Arise Milwaukee is hosting an outdoor event, Hope Arising, on Sept. 18 in Brookfield. (Submitted photo)

From the public square to social media, what seems to be missing from life right now is a feeling of hope.

“In our world and even locally, it feels like a very hopeless time for a lot of people,” said Brian Magliocco, interim executive director of Arise Milwaukee. “It’s hard to find anything that’s of hope and of joy. And obviously, we know we find our joy and our hope in the Lord, but that’s even been hard … it’s just been a strange time.”

The response to that pervasive sense of negativity can only be Jesus Christ, as made present in the most Blessed Sacrament. That’s why Arise Milwaukee is hosting Hope Arising, a night of praise, worship and Eucharistic adoration that, in perfect 2020 fashion, will be outdoors and appropriately socially distanced.

“Our thought was we need to help bring hope to people, where they feel safe to come and where they can spread out, outside, and yet it’s something of normalcy,” said Magliocco. “It’s a night where we can truly find hope and peace and joy and community, which we’ve all missed so much. We hope people leave feeling a little bit better about their world than they did coming in.”

Hope Arising will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts Gerlach/Haack Outdoor Theater in Brookfield. Adoration will be led by Fr. Enrique Hernandez, and praise and worship music will be provided by Paul Vogrinc and the Arise Worship Band.

Because the event is outdoor, masks are optional, though attendees are asked to spread out on the lawn “in a safe and socially distant, but prayerful, way.” They are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets, said Magliocco. If the weather is inclement, the event will be moved indoors, where social distancing and face masks will be required.

At the Hope Arising event, Arise Milwaukee will preview a video series entitled “Hope Arising: What’s Your Story?” The series will run for eight weeks and feature a different person sharing their story of encounter with Christ, with a goal of encouraging others to give and share their testimony of faith, said Magliocco.

“Right now, small groups are so important and the more people know how to share their faith one-on-one, the better,” he said. The video series will officially premier on Sept. 21.

It’s free to attend Hope Arising, but donations will be welcome. A virtual silent auction will go live on Sept. 11 and will be available for bidding through Sept. 25, as well as during the Hope Arising event.

For more information on Arise Milwaukee’s Hope Arising, visit https://www.arisemke.org/hope-arising.