Thank you again for hosting the April 5th, 2024 blood drive. We collected 25 units of blood on an original goal of 20 units and when divided into 3 separate blood components we have the potential to help up to 75 patients in need!

The staff said it was a very good day and were extremely grateful for you and your volunteers. How do you feel the day went? Is there anything we can do better or differently next time? 

Please share the attached results flier with your members and the community. It’s wonderful to see 8 first time donors! We hope everyone had a wonderful experience and we will see them again next time!

• We do not have a future blood program scheduled, would it be possible to partner again this summer and fall/winter timeframe? We received a hefty increase to our collection goals over the summer and are looking for sponsors to add additional blood drive opportunities in the community.
• Summer is a Critical Need timeframe due to donors taking time off, traveling, vacationing and upcoming holidays. This leads to a decrease in donor activity and a drop in available blood products for patients. Yet, the need for blood products is constant.
• We have some excellent donor incentives this summer to help promote upcoming programs and keep donors participating!
  

Please let me know if it’s at all possible to add a summer blood drive this July and again this fall or wintertime frame. Winter is also a Critical Need period with holiday and fewer blood programs; blood drives we can add in November help patients through December and/or programs in December help blood products remain readily available through the New Year.

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.

 

Join us next Thursday, April 18th at 6 PM CT / 7 PM ET for Faith in Place's Annual Earth Vigil. April is a month of religious observance for many traditions and a time when millions celebrate Earth Day globally. Let's gather for reflection and to continue the work for our shared home and for each other. 

All are welcome!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

We also wanted to share a bit of inspiration leading up to our annual Vigil. With Ramadan drawing to a close, the Green Team at the Muslim Community Center in Chicago recognized for their commitment to a greener Ramadan. "...Our job is to correct our overuse of resources and address the injustices and effects of selfish change in the Earth."  Read the Chicago Tribune article: https://bit.ly/green-Ramadan

We look forward to seeing you at the Vigil on April 18. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. View all of our upcoming events, including Monthly Calls and more on our calendar!

See you there!

The Faith in Place Team

P.S. Give a gift today to support our Eco-Ambassador youth! Generous Faith in Place donors have committed $10,000 to match your gift. With your support we can continue to empower youth to be confident leaders!

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