FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
MISSING THE POINT
Our yearlong theme of stewardship continues into our next Presbytery Gathering on May 22, at Crossroads Presbyterian Church. This time, the focus will shift to the stewardship of our talents and leadership skills. At our March Gathering, you selected some excellent workshop topics that will help us all become more effective leaders.
Over the next few weeks, we hope to tease you with some of the topics and speakers coming to the May Gathering. This week, I'm excited to share...( READ MORE ).
LATEST NEWS
SAVE THE DATE
Calling all Mission and Outreach leaders and members! On Saturday, May 19, from 9 am to noon, 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 when our mission efforts might become toxic charity
* maximizing congregational participation in your mission activities

Then, go home armed with resources and ideas. More details, including location and registration, to follow by email to your churches. Or, call Rachel Yates at 414-292-2743.
PRAYERS AND CONCERNS AND JOYS
PRAYER BASKET
Pastoral Words from Susan Stoll.  Psalm 91 offers a strong affirmation of  where our refuge resides: God alone is our dwelling place, stronghold, and shelter. But the words of the psalmist more importantly...( READ MORE).
Prayers. Lord, in Your mercy, equip and exhort us to keep shining Your light into a world that is in need of Your ...( READ MORE ).
If you have prayer requests, please send them to  sstoll@pbymilwaukee.org .
FEATURED CONGREGATION
WHICH CHURCH IS THIS?
Which congregation supports a missionary, Nadia Ayoub,  in Ukraine; whose sermon last Sunday was titled: "Fake News or Fact?"; and who invite you to make soup with The Souper Stars Team at the Shalom Center Soup Kitchen on June 5?   The answer is here .
PRESBYTERY PULSE
DNSIB UPDATE
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 ).
FROM KEN GREEN, BOARD OF PENSIONS
Registration is open for this year's Board of Pensions regional gathering!  The perfect venue for personnel chairs, church business administrators, pastoral leaders, and other organizational leaders involved in making benefit decisions. This event was created for benefit decision-makers as well as COM/CPM members to learn more about the recently revised benefit offerings from the Board of Pensions and to learn about new initiatives from...(READ MORE).
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
BEHIND THE SCENES
UPDATE: COMMISSION ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
Did you know that the Commission on Preparation for Ministry currently has three ruling elders under care in the Commissioned Pastor/Commissioned Ruling Elder Program? You may be asking yourself, "What is a Commissioned Pastor and how does that relate to the office of ruling elder?" The short answer is that a CP is a ruling elder who after completing courses in: Old and New Testament, Reformed Theology, preaching, and more!, is commissioned by the Presbytery to serve as a pastor to a particular congregation. In a time when many of our congregations are in transition or needing very part time pastoral leadership, CPs help to provide both temporary pastoral leadership and stability for moving forward that are much needed. And, they get to develop and celebrate their gifts for ministry- one more reminder of what it means to be part of the "priesthood of all believers." If you or your congregation, are interested in learning more about the Commissioned Pastor Program, please contact Terry Hennessy, moderator of CPM, or Ann Gibbs, Associate for Ministry Vitality.
MISSION OPPORTUNITY
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
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).
YOUR SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR SHARED JOURNEYS
Apostle Church is venturing into a new undertaking! Our large building and beautiful space can be better served by serving others. Read below about "Shared Journeys" and you will understand why Apostle has taken this bold step to help our students to become adults, seeking life with a purpose for themselves and their children. 
If you would like to help with any kind of support: prayers, time, talents or treasures...(READ MORE). Thanks to Linda Hoon for this article.
YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Apply to the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program  today! Final round for the 18-19 season open until June 1. National sites only are available.
 
Program benefits include a regular stipend, housing, transportation and student-loan repayment options throughout the duration of the service year. For more info, visit the FAQ tab at the top of the YAV homepage.  Also, follow @yavprogram as current YAVs take over the account. Help plants seeds of service and spread the word!
PENTECOST OFFERING WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT
The Pentecost Offering celebrates and advocates for youth, young adults, and children at risk. Learn more about this offering, its themes and resources, and ways to encourage your church to participate: Webinar hosted by Special Offerings on Thu. Apr. 12 at Noon (EDT). More info on the
Pentecost Offering hereRegister here: http://bit.ly/PC18webinar
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.
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.
INVITATIONS
CONFLICT AS CATALYST FOR GROWTH
You are invited to the Presbytery the Academy of Parish Clergy (an international and interfaith organization seeking for better health for faith leaders) Annual Conference at Siena Center in Racine April 17-19. Keynote speaker is Ann Garrido who has recently published Redeeming Conflict, reflecting how conflict can lead to important insights and growth when managed in a healthy manner. For more information on the event. For press release.
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).
CLERGYWOMEN INVITED TO TRIENNIAL 2018
The National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen  invites all Clergywomen  to  Triennial 2018. The theme:  "Dragons, Frogs, & Other Fairy Tales of Women in Ministry".  April 23-26, 2018, at  Montreat Conference Center. 
Keynote Preacher is the Rev. Floretta Barbee-Watkins;  Worship Preacher is the Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan.  Exciting workshops lead by dynamic Clergy.  Scholarships are available. Childcare available. Invitation in English. Invitation in Spanish.
FOR SALE
CEMETERY PLOT FOR SALE 
For sale: one plot at Vernon Presbyterian Cemetery. Contact Jim White.
FREE TO A GOOD HOME
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. 
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
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). 
Interested applicants should send their resume to Dave Garvey, Youth Director, at dave.garvey@crossroadspres.org.
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.
GRACE BEAVER DAM SEEKS DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 
We are currently seeking a part-time Director of Christian Education who will ensure the educational needs of Grace Presbyterian Church are met in the following areas: Children's Education, Adult Education, and Youth Education. Job description here.
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).
SHARE YOUR MESSAGE
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!
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.
2018 PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
  • TUESDAY, May 22 - Crossroads Presbyterian in Mequon, 4pm
  • TUESDAY, September 11 - Kettle Moraine Presbyterian in Hartland, 4pm
  • TUESDAY, November 27 - TBD, 4pm
HOT LINKS
iBelieve.com for quotes and inspiration. 
Keeping in Touch, newsletter of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. 
Grapevine, the Presbyterian Women's newsletter.
Leading Change, newsletter from McCormick Theological Seminary.