![]() The Rev. David Klutterman, Rector of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Wausau, has announced plans to retire effective the end of February 2018. He has served St. John since 1996. He previously served St. James, Mosinee, St. Jame, Manitowoc, St. Matthias, Minocqua and St. Mary of the Snows, Eagle River. Read his letter to the congregation here. ![]() Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Peter Bird who died December 24, 2017. He was 74. He is survived by his wife, Lila Roberts-Bird. Peter received a B.A. from Ripon College and a J.D. from Southern Methodist University and an M.Div. from Nashotah House. He was an active lay leader for many years at the local, diocesan and national levels of the Episcopal Church and was ordained to the priesthood December 21, 2000. He served as Vicar of Holy Trinity, Waupun from 2000 until retirement in 2012. As a retiree he served as a supply priest for many congregations, including as Regular Supply for St. Paul, Plymouth. Visitation will be Friday, January 12 at St. Thomas, Menasha from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm with military honors. There will be a reception in the parish hall afterwards. All are welcome. Give rest , O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Obituary here.
Ron Alexander, a member of St. John Episcopal Church in Wausau, noted growth from participation in a recent summit addressing the opiod crisis. "As a person of faith, the recent Recovery Summit-Road to Recovery was impactful" Ron noted, "because it allowed me to live out my Baptismal Covenant, especially: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself; and to focus on the Cursillo goal of involvement in Apostolic action."
Over 100 people attended the summit in Wausau November 8, 2017. Learning objectives included the impact of addiction and the hope of recovery for individuals, families and communities, reflected in a documentary titled, Straight Forward:The truth about Addiction. Best practices around the state were presented by those leading efforts to build communities supportive of recovery. These efforts include recovery coaching (which Ron is involved in), sober living, transitional employment, social supports, sense of purpose and more. Speakers included a clinical substance abuse counselor, vocational learning coordinator, a public health educator and a local attorney who serves as a guardian ad litem for youth. Funding for the summit came partially from the Outreach Fund of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. Other partners included the Northwoods Coalition (of over 50 entities from 34 counties) and the Greenheck Foundation. ![]() All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton is searching for a part-time (10-15 hours/week) organist and choirmaster. The ideal candidate would be a skilled, faith-centered musician with at least a bachelor’s degree in music, broad musical experience, and a deep appreciation for and knowledge of the Anglican musical tradition. This is a salaried position with significant support from the congregation and the community. Learn more here. ![]() The Episcopal Church Women of St. John the Baptist in Wausau is holding their Annual Cookie Sale. They have been baking and selling cookies as a fundraiser since 1938. These are homemade, all butter cookies for $15 dollars per box (approximately one pound of cookies). All proceeds go to charity! The order deadline is December 1st with pick-up from 12noon-6pm at St. John's on Saturday, December 5th. To order your cookies, call Ginny at 715-359-9152. ![]() 200 people gathered on Saturday, October 21, 2017 to celebrate the diocesan family of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. The 143rd Convention was held on the Oneida Reservation just outside of Green Bay. Wondering if “we aren’t being called to cast into the deep,” the Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter established a focus during the Eucharist held at Church of the Holy Apostles, the oldest Episcopal congregation in the diocese and the State of Wisconsin. The day started with fellowship and a delightful continental breakfast provided at the Holy Apostles Parish Hall. Attendees then came together for worship in the stone church building, where they heard Bishop Matt preach about the challenges the Church faces today, and encouraging each of us to go deeper, so “we are more likely to experience the awesome, beautiful, goodness of God that transforms” as he reminded the congregation of the original diocesan motto [Duc] In Altum. Following a short drive from Holy Apostles to the Radisson Conference Center, the business of the day was hearing reports from a variety of ministries, electing those to serve on diocesan committees, discuss and adopt resolutions modifying the constitution and canons of the diocese, and approving the budget for 2018. The Seventh Sunday after Easter (May 13 in 2018) was designated as Companion Diocese Sunday. Last year’s convention established a relationship with the Diocese of Masvingo in Zimbabwe and Bishop Matt announced an invitation has been extended for its representatives to attend the 2018 Convention. Greetings were received from the Rev. Dr. Brad Hauff, who serves as the Episcopal Church Indigenous Missioner. Attendees browsed over a dozen display tables from diocesan ministries and vendors of liturgical vestments and maple syrup! Giving was encouraged to support the United Thank Offering and the Church Periodical Club. A deficit budget was approved, but with plans in place for funding the deficit. As one delegate noted in their evaluation “the convention was not what I expected. It was efficiently run, informative and helped me to see how my congregation fits into the work of the church at the diocesan level.” While the purpose of the day was taking care of business, the effect of the day was one that left many with the question “What will you do to go into the deep?” For more details of the convention, visit diofdl.org/convention. ![]() Rates for health care plans (medical and dental) for active clergy and lay employees serving in the Diocese of Fond du Lac have been announced. Episcopal Health Plans are offered through the Episcopal Church Medical Trust (part of the Church Pension Group) and sponsored by the diocese. Those eligible are clergy, lay employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week, and dependents. Two plan types are offered, the PPO (Preferred Provider Option) and the CDHP (Consumer Driven Health Plan) which is partnered with an HSA (Health Savings Account). A webinar will be offered to review the CDHP/HSA plan on November 6 at 6:30 p.m. (visit diofdl.org/oe for details). Premium rates increase 5-7% over 2017, but are below the expected national increase of 8.8%. Those already enrolled in an Episcopal Health Plan will be receiving open enrollment information from CPG soon. The Open Enrollment Period will be from November 8 through November 22. The previous 75/50 PPO will no longer be offered, with the PPO80 being comparable. For complete information and other details about plans and costs, visit diofdl.org/oe. The Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac, has released the profile for the search for its next Dean. The profile is available at diofdl.org/deansearch where it may be downloaded as a PDF or read directly on the page. Additional information about Fond du Lac is also available. The search will remain open through the end of November 2017.
![]() Grace and peace: After prayerful discernment and conversation with Bishop Matt Gunter, the Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, and adult leadership concerning Happening and New Beginnings, a few new changes will be put into place starting in the 2017-2018 school year. At this time, Happening will become an annual FALL event for high school students (grades 9-12), and New Beginnings will become an annual SPRING event for Middle School students (grades 6-8). There has been growing interest in both building up the New Beginnings program for middle school students as well as providing continued leadership opportunities for high school students. A large part of the New Beginnings program is designed to be run by those in grades 9-12 with both lay & ordained adults supervising and supporting. It is the hope of youth leaders within the diocese that this adjustment in the calendar will help build up and strengthen both programs. If anyone has any questions regarding these changes to the youth ministry calendar, you may contact our Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, Erin Wolf, at [email protected]. Please continue to keep these ministries and all who minister within in prayer as they begin this new school year together.
![]() The Diocese of Fond du Lac, the Episcopal Church in northeast Wisconsin, recently donated almost $15,000 to four agencies that address the opioid epidemic, refugee crisis, and natural disasters domestically and internationally. Recipients are recommended by the Deacon Council and approved by the Executive Council who release funds from its Outreach Reserve. Episcopal Relief and Development received support to respond to recent U.S. disasters and to meet global needs (episcopalrelief.org). World Relief was selected to assist their efforts in addressing the refugee crisis (worldrelief.org). A local gift to Marathon County (Wisconsin) AOD Partnership Council provides support for a November summit to address the Opioid Crisis (aodpartnership.org). Another local gift has been made to Koinonia Residential Treatment Center in Rhinelander (koinoniaocs.net) that will assist them in providing substance abuse treatment. Since 2004, the Diocese has donated $120,000 to a number of agencies, programs and opportunities, locally and around the world, that are beyond diocesan structures with the intent to give outside of ourselves to the greater glory of God. Past recipients have included disaster relief in the United States and around the world, medical needs in underdeveloped countries, program support for struggling ministries, just to name a few.
The bishops of the Episcopal Church, who have been meeting in Alaska for the past week, have issued a 'Word to the Church' providing a summary of the meeting and what they learned. Bishop Matt Gunter posted his experience on his Facebook page with pictures and video. He also delivered gifts of a book and strawberry basket to the people of Beaver, Alaska by the people of Holy Apostles, Oneida. Read the full document and link to Stewardship of Creation resources at episcopalchurch.org.
![]() Data from the 2016 Parochial Reports of the Episcopal Church is now available in both English and Spanish here. The data reflects a continuation of recent trends, although rates of decline in such key figures as Average Sunday Attendance have decreased. Congregational income through pledges and other offerings has remained constant even as overall number of congregants has decreased. "The loss of both baptized members and average Sunday attendance in the Diocese of Fond du Lac or both more than 20% over the past decade," noted Matthew Payne, Lay Canon for Administration. "Some decline comes from congregations cleaning up their books, especially when a new priest arrives, but the trend is significant. Giving to congregations parallels national findings and does shown a slight increase over the past 5 years." The Parochial Report is the oldest, continuous gathering of data by the Episcopal Church. By tradition and canon, the reporting requirements are developed by the House of Deputies’ Committee on the State of the Church, using a form approved by the church’s Executive Council. The newly posted documents include:
This posting was compiled from a release of The Episcopal Church. ![]() The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter, Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, the Episcopal Church in northeast Wisconsin, is pleased to announce the Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, will make his official diocesan visitation in October 2019. The Presiding Bishop visits every Episcopal diocese during a nine-year term of office. Read more about Bishop Curry here . . . "We look forward to having Bishop Curry join us in this part of the Kingdom," Bishop Matt explained. "His leadership will energize and inspire us to to share Jesus’ message of love with a world in need." Curry has made the Jesus Movement a central part of his leadership as Presiding Bishop. Initial plans include events for Episcopalians as well as the general public. Friday, October 25 would include the Diocesan Convention Eucharist and business session during the day. The evening features a banquet open to Episcopalians and other guests with Curry as Keynote Speaker. An revival event, open to the public, will take place on Saturday, October 26 and is planned for the new Fox Cities Exposition Center. Promotion of the event will reach across northeast Wisconsin and target area churches and denominations. The revival attendance goal is 800, although up to 3,000 can be accommodated. A picnic lunch will be available and weather permitting, the facilities of Jones Park next to the Center. The Presiding Bishop's visitation ends with preaching at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Fond du Lac on Sunday morning. "We have just started preparations, and there will be a lot of prayer and prep to be accomplished," Administrator Matthew Payne noted. "Over the next two years, we will involve volunteers to make this event successful in sharing the Gospel." Additional information about the visitation and volunteer opportunities will be available in Spring 2018 and found at diofdl.org/pbvisit. |
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