FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
JIGGLING THE WIRES
This winter, the temperature in my bedroom has been uncomfortably hot.  Inevitably, my husband and I are kicking off our covers and fitfully tossing and turning.  At some point in the wee hours, I'll croak with a parched throat, "Water, water..." as I reach for the cup on the bedside table.  The rest of the house remains pretty comfortable, day or night, but not the bedroom. 

We have a programmable thermostat in the bedroom.  I tried having it hold the temperature steady at 65 degrees, but at night we still had uncomfortable fluctuations.  So, I got adventurous and decided
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PRESBYTERY PULSE
FEBRUARY 19 PRESBYTERY GATHERING SURVEY
If you attended last week's presbytery gathering and haven't had a chance to complete our online survey, please take 2 minutes to answer 5 questions. We value your feedback.

Thank you Rev. Will Houts and Living Hope Presbyterian Church for hosting the February 19th Presbytery Gathering.  We had an excellent time learning about and discussing Reconciliation Theology with Revs. David Sawyer and Deborah Fortel and being in communion with one another. 
**RESCHEDULED** FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FOX LAKE
Due to inclement weather, the final service celebrating the work and ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Fox Lake has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 24th at 3:00 p.m.  We hope you will be able to join us for this service and celebration.  

A NEW WAY TASK FORCE NOODLE PARTY
A New Way task force (formerly Great Commission task force) is ready to help individuals and congregations to explore alternative forms of Christian community.   The Noodle Party will take place at Noodles & Co., 17000 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005, on March 20, at 6 pm

It will be a chance

to noodle on your ideas with others;
to use your noodle to think through the types of resources or support you'd need;
to noodle along as we improvise different forms of worship, study, and fellowship;
to enjoy some noodles for dinner.

There is still time to register and you are not committing to anything except conversation.  If you've dreamed of a social justice-oriented ministry, a street-corner prayer group, a camping ministry or something else that takes you beyond our church walls, then this gathering is for you. 
Please help us to reach people who might be interested in exploring a new way of being vital churches.  Pass along this report; spread the news! 
GET TO KNOW OUR PASTORS
WHO WAS  THIS?
This pastor once got a standing ovation at a presbytery gathering for a budget presentation.
 


This week's mystery pastor is Judi Holmes-Jensen.  Judi serves as a chaplain at St. Francis and Franciscan Place rehab centers.  Before coming to the Milwaukee Presbytery Judi was a member of Winnebago Presbytery, and it was there as a member of the finance team that she gave a budget report that won her a standing ovation on the floor of Presbytery.  Miracles do happen!

As of February 26th no one has guessed correctly.  Keep playing!  We have more opportunities to guess and win!
IMAGING LENT
Through the prophet Isaiah, God asks us, "Why do you spend your  money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and
delight yourselves in rich food."  As we approach the season of Lent, this might sound like a sweet invitation to Fat Tuesday- and it totally is!  But it's more.  God's invitation isn't about pancakes or  pÄ…czkis, but a life filled with the richness of God's grace and love.  Lent calls us to examine how we spend our time and energy, particularly on things that don't deeply satisfy our soul, but rather deplete us or diminish others.  How do you spend time with God?  What spiritual practices enrich your soul?

This week, please send a photo for our Lenten collage in Fresh Impressions to Kate Hopta that reflects how you like to spend time with God. 
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
REGARDING RULING ELDERS: 
A MONTHLY SERIES FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS
 
Dealing with Problems in Healthy Ways
Rev. Joan Gray has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
WEAR BLUE ON MARCH 10!
The first Sunday in Lent (March 10, 2019) is designated "Wear your blue t-shirt to church Sunday" as a testament of one of the ways 
One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference.

Many congregations have not had an opportunity to 'earn' blue t-shirts through volunteer work team efforts; but you are supporting the ministry of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance through your financial gifts, action and prayers.  You are standing in the GAP for disaster survivors.  Therefore, PDA is urging all congregations to participate in a "Blue-Out."

Be creative on March 10 - wear blue clothing, blue hats or blue flowers; pass out blue tissues or blue ink pens for use during the service; or place blue balloons by the entrance. 

Read more about the PDA "Blue Out".
SYNOD SCHOOL REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 1
March 1 is opening day of  registration for Synod School.  If the normal pattern of recent years is  followed, nearly a third of all registrations will take place during the first 24 hours. This year Synod School, which typically draws more than 600 participants to the Buena Vista University campus in Storm Lake, Iowa, offers more than 80 classes for adults.  Deirdre "Dede" Johnston, professor of communication at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, will be the convocation speaker, and Shawna Bowman, associate director of field education and experiential education at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, will be the worship leader. 
Synod School 2019 runs Sunday through Friday, July 21-26. Additional details,  an electronic version of the catalog, and ads for use in newsletters and bulletins can be found at   www.lakesandprairies.org/synodschool.
INVITATIONS
MARDI GRAS JAZZ AND GOSPEL CONCERT
Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church of Janesville presents their first Mardi Gras Gospel and Jazz concert. The  featured entertainers will be TheJJ's, Janesville's own premiere jazz band with members from Janesville and the surrounding communities. The JJ's is a professional jazz band made up with some of the finest musicians in Southern Wisconsin. Also on the program are Ben Johnston-Urey, The Mandels, Brandon Crandall, Christopher Aaron Smith and the Rock Prairie Choir.
The concert will begin at 3 p.m. on March 3rd at Rock Prairie Church, 8605 E County Road A, Janesville. A freewill offering will be collected with all the funds received donated to Craig, Parker, Milton and Whitewater High School jazz bands in support of this wonderful art form. 

For more information, call the church at 608-752-1172. We invite you to join us for coffee, cookies and fellowship after the program.
SEX TRAFFICKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Human Sex Trafficking is big business for organized crime and for local pimps. Its one of those crimes that is hidden in plain sight. Meaning, most of the victims go to school, church and live in stable homes. It`s hard to see they are even a victim. Research shows that the average age of recruitment into the commercial sex industry is 12-14 years old and that victims come from every race, ethnicity and socioeconomic background.
On March 19th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. come to Saint Anthony's on the Lake in Pewaukee and learn how youth and adults are being coerced into slavery, why they can't see their way out and how we can keep our families safe.
Click here for more information or download a flyer about this event to post.
FREE TO A GOOD HOME
Covenant Presbyterian has approximately 160 used Hymnals in very good condition.  They have a blue cover and are "The Presbyterian Hymnal:  Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs", 1990.  If your church would like these hymnals contact Kathy Miller at kmiller@covpres.org .
INTERFAITH CONFERENCE OF GREATER MILWAUKEE MARCH LUNCHEON/LECTURE SERIES
Each year, the Peace and International Issues Committee of the ICGM sponsors a lecture series on the Tuesdays in March.  This year, that series will offer speakers and panelists addressing the history and importance of immigrants, the coming wave of climate migration, current refugee resettlement efforts, and navigating the justice system.  Programs run from 12:00 until 1:30 at the First Unitarian Society, 1342 North Astor Street, Milwaukee.  
Individual lectures are $20.00; the full series of four is $65.00.  A simple vegetarian lunch is included.
More information and/or to register click here.
PEOPLE OF FAITH UNITED FOR JUSTICE
An Advocacy Day at the Capitol
Join a coalition of faithful people as we learn, discuss, pray and advocate together for social justice issues of importance to all the people of Wisconsin. We will work together for a state budget which reflects our commitment to compassion and justice. As people of faith we are called to join the public conversation about the common good - about the kind of state and nation we can be justifiably proud of, the legacy we want to leave our children and future generations.
 
Thursday, April 11 - 8:30 am to 3 pm | First United Methodist Church, Madison
$35 earlybird registration ($50 after March 18)  
ECUMENICAL CENTER FOR CLERGY SPIRITUAL RENEWAL 
Are you looking for ways to be renewed in your pastoral work and sense of call?  Do you have interest in contemplative spiritual practices?

Early and mid-career clergy are invited to apply to the new Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery, a Benedictine monastery near Madison, Wisconsin.The first cohort of 19 clergy will begin in June of 2019.  All costs for participation are covered by a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc.  
The application and more information can be found here
NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR ROBERT H. FRIEBERT SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD 
Each year, the Jewish Community Relations Council seeks nominees for its annual Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership, courage and compassion as a social justice advocate, while working to eliminate discrimination and injustice in the greater Milwaukee area. Nominees' professional and personal contributions to social justice will be considered.  Recipients need not be Jewish. 
The honoree will be recognized at the Jewish Community Relations Council's Annual Meeting on June 20, 2019.  Deadline for nominations is March 12, 2019.

A prominent Milwaukee attorney and activist, Robert H. Friebert was driven to pursue social justice through the law and public service. He believed deeply that everyone deserves equal social, economic and political rights.

Visit The Milwaukee Jewish Federation or contact  Elana Kahn at 414-390-5736 to learn more.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
GHANA MISSION NETWORK (GMN) MEETING, JUNE 26-30, 2019 IN ERIE, PA
The theme of this year's GMN is  Being living sacrifices ~  in unity ~ in a Global world   and centers around the scriptures Psalm 133, John 17:20-26, Romans 12.  

The program will center around building relationships; Bridging and embracing diversity; discernment in missions; women's empowerment; young adult and youth engagement and leadership; learning one another's culture, environment, and spirituality; healthcare and education

Youth and Young Adults will receive a discounted registration fee.  

The Ghana Mission Network (GMN) is a community of PC(USA) entities and individuals, committed to supporting, advising, and exhorting one another in Christ's work in Ghana and the USA, through partnerships with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG).
HOT LINKS
A Year in Zambia  - YAV Emily Teerink's Blog -  Nshima and Zambian Food Culture
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Current Information
Grapevine, Presbyterian Women's Newsletter
Life in the Labyrinth, inspirational website by Michelle Henrichs.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FAITH PRESBYTERIAN IN FRANKLIN SEEKS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN IN WAUKESHA SEEKS CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR 
INTERFAITH CONFERENCE OF GREATER MILWAUKEE SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE SEEKS PASTOR TO PASTORS  
THE LISBON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SUSSEX AND THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RICHFIELD, WI ARE SEEKING A STATED SUPPLY PASTOR TO SERVE BOTH CONGREGATIONS
Click  here  for job description and compensation.  
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN IN JANESVILLE SEEKS PART TIME SOLO PASTOR
CROSSROADS SEEKS TWO POSITIONS
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
  • TUESDAY, May 21 - Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church
  • WEDNESDAY, September 25 - Good Shepherd Trinity Church
  • THURSDAY, November 21 - Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, Wales

Share this information with your congregation!  Bulletin inserts and bulletin board flyers are available!