![]() One of the unique offerings at this triennium’s General Convention are TEConversations (The Episcopal Church Conversations), which are being held during three joint sessions of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies over the coming week. Each conversation offers multiple speakers, video presentations and engaging interludes around three priorities of this gathering: racial reconciliation, evangelism and care of creation. The first conversation revolved around racial reconciliation. We heard from a reformed, former leader of a worldwide racist skinhead organization, Arno Michaelis. He told us hate and violence was an all-consuming way of life. Compassion and forgiveness are a double edged sword as the way to combat this anger and hate. The Rev. Nancy Frausto, a native of Zacatecas, Mexico, and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) beneficiary priest was another speaker. Frausto is a dreamer, “which means I entered the country illegally. I ran and hid to be reunited with my father.” Frausto talked about the story of Jesus and Lazarus when Jesus said to the people, “Unbind him. Let him go.” She went on to say, “Imagine us unbinding this country from racism. We also heard from a local Austin poet, Charles Dawain Stephens, aka Chucky Black, who recited his poem, Black Magic; Dr. Catherine Meeks, Director of the Absalom Joes Episcopal Center for Racial Healing and viewed a video that presented the question – What is a Beloved Community? – was answered by people representing the diversity of the Episcopal Church. A discussion followed within dioceses surrounding the issues of racism. Our diocese focused discussion on the unbinding of our hatred, fear, oppression and pain within our diocese and churches. Each TEConversation will be available live and online, with support materials, for local use in churches at a later date. The next TEConversation is on Evangelism. It will be 2:30-4 p.m. CDT on July 7. The other main order of business before the House of Deputies was Resolution A068 regarding full revision of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. There was much debate and discussion regarding this resolution and there will be more discussion and a probable vote on Saturday morning. Please continue to pray for our delegation as consider and vote on the important resolutions before us. Anne Peterson is a member of St. Thomas, Menasha. To learn more about our General Convention Deputies, visit diofdl.org/gc. Greetings from the first official day of General Convention 79 in Austin TX. We had a blessed & busy day filled with listening, learning, observing & discerning. However the highlight of the day was spent worshiping the God of all at the Opening Eucharist alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our Presiding Bishop inspired us with his preaching, the musicians moved us with their gifts of song and dance and the Body and Blood of Christ nourished us with His sacrifice of love. As we face the business of the Church at this General Convention, our Presiding Bishop called us to recall and live out the LOVE we are commanded to have for one another. He reminded us that we were given a new commandment, not a new option to love one another. He urged us to keep our eyes on the prize and to hold on-hold on! In this time of stormy conditions in our world we must never lose sight of Jesus. We don’t need a new program, we just need to follow the rule of life we’ve already been given-the Holy Scriptures. (If you need suggestions, check out David and Paul.) We were made to LOVE & BE LOVED! Throw yourself into the arms of Jesus and hold on, HOLD ON! Amy Heimerl is a member of Ascension, Merrill. To learn more about our General Convention Deputies, visit diofdl.org/gc. Greetings from Austin Texas and the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. We all arrived on July 3rd and those serving on committees had their first meetings. The process of working through resolutions has begun. I am working on the Title IV Safeguarding the Church committee. We are strengthening the clergy disciplinary canons and working on policies to ensure that our churches are as safe as possible Today, the 4th, we did not take a holiday. We had our first meeting as the House of Deputies and we heard from our president and from our presiding bishop. He reminded us that we are serving the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ. He drove it home by talking about the lyrics of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make men holy, let us live to make all free, While God is marching on.” Read more about his address to the convention here.
Pray for us as we do our work. Pray for our church. Fr. Ralph Osborne is Rector of St. Thomas, Menasha and serves as Chair of the Diocese of Fond du Lac Deputation. To learn more about our General Convention Deputies, visit diofdl.org/gc. ![]() Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of Susan S. White who died June 25, 2018. She was 55. Born May 23, 1963 in Long Beach, CA, Susan graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. She married Linwood White in 1986. In 1994 they moved to Oneida when Susan accepted a position with the Oneida Trust Department, which she went on to become the Director. An active member of Church of the Holy Apostles, Oneida, Susan served as Senior Warden. She was a Trustee of the Diocese of Fond du Lac and served on the committee recommending changing investment advisors for the Diocesan Common Trust. Her funeral is June 28, 2018 at Holy Apostles, Oneida and she will be buried in the Holy Apostles Cemetery. Give rest , O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Obituary here. ![]() The Rev. Dcn. Isaiah Brokenleg has accepted a call to serve as vicar of Trinity Episcopal Church, Watertown, South Dakota in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota. Ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Matthew Gunter in December 2017, Brokenleg completed a Masters of Divinity at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in May. He will be ordained to the priesthood on July 21st, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. Prior to discerning a call to the priesthood, Brokenleg was an active member of St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Minocqua, including serving on the Vestry. His secular employment was as an Epidemiologist. “Isaiah will continue to be a blessing to the Church,” Bishop Gunter shared. “His pastoral gifts and life experience will serve him well at Trinity.” ![]() Diocesan United Thank Offering (UTO) Coordinator, Carol Feller Gottard, has announced the diocesan UTO Ingathering will take place during the Eucharistic Festival, June 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Fond du Lac. Representatives from each congregation are invited to bring an envelope with their local collection (or if your collection has already been sent, an envelope noting such) to drop into the big blue box just prior to the passing of the peace. Questions about details may be directed to Carol. Read more about UTO at diofdl.org/uto. The Coordinator also announced this as her last UTO action as she will no longer be serving as diocesan coordinator. "I have loved doing this ministry," she wrote in a letter to the congregations, "and have more than enjoyed working with all of the thankful people in this diocese. May God’s Blessings be upon you always." ![]() Erik Evenson, a member of St. John, Wausau, will attend the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. He is discerning a call to the priesthood. The Diocese of Fond du Lac provides $7,500 for each of his three years of study from the Fey Endowment for Seminarians. Your prayers for he and his wife, Amy, are encouraged. Here are some comments from Erik as he begins this journey. I am happy to announce that I will be attending the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX beginning in August and will be living there for three years while I complete my Masters of Divinity program. We first visited SSW in November 2017, and immediately felt at home in the city and among the other seminarians. In fact, the first day we were there, my wife, Amy, told me that this was the place for us and I wholeheartedly agreed. Seminary of the Southwest is relatively small (around 130 students) and an emphasis is put on building relationships among seminarians and the community which we serve. In addition to my MDiv coursework, I also plan to take additional coursework in the Chaplaincy program in order to build my skills for ministry within hospice/nursing home settings, as well as with at-risk youth. We are extremely grateful for the encouragement and support we’ve received from both our parish of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Fond du Lac. The scholarships I received will go a long way toward helping my family offset the expenses that come with going to graduate school and relocating to another state. As you can imagine, the cost is substantial. We are still asking for donations to help us offset moving expenses, health insurance, and going down to one income. Our donation page can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/help-erik-with-seminary After graduation, we are excited to return to the Diocese of Fond du Lac and for to continue my spiritual journey among our family and friends. You can follow along on our family adventures on our blog at: awisconsiniteintexas.wordpress.com. ![]() The documentary Traces of the Trade will be shown in the Wisconsin River Deanery from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 11th at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 403 Chicago Street, Minocqua. All are welcome to attend. A discussion will be held following the viewing. Lunch will be provided, although donations to help offset the cost are welcome. Please RSVP below. In the feature documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, filmmaker Katrina Browne discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain powerful new perspectives on the black/white divide. Learn more about it here. ![]() The Diocese of Fond du Lac has received a small bequest from the estate of the Rev. Robert A. Smith who died on March 12, 2018 in Dowagiac, Michigan. He was 84. Smith was a graduate of Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisconsin and from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He was ordained Deacon March 22, 1958 and Priest on Oct. 4, 1958. From 1958 to 1974 he served St. Paul Episcopal Church, Plymouth; St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Chilton; St. Paul Episcopal Church, Suamico and St. Mark Episcopal Church, Oconto. He served congregations in Michigan from 1976 to 1998 when he retired from active ministry. The Executive Council acted to receive the bequest and designated it be added to the Permanent Mission Fund of the diocese. The investment is held as part of the Diocesan Common Trust. This is to honor his service to mission congregations of the diocese. "We are thankful for Fr. Smith's generosity and support to the Church into the future," Bishop Matt commented. "As our Prayer Book reminds us, it is each of our duty to provide for the well-being of our family as well as leaving bequests, if able, for religious and charitable uses." Fr. Smith sets a good example. ![]() St. Anne Episcopal Chhurch, De Pere, invites members of the parish, diocese and community at large to its grief support program, “Walking Through the Valley”. Walking Through the Valley is a faith-based ministry to those who have suffered a loss. Grieving is a process, it is a journey through the pain of loss to a place of being able to rebuild one’s life. This ministry aims to assist people in their journey by providing listening hearts, information and encouragement. The summer group grief support session begins July 9th, and is held on five Monday evenings, 6:30 to 8:00. Individual grief support is also available for those who seek private support. For more information, contact Dcn. Mary Lynn Adams ([email protected]) or the St. Anne’s office 920-336-9571. ![]() Fr. Kamal Farah, a Palestinian Anglican Priest from Nazareth will be visiting the Diocese of Fond du Lac from Tuesday, June 11 - Monday, June 18. Fr. Kamal is an expert understanding the scriptures in the context of where they were written and took place: The Holy Lands of Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. You will not find a better storyteller and teacher of The Gospels in their Context. Fr. Kamal speaks several different languages including Hebrew, Arabic, English, Syriac Aramaic, Greek, and many more. Several people from the Diocese of Fond du Lac have gone on pilgrimage to The Holy Lands and have studied and sat at the feet of Fr. Kamal who was their instructor. You and your friends and family are invited to come and participate as often as you can during his visit to the diocese. All dates and times and locations are below. Fr. Kamal Farah’s Visitation |
Wednesday, June 13 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Lunch at Diocesan Summer Camp Campers and Staff 5:30 – 8:00 pm Dinner at St. Thomas, Menasha: Stories and Questions about The Church in the Holy Lands Open To All - RSVP HERE Thursday, June 14 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (lunch included) Clergy Day at St. Thomas, Menasha: The Gospels in Context with Q & A Open to All Diocesan Clergy - RSVP HERE Friday, June 15 5:30 – 8:00 pm Dinner at St. Thomas, Menasha: The Gospels in Context with Q & A Open to All - RSVP HERE |
Saturday, June 16 6:30 - 8:30 pm An Evening at Grace, Sheboygan: The Gospels in Context with Q & A Open to All - RSVP HERE Sunday, June 17 8:00 and 10:00 am Preaching at St. Thomas, Menasha Open to All 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Lunch at St. Thomas, Menasha: Open Forum for Questions PLUS Fr. Kamal’s Blessing and Challenge to All Open to All - RSVP HERE |
![The Rev. Bobbi Kraft](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/editor/kraft-bobbi-2018.jpg?1527798554)
The Rev. Dcn. Roberta “Bobbi” Kraft has accepted a call to serve as curate at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Waco, Texas in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. She will serve for the next two years in the position as an assistant to the Rector of the parish with pastoral responsibility. Ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Matthew Gunter in December 2017, she completed a Masters of Divinity at the Virginia Theological Seminary in May. She will be ordained to the priesthood on July 21st, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac.
Prior to her discernment of a call to the priesthood, Bobbi was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Sheboygan where she served as Senior Warden. She was active in diocesan ministry including volunteering at the diocesan summer camp. She served as a deputy to General Convention in 2015.
“What a blessing to the Church she has been and will continue to be,” Bishop Gunter shared. “Her gifts and pastoral abilities will be an asset to any that she serves.” In a Facebook post announcing the decision, Dcn. Bobbi noted she was “excited and humbled by what has passed and what is yet to come. Thank you for all of your steadfast love and support!”
Prior to her discernment of a call to the priesthood, Bobbi was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Sheboygan where she served as Senior Warden. She was active in diocesan ministry including volunteering at the diocesan summer camp. She served as a deputy to General Convention in 2015.
“What a blessing to the Church she has been and will continue to be,” Bishop Gunter shared. “Her gifts and pastoral abilities will be an asset to any that she serves.” In a Facebook post announcing the decision, Dcn. Bobbi noted she was “excited and humbled by what has passed and what is yet to come. Thank you for all of your steadfast love and support!”
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/684494844_orig.png)
St. Paul Episcopal Church, Suamico, has released the profile in the search for for its next Vicar. The profile is available at diofdl.org/suamicosearch where it may be downloaded as a PDF or read directly on the page. Additional information about Suamico is also available.
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/published/stauber-pufall-2016.jpg?1526495416)
Bishop Matt Gunter is both disheartened and delighted and to announce Vicky Stauber-Pufall's retirement with her last day being May 31, 2018. Vicky has served the diocese as Diocesan Office Secretary for over 11 years, contributing her gifts of hospitality and servanthood. Vicky said she approached the position "as a called ministry of Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior, and not simply a job." She plans to spend more time with her family both in Wisconsin and the Duluth, MN area.
"We will keep Vicky in our prayers." Bishop Gunter shared, "and wish her health and happiness as she enters this next chapter in her life." Those who have appreciated Vicky's service are invited to contribute to a retirement purse, facilitated through the Diocesan Office. A check may be sent with "Retirement" in the memo or your gift may be made electronically.
"We will keep Vicky in our prayers." Bishop Gunter shared, "and wish her health and happiness as she enters this next chapter in her life." Those who have appreciated Vicky's service are invited to contribute to a retirement purse, facilitated through the Diocesan Office. A check may be sent with "Retirement" in the memo or your gift may be made electronically.
Contribute to the retirement purse
for Vicky Stauber-Pufall |
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/mionske-wayne-1937-2018_orig.jpg)
Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Wayne Allen Robert Mionske who died April 30, 2018. He was 80.
Wayne received an M.Div. from Lutheran Theological School at Chicago, and M.Ed. from the University of Wisconsin, and completed coursework at Nashotah House. He served as a Pastor in the Lutheran Church in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan from 1963-1979. He was ordained to the priesthood August 6, 1982 and served St. Andrew's, Kenosha. He served as Vicar of Holy Trinity, Waupun from 1985 until retirement in 1998. He served as Editor of the Diocese of Fond du Lac paper from 1985-1999 and was an Associate of the Order of Julian of Norwich. As a retiree he served as a supply priest for congregations of the Diocese of Milwaukee where he lived.
His funeral was held May 11, 2018 and he is interred at Ridgewood Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL. Give rest , O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Obituary here.
Wayne received an M.Div. from Lutheran Theological School at Chicago, and M.Ed. from the University of Wisconsin, and completed coursework at Nashotah House. He served as a Pastor in the Lutheran Church in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan from 1963-1979. He was ordained to the priesthood August 6, 1982 and served St. Andrew's, Kenosha. He served as Vicar of Holy Trinity, Waupun from 1985 until retirement in 1998. He served as Editor of the Diocese of Fond du Lac paper from 1985-1999 and was an Associate of the Order of Julian of Norwich. As a retiree he served as a supply priest for congregations of the Diocese of Milwaukee where he lived.
His funeral was held May 11, 2018 and he is interred at Ridgewood Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL. Give rest , O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Obituary here.
Secretaries from around the Diocese of Fond du Lac gathered in Appleton for their annual network meeting. The Church Secretary Network Meeting is a diocesan sponsored event facilitated by Vicky Stauber-Pufall, Diocesan Office Secretary. Meetings include times for training, socializing, food and commissioning for this vital ministry. If you have't said thank you to your church secretary in awhile, now is a good time to pick up the phone or send a note to say "Thank you" for all they do. You can see pictures from these meetings over the years here. |
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/published/731337959.jpeg?1523387833)
Julius Njogu, a 2013 graduate of Mothers’ Mercy Home in the Diocese of Mt. Kenya South, will be spending 5 weeks in the Fox Cities from June 28th to August 2nd. The Mothers’ Mercy Home Partnership Program established by St. Thomas, Menasha, in April, 2007 is currently in its 12th year. Sue and Bill Steinhilber have been partnered with Julius from the beginning. Julius visited in April of 2016 with then Administrator of MMH, Paula Karanja. He has been attending Nairobi University and will be the first University graduate from MMH when he completes a degree in Criminal Justice in November of this year.
Julius will provide up to date information about Mothers’ Mercy Home and the children who reside there through the eighth grade and those who board at Secondary Schools during the school year. The Board will also discuss renewing their three year agreement with MMH during his visit.
A question asked by many of the Partners is what happens to the students once they leave MMH after Secondary School? CARGO MEN’S CLUB was organized by alumni of MMH in June, 2017 with the purpose of addressing the needs of young men through empowerment, mentorship, direction and nurture of skills. Julius serves as secretary of the group. He will describe the voluntary community projects the Club engages in to give back to society. He will also provide updates on each of the alumni who have had Partners.
Julius will be speaking at both the 8 am and 10 am services at St. Thomason Sunday, July 8th and at St. Boniface, Mequon on Saturday evening July 21st and Sunday, July 22nd. If any individuals or groups are interested in meeting with Julius please contact Kathy Peterson, (920) 725-3174, [email protected] or Sue Steinhilber, (920) 573-0465 or [email protected].
Julius will provide up to date information about Mothers’ Mercy Home and the children who reside there through the eighth grade and those who board at Secondary Schools during the school year. The Board will also discuss renewing their three year agreement with MMH during his visit.
A question asked by many of the Partners is what happens to the students once they leave MMH after Secondary School? CARGO MEN’S CLUB was organized by alumni of MMH in June, 2017 with the purpose of addressing the needs of young men through empowerment, mentorship, direction and nurture of skills. Julius serves as secretary of the group. He will describe the voluntary community projects the Club engages in to give back to society. He will also provide updates on each of the alumni who have had Partners.
Julius will be speaking at both the 8 am and 10 am services at St. Thomason Sunday, July 8th and at St. Boniface, Mequon on Saturday evening July 21st and Sunday, July 22nd. If any individuals or groups are interested in meeting with Julius please contact Kathy Peterson, (920) 725-3174, [email protected] or Sue Steinhilber, (920) 573-0465 or [email protected].
St. John Episcopal Church, New London, has released the profile in the search for for its next Vicar. The profile is available at diofdl.org/newlondonsearch where it may be downloaded as a PDF or read directly on the page. Additional information about New London is also available. |
Summer Camp registration for the Diocese of Fond du Lac camp sessions are now open. The registration process is completely online and includes the ability to make online payments. Those who may not be have internet access should contact their church office for assistance. They may also contact the Diocesan Office at (920) 830-8866. Four sessions for campers of different ages are offered in June. For more information about the diocesan summer camp, visit diofdl.org/camp. |
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/published/johnston-william-and-bev-2018.jpg?1523378332)
For over two decades, the Rev. Canon Bill Johnston and Mrs. Bev Johnston served as Chaplains to the Retired Clergy of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. Their service included staying in contact with retirees, which was performed through personal contact and cards, to serving as advocates when needed. They have "retired" from this service to retirees as of the end of 2017.
In March 2018, the RECAST group (Retired Episcopal Clergy at St. Thomas) honored them for their service. They were presented with a card and tickets to an Attic Theatre Production and the Attic Cabaret in August. Below is the the text that accompanied the card.
In March 2018, the RECAST group (Retired Episcopal Clergy at St. Thomas) honored them for their service. They were presented with a card and tickets to an Attic Theatre Production and the Attic Cabaret in August. Below is the the text that accompanied the card.
Dear Fr. Bill and Bev,
Thank you so much for your dedicated service to
the Retired Clergy of the Diocese of Fond du Lac
for the past MANY years.
We appreciated your dedication, your time
and the love you shared with so many.
We are grateful for the assistance and counsel
you provided in stressful times.
And thanks for the lovely get-togethers
you hosted—always the
“Host and Hostess with the mostest!”
Enjoy these tickets to Attic Theater
“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” on June 7th
and tickets to the Attic Cabaret
“Falling in Love with Rodgers and Hart.”
Let us know the date you would like to attend and
we will get the tickets. (August 1st through 4th).
Enjoy this time—another retirement of sorts?
“We really don’t think so.”
With love and gratitude,
Thank you so much for your dedicated service to
the Retired Clergy of the Diocese of Fond du Lac
for the past MANY years.
We appreciated your dedication, your time
and the love you shared with so many.
We are grateful for the assistance and counsel
you provided in stressful times.
And thanks for the lovely get-togethers
you hosted—always the
“Host and Hostess with the mostest!”
Enjoy these tickets to Attic Theater
“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” on June 7th
and tickets to the Attic Cabaret
“Falling in Love with Rodgers and Hart.”
Let us know the date you would like to attend and
we will get the tickets. (August 1st through 4th).
Enjoy this time—another retirement of sorts?
“We really don’t think so.”
With love and gratitude,
The Church of the Intercession has announced that memorial books of professional photos of their former building at 1417 Church Street are available. The cost is $25/book with a suggested $2 for shipping. You may order them at belovedcommunitysp.org or contact Mary at [email protected]. |
The Companion Diocese Committee of the Diocese of Fond du Lac is pleased to announce plans for a visit from our brothers and sisters in Christ from our Companion Diocese of Masvingo. God willing and government agencies consenting, four members of that diocese will visit northeast Wisconsin around the time of our Diocesan Convention, October 20. Initial plans include visiting around the diocese, giving everyone a chance to meet with them. Details and plans will be share when they are finalized. Learn more about the relationship at diofdl.org/masvingo.
Trinity Episcopal Church, Oshkosh will be hosting its Second Annual Casino Night Fundraiser on Saturday, April 14th from 5:30-9:00 p.m. in the Trinity Parish Hall, 311 Division Street, Oshkosh. All proceeds will benefit the Trinity Episcopal Youth Group. Tickets are $25 per person and include hors d'oeuvres, $5,000 in play money and a raffle ticket for raffle basket prizes. Games include Black Jack, Roulette & Texas Hold'em Poker. Please pre-order tickets by contacting Claire Armstrong at (920) 230-1829. |
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/published/barnabas.png?1519417076)
Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of Brother Barnabas, OJN (Bruce Leben) who died February 10, 2018. He was 72.
Bruce Michael (Brother Barnabas) Leben, formerly of Waukesha WI, and St. Joseph, MI, was born March 20, 1945 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Frank Otto Leben and Vauna Jean (Young) Leben. Bruce worked for many years as a psychiatric nurse, raised three children, then entered the (Episcopal) Order of Julian of Norwich, taking the name Barnabas and professing solemn monastic vows in July 2003. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Frank; and is survived by his children and their spouses: Elisabeth (Harold) Palfi, Anne (Daniel) Barrett, and Scott (Heather) Leben; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters in the Order of Julian; and by long-time friends Carolyn and Stanley Strzyzykowski; and many others. Memorials may be directed to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna WI, or the Order of Julian of Norwich.
The funeral for Br. Barnabas will be on Saturday, 3rd March at 2:00 at the OJN monastery in White Lake. If people wish to attend please call ahead ( 715-882-2377) so that there will be enough chairs and food.
Bruce Michael (Brother Barnabas) Leben, formerly of Waukesha WI, and St. Joseph, MI, was born March 20, 1945 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Frank Otto Leben and Vauna Jean (Young) Leben. Bruce worked for many years as a psychiatric nurse, raised three children, then entered the (Episcopal) Order of Julian of Norwich, taking the name Barnabas and professing solemn monastic vows in July 2003. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Frank; and is survived by his children and their spouses: Elisabeth (Harold) Palfi, Anne (Daniel) Barrett, and Scott (Heather) Leben; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters in the Order of Julian; and by long-time friends Carolyn and Stanley Strzyzykowski; and many others. Memorials may be directed to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna WI, or the Order of Julian of Norwich.
The funeral for Br. Barnabas will be on Saturday, 3rd March at 2:00 at the OJN monastery in White Lake. If people wish to attend please call ahead ( 715-882-2377) so that there will be enough chairs and food.
Bishop Matt and the Commission on Congregational Vitality invite individuals and congregations to study Scripture for Lent! The Rev. Dwight Zscheile, Ph.D., our diocesan Spring Conference leader, has provided Scripture to help us prepare for the conference and for the future to which God calls us. Five Scripture passages include questions for digging deeper. Download the Lenten Series here. or at diofdl.org > Resources > Devotional Resources. |
![Picture](/uploads/7/2/4/1/72413413/published/888423674.jpg?1516751061)
The Lenten Series is designed so it can be organized and led by either laity or clergy. It is meant to be a time of listening to God and one another. It is a time for storytelling and reflecting on our stories. It is also meant to be a time of beginning or continuing discernment, both for the person and for your community of faith.
If you are looking for a book to read and reflect on as a group, we recommend his book The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age. It is short and easy to engage, with thought-provoking questions with each chapter. The book explores “how God chooses and calls ordinary people like us into open-ended journeys of learning and discovery. These journeys are not intended merely for our own personal fulfillment but involve connecting with neighbors for the sake of sharing in God’s healing of the world.” It grew out of questions repeatedly raised in his presentation: “What do we do next? What steps do we take? What kinds of practices will help us enter into deeper relationships with our neighbors? How do we learn what it means for us to participate more deeply in God’s life in the neighborhood? How do we carry forward what is best from our past into a new world?” Quotes are from the book.
We hope you will elect to offer one or even both of these options during this time of Lent.
If you are looking for a book to read and reflect on as a group, we recommend his book The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age. It is short and easy to engage, with thought-provoking questions with each chapter. The book explores “how God chooses and calls ordinary people like us into open-ended journeys of learning and discovery. These journeys are not intended merely for our own personal fulfillment but involve connecting with neighbors for the sake of sharing in God’s healing of the world.” It grew out of questions repeatedly raised in his presentation: “What do we do next? What steps do we take? What kinds of practices will help us enter into deeper relationships with our neighbors? How do we learn what it means for us to participate more deeply in God’s life in the neighborhood? How do we carry forward what is best from our past into a new world?” Quotes are from the book.
We hope you will elect to offer one or even both of these options during this time of Lent.
Categories
All
Appleton - All Saints
Bicentennial
Bishop Matt Gunter
Camp
Celebration Of New Ministry
Christmas
Clergy
Commission On Ministry
Common Trust
Companion Diocese
Continuing Education
Convention
Covid-19
Cursillo
Deacons
Deacon School
De Pere - St. Anne's
Diocesan Convention
Diocesan Office
Diocese Of Masvingo
ELCA
Episcopal Church Women
Episcopal Migration Ministries
Episcopal Relief And Development
Eucharistic Festival
Executive Council
Fond Du Lac - St. Paul's Cathedral
General Convention
Good Friday Offering
Green Bay - Blessed Sacrament
Insurance
Jacksonport - Holy Nativity
Lambeth Conference
Lent
Manitowoc St. James
Manitowoc - St. James
Marinette - St. Paul's
Marshfield - St. Alban
Meditations
Menasha - St. Thomas
Merrill - Ascension
Minocqua - St. Matthias
Missionary Church
Mosaic Task Force
Mosinee - St. James
Mothers' Union
Music
Nashotah House
New London - St. John's
Oneida Holy Apostles
Oneida - Holy Apostles
Order Of Julian Of Norwich
Ordination
Oshkosh - Trinity
Outreach
Parochial Report
Pastoral Address
Pentecost Project
Plymouth - St. Paul
Plymouth - St. Paul's
Position Posting
Prayer Book
Preaching
Presiding Bishop Visit
Province V
Provincial Youth Event
Quiet Day
Release
Resources
Rest In Peace
Retired Clergy
Retirement
Revival
Rhinelander - St. Augustine
Ripon - St. Peter
Ripon - St. Peter's
Scholarship
Search
Seminarian
Series
Shawano - St. John's
Sheboygan Falls St. Peter's
Sheboygan Falls - St. Peter's
Sheboygan - Grace
Sister Bay - St. Luke's
Sisterhood Of The Holy Nativity
Stevens Point Intercession
Stevens Point - Intercession
Stewardship
Sturgeon Bay - Christ The King
Suamico - St. Barnabas
Suamico - St. Paul
Tomahawk - St. Barnabas
Transition Ministry
Trialogue
Trustees
United Thank Offering (UTO)
Verger
Video
Vital Congregations
Walsingham Pilgrimage
Waupaca - St. Mark's
Waupun - Holy Trinity
Wausau St. John The Baptist
Wausau - St. John The Baptist
Wautoma - St. Mary's Chapel
Way Of Love
Wisconsin Rapids - St. John The Evangelist
Wisconsin River Deanery
Workshops
Worship And Prayer
Young Adult Ministry
Youth