The Episcopal News Service Article

[Episcopal News Service – Stevens Point, Wisconsin] The Diocese of Wisconsin gathered here Oct. 4-5 for its first diocesan convention since the state’s three Episcopal dioceses reunited this year, and the celebration was joined by both The Episcopal Church’s current presiding bishop and its presiding bishop-elect.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, whose nine-year term ends Oct. 31, addressed Wisconsin Episcopalians in a prerecorded video, in which he called the votes authorizing the diocese’s reunion “one of the great highlights of General Convention” and “a sign of hope.”

“It was such a great moment, not only for the Diocese of Wisconsin but for The Episcopal Church,” Curry said. “Go forth following in the footsteps of Jesus.”

This diocesan convention also offered an opportunity to formally install Bishop Matthew Gunter as bishop of the reunited diocese. Gunter previously was bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, and as the only active bishop in Wisconsin, he became bishop of the reunited diocese when Fond du Lac merged with the dioceses of Milwaukee and Eau Claire in June.

On Oct. 5, the convention’s Holy Eucharist was held in a ballroom at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Stevens Point, a city of about 25,000 in the center of the state. The diocese welcomed Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe as preacher, and in his sermon, he praised Gunter as a respected bishop in the church.

“Bishop Matt is looked to in our House of Bishops as one who abides, as one of deep spiritual wisdom, and I’m thrilled that he is leading your people here today,” Rowe said.

Rowe’s sermon responded to the Gospel reading from John 15, in which Jesus describes himself as “the true vine” and his father as the vinegrower. Episcopalians and other Christians are like branches of that vine, Rowe said, but they sometimes err in thinking of themselves as the vinegrower.

“Our only duty as branches connected to the vine is to love and to allow ourselves to be pruned by the one who is the master … to let ourselves be pruned in new ways,” Rowe said.

The Diocese of Wisconsin convention was attended by 300 or more clergy and lay leaders from about 100 Episcopal congregations around the state, as well as the two other diocesan bishops who most recently served there. The Rt. Rev. Jay Lambert, who retired as bishop of Eau Claire in November 2020, and the Rt. Rev. Steven Miller, who retired as bishop of Milwaukee in December 2020, led a liturgy of investiture, in which Gunter affirmed his commitment to Christian ministry and faithfulness in the statewide diocese.

The original Diocese of Wisconsin was created in 1847, a year before Wisconsin became a state, and was first led by Bishop Jackson Kemper. Over the next 80 years, the original statewide diocese divided into three as Wisconsin’s population increased. Today, about 6 million people live in the state, though the church’s membership is steadily declining – down overall by a third in the past decade to about 11,000 in the most recent count.

In August 2021, the three dioceses launched a formal process “to explore ways to deepen cooperation and coordination” at a time of bishop transition in the dioceses of Milwaukee and Eau Claire. That process culminated in June 2024 with bishops and deputies voting to authorize the reunion as one of the final items of business at the 81st General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

Wisconsin’s reunion is one example of a growing spirit of collaboration among dioceses across The Episcopal Church. The dioceses of Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan also received approval from the 81st General Convention to merge and will finalize that plan at an Oct. 18-19 convention. Other partnerships, in various stages of alignment, include the dioceses of Indianapolis and Northern Indiana; the dioceses of Central Pennsylvania and Bethlehem; the dioceses of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine; and Rowe’s two dioceses, Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York.

Rowe was elected presiding bishop on June 26 on the first ballot by the House of Bishops and confirmed overwhelmingly by the House of Deputies. He has since emphasized the need to restructure the church so that it is more effective in supporting congregations and dioceses in their ministries with their local communities. His term starts Nov. 1, and a ceremonial investiture will be livestreamed Nov. 2.

As bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Rowe also has served since 2018 as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York through the two dioceses’ formal partnership, which has involved sharing a bishop and collaborating in other ways on mission and ministry. In that role, Rowe had previously traveled to Wisconsin to advise its reunion discernment process, known as the “trialogue,” and shared some of what he and his two dioceses had learned.

Now as presiding bishop-elect, Rowe returned to Wisconsin this month to offer encouragement as the state’s Episcopalians begin this new phase of experimentation. He addressed the Diocese of Wisconsin on Oct. 4 in a speech at the end of the convention’s first day.

Gunter, in introducing Rowe, acknowledged that The Episcopal Church “is facing some real headwinds and challenges” in reversing the decline in membership and Sunday attendance that is affecting most mainline Protestant denominations. By choosing Rowe for presiding bishop, “we wanted somebody who we thought could lead us in these times,” Gunter said.

Rowe, echoing the remarks he made in June after his election, described The Episcopal Church as facing “an existential moment.” He warned against assuming there is some easy solution. Instead, he emphasized the importance of experimenting with organizational structures and new ways of being the church, to ensure it can reach and continue to reach the people and communities where it serves.

“The church is the risen body of Christ in the world,” he said, adding that it’s not enough to try connect with people. The higher goal is “connecting for a purpose,” to spread the Gospel.

Rowe called the Diocese of Wisconsin “an inspiration to the church” as it identifies the need for rejuvenation. “I am inspired by your willingness to step out, by your willingness to do what people simply talk about,” Rowe said. “I hate to break it to you, but the hard part is just beginning.”

He referenced his own experiences with diocesan partnerships. “What I’ve learned,” he said, has come “mostly from failure.” The Diocese of Wisconsin won’t get everything right immediately, Rowe said, but this reunion will be a promising “first step” if its leaders and congregations remember that “God’s always working with us.”

“Think about this as the first iteration of your diocese, but don’t think about it as your last,” he said. “You’ve already got it in your DNA, and I think you can help the rest of the church.”

– David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Join us for the Rite II Holy Eucharist service with Rev. Lenny Anderson, celebrant who will preach, at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral, or watch this service livestream via Zoom (instructions & link below) or on our Facebook page (to find us on Facebook type in @cathedralec).

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.

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HAPPENING NOW ACROSS AMERICA!  The reviews and comments on social media are already flowing in. A CASE FOR LOVE reminds people that unselfish love and care for one another are paramount in our relationships and communities, particularly during election season. A CASE FOR LOVE is now on all CABLE, SATELLITE, & DIGITAL RENTAL OUTLETS. Please help us spread the word to your friends and family across the US and Canada.  Find us everywhere, from Amazon Video, iTunes, and the Dish Network, to Vudu, Direct TV, and more! See the complete list of confirmed outlets below.

Your word-of-mouth recommendations are what make this campaign of love successful--see what one viewer wrote today on our socials:

FRIENDS!! I just watched a profound documentary, "A Case For Love" produced by Webb City native, Brian Ide. I'm having difficulty putting my feelings into words. Goosebumps, tears, a sense of gratitude, reaffirming my choice that LOVE IS indeed A CHOICE... Excellent work Brian! Thank you for making our world a better place!

We would love for you to join us this Sunday, at 9 a.m., for the Easter V Rite II Holy Eucharist service with Rev. Lenny Anderson, who will preach, in-person, via Zoom or Facebook 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. Click HERE to download the free app, just choose the correct version for the device you have. If you already have the app on your device, all you have to do is click the link below to 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: Zoom: https://zoom.us or click HERE. Enter a "Meeting ID or Personal Link Name." The "Meeting 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.

If you don't have access to a smartphone/tablet/computer with a camera and microphone and want to join the meeting as a phone call, there is a number listed just above the Meeting ID that you can call. That will connect you to the meeting with audio only. Those numbers are in red in the invitation. For this meeting, the best number is: 1 312 626 6799

Click HERE to join the service via Zoom

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Click Here to access the Sunday bulletin.

Access 1.14.2024 'The Rule of Life: an ordered way to follow Jesus'

Please join us on October 24th and be part of an amazing evening of learning, discovery, and prayer as we learn from meteorologist Bob Lindmeier why we are experiencing the weather disasters we are experiencing more and more.Bob's presentation on climate change begins with the science. He looks at how climate scientists have determined we are in a climate crisis. Bob will look at how the warming climate has supercharged our atmosphere, resulting in more frequent and intense extreme weather events. Next, he will discuss the consequences of climate change that we're experiencing now, emphasizing how the climate has changed locally and the problems that these changes are causing in our lives. Bob will show projections of how much more the climate will change through the end of the century if we continue to burn fossil fuels at the rate we are now. The projections will show how urgent it is to transition to renewable energy quickly, otherwise, our children and grandchildren will live their adult lives in a climate much different (and much worse) than the one we have lived. Finally, Bob will look at solutions, including ways to reduce your carbon footprint and the absolute need to put a price on carbon with bills now in Congress. The solution is there, the question is do we have the political will to enact these changes? We are asking you to gather in one location, church or someone’s home to participate as a community. After the presentation, you can discuss what you learned and what questions and information you still need. But even more important, what are you, as a community and as an individual, going to change and do in response to what you learned?

Please register your Watch Party by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will send you the zoom link and additional information on Monday, October 21st.

Join us at 7:00 PM, Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Excerpt from the first newsletter:

The Diocese of Eau Claire

Vol. 1 No. 1

Hudson, WI, June, 1929

"Last Supper" Panel

————————

Herewith is a cut of the memorial panel which was unveiled on the Fifth Sunday after Easter, May 22, 1927. It is the gift of Mrs. Walter Fitch in memory of her mother, Mrs. Abigail Milliken Harper, who entered into Paradise July 2, 1904. The panel consists of a wood carving done by one of the Oberammergau Langs (the same who did the carving on the Rood Beam) who is credited with being one of the two best wood carvers in this country. The panel itself is set in a Gothic frame and illuminated by a concealed light from above. 

The carving is a reproduction of the painting known as the "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian painter of the fifteenth century. It shows our Lord and the twelve apostles in the upper room in Jerusalem on Maunday Thursday night when Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Communion. The particular incident portrayed occurred just as our Lord made the startling announcement: "Verily, verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me." Immediately to the right of our Lord sits St. John, the Beloved Disciple, perplexed by this unexpected statement. St. Peter (third on the right) has jumped to his feet and is leaning back of Judas Iscariot reaching for St. John and urging him to ask the Master who the traitor may be. Judas shrinks forward on the table clutching his money bag. 

On the left of our Lord is St. James the Elder, leaning back with hands extended in astonishment. Behind him stands St. Thomas with his hands raised as though asking the question, "Lord, is it I?" And next to him is pleading his innocence of any treachery. Toward the left end of the table is a group of three more apostles with their heads together discussing the strange turn of events. The first of them is St. Matthew, speaking to the other apostles but extending his hands toward the Savior as though referrring to His recent remarks. Next is Thadeus, striking one hand into the other in token of surprise, and at the end of the table is Simon the Canaanite with his hands extended in dismay. 

The last three, at the right hand end of the table represent St. Andrew with his hands raised in amazement, while St. James the Younger reaches behind him toward St. Peter as though to restrain any hasty action. At the end of the table St. Bartholomew leans attentively forward to catch our Lord's reply to St. John's question as to the identity of the traitor. It is an exceptionally expressive piece of work, beautifully executed and placed in the wall of the Church near the pew which Mrs. Harper used to occupy in the old Church. 

Look for this as you walk into the Cathedral on the right hand side handing on the wall.