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We welcome Rachel Yates as Presbytery Executive of the Milwaukee Presbytery. Rachel began on January 2, 2018 and we look forward to her leadership going into the new year. She will be responsible for hiring, developing and managing staff, leading strategy for leadership development, building bridges internally and externally, encouraging risk-taking and innovation, among other responsibilities. (
CLICK for more bio
)
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A SEASON (YEAR?) OF STEWARDSHIP
Some congregations have moved stewardship season to January, rather than, more traditionally, the Fall. There is some appeal to the approach. For example, the image of the wise men bringing gifts to the Christ Child harmonizes with the gifts of the congregation pledged to enable Christ's ministry in the world.
The idea of stewardship as a "season" is really a fiction, of course. Our role as stewards is not limited to a season on the calendar. Just as we don't have a season for faithfulness or a season for patience, we are...
READ MORE
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CELEBRATIONS OF TRANSITION
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Deb Swets
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You are cordially invited to attend the following services to show support for those in new ministries:
God's blessings on Deb and Andy as they begin their new ministries. Please keep them in your prayers.
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HUMAN
TRAFFICKING
AWARENESS DAY - JANUARY 11
More people live in slavery today than at any time in history. It is often hidden, disguised with low or promised wages or confinement outside of public view. Human trafficking is rampant both in the United States and in other countries. At the direction of the Presbyterian General Assembly, the Human Trafficking Roundtable was formed to consolidate our denomination's various efforts to combat human trafficking. In observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11, you may wish to look at its
toolkit for action
, to help you become more aware and more proactive in your own communities and globally.
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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY
On Monday, January 15, the nation will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day to commemorate his civil activism and call for racial justice. Racial inequities persist in our communities, so our celebration is coupled with a recognition of the challenges that face us all. In the Milwaukee metro area, various opportunities for learning are offered, such as a
program
featuring guest speaker Nicole Brookshire, director of the newly created
Milwaukee County Office on African-American Affairs (OAAA),
and a
full day of events
at the Milwaukee Public Library, MLK Branch. Menomonee Falls Library will hold a
study
on the Saturday before, and the Racine Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services will hold its 41st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on the Saturday after, January 20. Check for more opportunities in your community and consider how you might incorporate the call of racial justice in your worship or church activities.
The Presbytery of Milwaukee office will be closed on this day.
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PRAYERS AND CONCERNS AND JOYS
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There are times in our lives when a blessing from one of our brothers and sisters in Christ may bring the light of comfort and the balm of healing, especially during difficult times. (Read More) Click for t
his week's
prayer requests
.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WAUKESHA
We lift up one of our congre
gations each week in Fresh Impressions, inviting you to learn more about your sister congregations and keep them in your prayers. This week we are lifting up First Presbyterian in Waukesha.
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CONTRIBUTIONS TO FRESH IMPRESSIONS
If you have an activity or event happening in your congregation and want to share it with our readers, please send it my way. We look forward to the inspiration!
[email protected].
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The Presbytery offers its thanks to Sabrina Nunley, who has been our Events Coordinator since 2016. As we lived into the aspiration for shorter, more informative and collegial Presbytery Gatherings, Sabrina offered her experience and gifts in event planning. We are grateful for her unique ministry and service with the Presbytery Meeting and Worship Planning Team. At the end of 2017, the Presbytery Council decided to reevaluate this position, so we are saying goodbye to Sabrina in her capacity as Events Coordinator. We wish her well and know that she will be a blessing to others as God calls her in new ways.
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A CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY!
Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Deborah A. Block at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, one of two ministers in our presbytery celebrating forty years of ordained ministry. Deborah was ordained by the Milwaukee Presbytery on November 19, 1977, and installed at Immanuel on January 8, 1978. Last Sunday, January 7, Presbytery friends joined the congregation in celebrating this important anniversary at a special coffee hour following the 10:00 worship service. Presbytery Moderator Lee Tan offered words of gratitude and thanks to Deborah for her many years of service to the presbytery.
According to Rev. Jean Dow, Associate Pastor at Immanuel Presbyterian:
"In the last forty years, Deborah has preached 933 sermons from this pulpit. She has presided at 259 baptisms (now 261!). She has performed 146 weddings and laid 145 of the faithful to rest." These numbers are approximate...and only include what Deborah has done here at Immanuel (i.e., not sermons she has preached elsewhere) - but still an impressive snapshot!
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CROSSROADS CANCUN MISSION TRIP
Looking for a break from the ordinary next spring break? Consider joining an all-ages Crossroads Presbyterian team as we return to Mexico, March 30 - April 8, 2018 to work at Ministerio de Vida on the outskirts of Cancun. You'll spend a rewarding week doing construction work and helping teach Vacation Bible School to kids at the ministry. You'll also experience the warmth of genuine hospitality as you live in community with fellow volunteers, our Ministerio hosts Jacobo and Omega Caamal, and members of their congregation. You'll enjoy sleeping in a hammock, eating tasty homemade Mexican food, and spending a touristy couple of days on the beaches of Isla Mujeres. You'll also work hard, get dirty, and love every minute of it. Families welcome! Spanish not required. If you're interested in learning more, please email Cathy and Jay Sanders at
[email protected].
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WAUWATOSA PRESBYTERIAN WINTER FARMER'S MARKET
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Wisconsin Council of Churches introduces a campaign to cut Wisconsin's child poverty in half in ten years...(
READ MORE).
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The deadline for submitting this report is February 5, 2018.
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Ruling elders and deacons are invited to a training session sponsored by the presbytery and offered through the Leadership Development Task Force.
Saturday, February 3,
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Southminster Presbyterian Church
..
.(
READ MORE
).
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PROM AND HOMECOMING DRESSES NEEDED
(From Lexie Snyder-member at Wauwatosa Church and daughter of the Rev. Fiona Nicolaisen)
I am a sophomore at Reagan IB High School in Milwaukee, where all 10
th graders are required to complete a Personal Project. I have chosen to support the Worldwide Hunger Relief organization by collecting new and gently-used CLEAN prom and homecoming dresses and shoes to send to the girls who live on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. (Larger sizes are especially needed.) If you are able to bring any donations to your churches by February 4
th we will be glad to pick them up. I really appreciate your generosity! Thank you. If you have questions or would like more information, email
[email protected] or call/text 414/881-5848
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Looking for an energizing church leadership event open to anyone seeking ways to strengthen the church? Join other members of the presbytery at the NEXT Church Gathering in Baltimore this February 26-28. Details about the conference can be found
here.
If you plan on going, please let Nicole Farley know (
[email protected]) so she can gather all of our folks from the presbytery together while we are there.
If you'd like to go but money is a factor, please be reminded that the Leadership Development Task Force can issue grants up to $500 to anyone in the presbytery aiming to grow their own leadership (one grant per every two years per person). You can find the application for grants under the Leadership Development menu
here. Email your completed grant application to Nicole Farley (
[email protected]).
We hope to see you in Baltimore!
Nicole Farley
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Dear White Christians:
A Path toward Racial Justice, presented by
Dr. Jennifer Harvey
Friday, February 9, 2018, 7 pm to 9 pm,
Fountain of Life Covenant Church,
633 Badger Road, Madison, WI
Saturday, February 10, 2018, 10 am to noon,
Calvary Memorial United Church of Christ,
4515 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, WI
...(
READ MORE
).
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WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 2018 WINTER FORUM
Faithful Innovation in an Uncertain World. The Rev. Dwight Zscheile, PhD., March 2 and 3. In today's dynamic cultural environment, churches have to be more than faithful-they have to be agile. That means embracing processes of trial, failure, and adaptation as they form Christian community with new neighbors. And that means a whole new way of being...(
READ MORE
) (READ MORE).
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WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY RURAL MINISTRY CONFERENCE
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SEEKING SUNDAY MORNING CAREGIVER
Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church is looking for a child care provider for its Sunday morning nursery. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon most Sundays; some weeknight and evening hours are also available. $12.50/hour. Age 18 or older, background check required. Contact Office Manager Cindy Thomas, [email protected]. View full job description here.
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Calvary Presbyterian Church is seeking two positions:
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Grapevine - Special Edition of Presbyterian Women's Newsletter
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DNSIB Next meeting, 1/18 - 6:30-8pm, Immanual Presbyterian (Newcomers @ 6pm)
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SALT's Lectionary Commentary for Epiphany.
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Alban Weekly, the newsletter of Alban Institute; subscribe here.
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Parish Papers article for February, 2018. Best Practices for Church Members Serving As Staff.
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2018 PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
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- TUESDAY, March 6 - Forest Park Presbyterian in New Berlin, 4pm
- TUESDAY, May 22 - TBD, 4pm
- TUESDAY, September 11 - Kettle Moraine Presbyterian in Hartland, 4pm
- TUESDAY, November 27 - TBD, 4pm
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