The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

 

 
domseal1E-NEWS 
June 26, 2015  
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In This Issue
A Statement on Emanuel AME Church
A message from Bishop Miller at General Convention
Follow the work of the Diocese of Milwaukee's deputation to the 2015 General Convention.
Rest in Peace, The Rev. David Miracle
Strawberry Fest supports Haiti Project
Haiti Project offers classes in Haitian Creole
Support Fr. Jim Kaestner's bike ride to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research
Stir Up the Spirit: ECW Triennial meets in conjunction with General Convention 2015
Catechesis of the Holy Spirit Retreat on August 22nd
Planned Giving Workshop set for September 26 at St. Mary's, Dousman
Now Hiring - St. Aidan's, Hartford seeking PT Nursery Attendant
AROUND THE DIOCESE
Prayers for Parishes
Julian of Norwich Gathering
Applications for Financial Aid in 2016 available to congregations
HAITI PROJECT seeks Coordinator for Coffee project
Camp Webb - 2015
"Surprised by Joy"...The 39th Miniweek for Women August 13-16
Safeguarding God's Children on-line training offered
 
 
We welcome you 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. 

Barbara Klauber, Editor
A Statement  by the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church 
Bishop Miller has asked that the following statement from the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church be shared in the E-NEWS
THE AME COUNCIL OF BISHOPS  STATEMENT CONCERNING EMANUEL AME CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

June 18, 2015

The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church joins with our components and worldwide membership in expressing our grief and sympathy on the senseless and tragic attack which took the lives of The Rev. Clementa Pinckney, pastor, and eight other congregants of Mother Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina. Mother Emanuel is the oldest black church in the south and one of the most historic churches in the nation. The senseless and evil action which took the lives of those who gathered at Mother Emanuel to study and pray is indicative of a major crisis facing our nation and its people. While we are pleased that Dylann Storm Roof, the assailant and alleged murderer has been arrested, we do not believe this matter has been concluded.

First, we join in grief with Mother Emanuel Church in the loss of her pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, and the Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., Cynthia Hurd, the Rev. Sharonda Singleton, Myra Thompson, Tywanza Sanders, the Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Susie Jackson, and Ethel Lance, members of that church family. We also grieve with the State of South Carolina, which also lost an outstanding state senator and leader in the person of the Rev. Pinckney. Second, we pray and ask for the God of love, mercy and grace to comfort; restore and give peace to family members and of all of us who have been shaken and saddened by this tragedy. May our faith be strengthened and our hope restored.

Finally, we call upon the nation's political leadership, faith institutions and other organizations in this country to face the reality that race remains a problem in this nation. "The arrest of Dylann Storm Roof, the assailant and alleged murderer does not end this matter. In fact this matter makes even clearer that race is a major problem in our nation that must be dealt with," said Bishop Julius McAllister, President of the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. "The nation can no longer live in denial and act as if it does not exist. Every week there is some incident, which involves the negative consequences of race," he added. "The AME Church will join with other faith communities to stress the need for the United States to face, discuss and meet head-on the problem of race in this country," said Bishop John R. Bryant, Senior Bishop of the AME Church.

"African Methodists in South Carolina are strong and faithful, we will not shy away or lessen our commitment to equality and social justice," said Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, Presiding Bishop of South Carolina. "This will make us stronger and more determined to advance God's kingdom on earth. This tragedy will not weaken, but strengthen us. African Methodism will become stronger because of this tragedy," he said.

The problem of race has not decreased but increased over the last several years. Listen to what has been said, "We want our country back." The question is from whom? Mr. Roof stated that he had to kill blacks because of what blacks are doing to "his country."

The recent Charleston, South Carolina tragedy; the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner in Staten Island; Akil Gurly in New York; Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio; and Freddie Gray in Baltimore, our nation's president has been called "a monkey," disrespected and had his citizenship questioned, are all indicative of a systemic race problem.

In September the African Methodist Episcopal Church will be joining with our sister communions and other partners to constrain this nation to address the issue of race in this nation. Details will be announced next month.

The Council of Bishops calls on all of our churches, and other communions and congregations to join together this week, and in particular this weekend wherever we worship to pray for those who lost their lives, their families, Mother Emanuel Church, and our nation.

Contribution to assist with the burial and expenses related to those who lost their lives can be sent to:

 

"Mother Emanuel Hope Fund"
C/o City of Charleston
P. O. Box 304

Charleston, SC 29402

____________________________________________________ 

A message from Bishop Miller at General Convention in Salt Lake City 

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

I write you from Salt Lake City, site of the 78th General Convention. Today is Registration Day for Bishops and Deputies and the initial meetings of Legislative Committees. As at last Convention, I am on the Committee for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations. 

In one sense, General Convention is like a big family reunion. I sat on the plane next to a priest from Vermont who had been my GOE reading partner years ago. Last night, I had a good visit with my friend Tony Pompa, Dean of the Cathedral in Bethlehem, PA. I am certain I will see many other friends in the Exhibit Hall today.

I want to remind you as I have before previous General Conventions that the media does not always accurately report the decisions of Convention. This is not by intent. We are a nuanced people in an unnuanced age and the black and white nature of reporting does not always grasp these subtleties. Your deputies and I will meet with you after Convention to share with you what has transpired. 

In closing, I ask your prayers for me, our Deputation, and most especially the Church. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ by our actions.

 

Yours in Jesus' name,

    

The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller
Bishop of Milwaukee

(shared from the Bishop's blog, where he will be posting periodic updates during the meeting of the General Convention.

Follow up to the Diocese's Community Read of "Seedfolks"  

by Peggy Bean, Canon for Congregations

We hope that you have had a chance to read Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman.  We gave this book out at last year's convention with the hope people would read it and share it.  It is a wonderful little book that looks at the big issues of fear, racism, poverty, and apathy with hope, care, support, and transformation.  We can't do it all but we can make a difference in some way.  In this story we se e that together small acts can make big things happen and I know that is true in this Diocese.   We would love to hear how reading this little book impacted you and your community.  Please email me at [email protected] to share your story.   

   Also:  We still have a number of copies of the book at the diocesan office; if you would like to use the book as a discussion starter for a group in your parish -- it works well for young adult/youth groups -- please let us know how many copies you are looking for!   

Follow the work of the Diocese of Milwaukee's deputation to the 2015 General Convention  

The General Convention is the governing body of the Episcopal Church. The Convention is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies, which has more than 800 members, and the House of Bishops, which is comprised of nearly 300 active and retired bishops. The Convention meets every three years and has the authority to amend the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church; adopt the budget for the church for the next three years; authorize liturgical texts and amend the Book of Common Prayer; adopt communions and covenants with other churches; set qualifications for orders of ministry and office-holders; elect officers of the General Convention, the Executive Council, and members of boards; and delegate responsibilities to the committees, commissions, agencies, and boards of the Episcopal Church.

Follow the work of the Diocese of Milwaukee's deputation to the 2015 General Convention at the deputation WEBSITE  and  FACEBOOK page.  If you have questions, concerns, or ideas you wish to communicate to the deputation, you may do so on their website's  Contact page.  

Rest in Peace . . . The Rev. David Miracle 

As was shared last week, The Rev. David R. Miracle, age 72, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 18, 2015.  We now have information on his funeral service (see below).  We have heard from family members that there are also plans to have an interment at Nashotah House; when / if we receive that information, we will share it here. 

The Funeral Service for Fr. Miracle will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at St. Thomas Church, located at 226 Washington Street in Menasha, Wisconsin, with The Rev. William Johnston officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 PM until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Church:

Please click HERE for a complete obituary for Fr. Miracle.

Strawberry Fest supports Haiti Project
Strawberry Fest takes place JUNE 28 from 11am - 3:30pm at St. Mary's, Dousman and benefits the Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project
Enjoy delicious strawberry desserts; shop for hand melded and hammered Haitian art from Croix de Bouquets artisan colony. Celebrate the Haiti Project's 28 year partnership with St. Marc's Parish and School.
St. Mary's, Dousman is located at 36014 Sunset Drive (Hwy. 18 & 67) in Dousman, WI 53118.

Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project
NEWS

 

Haiti Project Matching Campaign for Water and Electricity

by Heidi Ropa, Haiti Project Exec. Director 

There is a proverb in Haiti that goes like this..."The rocks in the water do not know the pain of the rocks in the sun."  This saying was made real to me in March when I visited Jeannette, Haiti, a community this Diocese has had a partnership with for 28 years.  All water in this community comes from water catchment and is held in cisterns  -- large holding tanks of rainwater. People walk with their buckets for long distances to fill them and return to their homes with their water supply for the day.  Currently, there is no purification system for the water at St. Marc's School, therefore, there is no access to safe drinking water.  The parish priest, Pere Jean Lenord Quatorze reported to me that after each rain, at least 20 students come down with water-born illnesses like diarrhea or intestinal worms.  The way of Christ, invites us to respond to such needs.  All children deserve to grow up with safe water to drink.

June through Labor Day Weekend, the Haiti Project is seeking to match the $35,000 given by two generous donors who seek to address issues of water and electricity at St. Marc's School and Health Clinic.  We, the rocks in the water, may not understand the pain of the rocks in the sun -- what it is like to walk for a bucket of water each day hoping our children will not become ill from drinking it.  We can, having learned of this problem, respond with generous hearts.  Please follow this link to make a contribution to the Matching Campaign for Water and Electricity:  http://haitiproject.org/?page_id=290 .  Questions?  contact Heidi Ropa at (608)235-9393 or email [email protected].

 

Join a Haiti Project trip to Jeannette

Fall Haiti Project trip is being planned Oct. 23-Nov. 1.  Please contact Mary Alice Eschweiler at [email protected] for an application.

Contact Heidi Ropa at (608)235-9393 or email [email protected].

 

Participants in Haiti Project's March 2015 trip 
Support Fr. Jim Kaestner's bike ride to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research 
Please consider helping The Rev. Jim Kaestner raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research!  For 23 years -- and again this year -- Fr. Kaestner will be riding "The Best Two Day Bike Ride for MS" on August 1st & 2nd. 
For reasons not fully understood, MS is more prevalent in Wisconsin than in any of the other 49 states; chances are good that someone among your own family members and acquaintances has MS or will have it.
Much has been accomplished in the 23 years Fr. Kaestner has been biking for MS research but still more needs to be accomplished.

Donations in honor of Fr. Kaestner's participation in this years Best Two Day Bike Ride for MS maybe sent to:

NATIONAL MS SOCIETY
1120 James Drive - Suite A
Hartland, WI 53029
Phone: (262) 369-4400

Or donate on-line at National MS Society website.   THANK YOU!!
ECW Triennial meets in conjunction with General Convention 2015 

Stir Up the Spirit - Celebremos! is the theme of this year's Triennial of the women of The Episcopal Church - (the ECW). They will be meeting in conjunction with the General Convention, sharing worship, exhibit hall and space with the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies.  

Their program is open to all and includes keynotes, workshops, reports, business, a 5K run, a Distinguished Women Luncheon and the celebration of125 years of United Thank Offering.  

If you want to see what they are doing go to http://ecwnational.org/triennial-meeting-2015/ Each day there will be a new edition of Triennial Today with news of the past 24 hours and plans for the next 24. You will probably see small tidbits from the work of the other Houses also. Enjoy!

Catechesis of the Holy Spirit retreat Aug. 22 at St. Bartholomew's, Pewaukee 
There will be a Catechesis of the Holy Spirit retreat on August 22, 2015 (10am - 3pm) at St. Bartholomew's
Pewaukee.   Clergy and lay persons interested in learning more about CGS are welcome, as are those already working with CGS!  Registration fee $20.  Please see FLYER for details and registration information.
Planned Giving Workshop set for September 26 at St. Mary's, Dousman 

The Diocese of Milwaukee and the Trustees of Funds and Endowments invite parish leaders to join them for a workshop on planned giving.  

The two hour workshop will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 10:00  a.m. - 12:00 Noon at St. Mary's Dousman, located at 36014 Sunset Drive (Hwy. 18 & 67), Dousman, WI 53118. 

Both parishes with an existing Planned Giving ministry and/or an Endowment, as well as those without one, will benefit from this workshop. This workshop reviews best practices and empowers leadership to be able to take the best, next steps for their congregation!

To register for the September workshop, please contact Michael Hagon via e-mail at [email protected], or phone at (414) 232-7358 by Monday, August 31, 2015. There is no charge for the workshop. 

 

Now Hiring:  St. Aidan's, Hartford seeking  Nursery Attendant 
St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Hartford, WI is seeking an attendant for their Church Nursery.  This is a part-time (8-12 hours/month) paid position.  Click for details.  St. Aidan's is located at 670 East Monroe Avenue, Hartford, WI 53072.  Phone: 262-673-7273.  E-mail:  [email protected] .    
AROUND THE DIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE

Concert at St. Matthias on June 27 features Janelle Lake, Harpist
 
On June 27, 8:00 p.m. at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin presents:

The Shimm

ering Harp - Janelle Lake, Harpist
Janelle Lake is a

professional harpist based in Chicago performing harp music from Debussy in Oak Brook, IL to jazz in Switzerland.  Liz Cifani, retired Lyric Opera harpis

t taught Janelle Lake at Northwestern University during her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Music Performance.   Janelle recently released her first CD of French and Czech harp music titled Moonlight in a Pool.  Music of Carlos Salzedo, Alphonse Hasselmans, Marcel Tournier, John Thomas, Claude Debussy and Nancy Gustavson will be performed.  

Come hear these amazing musicians in wonderful acoustics! This concert is a fund raising event for the music department of St. Matthias. A post-concert reception will be included with your admission. To purchase tickets contact the church office at 262-547-4838 or go to click HERE for online ticket sales. Tickets purchased at least a week in advance $5-$15; at the door tickets $10-$20.  
Questions, please contact Craig Bodoh, Director of Music, 414-460-3253

St. Matthias Episcopal Church is located at the Corner of Main Street & East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186.

 
        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 current installment, which runs through November 2015, please click HERE  

June 28 - St. Paul's, Ashippun

Almighty and Everlasting God, you govern all things in both heaven and on earth; continue to support and nurture St. Paul's in Ashippun as they minister and care for the people in their congregation and community. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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. 
Madison area Julian of Norwich Gathering resumes 
meeting July 8th (7:15-9:00 pm) at St. Dunstan's 
 

Madison-Area Julian Gathering

Wednesday, July 8, 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 [email protected] or (608) 845-2413.

 
Applications for Financial Aid in 2016 available to congregations
Congregations in need of financial help that are ready to put a development plan in place with the support of Mission and Development will want to check out the Financial Aid for 2016 Application.  We work with the leadership of the congregation to provide support, training and networking as a way to strengthen your development plan.  If you would like the application in a Word document,  please email Peggy Bean, Canon for Congregations, at [email protected] .
HAITI PROJECT seeks Coordinator for Coffee project 

Singing Rooster Coffee is looking for a Coffee Coordinator for the Diocese assisting parishes with coffee purchases for parish use or coffee sales to individuals in each parish. This person would also help get the word out to all churches in the Diocese about supporting the economy of Haiti through coffee sales.  Each bag of this delicious coffee pays Haitian farmers at greater than Fair Trade rates and a portion of the sale goes to the Haiti Project to help fund St. Marc's School in Jeannette, Haiti.

Interested?  Contact Heidi Ropa, Haiti Project director, at:

[email protected]  

Camp Webb - Summer 2015 Session 

Please keep staff and campers in your prayers during this summer's camping sessions.   

Parishes and individuals - thank you for your scholarship gifts. Many of our campers depend on camp scholarships and you help make that possible!  

Click HERE for info on donating to Camp Webb.  THANK YOU! 

 

"Surprised by Joy"  

The 39th Miniweek for Women August 13-16

The 39th annual Miniweek for Women will be held at Camp Lakotah, Wautoma (center of the state) from evening meal Thursday, August 13 through brunch Sunday, August 16. 

This event is open to all women with the theme this year being "Surprised by Joy". The weekend contains presentations, workshops, entertainment, good food, beach time, worship, naps, conversation, laughter. The participants can go to everything - or nothing - it is your weekend. There are a variety of housing choices from rustic cabins to inside facilities with amenities. Scholarships are available.

The chaplain will be The Rev. Anna Doherty from St. Aidan's, Hartford. The keynoter is Mary Fran Crist, Province V health ministry committee member speaking on the theme. There will be some new workshops including opportunity to learn how to play bells, making fingerless mittens, overview of General Convention, and archery. The labyrinth will return, along with choir, book study, exercise to music, Taize and talent show. And much much more.

Go to www.womensminiweek.org, for registration and other info.

THE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT DEADLINE IS MAY 15, 2015. Gift certificates in any amount for Mother's Day available from Barb McFadden at  [email protected].  

 
Safeguarding God's Children/Safeguarding God's People  

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).sgclogo

Our next class with a trainer will be in the fall - see dates below.

ONLINE CLASSES - registration due on or before June 30th. There will be on online registrations accepted in the month of July. Registration begins again in August.

FALL CLASSES with Trainer:

Saturday, 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.


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