FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
THE PLEXIGLASS OPTION
It's been hard, I know, to be away from each other and from the familiarity of our church buildings.  We find comfort in our faith community with whom we've shared so much, both the joys and the hardships.  We've invested long hours in the building, either engaging in ministry for each other and the community or ministry for the maintenance of the building itself.  It's hard to see the building sit empty, while we sit at home.

So, there has been great energy around the prospect of opening back up.  The Presbytery has issued guidance to our pastors and sessions about the practicalities of reopening.  Because a phased approach to reopening will mean ...( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
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.
We continue to hold you and your ministries in prayer.
If you have any questions, please contact Ann Gibbs, Associate for Ministry Vitality.
LIVING STONES: A WORSHIP SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2020
This service is Week Five of the worship series Become Living Stones.
We are coming close to the end of our worship series. Today, we move from the stones that build God's house to a recognition that God is not contained in any house. These physical walls have been marked and limited in time by God, but God's church knows no such limits.
 
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, "I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." 1 Peter 2:4-6, NLT
LORD, HERE WE ARE - COVID-19 HYMN
Michelle Henrichs and Heidi Surprenant have written a new hymn (with vocal line) for this difficult time.  They are offering it to you to use.  Thank you for this musical gift! 
ANYTHING BUT COVID-19 NEWS
SPECIES THAT ARE MAKING AMAZING COMEBACKS
When it comes to rescuing endangered species, progress is an ongoing effort and conservationists can't afford to become complacent.  Here's a list of 25 plants and animals that have made a tremendous comeback with the help of dedicated individuals.
NACHO AVERAGE CELEBRITY BATTLE
Guy Fieri is planning on taking Bill Murray to Flavortown this Friday, May 15, at 4:00 p.m. CT on the Food Network's Facebook page.  The two will participate in the Nacho Average Showdown to help raise money for the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF), an organization that has been awarding grants to restaurant employees affected by the coronavirus pandemic.  To date, RERF has dispersed more than $22 million.
CANADIAN STUDENTS LAUNCH JOKE HOTLINE FOR ISOLATION
High school students in Calgary, Canada developed the Joy4All Project, a phone number individuals can call to hear pre-recorded, continuously updated messages tailored for the elderly and the isolated.

According to Katie Mahon, the project coordinator, "these are jokes, poems, and messages of positivity.  This content is generated by children and youth to connect with seniors and those that feel isolated to create a feeling of connection."  

Learn more about the project and how children and teenagers can submit content  here.  
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
URGENT: COVID-19 DEVASTATION ESCALATES.  YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW 
A letter from Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, President & Executive Director of PMA
Dear Friends in Christ,

You are in my prayers as we navigate the disaster of this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. I know most people are feeling the impact - health-wise, financially, emotionally. Our lives have been turned upside down in the span of just a few short weeks. Please know that the PC(USA) is with you in spirit. With God's help, we will get through this together.

Every day, I hear stories from around the Church of how people are suffering and how their lives have been devastated. Unemployment, sickness, parents who are thrust into...( READ MORE)
NEW PICTURE BOOKS ADDRESS CURRENT EVENTS QUESTIONS
The PC(USA) Store has gathered several new resources to help address the tough questions kids ask.  And, just like the children's sermon, picture books are not only for kids -- they can also help youth and adults make sense of what is going on in the world and provide comfort in difficult times. 

INVITATIONS
HUNGRY HEARTS COMMUNITY MEAL
Every Saturday, May 23-June 13, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Tippiecanoe Presbyterian Church is partnering with Tandem, Amilinda, Damascus Gate Restaurants, Tables Across Borders, and Hanan Refugee Relief Group Milwaukee to provide a free meal site on the south side of Milwaukee.
For this effort to work, these organizations are enlisting the help of the community both through prayer and financial contributions. One meal can be donated for $10 -- $100 will feed 10 people. The weekly goal is to provide 300 meals each weekend.
Tax deductible donations can be mailed to Tippecanoe Church, 125 W. Saveland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207 (please denote "DI Hungry Hearts Community Meals") or made online through the Tippe website.
If you would like to volunteer to be part of the distribution effort, please contact DIHungryHeartsCommunityMeals@gmail.com
To receive a meal at Damascus Gate Restaurant (907 W. Mitchell Street, Milwaukee), please form a line, wearing a mask with 6 foot distancing, Saturdays 11-2pm or until meals run out. Please limit 6 meals per family.
COVID GRIEF NETWORK
The COVID Grief Network, an emerging project that connects young adults who are grieving the illness or death of someone close to COVID-19 to free emotional and spiritual support--and to each other, is looking for therapists, chaplains, spiritual directors, grief counselors, facilitators, life coaches, mindfulness practitioners, and healers who know how to show up for people who are grieving, and are willing to offer free grief support to young adults in this moment. Check out the COVID Grief Network website for more information and to sign up.
VIRTUAL INTERFAITH PANEL: WORLD FAITHS RESPOND TO COVID-19
Sunday, May 17, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
What is the response to COVID-19 from the various religious, spiritual and secular traditions? What are the moral and ethical obligations to respond during a pandemic? Hear perspectives from Judaism, Christianity, Native American Spirituality, Zen Buddhism, New Thought and Sukyo Mahikari during this virtual interfaith panel sponsored by The Interfaith Center at Miami University and the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE TASK FORCE
SELF-CARE TOOLS #5
by Marilyn Stone
To assist in reducing the impact of stress on our daily lives, some simple self-care tools may be beneficial for our personal "toolbox" especially in these weeks of coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. This week's simple exercise is
Wring It Out . When practiced regularly, you may find it helpful in releasing end of work day tensions and restoring you physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually.

Wring It Out
At the end of the work day you may realize the tensions and stresses of those you interacted with have been absorbed by your body. Wring It Out is a tool that may help to release the people and work of the day, to shift your focus away from the needs of the people with whom you interacted - to yourself and your family. ...( READ MORE )
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
TOGETHER, APART
A Letter from Elmarie and Scott Parker, serving in Iraq, Lebanon, & Syria
Dear Friends,
In the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its many domino effects, Scott and I remain so very grateful for your steadfast partnership with us and with your sisters and brothers in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. This pandemic is severely impacting the entire global community. Every time I speak with our partners in the Middle East, in addition to sharing about their situation, they are always asking about all of you-knowing that communities across the United States are also suffering in a multitude of ways. Truly this is a time where ...( READ MORE )
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
Iowa Tri-Presbyteries Leadership Team seeks THREE EXECUTIVE S
The Search Committee for the Iowa Tri-Presbyteries Leadership Team is actively seeking candidates who might consider a call to serve the presbyteries of Des Moines, North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill as one of their three executives. If you or someone you know may be interested in such a position or interested in learning more, please connect them with the search website: https://engagingleaders.org/iowa-tri-presbytery-leadership-team/ 
Letters of interest are being received until May 22.
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 - POSTPONED
  • 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