The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

 

 
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E-NEWS

13 November, 2015  

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E-NEWS

 
 
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In This Issue
Leadership Days in 2016 for Clergy and Lay leaders...PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES!
A Special Message from the Diocesan Multicultural Team
A thank you from Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project
AROUND THE DIOCESE
OPEN ENROLLMENT...Diocese of Milwaukee Medical/Dental Insurance
Suggested Reading
WI Faith Community Nurse Educational Offering
Prayers for Parishes
Trustees of Funds & Endowments Announce 4.32% Combined Fund Distribution Payout Rate for 2016
Cultural Exchange Opportunities at SJNMA.
Safeguarding God's Children on-line training offered
For those wondering about Ordination
Education for Ministry (EfM)
 
 
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. 

This edition of E-NEWS offers some initial Convention information and photos and links to more . . . additional Convention material and photos will appear in next week's E-NEWS.

Barbara Klauber, Editor
 
Leadership Days in 2016 for Clergy and Lay leaders
   
PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES!
Leadership Days in 2016 for Clergy and Parish lay leaders/Vestry members
 
The Changing Culture of the Church with Dwight Zscheile
Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Nashotah House Seminary
This leadership day will feature Dwight Zscheile speaking on the changing culture of the church. 
The Rev. Dwight Zscheile
Dwight Zscheile is an Episcopal priest and associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also serves part-time as associate priest at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in St. Paul. He is author of The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age (Morehouse Publishing, 2014), People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity (Morehouse Publishing, 2012) and The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation (with Craig Van Gelder, Baker Academic 2011) and editor of Cultivating Sent Communities: Missional Spiritual Formation (Eerdmans, 2012). A graduate of Stanford University (BA), Yale University (MDiv) and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership), he previously served congregations in Virginia and Connecticut. Dwight's experience growing up in a secular home in California has shaped his commitment to helping the church cultivate Christian community with new populations and generations in today's changing world.
 
Please let Peggy Bean, Canon for Congregations, know if you are interested in attending: 
(414) 272-3028/ext. 158 or   [email protected] .
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DOES YOUR PARISH NEED A JUMP-START?
 
Saturday, April 16, 2016 (9am-3pm) - Location TBA
LOCATION to be announced as it depends on how many plan to attend.  It is hoped that all parishes will be represented by both clergy and Lay leaders/vestry members.  Locations to accommodate these numbers are being investigated by those planning this session. 
Please e-mail Peggy Bean, Canon for Congregations, if you plan to attend: 
[email protected] .

Does this describe your church?
- Preserving the building has become your mission
- Finances are tight
- Too many empty seats on Sunday
- Tired and worried leadership
Hear examples of how other churches are solving their building dilemmas.
Discussions will be solution focused.  Thinking will be outside the box.
$25 will buy you lunch and a lot of hope.
For more information on JUMP START!
contact: Peggy Bean, Canon for Congregations 
[email protected]   414-272-3028 / ext. 158
Please share this information and flyer with your parish.  THANK YOU!

Click here for a FLYER with this information. 
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A Special Message from the Diocesan Multicultural Team 
A special request/challenge from our Diocesan Multicultural Team: As reported at convention this team has been meeting for over a year to discuss ways to encourage our Diocese to build and strengthen relationships with All People. As the Body of Christ we together come to know and serve Jesus yet what we have found is we often don't know too many others who don't look like us or think like us. We live in a changing world and each church says they want to invite others and to be open to all so how do we do this? Over the next few seasons we as a team will be inviting you to have conversations together in your church community. The first conversation is perfect for the Holidays. This advent as you gather together for events or conversations steer the discussions to ethnic and family customs. What have we brought into your family celebrations from your ancestors? What foods, traditions, and stories? Share these stories together - what are the same, similar or really different? We know stories are a wonderful way to build and strengthen community so we hope this Advent Season you all get to know each other better and perhaps this can be a way for you to include new people in a fun and inviting way to get to know your church community.
Questions?  Contact Peggy Bean, Canon for Parishes at [email protected] . She will be happy to help and / or refer you to a member of the committee.
A thank you from Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project to those who supported the current mission trip to Haiti 


Many thanks to all those who have sent supplies and funds to support our current mission to Jeannette, Haiti. Pictured left to right leaving MKE: front Heidi Ropa and Becca Hennen (St. Andrew's, Madison), Stan Timm (St.Luke's Racine); back Jon Cushman(St. Matthew's, Kenosha), Tom Cramer(St. Anskar's, Hartland), Mary Alice Eschweiler (St. Mary's, Dousman), Holly Starck (Holy Communion, Lake Geneva), Jenny Starck (Eagle,CO), Carrol Boyle (St. Barnabas, Richland Center). We were joined by 2 other people from the Dakotas in Atlanta. (from Mary Alice Eschweiler, mission trip participant and member of the Haiti Project board of directors)
AROUND THE DIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE
Mandolin Concert at St. Matthias, Waukesha NOVEMBER 21  
The Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra travels to Waukesha for St. Matthias' Concert Series, on Saturday Nov 21, at 7:30pm, with associate musical director and acclaimed classical guitarist  Elina Chekan.
This concert will feature Evan Marshall, a renowned mandolin virtouso whose duo-style mandolin playing has captivated audiences around the world. The MMO was founded in 1900 and plays music arranged for 1st and 2nd mandolin, mandola, mando-cello, mando-bass, guitar, percussion and voice. The MMO has appeared twice on "Prairie Home Companion" and plays at music festivals and concert halls throughout the Midwest.
Reception and social time with the MMO follows the concert.  Click HERE for more information and on-line ticket purchase.
To purchase tickets over the phone, please call 1-800-838-3006.
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Lessons & Carols on Dec. 6th
at All Saints' Cathedral 
 
All Saints' Cathedral invites all members of the diocese and wider community to attend an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 6th.  Organ prelude begins at 3:30 pm; service begins at 4pm.  A festive reception will follow the service. ALL ARE WELCOME!
 All Saints' Cathedral is located at 818 East Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202. 
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St. Aidan's Episcopal Church at 670 East Monroe Street in Hartford, Wisconsin invites you to their Christmas Bazaar and Brat Fry on December 5th from 9am - 2pm.  Bake Sale features wonderful homemade Christmas cookies.  Crafts --  handmade items by parishioners including knit items, wooden crafts, ornaments and children's gifts.
Lunch is served from 10am - 1pm and offers brats, homemade soups and breads plus dessert.
Visits with Santa are offered from 11am - 1pm.  
See FLYER for more information!
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Advent Retreat at DeKoven Center 
WAIT: An Advent Reflective Retreat at The DeKoven Center, Racine, WI 
Date: December 2-4, 2015
Conductor: The Rev. Sam Portaro
Cost: $200
Wait, the four-letter curse of our time, is nonetheless at the thematic heart of Advent. In a series of meditations punctuated by worship and ample time for reflection, this retreat invites one to enter the annual preparation and anticipation of The Nativity with a renewed sense of the role and importance of waiting, and The Wait. The Retreat begins with a Gathering Reception Wednesday evening at 5:00 and closes on Friday morning. The hours follow the familiar monastic pattern of Prayer, Eucharist, Meditation, and Silence.  To register or for more information, contact
Sarah Bussell, Assistant, Retreat & Conference Center Manager
Ph. 262-633-6401 Ext. 105   [email protected] 
 
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Diocese of Milwaukee Medical/Dental Insurance 
Open Enrollment runs from November 4-20, 2015  for those enrolled in medical/dental insurance plans through the Diocese of Milwaukee/Church Medical Trust.  This is also the time for clergy and lay employees of the diocese, its parishes and entities who are NOT enrolled but are considering enrolling to contact the Diocesan Office about their options.  Within the past week, those currently enrolled should have received a letter from the Church Medical Trust in NY explaining the steps of Open Enrollment.  The plans offered by the Diocese of Milwaukee are listed HERE on the diocesan website.  Questions?  Problems? Please contact Patty Jaffke at the Diocesan Office at [email protected] or (414) 272-3028 / ext. 156.  She will be pleased to assist you!
Suggested Reading . . .
 
Yankee Bishops:  New book by one of our own, The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Henery
The office of bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States has long begged attention from historians.Yankee Bishops: Apostles in the New Republic, 1783 to 1873 is the first collective examination of the American episcopate and offers critical insight into the theory and practice of episcopal ministry in these formative years. In this period, one hundred men were elected and consecrated to the episcopal order and exercised oversight. These bishops firmly believed their office to mirror the primitive pattern of apostolic ministry. How this primitive ideal of episcopacy was understood and lived out in the new republic is the main focus of this study. Yankee Bishops is also the first book to scrutinize and analyze as a body the sermons preached at episcopal consecrations.  Yankee Bishops will be a primary source in Anglican and ecumenical studies and of general interest to the reader of American religious and social history.
Charles R. Henery, sometime Professor of Church History and Homiletics and Sub-Dean at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashotah, WI  presently serves as a supply priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee and has recently returned to St. John's Northwestern Military Academy to serve as the interim priest.   
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Designated Tithing article features
St. Aidan's, Hartford members 
Check out this article, "Designated Tithing" in the current  issue The Living Church magazine!  It includes information garnered from members of one of the Diocese of Milwaukee's parishes: St. Aidan's, Hartford. 
WI Faith Community Nurse Educational Offering
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE 







Faith Community Nursing - Wisconsin Nurses Association
Educational Offering: Chronic Disease Update for the Faith Community
Friday, December 11, 2015 
Aurora Medical Center in Summit, WI 
36500 Aurora Drive, Summit, WI 53066       
ALL ARE WELCOME!  The purpose of this conference is to enable Faith Community Nurses to positively affect their ministry in terms of healthcare and spirituality for themselves and their clients in today's changing environment.  Whether you are an experienced FCN or are just starting out, please join us to share in learning and grow our professional community!  Scholarships are available ($30) for anyone who is an Episcopalian or serves an Episcopal congregation.  Non nurses are welcomed.  For Episcopal scholarships contact Maryfran Crist at [email protected]          MORE INFORMATION 
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. 
November 15, 2015 - St. Peter's, North Lake
God of Love, we are grateful for the guidance you are providing to the community of St Peter's - North Lake as they continue to grow, learn and serve.  Thank you for providing opportunities for the parishioners and visitors to experience your presence through both traditional liturgy and monthly contemporary worship.  We pray that the excitement present there is sustained as the they continue to live out their mission of building Christians for service.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 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. 
Trustees of Funds & Endowments Announce 4.32% Combined Fund Distribution Payout Rate for 2016
At its quarterly board meeting on October 22, 2015 the Trustees of Funds and Endowments established an annual Distribution Payout Rate for calendar year 2016 of 4.32% of the Fair Market Value of The Combined Fund as of December 31, 2015. This compares to a Payout Rate of 3.94% in 2015.

The Payout Rate is calculated on 4.5% of the average fair market value of The Combined Fund for the trailing twenty calendar quarters. The 4.5% calculation rate is based on the distribution policy of the Board and is intended to provide a fair income distribution to investors, protect the principal value of the Fund and to provide for growth in the Fund above the rate of inflation.
Parish Treasurers may use the 4.32% payout rate for budget purposes.
If you have any questions regarding the Distribution Payout Rate, please contact Michael Hagon at  [email protected] or 414-232-7358.
Cultural Exchange Opportunities at SJNMA 
SJNMA cadets include international students
At this year's diocesan convention, hosted by St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, in Delafield, deputies learned that the academy has a number of international students who are unable to return home for school breaks and holidays.  SJNMA would love to hear from members of the diocese who may be interested in cultural exchange/hosting an international student.  More information HERE.
 
SGClogo 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).  
Spring CLASSES with Trainer dates are being set now. If your parish wants to host a spring training contact Deacon Terry Garner soon at [email protected] . 

Camp Webb logo CAMP WEBB 2016 - Registration runs from October 17, 2015 - January 15, 2016
Early registration is $375 beginning Oct 17th to January 15, 2016.
Regular registration fees are $400 (Jan 16-Mar 1).
Registration fills up fast. Register early and get the discount!
 
YOUTH COUNCIL Meeting, Saturday, November 14, 9am - 3pm
Open to all current high school students who want to be part of our new leadership team to youth in our diocese.  This first meeting will be an amazing day together and we will begin planning the first event we will lead ("Night at the Cathedral" March 11-12, 2016). Contact Rev. Elizabeth Tester ([email protected]) or Rev. Carla McCook ([email protected]) for more details.
For those wondering about Ordination . . .  
Wondering about ordination?
Commission on Ministry Informational Meeting
Saturday, January 9, 2016, 10 a.m. - 12 noon at St. Mary's, Dousman
 
For those discerning a call to 
  • the diaconate 
  • the priesthood
  • professional chaplaincy
along with their sponsoring rector.
 
Those wishing to attend need to register with the President of the Commission on Ministry, The Rev. Martha Berger, at [email protected] (deadline Dec. 31).
The New COM Manual, with the discernment timeline and responsibilities, can be found on the diocesan website's COM page under the Strengthening Congregations tab at  www.diomil.org
Education for Ministry (EfM)
EfM is a distance-learning program for adult Christian formation through theological education and reflection offered by the Beecken Center of the School of Theology at the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee (http://efm.sewanee.edu/ ). Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM helps participants move toward a new understanding of the fullness of God's kingdom as they better apprehend the connections between their faith and their lives.
Most of our EfM groups meet weekly (Sept-June) in various churches around our diocese. There is also an EfM Online program you can join if you have time constraints. Our Diocesan EfM coordinator is Mr. Bill Stotts,  [email protected] . You may email him with updates about your EfM group and facilitator contact, to find a group meeting in your area, or for more information.
This intense opportunity for study can be life changing and transformational!

OPENINGS IN EfM CLASS   
The EfM class sponsored by St. Mark's-Milwaukee at St. John's on the Lake still has openings in all four years. The group meets on Tuesdays  from 12:30 to 3:00 PM in the 3rd Floor Library at St. John's. Tuition is $350 for the year and includes all texts, study materials, and Continuing Education Units.

NEW EfM Group to being in Madison - starting in January 2016! (Time/day still to be determined) Trial Session scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 6:30PM at St. Luke's, Madison (4011 Major Ave, Madison), mentored by Gloria Alt of St. Dunstan's [email protected] or 608-235-3817).

For more information, contact William Stotts, EfM coordinator for the Diocese of Milwaukee, at [email protected] or on Facebook at the EfM page, or at 414-456-0847.

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