Thursday, March 20, 2025 - Wait, it was a fish? not a whale?!

A message from Julie Davis, Lay Minister for Sunday School and Middle School Youth

Dear Christ Church,

I am continually amazed at how the Holy Spirit works in the Middle School youth of this parish. One evening during middle school youth group earlier this year, we opened up the Bible and began reading the book of Jonah together. I was nervous going in. How would the students respond? Would we be able to get a conversation going? Would it feel like any of this is relevant to them?

As it turns out they had a lot to say! We asked questions and made observations like: Is there anyone we might be surprised to find that God loves? Do we believe people can really change their ways? How have you responded to God when you’re not sure what is going to happen next? And … wait, it was a fish, not a whale?! 

We also talked about how we don’t need lots of research or a Bible commentary or a special degree in order to read the Bible, even though those can help sometimes. We talked about how the Bible can speak to us now, often through the words of other people reading and discussing it with us.

I know this to be true from past Bible study groups, but it was humbling to experience it all over again with these teens. Watching the discussion unfold and take on a life of its own each week was a vivid reminder that God works and speaks through each of us. 

May we be alive to the way God wants to work through us this Lent,

Julie Davis

The Third Sunday in Lent

March 23, 2025

8am service - Holy Eucharist, Quiet service in the chapel



9:30am service - Holy Eucharist, Music with congregational singing. This service is also live-streamed here

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

See our Youth & Family special events coming up in the Special Section below

Serving This Sunday: 3-23-25

8:00 am Service

Greeter & Usher: Denton Jones

Acolyte & Reader: Jill Haberman

9:30 am Service This service is also live-streamed here

Vestry Greeters: Don Allen, Anne Hynek

Ushers: *Bruce Dunn, Margaret Cooper, Patrick Foley, Seth Flanders IV

Torchbearers & Crucifer: Seth Flanders, Emily Flanders

Lectors: Donna Recht, Helen Benton

Prayer Reader: Choir during Lent

Newcomer Hosts: Lynne Schley, Luke Sinclair

Eucharistic Ministers: Clergy, Wes Dubic, Lee Dreyfus, Eric Ayala

Healing Prayer in the Chapel: Bp. Mike Klusmeyer

Altar Guild: Team 4 - Carol Crowley, Pam Eversfield, Paula Hogan, Christine Hogan

Flower Guild: Team 4 - Dorothy Kerr, Paulie McCown, Sandy Mueller

Coffee Hospitality & Service: 8:00 Mary and Denton Jones

9:30 Susan and Lee Dreyfus, Jr.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,

License # A-714398. All rights reserved.

Support the Collegium Ladyes!

Coming to Christ Church on Sunday, April 13th! - 4:00pm Concert

Palm Sunday, April 13th ,in the Christ Church Nave

Many of our Choir members sing in this wonderful group. Come hear this wonderful program. Suggested donation $20

Past FORUMs archived here

Join us next Sunday, March 30th

for Bart Adrian's presentation:

How Weather and Meteorologists Changed the Course of History:

You will hear three short narratives, each illustrating the impact of weather forecasts and forecasters on the course of human history. In particular, you will learn details about: the 1941 German forecast for the Russian winter of 1941-42; the 1944 forecast for the Allied D-Day invasion of France; and the evolution of modern weather forecasting from the early 20th century to the dawn of the computer age. Each narrative will also demonstrate the inter-connectedness of the global community of meteorologists, including some interesting connections to Wisconsin.

Bio: Bart Adrian has been fascinated with the weather since his boyhood in the Chicago area. He majored in engineering science (applied mathematics) at Northwestern University, and then came to Wisconsin where he completed his M.S. (1981) in meteorology at UW-Madison. In Madison, Bart became very interested in teaching and in youth ministry. After a one-year stint as a forecaster and occasional on-air meteorologist at WKOW-TV in Madison, he came to Milwaukee in 1982, joining the weather team at WITI-TV (FOX 6). During his 28-year Milwaukee TV career, Bart also taught meteorology to UWM undergraduates. He also worked on certification as a high school earth science and math teacher, and gave literally hundreds of talks to elementary, middle school and high school students. Currently Bart teaches meteorology and mathematics at UWM. He also works part-time as a contract weather observer for the FAA at the airport, and serves as President of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. He remains involved in outreach programs for teenagers, and loves to encourage the study of history, science and mathematics.

Training a New Class of Readers:

Every 3 years Fr. Seth trains a new group of people to read the Scriptures and offer the Prayers of the People on Sunday morning. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, beginning in May, please email him. 

We invite you and your family to choose one of the many meaningful ways to participate in the season of Lent at Christ Church below:

A Daily Lenten Devotional from Christ Church Parishioners and Clergy

This is your invitation to click on the link to subscribe. 

Each day in Lent, your inbox will greet you with the readings of the day as well as a personal reflection from a member of the parish.

STARTS Tonight!

Lenten Bible Study:

A Look at our Suffering God

Thursdays, March 20, March 27, and April 3 in the Great Hall 6:00pm

Sign up here



Join us this Lenten season for a three-week Bible Study as we ponder suffering from the perspective of God and God's people. We will gather in the Great Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays, March 20, March 27, and April 3 for an evening of study, discussion, and a light supper together. 

UPDATE for the Study:

Bonhoeffer wrote, "So we learn to speak to God because God has spoken and speaks to us". He believed that the Psalms are prayers from God to us and from us to God. The Psalms are called the prayer book of the church.  

Our first Lenten study passage is Psalm 22. Its first line is well-known. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" We will look at this as Jesus's prayer, but first as ours. Has there been a time when we wondered where are you, God?  

Bible study may be something you have never experienced with a group. Please feel free to give it a try. Maybe you can only make one of these times. That is fine. Hope to see you.  

To learn more about this Bible Study, please email The Rev. Matt Phillips

Easter Celebration needs volunteers for Baked Goods

Greetings!

We are looking for volunteers to bake or buy 3 dozen delicious baked goods that are consistent with our Easter celebration theme. If you would like, please sign up for more than one slot. Each slot represents 3 dozen.

Please have your item(s) in or on a disposable container or plate well covered. Deliver your items to the church kitchen on Friday April 18th or 19th.marked "9:30 Easter service". If you have any questions, please reach out by email to Susan Dreyfus. Blessings and many thanks as we prepare for our beautiful celebration following the 9:30 service on Easter. SIgn up link

Looking for a Lent devotional practice for your family?

We're providing everything your family needs to participate in Lent Madness -- an online March Madness-style bracket where you can learn about and vote for your favorite saints! To play, join Lent Madness on its website, and subscribe to the site via email so you can vote on each match-up. Pick up your "Saintly Scorecard: The Definitive Guide to Lent Madness" at church to read the biographies of the saints in each match-up. Each Sunday, check out the giant bracket in the Good Shepherd Room that will keep track of which saints win! Who will win the Golden Halo??

Theology by the Pint

Tuesday, March 25, 5:30 p.m. in the Good Shepherd Room

Topic: Religious Diversity — Exclusivism, Inclusivism, and Pluralism

Questions to Consider:  How have you experienced other religious traditions? What can Christians learn from other traditions? Can non-Christian traditions bring others closer to God? What does Jesus mean when he says, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6)? 

We will meet in the Good Shepherd Room at 5:30 p.m. To learn more about this event, please email the Rev. Matt Phillips.

*Theology by the Pint is a casual gathering for conversation where participants are encouraged to listen to others’ perspectives without judgment and to seek better understanding. Regardless of differences, we strive to love our neighbors as ourselves and to respect the dignity of every human being.

Music this week at Christ Church

Michael Batcho - Organist & Choirmaster

A number of hymns from the early pre-Reformation church have "stood the test of time" and continue to be sung in liturgical churches around the world. Our own hymnal contains a number of these ancient texts. The Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (H56) is from the 9th. century. "Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle," the hymn we sing during the veneration of the cross on Good Friday, (H166) was penned sometime around the year 600. The choir anthem this Sunday is an arrangement of another early liturgical hymn: Ubi caritas et amor - in English: "Where true charity and love dwell, God himself is there" (H606). This hymn is often associated with the foot washing ritual on Maundy Thursday. Michael John Trotta, an active composer and conductor in New York, composed a work which marries the old chant tune, which will be played by clarinetist Paula Leigeb, with new melodies and modern harmonies sung by the choir. This unique anthem is a fresh take on a venerable liturgical hymn.

Michael John Trotta

Sign-up for Feasts

Every Sunday!

The Feast ladies will be at the table after the service.

Email Denise Kobussen or Kathy Stanford if you have questions or would like to host.

Featured Feasts:

Pickleball Saturday April 5, 2025, 6-8:30pm

Suitable for adults of all skill levels, and it's as fun and competitive as you want to make it. 12 People $35 per person

Hosts: Kathy and Peter Stanford

Location: River Tennis Club

Guess Who? Cocktail Party

Saturday, April 12, 2025 5-7pm

Join us for cocktail and a game of Guess Who? Beverages and light snacks provided. 30 People $25 per person

Hosts: Penny Cruse, Mark Hilgendorf, Steve Bruemmer Location: Penny Cruse Condo

Click this FEAST SCHEDULE link to see the New and UPDATED feast list each week. Let us know what you would like to sign up for or host.

The money collected from the Feasts goes to the Diocese of Wisconsin Haiti Project which seeks to bring health care, education and sustainable business development to Jeanette, Haiti, and the surrounding communities. Episcopalians in Wisconsin have been partnering with St. Marc's Episcopal Church in Haiti for over 40 years. To learn more see the latest newsletter here. 

Thank you to everyone who has committed to hosting a Feast! 

Sunday School and Youth Group Notes:

Save the date for a Christ Church family lunch!

Sunday, April 6 after the 9:30 AM service

We know it's hard to stick around after service with wiggly, hungry kids, so we're bringing in a simple lunch, pulling out some toys, and turning the Great Hall into a great place for families with young kids to hang out and get to know each other better! No need to RSVP -- just show up.

Due to Spring Break, there is NO SUNDAY SCHOOL this Sunday. Sunday school will resume on March 30, 2025. Click here for the family formation calendar for this winter/spring semester.

RSVP for the Downtown Stations of the Cross!

The next Middle School & High School Youth Group meeting will be a Downtown Stations of the Cross event on Sunday, March 30 from 1-3 PM. We'll meet on the steps of the Federal Court Building and end at Cathedral Square. (Click here for the entire route.) The route is 4 miles. Youth may attend with or without their families. Please RSVP to your youth group leader by March 29.

NEXT HDTF:

April 6, 2025

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.

Download a Flyer for the Electronics Reycycling event on April 26 + 27th

Update From Fr. Oswald:

Funds from Christ Church Outreach supported the development of compostable toilets and a donor sponsored a water system collection/tank.

"I am pleased to let you know that we have made significant progress with our church. We are very grateful for your support. The stage that we have reached is a dream come true." - Fr. Oswald

Saint Patrick's Day Serving at SVDP

Thank you for your continued support of this Christ Church ministry

78 guests had a St. Patrick's Day meal plus the staff that finished off what was left. Everyone was hungry, friendly and thankful.

 A very rewarding time together, as we were joined by Marquette University students. Zed, the new site coordinator, was very appreciative of our help.

Now There are THREE Ways to Give to All Peoples Church:

Look for the red donation box on the wagon in the Good Shepherd room, Cash, Non-perishables, or Online through the QR code.

Save the Date! Friday, May 9th

5:30 - 7:30pm Great Hall

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!

Try this for fun!

CCLC Happy Hour Thursdays

Every Thursday at Lyn Slater's home -

6350 N. Lake Dr. WFB at 4:30 - 6:00pm

Christ Church Ladies Connections is open to all women at Christ Church. Please join us on any Thursday that works for you. Come when you can anytime between 4:30 and 6:00. No need to RSVP. We'd love to see you!  

N/A beverages available; wine $3.

To receive the weekly group email, please contact Kathy Stanford.

RUN Club

Please join Kari Foote and Maggie Dietrich at 7:30 am on Tuesday mornings for a run! Meet at red door (office entrance)

WALK Club

Help! Seeking a new leader for a weekly walking club! Reach out to Betsy Head or Kari Foote for more information! 

Join us at our next Book Club Brunch April 28th

NEXT BOOK: Diana Butler Bass' FREEING JESUS starting May 12

Men's Book Group led by Greg Bell

In-Person Centering Prayer group

This group will meet on Fridays throughout the year and will be led by Janis Blean-Kachigan and Helen Benton. Meetings will begin at 11:15 am and will end at 11:45 am.

Leaflets will be available about Centering Prayer, based on the teaching of Abbot Thomas Keating as found in his book, Open Minds, Open Hearts.

We especially welcome people who have had no experience of Centering Prayer and would like to learn this ancient way of praying.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact

Janis Blean-Kachigan or Helen Benton.

News from the Diocese and Around the Community

Register now for North Shore School for Seniors

Registration is ongoing for North Shore School for Seniors (NSSS) for the Spring 2025 session. Topics include history, languages, arts & crafts, local interest, Nature, exercise and more. Classes meet Monday or Tuesday at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay. Class info and online registration is at nss4s.org and catalogs are available for pickup at the church. The second term is April 14 & 15 to May 5 & 6. (There are no classes on April 7 & 8.) Email questions to nssbxt@gmail.com or phone (414) 292-0960. All are welcome! Download our Catalog here

If you have news you'd like shared in our e-Weekly Newsletter please contact Julie

Download the latest Martha & Mary newsletter here

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