Dear Friends in Christ,

A number of people commented on the sermon last week in which I spoke about the wild beasts in the wilderness from the temptation story in the gospel of Mark. I referenced the 2005 documentary film, Grizzly Man, in which the main character believes he has more control over wild bears than he actually does and it does not end well. 

In a funny coincidence, 2 days later I received an article in my inbox from a magazine called The New Atlantis, also about wilderness. The article is all about how wild predators like bears and wolves are beginning to move closer to people in Northern Italy, as so many small towns shrink or even close due to a declining population. The article goes into the different perspectives related to wilderness. What is it for? Is it good for the human spirit to have land that is untamed, even scary? Anyway, I found it fascinating.  

For most, the Lenten journey is less about journeying through physical wilderness and more about learning to trust God in all the wild, uncontrollable parts of our own lives and our own hearts. If this Lent you are coming into contact with your own untamable wild beasts, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or other clergy in the parish. You are not alone. 

Blessings in Christ for the Journey,

Seth+

Blurbs for the eWeekly Broadcast!

Our Communications Director Julie, will be out of town from March 2 - 9th, so if you have newsletter requests please get them in EARLY! She will try to answer all emails as soon as possible!

Please check your closet:

Men's 3/4 length grey overcoat accidentally taken at Pavlik funeral. Please contact Sandy or John Dawson if you have it. No questions asked!

Scripture, Song and Silence

Continuing through March!

THIS Friday, February 23rd from 12:00-12:30 p.m.

Come to the nave at Noon on Fridays for a 30 minute contemplative time to hear a few readings from scripture, poetry by poets such as Mary Oliver and Rumi, contemplative music (Guitar, Piano, Native American Flute, Singing Bowl) and times for silence.

 Contact Mark Hilgendorf or Tom Herbstreith for details.

Women of Christ Church: You're Invited! Monday February 26th 9:00am - 10:45am

Potluck Breakfast see below for details

The Second Sunday in Lent

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: February 25, 2024

8:00 am Service

Greeter & Usher: Christopher Hagerup

Acolyte & Reader: Randy Dean

9:30 am Service

Vestry Greeters: Alex Rikkers, Paula Stone

Crucifer + Torchbearers: Jones Hobbs, Hattie O’Connor, Sully O’Connor

Ushers: *Don Allen, Beth Durant, Gary Laev

Newcomer Host:  Kathy Stanford and Lynne Schley 

Lectors: Bailey Steger, Jeff Evans

Prayer Reader: Choir during Lent

Eucharistic Ministers: Clergy, Wes Dubic, Luke Sinclair , Betsy Head

Altar Guild: Team 4 - Pam Eversfield, Carol Crowley, Gretchen Holder, Christine Walker

Coffee Hospitality: 8:00am: Jill & Steven Haberman  9:30am: Jeff Evans, George Marek

NEW Lenten Program and Simple Supper

Led by

Anna Floch Arcello PhD

Starts Wednesday February 28,

March 6,

March 13

6:00pm - 7:30pm at Christ Church

Please sign up here.

In her book The Faraway Nearby, Rebecca Solnit writes: “Stories are compasses and architecture; we navigate by them, we build our sanctuaries and our prisons out of them, and to be without a story is to be lost in the vastness of a world that spreads in all directions like arctic tundra or sea ice…” (3-4).

This belief, that narratives and stories have immense force and power in our daily lives, underscores this Lenten writing series. In this three part series Anna Floch Arcello will lead writers of all backgrounds and experiences toward engagement with a reflective, attuned, process-oriented form of writing. No prior writing experience is necessary. Each week participants will come with the curiosity and desire to compose to different prompts, to engage in the messy and unfinished work of writing, to share with others, and to practice creativity. We will open ourselves to the power that writing and articulating ourselves can have in the world and in our beloved communities. Each one of us has the capacity, and human instinct, to share stories.

All you need to join this series is a curiosity, willingness, and desire to engage with writing as a tool for exploration and connection. Suggested readings, podcasts, and writing exercises will be provided for attendees outside of the series. The series will take place on Wednesday February 28th, March 6th, and March 13th - 6-7:30 pm at Christ Church. The evening will incorporate a time for prayer and a simple supper. Sign up here.

Please find out more information about Anna’s teaching and work here

Living Well Through Lent 2024

Get your complimentary copy this Sunday. Available on the tables behnd the back pew in the nave.

COMING UP:

Sunday March 3rd at 10:45 a.m. after the 9:30 service

The Rev. Dr. Jim Trainor

Writing a Novel

Ten years ago, Jim embarked on the daunting quest to write a novel, sensing a call to write about the awkward, beautiful, terrifying, grace-filled condition of being human. In this forum, he will share his experience of taking an idea for a story and turning it into a finished novel manuscript. He’ll describe the journey (for him, a spiritual journey) of writing a novel—finding the motivation, the time, the ideas and tools, and your voice. Copies of his seven books will be available for sale, at cost, with all proceeds going to outreach at Christ Church.

The Rev. Dr. Jim Trainor is the author of six novels and a nonfiction book on the relationship between science and faith. He is a PhD physicist, who was the deputy director for physics at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He’s also an Episcopal priest, who’s served parishes in New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin. His novels often draw upon science and the Episcopal Church. Jim and his wife Mary are clergy-in-residence at Christ Church. When not at church, they can often be found travelling in their campervan with their hound dog, Clyde. Join us in the Great Hall or watch the livestream here

Past FORUM presentations are recorded and stored for later viewing here and here

News from our Haiti Partnership

"A week ago, news from Haiti was wearing me down. I was beginning to lose hope. And then conversations with our Haitian friends reminded me that, as long as there are people like them in Haiti, we have every reason to hope. We Americans have indeed been blessed to be in partnership with our friends in Jeannette for all these many years. May we be as much of a blessing to them as they are to us."         –Cathy Parrill, Haiti Partnership consultant

Please clink on this link to hear good news from the school, the agricultural project and the safety of St Marc's staff we have known for years.

2024 Pantry Wish List

• Pancake Mix

• Syrup

• Canned pasta (spaghetti-O's) 

• Tuna & Tuna helper 

• Spam 

• Baked Beans

• Spaghetti & Canned Pasta Sauce 

• Peanut Butter & Jelly

• Hamburger Helper

• Canned Greens (Collard, Mustard, Turnip, Mixed)

Thank you for keeping All Peoples Pantry stocked this COLD Winter!

The

FEASTS!

Farewell to the Feasts of 2023!

A very heartfelt thank you to all who have hosted and attended the Feasts of 2023. With your generosity and support, our goal of $10,000 has been reached! All money raised will go to the Tanzania Sewing Project. If you have not seen the photos of the Sewing Room, now complete with sewing machines, please click here:

Thank you again, Kathy Stanford and Denise Kobussen

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!

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.

Download your copy of this semester's formation calendar!

Children and Youth Palm Sunday Choir Sunday, March 24

Children and youth in 2nd grade on up are invited to join the adult choir for Palm Sunday! (This invitation definitely extends to middle schoolers and high schoolers too.) They'll help with the palm procession, sing a simple anthem with the adults, and help lead the congregational singing.

Half-hour rehearsals will take place after the 9:30 AM services on March 10 & March 17. Please RSVP to Bailey Steger by Sunday, March 3 so that Michael, our choir director, can gauge interest and numbers.

Family Stations of the Cross Hike on Holy Saturday March 30 -- time TBD

Walking the Stations of the Cross is a powerful way to reflect on the passion of Christ during Holy Week. Introduce your kids to this ancient practice by hiking the Stations of the Cross at Holy Hill Basilica. A paved, mostly stroller-friendly trail winds through hills and woods, taking participants through all 14 stations. We'll enjoy nature and friendship while taking time to stop at each station for a brief, kid-friendly reflection.

Please RSVP to Bailey Steger by Sunday, March 24 to gauge interest and numbers, and indicate what time of day (morning or afternoon) works best for your family.

Sunday, February 25th 5 - 7:00pm

at St. Paul's

914 E. Knapp St.

High School Youth Gathering

High School Youth Gathering at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church THIS Sunday. February 25, 2024. We will have the Milwaukee Youth collaborative gathering with other youths from four other parishes including St. Paul’s Milwaukee, St. Mark’s Milwaukee, Trinity Wauwatosa, and St. Thomas of Canterbury, Greendale. The gathering will be at St. Paul Milwaukee from 5.00 PM to 7.00 PM. We will watch the Disney movie “Soul” and have a short discussion afterwards. Food and drinks will be served. The address of St. Paul is 914 East Knapp Street, Milwaukee. There are parking spaces at the back of the church. I am looking forward to seeing all our high school youth at St. Paul. +Fr. Oswald

Middle School Dinner and Service project 

Sunday, March 3 5:30-7:00PM 

Good Shepherd room and Great Hall 

Join your middle school friends for pizza and a service project! Come hear about the children of St. John's in Tanzania and learn more about the work their church is doing. We'll make some necklaces to send to them. Please bring donations of pencils, pens, and lined notebooks that we can give them as well. RSVP to Julie Davis here if you plan to attend.

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

Sunday,

March 3rd

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.

Download the latest Martha & Mary newsletter here