News
Outreach Project for May 4 Convention to Benefit Seaman’s Church Institute
As our dioceses discern reunion, Episcopalians across Wisconsin are invited to celebrate our shared commitment to outreach by creating handknitted or crocheted scarves for the Seaman’s Church Institute “Christmas at Sea” program. Our May 4 convention will include an ingathering and blessing of scarves, which will be sent to the Seaman’s institute. The project is sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Milwaukee in conjunction with the Trialogue Steering Committee
You do not need to be a needlework expert to take part. The Institute’s favorite scarf only requires one skein [300 yards, 4 ply] of worsted yarn, and uses a simple pattern available on the Trialogue website. Other patterns, for both crochet and knitting, are on the Seamen’s Church Institute website.
To help your congregation participate in this statewide outreach project, follow these steps:
1. Share this information with your parish.
2. Let us know that your parish will be bringing scarves by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with “scarves” in the subject line.
3. Tag each scarf with your parish name; participating congregations will be recognized at our joint convention on May 4.
4. Arrange for your parish delegation to bring your scarves to the May 4 convention.
Questions? Contact Connie Ott, chair, Milwaukee ECW Board at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.with “scarves” in the subject line.
Favorite scarf pattern: The “Number Scarf”
Needles 6 or 7 or 8
300-350 yards washable worsted #4
Cast on 32 stitches.
Knit (garter stitch) for 14 inches.
Then Knit 4, purl 4 for 18 inches.
Then Knit (garter stitch) for 14 inches.
Bind off!
Find more information about the pattern online.
Other important information for those knitting or crocheting scarves:
Feel free to work with the fiber that makes you happy and you have available. You may use wool, washable wool, wool blends, or acrylics – again, knit with your preference! All are acceptable, with the exception of fun fur. If you are knitting with wool or something special like cashmere, we suggest that you attach a tag or note so that the recipient knows not to put it in the dryer. All SCI patterns provide a recommended yarn weight and gauge.
When choosing colors, remember that the majority of mariners are male, and their work environments can get dirty. We find that seafarers and mariners love bright colors as well as earth tones or a more traditional color palette. Contrary to popular belief, bright colors do not pose a security threat. In fact, required safety gear is usually fluorescent! Work in a colorway that you find pleasing, and we will deliver your gift to a mariner who treasures it. Our only color recommendation is to avoid pastels, as light or delicate colors tend to show more dirt and grime. Stripes or the use of ombre, variegated, tweed, or flecked yarns is another way to make your knit pop.
Please note: the Seaman’s Institute cannot accept scarves with pom-poms, tassels, or fringe, as these embellishments present a safety hazard in maritime workplaces.
Learn more and download patterns.
Proposed Constitution and Canons, Joint Agreement of Union, Documents for May 4 Convention Now Available
Dear People of God in Wisconsin:
In October, our diocesan conventions each approved a resolution calling on the Trialogue Steering Committee to present a Joint Agreement of Union to the governing bodies of each diocese and, in March, to the people of the dioceses. Thanks to the hard work of our Constitution & Canons Task Force of the Trialogue, we have now fulfilled that commitment. In the last several days, each of our diocesan governing bodies has endorsed the documents, and we are sending them to you now for your review.
Along with the Joint Agreement of Union, which includes the proposed Constitution and Canons of a reunified diocese, the Constitution & Canons Task Force has also prepared a set of governance policies that are not binding, but would guide the development of our new diocese. Working together, our dioceses’ chancellors and parliamentarians have developed the resolution that the joint convention will be asked to approve on May 4, and special rules of order for that convention.
Each of these documents is linked below and is available on the Trialogue website:
- proposed Joint Agreement of Union
- proposed Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin
- proposed Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin
- proposed governance policies
- proposed rules of order for May 4 joint convention
- Diocese of Fond du Lac resolution
- Diocese of Eau Claire resolution
- Diocese of Milwaukee resolution
As we prepare for a final vote on reunion, we will hold another series of Town Hall meetings on Zoom in April so that you can ask questions, offer input, and hear the perspectives of fellow Episcopalians across the state. You can find the list of dates and links to register on Zoom below.
All of these documents are the result of years of faithful discernment, hours of collaborative work, and belief that God is calling us to a future in which we will be even more able to confidently bear witness to the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. We invite you to read them and prayerfully consider your questions, your hopes, and the ways that you might hope to contribute to our reunified diocese.
Next week, each of our dioceses will open registration for the May 4 special convention in Baraboo. Everyone — not just delegates, deputies and clergy — is invited to join us for this historic event. If you have questions, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Diocese of Fond du Lac Registration
- Diocese of Eau Claire Registration
- Diocese of Milwaukee Registration
As we prepare for our joint convention, please join us once again in praying this prayer from the Trialogue Prayer and Discernment Task Force:
Lord,
It is Your voice that calls each of us
To play our part in the story of Your Church in Wisconsin,
For You have made us for Your purpose of revealing love
In a challenging time and in a divided world.
As our three dioceses move forward to become one,
Continuing to seek your will for us,
Enlighten our hearts to know what things we ought to do.
Enlighten our minds to know what things we need to leave behind.
Enlighten our spirits to embrace a future none but You know.
Give us peace, give us courage, give us hope.
And give us perseverance to make the steps necessary to
Continue to follow Your lead. Amen.
Thank you, as always, for your commitment to our dioceses and to God’s mission in Wisconsin.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter
Bishop, Diocese of Fond du Lac
Bishop Provisional, Diocese of Eau Claire
Assisting Bishop, Diocese of Milwaukee
The Rev. Canon Kathleen Charles, Tim Donahue, The Rev. Canon Aaron Zook
Trialogue Steering Committee members, Diocese of Eau Claire
The Rev. Portia Corbin, Patricia Pfeifer, The Rev. Canon Wilson Roane
Trialogue Steering Committee members, Diocese of Fond du Lac
The Rev. Canon Scott Leannah, The Rev. Dave Mowers, The Rev. Jana Troutman-Miller, John N. Vogel
Trialogue Steering Committee members, Diocese of Milwaukee
Online Town Hall April Meetings
During April, the Trialogue Steering Committee will hold a second set of Town Hall meetings on Zoom to discuss the Joint Agreement of Union, the draft Constitution and Canons for a reunified diocese, and the documents for our May 4 convention.
Please register on Zoom for one or more of these Town Hall meetings:
You will receive a Zoom link to join the meeting once you have registered. If you have questions or need assistance, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We are holding our first Intergenerational Concert on Sunday, April 28th at 2 pm in the Haas Fine Arts Gantner Concert Hall featuring the Chippewa Valley Youth Choirs, Chorale à NouvEAU, and the Stand in the Light Memory Choir. Seats should be reserved before the concert to guarantee seating. There is no admission price, but all seats must be reserved for general seating in advance. Please fill out the following form to reserve your seat:Please allow 1 – 3 business days for processing. You will receive an email with a voucher for your seats. If we run out of seats, the email will contain the livestream link with an explanation instead of a PDF with the number of seats reserved.For those that would prefer to view the concert from home, here is the livestream link for Gantner:
Service Schedule
Sunday
Rite II with Eucharist service – 9:00 AM;
In person, Zoom and Facebook live.
Click here to join Sunday morning Zoom service
Holy Days – Eucharist as announced in the Weekly Update
