News & Messages

Letter from Trialogue Task Force

Dear friends in Christ:

We are in an exciting moment as Episcopalians in Wisconsin. We hope you have heard something about the Trialogue, conversations taking place among Episcopalians across the state about the future shape of the Episcopal Church here. These conversations are broad and open-ended as we explore how we might collaborate throughout the state in ministry and mission, witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ. We hope to envision and embody new ways of being together as Wisconsin Episcopalians. In the book of Acts, the disciples found themselves moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit to cross boundaries between Jew and Gentile, to carry the gospel into all the world. So too are we being challenged by the Holy Spirit to embark on a new journey.

Such journeys take us into uncharted territory, leaving the comforts of home, the past, and tradition behind. As we explore these new relationships there is considerable uncertainty as well as excitement, fear alongside hope.

 The “Parish and Regional Engagement Task Force” is one of seven task forces participating in the Trialogue. We are reaching out to Episcopalians across the state to listen and learn, to hear your questions and concerns, your hopes and dreams. To that end, in the coming weeks, our task force will contact every congregation in all three dioceses to solicit your feedback, your questions, concerns, and anxieties about the Trialogue and about the future of the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin. We look forward to hearing from you and to serve as a conduit sharing your questions, your hopes and fears with the other task forces and with the Steering Committee.

In the name of Christ,

The Rev. Dcn. Paul Aparicio, Diocese of Fond du Lac, co-facilitator
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Grieser, Diocese of Milwaukee, co-facilitator
Bevra Cole, Diocese of Milwaukee
Tim Donahue, Diocese of Eau Claire
The Rev. Julie Hendrix, Diocese of Fond du Lac
Edie McDougal, Diocese of Eau Claire
The Rev. Dcn. Steve Russell, Diocese of Eau Claire
The Rev. Joanne Skidmore, Diocese of Fond du Lac

https://www.episcopalwisconsin.info/

Outreach around the Diocese: St. Paul's, Watertown and Mary's Room

The expectant mom texted a message to Mary’s Room Facebook page: “I am a single mom, expecting any day now, and I have nothing for the baby. Can you help?” The response was immediate as this is what we do at St Paul’s. We were able to help her with baby furniture and equipment, clothes and diapers and our stash of new blankets and quilts made with love and donated from members of the parish and the Watertown community. Forty-five minutes later she was prepared for the new arrival!

This was not an unusual circumstance for our outreach program. We have a lot of moms and dads who visit us for diapers, clothes and baby equipment on a routine basis, but we often deal with emergency needs and coordinate community resources as they arise.

Mary’s Room is supported by the parish and the entire community. Many area churches have fundraisers and collections for us, and secular organizations give to us regularly. We collaborate with other outreach programs such as the food pantry, the free laundry service, and family services, creating a community safety net for families. In addition, we have received substantial support from the Watertown Health Foundation and Watertown Public Health to create a safety net for families in the greater Watertown area. We also have a trusted relationship with Jefferson County Human Services, and they accept referrals from us for families needing help with employment, housing, and child care.

We're proud that the Mary’s Room model has been adopted by the Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson, and St. Paul’s donated clothing items and equipment to get them started. It’s good to have a sister agency in southern Jefferson County as the need continues to grow. We have no geographic limits at Mary’s Room, and we are willing to serve anyone even if they are just passing through!

We are blessed with dedicated volunteers both from the parish and from the community. It is interesting to note that two of our regular volunteers joined the parish family after volunteering in Mary’s Room as community members.

If you would like to donate to Mary’s Room there is a donate button on our St. Paul’s website under outreach/Mary’s Room. Or, you can send a check directly to St. Paul’s with Mary’s Room in the memo line. If you are interested in setting up a similar outreach program in your community or with your parish, you can contact Alice Mirk, St. Paul’s Outreach Coordinator, at or 920-219-0427.

Alice Mirk
Outreach Coordinator, St. Paul's, Watertown

Update from the Commission on Creation Care: March 2022

The Commission on Creation Care has met for three months and meets again Thursday, April 14, at 1 pm via Zoom. We are moving forward in two ways:

• By studying with Rev. Dr. Collin Cornell of the Center for Religion and Environment   
• By forming small groups to establish resources to use throughout the parishes of the diocese.

 The group has many subcommittees which focus on caring for creation and reducing our carbon footprint AND which need members:  

• Worship and Theology  
• Environment (land, water, or air)
• Personal Responsibility
• Church Buildings - taking advantage of energy savings
• Church Grounds - preparing our grounds to care for human and non-human neighbors
• Alternative Energy (including solar)
• Advocacy 

If you would be interested in joining this mission, please let us know by emailing .

Deacon Gregg Schneider (Beloit) is convener. Jane Stenson (Mineral Point) is clerk. Susan Adams (Beloit) and Susan Gillespie (Beloit) serve as librarians. The librarians will maintain the commission's materials and resources.