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Advent Resources

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Are you looking for moments of rest and reflection during the busy season of Advent? Here are a number of resources available from around the Church for the season. They are all suitable individual and congregational use. 


Journeying the Way of Love Advent Curriculum

For the season of Advent, Journeying the Way of Love offers four sessions to be explored as we await the coming of Christ by moving through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s gospel provides a pattern for understanding how we can live the Way of Love as individuals, as families and friends, as a community, and out in the world. The sessions are specially designed for use during the Christian formation hour before or after worship. Facilitation instructions accommodate small or large groups.

Advent Word: A Global Advent Calendar
For the sixth year in a row, #AdventWord will gather prayers via a global, online Advent calendar. Virginia Theological Seminary is offering meditations and images during this holy season beginning Sunday,  December 1. Images and meditations can be experienced via the #AdventWord website, direct daily emails, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and ASL videos via YouTube.  

Living Well Through Advent
From Living Compass: Designed for use as an individual reflection or for group study, this guide provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Advent, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas. Available in both print and electronic editions.

A Way to the Manger 
A Way to the Manger is a daily devotional from Forward Movement that explores Christ’s birth as recounted in the Gospel of Luke through the lens of the Way of Love and the seven practices of turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. 

Reflections on Social Justice for the Season of Advent (Year A) from the Episcopal Networks Collaborative
From the introduction: The Advent readings provide rich material for reflecting on social justice topics. Advent is a time of preparation for celebrating the coming of the Messiah, the coming of God’s kingdom. The readings bring together the prophetic and Gospel traditions calling for a new social order based on peace and justice. Advent is a time to remember John the Baptist, the new Elijah who has come to challenge the rule of the men in soft robes who oppressed the poor. John the Baptist was preparing the way for the coming of the messiah – the one that would bring justice to the world, to all creation. It is a time for us to reflect on what “living in the light of the Lord” (Is. 2:5) obliges us to do in caring for each other and our planet.

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Room in the Inn: Ideas for Celebrating Posadas

Looking for a resource for Las Posadas? Forward Movement offers a free guide to help you.

The Posadas (Spanish for "inns," "lodging," or "shelter") are an Advent candlelight procession and celebration. In Mexico and other countries, it is traditional to hold Posadas in many neighborhoods on the days preceding Christmas. The Posadas are a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for a place where Jesus could be born. We learn from the Posadas that by welcoming the poor and the needy, we are welcoming Jesus in our midst. (See Matthew 25:40.)

Bishop Miller Urges Action for Gun Safety

Dear Friends in Christ,

On Monday, Cindy and I the privilege of being present when Governor Evers signed the executive order calling for a special legislative session to address Gun Violence. In particular, the governor is asking our legislators to pass two bills: one to expand current background check laws and the other to create an extreme risk protection process or red flag law. Over 80% of Wisconsin citizens support this legislation and yet this legislation has been stalled for some time.

I write you today to ask you to contact your state representative and state senator to urge them to consider this legislation that so many of our citizens’ support.

You can find the contact information for your state representative and senator here:

https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/

I, of course, hope you will support this legislation that I believe will make all of us safer by taking an important step to reduce gun violence. What is most important though is that you make your voice heard. Responsible citizenship is an important element of Christian life.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Steven A Miller
Bishop of Milwaukee

Standing Committee Now Accepting Names for Search Committee

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October 24, 2019
 
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
As I noted in my report at Diocesan Convention, one of the tasks of the Standing Committee with regard to the search for our next bishop is the selection of a Search Committee. 
 
This will be a very important job in our diocesan life, and it will entail a good deal of work. As a member of the Search Committee you will be appointed tasks, must attend meetings, and your role may involve travel to other parishes in the diocese. 
 
Already the Standing Committee is receiving names of those who are either themselves willing to serve or who are being suggested for this committee by others who know them. In the interest of ensuring an open process in which nominations for the Search Committee may be made, we are now open to nominations to the Search Committee. Please note, this is not an election; it is the job of the Standing Committee to appoint members to this committee. In the end, the Search Committee will be made up of 14 or 15 individuals.
 
Here are the requirements/information we need:
 
  • Name, contact information (email and phone), parish affiliation
  • Your calendar must be clear for a training retreat at DeKoven Center in Racine, January 24-25, 2020 (non-negotiable)
  • For self-nominations: what gifts or skills would make you a helpful addition to the Search Committee?
  • In the case nominating someone else: why are you nominating this person and do you have their permission?
We will close nominations on Tuesday, November 12, at noon. 
 
Nominations may be sent to:
 
Questions? Please contact Fr. Scott Leannah @ 414-379-0632 or Fr. Andy Jones @ 608-354-9903.
 
The Rev. Scott Leannah
Standing Committee President

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