FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
A LETTER TO GOD
(based on Psalm 22, but because we discourage singing in public right now, it's a letter)
God?  God?  I'm sure you're busy right now, but I have to ask:  why have you left me all alone?  I keep trying to speak to you about my pain, but you don't feel close...certainly not close enough to do anything about it.

God?  I've been trying to reach you.  Day and night, I've been quite vocal about how crappy everything is right now.  But, you don't answer.  It's like I'm praying into nothingness.

I know you're the Holy One, who sits up high on your throne.  Since the olden days, people have praised you.  My parents and grandparents and great-grandparents all trusted you. I feel like you were there for them.  I always hear about how ...( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
THE MINOR LEAGUES: A SERIES ON THE MINOR PROPHETS
Welcome to the Minor Leagues: A Series on the Minor Prophets! This link will take you to Presbytery's webpage for this series which includes resources for worship and Bible study.  Each week (for the next four weeks) will feature three of the twelve prophets. Worship resources include a complete online service as well as the sermon video, sermon text, and liturgy. You may use these resources however is helpful to you and you have permission to copy and send sermon and liturgy texts (including sources) to members without online access.

This week's worship centers on the prophet Micah with a message by Milwaukee Presbytery's own Rev. Beth Patton.
 
Meet this week's players -- the outfielders.
In right field is Micah whose message focuses on Justice and righteousness.
In center field is Haggai whose personality remains a mystery so that his message takes center field.
In left field is Hosea who literally lived into his message, going so far as to name one of his children "not my people".
Resources on these prophets can be found on the Presbytery website.
 
And for some baseball summer movie fun:
For MicahMoneyball .  Micah cries out against the systemic brokenness and injustices of his day. In  Moneyball, general manager Billy Bean takes on the recruiting system that's been keeping him from having a winning team.
For Hosea, Eight Men Out. As Hosea calls out Israel's infidelity and brokenness in her relationship with God, Eight Men Out is based on the 1919 conspiracy in which eight members of the Chicago White Sox colluded with gamblers to through the World Series.
For Haggai, Field of Dreams. The prophet Haggai proclaims to the returned exiles, "it's time to rebuild the temple and repair our relationship with God." In Field of Dreams, a man (Kevin Costner), troubled by his relationship with his late father (an avid baseball fan), decides to build a baseball diamond is his back yard.
RELIGIOUS LEADERS ASK LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON COVID-19
Concerned about the lack of an effective statewide response to COVID-19, Wisconsin religious leaders sent a letter today calling on the state legislature to work across political divisions to protect the people of Wisconsin.

The letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and signed by members of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, including 34 bishops, executive leaders and pastors from Lutheran, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal, Orthodox and other Christian traditions.  Read more here.
RACIAL JUSTICE CHALLENGE
Sponsored by PW Synod
What can we do in response to the racism that exists across the U.S. and in our communities?  There is a growing awareness among Presbyterians that racism is a crisis and must be addressed. The PC(USA) and PW in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies are strongly committed to the struggle for racial justice.  PW in our Synod believes that it begins with education and dialog.

You are invited to begin to dismantle structural racism through your participation in the "Racial Justice Challenge".  This "Racial Justice Challenge" will help raise awareness about the perniciousness of racism and encourage action in response to that awareness.  Through discussions surrounding the PC(USA)'s anti-racism policy, scripture and a variety of other resources, participants may develop an increased understanding of how racism is systemic rather than simply personal.

This study is open to women and men across the synod.  It will meet for six-sessions on Mondays, beginning June 29 and ending August 31.  There are two sessions offered each time, 1:30-2:30 PM (Central Time) or 6:30-7:30 PM (Central Time).  There is no cost involved, yet you must register to participate via Zoom.

To register, email your name, presbytery, email address, phone number and preference for afternoon or evening participation to Marilyn Stone at mmstone52@att.net
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
BALLOON TRIPS TO THE EDGE OF SPACE BY 2021
A Florida company is planning to fly passengers to the edge of space in a high-tech version of a hot air balloon, with a pilot and up to eight travelers riding in a pressurized capsule suspended from an enormous blimp.

Human space flight company Space Perspective has scheduled the test flight of its Spaceship Neptune for early 2021, from the auspicious surroundings of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
MAYONNAISE IS THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ICE CREAM FLAVOR
The Ice Falkirk ice cream shop is no stranger to weird flavors. On their website right now, "Monster Energy" is the first flavor that pops up on their  desserts page. The Scottish shop previously garnered attention with an ice cream made from Strongbow Dark Fruit hard cider. But last week, the brand went beyond the unusual into the realm of controversy when they announced a new Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise ice cream. "Who knows a mayo addict?" Ice quipped on their Instagram page alongside a photo of the polarizing product.
TASTE TEST: 4,000 YEAR OLD RECIPES 
The recent lockdown has surely sparked an inner chef in most of us.  With endless egg and flour hoards, we've seen people baking and trying out some pretty questionable recipes with little to no success.

Meanwhile, Bill Sutherland was also busy in the kitchen, but with a different kind of project in mind.   The professor of conservation biology at the University of Cambridge rolled up his sleeves and cooked up some very intricate meals as carved on an ancient Mesopotamian tablet.  Apparently, these 3770-year-old dishes like lamb stew and elamite broth "are the oldest recipes existing."
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT PREVENTION RESOURCES -- A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL COUNCIL MIKE KIRK
The Insurance Board and Praesidium are partners with the PC(USA), providing victims, congregations, and councils with support and resources through the PC(USA) Helpline (866-607-7233). Recently the two organizations offered a presentation entitled " Abuse Prevention: Creating a Safe Environment."
 
All congregations and councils are encouraged to review this presentation, which is full of information to help develop and enhance your policies, protocols, and procedures to keep minors safe in your ministries.
 
You can also find many resources on the PC(USA) Creating Safe Ministries webpage. It has a collection of PC(USA) papers and policies on sexual misconduct and child protection, including the Child/Youth/Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy and Its Procedures, recently amended by the 224th General Assembly (2020). This is a policy for the national agencies and entities of the General Assembly, but congregations and councils are welcome to borrow and adapt those portions of it that can be used in their own policies for their ministries. Remember that the Book of Order requires that all councils of the PC(USA) have policies to protect children:
All councils shall adopt and implement a sexual misconduct policy and a child and youth protection policy. (G-3.0106)
 
Children are precious and vulnerable. Please use all available resources to develop policies and procedures to protect them.
FROM LAMENT TO HOPE: 224th GENERAL ASSEMBLY RECAP
The 224th General Assembly which was conducted entirely online concluded Saturday, June 27th.  Read a summary of General Assembly in the Post-GA Bulletin* published by Presbyterian Outlook.

*The Presbytery has purchased the Post-GA Bulletin for all Presbytery members.  Please feel free to share this document with your congregations through email or church newsletters.  The Outlook has asked that it not be published on social media or websites.
INVITATIONS
HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST ZOOM BOOK DISCUSSION
Wednesday, July 15, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
SOPHIA is hosting a community book read and Zoom discussion of Ibram X. Kendi's How to be an Antiracist on Wednesday, July 15th.  

About the author and the book

Ibram X. Kendi's concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America--but even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. Instead of working with the policies and system we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it. 

In his memoir, Kendi weaves together an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science--including the story of his own awakening to antiracism--bringing it all together in a cogent, accessible form. He begins by helping us rethink our most deeply held, if implicit, beliefs and our most intimate personal relationships (including beliefs about race and IQ and interracial social relations) and reexamines the policies and larger social arrangements we support. How to Be an Antiracist promises to become an essential book for anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step of contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society.


For more information and to register click here.
ATTEND THE MILWAUKEE HABITAT VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION
Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity's Presbyterian Coalition brings local churches together to raise walls, funds and prayers to build a new home in partnership with a Milwaukee family in need of decent, affordable shelter.
It's an opportunity to live out your faith and see the miracle that occurs when God touches the hearts of new homeowners and the volunteers who work alongside them.  
In 2020, we are celebrating 21 years of partnering together!
 
Here are some of the many ways to get involved:
  • Commit to praying for the Presbyterian Coalition homeowner and their new house.
  • Volunteer at the build site or fund raise to help build the homes.
  • Donate materials, donate gently used furniture to Habitat ReStore, or have the Habitat ReStore Destruction help with remodels.
  • Create a welcome basket or other special items (e.g., hand tools, cleaning supplies, lawn tools) for Habitat homeowner family.
  • Participate at the home dedication event - TBD early 2021.
To register and receive the Zoom link for the virtual information session contact Kristi Sebald at (414) 316-5612 or ksebald@milwaukeehabitat.org.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE TASK FORCE
SELF-CARE TOOLS #13
by Judi Holmes-Jensen
This week's self-care tool is a guided meditation using Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." This breathing meditation focuses on the words and the space between the words. It assists in taking a step away from a hectic or stress-filled time to catch your breath, let go of anxiety, stress, and concerns to be in God's presence ...( 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