The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

 

 
domseal1E-NEWS 
July 10, 2015  
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In This Issue
Attend a Post-General Convention Session
Call for Nominations and Resolutions to the October 17, 2015 Diocesan Convention
Making a Garden and Growing a Community: The Giving Garden at St. Luke's, Bayview
Parishes - Apply for a Ministry Development Grant
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Julianfest 2015
Holy Communion, Lake Geneva participates in pulpit switch
ob Openings from Wisconsin Conference of Churches
HELP WANTED: PT Short-order Cook at SJNMA
REST IN PEACE . . .
AROUND THE DIOCESE
Key Questions before a Giving Campaign
Safeguarding God's Children session offered at St. Christopher's, River Hills
Safeguarding God's Children on-line training offered
Follow up to the Diocese's Community Read of "Seedfolks"
Support Fr. Jim Kaestner's bike ride to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research
Prayers for Parishes
Planned Giving Workshop set for September 26 at St. Mary's, Dousman
Now Hiring - St. Aidan's, Hartford seeking PT Nursery Attendant
HAITI PROJECT seeks Coordinator for Coffee project
"Surprised by Joy"...The 39th Miniweek for Women August 13-16
 
 
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
Attend a Post-General Convention Session 
Members of the Diocese of Milwaukee's deputation to 2015 General Convention, L-R: The Rev. Mike Tess, Ms. Janet Finn, The Rev. Dorota Pruski, Mr. John Washbush, Bishop Steven Miller, The Rev. David Simmons, The Rev. Miranda Hassett, The Rev. Andy Jones, The Rev. Anna Doherty, Ms. Carlynn Higbie, The Rev. Martha Berger, Ms. Connie Ott, Mr. Peter Larson, Mr. Bill Robison.

Historic work was done by the General Convention of The Episcopal Church in its June 25 - July 03, 2015 meeting.  In addition to planning to attend a Post-General Convention session next week, please use the links in this e-mail for more information on what has transpired at General Convention and to see photos.  

For information on the Diocese of Milwaukee's deputation and their work at the just-completed 2015 General Convention of The Episcopal Church, please go to 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.   You may also attend a post-General Convention session (see below).

 

POST-GENERAL CONVENTION SESSIONS

The Bishop and members of the diocese's General Convention deputation will host two Post-General Convention sessions for members of the diocese: 

 

MONDAY, 13 JULY at 7pm at Trinity, Wauwatosa

(click HERE for  address and directions)

WEDNESDAY, 15 JULY at 6:30 pm at St. Dunstan's, Madison
(click HERE for address and directions)

ALL members of the diocese are WELCOME to attend and hear from our Bishop and deputation! 

_______________________________________________   

NOTE: There is construction around Trinity; please allow extra time.

Call for Nominations and Resolutions to the October 17, 2015 Diocesan Convention 
2013 Diocesan Convention business session

Nominations & Resolutions to the  October 17, 2015 Diocesan Convention are due AUGUST17, 2015. 

Please click HERE to access forms for submitting Nominations and Resolutions and for general information on both!  Questions?  Contact Barbara Klauber at the Diocesan Office at [email protected] or (414) 272-3028 / ext. 111.  Registration information and material will be available in later July.  We look forward to seeing many of you, whether you will be a deputy or a visitor, at this year's Diocesan Convention, which will take place at beautiful St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin!
Planting radishes
Making a Garden and Growing a Community: The Giving Garden at St. Luke's, Bayview 

 

by Linda Bossow

The outlook of a gardener is practical, yet hopeful. Faith that good things will come during the season ahead; sharing the joys (harvest) and sorrows (rabbits) that come along.  

 

The garden is blessed
At St. Luke's we realized that we had gardeners, we had a perfect location for a garden, and we had a desire to make an impact in the fight against hunger in our community. The result is our St. Luke's Giving Garden. The organic food we raise is given to support a soup kitchen and a food pantry, both in our local neighborhood.

 

The garden in June

Rome may not have been built in a day, but thanks to the many willing workers who turned out on March 11, 2015, the Giving Garden was.
When Fr. Charles Henery blessed the garden on March 26, there were radish sprouts present to receive the blessing. 

 

 

 

Our parish is enthusiastic. Our neighbors regularly stop an
d speak with us when we are out working in the garden,
and they are delighted with the look of thegarden and with its mission. It is early in the season, but we have already harvested about 150 pounds of vegetables.    

 

Parishes - Apply for a Ministry Development Grant (Applications due October 15, 2015)

Mission and Development is interested in helping support Parish projects that meet one of the following criteria:

  • strengthens the congregation's identity and purpose
  • deepens the congregation's engagement with the local community, or
  • fosters healthy and effective organizational dynamics within the parish

For more information and for an application form to apply for a 2015 Fall Ministry Development Grant, click HERE.

 

Questions?  Please contact Peggy Bean, Canon for Congregations, at [email protected] or by calling (414) 272-3028 / ext. 158.  

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles . . .  

by Susan Fiore

 

JulianFest 2015 group picture

That's how Affiliates of the Order of Julian of Norwich arrived, from fifteen states and two Canadian provinces, for the 33rd annual Julian Retreat and JulianFest, held at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in rural Oconomowoc.

The Rev. Dr. Holly Ratcliffe, ObJN led the retreat, presenting her well-researched thoughts on how Julian's personal history may have led to her face-to-face encounters with the crucified Jesus. We were in silence, except during the Divine Offices and the Eucharist.

 

JulianFest began Saturday. Professor David Carlson of Franklin College in Franklin, IN spoke movingly about his research on how monastic orders responded to 9/11 -- a very different response from what we all saw in the media and heard on the streets. Prof. Carlson makes a strong case that only monastic wisdom can bring peace to the world.

Saturday evening we were treated with entertainment provided by -- what else? -- Julian Affiliates!

 

 What are Julian Affiliates?

Julian Affiliates are men and women, Oblates and Associates, who respond to the Holy Spirit's invitation to draw nearer to Jesus. The monks and nuns of the Order are the still point at the center of a worldwide network of lay and ordained people who have chosen to live under a rule of poverty, chastity, obedience and prayer, bringing spiritual renewal to the Church through contemplative witness.  

 

What draws a person to undertake such a demanding rule of life?

"At the time of my affiliation, I was wrestling with my faith (or lack of it) in God. I was tired of running from God and sought direction and faith in my life."   

     READ MORE . . .  

Holy Communion, Lake Geneva in pulpit switch 

 

The Rev. Bill McLemore, Parish Priest at Holy Communion Episcopal Church, Lake Geneva, and his wife, the Rev. Lori Lowe, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, McHenry, Illinois, with Bishop Miller's blessings, switched pulpits Sunday, June 28th.

Shown here, Lori administers communion to Scott Melancon, confirmed last fall by Bishop Miller, and Bob Hill, a life-long member of the Church of the Holy Communion.  (The photo was taken by the Parish Photographer, Don Wehrenberg.)

Lori begins her fourth year as the rector of St. Paul's and Bill has completed a year as part-time supply for Holy Communion, serving Sundays and Wednesday at the parish.  Bill is officially listed as "Priest Associate" at St. Paul's and they are both canonically resident in the Diocese of Chicago.  In January, they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary and live in McHenry.

__________________________________________    


Parishes:  Please send
YOUR photos accompanied by brief story to E-NEWS at [email protected] .  THANK YOU! 

 

Job Openings from Wisconsin Conference of Churches 
The Wisconsin Conference of Churches (WCC) publishes a monthly list of job openings in church/religious entities around Wisconsin.  They range from clerical and communications positions to youth ministry and music director positions . . .
Click HERE for the  WCC's full list of Positions Open.
HELP WANTED:  PT Short-order Cook  

WANTED: Part-time Short - Order Cook

to work at

St. John's Northwestern

Military Academy

 

Location: SJNMA Campus - Student Recreation Center

Job Responsibilities: Short- order cooking with some cashiering duties, stocking, and light cleaning. Apply if you are dependable/reliable, conscientious, trust worthy and can work 12-15 hours per week.

We are looking for someone to work 2nd shift - beginning at 4:00 p.m. weekdays and 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (normally closing approx. 8:00 p.m.).

Pay Scale: Based on experience.

Contact: [email protected]  or [email protected] to apply

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Rest in Peace . . .  
On the 2nd of July, The Rev. Fran Ryan (for many years a deacon in this diocese prior to her retirement) lost her youngest son.
He died from a head injury sustained in a bike accident in spite of wearing a bike helmet. He fell into a coma from which he never awoke. The funeral is to take place July 20th.
For those who remember Fran's ministry in the Diocese of Milwaukee and wish to send condolences, the address is:
3451 Nick Captain Colon Lane,  Flagstaff, AZ 86001
AROUND THE DIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE

Rachel Zylstra in concert at St. Mark's, Milwaukee on July 19

St. Mark's, Milwaukee, is proud to host Rachel Zylstra for concert on Sunday, July 19, at 7 p.m.

"Smoky, sweet and verbose-in the best ways (scoutmob.com)," Rachel Zylstra is a New-York-based confessional songwriter and performer whose music finds a home in church sanctuaries and in dimly-lit music bars alike.

With formidable piano and plaintive vocal, Rachel delivers lyrics rich in wit and narrative. She has self-released three albums, opened for cult favorites including Over the Rhine and David Bazan, and this summer will introduce a new full-length album recorded with her band, The Tacit Turn.  Having presented this concert in whole or in part in cities as diverse as Dublin, New York, and Grand Rapids, she's excited to bring it to St. Mark's, Milwaukee, this July 19.

To listen and read more, visit rachelzylstra.com. St. Mark's, Milwaukee, is located at 2618 N. Hackett Ave.

Please join us.   

 

Angelus Concert July 22 at 7pm at All Saints' Cathedral, Milwaukee  

Created in 2008, Angelus is comprised of seven young women from Mt. Vernon Senior High School (Mt. Vernon, IN). Dedicated to the performance of sacred music of varied religious traditions and historical periods, Angelus is completely unique among American high school vocal ensembles.  

Having modeled themselves on the American quartet Anonymous 4 and the Irish ensemble Anuna, Angelus explores repertoire that is both historically and artistically significant yet quite suitable for younger voices; this repertoire includes medieval chant and polyphony, works from the American Sacred Harp tradition and contemporary Irish and American compositions.  All Saints' Cathedral is located at 818 E. Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202. 

 

Recital at All Saints' Cathedral, Milwaukee on July 25

Sarah Richardson & Michel Shestak (ASC organ scholar) will present a recital of German lieder on Saturday, July 25th at 7:30pm at All Saints' Cathedral, which is located at 818 E. Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Small reception to follow in the library. There is no admission fee. Donations will be accepted to help fund Sarah's travels to Germany this August as a student of the Lyric Opera Studio Weimar.

Diocese of Milwaukee Finance Officer on leave July 07-21
Marlene Udovich, the diocesan Finance Officer, will be on leave form July 07 until at least July 21 to have surgery for repair of a torn (and very painful!) rotator cuff injury.  We know that parishes and clergy rely on the resources of the Finance Office and we ask your understanding during Marlene's absence. Please remember Marlene in your prayers and  join us in wishing her a speedy and complete recovery.
The Hunger Book Sale
at All Saints' Cathedral, Milwaukee


It's that time again . . . the Hunger Book Sale sponsored by All Saints' Cathedral in Milwaukee takes place July 30 - August 04.  Hours on July 30 are 6-9 pm; all other days the sale runs from 11am - 6pm.  All proceeds from the sale are donated to hunger-related outreach ministries and programs. The Cathedral WELCOMES your donation of gently used books (please no text books/encyclopedias) and may be able to arrange pickup of large donations.  Books may be dropped off at the Cathedral from 9am - 1pm Monday - Thursday. To arrange pickup / get more information please contact the Cathedral office at 414-271-7719. 
__________________________________  
While attending the Hunger Book Sale, you will also have an opportunity to attend a FREE organ recital . . . that's a pretty wonderful two-for-one!!

Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 2pm 
Hunger Book Sale Organ Recital 
Karen Beaumont, organist 
Music by Mendelssohn and Buxtehude 

 

Key Questions before a Giving Campaign 

Is it time for your church to run a stewardship campaign?   Only if you can demonstrate a few clear components first.  For instance, you need a clear, compelling vision that  demonstrates the long-term benefits of the giving campaign.  A survey found that 72% of donors look for that clarity of vision.  In addition, do you have a healthy stewardship culture to begin with? Don't put the added pressure of a campaign on your congregations unless  you know they're already financially invested.   - RSI Stewardship from Church Finance Today.

 

Check out this graphic from Church Finance Today on this question - Does your church have a written strategy for inspiring people in biblical generosity?  

 

 

http://www.churchlawandtax.com/cft/2015/july/does-your-church-have-written-strategy-for-inspiring-people.html 

 

The Commission on Mission and Development along with the Finance Committee will be happy to help you continue this conversation.

Peggy Bean, Canon for Congregations    Marlene Udovich, Finance Officer 

Safeguarding God's Children session offered Aug. 22 at St. Christopher's, River Hills 
St. Christopher's, River Hills is holding an in-house Safeguarding God's Children training session on August 22 from 9am - 12Noon.  Members of other parishes may register to attend by contacting  St. Christopher's at [email protected] or (414) 352-0380 AND they are asked to inform the diocesan office by e-mailing [email protected].  THANK YOU!
 
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 Fall dates for classes with a trainer 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.

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!   


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.

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!!
        Prayers for Parishes
The  diocesan Commission on Mission and Development has prepared a cycle of prayers for the congregations of the Diocese of Milwaukee. 
To view the current installment of the cycle, which runs from July  through November 2015, please click 
HERE  .  This week's prayer appears immediately below.
 
July 12, 2015 - Zion, Oconomowoc
Holy Father in heaven, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, you have planted your churches throughout southern Wisconsin for the benefit and welfare of your people and the glory of your kingdom: give us an abiding sense of your presence, that old wounds may be healed and new life may begin. Grow in us that we may nurture one another.  Equip us to carry your Gospel to the world.  Inspire us with your joy that others may be drawn through us to you.  We pray in the precious name of Jesus, the Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.
 
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. 
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] .    
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]  

 

"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].  


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