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IN THIS ISSUE • May 22, 2026
Healing Mass ~ May 27th
Needful Things Pantry ~ Mar & April 2026 Report Volunteer at the Needful Things Pantry Saturday, May 30th, 2:30-5:30 pm Community Support Helps Needful Things Pantry Grow Join Us for Potluck Sunday ~ May 31st Chippewa Valley Annual ALS Walk 2026 Congratulations Izzabelle! Feed My People ~ Empty Bowls 2026 Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal ~ May 7, 2026 Join the Brew Crew Today! Bible class ~ Wednesday's @ 9:30 am In-person Worship this Sunday at 9am (Zoom & FB Live) Intercessions Follow Us on Social Media Kwik Trip Cards Fundraiser VANCO Volunteer at the Needful Things Pantry Saturday, May 30th, 2:30-5:30 pm Click Here to Volunteer! Community Support Helps Needful Things Pantry Grow
Needful Things Pantry was honored to participate in the Women’s Giving Circle grant event, where we were recognized alongside several well-known community organizations, including the Free Clinic and Feed My People. Thanks to the support of the Women’s Giving Circle, the pantry was awarded a generous $6,000 grant to continue serving individuals and families in our community. The event was a wonderful opportunity to share the story and mission of Needful Things Pantry. Many attendees stopped by our display, asked thoughtful questions, and expressed appreciation for the pantry’s work helping those in need. Betsy and Linda were both instrumental in representing the pantry and connecting with visitors throughout the event. We are very grateful for this support and encouragement from the community and look forward to continuing to serve those who rely on the pantry. Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal ~ May 7, 2026Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal
May 7, 2026 It's May, and the weather is warming up. We're seeing an increase in the number of people that we're serving: it has been routine for us to serve 60-65 people per night, and often there are new faces as well as a variety of abilities: fully-able to some, being in wheelchairs or using walkers. The mental health challenges are apparent each time we go out. The most common items we provide are bus passes, hoodies, boxer briefs, socks, shoes, blankets, and backpacks. Our visitors are grateful for those items — available because of your support and donations — as well as the food, water & Gatorade that we're distributing.
A few of our guests are waiting for items and chatting with us.
The increased number of people brings the number of people up who can't get into the shelter due to capacity. We talk to people who have been in this situation and ask what they do, and many say that they try to "keep moving." Imagine being up during the day and then having to keep moving all night to avoid getting in trouble for loitering or camping. Most don't want to risk receiving a citation for camping in city limits, as the cost of that is $213 each time. For someone with no to low-income, an accumulation of tickets is then dinges on their legal record, and that becomes nearly impossible to pay off.
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People are waiting for shelter. The shelter can take 52 guests,
and the rest have to figure out what to do to stay safe for the night. The Street Ministry has made hundreds of visits to the local jail and prisons over the last 14 years. We work and visit with people who are incarcerated to prepare them for release or transitioning to prison. In general, incarcerated people become the community's forgotten population. There are often 200+ incarcerated men and women in the Eau Claire County Jail on any given day. Do we give them any thought as we drive by the jail on our way here and there? Being in jail adds another challenge to families, for housing, for jobs. We're not saying that jail is not warranted in some situations, but it can be life-altering to people connected to the jailed individual and the fall-out can affect those individuals in ways than just monetary: trauma, changes in relationships, changes in finances, changes in housing, etc.
Regarding jails and prisons, Wisconsin has some of the highest rates of incarceration in the world; please see the graphic below. In Wisconsin, there are approx 18 prisons (16 State and 2 Federal) incarcerating approximately 24,000 individuals. County jails house approximately 10,000 individuals. We urge you to read more information about Wisconsin incarceration info at https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/WI.html There is a vast amount of information pertaining to various populations, types of crimes, costs of medical care, etc.
![]() "In the U.S., incarceration extends beyond prisons and local jails to include other systems of confinement. The U.S. and state incarceration rates in this graph include people held by these other parts of the justice system, so they may be slightly higher than the commonly reported incarceration rates that only include prisons and jails. Details on the data are available in States of Incarceration: The Global Context. We also have a version of this graph focusing on the incarceration of women."
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Street Ministry. Please continue helping us support our work to care for our community's unhoused population.
Blessings,
CVSM Staff
In-person Worship this Sunday at 9am (Zoom & FB Live)
There is a link embedded in the middle of the invitation. To use this link, you have to download the free "Zoom" app to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you have that app on your device, all you have to do is click the link on the email and you will automatically connect. (Be sure to allow the app to access your camera and microphone, if requested. If you don't want to use the app, or are using a device that can't download the app, you can go to the website for Zoom: https://zoom.us On the upper right hand side of your screen, there will be a tab titled "Join a Meeting." Click on that tab and you will be prompted to enter a "Meeting ID or Personal Link Name." The "Meeting ID" can be found toward the bottom of the invitation. I've highlighted it in red to be easier to find. In the case of this meeting, the ID is: 924 746 7996. Just enter those digits without a space or dashes and click enter. From there, you'll be prompted to allow access to your camera/microphone. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 924 746 7996 One tap mobile Meeting ID: 924 746 7996 Intercessions• For those in need of healing, guidance, and comfort: • Diocese of Wisconsin Cycle of Prayer: • Anglican Cycle of Prayer: • Thanksgiving for answered prayers: Sue, Wayne. • May Anniversaries:
Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral The Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin To ensure that our messages arrive in your inbox, please add This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to your contacts. If you prefer not to receive news from Christ Church Cathedral in the future, click here to unsubscribe. |
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Sunday
Rite II with Eucharist service – 9:00 AM;
In person, Zoom and Facebook live.
Click here to join Sunday morning Zoom service
Monday thru Thursday
Morning Prayer – 9:00 AM;
In person only, Chapel of the Ascension
Holy Days – Eucharist as announced in the Weekly Update