FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
IN-BETWEEN SPACES
There is a sweet spot between the known and the unknown where originality happens; the key is to be able to linger there without panicking.  - Ed Catmull (Pixar)

An increasing number of practical resources are ready to guide leaders through (1) living through a pandemic while (2) facing challenges to the relevance of the church in a post-Christian era in the midst of (3) unprecedented political division with a looming general election as we (4) confront upended and intolerable practices in our legislative, administrative, and judicial systems.  Our sense of normalcy is ending, and something else is emerging that we can't yet see.  For the moment, however, we're stuck in the middle, between the known and the unknown.  Ed Catmull, Pixar's co-founder, labeled it a sweet spot for originality.  Similarly, the word "svaha" is attributed to an indigenous language to mean the space between the thunder and lightning - perhaps a space in which we might imagine and dream and wonder.  Some describe this disorientation as a liminal space:  poised at the threshold.

No matter how we describe this space of disorientation, we're there.  We've got it all (see items 1-4 above for starters).  The key, Catmull says, is to
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PRESBYTERY PULSE
THE NITTY GRITTY, DOWN-N-DIRTY OF GA
Our commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate have returned from General Assembly and have stories to tell.  We are going to record a Q&A session with them soon to hear what they saw, experienced, and learned.  What would you like to know?  We'll add your questions to the list.  Please send questions to Chris Halverson at chalverson@pbymilwaukee.org by July 25
THE MINOR LEAGUES: A SERIES ON THE MINOR PROPHETS
Welcome to The Minor Leagues: A Series on the Minor Prophets, week 3!
This link  will take you to Presbytery's webpage for this series which includes resources for worship and Bible study.
 
This week's worship centers on the prophet Amos with a message by Rev. Rob Ater, associate pastor at Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
 
Meet this week's players, the basemen:
Amos is on First Base as the earliest of the minor prophets
Joel is on Second, his message follows closely on the heals of Amos
Habakkuk is on Third. He's best known for his saying "the righteous live by their faith" on which the Christian doctrine of Justification is based; it's the touchpoint that takes us home!
 
Movies of the week:
For Amos, our first basemen- Pride of the Yankees, based on the story of Lou Gehrig who played first base for the New York Yankees. He was also a German immigrant, and Amos was a prophet of the southern kingdom of Judah who prophesied to Israel in the north.
For Joel, a prophet who uses symbolism to move from lament to possibilities of new life- 42, based on Jackie Robinson and the racial integration of American baseball.
For Habakkuk, a prophet not afraid to question God- Sugar, based on Miguel Santos a Dominican pitcher who dreams of raising his family out of poverty by joining the big leagues. After he catches a break and is recruited by an American minor league team, Santos begins to question his choices.
UPDATED PULPIT SUPPLY LIST
The Presbytery of Milwaukee has updated the Pulpit Supply list with new information you can use when you need help filling your pulpit (digital or physical).  Congregations should discuss ahead of time with the pulpit supply additional compensation for non-traditional technological services, such as recording or editing or online worship.  
View the Pulpit Supply list here.
COVID-19 PRESBYTERY RELIEF GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Presbytery of Milwaukee Council and Commission on Congregational Vitality are working together to provide relief aid and support for our congregations in response to COVID-19.   Please see this  grant application form for details.  Grants are available to both individual ministers and congregations.   If you have any questions, please contact   Ann Gibbs , Associate for Ministry Vitality.

We continue to hold you and your ministries in prayer.
ANYTHING BUT COVID-19 NEWS
STATE FAIR FOOD DRIVE-THRU
The Wisconsin State Fair may be canceled this year but digging into deep-fried treats and classic fair foods is right on schedule. In fact, it's actually early thanks to the new State Fair Necessities initiative and its new fair food drive-thru, opening for the first of four weekends of feasting on Thursday, July 23.
 
Starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday and running through Sunday, July 26, the fair food drive-thru will open up the fairgrounds for cars to drive through and pick up special fair favorites to go such as funnel cakes, pretzel-wrapped hot dogs and brats, pickle pizza, pork chop sandwiches and more from a weekly rotating batch of State Fair vendors.
 
Here are this week's vendors cooking up classic treats and favorite eats.
MEDIEVAL "JOLENE" REMIX
If Dolly Parton was spurned by a man in 1374, here's what "Jolene" would have sounded like
 
Singer Hildegard von Blingin', a YouTuber who covers pop songs in the style of a medieval bard, covered Dolly Parton's haunting love song with some lyrical twists. Sure Jolene was doing Dolly dirty, but to do all that in the midst of a plague, the crusades, and feudal oppression? That's just rude. 
BUTTERFLY BESTIE
Milo, a 2-year-old Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, is a gentle giant.  How gentle, you may ask?  Well, his best friends are monarch butterflies that live in his garden.

Jennifer Bennett, Milo's owner, shared, "Milo is very self-confident, loves nature, hiking, and cooking.  We also raise monarchs, so they are always in the garden, and Milo's very used to having them around."
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
VIRTUAL SYNOD SCHOOL
July 27-30, 2020
There are only 5 days left to register for the 2020 Virtual Synod School!  This digital version of Synod School is completely free and will offer daily activities, youth and adult classes, and evening options that include pictures, music, stories, guest speakers, fellowship time, and special events!  A PDF of the class offerings can be found here.
PRESBYTERIAN PLANNING CALENDARS
The denomination is now accepting orders for the Presbyterian Planning Calendar.  Here is the link to order.  Remember that each church will receive one free calendar directly from the denomination. The current year calendar runs through December, so there is some time to determine if and when you will order calendars.  Due to our "Safer At Home" practices, the Presbytery's normal distribution system of submitting a bulk order and handing out the calendars is not possible this year.  So, every church will need to order their calendars directly from the denomination. Thank you for your understanding.  We all look forward to a safer and healthier world.
MATTHEW 25 ONLINE EVENT
July 29, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CST
In this upcoming Matthew 25 Online Event mid council leaders will share how they are using Matthew 25 to impact their ministries and communities, and lead in the challenge to do something everyday to raise awareness about the perniciousness of racism and encourage action in response to that awareness.

Leaders of this event will be:
Elder Elona Street-Stewart, co-moderator of the 224 th General Assembly and Executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
Rev. Ryan Landino, Presbyter for Transformation - Presbytery of Great Rivers
Rev. Marsha Mount-Shoop, Pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC
Rev. Karen Brown, Pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, MD

Rev. Denise Anderson, co-moderator of the 222 nd General Assembly and PMA Coordinator for Racial and Intercultural Justice and Rev. Shanea Leonard, Associate for Racial and Gender Justice will also provide resources and perspective on the intersectionality of the multiple issues within the discussion.

PHP 2019 IMPACT REPORT
The 2019 Presbyterian Hunger Program Impact Report is now available.  Learn how 2019 gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing and the Presbyterian Hunger Program made a difference in lives around the world over the past year by working to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes, rooting work in communities through partner grants, striving to change laws and practices so communities can flourish. 
INVITATIONS
REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY
Today is the deadline to register online to vote and receive a mail-in ballot for the August 11 primary.  Other deadlines are also approaching.  Make sure you register and vote August 11th and November 3rd.  Go to myvote.wi.gov to register and find out more information about voting.
TWO WORSHIP SERVICES FROM THE TWIN CITIES
Our friends from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area developed two full worship services that can be used the next two weeks or whenever it fits into your church's worship schedule. Please view these services as a way to support your congregation by caring for yourself though respite. 
 
The first service (intended for use July 26) will be led by PTCA chaplain Chad Jones; a reflection on the Word will be brought by the Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. It can be downloaded here:
July 26 Worship Service
Link to YouTube:  https://youtu.be/YLzg_tsDH6c
SRT closed caption file for YouTube or Facebook:  
 
The second service (intended for use August 2) will be led by PTCA chaplain Kate O'Brien Soltau; a reflection on the Word will be brought by the Rev. Gregory Bentley, pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama, and co-moderator of the 224th General Assembly.  It can be downloaded here:
August 2 Worship Service
Link to YouTube:  https://youtu.be/NV4rWfECzUQ
*Closed captioning for this service is still in progress.
 
Two Minute for Missions are available and can be downloaded and used either Sunday. 
The Minute for Mission from Rev. Joshua Heikkila, PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker in Ghana is here: 
 
The Minute for Mission from Rev. Paula Sanders for her work with Angry Tias and Abuelas is here: 
FILMS THAT EXPLORE THE SIN OF STRUCTURAL RACISM
PC(USA) pastor and film critic Edward McNulty recently provided a list of 10 thoughtful films that expose and explore the effects of structural racism.  Find McNulty's list here, with excerpts from and links to his online reviews published in "Visual Parables."  McNulty has listed the films "somewhat in historical order."
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE TASK FORCE
SELF-CARE TOOLS #15
by Marilyn Stone
Getting Five Minutes of Sun
Another way to exercise self-care that may be helpful for you is taking time to step away and engage in present-oriented thinking.  Taking five minutes to step out into the sun on your front doorstep, stand in front of a window or in your backyard can help boost your outlook.  The sun is a great source of. ..( READ MORE )
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
MISSION TOOLKIT: SHORT-TERM MISSION
Presbyterian World Mission has an updated resource on how (or whether) to do a summer mission service trip during the pandemic.  Here are a few guiding questions about summer trips and some alternatives to consider.
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 -  May 2020 Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES

2020 Presbytery Gathering Posters are available for download and distribution!

  • 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