The Episcopal congregations of Madison extend an invitation to join us for a conversation about the history, biblical and theological dimensions and changing norms of marriage.

WHO: Everyone and anyone who is interested in marriage and the future shape of marriage

WHY: In 2012, The General Convention of The Episcopal Church created a Task Force to study marriage. Members of the Task Force are encouraging conversations about marriage throughout our Church. We invite you to participate in a conversation about the history, biblical and theological dimensions of marriage, as well as the changing norms and current trends.

WHEN: 6:30-8:30 pm, July 31, 2014

WHERE: St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 4011 Major Ave., Madison, WI

We are: Good Shepherd (Sun Prairie) and Grace, St. Andrew's, St. Dunstan's, St. Francis House, St. Luke's (Madison)

For more information contact Jonathan Grieser (608)-255-5147; togracechurchrector@gmail.com   

The Rev. Seth Dietrich, rector of Christ Church, Whitefish Bay, sends word that his father, Bill Dietrich, passed into the nearer presence of Christ this morning surrounded by his family in Austin, TX. Mr. Dietrich had sojourned through many different Christian communities, for many years attending St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin. He had lately settled on a small Baptist church in his neighborhood, from which he will be buried on Saturday.   Please hold Bill, Seth and their families in prayer.   

The annual Hunger Book Sale at All Saints' Cathedral begins with a preview on Thursday, July 31 from 6-9pm.  August 1-5 the sale runs from 11am - 6pm.  Donations of books, CD's, movies (no Readers' Digest Condensed Books or old text/library books, please!) will be gratefully accepted through July 23.  For very large donations, please call 414-271-7719 to arrange pick-up. or e-mail Hungerbooksale@gmail.com .   

All proceeds support ministries that deal with hunger-related issues. These are the 20 donations made from Book Sale proceeds in 2013 for a total of $19,500.

4 free meal sites:(The Gathering, St. Ben's Community Meal, All Saints' Catholic Church, and St. John's Cathedral Open Door Caf�)

8 agencies that include food programs or distribution:(Interchange Program, Feeding America, Hunger Task Force, Jewish Community Pantry, Rescue Mission holiday meals, Salvation Army Summer Lunch Program, Friedens Community Ministries, and Summerfield Methodist Church)                                          

6 local organizations with food related costs:(Sojourner Family Peace Center, Aids Resource Center, Repairers of the Breach, and Cathedral Women's Center, Neighborhood House, and Our Next Generation Homework Club)

The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee will be holding an ecumenical service to pray for peace in the Middle East, and especially for the escalating violence in Israel and its neighbors.

The service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, at All Saints' Cathedral.  Ecumenical leaders from across the region will be in attendance.  The service will start with comments on the cathedral grounds and then process into the church for a service of prayer.  The cathedral will remain open follow the service for those who wish to stay for personal prayer.

Check the Cathedral website next week for details at www.ascathedral.org 

Peggy Bean, Canon for Parishes, explains that the next cycle will be a Saturday - Sunday format, which provides opportunity to invite people who cannot take a Friday off work.  It also  allows for experiencing Morning Prayer not only at DCDI but also at participant's home parishes if they so choose.  

The upcoming DCDI Cycle:  

November 1 - 2, 2014; Jan. 17 - 18, 2015;

March 21 - 22, 2015; May 16 - 17, 2015

Madison-Area Julian Gathering

Wednesday, August 13, 7:15 - 9:00 PM

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church

6205 University Avenue

Madison, WI  53705

Julian's era was one of turmoil and crisis. Contemporary reports indicate that at least half the population of Norwich died from the Plague; the clergy and undertakers could not keep up with the dead bodies. Meanwhile, disease killed the cattle, and harvests failed. In 1381, when Julian was thirty-nine, people became so desperate they rose up in a revolt, looting the churches and monasteries.

During Julian's lifetime, John Wyclif was also preaching against the corruption in the Church; his translation of the Bible into the common language of English brought down on him papal accusations of heresy. Wyclif and his followers, the Lollards, believed God should be made directly available to ordinary people, without the intercession of the clergy. The clerical hierarchy was so incensed that the Bishop of Norwich received permission from Rome to execute any Lollards he captured. Wyclif's followers were burned alive in a pit less than a mile from Julian's cell.

Meanwhile, the larger world beyond Norfolk and England was also in a state of upheaval. Five years before Julian was born, in 1337, the Hundred Years War between England and France had begun, and it would continue throughout her lifetime. The Great Schism split the Church in 1377, with one pope in France, the other in Rome.

And in the midst of all this, Julian came to believe unshakably that "all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."

For more information, contact Susan Fiore, ObJN at slfiore@mac.com or (608) 845-2413.

Did you know that there are eight congregations in the diocese who are in the midst of capital campaigns? These congregations are doing campaigns for a variety of different reasons, everything from debt retirement to building projects. The congregations are also choosing to do their campaigns in many different ways; some are using consultants and companies, others are managing the campaigns themselves. Regardless of how they are doing the campaigns and the reasons why, we celebrate the fact that so many churches are in the midst of exciting visioning and planning for their future! It is an exciting time for these congregations, and please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. For more information on capital campaigns please visit http://www.ecfvp.org/webinars/transformation-by-capital-campaign/  or The James Company website .   

If you have specific questions about campaigns in our diocese, please contact Peggy Bean at bean@diomil.org.

Camp Lakotah is located on Little Hills Lake in Wautoma, Wisconsin. Women's Mini-Week is an annual retreat for women of all faiths and their friends, offering a time to relax, to learn, to discover, to bond, to have fun, to laugh, to be renewed-and to eat meals you don't have to plan and cook first!

Each woman can set her own length of stay and her own agenda. You can be involved in planned activities as much or as little as you choose, or bring your own resources for an individual retreat-whatever is right for you to be refreshed. Activities include beach and waterfront options, massages, nature & labyrinth walks, campfires, crafts, glee club & music, talent show, yoga & other fitness experiences, book discussions, Taize service & other Christian worship opportunities, delicious & healthy meals (with adjustments made for those with dietary restrictions), and much, much, more! 

Discover more details and download a brochure with registration form at: www.womensminiweek.org, or contact us:  womensminiweek@gmail.com