Dear friends, 

“Fear not! Look! For I proclaim to you good news of great joy for all the people. For there is born to you this day a Savior who is the Messiah, the Sovereign God, in the city of David.” (Luke 2: 10-11, translated by The Rev. Wilda Gafney, PhD, A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church).  

This Christmas, we’ve heard the good news the angel brought to the shepherds that long-ago night: 

• God is faithful to God’s promises. The Holy One draws near. 
• In Jesus, God’s world-changing power broke into the world in the form of a helpless baby – 
• A bundle of need and vulnerability, of promise and boundless love. Emmanuel. God with us. 

In these wintry days, when the realities of both overwhelming need and joyous signs of hope might be vying for your attention, my Christmas prayer for you is this: 

May you greet the coming of Christ with open hearts, curious minds, and courageous wills. Receive God’s presence in unexpected situations, seek out the Spirit’s leading when life mystifies you, and when God calls you into something challenging, go ahead and follow. Because we are always surrounded by Love, upheld by Love, and nourished by Love. There is nowhere we can go where God is not. This is good news of great joy! 

Beloved ones, Merry Christmas! 

Pastor Charlotte 

Year-End Pledges & Gifts

As we near the end of the year, we encourage all who can fulfill their 2025 pledge to do so by Dec 31. This will help us stay in solid financial shape heading into the new year. If you have any questions about your outstanding balance, please reach out to Br. Will in the office. Please note that the office will be closed for business on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

COS recently received a generous additional gift from one family who had already fulfilled their 2025 pledge. If you have had a bountiful year or are otherwise in a position to make a gift to Church of Our Saviour beyond your 2025 pledge, we would be grateful for your additional offering at the end of the year. With the final bills for the construction of our new building due and loan payments underway, gifts of any amount are critically important.

Donations can be made in a variety of ways, such as checks, stock transfers, etc., and we will be happy to facilitate what works best for you. Please reach out to either Br. Will or one of the wardens (Peter Civetta and Betsy Sharpe). Thank you for all you do for Church of Our Saviour!

Christmas Message from Bp. Paula Clark

Beloved in Christ,

At Christmas we remember not only the holy birth of Jesus, but also the journeys that surrounded it. Mary traveled to Elizabeth, and together they shared joy, courage, and faith in God’s promise. Mary and Joseph, with haste and trust, fled from Bethlehem to protect their newborn son. And the sages from the East traveled together, seeking the child who would bring light to the nations.

As a diocese, journeying together means collaborating and connecting across distance and difference. When we engage God’s message together, its power is amplified—our voices joined in prayer, our ministries strengthened in partnership, our witness magnified in unity. Just as those first companions in the Gospel supported one another on their journeys, we too are called to share the road: to encourage, to listen, and to bear witness to Christ’s love side by side.

Click here to read the full Christmas message from Bishop Paula.

No Sunday School this Sunday | Dec 28

There will be no Sunday School on Dec 28. Sunday School will resume Jan 4.

A Service of Christmas Lessons & Carols | Dec 28

This Sunday, Dec 28, COS is offering one service at 10am which will include Christmas lessons and carols. This special service is the perfect way to usher in the first Sunday after Christmas and is fun for the whole family. There will be no Sunday School this Sunday and this service will not include the Eucharist.

Pastor Charlotte Away | Dec 28 - Jan 1

Pastor Charlotte will be away from Sunday, Dec 28 through New Year's Day, Jan 1. For any urgent pastoral care needs, please contact The Rev. Richard Wendel, PhD. This coming Tuesday, Dec 30, we will offer Noonday Prayer in lieu of Midweek Eucharist at 12:15pm. Midweek Eucharist will resume on Jan 6.

No Morning Glories or Morning Prayer

There will ne no Morning Glories or Wednesday Morning Prayer this coming week. Both ministries will resume the week of Jan 4.

COS Antiracism Team Updates & Holiday Event

In January they will host the first Antiracism Educational Activity in an adult forum on Jan 11 at 9am. Margie Palmer will use a video about the Unity Walk in Richmond, Virginia, to help participants initiate courageous conversations about racism and antiracism within ourselves, in our country, and here in our community.

Celebration of New Ministry for Pastor Charlotte | Jan 17

Save the date on Jan 17 at 5pm as we gather at COS to celebrate our (new) rector, The Rev. Charlotte Johnson and her new ministry here at COS! More details to come...

Coming Soon: Epiphany Programming

In the season of the epiphany, adult COSers will have two opportunities for ongoing formation and education. During the 9 am forum, The Rev. Richard Wendel, PhD, will lead sessions as a prelude to serious bible study, contextualizing our sacred scriptures in history and culture. Plan to join us select Sundays in Epiphany, and "level up" your bible reading. (start date TBA)

Likewise, on Monday nights, starting on Jan 19 - Feb 2, 7:30pm - 8:30pm, Tristan Kirvin will lead a 3-session study on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Join this small group study for a unique journey into a "lost" text, exploring other birth narratives and magic in the ancient world.

Dan Shannon RIP

Dan Shannon, former parishioner of COS, died this past Sunday, Dec 21, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Here is the message shared with COS from his family:

With great sadness, we want to let you know that Dan passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 21, 2025, after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  

We are grateful for his well-lived life and will miss him terribly.  A world traveler, responsible citizen, reader, kayaker, chef, colleague, friend, father, family member, husband. …. Dan showed up with energy, curiosity and kindness, consistently at ease with life. He believed that individuals could make a difference and he did that – with family, higher education, church and community.

A service to celebrate Dan’s life is being planned for this summer (date TBD) at Church of the Atonement in Door County. For now, thanks to all who have reached out with calls and messages as Dan’s journey came to an end. Friendships and memories mean so much at this time – please feel free to continue to be in touch with Deb at 1300 N. Prospect Ave, #315, Milwaukee WI. 53202. 

With wonderful memories and best wishes to all who knew and loved him,

Deb, Sarah and family

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for the Week of December 28

At this time of general rejoicing, the congregation is called upon to pray for those who, in the words of the Prayers of the People, Form VI (BCP p. 392) “are the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression or are in danger, sorrow or any kind of trouble and for those who minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy.”

We pray for the youth in our cities and communities affected by violence, and the perpetrators of violence in our communities. May they find peace.