Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest/Diocesis Anglicana del Centro Oeste

Bishop Stewart Welcomes ACNA's Third Archbishop:

Today, the College of Bishops concluded the 2024 Conclave with the election of the third Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America.

Archbishop-elect, Steve Wood, from the Diocese of the Carolinas, is an incredible leader with a huge heart for mission, the lost, and church planting, and possesses a keen theological mind. We are excited about this election and look forward to serving under his provincial leadership. Watch this video from Bishop Stewart introducing and welcoming the new Archbishop-elect, Steve Wood.

Bp. Stewart Welcomes Archbishop Elect Steve Wood Hey Upper Midwest diocese just wanted to share the incredible news that we have elected a new archbishop. It is Bishop Steve Wood, now Archbishop-elect, from Diocese…

Meet our diocese's newest deacon, Meghan Robins! Deacon Meghan has served on staff at Church of the Resurrection (Wheaton IL) for over 12 years, and now serves as Pastoral Care Pastor at Resurrection.

Meghan has a passion for healing ministry, helping others encounter Jesus in prayer, and making ridiculously tasty French pastries. Her gifts of teaching, shepherding, and preaching have ministered to many around our diocese. She and her husband Robb have 3 kids.

Check out our interview with Deacon Meghan here!
midwestanglican.org/meet-our-dioceses-newest-deacon/

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midwestanglican.org/newsletter/
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Beauty is one of the the greatest values in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest—releasing artists to capture and tell the story of God's goodness in all seasons.

Here's one exciting new embodiment of that value: Our cathedral (Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, IL) has recently inaugurated their RezArts Gallery Wall, spanning 14 feet high and 40 feet long. On Sunday mornings, RezCafe is packed between services with churchgoers. Throughout the week, middle and high school students fellowship here, children’s classes gather, and others meet in the window-lined space. This bustling area will be enhanced by rotating exhibits by Rez artists on the Gallery wall. The vision?

1. To encourage, teach, and inform the Church through original artwork.
2. To provide a space for artists at Rez to communicate pieces that lead our congregation and visitors to worship and contemplate.
3. To provide talks in the future with visiting artists that offer opportunities for engagement and discussion with our congregation and others about art and worldview.

The current theme for the Gallery Wall is "Pentecost Fire." Submissions of poetry and visual art came from 17 artists and writers, ranging from children to professional artists.
Poetry and visual art pieces were based on the theme of fire in Scripture, creation, and traditions of the Church.

Artwork will be on display until July 21.

Want to learn more or purchase a piece directly from one of the artists? Visit churchrez.org/rezartsgallery/

HOLY WEEK 2024 {PART 2}
Happy Eastertide! Here are some beautiful glimpses of Holy Week throughout our diocese. A diversity of congregations, contexts, church spaces, liturgical expressions, and worship styles—all united in the wonder and joy of our risen Savior!

See the full photo album of photos from Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter here:
flickr.com/photos/midwestanglican/albums/72177720316257666/

Want to receive more encouraging stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter to read more about what God is doing in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest:
midwestanglican.org/newsletter/

HOLY WEEK 2024 {PART 1}
Happy Eastertide! Here are some beautiful glimpses of Holy Week throughout our diocese. A diversity of congregations, contexts, church spaces, liturgical expressions, and worship styles—all united in the wonder and joy of our risen Savior!

See the full photo album of photos from Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter here:
flickr.com/photos/midwestanglican/albums/72177720316257666/

Want to receive more encouraging stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter to read more about what God is doing in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest:
midwestanglican.org/newsletter/

"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."

Click here to read more from this month's feature story on college ministry in Chicagoland:
midwestanglican.org/missiononcampus/

Want to receive more encouraging stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter to read more about what God is doing in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest:
midwestanglican.org/newsletter/
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"Arise, shine, for your light has come"—Happy Season of Epiphany! As we begin this new season and a new year, here's a little photo recap of Advent and Christmas around the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. From Lessons & Carols services filled with choral and folk music alike, to Christmas Carol sing-alongs followed by pie, to quiet candelit Christmas Eve moments filled with wonder—it was a season of joy all around the Midwest!

Churches featured:
Immanuel Anglican (Chicago)
Church of the Cross (MN)
City of Light Iglesia (IL)
Cornerstone Anglican (Chicago)
Church of the Incarnation (WI)
Christ Church (WI)
Church of the Resurrection (IL)



City of Light Church Aurora Anglican Church of Chicago Cornerstone Anglican Church - Portage Park Church of the Cross, Hopkins MN Church of the Resurrection Christ Church Madison Church of the Incarnation

This Thanksgiving week we're still filled with gratitude for all of these wonderful faces connecting in love at Revive a few weeks ago. Praise God for a beautiful and rich weekend together as a family around the Midwest!

Photos by Alan Miller.

We are so thankful for how the Lord met us at Revive this week-end amid worship, friendship connections, merriment, and amazing testimonies of God's work around the Upper Midwest. Many thanks to those who came from afar to participate, and all who helped to bring back Revive! Enjoy these glimpses from Friday night worship.

Photos by www.occasionalmomentsofbrilliance.com

Anglican Church in North America

We started Revive on Friday night with our own version of the reality singing competition TV show, "The Masked Singer"! Ours featured diocesan members as Frog, Shark, and Unicorn, singing and dancing in head-to-toe costumes. Then the audience guessed the identities of each character. Can you guess who's behind each costume?

Photos by www.occasionalmomentsofbrilliance.com

Join us for a special night of worship at Revive this Friday, 7-9pm. Connect with brothers and sisters from churches across our Diocese!

Registration is not required for Friday worship.

www.revive.midwestanglican.org

Meet Abigail Ebensberger, Director of Worship Arts at Immanuel Anglican (Chicago). Abigail cultivates beauty in worship at Immanuel through her worship leading, dramatic gifts, song writing, and raising up other artists to glorify the Lord in his house.

Check out our full interview with Abigail on our website:
https://midwestanglican.org/ministryofbeauty/

Want to receive more encouraging stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter to read more about what God is doing in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest:
midwestanglican.org/newsletter/
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Barn dances, mission trips, bird watching, picnics, & more creative summer ministry
"Summer may have been a slower pace for most churches, but it was also a great time for fruitful ministry. Enjoy these snapshots from around the Diocese..."

Click here to read more from this month's feature story on summer ministry:
https://midwestanglican.org/summerministryadventures/

Want to receive more encouraging stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter to read more about what God is doing in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest:
midwestanglican.org/newsletter/
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"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 a first joint worship service and a picnic lunch at Lake Michigan.

Many people—not only leaders—from these three churches had wanted to plan a joint service for a long time. 'The vision came from within the people,' said Father Aaron Damiani, rector at Immanuel Anglican. Nichole Sangha, Executive Pastor at Immanuel, affirmed the desire to give 'people the chance to enjoy the larger church family.'"

Click here to read more from this month's feature story featuring highlights and photos from Ascension Sunday:
https://midwestanglican.org/ascension-sunday/

Want to receive more encouraging stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter to read more about what God is doing in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest:
midwestanglican.org/newsletter/

See the full photo album of photos from Ascension Sunday here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAKoMc

Photos by Rick Mills and Jantzen Loza.

Meet Father Blair and Elizabeth Carlson. They've spent years equipping evangelists around the globe, serving in international Anglican churches in England, France, Ukraine, and more recently in Tunisia. Now they’re serving our Diocese at Resurrection Anglican in the Minneapolis suburbs, where Fr. Blair is interim rector. Learn more about Fr. Blair and Elizabeth in our interview at https://midwestanglican.org/meet-father-blair-and-elizabeth-carlson/

HOLY WEEK 2023
"Hope and renewed energy around the beauty of Jesus and his good news filled Holy Week throughout the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Many diocesan churches tried something new this year or gratefully resumed beloved Holy Week traditions that COVID wouldn’t allow..."

Click here to read more from this month's feature article featuring highlights and photos from around the diocese:
midwestanglican.org/holy-week-highlights/

Want to receive more encouraging stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter to read more about what God is doing in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest:
midwestanglican.org/newsletter/

See the full photo album of photos from Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter here:
flickr.com/photos/midwestanglican/sets/72177720308000543

Greetings from Fr. Scott Cunningham of Christ Church Madison and Bp. Stewart in Kigali, Rwanda, at Gafcon! Hear why this gathering of global Anglicans is important for us and what's encouraging about it. https://vimeo.com/818512551

Watch on livestream at https://gafcon23.org/livestream/ and follow on Twitter .

GAFCON greetings Bp Stewart & Fr Scott Greetings from GAFCON IV in Kigali, Rwanda from Fr. Scott Cunningham of Christ Church Madison and Bishop Stewart Ruch. Hear why GAFCON is important for us Anglicans…

A glorious Palm Sunday with our brothers and sisters around the Upper Midwest. Photos thanks to Cornerstone Anglican Church - Portage Park by Claire Slader, Christ Church Madison by Jonny Hoffner, Church of the Cross, Hopkins MN by Skylar Zilka, City of Light Church Aurora by Rachel Wassink, Immanuel Anglican Church of Chicago, Church of the Incarnation by Kirstin Magnuson, Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul MN by Sarah Lundgren, Restoration Anglican by Audrey Anderson, Trinity Anglican Church Chicago by Taylor Noël Yangas, and Church of the Resurrection (Wheaton) by Michael Johnson.

Anglican Church in North America

It’s a Wednesday night in Church of the Cross’ “great hall” in Hopkins, MN. A group of teenagers pause from busy lives of homework, sports, and phones to dig into Scripture; ask good questions about faith; and deepen their commitment to Jesus and his Church.

These teens are in the Confirmation process, preparing themselves for the culmination of their journey—an opportunity to affirm their faith publicly during a liturgy of blessing and strengthening led by their bishop.

In February, Church of the Cross confirmed 11 boys and girls, grades 7 to 11. We asked their leaders and parents what made this process meaningful.

Why Confirmation?
Youth Pastor Father Peter Berg and co-leader, Pam Keske, are passionate about how Confirmation helps offer youth a sense of belonging. “Youth need to know that they are wanted not just in youth group, but throughout the church, that the church is a place for them,” Fr. Pete says.

Creating a safe place for young people to voice doubts and ask big, hard questions on their nine-month pilgrimage is a priority. “Young people need reassurance that—no matter how crazy the world gets—God has not buried his head in his hands thinking ‘I don’t know what to do,’” Pam says. “Instead God says, ‘I’ve got this world, I’ve got you, and I love you more than you can imagine.’”

Art As Formation
Fr. Pete and Pam have developed an excellent rhythm and curriculum for the Confirmation cohorts over the last three years. The meat of the content focuses on the story of redemption throughout Scripture and also includes the basic tenets of being an Anglican, spiritual disciplines, and the catechism.

To keep their approach creative, they enliven the topics through art. As an artist, Pam illustrates the main Bible story or theme each week to help students engage not only with their intellects, but with their eyes, imaginations, and memories.

“I find when youth are engaged and light bulbs are going on, we’re seeing the Lord do his work,” she says. “It may not be spectacular, but it is powerful. We are teaching them that God’s story is also their story.”

From the Parents
Sarah Hoffner, mother of two recent confirmands, Josiah and Lucy, speaks highly of the experience. “What struck me about the class was how intentional and thorough it was. Pete does an amazing job and has the kids really dig into Scripture themselves.”

A parent night to honor the kids was a highlight for mother Alyssa Tennison. Each parent could share how they had witnessed their child grow spiritually. Then “we encircled the youth and prayed for the Lord to seal the work He had done,” she says. “It was a sweet, spirit-filled time together.“

The Confirmation service itself was meaningful for Naomi Hamer, whose 15-year-old son Luke took part. She says, “Bishop Stewart’s sermon was good for all of us to hear, reminding us that God is with these kids through the storms and false doctrines of life, an anchor to which they can always hold fast.’”

Father Pete was asked, “What’s your biggest hope for this group of young people?” We love his response: “My hope is that they can be people of surprising joy no matter the darkness, that they can demonstrate the Lordship of Jesus in all they do, and so bring people to the light and love of Jesus.”

Story by Bonnie McMaken

This article was featured in the March issue of our Diocesan e-newsletter, Upper Midwest Anglican Stories, at midwestanglican.org/creativewithyouthconfirmations

Subscribe to get the latest updates delivered to your inbox: https://midwestanglican.org/newsletter/

Photos courtesy of Sarah Hoffner, Skylar Zilka, Marty McAlpine
Art courtesy of Pamela Kay Keske

Worship and pray with us as we seek the Lord's face, asking for renewal and the spread of revival across our churches, campuses, and country. Chicagoland friends, you're welcome to join us tonight at Church of the Resurrection, 6:30-8:30pm.

Anglican Church in North America

Meet the newest deacon in our Diocese! This last Sunday Kaitlyn Natalia Wallett was ordained as a deacon at Christ Church Madison, in Madison, Wisconsin.

"My life journey has been paved in stepping stones—God showing me just one step at a time....The diaconate has been the most surprising stepping stone. The clearest call I’ve received was when I was feeling my time at Resurrection in Wheaton coming to an end and didn’t know what was next.

"I had a profound prayer experience with Isaiah 6:1-8, when Isaiah hears the Lord say, “Whom shall I send?” I poured my whole self into responding with Isaiah, “Here I am, send me.” And I heard God say in my head the word “Madison.”

"I freaked out. I’ve never heard the Lord’s voice like that before or since.

"That started a season of discernment that led me to move to Madison to help Fr. Scott and Marissa Cunningham plant Christ Church in 2018. I’ve found where my gifting, God’s mission, and a community that I can serve with all come together here."

Get to know Dcn. Kaitlyn in our full interview with her here:
https://midwestanglican.org/kaitlyn-wallett-diaconate-journey

Church Plant Journal: Incarnation youth group joins retreat
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 Resurrection (our diocesan cathedral), my husband Noah and I moved to the Fox Cities, Wisconsin, to support Fr. Chad and Kirstin Magnuson at Church of the Incarnation. We now lead a youth group of about ten students at the youngest church plant of our Diocese.

Church of the Incarnation is not yet a year old, but we already have more youth than many churches our age. Almost ten percent of our church are in middle and high school!

Though many ministries need support at a church plant, youth discipleship is a priority for Incarnation, and we are proud of the age diversity. At a normal IncYouth gathering, we meet at the church’s rented office space every other week. Like many youth groups, we play games, study the Bible, and pray for each other. Our small size means that we end up spending time together as a whole group. The age range from 6th graders through 10th graders studying the Bible and praying together brings unique joys and challenges.

Given our limited resources as a church plant, planning an overnight retreat is out of the question. After participating in previous RezYouth Wheaton retreats and seeing how relationships are built over the course of a weekend, it was an easy decision to join Resurrection in southern Wisconsin. Our youth were welcomed by 75 Resurrection Wheaton and City of Light Church Aurora students during a fun weekend filled with outdoor activities, games, worship, and teaching from the Book of James. Paintball and horseback riding were highlights for many of us, but so were the joyful times of worship and dancing.

On the drive back to the Fox Cities, we asked our students to rank the retreat on a scale of one to five. One of the students responded, “I’d give it a 20!”

The gift of this weekend was far more than just joining a retreat we didn’t have to plan. We were nourished by our mother church. Our Diocese is more than a conglomeration of churches with the same theology—we relate to each other as family.

Joining RezYouth Wheaton’s retreat gave our students the opportunity to share with peers, although from very different communities, in the work that God is doing in their lives.

On Saturday night we worshiped and prayed together. Students shared areas of their lives that had been closed to the Lord and laid hands on and prayed for each other. Together, we participated in the work that God is carrying out. We left that weekend knowing the joy and strength that comes from ministry with brothers and sisters.

Check out this job opportunity in one of our diocesan churches: Parish Administrator, City of Light Church Aurora, IL.

Learn more at https://cityoflightanglican.org/news/job-opportunities

Read Bp. Stewart Ruch's letter to the Diocese regarding his return from his voluntary leave of absence: https://midwestanglican.org/important-letter-from-bp-stewart/

This summer’s Family Fun Nights at St. Michael's Anglican Church - Delafield, WI 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 for this space. But this summer, at Fr. Eric Snyder’s urging, the Children’s Ministry Team got together to launch Family Fun Nights on the property.

Bekah Grace, the new Associate for Administrations and Communications at St. Michael’s, helped spearhead the project, which hinged on the church’s vision statement: “Welcoming neighbors into the loving family of the living God.”

The church hosted monthly community outreach nights throughout the summer. On the third Wednesdays of June, July, and August, St. Michael’s hosted themed events for the families that lived nearby. Read about Doggone Fun Night, Touch a Truck Night, and Beat the Heat here: https://midwestanglican.org/summer-fun-with-st-michaels-anglican/

Rejoice with brothers and sisters around the Diocese as you enjoy these snapshots of resurrection joy from multiple congregations during Holy Week 2022.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/midwestanglican/albums/72177720298229117/page1?fbclid=IwAR3LmVtoYpTOC1JtIVyQoCtjBiKhCZpwvK_PHApNiq0Cy9yl0-7N2vYuuVI

Photos by www.occasionalmomentsofbrilliance.com and others.

Anglican Church in North America

Holy Week 2022 Celebrate with your sisters and brothers around the Diocese by enjoying this album of photos from their Holy Week services in 2022.

ABC7 News Chicago featured this story from Cornerstone Anglican Church - Portage Park on Saturday night: "A new effort to help the people of Ukraine is the brainchild of a 6-year-old from Portage Park. Aiden Oesch is the little boy who came up with a big idea to have a neighborhood rummage sale to help out those in need in war-stricken Ukraine....Watch the story here: https://abc7chicago.com/ukraine-fundraiser-cornerstone-anglican-church-portage-park-rummage-sale-thrift-shop/11731323/

Portage Park boy helps organize pop-up thrift shop to help Ukrainians A Portage Park boy came up with a big idea to have a neighborhood rummage sale to help those in need in Ukraine.