News & Messages

Christmas Greetings from the Standing Committee

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory. John 1:14
 
Two weeks ago, I got the call I expect every Christmas: the notification of a parishioner’s unexpected major medical emergency. I was standing in the toy store on the square in Baraboo, my eyes looking at the Melissa and Doug exhibit while my heart shook in fear for the suffering of my friend. I told a friend that getting bad news while Christmas shopping was part of the juxtaposition of ordained ministry, and he responded, “Or maybe it’s just life for all of us.”
 
His rejoinder reminded me that it’s certainly what Christmas is for all of us. Jesus Christ took on human nature so that God could be with us: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory. God didn’t choose to become human in an alternate reality that was already perfect but became human to be with us in the world we actually live in – a dangerous, difficult reality where, in ancient times and in our own day, war and genocide, loneliness and tragedy are everyday experiences for so many. Even in the midst of that desolation, we behold the glory of God in the infant born to Mary in Bethlehem.
 
We really see what God is like in Jesus even though the world isn’t perfect. The good news of the angelic host is still good news for us: Jesus really is with us. Jesus really does love us. Jesus really does identify with the poor and suffering of our world and really is grieved by the difficulties that so many people are going through. Jesus is with us: this is a fact. We believe and preach and proclaim this good news not because it’s an interesting philosophical construct but because God was really in the manger, choosing to be with us and for us forever.
 
On behalf of the other members of the Standing Committee, I wish you and yours a blessed and joyful Christmas tide.
 
The Rev. Dave Mowers
Standing Committee, President

Holy Week and Easter Greeting from Bishop Jeff Lee

We are looking forward to welcoming Bishop Jeff Lee to the Diocese of Milwaukee later this week. Bishop Lee will begin serving as our provisional bishop designee on Thursday, April 1.

Bishop Lee has recorded his greetings to you for Holy Week and Easter.
 

We wish you all a blessed Holy Week.

~The staff of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

An Advent Greeting from Bishop Miller 2019

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Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding;
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say;
“Cast away the works of darkness
O ye children of the day.”

Dear Friends in Christ,

This above hymn came to mind as I prepared to write this Advent letter and begin to walk my last full liturgical year as your bishop with you. As most of you know, Advent is my favorite season of the Church year because for me it most resembles our life as Christians. We know that God has come among us in the incarnate one, Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus will come again in glory. And so we live between the first and second coming of Christ in what is already, but not yet.

Advent is a season of urgency. The call to prepare is now. We pray “give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light now” on the first Sunday of Advent. There is no time for waiting. This cannot be put off. For me, this urgency is amplified not only by the current political climate but by the news reports of farm closings in rural Wisconsin, increased numbers of homeless in our cities, and the increasing violence across our nation. I need Jesus to come and rule and reign and restore.

When I was young, a popular song sung by many choirs was this, “let there be peace on earth and let in begin with me.” It expressed for that time the much-quoted adage of our day, “be the change you want the world to see.” Advent invites us to be the kingdom — the reign of Christ — we want in the world. It reminds us of our citizenship and our way of living the citizenship, which we affirm at the beginning of each liturgy when we say, “Blessed be God and Blessed be his kingdom now and forever.”

My prayer as I begin this holy season is, “Lord, let thy kingdom come. Lord, reign in me. May I be a sign of our kingdom for others.” I invite you to join me in this prayer.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Steven Andrew Miller
Bishop

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