St. Anne Episcopal Church, De Pere, is introducing a new ministry for the parish, Diocese and community at large. “Walking Through the Valley” is a faith-based ministry to those who have suffered a loss. This ministry aims to assist people in their journey by providing listening hearts, information and encouragement. Walking Through the Valley consists of three offerings:
Complete information and registration is available at stannes.us. ![]() Following an in-depth process of more than a year, the Trustees of the Diocese of Fond du Lac are pleased to announce the selection of The Martzahl Group at Graystone Consulting - Morgan Stanley as its Investment Advisor for the Diocesan Common Trust (DCT). The DCT, established in 1956, is a pooled investment fund designed to provide regular income and maintain value versus inflation. It is especially useful for those without expertise in investments. Any congregation or affiliated entity may participate. Pooling assets allows for more effective and efficient investing from economies of scale, discounted administrative fees and increased ‘purchasing power’ with access to the institutional share class level. This results in reduced expense and improved performance versus solo entity investing. An Investment Committee conducted a request for proposal process with thirteen vendors, considering each in terms of investment performance, customer service, and fees. In-person interviews were conducted with four candidates. “We were impressed by Martzahl’s ability to cater to specific needs, both in investment strategy as well as customer service,” noted Anne Peterson, Investment Committee Chair. “The Committee believes their investment philosophy, values and customer service will be an excellent match for the diocese.” The Martzahl Group focuses on addressing the fiduciary responsibilities and investment needs of institutional investors and the private wealth management of high net worth individuals. It has assisted clients in northeast Wisconsin for over 20 years. Participant Impact Significant behind-the-scenes work to transfer assets to Graystone has begun, but participants should experience no disruption. Pension, Inc. has been engaged as third party administrator to perform recordkeeping and ministerial services on behalf of the fund and its participants. “Our new arrangement reduces the administrative burden on the Diocesan Office,” Administrator Matthew Payne noted. “The new arrangement frees up many hours each month so we can better serve congregations more in other areas.” A complete transition to the new Investment Advisor will be complete by 1 January 2018. ![]() Are you looking to deepen your devotion through prayer and reflection? Is this something you might want some assistance in on a daily basis? We suggest you visit the Diocese of Fond du Lac Devotional Resources webpage. A number of links are provided to quality tools of reflection, many of which have email subscription options. We hope you will visit today. diofdl.org/resourcedevotion.
![]() Bishop Gunter encourages you to donate to the Hurricane Harvey Response Fund of Episcopal Relief and Development to provide emergency assistance to people recovering from the impact of flooding after this major storm. Your generous support will supply critical necessities for communities immediately and for the long-term as they recover and rebuild. Give online here.
Resources
Adopting a mission mindset for taking God's mercy and delight into the neighborhood by David Skidmore, member of St. Luke Episcopal Church, Sister Bay, Wisconsin. For Carrie Headington the impact of an outward focused, welcoming church hit home in 2003 while watching Canon Michael Green rekindle hope and a mission-mindset in struggling Church of England parishes. Green at the time was evangelism staff officer for the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of evangelism and apologetics at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
The Diocese of Fond du Lac's Commission on Congregational Vitality will be hosting a workshop on managing change in congregations. It will be repeated in each of the deaneries. This workshop, presented by Leslie Gunter, the Rev. Diane Murray, and the Rev. Ralph Osborne, is designed for both clergy and lay leaders. The workshop in each location will begin at 8:30 with a continental breakfast, with program beginning at 9 am. The day concludes by 3 pm. A registration fee of $15 per person includes the continental breakfast, lunch and materials.
To register, click here . . . ![]() The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter, Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, the Episcopal Church in northeast Wisconsin, is pleased to announce the hiring of Erin Wolf as Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator (DYMC). The DYMC gives direction to and supervises the diocesan youth ministry program in a manner consistent with the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. Wolf has been Interim in this position since June 2016 and will continue as Director of Youth Ministry at All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton a position held since 2012. “We interviewed strong candidates for the position,” Bishop Matt shared with the Executive Council, “but Erin’s strong skill set, background and experience made the decision easy for the committee. We look forward to her continuing to keep youth ministry strong in this diocese, as it has been for many, many years.” Committee members included Bishop Matt; Matthew Payne, Diocesan Administrator; CeCe Schertz, St. Thomas, Menasha; and the Rev. Amanda Sampey, St. James, Mosinee. Wolf holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Cardinal Stritch University and was a participant in the Religious Scholars Vocation Program. With over a decade of youth ministry leadership, she has served congregations in the Episcopal and Lutheran Church. A self-described “cradle Episcopalian” she has been a leader in Happening for High School Youth and served as counselor, musician, session director and camp director at the Diocesan Summer Camp. “My interim has given me unique insight into the needs of individual congregations of the diocese,” Wolf shared with the interview committee, “as well as ideas for engaging youth within going forward.” The primary duty of the DYMC is to support, train and recruit volunteers for youth ministry activity, including appropriate screening. The secondary duty is to be “in charge” of diocesan youth ministry activity, events and programs, implementing them with the assistance of volunteers. The DYMC is responsible for assuring diocesan policies and procedures are observed. Wolf begins the new position August 1, 2017. ![]() The Door County Episcopal Church of Christ the King and Holy Nativity is making the Christ the King facility in Sturgeon Bay available for retreats for small groups within congregations of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. The facility can handle groups of about 20 participants. Such group retreats could include youth groups, Bible study groups, or a congregational vestry that is looking for a place to meet away from their own church. Such retreats could be a day-long event, or for overnight stays. The sanctuary is available for worship. The former rectory includes the upstairs, with two bedrooms, a long hallway, and a bathroom with shower. The main floor of the rectory includes a living room (seating 12 comfortably), a dining room, a fully furnished kitchen with stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher, and two restrooms. The basement is a large open room for activities or for sleeping. For use as an overnight stay, the participants would be responsible for their own supplies: cots, air mattresses, sleeping bags, and linens. There are several grocery stores in the area, and many fine restaurants. The activities in Sturgeon Bay/Door County are bountiful. There is a small charge for custodial services, and a contribution toward the cost of water and electricity is welcome. The facilities are not available for personal or private use, but for congregations of the Diocese only. For information or making a reservation, please contact the church office by e-mail: [email protected], or telephone: (920) 743-3286 or e-mail the Vicar: [email protected]. ![]() The St Matthias, Minocqua's Truth and Reconciliation Young Adult Ministry is one of 15 recipients of an Episcopal Church 2017 Young Adult and Campus Ministry grants. Young Adult and Campus Ministry Grants provide funding for dioceses, congregations, and community college/tribal college/university campuses that are doing or seek to do ministry with young adults on and off college campuses. The amount awarded was $5,000. Beginning September 2017, St Matthias will launch Truth and Reconciliation for Healing and Mending Relationships. Through this program, the church will begin a process of building a relationship of truth, reconciliation, and healing with the Lac du Flambeau Indian community. This will be done by opening the doors and facilitating multiple Native focused healing services centered on themes of reconciliation. A safe space and an opportunity for attendees to speak their truths and heal from the effects of inter-generational trauma will be provided. Members of the Lac du Flambeau community will be intimately involved throughout the entire project. Learn more about St. Matthias at at stmatthiasminocqua.com. ![]() Holy Trinity, Waupun will celebrate their 150 years on Saturday, July 29, 2017. There will be a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m. with the Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter presiding. This will be followed by a picnic celebration and neighborhood block party with live music and children's activities. All are invited to help celebrate. The congregation was organized in 1867 shortly after services started and a visit from Bishop Jackson Kemper. ![]() St. Barnabas, Tomahawk celebrated their 125 years at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, June 11. A picnic was held on the lawn. Services were held as early as 1890 with the congregation organized in 1892. Tomahawk's principal founder, William H. Bradley, helped to build the church building in 1892. Their anniversary generated some press in both the local paper and TV station. Read the article here or see the TV coverage here. Adopting a mission mindset for taking God's mercy and delight into the neighborhood by David Skidmore ![]() For Carrie Headington, the impact of an outward focused, welcoming church hit home in 2003 while watching Canon Michael Green rekindle hope and a mission-mindset in struggling Church of England parishes. Green at the time was evangelism staff officer for the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of evangelism and apologetics at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Often just a handful of people attended these churches and Headington assumed they were on the brink of closure, but Green showed her they just needed help in recognizing God's call and taking that invitation to their neighborhood. "I got absolutely hooked. I said this is what I want to do for the rest of my life," said Headington in her opening presentation to the Diocese of Fond du Lac's May 13 conference Taking God's Mercy and Delight into the Neighborhood. Seeing life restored and the joy that follows were a powerful endorsement for the call to evangelism. "What I saw was people coming absolutely alive. I couldn't wait to be part of doing this work." ![]() A Celebration of a New Ministry will be held at St. Paul, Plymouth, Wednesday, June 28th with Bishop Matthew Gunter presiding at the institution and induction of the Ven. Michele Whitford as St. Paul's Vicar. The liturgy begins at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul's, 312 E Main St (Main at Division) in Plymouth. Clergy are invited to vest and process in cassock, surplice and red stole. Michele was ordained priest last December and began serving the St. Paul congregation in January. ![]() The Rev. Glenn Kanestrom has accepted a call to serve as Rector of St. Paul, Marinette. The call was made by the Vestry and affirmed by the Rt. Rev. Matthew A. Gunter, Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. Fr. Glenn was ordained a priest in 1992 and has served congregations in New York, Connecticut, Indiana and most recently California. He is married to Jane and they have two children. He begins his duties in mid-June. ![]() Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Joseph Abell Minnis, 81, who died Tuesday, May 10, 2017. Please pray for his wife Sue and their family. Fr. Joe retired in 1999 having served St. Anne, De Pere; St. John, Shawano; St. John, New London; and congregations in Minnesota and Colorado. View the obituary here. Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
![]() Four workshops will be offered as part of the Diocese of Fond du Lac's Spring Conference "TAKING GOD'S MERCY AND DELIGHT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD" on May 13. They are "We Were Headed For Aruba; How Did We End Up In Anchorage? How To Make A Vision Happen," "Jesus Has Left The Building," "Telling Our Stories," and "Sharing The Good News." Learn more and register at diofdl.org/sc.
![]() Preparations are underway for a major event this summer: the national Episcopal Youth Event (EYE). The General Convention in 1982 voted to create a triennial event that allowed high school students (completed grades 9-12) and adults from all over the Episcopal Church come together for several days of worship and service. EYE 2017 will be held July 10-14, 2017 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK. Follow the hashtag #eye17 on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat for event updates. Please keep this year's delegation from the Diocese of Fond du Lac in your prayers: Students: Emma Armstrong (Trinity, Oshkosh), Sierra Edwards (St. Thomas, Menasha), Megan Gramins (St. Thomas, Menasha) Adults: Amy Heimerl (Ascension, Merrill), Erin Wolf (All Saints, Appleton), Bishop Matt Gunter.
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