:15 - 9:00 PM
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church
6205 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
Who is Julian of Norwich, and why are people gathering to learn about her? Julian was a 15th Century English mystic and anchoress. [What's an anchoress? In the Middle Ages, certain women and men chose to live a life intensely devoted to prayer permanently enclosed in a small room, called an anchorhold, attached to a parish church.] Little is known about Julian's life, but she wrote a book, as far as we know the first in English written by a woman, about a series of revelations which opened her to the depths of God's unconditional love for us in Jesus Christ. Nearly forgotten for 600 years, Julian's insights and gentle wisdom are becoming ever more widely known and appreciated. Thomas Merton called her "the greatest theologian for our time."
Julian prayed often in silence, and at a Julian Gathering 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). They are open to 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, fellowship, and reading/discussion of Julian's book. At the beginning of each meeting, brief instruction on the practice of contemplative prayer is offered. We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7:15 to 9 PM. For additional information, contact Susan Fiore at (608) 845-2413 or slfiore@mac.com.
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 Trustees of Funds & Endowments offer endowment possibilities to parishes
The Diocese of Milwaukee Trustees of Funds and Endowments would like to talk with parishes about the ways in which endowments can assist them to maintain their mission and ministry -- and how establishing an endowment is not an impossibility for any parish . . . the Trustees have options they would especially like to discuss with parishes that think they are too small and their budgets too tight to permit them to think about starting an endowment fund.Read the Trustees' letter by clicking HERE .
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 VORTEX Weekend for youth November 23-24
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.
Vortex will take place at St. Boniface Episcopal Church (3906 W. Mequon Road, 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. Cost $40 scholarships available. For more info see St. Boniface website or call parish at (262) 242-2994.
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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
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