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FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
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DOWN IN THE MUCK
"Before we go any further, can you tell us what is swimming in the pitcher of water?" Nicole Melara asked our Presbytery Gathering speaker, Prof. Calvin B. DeWitt. The pitcher of dirty water had been placed, with a vase of scorched wheat, on the communion table during worship. It was a visual cue of what could happen when, because of our neglect, the earth fails to produce the wine and bread needed for communion.
Prof. DeWitt stood near the table to begin his presentation on our Christian response to climate change. He held the pitcher toward the light, examining .
..(
READ MORE
)
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PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE SAYS GOODBYE TO STAFF MEMBER, SUSI STOLL
On September 11, 2018, the Presbytery of Milwaukee gave thanks for the ministry of Rev. Susi Stoll, Pastor to the Pastors. In a letter sent out to the pastors the previous week, Susi explained that she is stepping away from the position due to chronic back pain. Susi has been a valued member of the Presbytery Staff for over two and half years. Her ministry has been one of outreach, care, relationship building, encouragement, and confidentiality- a ministry for which she has gifts in abundance. While she will remain a minister member of our presbytery, we will miss her in this ministry role and our prayers go out for her strength and healing. These are Susi's closing words:
"Sometimes in our journey of life, our 'role' may shift or change, but our deep, flowing 'call' to love God with all our being, to love one another (and all people), and to serve as disciples of Jesus Christ with our unique gifts by God's grace, proclaiming and showing God's love - wherever we happen to be - as best we can - does not diminish.
With deepest respect, sincere appreciation, and continuing prayers for each one of you,
Pastor Susi"
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GREAT COMMISSION TASK FORCE NEEDS A NEW NAME
Tick-tock-tick-tock . . . Be sure to submit your contest entries before the Nov. 1st deadline! The Great Commission Task Force has requested that the Presbytery provide a new name for the task force. To do so we have created a contest! Every congregation can submit as many entries suggestions as you like. The Presbytery will vote on the best entries at the November Presbytery Meeting. The winning congregation will receive a
FREE CHURCH COFFEE HOUR as the prize.
Our purpose and tasks can be found
HERE. Entries can be made on the Presbytery
website. Remember: only the first 1000 entries will be accepted for consideration, so get your entries in ASAP!
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Does your church have a bully in the pews? Do you describe your congregation as a "loving church family" and yet, everyone is fearful of disturbing the peace? Do your sheep huddle in small groups in the parking lot or around the coffee pot plotting coups to take over the children's or deacon's or hospitality ministry? Do you leave family gatherings convinced it would have been a better experience if you'd just smacked so-and-so upside the head? Did your grandmother teach you "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" and so you remain mute and frustrated about things that matter?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this workshop is for you. If you answered yes to all of them, let us know and we'll increase your discount!
On Saturday, October 20, from 9-4:30 at Dickson Hollow in Menomonee Falls, the Commission on Ministry will be hosting its second in our three-part series with Lombard Mennonite Peace Center: Conflict Transformation Skills. Cost $14 per person. Value of having pastors and congregations equipped to "prevent destructive conflicts" while also discovering "how church conflict can be transformed into an opportunity to learn something new about God's will for their church"- priceless.
Please register by October 9.
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CONGREGATIONS CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES
- First Presbyterian Church in Fox Lake is celebrating 95 years this week! Congratulations!
- Christ Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee will celebrate their 60th on October 21! Congrats!
Please let the office know if there are other church anniversaries we should know about!
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BOARD OF PENSIONS - EMPLOYER AGREEMENTS
Review your Employer Agreement on Benefits Connect
Employers and congregations: Log on to Benefits Connect to review,
update, and submit Employer Agreements for 2019, due October 12.
See details.
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ATTENTION CLERKS OF SESSION
Attention Clerks of Session! The Clerk's Annual Questionnaire (CAQ) has been sent with a deadline of November 15. If any clerks of session have questions about the CAQ, please go to
CAQ@pcusa.org
.
(The Word file has been emailed to presbytery offices if clerks do not have an email address.)
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2018 BOOK OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
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FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM SUSAN STOLL
THE FOG OF UNCERTAINTY + THE LIGHT OF DISCERNMENT
(
Repeated from last week, with correction.)
Decision-making is a day-to-day occurrence. It can be as simple as deciding what to eat for breakfast or what clothes and shoes to wear depending on the day's weather. Perhaps a decision is in the making whether or not to downsize from a suburban home to a downtown condo. Listing pros and cons is a helpful evaluation tool in making decisions. However, there's a significant difference between decision-making and spiritual discernment. While
discernment
is about making assessments and evaluations, the purpose of this process is...(READ MORE).
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This congregation once shared a minister with Vernon Presbyterian Church. The building they are still using was built in 1857. They became a United Presbyterian Church in 1858 when two congregations
, Associate Reformed and Associate Presbyterian, joined together.
Answer is
here.
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FROM OUR PRESBYTERY GATHERING...
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- Marilyn Stone is helping to organize a disaster preparedness training team in Milwaukee Presbytery. Call the office if you would like to help in this effort or if your congregation is interested in working on a disaster preparedness plan with her.Here is a link to the document explaining our new Disaster Preparedness Task Force, which will be starting this fall.
- Here is a link to Noel Adams' reflections on his experience as a GA Commissioner.
- If you would like to borrow pieces from our Presbytery Gathering worship on September 11, the order of worship is provided here.
- To learn more about how your congregation can be good stewards of creation in your ministries, check out the Earth Care Congregation program.
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A WEEKEND WITH DIANA BUTLER BASS -
October 13-14, 2018
Author of
Grateful:
The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks
at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee
Diana Butler Bass is a widely-read author and scholar of American religion and culture. Her newest book explores why gratitude is missing as a modern spiritual practice, offers practical suggestions for reclaiming it, and illuminates how the shared practice of gratitude can lead to greater connection with God, our world, and our own souls.
Presbytery friends are invited to join Immanuel for lectures on Saturday afternoon, October 13 at 1:30 and 3:00. Dr. Bass will preach on Sunday morning at 10:00. This special weekend event is being offered to Church and community through a special gift.
Click here for more information and free registration.
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AVALON SQUARE CHAPEL SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTATION
Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you: love one another"; and one of the best ways to love one another is to better understand each other! On
Thursday, September 20th at 6:30pm, we will have an opportunity to learn more about how to better understand, support, and love our family, friends, and neighbors with dementia. Join us as Avalon Square hosts dementia care specialist from the Waukesha County Aging and Disability Resource Center,
Mr. Randy Kohl. Plan to attend this Chapel Speaker Series event as Mr. Kohl presents his topic,
"Love One Another: Creating Dementia-Friendly Communities". All are welcome to join us at 222 Park Place Waukesha. RSVP to Pastor Erin at 262 446 9436, please.
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"Staying Alive Spiritually:
Tools for the Spiritual Journey"
October 29-30, (Monday morning - Tuesday evening)
This Retreat is targeted at Clergy and Ministers serving congregations. Certified Spiritual Director
Rev. Holly Whitcomb, will help us learn to balance the expectations of leading others in an authentic spiritual life, while maintaining our own spiritual life. Cost: $275
Please contact Rev. Sara Gillespie at St Paul Lutheran Church in Mayville for more information.
Email or call/text (608) 482-3009.
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YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER EMILY TEERINK
Our Milwaukee Presbytery Young Adult Volunteer just sent an update on her year of service in Zambia: "Being a white person in Zambia, I bring my privilege with me wherever I go. However, my privilege was especially apparent to me (and everyone else) during the village stay." Read more about her recent visit to a rural village.
A link to the blog can be found
here
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GOOD SHEPHERD TRINITY SEEKS PART TIME BOOKKEEPER
Send resumes to the church at 3302 N. Sherman Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53216, to the attention of Jeannette Bell.
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PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE SEEKS TWO POSITIONS
The Presbytery seeks 2 people to serve in unique roles. We are hiring a part-time
Communications Coordinator
to be part of our Presbytery staff team. Also, as Jessie Read plans for retirement this year, we are looking for a part-time, volunteer Treasurer
to begin working with her to transition. Click on those links for job descriptions. If you are interested in either position, notify
Matt Lee
, Moderator of Personnel Team.
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CALVARY SEEKS 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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FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
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- TUESDAY, November 27 - Linn Presbyterian in Lake Geneva, 4pm
- TUESDAY, February 19 - Living Hope Presbyterian in Menomonee Falls, 4pm
- WEDNESDAY, May 22 - TBD
- WEDNESDAY, September 25 - TBD
- THURSDAY, November 21 - TBD
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