News
Welcome to the first newsletter for the Episcopal Wisconsin Trialogue. The Episcopal dioceses of Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, and Milwaukee are exploring how reunification to one diocese may better equip us to be the church God is calling us to be in these times.
You are receiving this email because, as a subscriber of one (or more!) of the diocesan newsletters, we think you'll be interested in learning about the process and progress of this discussion. Please feel free to share this news with your parish. If you know of someone who would like to be added to this list, they can subscribe to it here. If at any time you'd like to
unsubscribe, you may click the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of this email.
January 14 gathering in Stevens Point
Members of the Trialogue task forces and steering committee gathered for the first time in person Saturday, January 14, in Stevens Point to hear a presentation on adaptive leadership and change by the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Pennsylvania and bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York, followed by a round-table discussion on their respective work so far and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Hosting the gathering was the Beloved Community, the joint Episcopal/Lutheran ministry of Episcopal Church of the Intercession and Redeemer Lutheran Church pastored by the Rev. Jane Johnson.
Bishop Rowe noted that exploring the reunification of three dioceses is a major adaptive challenge, one that requires stakeholders—the people of the dioceses—to identify the nature of the challenge and its solution. Adaptive problems, he said, are distinct from technical problems, which are challenges we understand clearly and know how to solve, even if the solution is complicated. Heart surgery, he said, is a technical problem; although it is complicated, a heart surgeon has the required expertise. But discerning the role of the institutional church in the 21st century is adaptive: no expert has the answer, so we have to figure it out together.
Because an adaptive problem has no known solution, it requires developing a process that helps people manage and distribute loss, he said. "With adaptive change, you are asking people to change values, behaviors, and beliefs," he said, "much of which was hard won," and therefore run the risk of sparking resistance. Only by engaging the stakeholders can the church move forward.
“We’re going to ask you to give something up for a missional wager,” Rowe said, offering a suggestion about how stakeholders might be inspired to embrace change. “The scripture is clear: the elders dream dreams. We want this vision for our children and grandchildren, for future generations. This is bigger than ourselves.”
Bishop Rowe speaking to the steering committee and task forces
Prayer Cards Available
The Prayer and Discernment Task Force is offering prayer cards for use by individuals and congregations across the Dioceses of Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, and Milwaukee. Permission is granted to download, print, and share.
Affinity Groups Are Now Forming
We welcome the opportunity to meet with like-serving members of all Wisconsin congregations. Affinity groups include a variety of ministry teams: altar guild, music, adult/youth formation, outreach, social justice, Vestry/Jr. and Sr. Wardens to share ideas, curricula, best practices, innovative ideas, and more.
Please contact Lee Donahue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to lead or join an affinity team. We look forward to hearing how you and other members of your parish would like to be connected. Please forward this email to others who may express an interest.
Tim Donahue (Steering Committee member)
Communications Task Force members - Lee Donahue (Facilitator), Carla Corbin, Rev.
Constitutions and Canons Task Force - Jim Pelish, Rev. Aaron Zook, Dave Bauer
Culture and Tradition Task Force- Linda Georgeson, Rev. Philip Morgan
Finance Task Force - Garret Connover, Bob Weathers
Parish and Regional Engagement Task Force - The Very Rev. Scott Kirby, Edie McDougal, Rev. Dcn. Steve Russell, & Steering Committee Liaison, Tim Donahue
Prayer and Discernment Task Force- Rev. Dcn Marlene Hogue (Facilitator), Rev. Dcn Bill Power, & Steering Committee Liaison, Rev Canon Kathy Charles
Structure Task Force - The Very Rev. Benjamin Thomas (Co-Facilitator), Lynda Grece, Jim Pelish
The sign-up sheet is now posted in the memorial lounge and in sign-up genius for hosting July coffee hours. To sign up through sign-up genius scroll to the bottom of this email, and click on the link. You can also sign up on the poster by the kitchen window when you’re at church this Sunday. If you’ve never hosted coffee hour, but you would like to get started, talk to Mary Gadwill and Becky Van Es. We will be happy to host with you your first time to give you instructions. Thank you to all for making coffee hours enjoyable for everyone!
This is a time to connect with your church family following the service on Sunday. It's fun & easy! We want to keep it simple, coffee, juice, and breakfast items (donuts, donut holes, muffins, cookies, etc.) Please check your calendar and review the available slots below; click on the button to sign up.
Help us keep coffee hour brewing!
News from the Community Haven House (formerly the Warming Center):
For bus passes, please reach out to Western Dairyland (715) 836-7511, Sojourner House (if you stay there) (715) 514-5556, Gaining Ground (if you are a client there) (715) 838-2409, or the social worker at the EC library (715) 839-5061, to sign up for a pass. More agencies to participate soon!
On Sundays we don't have buses that operate so people are stuck downtown. Downtown there are very few options on Sundays, mainly
the bars and churches, and these are both limited in what
they can provide for people.
Come join us in providing a place where people can stop in as they need it when they have nowhere else to go. No experience required!
If you have any questions please contact The Warming Center at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Many of our parishioners have not been able to access the Sacrament for over a year now. Our Deacons have proposed a system where individuals or couples or families could have a private communion by appointment. It would be an abbreviated service, about fifteen minutes, and you would receive the Sacrament in both forms. Please contact the church office if you are interested and we can get your appointment scheduled.
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
