From Fr. Oswald

Dear Friends in Christ,

The gift of a goat is special. It is one of the highest honors one can receive. The parishioners of St. John’s in my village welcomed me with such high honors in appreciation to what Christ Church has done for the parish.

The welcome celebrations took place on Sunday August 27, 2023. The celebrations were scheduled to start at 9.00 AM but I could hear the music playing at 6.00 AM on that Sunday morning. The service was about three and half hours long. The service was unlike our usual Sunday service. There was a lot of singing and dancing. There were two adult choirs and a children’s choir. The choirs took turns to sing and entertain. I had an opportunity to preach and celebrate Eucharist. 

After the service, the sanctuary became a hall. Speeches, dancing, singing and gift exchanges started. A special song was composed for this occasion. Unfortunately, it is sang is Swahili. The song narrates and lists everything that Christ church has done for the parish. Please listen to the lyrics here. 

During the gift exchange, the parishioners offered me all kinds of produce from their small farms. Many people do not have cash, but they have farm products including fruits, vegetables, chicken, and eggs. I never had to buy any groceries while I was home. The goat that was offered supplied meat for my entire stay in the village.

On behalf of Christ church, I presented chalices (bishop Ed’s), an altar linen, Easter candle, and several vestments that I received from clergy and other members of Christ Church. The cross that Christ church donated was shipped and I am told that the ship has docked but the shipment is still on the ship. Hopefully any day now, the cross will be heading to the parish.

The most moving event was the speech given by one of the parishioners listing every project that Christ Church had done. The completed projects include; building the rectory, Sunday school, Sewing program building where hygiene products are being produced, and school uniforms are being made., (Another building is under construction), water project, electricity, pews, chairs, repairing the church building and installing windows, doors, and a floor. The people are very grateful for your generosity. They are praying for all of us. They asked me to convey their gratitude to you.

Please enjoy some of the photos of the celebrations.

In Hope and Peace,

Oswald+

Scott Riedel and a Festive Coffee Hour! 

October 1st at 10:30am

This Sunday is the last regularly scheduled Sunday on the organ bench for our beloved Director of Music, Scott Riedel. Come here him play and then come raise a cup of coffee to his ministry among us and the larger Church.  

Tuesday, October 3,

6:00pm

Christ Church Great Hall

Gatherings FOR Guys

Tuesday, October 3 @6:00pm 

Christ Church Great Hall

Fr. Seth convenes a group of fellowship and reflection for guys of all ages, meeting at a time accessible for people who are working. Dinner and drinks of all kinds provided. 

Tuesday, October 10,

5:30pm

Three Lions Pub

Fr. Seth convenes a casual "pub conversation" once a month at 5:30pm at Three Lions Pub

Next Topic: 

The War in Ukraine  

How do we apply Jesus’ teaching and example of non-violence to the war in Ukraine?  Do you think there will ever be a day without war?

No prep needed. Simple discussion questions can be found HERE. Simply bring a beverage of your choice. Light snacks provided. We have the back room reserved at Three Lions Pub. Contact Fr. Seth with any questions. 

Women's Book Group! New!

For women who want to grow in faith and make deep, prayerful connections, a new group will meet in-person on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings of the month @6:30pm, beginning in October. Those who only want to attend once a month are most welcome. The first book for discussion will be Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans. Contact Fr. Seth with questions (he is helping to launch the group but will not participate in the sessions).  See HERE for sign-up and more information (please sign-up by September 28th). 

Know the Code:

Code for all doors changing on THIS Sunday

Every ten years we change the code for all the doors. 

We will do this on October 1st (the preschool door has already been changed). Email Heidi for the new code.

PRO TIP: When you receive the code, create a new contact in your phone named "Church Code" and put it where the phone # would go. 

Thank you for helping us keep the building secure!

Does your child love to sing?

Your kids (2nd grade on up) are invited to come sing with the choir on Handing Down the Faith Sunday, October 1! They'll get to robe, process, and sit in the choir loft just like the adults, as well as sing a special anthem with the rest of the choir. Meet around 8:50 AM in the choir rehearsal room (located up the stairs near the Beaumont entrance door). To practice the anthem at home, find the sheet music for "All Things Bright and Beautiful" here.

18th Sunday after Pentecost

October 1, 2023

8am service Holy Eucharist, Quiet service



9:30 service - Holy Eucharist, Music with congregational singing.

*This service is also live-streamed on YouTube

 and on the Christ Church website.

________________________________________________

Serving This Sunday: October 1, 2023

8:00 am Service

Greeter/Usher: Chris Hagerup

Acolyte/Reader: Sue Toman

9:30 am Service

Vestry Greeters: Rob Draper and Margaret Cooper

Crucifers:

Ushers: Bruce Dunn, Margaret Cooper, Patrick Foley

Newcomer Host: Margaret Cooper

Lector: Elizabeth Draper Prayer Reader: Stephen Forrest

Eucharistic Ministers: Wes Dubic, Tim Kobussen, Rob Draper

Coffee Hour Hosts: Jill & Stephen Haberman. Clean up: Chantal Knier and Anne Hynek

Wes Dubic Seminarian

Our new seminarian, Wes Dubic, will show and tell about his life: growing up in Haiti, moving to Florida, working in the business world, experiencing a call to the priesthood, and eventually coming to Nashotah House seminary.

Sunday October 15, 10:45 am

after the 9:30 service in the Great Hall

Sunday October 22, 10:45 am

after the 9:30 service in the Great Hall

POSTPONED to October 22nd

The What, How, Where, and Why of AI by Derek Riley Ph.D

Reading the news, visiting the doctor, responding to your messages, and many other daily tasks have all changed behind the scenes in recent years due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Most of the changes make our lives easier, but like any technology, there are limitations and side-effects. In this forum, the concepts and trends in AI will be discussed as well as their applications and impacts on society.  



Derek Riley is a professor and program director of Computer Science at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. His areas of expertise include computational modeling, high performance computing, data engineering, and mobile application development. Kelly and Derek are members of Christ Church and are blessed with 3 boys: Deklin (9), Donovan (7), and Dean (3)

Consider Becoming an Acolyte!

Acolytes play a critical role in bringing worship to life.

Torchbearers (3rd - 5th grade) proclaim the Word and sacraments to be vessels of God's light.

Those who serve close to the altar (6th - 8th grade) help the priests and deacons with a variety of tasks.

And Crucifers lift high the cross as they also supervise the younger acolytes. Kids who learn more about the textures of the liturgy are more likely to feel a part of worship. And they usually think it is quite fun. No matter your age, no experience is necessary!  Jean Bieszk does the scheduling and is happy to answer your questions. 

Flower Guild welcomes anyone who is interested in creating floral arrangements for the altar. We work in teams and are willing to train anyone who enjoys working with flowers. Please contact Chris Binder or Willette Knopp co-chairs.

Starts this week!

Help families in Need

with new or used

coats, hats, mittens, blankets

and socks or boots.

DONATIONS can be placed in the large blue bucket next to the wagon. Questions contact Lynne Schley.

Thank you for your help!

Our Next Generation:

Consider volunteering!

Christ Church founded Our Next Generation 30 years ago to support Milwaukee students academically and socially to give them the best possible chance to get a good education and to spend time in a safe environment after school and during the summer.

We have supported this non-profit with funds and tutors in the past

and Outreach is proud to participate in their Homework Club this fall.

We are looking for volunteers to join us to work one on one with a student from 5-6 pm on Wednesdays.There will be an orientation prior to the program starting up for fall. Probably the orientation will be held the week of Sept 18 with Homework Club starting the following week. We hope to be able to carpool from church on Wednesdays at 4:30 pm but if you prefer to drive yourself or are coming from another part of town that is fine too.

Please let Betsy Head know that you are excited to work with the ONG students or if you have any questions. As the dates get firmed up by ONG Betsy will get back to you with details. 

NEW Volunteer Opportunity for all!

Pantry Help needed

All Peoples Church Pantry distributes food on Wednesdays 11-1pm.

Brian needs help during that time.

Please email Brian at  if you are available.

FALL

FEASTS!

Don’t forget to sign up!

Please contact Kathy or Denise

Check out our thermometer in the Good Shepherd room and help put us over the top.

Click here for the upcoming Feast Schedule

OCTOBER:

Crowns and Cake

Friday, October 14th, 3-5pm

Hosts: Elizabeth Draper & Katie Hermann - at The Draper home

Treat yourself to a royally good time at this creative tea party! We'll kick off the gathering with a flower-making craft. Once adorned in our crowns, we'll sit down to a tea party complete with sweet and savory treats. A great parent/grandparent + child activity.

Good for ages 6+. Guests under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. $25/pair max 14 people

Feast Funds

to Support Girls and Women in Tanzania

CCLC Happy Hour Thursdays

Every Thursday at Lyn Slater's home -

6350 N. Lake Dr. WFB at 4:30 pm

Christ Church Ladies Connections is open to all women at Christ Church. Please join us on any Thursday that works for you. No need to RSVP, just come when you can. We'd love to see you!

N/A beverages available; wine $3.

If you would like to receive the group email which is sent weekly, please contact Kathy Stanford with any questions.

What happens to the food we put in the red wagon?

To find out, save the date for Sunday, October 15, our biannual Service Sunday!

Service Sunday is for grades K3-5th and takes place during the Sunday school hour (9:15-10:05 AM, after which kids return to their families for communion). Kids do not have to be in the Sunday school program to participate in Service Sundays.

The theme of this Service Sunday is food justice. Guests from the Outreach Committee and food pantry will walk kids through how the food and money we donate to All Peoples Church help feed those in need. Kids will also work together to bake dessert for the meal program. 

Sunday school has begun for K3-5th grade!

Class runs from 9:15-10:05 AM. Afterwards, your child will be brought back to you for communion.

Didn't register? No worries! Teachers can sign your child up in person. 

Don't miss out on all of the wonderful fall programming happening this semester! Click here for the children's formation calendar, and email Bailey to be added to the children's weekly newsletter. 

K3-1st Grade: Explorers

will meet in one of the basement classrooms. Click here for this semester's overview for Explorers.

2nd-5th Grade: Seekers

will meet in the youth room, also in the basement. Click here for this semester's overview for Seekers.

6th-8th Grade: Middle

School Youth Group

Middle school programing starts this Sunday October 1, 2023. We will meet immediately after the 9.30 AM service. Our program starts at 10.45 A.M and ends at 11.45 A.M. We will begin with food and refreshments followed by a short vide from “our ancestors” video series. Because we will be joined by new members, we will have time to introduce ourselves to one another.

Depending on the length of our socializing, we will have some discussion about the video.

I am looking forward to this new beginning. Please plan to attend and participate.

Middle School Calendar. Sign up for middle school youth group here!

Next HDTF Sunday is October 1st

Handing Down

the Faith Sundays

Designed to encourage deeper understanding

of and more engagement with the liturgy for children. The clergy will offer brief explanations and invite children to participate and observe in specific ways. All children of any age and ability are welcome to participate as they feel comfortable.

Please share how you are caring for God’s Creation

for our future generations.

Add to the Pad!

Share your ideas on the newsprint pads displayed in the Good Shepherd room and the back of the church. Or email your statement to Ira Leidel and it will be added to our endeavors. Good ideas for caring for our planet can come from everyone!

 IS THAT YOU? 

HOW OLD ARE YOUR CHILDREN?? 

Please look at your photo in the directory to see if it needs updating. (if you need the password, just email Heidi)

It will take me ages to email each of you so it would be very helpful if you would send to Heidi, the newer photo of you and yours. – Lyn Slater

Harvest of Quilts at the Fairgrounds

Friday, October 13 & Saturday, October 14.

9am to 6pm

Ozaukee County Fairgrounds, Ozaukee Pavilion Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Northshore Quilters Guild is hosting their every other year quilt show, featuring 100+ quilts made by members (including Christ Church members Sonja Pavlik, Mary Trainer and Mary Kay Anderson). Also includes a bake sale, vendors, silent auction, challenge quilts and a raffle quilt. 

Spend the day in Cedarburg and enjoy the art of quilting. 

For more information check our website: 

Did You Miss It?

Those at Tuesday's screening of My Ascension, were able to watch the journey of Emma Beniot, a suicide survivor, as she shared her message of prevention and hope. 

If you were not able to come to the screening of this impactful film, there's another opportunity for you to see it. As it's Suicide Awareness Month, PBS is broadcasting this documentary mulitple times. Check your TV listings for "My Ascension" and set your DVR!

Thanks to REDgen and the Charles E. Kubly Foundation for bringing this film to us.

All Saints’ Episcopal Cathedral Celebrates 150 Years with Community Events 

• All Saints’ Cathedral Choral Evensong & Reception 

Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 4:00 PM www.ascathedral.org 

• All Saints’ Cathedral 150th Anniversary Choral Eucharist Service Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 10:00 AM www.ascathedral.org

For more information download the flyer here

North Shore School for Seniors gears up for fall 2023 session

North Shore School for Seniors (NSSS) organizers are planning 50+ exciting classes for fall 2023. That’s the most since the school’s post-Covid reboot! Participants can stretch their muscles and minds, while meeting others AND having fun.

Oct. 23 – Nov. 14 (second term). (There are no classes Oct. 16 & 17.) Classes meet at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr. on Monday and Tuesday. They cover a wide range of subjects including exercise, arts, local topics, languages and history. Classes meet from one to eight times, and start at various times throughout the session.

Class information and online registration is available at nss4s.org beginning Aug. 1. Fall 2023 catalogs also will be available Aug. 1 for pick-up at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. Cost is $10 per class meeting. Email questions to nssbxt@gmail.com or phone (414) 292-0960.

The mission of the NSSS is improving mind and spirit through learning and friendship. The North Shore School for Seniors is an adult outreach program of United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay.

Download the latest Martha & Mary newsletter here