The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

 

 
domseal1E-NEWS 
December 5, 2014 
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In This Issue
Community instead of Commercialism . . . a Black Friday alternative at St. Dunstan's, Madison
Share your story
Rest in Peace . . . The Rt. Rev. William W. Wiedrich
Prayers for Parishes
United Thank Offering Grant Requests are Now Being Sought for 2015
Proceeds from St. John's On the Lake to fund nurses training in Diocese of Newala
Christ Church, Whitefish Bay seeks Part-time Children's Ministries Coordinator
Please share your parish pictures with E-NEWS
Mission trips to Haiti
Around the Diocese
Presiding Bishop calls for prayer for Liberia and the Province of West Africa on Second Sunday of Advent
Holiday Concert at St. Christopher's, River Hilld on December 14th benefits Sojourner Truth House
You are invited to the next Julian Gathering
Upcoming Diocesan Convention dates & locations!
Inspire young children to engage with Jesus!
EFM Mentor Training at DeKoven Center in March, 2015
Safeguarding God's Children on-line training offered
 
 
Welcome to E-NEWS, the Diocese of Milwaukee's weekly electronic newsletter.  If you are not already a subscriber or wish to add or change e-mail addresses, please click on the "Join Our Mailing List" icon.   We invite you to send articles, photos, and news to [email protected] so that we may include them in the E-NEWS. 
We wish you all every blessing as we look to the start of Advent this Sunday.

Barbara Klauber, Editor
Community instead of Commercialism . . . 
a Black Friday alternative at St. Dunstan's, Madison
 
Some E-NEWS readers may recall the "upcoming Events" article about St. Dunstan's "Black Friday Craft-In".  The community building / outreach event offered an opportunity to make a 'gift of the heart' to those looking for something other than another trip to a crowded mall.  The parish provided the materials as well as skilled crafters to assist those new to crafting  homemade gifts.

In addition to getting the word out about the upcoming event, the parish  made sure local news outlets knew about the "Craft-In" on Black Friday -- and it paid off with publicity in both print and electronic publicity, including an article in the  Wisconsin State Journal and a spot on Channel 3000 News program .
Share your story . . .  
What is happening in your parish? We would love for parishes to share their stories (and some pictures!) with E-NEWS readers!
A parish story does not have to be something earth shaking or amazing! We are just looking for parishes to tell about the everyday activities that make a parish a community -- and part of the larger community in which it finds itself.
Come to think of it . . . that IS pretty amazing . . . !
The following "photo story" from St. Mary's, Dousman may give you some ideas for telling us about life in your parish . . . 
 
Spotlight on St. Mary's, Dousman youth
The Rev. Scott Leannah, rector at St. Mary's, Dousman highlights the involvement of the young people in the  parish -- how they are nourished by the parish and, in turn, bring new life to it and help the  parish reach out into the community. He tells the story (below)  illustrated by each picture:
 "In "boys with Advent Wreaths" some of our kids made Advent Wreaths during Children's Liturgy of the Word in preparation for Advent.  A total of 17 parish kids made wreaths altogether.  In "youth group Thanksgiving shopping", members of our youth group recently purchased groceries for two area families and delivered them in time for Thanksgiving dinner.  Parishioners helped to contribute toward this outreach effort and so the kids got not only all the fixings for Thanksgiving but plenty of other groceries as well.   Finally, in 'youth group hike', members of our youth group from St. Mary's and St. Matthias Waukesha went on a hike at Lapham Peak.  They stopped mid-way for a Bible study led by me, and then we all had custard at Le Duc's in Waukesha".

Youth group Thanksgiving shopping
Boys with advent wreaths
Youth group hike
___________________________
Share your parish happenings and pictures with E-NEWS readers by sending them to [email protected] .

Rest in peace . . . The Rt. Rev. William W. Wiedrich 
Word has been received of the death on November 26 of The Rt. Rev. William Wiedrich, Suffragan Bishop of Chicago (retired).  Bishop Wiedrich was known to many in the Diocese of Milwaukee from his years as rector of Grace Church, Madison where he was serving when elected to the episcopacy in 1990.  Please remember Bishop Wiedrich's wife, Tress, and sons Bill and Tom in your prayers.  Memorial service details are not yet set but are planned for early 2015. 
Prayers for Parishes

The following prayer is taken from the first installment of a cycle of prayers for the parishes and ministry clusters of the Diocese of Milwaukee.  It was prepared by the diocesan Commission on Mission and Development.  To view the complete first installment, including an introduction by the Commission, please click HERE.

 

December 7 - St Andrew's, Kenosha 

Gracious God, whose servant Andrew left his nets to follow your Son Jesus and fish for people: Grant to your faithful followers at St. Andrew's Church in Kenosha wisdom to know where you are guiding them; grant them courage to follow you when you call; and give them open hearts to see you in all things and in all people; in all things, let them know you are present with them; through your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

___________________________________      

Note:  The Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, compiled by the Order of Julian of Norwich, which includes both Diocese of Milwaukee and Diocese of Newala parishes and ministries, is also posted on the diocesan website, along with the Commission on Mission and Development's "Prayers for the Parishes of the Diocese of Milwaukee".  Parishes are encouraged to make use of both these resources in their weekly prayers and Services. 

United Thank Offering Grant Requests are Now Being Sought for 2015 
The United Thank Offering has again published their criteria for the grants to be given in 2015. The focus this year will be on the 4th Mark of Mission "to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation". If you have a a program that fits into this focus, and would like to pursue the granting process, go to www.unitedthankoffering.org for a great deal more information as to how to proceed. The deadline for receiving grant requests is January 8, 2015. This will allow the diocesan grant committee to review the request and to allow time for BIshop Miller to review and approve the request so that it will be in the hands of the National UTO Board by January 15. The criteria are more clearly defined here to help you in discerning if your program "fits". If you have questions, please contact Connie Ott at [email protected] with UTO grant in the memo.
 
Click HERE for detailed criteria for 2015 UTO Grants
Proceeds from St. John's On the Lake to fund nurses training in Diocese of Newala 
St. John's On the Lake is offering for sale Christmas Cards depicting two different stained glass windows in the chapel.

The windows, first located in the original Saint John's Chapel, have recently been reinstalled in the Chapel's Narthex.   

Proceeds from sale of the cards will be used to fund the training of nurses in the Diocese of Newala in Tanzania. To purchase cards, contact Chaplain Jana Troutman-Miller at[email protected] or (414) 831-6885.

Click HERE for a flyer. 

Christ Church, Whitefish Bay seeks Part-time Children's Ministries Coordinator 

Christ Church, an active Episcopal parish with many young families, is seeking a Children's Ministries Coordinator, to work as a member of a team that includes a Rector, Assistant Rector, and lay volunteers.

The Children's Ministries Coordinator will be someone who is has a passion for nurturing children into the full knowledge and stature of Christ. They will organize and facilitate lay involvement in a range of Children's formation activities, including Sunday School, intergenerational formation, annual events such as Blessing of the Backpacks and Christmas Pageant, as well as coordinate children's involvement in outreach and service opportunities.

This is a part-time position with a compensation of $15.00 per hour at an average of 10 hours per week, including presence at Sunday morning worship.

To express interest and to see a more detailed job description please contact The Rev. Seth A. Raymond at [email protected].

Please share your parish pictures with E-NEWS
Remember, E-NEWS loves to receive pictures of people and places around the diocese!  So, please . . . don't let that smartphone camera go to waste!  Take some pictures of life in your parish and send them to E-NEWS at [email protected] .  You can take pictures of special events, such as the Bishop's Visitation or your Christmas eve service, or it can be everyday life in your parish and its ministries.  THANK YOU!
Mission trips to Haiti . . .  
The Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project is organizing mission trips to Jeannette, Haiti, for 2015.  The dates for the trips will be March 13-22, tentatively April 17-26 and July 10-19.  If there is enough interest, we will plan a fall trip.   If you or someone you know is interested in going, please contact Mary Alice Eschweiler, [email protected].  Application forms may be found at www.haitiproject.org and should be mailed to Mary Alice at 32022 W. Hwy. K, Hartland, WI.  The 9 day trip will include a work program designed around the talents of team members, worshipping at St. Marc's Church.  The cost of the trip is $800 plus airfare.  More information may be found on the website or by calling 262-367-6564.
Around the Diocese  . . . 

 

Concert at St. Luke's, Whitewater on December 13 aids Lutheran - Episcopal Campus Ministry (LECM)

 

All are welcome on Saturday December 13th at 12:00 pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Whitewater for a Christmas Concert by Mukwonago Community Choir. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Whitewater Food Pantry or a monetary donation to the Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry (LECM) Spaghetti meals in lieu of admission. Remember, December 13th at 12:00 pm at St. Luke's Whitewater, which is located at 146 South Church Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.

 

Concert at St. Mark's, Milwaukee December 14 at 3pm 

Music at St. Mark's Concert Series: Emma Koi, St. Mark's Artist in Residence, Flute, along with Stephen Wolff, piano, and Todd Domenget, bass, on December 14 at 3 p.m at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2618 N. Hackett Ave.  The concert will feature works by Gieseking, Bach, Carter, and Wolff, including jazz renditions of carols of the season. Please join us. 

 

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Trinity, Janesville on December 21 at 7pm

Trinity Episcopal Church, Janesville, will present its 20th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. The service follows the traditional pattern established in 1918 with choral anthems, readings and carols sung by the congregation. Please join us in this lovely candlelight service as we await the coming of our Lord.  Trinity Church, Janesville is located at 409 East Court Street, Janesville, WI 53545 

 

Christmas Bazaar at St. Aidan's, Hartford on December 6th

St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Hartford will host a Christmas Bazaar and Brat Fry on December 6th from 9am - 2pm; lunch will be served from 10am - 1pm with brats, homemade soups and breads and dessert!  Visit SANTA from 11am - 1pm.  In addition to a bake sale/Christmas cookie sale, there will be for sale handcrafted gift items made by parishioners:  jewelry, wooden crafts, ornaments, knit items, and all manner of children's and holiday gift items.  St. Aidan's is located at 670 East Monroe Street in Hartford, WI 53027.  

 

Holidazzle Sweet Shoppe at St. Paul's, Beloit December 5-6 

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 212 W. Grand Ave, Beloit invites one and all to the 20th annual Holidazzle Sweet Shoppe on Friday December 5, 2014 from 5 to 9 pm and Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 9 am to 1 pm at the church. Cookies, candies, jellies, baked goods of all kinds, and craft items will be on sale. Remember to buy raffle tickets for the red, green, and white Christmas lap quilt, the 27x43 inch quilted wall hanging of Father Christmas, a Gingerbread inspired gift basket with many items, and a beautiful 27 inch Christmas wreath all ready to use through the winter season.. Join us for lunch (only $5) featuring a sandwich and soup, and let us help you with your holiday baking and gift buying!

Parking is available in the City lot on W. Grand Avenue, or behind the Church (access from Garden Lane).

 

Holiday Fair at Trinity, Mineral Point December 6th

All are welcome at Trinity, Mineral Point's Holiday Fair  which begins at 9AM and runs until 3PM on Saturday, December 6th.  The Fair will feature Needlework, Crafts, Baked Goods, Gourmet Food, Christmas Decorations and Gifts and a Raffle!  Raffle features locally donated items; need not be present to win. A meal will be served from 10:30AM - 2:00PM; menu includes ham/barbecue/salads and homemade pies.  Pie and coffee will be served all day.  Fair will be held in Legate Hall at 403 High Street in Mineral Point (enter on Iowa Street).  For more information please contact the parish at (608) 987-3019.  

 

St. Andrew's, Madison invites you to their Sung Compline December 9th
Sung Compline will be offered by members of the St. Andrew's Chancel Choir on Tuesday, December 9th at 8:15 p.m.  Experience the beauty of ancient chants and a candlelit sanctuary in mid Advent. 
 
Guitar Concert Dec. 18 at St. Aidan's, Hartford features Kevin Sherwin
Kevin Sherwin is a guitarist and conductor rapidly becoming known throughout the country as one of the most promising classical musicians of his generation. The 2014-2015 season includes his New York solo recital debut at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, appointment as Assistant Conductor of the renowned Yale Russian Chorus, founding of the Yale-based chamber orchestra, The Academy Sinfonietta, of which he is Music Director, and concert tours to Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Milwaukee. As a soloist, Sherwin has received prizes from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, Guitar
Foundation of America, the American String Teachers' Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He has also been soloist with the Juilliard Pre-College String Ensemble and the NEMC Orchestra, as well as conducted the American Baroque Orchestra, the Nashua Chamber Orchestra, the Roslyn Chamber Orchestra, and the New Haven Summer Chorus. Kevin is in his third year at Yale University. This Concert is Free of Charge. Any free-will donations will be given to support St. Aidan's Capital Campaign.
Presiding Bishop calls for prayer for Liberia and the Province of West Africa on Second Sunday of Advent 
 Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has urged Episcopalians to observe the Second Sunday in Advent, December 7, as a day of prayer for those in the Diocese of Liberia and the entire Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa, areas heavily affected by the current Ebola pandemic.

"The Diocese of Liberia was founded by Episcopalians in 1836, and was a diocese of The Episcopal Church until the early 1980s, when it joined the Province of West Africa," noted Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori. "Today we continue in a covenant relationship of mutual support and fellowship."

She continued, "Liberia is at the epicenter of the recent Ebola outbreak, and Episcopalians have turned Cuttington University (Suakoku) into a center for response in rural northern Liberia.  The Anglican Province of West Africa includes all three nations (Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone) where the pandemic continues to develop.  The suffering and death is enormous, the economy is devastated, schools are closed, yet the caring and compassionate response continues."

The Presiding Bishop concluded, "I ask your prayers for the people of West Africa in the midst of this plague.  Please include this in your intentions on the Second Sundayof Advent.  With Isaiah, pray for comfort and strength for all God's children; seek out the builder of straight roads and giver of healing balm for all on this difficult journey.  Learn about this crisis, and instead of fear, let your hearts be moved to respond in generosity of spirit and of purse."  read full article 

Holiday Concert at St. Christopher's, River Hills 
on December 14th benefits Sojourner Truth House 

Holiday Concert -- December 14, 2014-4:30PM

St. Christopher's Episcopal Church

7845 North River Road, River Hills, WI 53217

Questions? Please call the Church Office at 414-352-0380

St. Christopher's is delighted to host a benefit concert for the  

Sojourner Family Peace Center featuring the Collegium Ladyes singing a capella seasonal music.  

The Collegium Ladyes 

Please join us for a chance to hear music that is well suited to our church season, sung by outstanding choral singers - and provide a freewill donation to benefit the Sojourner Family Peace Center. A reception will follow the hour long concert.

The mission of the Sojourner Family Peace Center, established in 1975, is to transform lives impacted by domestic violence. If you would like to make an online donation as part of this benefit concert click here and you will be routed to the proper donation site.

You are invited to the next Julian
Gathering . . .  

 

Madison-Area Julian Gathering

Wednesday, December 10

7:15 - 9:00 PM

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church

6205 University Avenue

Madison, WI 53705


We welcome everyone who is interested in learning more about contemplative spirituality in the Christian tradition.  We meet monthly for contemplative prayer, after which we discuss a reading from Julian of Norwich, a 14th Century English mystic who has been called "a theologian for our time."  These gatherings are supported by the Order of Julian of Norwich, a contemplative monastic order in the Episcopal Church.  We would love to have you join us.  If you have questions, please contact Susan Fiore,
ObJN: (608) 845-2413 or [email protected]


Upcoming Diocesan Convention dates & locations!
 
October 17, 2015
at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
Delafield, Wisconsin

October 7-8, 2016
at Madison Marriott West Hotel
Middleton, Wisconsin

Inspire young children to engage with Jesus!
"Who are You, Jesus?" is a new app that inspires young children to engage with Jesus through age-appropriate Scripture, expressing their prayers through words and art.
We've just launched our Kickstarter campaign!
Help us make an impact on children's faith formation.
Ready to help children around the world discover Jesus?  Learn more . . .
EFM Mentor Training at DeKoven Center in March 

The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee is pleased to announce an Education for Ministry Mentor Training at DeKoven Center in Racine. The training workshop is scheduled to begin on March 12, 2015 at Noon and conclude on March 14 at 1:00 PM.

All sessions will take place at the DeKoven Center located at 600 21st Street in Racine, Wisconsin. Double-occupancy rooms are available for $190 and Single-occupancy rooms for $210. The price of the workshop includes Thursday dinner, all Friday meals, and Saturday breakfast and a bag lunch.

Anyone who has completed the four-year EfM program is eligible to take Mentor Training.  All Diocesan Coordinators and current Mentors can be recertified at this training. To register please contact William Stotts at (414) 350-6305 or by e-mail at [email protected]

sgclogo Safeguarding God's Children on-line training offered 

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. Our next class with a trainer is scheduled for February 2015. See our website for details.


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 [email protected] !
  
See you next week!
 
Sincerely,
 
Barb

Barbara Klauber
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee