Dear Friends in Christ,

The summer can be a wonderful time to dive into poetry, especially if you have been away from it for a while. With the rhythms of our lives a bit slower, it might be easier to give ourselves the time and space to settle into the language, word by word, phrase by phrase. 

I was also just speaking to someone who's been coming to the summer service outdoors and who said she misses the quiet beauty of the stone church. I told her she is most welcome to go inside anytime and simply sit in a pew, breath, meditate, and/or pray. One could even read a poem, which is so often a form of prayer. I like this one from the Anglican poet R.S. Thomas.

Kneeling (Source: The Poetry Foundation)

Moments of great calm,

Kneeling before an altar

Of wood in a stone church

In summer, waiting for the God   

To speak; the air a staircase   

For silence; the sun’s light   

Ringing me, as though I acted   

A great rôle. And the audiences   

Still; all that close throng

Of spirits waiting, as I,

For the message.

                        Prompt me, God;

But not yet. When I speak,   

Though it be you who speak   

Through me, something is lost.   

The meaning is in the waiting.

Peace and Blessing,

Seth+

Be encouraged!... to bring your own lawn chair to the Sunday Garden Service. If you forget, feel free to go inside and grab an additional chair if needed. 

Sunday - July 23, 2023

Outdoor Service weather permitting

8am service Holy Eucharist, Quiet service

9:30 service* - Holy Eucharist, Music with congregational singing. Held in the garden weather permitting

*This service is also live-streamed on YOUtube

 and on the Christ Church website.

________________________________________________

Serving This Sunday: July 23, 2023

8:00 am Service

Greeter/Usher: Christopher Hagerup

Acolyte/Reader:  Randy Dean

9:30 am Service

Vestry Greeter:  Jackie Keene, Margaret Cooper

Ushers: Tom King, Pete Tomasi

Newcomer Host: Lynne Schley, Kathy Stanford

Lector: Bailey Steger Prayer Reader: Randy Kunkel

Eucharistic Ministers: Sarah Gottlieb, Tim Kobussen, Jennifer Jetton

Review your directory listing: HERE

If you need the password, just contact Heidi our parish administrator. THANKS!

DIRECTORY PHOTO UPDATE!

Our online directory needs current photos

Have you looked at your directory photo lately? Some little kids in arms are now in school; others have grown 8”; sometimes there is a new child in the family who wasn’t here for the photo.

PLEASE take time to check that your presentation is current. 

AND at the same time be sure your address, phone, email information is also up to date.

UPDATE! Photos of singles or pairs:

Is your photo how you wish to appear to the church community? We are accepting updated photos AND new or changed address, phone, emails.

Sidewalk Chalk and Untouched Sidewalks!

will be waiting for you on Sunday morning in the Kid-friendly zone of the church garden! If you you have creative and wiggly little ones, join us on the north end of the garden.

If this Christ Church garden plant caught your eye last Sunday...

and you correctly identified 'Queen Anne's Lace' but wondered if it was an intentional part of the garden design, you may have what it takes to be part of our Landscape and Garden Care Crew!

See Betsy Head or Paulie McCown for details!

In our FORUM Archives:

• FORUM 05-21-23 Christ Church Legacy:

Who was on the Land Before Us?

• FORUM 04-30-23 Steve Paulson:

Bridging Science and Spirituality

• FORUM 04-23-23 Dr. Jerald Mast Key:

Factors Driving Polarization in the U.S.

• FORUM 03-12-23 Sojourner Truth House: Through the Years

• FORUM 02-26-23 Rev. Amy Heimerl:

Inside Hope - finding the child inside

URGENT NEED:

Canned pasta sauce

Canned pasta: Ravioli, Spaghettios,

also: Spam, Tuna Helper,

and Black- eyed Peas

Due to the higher than normal family count (65-85) the last 4-6 weeks. All Peoples Pantry could use our help. Please donate!

NEW Volunteer Opportunity for all!

Pantry Help needed

All Peoples Church Pantry distributes food on Wednesdays 11-1pm.

Brian needs help during that time.

Please email Brian at  if you are available.

AUGUST FEASTS!

Don’t forget to sign up for the summer feasts

which will be handled via email for the summer. Please contact Kathy or Denise

Check out our new thermometer in the Good Shepherd room and help put us over the top.

Featured Feasts for AUGUST

• Crowns and Cake tea party -Aug 12, 1-3pm

• Backyard BBQ @ Allens -Aug 26 @6pm, 2 spots left!!

Click here for details

Week 8: Summer Creation Care:

Climate Justice and Women

12 weeks of Questions to Ponder and Act Upon

Health impacts of climate change are particularly acute for women. Women are disproportionally exposed to dirty fuels, absorbing toxins from gathering and using coal for cooking. In addition, while women produce more of the world’s food, they have less power to make agricultural decision since women own less than 20% of the world’s titled land due to inequalities in access and credit.

When we tune into climate injustices, it can be so easy to slip into despair and apathy. Hope is created when we partner with the living God, bound to God’s vision of a transformed, renewed, and reconciled world where all creation can flourish. What better way to experience that reality than to stand alongside our sisters (and brothers) on the frontlines of the climate crisis and advocate for justice?

Questions to ponder and act upon:

1  How does climate and environmental harm unequally affect women?

2    How do women contribute to climate care solutions?

Rescheduled Family Meal: Estabrook Park

Our next family meal takes place Tuesday, July 25 at 5:30 PM at Estabrook Park by the playground area (4400 N. Estabrook Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53211). Feel free to bring lawn games. We'll try to get a game of kickball started too! Brats, hot dogs, pretzels, and beverages will be available at the nearby beer garden. Please RSVP by signing up to bring a side dish to share HERE. 

Join us next month:

AUGUST 8th with:

"What Happens to Garbage?"

Family Creation Club!

We had a great time leaning about Trees from Dr. Joy Mast.

We meet at the Urban Ecology Center: Children's Forest

1449 E Park Milwaukee, WI 53211

Handing Down

the Faith Sundays

are 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.

Check Air Quality: fire smoke.ca

Summer Patio Open!

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.

North Shore School for Seniors gears up for fall 2023 session

North Shore School for Seniors (NSSS) organizers are planning 50+ exciting classes for fall 2023. That’s the most since the school’s post-Covid reboot! Participants can stretch their muscles and minds, while meeting others AND having fun.

The fall session is Sept. 18 – Oct. 10 (first term) and Oct. 23 – Nov. 14 (second term). (There are no classes Oct. 16 & 17.) Classes meet at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr. on Monday and Tuesday. They cover a wide range of subjects including exercise, arts, local topics, languages and history. Classes meet from one to eight times, and start at various times throughout the session.

Class information and online registration is available at nss4s.org beginning Aug. 1. Fall 2023 catalogs also will be available Aug. 1 for pick-up at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. Cost is $10 per class meeting. Email questions to nssbxt@gmail.com or phone (414) 292-0960.

The mission of the NSSS is improving mind and spirit through learning and friendship. The North Shore School for Seniors is an adult outreach program of United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay.

Download the latest Martha & Mary newsletter here