The Living Church

Year Article Type Limit by Author

The Living ChurchDecember 3, 2000Around The Diocese by Phoebe Pettingell221(23) p. 11

In his pastoral address to the convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, the Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus, Bishop of Fond du Lac, acknowledged that "in recent years we have all often said things like, 'Look what the Episcopal Church is doing now!' Or, more locally, the question arises, 'What's the diocese up to now?'"

Bishop Jacobus went on to say, "The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Fond du Lac are what you see in the mirror every morning. You and I are the diocese and the church. So if we want to know what the Episcopal Church is doing or what the diocese is doing, let's look around us and see what's happening."

Emphasis of the convention, Oct. 20-21 at St. Thomas' Church, Neenah-Menasha, Wis., was placed on new ministries and signs of life and growth. At the conciliar banquet, two members of the host parish described a vacation Bible school organized by the parish in conjunction with Lutheran, Roman Catholic and UCC churches in the area. A local park turned into "Marketplace 29 A.D." and children experienced what it might have been like to live in the Jerusalem of Jesus' time.

Youth activities were a major focus of the convention. Several young persons stood for election for positions on diocesan commissions and one was elected to the executive council.

Despite some controversy over sexuality issues, representatives of both sides put together a reconciling "Study of Sexuality Resolutions" designed to establish a common ground for discussions.