Dear Friends in Christ,

This Sunday, churches around the world will show their support for the Green Bay Packers by adorning their pulpits, altars, and priests with green and gold. Yes, these colors are also associated with the liturgical season of Epiphany, signifying the new growth of grace within us after Christ's coming at Christmas. But most believe this to be largely a holy coincidence.  

Can you imagine the Celebrant at a large Episcopal church in Dallas having to slip into his or her green and gold chasuble before the Eucharist this Sunday? It must be so hard. But we should not pity them, but rather pray for them; that the warm colors adorning their shoulders might somehow change their cold, dark blue hearts. 

All kidding aside, come to worship before you watch (or completely tune out) this Sunday's game. The warmth and passion of people sharing the love of Christ with one another within a spiritual community is as contagious as the wave in Lambeau Field. And that love has the power to change you and the world.  

In the Hope and Peace of Christ,

Seth+

While you would think the people of St. Thomas, Fifth Ave. would fly colors for the NY Giants, the altar guild clearly supports the Packers. 

Heidi Behlke will be out of the office from 12/11-12/2. She has recently mailed final statements for 2023. If you have an outstanding pledge balance for 2023 and would like to make a payment, please indicate 2023 in the memo section of your check. If making a payment via VANCO, please send an email to heidi@christchurchwfb.org indicating the amount and that you would like it applied to your 2023 pledge.

HighLIGHTS of Epiphany!

20 + C + M + B + 24

Thursday, January 18th at 5:15pm at Christ Church  

Fr. Seth convenes a casual "pub conversation" one Thursday a month at 5:15pm.

Next Topic: 

Faith and Sports

Where does a love of sport fit in for the Christian? Are there sacred aspects of sports? What prevents a sport from becoming an idol? Does God actually favor the Packers? Come to talk about this and more! 

Thursday, January 18th at 5:15pm at Christ Church in the Good Shepherd room at church (our usual room at Three Lions Pub is booked). Light snacks and beverages of all kinds will be provided. 

Parish Administrator Opening

After almost a year with us, Heidi Behlke has decided to pursue other opportunities. We will miss her! Thankfully, she is here through Feb 15. If you or someone you know might have interest in the position, please see the job description here.

Scripture, Song and Silence

Beginning THIS Friday, January 12 from 12:00-12:30 p.m., and running for 4 consecutive Fridays, come to the nave for a reading from scripture, contemplative music, poetry by poets such as Mary Oliver and Rumi, and times for silence. Contact Mark Hilgendorf or Tom Herbstreith for details.

New Memorial Garden!

We are pleased that the plans for the memorial garden have been enthusiastically received by the congregation. At this time, we are in the process of finalizing the necessary documentation. If you are interested, you may send Heidi your name with an indication of interest. You will be contacted after February 1st, once the official documents are completed. To see the presentation to the parish on the Memorial Garden go here. 

Coming January 21st to the Great Hall 10:45am

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

Coming January 21st

Reading Poets - Reading Dante

by Roger Ferlo

Why do 21^st century writers and thinkers—both secular and religious-- take such interest in a 14th century poet?

(Dante Alighieri, 1265?-1321). At least five English-language translations have appeared in the past five years. It’s not just about the Inferno, appropriate as that apocalyptic vision might seem in these perilous days. Come find out why. No previous knowledge of Dante, poetry, Italian, or the 21^st century assumed.

Roger Ferlo is president emeritus of Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation, and Scholar-in-Residence at the Newberry Library in Chicago. He holds an AB from Colgate University, where he serves as trustee emeritus. He received a Ph.D. in English from Yale University and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Colgate in 2010. He was for ten years rector of the

Church of St. Luke in the Fields in Manhattan. Author of three books, he is priest associate at the Episcopal Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer in Hyde Park, Chicago, and an avid amateur cellist and pianist.

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany



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: January 14, 2023

8:00 am Service

Greeter & Usher: Randy Dean

Acolyte & Reader: Sue Toman

9:30 am Service

Vestry Greeters: Jackie Kuehn, Alex Rikkers

Crucifer + Torchbearers: 

Ushers: Rick Donner*, Beth Durant, Margaret Cooper

Newcomer Host:  Margaret Cooper

Lectors: Lee Dreyfus, Maureen McCabe

Prayer Reader: Stephen Forrest

Eucharistic Ministers: Wes Dubic, Anna Floch Arcello, Luke Sinclair

Altar Guild: Team 2 - Cindy Jensen, Kay Antonelli, Rosemarie Bwechwa, Lydia Gone, Penny Ziegler

Hospitality: Service - Paula Stone, Jackie Kuehn  Clean up - Lisa O'Brien, Jane Tomasi

Saving Lives!

Thank you to all who gave a little bit of themselves for the good of all!

27 pints collected helping 81 people. And thanks to Christ Church volunteers for keeping everything "flowing": Mary Jones, Pam Eversfield, Sue Toman, Lyn Slater, Betsy Wilson, Mary Kay Anderson.

Dear Christ Church Community,

If you have created a Vanco online account for your pledge to Christ Church and would like to update your monthly or annual pledge, you can login to your account here to adjust your contribution.

We are so grateful you would consider a pledge for 2024.

2024 Stewardship Team 

Beth Durant (Chair), Steve Bruemmer, Loni Hagerup, Joan King,

Julie Thauer, The Rev. Seth Dietrich

Flower Guild will meet in the JT Room

after the 9:30 service on January 21, 2024 to plan for Palm Sunday and Easter. Anyone interested in joining the guild is welcome too!

Reach out to Willette Koop or Chris Binder if interested.

Volunteers Needed!

Monday January 15, 4:30-6:00pm help prepare and serve a meal at SVDP at All Peoples Church in the Harambee neighborhood. Or offer a dessert to be served with the meal. Please contact Lynne Schley to sign up. 

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!

Our Next Generation:

Consider volunteering!

Christ Church founded Our Next Generation 30 years ago to support Milwaukee students academically and socially to give them the best possible chance to get a good education and to spend time in a safe environment after school and during the summer. Contact Betsy Head if interested

We have supported this non-profit with funds and tutors in the past

and Outreach is proud to participate in their Homework Club this fall.

The

FEASTS!

Don’t forget to sign up!

Please contact Kathy or Denise

Check out our thermometer in the Good Shepherd room

and help put us over the top.

Click here for the current Feast Schedule with lots of fun activities scheduled into the new year.

French Wintertime Comfort Food

Join us for a tasting menu/small plates of several classics including wine and desserts. A perfect menu for a cold night in February!

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Hosts: Andrew and Jennifer Jetton

$30/person - max 20

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.

revenge and forgiveness

Youth gathering and Discussion at Christ Church after 9.30 service

We will gather this Sunday January 14, 2024 at 10.45 in the youth room. We will watch Nooma Rob Bell video exploring the questions of revenge and forgiveness: How do we let go of the burden of anger and revenge that we carry around? How do we set ourselves free from our burdens?

Sunday School is on break and will resume January 21.

The nursery will be staffed starting January 7.

We're starting off the formation year with a Service Sunday event! Kids and youth grades 3K through 8th are invited to make Blessing Bags for the Gathering, a ministry that serves the hungry. Led by members of the Outreach Committee, the event runs from 9:15-10:05 AM in the Great Hall January 21st.

Download your copy of this semester's formation calendar!

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,

February 11th with

Pancake Breakfast!

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.

This month:

The Green Team is highlighting ways to green your home. Here in the Weekly Broadcast and on the bulletin board at the top of the Sunday School stairs.

This week: how to cut down on your plastic use and disposal. (see links to samples below)

• To save leftovers Pyrex containers are safe effective ways to freeze and or reheat…old school but better than using plastic containers and wraps. No PFAS getting into your food or FAMILY!

Now there is beeswax. To shape it over a bowl, use the warmth of your hands to conform it to the container. This is a great hostess gift and a way to share a great idea with others! See link below.

• Prepare double batches to save time on a busy day, and use less energy.

• Never buy another kitchen sponge again! There are various products that are made of recycled products that are disposable after many wipe ups! Cotton rags work also, and who doesn’t have an old cotton T shirt with holes in it? Cut it into several rag sizes for kitchen, car washing, windows, etc. Or try Swedish wipes, again another great hostess gift that is attractive! See link below.

Check out these eco-friendly products:

1.Bees Wrap

2. Reusable Swedish Dish Cloths

Many items like these are also available at Outpost and Whole Foods.

If you shop at stores that do not offer these products, ask at the service desk…..every time you go in. Eventually maybe they will get the message and support vendors that make earth friendly products.

Download the latest Martha & Mary newsletter here