FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
FACT OR FICTION
"The rays danced the final steps of a languid tango for the Alphabet House's very last stimulant."  I read it again.  And again.  I focused on each word of this concluding sentence from the novel
The Alphabet House, by Jussi Adler-Olsen, as if seeking the meaning of each word individually might give a clue to the meaning of the whole.  I couldn't figure it out.  I'd spent weeks reading this novel, with its action, intrigue, deception, and restoration.  Rather than a gradual wrap-up to the end of the novel, the author leaves our protagonist standing on a literal precipice overlooking the sea, contemplating his relationship with a wounded friend.  Then this.  A sentence that does me no good. 

My mom doesn't read fiction.  "Why would I want to read about something that isn't real?" she's queried me.  Maybe she'd already read too many books about dancing rays and languid tangos. 

This brings us, of course, to
. ..( READ MORE ) .
PRESBYTERY PULSE
FROM THE HOLOCAUST TO CIVIL RIGHTS
In keeping with this year's reconciliation theme, the Presbytery of Milwaukee invites you to hear three of Alice Simon's granddaughters  (including our own Presbytery Office Manager and Associate Stated Clerk, Chris Halverson) present the story of their pilgrimage to Germany and France to retrace their Grandmother's
recently discovered, tragic and shocking murder during the Holocaust.  

Alice Simon's granddaughters will also discuss how this history affected their father, the Rev. Dr. Carl R. Simon, a Presbyterian minister in Milwaukee, resulting in his life long fight for Civil and Human Rights, including joining Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, Alabama in 1965.

This presentation will take place on Wednesday, June 26th at 6:30 p.m.
at the First Presbyterian Church, 1803 83rd Street, Kenosha, WI 53143
ARE YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH READY FOR SUMMER CAMP?
If your youth and children will be attending church camps or conferences this year, be sure to seek a Camper Scholarship from the Presbytery of Milwaukee.  Scholarships may be awarded for half the cost of the camp, to a maximum of $150/person. Friends of a church family/member may also be considered for a camp scholarship up to $100.  The application and instructions can be found on the Presbytery website.
THE SYNOD OF LAKES AND PRAIRIES IS HOME TO 
SIX PRESBYTERIAN CAMPS AND CONFERENCE CENTERS


Located in Milford, IA


Located in Wyoming, IA


Located in Lead, SD


Located in Rapid City, SD

FALL YOUTH RETREAT IN GREEN LAKE, WI
Friday, October 25 - Sunday, 27
Youth advisers, have you started thinking about your fall schedule and plans?  With Winnebago Presbytery,  our 6th-12th graders are invited to Pilgrim Center in Green Lake, WI for the Fall Youth Camp.    

For more information or help with registration contact Gina Streuensee or Jennifer Zander.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR MAY 21 PRESBYTERY GATHERING 
With the excitement our speakers for the 2019 Presbytery Gatherings are generating, the Presbytery Office has opened registration for the May 21, 2019 meeting.  We encourage everyone who is interested in attending Dr. Robin DiAngelo's lecture to  register through this link (also found on the Presbytery's homepage). 

In preparation for the May 21 Gathering, we encourage individuals  and groups to  read Dr. DiAngelo's book, White Fragility:  Why It's So Hard For White People to Talk About Racism.   This book is available for purchase through the Presbytery Office for $9.00 -- 45% off the list price.

Please share this information with your congregations and communities!  Post bulletin board flyers in your church and community and share bulletin inserts with your congregation.  We look forward to hosting three excellent speakers!
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE TASK FORCE
WISCONSIN INTERFAITH SAFETY & SECURITY SYMPOSIUM 
Faith-based organizations, houses of worship & community groups face a number of threats from across the all-hazards environment. To enhance individual organizations' preparedness, security, and resilience beyond what they can do alone, collaboration is a key to success and effective risk mitigation. You are invited to join this symposium on June 11, 2019 from 7:20 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. when we will discuss some of the challenges organizations are facing and some of the ways they can work together to enhance one another's individual and collective security operations.
Open to all faith-based organizations, houses of worship and community groups.
Find more information here.  To register, follow this link; the password is  symposium

Miller High Life Theatre, Plankinton Hall, 500 West Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
THE LEAST OF THESE: ENGAGING IN THE WORK OF PREVENTING AND ALLEVIATING POVERTY
Join the Presbyterian Committee on Self-Development of People for two  remaining webinars designed to stop the cycle of poverty.  SDOP is offering webinars that challenge us to go beyond charity and take a more holistic view of poverty, equipping teams to create real and lasting change.  Leaders in the PC(USA) and in community development will present core principles that go beyond charity and build relationships. 

To register, or for more information, email Nina Lewis.  Additional information is also available on
the SDOP webpage (click on "Workshops/Events" tab).

May 30th and/or June 19th 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Central Time.
APPLICATIONS FOR CHURCH FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Applicants must be a pastor, commissioned ruling elder or leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  The grants will help pastoral leaders institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce them to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within their church.  The Church Financial Leadership grants are matching funds. Applicants must provide the source(s) for the other half of expenses. Eligible expenses include registration fees, transportation, lodging, meals and other expenses for approved church financial leadership events, training and continuing education opportunities. The application deadline is June 15. Grant applications take approximately four weeks to process. More information and applications are available here.  If you have questions, send an email to serving@presbyterianfoundation.org .
INVITATIONS
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT MAY 4TH
Shorewest Realtors is hosting an electronics recycling event from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00
p.m. on Saturday, May 4 at the Shorewest Support Center, 17450 W. North Avenue in Brookfield, WI. All electronics and small appliances will be accepted. There is no charge for flat panel LCD or plasma TVs, monitors, phones, computer towers, small printers, microwaves, batteries, or VCRs. CRT tube TVs and monitors will be accepted for a fee ranging from $20-$40, based on screen size.
CARING FOR COMMON GROUND
Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2
Caring for Common Ground is an educational program convened by Holy Wisdom Monastery, in collaboration with the Earth Partnership (UW-Madison) program, to bring people of different faith and spiritual perspectives together around land care practices. We strive to create a supportive learning environment where people can share ideas about spirituality and ecology, learn tools to put their values into action and join others in a community of spiritually-based ecological restoration. Caring for Common Ground participants are invited to participate in seasonal gatherings after the initial workshop, where members of past and current cohorts share knowledge, resources and fellowship.
Find more information here.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER LEADS POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN FROM BACKROADS TO WASHINGTON
 Milwaukee native, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, who is currently on faculty at Union Theological Seminary in New York.  Rev. Dr. Theoharis has been working to build through The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.  The campaign, which she co-chairs with the Rev. Dr. William Barber II, was revived two years ago from the origional vision begun by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 50 years earlier and is taking on issues such as poverty, systemic racism, militarism, and ecological devastation.
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
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN WOODSTOCK, IL SEEKS INTERIM PASTOR 
First Presbyterian Church, Woodstock, IL, is seeking an Interim Pastor. Find the MIF here.
Woodstock is located about 50 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, 10 miles south of the Wisconsin - Illinois state line and is the county seat of McHenry County.
GOOD SHEPHERD TRINITY CHURCH IN MILWAUKEE SEEKS PIANIST 
Good Shepherd Trinity Church is searching for a pianist for Sunday mornings.  Interested candidates should email Jeannette Bell or call 414-771-7170.
IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN MILWAUKEE SEEKS INTERIM FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Interim (Bridge) for Christian Education and Congregational Life; ordained or non-ordained  Please click here for MIF
Position available:  June 15, 2019
A healthy, growing, and inclusive community of faith on Milwaukee's historic Lower East Side, Immanuel Presbyterian Church seeks a transitional leader to provide continuity of programming in the areas of Christian Education for Children and Youth and Congregational Life.  This is a temporary position, open to both clergy and non-clergy, while the congregation engages a process to consider and develop a new staffing model for continued health and vitality.  Follow this link for a full job description and link to the Ministry Information Form (MIF).  Learn more about Immanuel's mission and ministry at:  www.immanuelwi.org  Resumes or MIFs can be sent to:  hr@immanuelwi.org
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN IN WAUKESHA SEEKS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN IN WAUKESHA SEEKS CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR 
INTERFAITH CONFERENCE OF GREATER MILWAUKEE SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
THE LISBON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SUSSEX AND THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RICHFIELD, WI ARE SEEKING A STATED SUPPLY PASTOR TO SERVE BOTH CONGREGATIONS
Click  here  for job description and compensation.  
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN IN JANESVILLE SEEKS PART TIME SOLO PASTOR
CROSSROADS SEEKS TWO POSITIONS
PRESBYTERIAN HOMES & SERVICES
 
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
  • TUESDAY, May 21 - Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church
  • WEDNESDAY, September 25 - Good Shepherd Trinity Church
  • THURSDAY, November 21 - Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, Wales

Share this information with your congregation -- bulletin inserts & bulletin board flyers available!