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 A message from Bishop Miller
Reflections on John 3:17
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you all know, I spend a great deal of time in my car driving to the 54 churches and ecumenical events in our diocese. I'm beginning to feel that like my predecessor I should answer the question where do you live by responding, "Somewhere on I-94." This means that I see a lot of signs and bumper stickers. Some tout political candidates past and present, others address current social issues, and of course, others are religious. (If you have an Episcopal Church emblem on your car and see a guy in a Buick wearing a purple shirt waving, it's likely me.)
Yesterday, I saw this bumper sticker, "Born OK the first time." Given the multitude of other stickers on the car, I surmised it was a retort to those that quote John 3:16, "you must be born again." Biblical scholars know that the word anothen translated in that passage can be translated either "again" or "from above." This helps explain the misunderstanding between Nicodemus and Jesus in that passage.
Some of you have heard me preach and this text and know that I lament those who lift this text out of scripture without the verse that follows. I have often said if I had the money I would buy seats behind home plate for baseball games and in the end zone at football games and hold up a sign that reads John 3:17 next to the person holding the John 3:16 sign. That verse reads, "For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved."
Born OK the first time? That, of course invites a longer discussion on the doctrine of original sin and the fall. See the Catechism on page 845 of the Prayerbook and Article IX on page 869 if you want to explore that doctrine. But even if the bumper stickers assertion were true, Jesus did not come and live and teach and die so that we could be OK. He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. He gives us his Spirit so that we might be great in love and action.
I think that the challenge for us as the Church today is to truly believe that God can use and will use us to change the world. We can do that one step, one faithful act at a time if we will harness the power of God's love that is bearing us from above. Remember by grace you are more than OK, you are blessed.
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 Register now to attend Diocesan Convention
We are just six weeks away from Diocesan Convention, which takes place October 10-11 at the Marriott Madison West Hotel in Madison. The theme of this year's Convention is "One Bread, One Body".
Please click on the Diocesan Convention link below to register to attend Convention as a clergy or lay deputy, a visitor, or to have a display as a vendor or exhibitor. We will have guests from our companion diocese of Newala with us for this year's Convention, including The Rt. Rev. Oscar Stephen Mnung'a, Bishop of Newala, who will preach at the Eucharist eand speak at the convention banquet. All members of the diocese are welcome to attend Convention workshops and the Eucharist on Friday, October 10th without needing to register. Non-deputies who wish to attend the banquet on Friday or the business session on Saturday may register as Visitors.
The diocesan Altar Guild will hold their annual meeting at Convention this year and welcome deputies and visitors to Convention to participate in their workshop. More information on their workshop and on all Convention workshops is on the Convention page on the website.
Questions? Contact Barbara Klauber at the Diocesan Office at info@diomil.org or (414) 272-3028/ext. 111 or (800) 236-3028/ext. 111.
We look forward to seeing you at Diocesan Convention in Madison!
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 Same-Gender blessings - The Living Church reviews recent actions
Given yesterday's decision by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which stuck down Wisconsin's ban on same-sex unions (although further litigation is pending), readers may find the article "Blessings with Revisions" in The Living Church magazine both timely and helpful. In addition to discussing Bishop Miller's recent decision regarding the blessing of same-gender marriages, it reviews the diocesan Standing Committee's report on this topic as well as related General Convention actions. |
 FORMATION AROUND THE DIOCESE
St. Francis, Menomonee Falls
by Rev. Martha Berger
St. Francis in Menomonee Falls, like other smaller parishes, works to provide opportunities for its members to "grow in faith." Part-time clergy struggle to resist doing it all - and sometimes miss the opportunity to let others rise up in ministry.
This fall there will be two opportunities at St. Francis. First, on Sunday Mornings - reflection on the readings - liturgy - sermon. Participants need only bring a pencil and bulletin - on which they've taken notes about their observations. Retired priest, The Rev. Sue Clark, will facilitate this 30 minute opportunity to learn from one another. Second, Supper and Study will continue on its traditional Wednesday evening, beginning with a 6pm brown bag supper. Craig Korn, a graduate of EFM (Education for Ministry) and COH (Community of Hope) will facilitate a study of the Book of Proverbs. He has been leading this group for some time, and often uses study resources from The Thoughtful Christian.
You all can imagine how grateful I am for the initiative of the lay people of St. Francis, for courses like EFM, COH, and CDI, and that such an imaginative and collaborative retired priest showed up in our pews!
St. Francis, Menomonee Falls, by Rev. Martha Berger
St. Thomas of Canterbury, Greendale
St. Thomas of Canterbury, Greendale, hosted Vacation Bible School from August 4 - 7, 2014. We used the God's Backyard Bible Camp - Under the Stars curriculum published by Standard Publishing. The focus was on service. A different aspect of service was focused on each night.
Day 1: Serve Family
Joseph forgave and fed his brothers. - Genesis 37, 45
Day 2: Serve Friends
Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. - John 13:1-17
Day 3: Serve Neighbors
Rebekah showed kindness to Abraham's servant. - Genesis 24:1-27
Day 4: Serve Community
Gideon led God's people in battle. - Judges 6:1-16; 7:9-21
Day 5: Serve Jesus
Paul told about Jesus wherever he went. - Acts 27, 28
Because we only met 4 days we incorporated the idea of serving Jesus in each and every day. The children enjoyed learning about GOD; strengthening friendships and relationships with parish adults; creating arts and crafts and doing service projects. One of our most memorable snacks took us to the rectory where Fr. Mark made a fire so we could enjoy s'mores!
 St. Alban's, Sussex
A Positive Christian Formation story by Kathy Sonier
We decided to go outside the box and had a fabulous year! We did units with different teachers, we built nativity sets, acted in plays/parables, had a Christmas and Easter pageant and finished the year trying to learn about the catechism. Some of it went really well, some not so well, but we all learned a lot. I think one of our best learnings was teaching has to come from the heart for the kids to really connect with it, and our style and lessons reflected that. We had a great year.
This year we're building on that and already have several things in the works...
We're starting with an intergenerational program about being the church ending with All Saints Day. We have a Christmas pageant planned, are working on a Pentecost pageant for spring, and have a few other things up our sleeves. I have a feeling this year is going to be amazing.
God is good!
For more information please contact Kathy at bksonier@gmail.com
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 New Intergenerational Book/E-Book
Faith is transmitted from generation to generation in extended families and intergenerational congregations. Every congregation can discover its intergenerational heart and soul, and become an intentionally intergenerational community that nurtures the faith of all ages and equips them for living as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
Generations Together presents the vision of a congregation that is becoming more intentionally intergenerational through its congregational life of caring, celebrating, learning, prayer, and serving. When a congregation commits itself to building a culture of intergenerationality through these five elements, each element becomes a sign of and instrument for the full experience of the Body of Christ by all ages and generations. Generations Together
guides leaders in learning what this vision looks like in practice and how to guide a congregation in envisioning and designing projects and initiative to become more intentionally intergenerational.
Contents
- Generations Together: A Vision of an Intergenerational Church - John Roberto
- Faith Development from Generation to Generation - Kathie Amidei
- The Journey to Intergenerationality: One Church's Story - Kathie Amidei
- Outcomes and Practices of Intergenerational Faith Formation - Jim Merhaut
- A Toolkit for Becoming Intentionally Intergenerational - John Roberto and Jim Merhaut (Part 1. Caring, Part 2. Celebrating, Part 3. Praying, Part 4. Serving, Part 5. Learning)
- Welcoming All: Intergenerational Faith Formation for People with Disabilities - Sharon Urbaniak
- Leadership for an Intergenerational Church - Jim Merhaut
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 Children's Worship Bulletins available
Need to plan your next year of formation activities? Diocesan Christian Formation subscribes to Children's Worship Bulletins on behalf of all our parishes.
You can find the bulletins on the diocesan website here. (Click on "Children's Worship Bulletins for Diocese of Milwaukee Parishes" and use the username and password on the page.)
We download the bulletins and post them to our site as CWB releases them; they are currently updated through September. |
 Medieval Harvest Faire at Cathedral on September 20
Come to the Faire! All are welcome at the Michaelmas Medieval Harvest Faire at All Saints' Cathedral on September 20th from 10 AM - 4PM. The event will be held in the Cathedral gardens and admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item which will benefit a local food pantry. A sung Matins service in the Cathedral will begin the festivities at 10 AM. The rest of the day will feature medieval musical performances, shops and artisans. The Cathedral will be open to faire-goers who wish to stroll through this historic building.
All Saints' Cathedral is located at 818 East Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
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 Scholarships available for Parish Nurse course
Parish Nursing Course: Part I Sept 11-13, 2014; Part II Sept 25-27, 2014. Course is offered in Oconomowoc WI.
This course is the basic course with RN participants receiving their endorsement as a parish nurse upon completion. Non RN's will receive a certification of completion and are welcomed. This course meets the standards from the International Parish Nurse Resource Center. RN will receive continuing nursing education units.
The fee is $400 for Wisconsin Nurse Members and $450 for non members. A gift has been received for scholarships of $100 for participants who are Episcopalians or serve any Episcopal congregation. Fee includes materials, resources, meals except Friday night dinner and housing. Course is from Thursday evening through Saturday late afternoon both weekends.
For further information and registration please contact
Megan Leadholm, Associate Director of the Wisconsin Nurses' Association c/o 6117 Monona Drive, Madison WI 53716. Phone: 608 - 221 - 0383 ext 203 or
800 - 362-3959 ext 203. Scholarship contact: Maryfran Crist mjcrist@CRTelco.com / (815) 257-7012.
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 Commission on Ministry News
The COM is putting together a list of spiritual directors for use by members of the diocese and especially those in the ordination process. If you have or know a spiritual director that you would like to recommend to others, please email Fr. Scott Seefeldt at skotallen@yahoo.com with that information. Thank you!
September 18th is our annual Parish Ministry Discernment Committee (PMDC) training at Trinity Wauwatosa and St. Dunstan's Middleton. Aspirants and PMCD members are expected to attend. Sponsoring clergy are invited as well. We currently have four teams confirmed from the Milwaukee/Kenosha areas. If no groups from the western side of the diocese sign up, the meeting at St. Dunstan's will be cancelled. If you are forming a PMDC and have not already done so, RSVP to Fr. Scott Seefeldt at skotallen@yahoo.com to attend this training. Thank you!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
 St. Mary's, Dousman Fall Fest October 5
In conjunction with the Dousman Fire Department and in memory of Richard Stephan, St. Mary's, Dousman hosts the 2014 Fall Fest on October 5 from 11AM - 3PM. The fest will offer music, a Farmer's Market, food, pottery, fun activities for children, a Bake Sale, and a Fire Department raffle for a child to win a ride to school on a fire truck!! ALL are WELCOME! St. Mary's is located at the corner of Hwy 18 & Hwy 67 in Dousman. Flyer.  Annual Pet Blessing September 27 at Trinity, Janesville All are welcome at Trinity, Janesville's annual Pet Blessing. The event takes place Saturday, September 27th at 11AM in the parish's prayer garden. All God's creatures great and small are welcome! The parish is located at 409 East Court Street, Janesville, WI 53545. For more information call (608) 754-3402 or go to www.trinityjanesville.org . In case of inclement weather, the pet blessing will move to Ortmayer Hall at the corner of Court and Atwood Streets. See FLYER for more info
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 Safeguarding God's Children and People Training options
Training to become a SGC Trainer!
Sat, September 13, at St. Matthew's, Kenosha, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm in the Guild Hall. Email Deacon Terry Garner to attend: dcnterry.g@gmail.com
SGC Training for Clergy, Vestries and Sunday School Workers/Youth Workers - Sat, Sept 20th 9am - Noon, Two locations: Christ Church, River Hills and Good Shepherd, Sun Prairie. Click here to register.
Click here to register online to take the Safeguarding God's Children, Safeguarding God's People and A Day at Camp online training programs.
A Day at Camp is strongly recommended for all parishes leading a Vacation Bible School or other summer program with minors. This online training video is geared to safeguarding guidelines specific to leading a day camp (not an overnight camp) program.
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 CAMP WEBB 2014
Camp Webb 2014
Camp Webb welcomed a full staff and a full house of campers this summer! We also said a gracious farewell to Sarah Hoff our Program Director. Sarah has served Camp Webb faithfully for the last several years. This was Sarah's last year with us. We wish her the best as she begins new career avenues. We also welcomed a New Camp Director, Rev. Elizabeth (Liz) Tester. Liz is the rector of St. Paul's, Watertown. She has years of experience as the Director of Camp Henry in North Carolina. She began her Camp Webb directorship on July 1, 2014. She will be reporting to Rev. Carla McCook and Liz will oversee the planning and programming for our Camp Webb sessions and hiring staff. Registration will still go directly through Carla's office at diocesan offices.
CAMP WEBB 2015
We are already in the process of planning for Camp Webb 2015!
Please mark your family calendars and parish calendars:
June 14-19 STAFF WEEK,
June 21-26 CAMP WEEK
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 Please Help the Homeless of Milwaukee by supporting Sundries on the Avenue & Red Door at Diocesan Convention
Daily, too many of our economically distressed brothers and sisters in the Milwaukee area ask themselves the following question,
"Do I buy food, medicine or hygiene products?"
St. James Episcopal Church is delighted to help answer that question through the ministry of "Sundries from The Avenue." Working in concert with Outreach Ministry of the Central City Churches of Milwaukee, "Sundries from The Avenue" gathers and provides sundries at no cost to single adults and families living on low-incomes, on fixed-incomes or with no incomes.
Please join us in helping meet a critical need by bringing the following unused personal size or individually wrapped sundries to the Diocesan Convention on October 10-11, 2014 at the Madison Marriott West in Madison.
Items needed include:
Tooth Brushes,Toothpaste, Shampoo, Soap, Kleenex, Deodorant, Disposable Razors, Mouthwash, Feminine Hygiene Products, Combs, Hair Brushes, Shaving Cream, Lip Balm, Dental Floss, Band aids, Bandages, and Hand Lotion.
Gently used or new jeans are also being collected for the Red Door clothing ministry. Greatest need is for MEN'S jeans in large/extra large sizes. Please bring jeans to the "Sundries" display at Convention.
Thank you! Together we can make a meaningful difference!
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 Combined Fund Short-Term Income Investment Pool
Bake Sales? Cookie Sales? Yard Sales? Chili Cook-offs?
Fund-raising for a youth group trip? A Fix-it project around the church?
Thinking about a short-term CD or a short term money market account?
Want a Bigger Return?
Ask Us About The NEW Combined Fund Short-term Income Investment Pool!
The Short-Term Income Investment Pool is intended for investment of short-term funds with an investment horizon up to about eighteen months. This pool would be an alternative to money market investments and short-term CD's. This portfolio would not be FDIC insured.
Allocation: Ultra short-term, short-term and intermediate term fixed income funds and 5% in and S&P 500 Index Fund.
Risk Profile: Goal is not to have a loss in any single one-year period. There could be a loss in a given calendar quarter.
Anticipated Total Returns:Investment returns are expected to exceed the rate of inflation and to exceed money market fund rates by 2% annually over time.
Minimum Initial Investment: $1,000.00
Withdrawals: There are no automatic distributions of income from the Pool. Withdrawals may be made on demand once per calendar quarter.
continue reading
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Learn More about your Faith!
EFM is a distance learning program administered by the School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee. It is an in-depth program of theological education that seeks to expose laypersons to theological studies and to help them to integrate those studies into their lives and ministry.
EFM has two components. The first component is study. The program is a four-year course that you commit to one year at a time. In the first year, you study the Old Testament. In the second, the New Testament. In the third, Church History, and in the fourth, Christian Theology. Many of the texts are the same ones used in our Episcopal seminaries.
The second component is weekly group meetings, where readings are discussed and we enter into theological reflection, which connects our own experience to our Christian heritage. It is truly an amazing process that has to be experienced to be understood.
The commitment is significant. It requires a meeting a week and several hours of study time. Our meeting time is Thursday night. This is an adult learning environment, so there are no tests or quizzes, but you get out of it what you put into it. There is a tuition cost of $350 for the year (reduced if couples sign up), but there are scholarships available from many sources. PLEASE, if money is stopping you, don't let it. We will make sure that anyone who wishes to participate will not be turned aside for monetary reasons. We have scholarship aid available from the parish, the diocese, and Sewanee. I myself needed financial support for several of my years of EFM.
You can get more information at the EFM website . If you are interested, please e-mail me and let me know. dsimmons@mac.com .
The Rev. David Simmons
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 Trustees of Funds and Endowment Announce New Investment Pools
For the past year or so, the Board of Trustees of Funds and Endowments has been discussing alternative investment opportunities that would benefit all of the Episcopal entities in the Diocese of Milwaukee - large and small, well-resourced or struggling.
The Board has developed two different potential options for investing in addition to the long-term, legacy funding that is the current Combined Fund. The new pools include a mid-term investment opportunity that might work for capital fund drives and a short-term opportunity that might work in lieu of a CD or money market account.
Please click on survey link or cut and paste this link into your browser - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NXZCWLG - then read the information and answer the seven-question survey.
Thank you for taking the time, we need to hear from all parishes and Episcopal entities.
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Register NOW for Fall Church Development Institute
Now is the time to register for upcoming cycles of Church Development Institute!
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
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 Community of Hope program offered at All Saints' Cathedral - Fall 2014
All Saints' Cathedral will offer a fall Community of Hope session on Monday evenings. This program is designed to help lay people discern a call to any variety of ministries (such as, but, not limited to, volunteering at nursing homes, hospitals, home communion ministries, helping in shelters, teaching Sunday school, etc...) It is a 12-week course that meets weekly. At the end there will be a day-long retreat. Participants will also be asked to think about some form of ministry that they would like to explore for 6 months following the completion of the course work. COH provides some practical and spiritual tools for these ministries. COH is deeply rooted in Benedictine spirituality. As part of the course the participants will read and discuss Benedict's rule.
After discerning and finding a particular ministry, COH has a second component called Circle of Care. Graduates meet on a periodic basis for mutual support. The Circle of Care group here meets once a month. They share simple supper and spend the evening talking about their various ministries and any problems or successes that they would like to share. People from our first cycle from 2 years ago are working as volunteers at St. John's on the Lake and at two hospices in the area.
If you would like more information, including class schedules, please contact Fr. Kevin Carroll at All Saints' Cathedral via phone or email at Kevin.Carroll@ascathedral.org.
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LECM is looking for 30 people to donate $300 to help change the world!
Do you want to transform others and teach them about God's LOVE? 30 by 300 is the answer. The Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry in Whitewater is looking for 30 people who can commit to support the LECM by donating $300.00 dollars. By supporting LECM and the 30 by 300 program, you will be feeding 250 students weekly and you will teach others to give freely in the name of God. Help us transform this community, help us teach the youth about God's love and help us feed thousands by supporting the LECM Spaghetti Meals. For more information about LECM and out spaghetti meals for the UW-Whitewater students please visit us at www.lecmww.org or email us at stlukesww@gmail.com. |
 Julian of Norwich gathering
Madison-Area Julian Gathering
Wednesday, September 10, 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 of Norwich 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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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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