08
Dec 2017
Gregory and Heidi Whitaker are Light of Christ’s first official overseas missionaries. They leave in early July for Cambodia, where Gregory will be working with the Anglican Church and Heidi will be doing medical missions. To stay informed about their ongoing work, you can like their Facebook page or visit their SAMS page and signup to receive email updates at the bottom....
Read More
08
Dec 2017
Twelve teens from 7th through 10 grades traveled to Silver Maple Ranch near Galena, IL for a retreat centered on the theme of “Who Am I in Christ?” Experiential activities designed to promote self-reflection; discovery, teamwork and community were planned around discussions led by Luke Campbell. Friday night began with a mile long hike in the dark to a large bonfire. Luke had the youth identify the dark parts of their lives that prevent them from fully experiencing Christ’s presence. The youth then burned their lists of personal darkness in the bonfire,......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
Dear Wisconsin Deanery: My family currently attends St. Michaels and we have been asked to help organize the Wisconsin Deanery cheese platters for the reception at the Consecration Service on Saturday, September 28 at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois. They are expecting approximately 1,000 to 1,400 people at the Consecration Service and will be having a reception following the service. Each Deanery (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Greenhouse) will be providing food as our contribution to the reception and Wisconsin is providing cheese and crackers. We need volunteers to help during the reception......
Read More
14
Feb 2012
This Advent, our Adult Sunday School class will be discussing the topic of “Hope in Context” on how to practice the virtue of hope in the midst of difficult circumstances. Our classes will begin with a devotional thought and then discuss personal and relational tools brought by Karen Cassiday. Our topics include: November 30 – Building Hope: Cultivating Gratitude and Avoiding Perfectionism Handout: 100 Days of Giving Thanks Handout: Bible Verse on Thanksgiving December 7 – Building Hope in our Home: Cultivating Your Marriage Handout: Building Your Skills in Marriage December 14 – Preparing for Christ’s Coming:......
Read More
14
Feb 2012
While our vision statement is intended to describe what we look like when we are truly being who God has made us and anointed us to be, a mission statement’s purpose is to more precisely describe what we do, as we are being ourselves. As we noted in the introduction to our vision statement, there is a universal call to ministry which the Church must fulfill throughout time. However, in a particular time, through the unique anointings of a local assembly of Christ followers, that mission will be expressed in distinctive ways–which......
Read More
13
Jan 2010
The excitement was palpable when I entered the sanctuary. You could feel it in the air and see it on the faces of everyone there. I’ll be honest, I was having a hard time convincing myself to be excited about a three-hour service with four squirmy kids who were bursting with energy after a two-hour drive. But looking around at all the activity, the last minute preparations, soon-to-be-Bishop Stewart smiling and hugging everyone he passed, I couldn’t help but feel the joyful anticipation of what was about to happen. As a friend pointed out, we were participating......
Read More
13
Mar 2007
July 3, 2013 Dearest Diocese of the Upper Midwest: What a joy it is to write those words! After 18 months of very focused work, the ACNA has received our request to be named a diocese. Many have served different roles to bring this moment about. I am especially thankful for our Steering Team, the Deans, and our Vicar General, Canon William Beasley. Katherine and I also want to thank the many who have reached out to us with prayer and support in my election as bishop. We so need your constant......
Read More
13
Sep 2005
Makor HaTikvah is a Messianic Jewish school in Jerusalem to whom we gave our Good Friday gift. There have been recent attempts to close the school (read more here). This is an update from the school’s principal, Cookie Schwaeber-Issan. Dear Friends and Family of Makor HaTikvah: First of all, thank you all so much for those of you who prayed and fasted yesterday for our court hearing. Here is a short summary of what happened: The judge ruled that our school can remain open to finish out he 2012-13 school year which......
Read More
14
Dec 2002
Fr. Eirik’s prayer points have been refined since our annual meeting and are available on our Lenten Prayer Card. Click here to listen to the meeting. Dear Light of Christ Family, What a joy it was this past Sunday to give thanks with you for the blessings of 2013 and to anticipate together the call of 2014! Jeanne and I are blessed and excited about the Bishop and vestry’s call to full time work as Rector of Light of Christ. Bishop Stewart has challenged us to pray first, plan second, and eventually......
Read More
15
Nov 2002
Trying to decide whether to be confirmed? This is what the Anglican Church in North America says about Confirmation. Preface Concerning the Confirmation Liturgy Draft Text Proposed by the Bishops Review Committee (Revised, 1/7/2015) Anglicanism requires a public and personal profession of the Faith from every adult believer in Jesus Christ. Confirmation by a bishop is its liturgical expression. Confirmation is evident in Scripture: the Apostles prayed for, and laid their hands on those who had already been baptized (Acts 8:14-17; 19:6). In Confirmation, God, through the bishop’s prayer for daily increase in the......
Read More