Dear Friends in Christ,

"Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy before he suffered pain and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

This prayer, appointed for Monday in Holy Week and Fridays throughout the year, clearly sums up the invitation of Holy Week. We are offered the opportunity in the liturgies of Palm Sunday and the triduum to walk in the way of the cross and discover anew that it is the way of life. These are the most ancient and moving liturgies of the year. In these liturgies, particularly the reading of the Passion-- the story of Jesus' agony, trial, death and burial which we have been studying as a diocesan family this year, we are invited to look again at ourselves and God's love for us.

As you hear the passion read this Palm Sunday and Good Friday, I invite you to see yourself in the story. For many of us it is easy for us to see ourselves in the actions of the disciples who abandoned Jesus, or Peter who denied him. Most of us have known times like these. For many of us it is not much of a stretch to see ourselves in the crowd. We know times when we to have succumbed to going along with crowd or been stirred up with false indignation. This year we hear Mark's Gospel on Palm Sunday. The portrait of Jesus that Mark paints is of a Jesus who is misunderstood, abandoned, and alone. I suspect we can see ourselves in Jesus, too. That is the richness and the wonder of the Gospel story.

As your bishop, I write to encourage you to make every effort to participate fully in the worship of this Holy Week. I know you will be blessed if you do.

The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller

Bishop of Milwaukee 

What do the numbers really mean?  I encourage you to read this report and think about your own numbers and trends regarding growth and decline.  What are the numbers saying and what are they missing? Hopefully they start the conversation on this important subject, rather than ending it. 

In talking about what is going on in your church and how you are living into your mission, be sure to ask how you are being a good neighbor?  Do you know what is changing in the neighborhood?  So many of our churches talk about how people drive in to church and that is great but I also challenge you to look at what it would mean to be a neighborhood church.  Would it look the same?

These conversations are great for the vestry to have while addressing  mission and looking at how connected the congregation is to the wider world, community and neighborhood.  I encourage you to keep records of Worship on Sunday AND how the building and grounds are being used during the week AND what activities, events, teachings etc. the congregation is involved in away from the building.  What are these numbers and trends telling you about:

• church and the community
• people and the community
• people and the church   

Questions?  Please contact me at bean@diomil.org or (414) 272-3028/ext. 158 or (800) 236-3028/ext. 158.  

The Rev. Debra Trakel, Rector of St. Christopher's in River Hills, is going to take a group of folks on pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel) next February (2/15-2/24)  We will see the land where Christianity began and explore Jesus' Jewish world.  Estimated costs, air inclusive, are $3,050-$3,300.  The price depends upon how many people choose to go.  The cost includes the on site tour guide, two meals a day, transfers to and from the airport in Israel, and more.  Debra has been working with a professional Israeli travel agent to craft a tour.  She has already been to Israel twice and knows what kind of pace she'd like, and what she wants to be sure people get to see and experience.  We will go on pilgrimage to pray in the places where Jesus prayed, and worship where He worshipped.

If you are interested in this possibility, please talk to Debra soon so that she can save you a space and give you more information.  revdebra@aol.com  414-339-9266 (cell)

Theology Pub, a St. Mark's program,met on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the usual place, Paddy's Pub, due to St. Patrick's Day being on the 3rd Tuesday in March, when Paddy's special room was not available.

Deacon Michelle Mooney of St. Mark's sends the following report on the first months of Theology Pub:

"The evenings have been just great! What better place to talk about church and theology than a nice cozy pub. We have served pizza or Mexican snack food for all and it's really been a hit. Our response continues to be active and a good mix of St. Mark's folks and new friends from the neighborhood. The time of the event remains 6-7:30pm".

Some 41 campers are now  registered for Camp Webb's Summer 2015 sessions - we have to extend our cabin space!!  Spaces left for registration: TWO (2) for girls and FOUR (4) for boys. Camp is open to all rising 3rd graders to HS Seniors. Our rising HS Seniors will be Counselors in Training (C.I.T.)  Don't delay -- register your child NOW for this wonderful experience.  Cost:  $450/week; act now . . . we anticipate a waiting list!  Click HERE for more information or  contact The Rev. Carla McCook at mccook@diomil.org .
Those who do not have children  of camp age may wish to consider making camp possible for children who  need financial assistance  . . . click HERE to donate.  Your donation will help us live out our belief that NO child should miss out on camp because of lack of money!
To all who support Camp Webb, whether by attending camp, donating, or volunteering -- THANK YOU!! 

Sojourner Family Peace Center is the largest nonprofit provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services in Wisconsin, serving over 9,500 clients each year. Sojourner provides an array of support aimed at helping families affected by domestic violence achieve safety, justice and well-being.  They are seeking volunteers and have asked their network of Milwaukee-metro congregations and community organizations to share the following information in their newsletters.

Volunteer Opportunities: Sojourner Family Peace Center

Women and men are needed days, evenings and weekends to volunteer at Sojourner Family Peace Center.  We offer opportunities to volunteer on the Domestic Violence Hotline, with battered women and their children at our shelter, Sojourner Truth House, with children at Belle Resource Center, and various other opportunities.  A minimum of three (3) hours each week for 6 months is requested.  a 16.5 hour evening training program begins on April 14 and continues on April 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30, 2015 from 5:30 - 8:15 PM.  All 6 evenings are required.  Please call the Sojourner hotline at (414) 933-2722 by April 3, 2015 for further information.  

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 May 2, 2015 at St. Boniface, Mequon; class begins at 9am and ends at Noon. Remember that all Vestry and Clergy are required to complete all SafeGuarding Children/People courses.   FALL Classes with Trainer:

Sat, Sept 19th, 9am-Noon at 2 locations: St. Luke's, Madison and St. John the Divine, Burlington.  

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.

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