Dear Friends in Christ,

Some of us wait longer than others to buy Christmas gifts for those we love. Personally, I would benefit from thinking of this less as procrastination and more as "careful consideration." If you are looking for book ideas to go under the tree, I pass on a few below.

The First Christmas (2009) by biblical scholars, Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, offers excellent historical and theological background to the birth of Jesus. It's not long and it's written with the non-scholar in mind. Knowing more about the great power struggles of antiquity and the anticipated kingdom of God, make the rise of the Prince of Peace more astonishing in that time and more urgent for our day. 

Unapologetic: Why, Despite Everything, Christianity Can Still Make Surprising Emotional Sense by Francis Spufford (2013). The British author is writing in the midst of the rise of an aggressive "New Atheism," offering a rebuttal in a unique and refreshing style. I don't know if this book would convince the atheists in my family, but it did give me new ways to articulate the emotional power of the Christian faith. 

Poverty, by America by Mathew Desmond. (2023) The follow up to his bombshell book, Evicted, Desmond makes a forceful argument that we often blame those who are poor for their fate, conveniently forgetting all the ways we may be benefitting from their poverty. Even if you do not buy all of his assumptions or policy recommendations, readers will surely have some of their own assumptions about poverty shaken up. 

This week we move into the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday). The emphasis is on joy; we put roses on the altar and we all chant Mary's joyful song of praise, the Magnificat. Additionally, what could be more joyful than seeing Fr. Oswald in a pink chasuble? 

With Advent Hope and Blessing

Seth+

Special Christmas Donations 2023

Dear Friends in Christ,

Soon pine boughs and poinsettias will transform our worship space in preparation for Christmas. The greening of the church allows sight, smell and texture to drive us more deeply into the mystery of the Incarnation. We will also have a variety of special music featuring a trumpetist, harpist as well as other special musicians. These worship services reach far beyond our own membership; we open our doors to the community, and for some it may be their first encounter with God in worship in a very long time.

For the purposes of printing the bulletin, envelopes must be returned to the church office no later than Monday, December 18, 2023.

Click on This form allows you to support Christ Church with a special gift for any and all of these purposes:

1. Special Music 2. Christmas Offering 3. Flowers and Greens

New Memorial Garden!

We are pleased that the plans for the memorial garden have been enthusiastically received by the congregation. At this time, we are in the process of finalizing the necessary documentation. If you are interested, you may send Heidi your name with an indication of interest. You will be contacted after February 1st, once the official documents are completed. To see the presentation to the parish on the Memorial Garden go here. 

_{THANK YOU!}

The generosity of Christ Church members was certainly evident with this year's Gifts of Hope. Your donations raised over $17,000 for local and international non-profit groups. This money will be used to feed the hungry, shelter the unhoused, bring comfort to those who are hurting, and many more needs. Please accept the thanks of the Outreach Committee on behalf of these organizations. 

We will be back next year on November 24th!

Questions? Email Cabrini King OR Sandy Kashou

Past FORUM presentations are recorded

and stored for later viewing here and here

TONIGHT!

Thursday, December 14th at 5:15pm at Christ Church  

Fr. Seth convenes a casual "pub conversation" one Thursday a month at 5:15pm.

Next Topic: 

More Christ in Christmas?

What do you think about the ways Christmas has become such a cultural phenomenon? Do the cultural traditions (tree-decorating, cookie-baking, gift-giving...etc) detract from the spiritual dimension of Advent and Christmas? 

Do they ever enhance the season, perhaps bringing in the Light of Christ for you? 

Thursday, Dec 14 at 5:15pm in the Good Shepherd room at church (our usual room at Three Lions Pub is booked). Light snacks and beverages of all kinds will be provided. 

3rd Sunday of Advent December 17, 2023

8am service Holy Eucharist, Quiet service



9:30 service - Holy Eucharist, Music with congregational singing. This service is live-streamed on YouTube

and the Christ Church website.

NOTE: if you'd like to receive a Sunday morning email with just the links to the Sunday livestream service and scheduled FORUM presentations,

send your request to Julie

_____________________________________

Serving This Sunday: December 17, 2023

8:00 am Service

Greeter/Usher: Tom Watson

Acolyte/Reader: Jill Haberman

9:30 am Service

Vestry Greeters: Steve Bruemmer, Jeff Evans

Crucifer + Torchbearers: Emily Flanders, Seth Flanders, Brady McMahon

Ushers: *John Hinchey, James Hinchey, Peter Tomasi

Newcomer Host:  Katie Hermann, Steve Bruemmer

Lector: Maureen McCabe

Prayer Reader: Bailey Steger

Eucharistic Ministers: Clergy, Sarah Gottlieb, Jennifer Jetton, Tim Kobussen

Altar Guild: Team 3 - Mary Jones, Bridget Elliott, Denton Jones, Jackie Keene

Hospitality: Service - Tom Tennessen

  Clean up - Jane & Pete Tomasi

• CHRISTMAS SERVICE SCHEDULE •

December 24th - 8:00 am and 9:30 am Advent IV

 4:00 pm – Christmas Eve Service & Children’s Pageant

9:00 pm – Christmas Concert and Festive Choral Eucharist



December 25th 10:00 am – Christmas Day Eucharist (with carols)

Dear Christ Church Community,

On December 4, the stewardship committee will begin making thank you calls and very gentle reminder calls to the whole parish. 

Pledging can be done by 1) mailing the pledge card you received, 2) snapping a photo of your pledge card and sending it to Heidi or 3) or filling out the online pledge card found here.  

We are so grateful you would consider a pledge for 2024.

2024 Stewardship Team 

Beth Durant (Chair), Steve Bruemmer, Loni Hagerup, Joan King,

Julie Thauer, The Rev. Seth Dietrich

Stewardship Moments

Randy Dean shares his story for Christ Church on October 15, 2023 here. Read Anna Floch Arcello's story from October 22, 2023 about how she came to Christ Church in the transcript here. See the video here:

Hear George Marek's stewardship moment here

Hear Dolly Grimes-Johnson's stewardship moment here

All Peoples Church Pantry LOVES your red Sendik's grocery bags!

Keep saving them, bring them to church and drop off in the red wagon or give to Lynne Schley. Thank you!

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. Contact Betsy Head if interested

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.

The

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 current Feast Schedule with lots of fun activities scheduled into the new year.

January- February Featured Feast

Family Board Game Night

Beat the post-holiday blues with a fun family feast. Parents/grandparents/kids!! Enjoy the big assortment of games for all ages and snacks and drinks, including a hot chocolate bar!! 

Hosts: Kathleen and Rob Bardunias 

Saturday January 6 2 - 5pm

Great Hall $15/family unlimited

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!

Additionally: for the next TWO Thursdays, please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to help stock the All Peoples Church Food Pantry. There will be bags out in Lyn's foyer for collection.

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.

This Sunday: Middle School Youth

December 17 after the 9:30 service - in the Youth Room

The Prophet Elijah

Our program starts at 10.45 A.M and ends at 11.45 A.M.

This Sunday we will learn about the prophet Elijah.

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, Fr. Oswald

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 basement youth room. Click here for this semester's overview for Seekers.

Next HDTF is

January 7th

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.

Tips for Sustainable Giving

This Christmas!

Consider:

Using fabric as wrapping for Christmas Gifs and save till next year! To read more and "HOW TO" on this colorful idea, click here

Family Fun Swim

Whitefish Bay High School Field House Pool Saturdays Now through December

Bring up to 15 family members. The swim time includes access to fun pool noodles, toys and the diving well for swimmers who pass the swim test. To register for a Saturday timeslot, please compete a Family Fun Swim Request form on our department website or

Call for registration; 414-963-3947

Download the latest Martha & Mary newsletter here