I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination, and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. (BCP p. 265)

Dear Friends in Christ,

These words above contain the invitation made at the beginning of each Lent, the season of the Church year which begins this Wednesday, February 18. I have heard and read these words for over 30 years and each time I encounter them I am struck by the depth of this invitation.

I suspect that when most of us think of Lent we think primarily of self-denial. The idea of giving up something for Lent was part of the Christian formation of many of us early in our lives. Some years later it became fashionable not to talk so much about giving up something for Lent but taking something on such as bible study or a service project. All of these are good things when they are done out of love and gratitude for what God has done for us. Remember God's favor is unmerited, undeserved, and unearned. God loves us just because we are. We love because God first loved us.

What leapt out at me as I read the invitation this year was the invitation to prayer. The invitation to prayer comes before the invitation to fasting and self-denial. This reminds me that prayer is primary-fasting and self-denial flow from prayer, our conversation with God. As I read these words, the words of the hymn from my childhood came to mind.

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At All Saints Cathedral in downtown Milwaukee, just inside the entrance, stands an imposing structure of oak and bronze.

Surrounding a small altar and carved image of Christ are 104 niches designed to hold the cremated remains of members of the local Episcopal diocese.

Wisconsin churches have been constructing these columbaria in and around their buildings for decades without controversy - until last year.

Since December, three communities - Cedarburg, and the towns of Port Washington and Brookfield - have blocked the structures, saying they are essentially mausoleums, which can be built only at cemeteries.

Now the state agency that regulates cemeteries has concurred with that opinion and suggests churches and others could be prosecuted if they are found to have violated state law.  continue reading  

Living Compass is pleased to announce our Lenten resource, Living Well through Lent 2015: Practicing Resilience with All Our Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. Over the last few years, our seasonal devotionals have become an integral part of Living Compass' work of encouraging and supporting congregations in their mission and ministry. Our Lent 2015 edition is filled with thoughtful reflections from leaders across the Episcopal Church, including an introduction by our Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Dr. Katherine Jefferts Schori. 

This resource can be used by individuals as a devotional companion for their Lenten journey, and it can also be used as a parish-wide Lenten program. A free program guide, written by the Rev. Shannon Kelly, is available to assist you in your planning and can be used for individual devotions, small groups, a congregational Lenten program, and/or a retreat.

Preview a free sample of the resource or download the free Program Guide on our website

Please note: if there is a financial hardship that would prevent ordering copies of this Lenten resource for your congregation, we have a limited number of devotionals available at no charge. Please contact Edith Braeger (edith@livingcompass.org) at our office for further assistance.

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Living Compass is offering 10 full scholarships to congregations in the Diocese of Milwaukee for the upcoming Congregational Wellness Advocate trainings held at the Nicholas Center in Chicago.

The dates are March 12-14, April 20-23 and May 14-16. Please view more details about CWA training on our website or contact Edith Braeger at edith@livingcompass.org or ( more information.

Bishop Miller will be asking parishes to keep our brothers and sisters in Haiti in their prayers and in their hearts during lent.

It will also be a time to learn more about the good work of the Haiti Project, and to raise much needed funds for the work to continue.  A number of parishes have begun thinking how they can focus on Haiti.

Lenten Meditations - Water for our Spiritual  and Physical Life , These are weekly meditations based on scripture that were compiled by parishioners at Christ Church Whitefish Bay and graciously shared with the Haiti Project.Through the focus on water, Christ Church has raised over $3100.00 which was used to repair badly leaking cisterns.

Lenten Calendar - This  daily walk through lent offers specific ways to better understand how life in Haiti differs from that here.  This is especially helpful for children, but adults will learn as lot as well!

Craft templates and instructions - these are helpful materials for children and include instructions for constructing a tap-tap box. Tap-tap is the term Haitians use for public transportation vehicles and can work much like the UTO offering boxes.

Ideas for special events  - Maybe your parish would like to hold a rice and beans diner,  to raise money  for clean water. Resources will be available, but your parish may have it's own ideas. Feel free to be creative and then share your ideas and success with others!

Speaker forum - invite a missioner who has traveled to Haiti to come present at your education hour or speak during a service or special event. Contact Heidi Ropa, Haiti Project Coordinator at haitiproject14@gmail.com to schedule.

Sell Singing Rooster Coffee - The Haiti Project receives $3.00 from every bag of Singing Rooster coffee sold in the diocese.  If you already sell coffee - commit to selling more!  Use it as a gift for friends, sell at your workplace, serve at coffee hour., etc.   Contact singingrooster.org and Molly Nicaise will send you materials needed to promote sales for this important source of income to the project.

We ARE making a difference in Jeannette. We can all be a part of this meaningful ministry.

Join Bishop Miller on a journey into the 4 passion narratives this Lent. Bishop Miller will lead a live on-line discussion Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. (2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/25). The study will be webcast from All Saints' Cathedral. Joining Bishop will be a guest scholar. Dean Kevin Carroll will be the moderator and take questions live via Facebook and Twitter. You can join in via Google Hangout. Email Dean Carroll at Kevin.Carroll@ascathedral.org for an invite and more information.

The Frances Donaldson Library at Nashotah

Among the courses offered in 2015 is a Winter Symposium on 'Conflict Management & Reconciliation' February 27 and 28, 2015. Facilitators: David Lee Jones, ThD and Peter Steinke, ThD. For more information and to register, please visit Nashotah House's web site at:  

 http://www.nashotah.edu/academics/winter-symposium-2015/     

April 18, 9 - 3 - Applicant interviews for candidacy and ordination to the diaconate, St. Mary's, Dousman  

June 4, 7 pm - General Information Meeting for those considering discernment, location(s) TBA  

September 12, 9:30 - 1 - PMDC (Parish Ministry Discernment Committee) training, St. Mary's, Dousman  

October 23, 5pm - 24, 1pm - MDW (Ministry Discernment Weekend), The DeKoven Cente

Please join us on Wednesdays during Lent, from 6-8 PM, for warm fellowship and enlightening instruction.

Gather at 6 PM in the Breck Refectory for a simple dinner of hot soup, fresh bread and a beverage before proceeding to Adams Hall for the evening's lecture and musical selections.

(Both venues are located in Nashotah House's DeKoven Commons, where ample parking is provided on the north side of the building.)

Presented by the Rev. Dr. Daniel Westberg, Professor of Ethics and Moral Theology, each week's lesson will delve into background and analysis of the biblical narratives which provide the framework for Bach's St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion oratorios.   For more information and to register for this event (free to the public) click HERE.  Help publicize with bulletin insert. 

Click HERE  to register online to take a class or any of our online trainings offered by our diocese in Safeguarding God's Children (SGC) and Safeguarding God's People (SGP). Our next class with a trainer is scheduled for February 28 2015. There are two locations: St. Mark's, Milwaukee and Church of the Good Shepherd, Sun Prairie. Both locations begin at 9am and end at Noon. Remember that all Vestry and Clergy are required to complete all SafeGuarding Children/People courses.  

L.E.V. are required to complete SGP and anyone who is in ministry with children and youth are required to complete SGC. All certificates need to be renewed every 5 years.  See our website for details on trainings, to register for trainings and to see the Master List of all who have completed trainings since 2003.