Hear how the Lord is on the move in the Upper Midwest.
Art by Ellen Pointner. Photos from Clare VanderWeele, Emily Verdoorn, Kirstin Magnuson Inaugural Diocesan Women’s Retreat: The Kingdom of God Is in Our Midst By Clare VanderWeele It takes a certain amount of courage and vulnerability to attend a retreat where over half of the
Abuja, Nigeria Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I write to you today with gratitude and a sense of renewed clarity following an important and historic gathering of more than 400
Christ Church Madison. Photos by Julia Wallett unless otherwise noted. Christ Church Madison’s First Confirmation: 120 People and a Vision for the Diocese By Clare VanderWeele In an ordinary high school auditorium on a Sunday morning in April, 120 people took turns kneeling before three
Welcome to the News Roundup, where we feature brief recaps of current news from the Diocese, including the Standing Committee, Task Forces, and more. In this issue, you’ll learn our new Deans and their roles, plus find updates from two important task forces. In This Issue: Task
Worship at City of Light in Aurora, IL. Photo by Rachel Hoskins. How Our Diocese Is Crafting Original Worship Music By Clare VanderWeele That moment when your congregation takes a collective breath before singing is ripe with anticipation—a shared heartbeat before voices rise in unison.
By Katherine Ruch Based on her Revive 2024 Talk on regular fasting How many of us want to know how to pray, to have the stamina to keep praying, to have power when we pray, to loose the bonds of sin, to serve cheerfully, to
Welcome to the News Roundup, where we aim to provide brief recaps of current news from the Diocese, including the Standing Committee, Task Forces, and more. In this issue, find updates from the Synod* meeting in October, plus links to Revive 2024 talks. In This
Deacon Joel (left) and Father Kyle pray for a resident at Park View on Pentecost. By Clare VanderWeele In Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, an unlikely congregation gathers every Sunday afternoon. A row of wheelchairs is assembled, large-print worship guides are distributed, and residents of Park View
Brothers and Sisters, I have the joy of introducing you to Deacon John Clark, our newest Canon Theologian. John was installed as the Upper Midwest’s second Canon Theologian at Revive last month. Together with Canon Stephen Gauthier, Deacon John will be helping us advance a revival of
Dear Upper Midwest Family, I am writing to you a few days before the one-year anniversary of October 7, 2023. As you know, on this day a year ago, over 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered by Hamas. Also, more than 240 were kidnapped. One hundred
By Bonnie McMaken The sanctuary is illuminated by dozens of candles, the congregation is expectant—the Great Vigil of Easter is beginning under the skyscrapers of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at Christ Our Peace Anglican Church. On this night before Easter, men, women, and children from multiple
Brothers and Sisters, I’d like to introduce you to another diocesan leader couple: Deacon Casey and Erika Solgos. Deacon Casey and Erika have lived in Aurora, IL for years and joined City of Light Church in her pre-launch days (2015), and Casey was ordained in 2019. Their leadership
This interview by Bishop Eric Menees of the Diocese of San Joaquin with Archbishop Steve Wood is shared with permission: Thank you for the opportunity to speak with your folks. I appreciate it. Hopefully, the below will provide what you need to address some of
While Bishop Stewart typically introduces you to a clergy or lay leader in our diocese each month, he’s currently taking some time of summer rest with his family. So I’m thrilled to introduce you to our diocese’s newest deacon—Meghan Robins. Since 2020, Meghan has served
Please note that the following content refers to abuse of ecclesiastical power. Dear Friends and Family of the Upper Midwest Diocese, We are writing to you because Bishop Stewart is currently out of the country on a previously planned trip. We have received word that the
Brothers and sisters, I’d like to introduce you to Steve Olson, our new diocesan Chancellor. (Read more about our Standing Committee and their roles.) Steve, his wife Julie, and their two children (Evan, 21 and Jen, 18) have been part of Christ Church Madison since her pre-launch days at
By Bonnie McMaken Throughout the Diocese of the Upper Midwest, you’ll find churches thriving in school gyms, worship services flourishing in nursing homes and Iowa cornfields, and robust college ministries reaching Gen Z on college campuses. Just a few years ago, Alyssa O’Connell was a
Brothers and Sisters, I’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Tennison, who serves as one of three laity on our Diocese’s Standing Committee. Alyssa and her husband, Justin, have faithfully served at Church of the Cross for over 16 years. She’s a woman of great faith, discernment, and
Dear Upper Midwest Family, This Advent season, I am more aware than ever of the tension we live in between the darkness of our world and the hope of Christ’s return. While the enemy delights in forces of war and chaos around the globe, the
Neighborhood mission & Latino ministry at City of Light (Aurora, IL) By Bonnie McMaken If you were taking an evening walk in my diverse (mostly Latino) neighborhood in middle of August, you’d pass a park full of 80-100 kids, parents, and volunteers ministering the love of Jesus: most playing soccer,
Interview by Bonnie McMaken, Editor of Leaders’ Latest Hi Abigail! So you’re leading worship arts at Immanuel; that includes music, drama, liturgy, and visuals. Tell us about your creative background. I grew up in a musical family in Nashville–both of my parents are worship leaders
Barn dances, mission trips, bird watching, picnics, & more creative ministry By Bonnie McMaken Summer may have been a slower pace for most churches, but it was also a great time for creative and fruitful ministry. Enjoy these snapshots from around the Diocese: Barn Dance
Humility and ease mark three churches’ collaborative planning By Bonnie McMaken The Feast of Ascension celebrates Jesus’ reign as our King of heaven and earth. And for three churches in Chicagoland—Immanuel Anglican, Trinity Anglican, and Cornerstone Portage Park—Ascension Sunday took on a unique significance as they enjoyed
Brothers and Sisters, I’d like to introduce you to Father Blair Carlson and his wife, Elizabeth, who have spent many years encouraging and equipping evangelists around the globe. They’ve served in international Anglican churches in England, France, Ukraine, and more recently in Tunisia. Now they’re
Leaders Share Stories and Highlights By Bonnie McMaken, editor Hope and renewed energy around the beauty of Jesus and his good news filled Holy Week 2023 throughout the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Many diocesan churches tried something new this year or gratefully resumed beloved
In February, Church of the Cross (MN) and Bishop Stewart confirmed 11 youth. Let’s take a closer look at a meaningful and creative formation process. By Bonnie McMaken It’s a Wednesday night in Church of the Cross’ “great hall.” A group of teenagers pause from
Kaitlyn Wallett was ordained as the Upper Midwest Diocese’s newest deacon at Christ Church Madison on December 18. Get to know her below! Tell us about yourself: Where did you grow up? I grew up in Krakow, Poland, where my parents were missionaries with YWAM.
By Christy Bodett Lukins Last time I drove into the gravel driveway of Phantom Ranch Bible Camp, I was squeezed among dozens of RezYouth Wheaton students. This year I drove in with just five IncYouth students. After serving as youth leaders at Church of the
This summer’s Family Fun Nights at St. Michael’s Anglican Church was the culmination of years of dreaming. A few years ago, the church purchased six acres down the road from their church building in historic, downtown Delafield, WI. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, scuttling their plans
Dear Diocese of the Upper Midwest, On April 30, Rev. Alex Cameron was elected as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Pending the consent of the Anglican Church in North America’s College of Bishops in June, Bishop-Elect Alex will be consecrated on Saturday, August
Planting is best when God sends your launch team. A newborn congregation in the Fox Cities of Wisconsin, Church of the Incarnation hosted its first weekly service on Epiphany Sunday, January 9. Epiphany is a timely launch season for a church whose core team was
Dear Upper Midwest Diocese, As 2021 draws to a close, I am thankful for this year’s highlights from the Upper Midwest and our diocesan work. While we continue to wait on the provincial investigation, I praise God for these glimpses of grace, including: Six individuals
Shared Worship Bonds Three Wisconsin Churches as They Prepare for Harvest About a month ago in rural Christiana, Wisconsin two churches gathered for a joint All Saints service in a classic Norwegian-built barn. Christ Church Madison and Immanuel Whitewater share a bond of prayer and
Restoration at Restoration Anglican Fr. Rick and Molly Jo Stawarz planted Restoration Anglican in Minneapolis in 2017 as a daughter of Church of the Cross. After three-plus years as a nomadic church meeting indoors and out, God gave them a staggering gift. Early this year Restoration
Want to know more about what it means to have an Acting Bishop? Diocesan Assistant Alison Freeman Matta sat down for a chat with Bishop John to get to know him and better understand his partnership with the Upper Midwest. Q: Where do you call
On Sunday, June 27, we are celebrating GAFCON Sunday, 13 years of faithful Gospel ministry since the first Global Anglican Future Conference was held in Jerusalem. We invite you to celebrate GAFCON Sunday with your congregations by praising God for his faithfulness to our Anglican
For two decades Molly Ruch has steadfastly pursued the Lord’s leading to reproduce Anglican churches in word and sacrament. After years of prayer, she and her husband Christian planted Church of the Cross in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, in 2003, out of Resurrection. Today Molly
As you may know, Archbishop Ben Kwashi of the Diocese of Jos, Nigeria, has been receiving chemo treatments in the US for stage 4 colon and liver cancer since November. Early this month Bishop Stewart paid a second visit to Abp. Ben and his wife, Mama Gloria, in
This Lent I believe the Lord is calling us from a refuge to readiness, for a great harvest. In my sermon this Sunday, I gave a message on doing “Lent Together” for our whole diocese. It’s based on Jesus’ call, “Follow me, and I will
Twelve months ago, Archbishop Foley Beach asked me to chair a taskforce to develop a pastoral statement on same sex attraction and identity, with a focus on the theological language that might be employed within our provincial ministries regarding this attraction. The spiritual and
Dear Beloved People of God in the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest, Like many of you, I was grieved and heartbroken by yesterday’s events in our nation’s Capital. I call you to intercede now for our nation and for the city of Washington DC,
Dear Church of the Resurrection and Upper Midwest Family: Our hearts are grieving as we lament another shooting in an American city. On Sunday, August 23rd, a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer shot Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, seven times. Many details about this shooting
George Floyd was made in the image of God and as such is a person of utmost value. This is not true because a few Anglican bishops issue a letter. This conviction arises from our reading of Scripture. The Psalmist said: For you formed my
Resurrection and Upper Midwest: I am overjoyed to share with you that the surgery went very well, and that I have returned to normal function. My doctor is very encouraged by my progress. He did, though, caution me regarding return to full activity too quickly,
On November 5, Bp. Stewart and Fr. Matt traveled to Jos, Nigeria to preach and lead revival services with Archbishop Ben Kwashi and our other ministry partners there. After a week of incredible ministry, and following a 6-hour revival and confirmation service, Bp. Stewart experienced dehydration and
From Bishop Stewart: “I am more convinced than ever that GAFCON is a true Anglican Revival movement. It was a special joy to see Archbishops praying together with twenty-something leaders in small group time, to spend time with so many Africans who lived the East African
Beloved Family of God in the Upper Midwest Diocese: Thank you for your prayers and support as my family took time for vacation (in the forests and lakes of Minnesota and Wisconsin) and study focus in July and early August. The Provincial Assembly was even
Archbishop Ben Kwashi is a dear friend of the Upper Midwest Diocese, and one of the Archbishops who laid hands on Bishop Stewart at his consecration. He was a Plenary Speaker at Provincial Assembly 2017. Watch his plenary here (Archbishop Ben begins speaking at
Click here to view this letter in Spanish. Dear brothers and sisters of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest, For over two decades, Church of the Resurrection has had a special outreach focus—our commitment to love and serve refugees. I still vividly remember driving my
Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? The Book of Common Prayer, Baptismal Service Beloved Resurrection and Upper Midwest Diocese, Praise the Lord who is our coming
Dear Clergy and the People of God of the Upper Midwest, Greetings in the name of the Risen Lord! I am writing to you after just having returned from visiting the Minnesota Deanery this past weekend where two youth were confirmed and Pete Berg was
“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”—Mt. 13.52 Dear clergy, catechists, evangelists, and people of God of the Upper Midwest,
Our diocesan clergy enjoyed a special retreat with teaching from Bishop Stewart, Mama Katherine, and Canon William Beasley. Listen to their teachings here!
The following letter was released to the Anglican Church of North America from Archbishop Foley Beach. Grace and peace to you in the incredible Name of our Messiah and Lord, Jesus Christ!! As most of you know, I have been invited to attend a gathering
