FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
 GROWING UP
I dread this time of year.  It's the time when statistical reports from the prior year finally get circulated.  The report I dread the most is the Audit of Antisemitic Incidents.  The Jewish Community Relations Council just released its 2019 results last week.  Broken down geographically, reporting includes events that occur in the State of Wisconsin, are committed by persons residing in the State of Wisconsin, relate to Wisconsin institutions, relate to or specifically respond to Wisconsin persons, and/or would otherwise go unreported if not reported within the audit.  The news isn't good.

The audit reflects a 55% increase in incidents from 2018 to 2019, and a 329% increase since 2015.  There has been a sharp uptick in references to ... ( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
INSTALLATION SERVICE FOR REV. STEPHANIE STEINER
March 15, 1:0o p.m. *please note new time*
Presbytery of Milwaukee Moderator, Judy Jaggard, and First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, invite everyone to attend the installation service for Rev. Stephanie Steiner on March 15th at 1:00 p.m *please note new time*.  Stephanie comes to us from nearby John Knox Presbytery.

Stephanie is originally from Prairie du Chen, Wisconsin.  After graduating from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, she earned her Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and was then ordained in 1987.

Throughout her ministry, Stephanie has been called to serve as a solo pastor, chaplain, associate pastor, and co-pastor.  She has one daughter, Kiernan, who is a teaching assistant and doctoral candidate at Arizona State University.  Stephanie's hobbies include reading, crocheting, gardening, and she's an avid sports fan too!

We welcomed Stephanie at our February Presbytery Gathering; now we have the opportunity to celebrate her installation.

Clergy are invited to robe and wear red vestments.  

First Presbyterian Church, 312 Church Street, Clinton, WI
PRESBYTERY DIRECTORY PHONE APP
If any minister member or church member from our presbytery would like to have the presbytery directory accessible on their phone or tablet, please email Chris Halverson for login and password. If you've previously gotten access, but forgot  your login and/or password, Chris can help with that, too.
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
JUST COMPENSATION: CLOSING THE GENDER GAP WEBINAR
Thursday, March 26, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (CST)
The Church lives out its identity as a just and caring community when it compensates ministers fairly.  But what is fair?  What are the contextual realities that impact compensation?  What are the societal and ecclesiastical realities related to gender equity?  Data in Living by the Gospel show a clear distinction continues to exist between average salaries for men and women across all pastoral positions and congregation sizes.

Join Rev. Lori Neff LaRue to review current compensation realities and specific financial considerations for women, and explore how female ministers can negotiate compensation packages and advocate more effectively for themselves and others.  Lori will also discuss the roles Committees on Ministry, presbytery executives, and Pastor Nominating Committees can play in covenanting terms of call -- with an eye toward making the Church a more just and equitable community in which to respond to God's call -- and how Living by the Gospel, along with other denominational resources, can be utilized to equip individuals and decision-making bodies.  

Register here for this webinar offered by the Board of Pensions.
NEWS FROM THE SYNOD
THE 2020 SYNOD SCHOOL CATALOG IS HERE!
Two copies of the 2020 Synod School Catalog have been mailed to every church; however, if you would like to view the catalog electronically, it, along with ads for newsletters and bulletins, is available on the synod website.  

2020's Synod School will run July 26-31.  Registration is now open!
COVID-19, THE CORONAVIRUS
PREPAREDNESS FOR PANDEMICS
a Disaster and Preparedness Response Task Force article by Marilyn Stone
Seldom do we find "severe infectious disease outbreaks" or "pandemic" on a list of potential disasters that might occur within our presbytery or any presbytery across our state or the U.S.  Although, COVID-19 Coronavirus updates appear in our daily news feeds.  Previously, media reported how other countries were impacted by this virus and precautions being taken, yet now we are hearing about cases identified in the U.S. even without foreign travel. 

This is not a time to panic nor overreact, but as with all possible disasters, preparedness is prudent.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has created...(READ MORE).
RESPONDING TO THE FLU & THE CORONAVIRUS
Resources from the Wisconsin Council of Churches
The Wisconsin Council of Churches is providing information and resources through their website, social media, and other means.  As always, the WCC acknowledges there may be particulars of individual religious traditions about which ecclesiastical authorities should be consulted before adjusting church practices.  Please accept these recommendations and resources from the WCC as a starting point, and adapt them as makes the most sense for your own setting and traditions.
THE PC(USA)'S THEOLOGY AND WORSHIP OFFICE ISSUES PASTORAL STATEMENT ON THE CORONAVIRUS
In this time of high anxiety, the PC(USA)'s Office of Theology and Worship ahs issued a Pastoral Statement on the Coronavirus/COVID-19.  The statement provides pastors and congregational leaders with guidance on how to talk to worshipers about the outbreak, as well as practical suggestions for passing the peace, shaking hands, embracing, and communion practices.  Some elements of this statement are adapted, with gratitude, from a letter by the Rev. Dr. Steven T. Yamaguchi and Dr. Peter Mathis, who's at Tokyo Union Church in Tokyo, Japan.

You can read more information from the PC(USA) about the Coronavirus/COVID-19 in the article Coronavirus: Faith not fear .
INVITATIONS
WEBINAR: CREATING LIVE-STREAMED WORSHIP
Tuesday, March 24, 1:00 p.m.
The Wisconsin Council of Churches is offering a webinar on March 24th about how to create live-streamed worship.  The presenter is Rev. Jeremy Smith of Hacking Christianity, an elder in the United Methodist Church.  He recently helped First United Methodist Church Seattle, the church he pastors, pivot to offering worship online with just 3 days notice when public health authorities recommended that local churches in their area not gather because they were near a COVID-19 hot spot.  The webinar will be an hour of learning and Q&A.  Have questions already?  Submit them so Rev. Smith and the WCC can prepare answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Registration is limited for the live webinar.
BREAKING HATE: CONFRONTING THE CULTURE OF EXTREMISM WITH CHRISTIAN PICCIOLINI
Sunday, March 29, 2:00 p.m.
Christian Picciolini is an award-winning television producer, public speaker, author, peace advocate, and former violent extremist.  Christian chronicles his involvement and exit from the early American white-supremacist skinhead movement in his memoir "White American Youth."  He now leads the Free Radicals Project, a global extremism prevention and disengagement network and has helped over 300 individuals leave hate behind.  He showcases his disengagement work in a second book, "Breaking Hate: Confronting the New Culture of Extremism," (February 2020, Hachette Books), as well as the MSNBC documentary series of the same name.

Free and open to the public.  Book sale and signing to follow.  Find more information here.

Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Stand Against Racism provides the opportunity for communities across the United States to find an issue or cause that inspires them to take a #StandAgainstRacism and to unite their voices to educate, advocate, and promote racial justice.  This year, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin is focusing on civic engagement and is organizing a panel discussion with local leaders to discuss the importance of taking action to make a difference in the community.

Come listen to the inspiring stories of local leaders, and learn how you can dismantle racism in your community through civic engagement.
  • Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 6:00-7:30 p.m, Racine Public Library, 2nd Floor
  • Friday, April 24, 2020, 10:00-11:30 a.m., YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Training Room

Find out more information and/or register here.
MOON BEACH WILDERNESS TRIP
You're invited to join a week of canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, August 22-28, 2020.  The adventure will originate out of the beloved Moon Beach camp and head to the BWCA for five days of canoeing.  Pastor Nick Hatch, a PC(USA) pastor serving First Congregation UCC in Appleton, WI, will lead the trip using his NOLS Outdoor Educator training.  Participants will learn outdoor skills, enjoy fellowship with one another, and build their ecological theology.  Participants will be outfitted with premium lightweight gear and excellent food (food restrictions can be accommodated).
Target group: Adults and/or youth 12 and up with an adult chaperone.
Register or find out more information here.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK PRAYER REQUEST
Carroll University will be sending groups out on Alternative Spring Break trips next week (March 9-13), including the Spiritual Life trip to Atlanta which the Presbytery of Milwaukee is helping sponsor.  Students will spend two days on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage in the city and then head to the Calvin Center (a PC(USA) camp and retreat center) for reflection and service.  While at Calvin Center, the group from Carroll will be supporting the camp's mission by doing some maintenance work on several of the buildings.  

Prayers are welcome for safe travels, good health, and meaningful experiences for all of the Carroll students participating in service over break.
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 - February 2020 Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
University Christian Ministries (UCM) seeks   COOK FOR 2020
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES

2020 Presbytery Gathering Posters and Bulletin Inserts are available for download and distribution!

  • 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