EPISCOPAL WISCONSIN TRIALOGUE HUB

In the 21st century, the church faces a changing landscape; our society is becoming increasingly secular and commitment to the church is no longer a given. One way or another, the church must adapt to better engage the world with the resurrection hope we have in Jesus Christ. - Bishop Matt Gunter and Bishop Jeff Lee, letter to Episcopalians in Wisconsin

One Episcopal diocese in Wisconsin?

The Episcopal dioceses of Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, and Milwaukee are exploring how reunification to one diocese may better equip us to be the church God is calling us to be in these times. Conversation began in Summer 2021. That Fall, delegates to diocesan conventions generated comments and questions about moving forward. A leadership group, appointed by each diocesan governing body, discovered a general desire to move towards a combined diocese. The potential to equip churches to better share the Gospel is improved with one diocese, but how to do this takes greater examination.

In Spring 2022, the Steering Committee convened Task Forces to begin the work to examine the areas necessary to develop a proposal for reunion. The goal is to present a proposal for joint agreement of union to diocesan conventions in 2023, but allowing more time if such is not ready to move forward at that time.

This virtual "hub" centralizes information as the trialogue progresses by providing core data, opportunity to interact with others and information and answers to questions as they arise.

The Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church (TEC) welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ.
Its 1.7 million members come from 111 dioceses and regional areas in 17 nations.
It is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The mission of the church stated in the Book of Common Prayer’s catechism (p. 855) is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”
As part of that mission, we’re following Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God, with each other and with the earth as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.
We seek every day to love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
(Matthew 22:36-40)

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Wisconsin's Episcopal Dioceses

The Episcopal Church came to Wisconsin in 1822 with the mission to the Oneida people from upstate New York.
A quarter of a century later, the Diocese of Wisconsin was formed in 1847.
A quarter of a century later, the Diocese of Fond du Lac was formed out of the Diocese of Wisconsin in 1875.
The Diocese of Wisconsin determined in 1888 to change its name to the Diocese of Milwaukee.
In 1928, the Diocese of Eau Claire was formed from parts of the Dioceses of Milwaukee and Fond du Lac, resulting in the current three dioceses.