The Rev. Michael Scolare, Rector of Blessed Sacrament Episcopal Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin, has announced he has accepted a call to St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal Church in Mission, Texas. In a letter to the congregation, Fr. Mike shared "I have enjoyed serving through our spiritual journey together." Fr. Mike grew up in the Episcopal Church in the Milwaukee area. He served as an ordained minister in the Evangelical Free Church in Iowa and Aruba, returning to Wisconsin where he pursued Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church through the Diocese of Fond du Lac. He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood by Bishop Russell Jacobus in 2011. He has been Rector of Blessed Sacrament since December 2012 and will conclude his ministry there in January 2021. The Rev. William L. Bulson has accepted a call to serve as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Sheboygan. Originally from Kentucky, Bulson has degrees in Russian literature and Slavic linguistics from the University of Kentucky in Lexington and The Ohio State University in Columbus. This included brief study in Moscow with the Pushkin Institute. He received his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, and has served parishes in Appalachia, Minnesota, and Japan, mostly in multi-ethnic and multilingual congregations. With the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Fr. Bulson co-translated the Book of Common Prayer into Hmong. Fr. William served as Rector most recently at St. Alban’s Anglican-Episcopal Church in Tokyo, Japan. He has been an Oblate with the Order of St. Julian of Norwich in White Lake, WI since 2008. Fr. Bulson’s first Sunday presiding at Grace was the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020. Grace Episcopal Church is a parish church of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, established in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1847 in the Anglo-Catholic tradition . It is a worship community of 200 baptized members with an average Sunday attendance of 100. Located on Sheboygan's lakeside just north of downtown, its members are dedicated to "to bring all persons to the knowledge and love of God, and to respect the dignity and freedom of every human being." Learn more about Grace here. Read the letter to the congregation about Fr. Bulson's call here. The Rev. Dcn. Dale Hutjens has announced, and Bishop Matt Gunter has accepted, his resignation from active ministry as a Deacon of the church. Resigning is the canonical term, but is similar to retiring. He continues to be a Deacon, but will not be assigned to a particular congregation or ministry by the bishop. He was assigned to St. Anne's, De Pere since 2003. He also worked for a time with the people of St. Paul's, Suamico while their Vicar was ill. Hutjens was received into the Episcopal Church at St. Anne's, De Pere in 1993. He became an active lay leader. He served as a lay reader, lay eucharistic visitor, a number of outreach programs and served on the Vestry. He was active in maintaining the building and grounds. After completing the diocesan School for Christian Studies, he was ordained a deacon on August 30, 2003. As a Deacon Dale continued to serve at St. Anne's and was active in diocesan ministry. He was on the Deacons Council, Companion Diocese Task Force and worked on Happening for High School Youth. After retiring from his secular job in 2014, he pedaled his bike 4,253 miles across America on the TransAmericaTrail to raise awareness of Episcopal Relief and Development. He recently biked from De Pere to the Diocesan Office in Appleton for a visit. He and his wife, Winnie, continue to live in De Pere and will continue to be a part of the life of St. Anne's. They have two adult children. The Rev. Erin Kirby, Rector of St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Minocqua has announced acceptance of a call to serve St. John's Episcopal Church, Marion, North Carolina. Mthr. Erin has served as Rector of St. Matthias since 2015. She has been active in the community and the diocese, serving as Chair of the Mosaic Task Force and on the Executive Council. Her final Sunday with St. Matthias is July 26. May God continue to bless Erin in continuing to serve in ordained ministry. The Rev. Tyler C. Richards has accepted a call to serve as Rector at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, De Pere. Fr. Tyler is originally from Alabama. He received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Alabama. He completed a Masters of Divinity at from The School of Theology at The University of The South (Sewanee) currently serves as Rector of Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Indian River of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan. St. Anne's Episcopal Church has served the De Pere area since 1935 with roots as a worshipping community dating to as early as 1849. It is a worshiping community of 250 baptized members with an average Sunday attendance of 100. Located on De Pere's east side near De Pere High School, it's members are dedicated to being “a Family Living and Growing in Christ.” Fr. Tyler, his wife Colleen, and their baby daughter Emery will join the St. Anne’s family as soon as circumstance allows, hopefully in July. Learn more about St. Anne's here. The Rev. Canon Ezgi Saribay Perkins has accepted a call to serve as Rector at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Ripon and St. Mary's Episcopal Chapel, Wautoma. Mthr. Ezgi was born in Izmir, Turkey and grew up in a secular, Muslim family. She converted to Christianity while a student at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Drawn to the faith in the Episcopal Church, she experienced a calling to be a priest. She completed a Masters of Divinity at Nashotah House in 2015 and served congregations on Missouri prior to moving to Wisconsin in 2018 with her husband, the Very Rev. Patrick Perkins. She is Canon Precentor at St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac. St. Peter's Episcopal Church has served the Ripon area as a parish since 1860. It is a worshiping community of over 50 baptized members with an average Sunday attendance of 35. Located in the heart of downtown on Ripon’s Gothic Mill Pond and near Ripon College, it's members are dedicated to the mission “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” St. Mary's Episcopal Chapel was built in 1932 on Bugh's Lake, Wautoma and placed under the supervision of St. Peter's in the 1950's. Seating up to 25 people, the chapel is an intimate setting with a choir of birds, frogs and crickets. A small but dedicated group of parishioners and visitors gather weekly for the Eucharist and to hear God’s word. Learn more about St. Peter's and St. Mary's Chapel here. “There is great potential of building up God's kingdom there." Bishop Matthew Gunter shared. "There is strength and stability in communities and with the presence of Ripon College as well as being in vacationland, I expect that this is an area the expression of the faith through the Episcopal Church will expand."
Mthr. Ezgi's first Saturday in Wautoma is February 1 with her first Sunday in Ripon is February 2, 2020. The Rev. Christopher T. Wilkerson has accepted a call to serve as Rector at All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton. Fr. Christopher has served as Assistant to the Rector and Campus Minister at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Clemson, SC since 2017. He completed a Masters of Divinity at the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee in 2017. Prior to discernment of a call to the priesthood, Wilkerson was an Instructor of English at Spartanburg Community College for over a decade. A lifelong Episcopalian, he is a guitarist and songwriter who loves science fiction, poetry, theater and pop-culture. Fr. Christopher and his wife Anne have two elementary-aged daughters and are looking with interest at experiencing their first winter outside of the South. All Saints Episcopal Church has served the Appleton area since 1856. It is a worshiping community of over 600 baptized members with an average Sunday attendance of 100. Located on the east side of downtown Appleton and next to Lawrence University, it is an altar-focused worshiping people involved in its community.
“All Saints is a vibrant and active congregation of the diocese," Bishop Matthew Gunter shared. "Adding the gifts that Fr. Christopher brings to share with strengthen the parish in spreading the Gospel and sharing God's love." The Wilkersons will move to Appleton and Fr. Christopher's first Sunday is expected to be the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2019.
Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Canon Barry Whenal who died May 29, 2019. He was 72. He is survived by his wife Barbara. Born and raised in New Hampshire, Barry received a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Masters of Divinity from Episcopal Theological School. He was ordained a priest in December 9, 1972. He served parishes in the Diocese of Quincy in Illinois and all three Episcopal Dioceses in Wisconsin. He retired from active ministry in January 2004 having most recently served Intercession, Stevens Point and St. Olaf's, Amherst. After living for a time in the northwoods, Barry and Barb moved to Salisbury, North Carolina. In addition to serving as a parish priest, Barry was active on the diocesan level in a variety of capacities including Secretary of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. He was installed as an honorary canon on September 16, 2008. He was also a recipient of the Bishop's Cross for his service to the Church. Barry had a lifelong passion for learning. After his retirement he embarked on a journey to learn foreign languages and helping others to learn English.Memorials to celebrate and honor Barry's life have been established to support the English Language Learner's Program and checks may be made payable to Rowan County Literacy Council, PO Box 95, Salisbury, NC 28145. A Burial Eucharist and Committal will be held Thursday, June 6, 2019 at St. Luke's, Salisbury. A full obituary is available here. Give rest , O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
St. Paul's has served the Suamico area for over 135 years from its beginnings when a group of English immigrant ladies met for prayer services. It is a worshiping community of about 50 people. Located in one of the faster growing areas of Wisconsin, the call of Kraft as Vicar is as a priest developer, missionary and evangelist. As was noted in the search profile, It is our hope that this person will equip and partner with us to engage in God’s work in our neighborhood. A three funding commitment has been made to the position from an outside grant and a grant from the diocesan Green Bay Area Ministry Fund.
“St. Paul's is in the center of a ripe opportunity for development. With the guidance of Mthr. Bobbi, the commitment of the laity of the church, and the financial support provided through the diocese, it is our hope and prayer that in three years there is a congregation vital and strong enough to consider moving from mission to parish status" Bishop Matthew Gunter shared. "This is part of what I spoke about in a Pastoral Address when I said we, the church, need to be on offense rather than playing defense." It is hoped that Mthr. Bobbi's first Sunday will be June 23rd. Learn more about St. Paul's , Suamico at stpaulsuamicowi.com. The Rev. Copeland D. Johnston has accepted a call to serve as Rector at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Wausau. Currently he is an academic at the University of Utah and often serves St. Mary's, Provo, Utah. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Seabury Western Theological Seminary. Ordained in the Diocese of Utah to the diaconate in October 2018, Johnston will be ordained to the Priesthood April 27, 2019. Johnston is an instructor in the Peace & Conflict Studies program and curriculum administrator for other interdisciplinary programs that include Religious Studies. He has experience in elder care, family law, urban youth ministry, and liturgy and music (including singing tenor in the Utah Opera). He has served in urban, suburban and rural churches, worked in cathedrals and small chapels. He has worshiped in parishes which use incense at every Solemn High Mass and in mission churches where Morning Prayer is the primary service. The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist has served the Wausau area since 1858. It is a worshiping community of about 175 baptized members. Located in downtown Wausau, it has a strong presence in the community and works with other downtown churches on issues related to social justice and outreach, and developing the shared elements of faith.
“St. John's is a strong, vibrant and active congregation of the diocese," Bishop Matthew Gunter shared. "With the gifts that [Fr.] Johnston brings to share, the parish will be able to do even more in spreading the Gospel and sharing God's love." Johnston will move to Wausau with his spouse, Andrew, and their two Airedale Terriers. His first Sunday is expected to be Trinity Sunday, June 16. Learn more about St. John the Baptist at stjohnswausau.org. The Rev. Dr. Karl Schaffenburg, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Sheboygan, has announced plans to retire effective May 1, 2019. He has served Grace since 2011. As a seminarian, he served for a time at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. A graduate of Nashotah House, Schaffenburg was ordained to the priesthood in 2006 by Bishop Russell Jacobus. He served a call in Mississippi prior to Sheboygan. He has been active in diocesan ministries serving as a Trustee, on the Executive Council, as Dean of the Lake Winnebago Deanery and in other capacities. He and his wife, Elizabeth, will move to Laurel, Mississippi to be near family. In a letter to the congregation, he noted he is "not so much retiring from my current calling as to a calling which will focus more on longer term projects." Read his letter to the congregation here. Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the Reverend Deacon Arthur Allen Good who died March 2, 2019. He was 90. Art served in the United States Army stationed in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. He then moved to a rural farm in Fletcher, Ohio and began attending St. James Episcopal Church in Piqua, Ohio. Arthur and his wife Rose were members there for 50 years before relocating to the Green Bay area in 2003. A cradle Episcopalian, after retirement he was ordained to the Vocational Diaconate on October 26, 1996 in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. After moving to Wisconsin he served as a deacon with St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, De Pere. The funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, De Pere. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church. Obituary here. Give rest , O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. In mid-December, the Rev. Eric Mills, Rector of St. Anne's Episcopal Church, De Pere, announced acceptance of a call to serve St. Philip's Episcopal Parish in Southport, North Carolina. This new ministry position begins February 1st. Fr. Mills served as St. Anne's Rector since 2010. May God continue to bless Eric in continuing to serve in ordained ministry. The Rev. Jim Conradt is now serving as Regular Supply Priest at St. John Episcopal Church, New London. Fr. Jim, a retired priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, will Celebrate the Holy Eucharist each Sunday, and on other occasions, and provide pastoral care to members of the congregation. St. John is seeking a new Vicar which you can read more about here. The Rev. David Klutterman will serve as Priest-in-Charge of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, Wisconsin Rapids of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, the Episcopal Church in northeast Wisconsin. The responsibilities of the position are similar to that of a Rector. The appointment was made by the Rt. Rev. Matthew A. Gunter, Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac and affirmed by the Vestry. The position is on a part-time basis. Fr. David retired from active service in February 2018. He previously served St. John the Baptist, Wausau, St. James, Mosinee, St. James, Manitowoc, St. Matthias, Minocqua and St. Mary of the Snows, Eagle River. Fr. David's first Sunday with St. John's will be January 6, 2019. St. John the Evangelist is had its start in the 1870s when the present Wisconsin Rapids area was settled. The congregation moved from mission to parish status in 1941. It is a worshiping community of about 50 people. It has a tradition of supporting community outreach including the Neighborhood Table, a feeding program, and Personal Essentials Pantry. Learn more about this congregation stjohnschurchwr.org.
The Rev. Dcn. Isaiah Brokenleg has accepted a call to serve as vicar of Trinity Episcopal Church, Watertown, South Dakota in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota. Ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Matthew Gunter in December 2017, Brokenleg completed a Masters of Divinity at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in May. He will be ordained to the priesthood on July 21st, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. Prior to discerning a call to the priesthood, Brokenleg was an active member of St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Minocqua, including serving on the Vestry. His secular employment was as an Epidemiologist. “Isaiah will continue to be a blessing to the Church,” Bishop Gunter shared. “His pastoral gifts and life experience will serve him well at Trinity.” The Rev. Dcn. Roberta “Bobbi” Kraft has accepted a call to serve as curate at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Waco, Texas in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. She will serve for the next two years in the position as an assistant to the Rector of the parish with pastoral responsibility. Ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Matthew Gunter in December 2017, she completed a Masters of Divinity at the Virginia Theological Seminary in May. She will be ordained to the priesthood on July 21st, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. Prior to her discernment of a call to the priesthood, Bobbi was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Sheboygan where she served as Senior Warden. She was active in diocesan ministry including volunteering at the diocesan summer camp. She served as a deputy to General Convention in 2015. “What a blessing to the Church she has been and will continue to be,” Bishop Gunter shared. “Her gifts and pastoral abilities will be an asset to any that she serves.” In a Facebook post announcing the decision, Dcn. Bobbi noted she was “excited and humbled by what has passed and what is yet to come. Thank you for all of your steadfast love and support!”
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