News & Messages

Easter Greeting from Canon Scott Leannah

Grace, Madison 2023

Dear friends in Christ,
 
A blessed and happy Easter to you! During Holy Week and at Easter, we celebrate in a profound way the central tenet of our faith: in the Paschal Mystery, Jesus conquered evil, sin, and even death itself. By his holy cross, Jesus Christ has redeemed the world.  
 
This is the story of God’s power at work in this world. We celebrate the unique event of Christ’s resurrection and the many ways that, through God’s grace, the dynamic of resurrection brings hope and new life. While all has been redeemed, all is not yet restored. Yet even as we acknowledge the realities of division, violence, and the brokenness that marks our shared journey on this “fragile island home,” we are witnesses to so much grace, wonder, and beauty! In times of uncertainty, fear, and unanswered questions, people of faith, trusting in the message of Easter, continue to offer praise, service, solidarity, and hope. This praise, service, solidarity, and hope are lived abundantly and experienced in varied ways within the congregations that make up our shared life.
 
The resurrection of Jesus is God’s final judgment. With St. Paul, we can say, “Death, where is your sting?  Death, where is your victory?” The power of sin is defeated.  Easter is the very powerful message to us that nothing we can do can separate us from God’s reconciling love—nothing! In embracing the cross, Jesus shows us that we never walk alone; we never face anything in life without his presence and love. 
 
Each of us is called to embody the love, new life, and hope of Easter every day. Let us do this by word and example, sharing with others to the Good News of Easter Day: Alleluia! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
Scott+
 
The Rev. Canon Scott Leannah
Canon to the Ordinary

Get ready for Stewardship: Join us for a webinar with TENS

Dear Friends,

Churches focused on stewardship know that prayerful, thoughtful planning and excellent resources are key to maintaining a culture of year-round awareness of the abundance of God’s gifts and our call to share them as a way of expressing our gratitude. One of the most effective tools I am aware of in the area of stewardship resources and development is The Episcopal Network for Stewardship, also known as TENS.
 
We recently purchased a TENS membership for the diocese. This allows any parish in the diocese to access, without charge, the abundance of online tools, artwork, reflections, and insights on the TENS website.

Thanks to TENS my own understanding of stewardship has grown and changed. I saw this impact our stewardship when I served at St. Mary’s in Dousman and St. Thomas of Canterbury in Greendale. I learned, among other things, that when stewardship is held up as a way of life and not just a means to raise money, it is life-changing, on the individual level and in terms of how this critical aspect of discipleship is presented to the parish community. I learned that approaching stewardship from a place of joy and abundance is far more effective than doing some from scarcity and desperation.
 
Stewardship is deeply rooted in the Scriptures. There are approximately 2000 references to wealth and possessions in the Bible. Of the 43 parables of Jesus, 23 deal with wealth and possessions.
 
I encourage you to join us for a presentation on Zoom, led by personnel from TENS, on Thursday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m. In our time together we’ll explore Making the Case! Effective Materials for Successful Campaigns.
 
Sign up to attend here.

Thanks and God bless you!

Fr. Scott Leannah
Canon to the Ordinary

Clergy Canoe Adventure!

Friends,
 
Our first-ever clergy Boundary Waters canoe trip is in the history books. It was a great experience.
 
On Monday, June 13, six of us drove to Tofte, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Superior. When we reached Highway 2, we went inland for about 30 minutes on a road that was mostly gravel until we reached Sawbill Outfitters. The good folks at Sawbill provided the gear, canoes and food we would need for the week. Early on Tuesday morning, we were driven, with all our gear, to an entry point into the Boundary Waters at Homer Lake. For the next four days and nights, we would paddle around 27 miles and do 14 portages as we made our way south back to the outfitters on the Sawbill Lake. We came out of the wilderness on Saturday morning, June 18, and were back home that evening.

The intrepid canoers paddled along the highlighted route.

 
What we came home with: awe and deep appreciation for the rugged beauty of the Boundary Waters, a sense of having done something challenging together, memories of shared prayer (Morning Prayer and Eucharist), gratitude for having gotten to know one another more deeply, several insect bites (Fr. Kevin Carroll noted, "[we] battled mosquitoes of biblical proportions!") and a few bruises, a bit of soreness from the hard work of outdoor living, portaging and paddling, an appreciation for wildlife (highlights include three moose, many loons and bald eagles and much more), a renewed sense of gratitude for much in our lives that we can take for granted, and a deep appreciation for the people God has put into our lives.
 
As I reflect on this shared journey, the word that sums it up for me is gratitude. Of course, there were challenges; there were several, but that's part of the beauty of this kind of wilderness experience. I am grateful for my companions on the journey: Dave Mowers, Don Fleischman, Kevin Carroll, George Arceneaux, and Geoff Ward.
 
God's peace to you!
Scott
 
The Rev. Canon Scott Leannah
Canon for Ministries