FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
 OPEN
Late one night this week, I drove through an unfamiliar neighborhood.  As I passed a church, I glanced at it to determine its denominational affiliation -  a hazard of being your Presbytery Executive.  My eye caught the lighted reader-board sign, and I'm pretty sure I saw just a one-word message:  Open.  It was dark out, and I was zipping along.  So maybe I misread the sign.
But, it got me to thinking of what message that one word would send to the neighborhood.  My first instinct was to ... ( READ MORE ).
PRESBYTERY PULSE
PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE WELCOMES
REV. DR. J. HERBERT NELSON
The Presbytery of Milwaukee is pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), as our keynote speaker and worship leader at the February 4, 2020, Presbytery Gathering at Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Nelson is convinced that we are engaging in one of the most exciting times of ministry in the history of the world, as he will discuss the work to which the church is called in this time, particularly how pastors, elders, deacons, and others should work together for God's service at the congregational level.  At this time of change in the life of the church, he will call us again to remain faithful to the ministry and mission given to us by Jesus Christ. REGISTER NOW
IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! THE 2020 PRESBYTERY GATHERING POSTER IS HERE!
We are excited to share the line-up of exceptional speakers who will be joining us for our 2020 Presbytery Gathering speaker series.  The following poster and bulletin insert can be printed and widely distributed in your congregation and community.  
A note about the poster -- for ease of printing, the poster was designed as two standard 8.5x11 sheets of paper that can be hung together or distributed as a flyer.  If you are interested in receiving a larger sized poster file to print and display, please contact Kate Hopta in the Presbytery Office.
CREATIVE WORSHIP PACKAGE FOR CHURCHES IN PASTORAL TRANSITION
Inspired by the creative worship leadership of Marcia McFee last fall, Rev. Beth Patton, Rev. Nicole Farley, and Ruling Elder and Presbytery Executive Rachel Yates have designed a creative worship package for the Easter season (April 19 through May 24), specifically for churches in transition. Details. 
20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JOINT DECLARATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION
As we approach this year's celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), the committee working on the Twentieth Anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification wanted to share this signed document endorsing the continued commitment to the unity Christ desires for all those who profess, believe, and are baptized into that One Christ.  
The committee is composed of 
Rev. Paul D. Erickson, Bishop, Greater Milwaukee Synod, ELCA
Bishop Jeffrey Hanes, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Rev. Dr. Christian D. Boyd, Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Milwaukee (PCUSA)
Rt. Rev. Steven Miller, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
Rev. Forrest R. WElls, SE Dist. Superintendent, Wisconsin Conference UMC
"By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and received the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works." (para. 15 JDDJ)
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
STATED CLERK'S STATEMENT ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND ABUSE  
The 223rd General Assembly (2018) addressed the serious problem of sexual abuse and misconduct in the church . Included in the action was direction to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly to communicate with the church in confession and commitment. Read, heed, and share with your congregations and members.
REGARDING RULING ELDERS: 
A MONTHLY SERIES FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS
Mary Marcotte has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
INVITATIONS
COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION - POLICE CHIEF MORALES
As part of his reappointment, Milwaukee Police Chief Morales has committed to hold 2 listening sessions in order to engage with Milwaukee residents & present a plan to move Milwaukee forward. The first will be on January 27 from 5:30-7:30pm at UMOS, 2701 S. Chase Avenue, Milwaukee. Doors open at 5pm.
CREATIVE WORSHIP DESIGN RETREAT
Did you miss Dr. Marcia McFee's excellent session during Congregational Vitality Week?  Did you attend, but leaving wanting even more?  You'll want to consider this special retreat for creative worship design.  Immerse yourself in God, nature, and spirit with a retreat for the soul in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Lake Tahoe, May 11-15, 2020. The Elevation Retreat is a full program of ideas to inspire and motivate you-but that includes plenty of free time, too.
MONTREAT YOUTH CONFERENCE 2020
You're invited to the 2020 Montreat Youth Conference! Our youth attend this conference every 3 years, and this is our year, 2020! Dates are July 25-August 2. It is open to current 8th graders through graduating seniors. Please click the link for more information and to register. For questions please contact Pastor Dee Anderson at 414-630-4347.
HERITAGE IS BACK ON THE ROAD!
For the past three years, Heritage Presbyterian Church has gone out to lead worship at other congregations to raise awareness and funds for our mission partners. Our 2020 focus is on refugees and our partner is the International Institute of Wisconsin,  dedicated to the promotion of multi-ethnic perspectives as well as immigration and naturalization services.
 
Our Shelter Service is a full worship service from beginning to end.  We invite your folks to sing in the choir (we can provide music ahead of time).  We ask for access to your sanctuary the Saturday before the service for set-up and rehearsal.  This is a Communion worship service and we ask for a special offering for our mission partner (we provide marked envelopes).  We will bring gluten-free bread with us.
 
All of the proceeds we raise go to IIW. Dates this winter are February 16, February 23, March 1.
 
If you're interested, please contact Michelle Henrichs at [email protected].
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Just as the snow starts to fly, we get the good news that summer will eventually come.  The Pilgrim Center-UCCI has its summer program dates available, and registration is open on their website.  Sessions fill up fast, so be sure to register as soon as you can!
Milwaukee Presbytery provides youth camp scholarships of up to $150.
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 2020
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES

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

  • 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
[email protected]
http://www.pbymilwaukee.org