FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
HOPE
Decades ago, I received a gift of an advent wreath, with holders for four candles, three purple and one pink.  I still have the wreath and the same pack of candles.  As I unpack Christmas decorations each year, I rediscover the wreath and contemplate putting it out in a prominent place.  I seldom do.

Part of the problem is my insistence on doing things completely and correctly.  If I don't pull out the Christmas decorations until mid-December, I've already missed two Sundays of Advent.  I can't very well start with lighting three candles at once, can I?  The other challenge is ... ( READ MORE ).
PRESBYTERY PULSE
NOVEMBER 21ST PRESBYTERY GATHERING RECAP
Thank you Jerusalem Presbyterian Church for hosting the November 21st Presbytery Gathering.  We had an excellent time learning about and discussing restorative justice with Hon. Janine Geske and being in communion with one another.
NOVEMBER 21 PRESBYTERY GATHERING SURVEY
If you attended the November 21st Presbytery Gathering at Jerusalem Presbyterian Church and would like to complete a survey, please click here.  Your feedback helps us as we plan future events.
PRESBYTERY HIGHLIGHTS
Weren't able to make it to the last Presbytery Gathering, but interested in the good work happening in the Presbytery?  Checkout the Presbytery Highlights, a one-page synopsis of the November 21, 2019 Presbytery Gathering.
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
The 2019 Annual Report for the Presbytery of Milwaukee is now available online.  You can view this interactive document here and watch videos and follow links embedded in the document for more information about the work that has happened in your Presbytery this year.  
Creating this document allows us to stop and reflect on all our Presbytery has accomplished.  We are grateful for the opportune pause.
CEMETERY PLOTS
If a church member dies and it is hardship for their family to afford a gravesite, the Presbytery of Milwaukee owns three plots at Wisconsin Memorial Park.  Please contact Chris Halverson at the presbytery office if there is a need.
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
ADVENT LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS
Mission workers were asked to reflect on New Testament readings as they relate to their ministries and those of the global partners with whom they serve.  Here you will find stories that illustrate the special days of the Advent season.
WILL NEW OVERTIME RULES AFFECT YOUR STAFF?
On January 1, 2020, new rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act will affect which employees are entitled to overtime pay.  Acting General Counsel Mike Kirk has explained how this change may affect mid councils and congregations.  Bottom line:  "All employers should immediately evaluate those changes with their local legal counsel and determine if the changes will impact their staff and their council."
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SPECIAL OFFERINGS
Encourage your congregation to consider supporting the PC(USA)'s special offerings by purchasing Christmas cards here.  Sets are available as twenty of one card design, or five of each of the four card designs; if you click on a card and the to page 2, you can see the inside wording.
INVITATIONS
ADVENT WORSHIPFUL SUNG MEDITATION CIRCLE
O Come... Away To The Manger!
Friday, December 6th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. join the Tippe Faithing Community's Meditative Song Circle.
Join in leaning into simple sung prayers by candlelight.  Surrounded by Holy Hush, we open to the Divine.  A time of support for you as you heal your way toward a new Christmas!
For singers and non-singers alike!  Open to all persons!  Afterwards, linger longer to enjoy hot wassail and cookies and share our stories!  An open heart offering of $5 is appreciated.
Tippe Faithing Community, 125 W. Saveland Avenue, Milwaukee
NEW EDITION OF GRAPEVINE NOW AVAILABLE
The November 2019 edition of the  Grapevine, the quarterly newsletter for Presbyterian Women of the Milwaukee Presbytery, is now available.  The most current edition of the  Grapevine will always be available in the "Hot Links" section of Fresh Impressions.

MAMCCO MESSIAH CONCERTS
The Milwaukee Area Messiah Community Chorus and Orchestra (MAMCCO) has two upcoming Messiah concerts: 
7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6th
 St. Anthony on the Lake in Pewaukee 
3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8th
Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon

Admission is free and all are welcome to come hear this inspiring work.  Donations to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission are welcome.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHORISTERS
Come and worship, come and joy
On Friday, December 13th, and Saturday, December 14th, celebrate Christmas with the Choristers -- plus brass and strings!  Enjoy sacred and secular holiday favorites and seasonal music by Ludwig von Beethoven, John Rutter, Rene Clausen, and John Wesley Work.  Stay after the concert for our traditional reception with Christmas cookies, punch and, holiday raffle!
Tickets are available for purchase through the Milwaukee Chorister website or the evening of the concert at St. Monica Parish in Whitefish Bay.  Non-perishable food items will be collected and distributed by Tosa Cares.
St Monica Parish, 160 East Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay
POSADAS DECEMBRINAS
At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18th, International Migrants Day, walk with Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem as they search for a place to spend the night.  The journey will leave from Faith/Santa Fe Lutheran Church and continue to Ascension Lutheran Church.  Singing and dialogue will be included along the way as the couple seeks shelter.  A celebration with tamales and champurrado (a warm chocolate drink) when the doors are opened and the couple welcomed!  

Las Posadas (the inns) are religious festivals traditionally celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 - 24.  While the tradition varies from place to place, the common thread is a reenactment of Mary and Joseph traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter where she could safely give birth to the baby Jesus.

Faith/Santa Fe Lutheran Church, 1000 S. Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee
Ascension Lutheran Church, 1236 S. Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee
CENSUS 2020 TRAINING
The City of Milwaukee and the Greater Milwaukee Complete Count Committee will be holding Census Training Sessions about things you can to do help support the 2020 census in Milwaukee.  Stop by one of the three upcoming training workshops (December 10 and 12 and January 9) to learn more about how to spread the word about the 2020 census and help Milwaukee achieve a complete count.
#TogetherWeCount
Greater Milwaukee Foundation, 101 W. Pleasant Street, Suite 210, Milwaukee
HOT LINKS
A Year in Zambia  - YAV Emily Teerink's Blog - Relief and Development
Grapevine - Presbyterian Women's Newsletter
Keeping In Touch  - Newsletter from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies 
Life in the Labyrinth - Inspirational Website by Michelle Henrichs
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Current Information
The Sower - Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Good Shepherd Trinity Church in Milwaukee seeks PART TIME DESIGNATED PASTOR
Good Shepherd Trinity is a combined ELCA/PCUSA congregation.  Please direct all inquiries and interest in the position to Ann Gibbs, Associate for Ministry Vitality, Presbytery of Milwaukee.
University Christian Ministries (UCM) seeks   COOK FOR 2019
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
  • TUESDAY, February 4, 4:00-8:00 p.m. - Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church, Janesville
  • SATURDAY, May 16, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Carroll University, Waukesha
  • TUESDAY, September 29, 4:00-8:00 p.m. - Apostle Presbyterian Church, West Allis
  • THURSDAY, November 12, 4:00-8:00 p.m. - Covenant Presbyterian Church, Racine 

Presbytery of Milwaukee
414-292-2740
khopta@pbymilwaukee.org
http://www.pbymilwaukee.org