On behalf of the Diocese of Newala & the Bishop of Newala, I take this opportunity to thank you very much for funding us to purchase the two laptops, modem & photocopy machine for the Diocese.  One laptop is for the Bishop and the other one is under my control and I am using it now. I say thank you very much. Health services at Lulindi are going on very well especially after we have started surgery. The flow of patients is very high. We even get patients from Mozambique.

(Note:  equipment for the health services clinic were purchased with funding from a 2011 United Thank Offering (UTO) grant.

An Epiphany Message from  

Bishop Steven Miller

(written 07 January 2013) 

Dear Friends in Christ,

Blessed Epiphany and Happy New Year! As I write I pray that all of you are keeping safe and warm on this 7th day of January, the second day of temperatures well below zero and I give thanks for our Diocesan Hospitality ministries and others that provide shelter and warmth to those in need.

This Sunday, we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of Christ, one of the three manifestations of Christ we celebrate in the Sundays after the Epiphany. In many of our congregations the liturgy will include baptisms or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.

While preparing to teach in our Deacon's School later this week, I had the occasion to reread the important Ecumenical Document:  Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry, sometimes known as the Lima Document because it was adopted by the World Council of Churches (of which the Anglican Communion is a member) at its meeting in Lima, Peru in 1982. What struck me as I read the document was how clearly it sets forth the theological consensus that shaped our Book of Common Prayer 1979 and the invitation it gives the whole church to discover our deeper unity by holding what seem to be opposite perspectives in dynamic tension. The 33 page document is available for download here. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-commissions/faith-and-order-commission/i-unity-the-church-and-its-mission/baptism-eucharist-and-ministry-faith-and-order-paper-no-111-the-lima-text. I encourage you to read it or reread it if you have not done so recently. It might be particularly useful for a series of discussions in adult formation classes. I know of no other work that so clearly and concisely sets forth the meaning and implications of baptism.

But we are called to do more than understand baptism; we are to live it by serving others in Jesus name, and by striving for justice and peace. My prayer is that God will bless our efforts to do so in the year ahead.

Yours in Christ,

+Steven

St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Hartford is hiring a part-time Administrator/Bookkeeper! If interested please send a resume to pastoranna@staidans-hartford.org or to St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 670 E. Monroe Ave., Hartford, WI 53027. For a more complete job description, please click here:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/x1yx0gdydu26esx/Parish%20Administrator%20Job%20Description.doc 

E.Y.E. is Episcopal Youth Event 2014. E.Y.E. is held every three (3) years for the gathering of Episcopal high school youth. It is five (5) days of Episcopal youth, from all over the Episcopal Church International, coming together, to learn and share faith journeys with lay adults, clergy and bishops, being empowered and equipped to Christ's disciples in the world.

Youth currently in 9th-12th grades.

What is the cost? Total Cost for event plus air fare will be $575.00. A $250.00 deposit is due with submission of your application. Final payment of $325.00 is due by March 1, 2014.

Application process opens December 15, 2013. Apply online at www.diomil.org - EYE. Application DEADLINE is January 15, 2014. Spaces are limited to 24 youth. You will be notified by January 20, 2014 of your application status.  

1) You can encourage any young person you know to apply to go with us. The young person should be a mature, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade high school student, handle travel, able to speak in small groups, and share their own faith journeys, and be trustworthy in honoring covenant behavior.

2) We need individuals' and congregations' support. As you see above the cost is not slight. We do not want any eligible teen to not be able to attend because of finances. Send your checks, payable to Diocese of Milwaukee; Memo line: EYE, Attn: Rev. Carla McCook, 804 E. Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

As part of ECF's on-going efforts to assist congregations in developing their leadership and financial resources, we are offering a wide range of web conferences for clergy and lay parish leaders this winter. There is no cost to participate in ECF's web conferences and all lay and clergy leaders are welcome to participate.

Topics include planned giving, capital campaigns, vestry leadership, vision and planning, parish finances, stewardship, endowments, communications, and leading change.