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FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
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On Monday, I got stuck in my driveway. The driveway itself wasn't the problem. The problem was the heavy April snow piled deep along the edge of my driveway by the county snow plow. Because of dense bushes where I pull out of my driveway onto the busy country road, I need to stop and look carefully before turning. On Monday, in my caution, I slowed enough to lose all traction - forward and backward - in the deep snow.
After several tire-spinning moments, I
...(
READ MORE
).
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CARROLL UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
"Although we all went to Florida as somewhat strangers, it really seemed like we all had one thing in mind: this was for God." Read the thank you and reflections written by Carroll University students on the Chaplaincy-Alternative Spring Break, sponsored in part by a $3000 grant from the Presbytery of Milwaukee's Partnerships Commission. This trip was facilitated by Chaplain Elizabeth McCord, Carroll Director of Spiritual Life. Carroll students stayed at Cedarkirk, a Presbyterian camp in Florida, and assisted with hurricane relief in the area. The specific function while there was to help Cedarkirk rebuild their labyrinth which was destroyed by the storm, then spend a couple of days serving in the broader community under the direction of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program. (READ ARTICLE).
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ACT NOW: UNITE TO END RACISM
Dear friends -
This message is from the Wisconsin Council of Churches.
We're excited to share with you some of the early outcomes from that event.
Visit our website
to see photos and read the reflections of some of the
one hundred and thirty people
who made a commitment to journey together.
You prayed us on our way.
Because of you,
life-changing conversations
are...(
READ MORE AND ACT!).
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PRAYERS AND CONCERNS AND JOYS
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Pastoral Words from Susan Stoll.
Sometimes our lives can become so consumed with relentless "doing" that we lose sight
.
..(
READ MORE
).
Prayers.
Almighty and Loving God, kindle within our hearts an overflowing love - Your agape love - that beats to Your
...(
READ MORE
).
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Which congregation will be having a Spring Rummage Sale on Friday, April 27 from 7AM until 2PM and 5PM until 7PM, then on Sunday, April 28 from 9AM until Noon ($5 bag day); has a mission focus on the homeless with mission workshops the first and third Wednesdays from 10AM until 2PM; invites you to receive communion on May 20, Pentecost Sunday?
The answer is
here
.
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Earth Day is Sunday, April 22, 2018. Here's some inspiration from C.S. Lewis, shared by Tim Weeden, Elder at Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church in Janesville:
For if we take the imagery of Scripture seriously, if we believe that God will one day give us the Morning Star and cause us to put on the splendour of the sun, then we may surmise that both the ancient myths and the modern poetry, so false as history, may be very near the truth as prophecy. At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in. When human souls have become as perfect in voluntary obedience as the inanimate creation is in its lifeless obedience, then they will put on its glory, or rather that greater glory of which Nature is only the first sketch.
C. S. Lewis: "The Weight of Glory"
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Due to a change in availability of most of our leadership team, we have rescheduled the April 12
DNSIB meeting to
May 10.
We'll send out a reminder closer to the date.
But, in the meantime, hope to see you at the April 29
th
Common Ground 10
th
Anniversary Assembly!
Our DNSIB ally, DA Chisholm, has agreed to be a speaker and he'll be showcasing some of DNSIB's work!
...(
READ MORE
).
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TIME TO ORDER PLANNING CALENDARS
The Presbytery is again offering to purchase Planning Calendars in bulk to take advantage of the quantity price break of $8.50. We will accept order forms with payment until May 4th. Order form can be found on our website and is also linked here:
2018-19 Planning Calendar Form
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In the Presbytery's Holy Cow assessment, you told us how much you valued collaborative leadership, in which everyone has an important role to play. You also made it clear that you want a strong, shared vision, which inspires us all to participate. With that before us, Council members, moderators of our three Presbytery Commissions, and Presbytery staff met for a half-day retreat to hone our core values and assess our vision statement. Drawing on the feedback from the Holy Cow assessment and listening sessions, we will be affirming those values and the vision that reflect what you have told us matters most. We don't want these to be merely words on a page, but to guide us in our collective work and ministry. Stay tuned for more to come!
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Calling all Mission and Outreach leaders and members! On Saturday, May 19, from 9 am to noon, at Delafield Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery will host an interactive workshop for people engaged in mission and outreach. You will have the opportunity to learn from people within the Presbytery and from PC(USA) mission co-worker to Russia, Ellen Smith, on topics including:
* avoiding mission mish-mash
* discerning God's unique call for your congregation
* recognizing toxic charity
* maximizing participation in your mission activities
Then, go home armed with resources and ideas. The workshop is free, but registration is needed to make sure we have enough materials. Please call the Presbytery office (414-292-2740) or email
chalverson@pbymilwaukee.org. Flyer available
here.
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FUNDS UPDATE FOR MISSION CO-WORKER JOSHUA HEIKKILA
From Donna Cammarata, PCUSA Ghana Mission Network:
Dear Ghana Mission Network friends!
I'm happy to give you an update on the funds contributed toward a vehicle for Joshua Heikkila.
The Presbytery of Lake Erie has given...(
READ MORE).
Here's the link for a video from the Presbytery of Lake Erie last year at the Ghana Mission Network meeting in Ghana. This is the same meeting which Kathy Dummer, Deb Swets and Judy Jaggard attended. It shows a good insight into the partnership evolution between U.S. churches and those in Ghana.
https://youtu.be/83eA2WT88FM
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EASTER IN JAPAN, FROM MISSION CO-WORKER THOMAS GOETZ
Someone recently asked if we have Easter in Japan. I said, "there are churches, and Christianity has been here for over 500 years." And again. "Do you have Easter in Japan, like, chocolate Easter bunnies, eggs, baskets and...(READ MORE).
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RECRUITING FOR MISSION CO-WORKER
Greetings from the Presbyterian World Mission Africa office! I am writing to ask for your assistance. We have begun recruiting for a mission co-worker position. The co-worker will serve as an Education Facilitator with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian and we need this message communicated, please:
A message from Debbie Braaksma.
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FIRST CHURCH OTTAWA COLLECTS "NOISY OFFERING" FOR 2018
The Christmas Noisy Offering was a great success last year with over $600 gathered during 2017. We will again be collecting the Christmas Noisy Offering throughout 2018. With the collection, we were able to buy coats, hats, mittens, toys, toiletries, etc. and presented them to the Rescue Mission of Milwaukee. The Rescue Mission was very appreciative for all that was donated. With the savings that we were able to utilize through the different places that they purchased goods from, we were able to purchase children's winter coats for 2018's Christmas Offering.
How does the Noisy Offering work?
Terry Snyder, Mission Chairman, shares this summary:
Every Sunday we pass a decorated coffee can at the same time as our
offering
. This is for any loose change that that people have for our Christmas mission. It is so surprising how much a little change every week adds up. We also have everyone shake the can as they put the money in. It really adds a little fun so everyone wants to participate. Contact info here.
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COMMON GROUND ANNIVERSARY APRIL 29
On April 29, Common Ground will celebrate its tenth anniversary! We are grateful for all those in the Presbytery of Milwaukee who have supported Common Ground, an organization which works to limit gun violence, improve children's recreation in parks and school athletic fields, provide affordable healthcare for small businesses in Wisconsin, and improve transportation for senior citizens in Brookfield, Elm Grove and beyond. This truly is an organization that seeks "Common Ground" to achieve the common good. Please hold April 29 on your calendar and plan to attend. The celebration will be from 3:30-5:00 pm at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee. Call 414-774-5005 for sign up or carpool information. The event promises to be positive and uplifting.
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SDOP GRANT WORKSHOPS
Self-Development of People (SDOP) Grant Workshops: Two Chances! The Midwest Task Force announces two workshops designed to help grassroots organizations apply for funding through SDOP. Workshops will be held at Tricklebee Cafe (45th and North, Milwaukee) at 2:00PM on Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28. Come learn about grant opportunities through SDOP, and get help identifying potential grantees in your church and neighborhood. Learn about previous grant projects working to change lives on the local level. Please contact
Nicole Melara for more information or for RSVP details. Remember, a portion of your One Great Hour of Sharing offering helps support the work of SDOP.
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FINDING THE SCRIPT IN THE SCRIPTURE
"Reading the Verbs: Finding the Script in the Scripture" With Dr. Anna Carter Florence June 25 - 29, 2018 The Washington Island Forum is especially tailored to lay leaders and pastors who want to deepen their spirituality and connect with the message of the scriptures in a more profound way. If you do a quick survey of any bible passage, you'll find that what is true in life is also...(READ MORE).
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PRINCETON FORUM ON YOUTH MINISTRY
Here is a brief description of what the 2018 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry is about:
April 24
to 27
, 2018.
The Forum gathers Christian leaders who are passionate about young people and the church. Youth ministers, Christian educators, pastors, ministry innovators, and emerging scholars from the USA and beyond gather annually for this four-day event on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary. This year, our theme is IMAGE. We will explore what it means to practice youth ministry in a visual age. Hear from speakers like Matthew Milliner, Brian Bantum, and Katie Douglass. Renew your energy for ministry as you create vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul. Here is the Forum website:
http://iymforum.com
.
(READ MORE).
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CHOIR ROBES FOR CHOIRS OR COSTUMES
Apostle Presbyterian Church in West Allis is cleaning house. One of the items that they are getting rid of are gently used choir robes. They have a number of different colors and styles of robes. There are White Confirmation robes, Blue Chancel/Adult robes with stoles, Red Chancel/Adult robes and Purple Junior robes with stoles. There are various quantities and sizes of each style of robe.
If any church is interested in any of these robes for choirs or costumes, please contact Nancy Haessly at
nanjer001@yahoo.com
. She has pictures and quantities or each kind of robe.
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APOSTLE HAS RISERS AND ORGAN FOR SALE/FREE
Since our clean out in preparation for Shared Journeys move in, we have some items that are no longer being used and we hope some other church, school or family could make use of them. I am going to attach 5 pictures. Two of them are of a set of Wenger Music Company risers. They are Flip Forms 3 Step foldable risers. They are on wheels and very easy to move. They are in good condition and new they cost $1600. Apostle is asking $400 for the set. This is a good buy for the right need.
The other 3 pictures are of an MX@ Lowry full pedal organ. It is free for the asking. It is just not being used enough and we need the space. Photos here.
Call Linda Hoon at 414-412-2831 for information or questions.
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CALVARY SEEKS TO FILL TWO POSITIONS
Calvary Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee is seeking to fill two open positions:
Church Manager: job description
here.
Sunday School Educator: job description
here.
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CROSSROADS SEEKS YOUTH MINISTRY INTERN
Crossroads Presbyterian Church, Mequon, WI, is looking for a Youth Ministry Intern for the Summer of 2018 to help with the demands of the Youth Ministry Director in the summertime. This is a great opportunity to learn and grow for anyone interested in working professionally in youth ministry. The position will work with and report directly to the Youth Ministry Director at...(
READ MORE).
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FAITH SPRINGS SEEKS STATED SUPPLY PASTOR
The Stated Supply Pastor will work with the session and the church volunteers to provide opportunities for members to engage in worship, discipleship and mission. He/she will use their developed skills to provide inspiring counsel and leadership to help the church through this interim period. He/she will help prepare the congregation for new pastoral leadership. More information here.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SEEKS FULL-TIME SUPPLY PASTOR
First Presbyterian Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is seeking a full-time stated supply pastor effective immediately. We are a small but warm and caring congregation seeking to share Christ in word and deed. Our church has been a fixture in downtown Waukesha for more than 170 years.
We are seeking a pastor who can guide us through a time of transition and lead us into a sustainable future, in whatever form that may take. We envision this as a full-time, 40-hour per week position. Benefits meet and compensation exceeds the Presbytery minimum requisites. Interested candidates should submit a resume to
presby1@sbcglobal.net
(
READ MORE).
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YOU'RE INVITED TO BE ON THE PRESBYTERY'S FACEBOOK PAGE
Learn more about us on Facebook. Keep current with the pulse of the Presbytery.
Want to be on the Presbytery's Facebook page? Send a summary of your congregation's recent event, whether it be pancake breakfast or mission opportunity or special worship service, with photos and approximately 35 words of summary, so we can upload it for everyone to share. Please identify your church in the message and send it to dholmes@pbymilwaukee.org. Thanks for your contribution!
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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!
dholmes@pbymilwaukee.org.
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2018 PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
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- TUESDAY, May 22 - Crossroads Presbyterian in Mequon, 4pm
- TUESDAY, September 11 - Kettle Moraine Presbyterian in Hartland, 4pm
- TUESDAY, November 27 - Linn Presbyterian in Lake Geneva, 4pm
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Grapevine, the Presbyterian Women's newsletter.
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