FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
SOGGY GROUND
The weathercaster described it appropriately:  a soggy Sunday.  The rain came and stayed.  Front yards and basements flooded.  At my house, the ground is saturated, puddles spreading where the rain can no longer sink in.   My shoes make a squish, squish sound in the grass.

The ground on which I walk can't hold any more rain.  It can't take any more.

I know the feeling.  I'm saturated.  I'm full of ...( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
THE PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE WISHES ALL THE BEST FOR JIM RAND IN HIS RETIREMENT
by Ann Gibbs
Retiring in the midst of a global pandemic is not ideal. Most of the traditional celebrations, fanfare, and even the comfort of in-person goodbyes after years in ministry just aren't possible; but, as Jim reflected, he's not the first to retire or have a major life transition occur when something horrendous was happening in the world. "It's the reality of our lives," noted Jim. And our call as pastors. "We do what we can and trust in those who will follow to take the gospel in faithful ways."
 
Jim has certainly done what he could and challenged others to step up along the way. During our ordination vows, we make a commitment to serve with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love and to be a friend among our colleagues. Jim has lived into those vows. In his ministry, Jim highly valued...( READ MORE)
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 is the final week, Week Six, of the worship series Become Living Stones.

Over the last six weeks, we have moved from confronting our fear, the things that cause us to trip in our walk with Jesus, and our longing to stay safely away from the world, to a recognition that God is not contained inside walls, but instead God's house is much larger than just us. We are called to be the church in the world and to be living stones built into a spiritual house.
 
Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The [workers] took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. The Scriptures provide precedent: Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. 1 Peter 2:4-6, The Message
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
STONEHENGE SUMMER SOLSTICE LIVESTREAM
The usual celebration of the Summer Solstice at the ancient and mystical Stonehenge won't be possible this year as thousands of visitors who traditionally watch sun rise behind the Heal Stone on the longest day of the year are being asked to not visit. Stonehenge will, however, live stream the Summer Solstice sunrise and sunset for the first time in the ancient stone circle's history this year. Viewers in Central Standard Time can watch at 3:26 p.m. for sunrise, and 10:52 p.m. for sunset, both on Saturday, June 20. 
THE 22 OF THE WORST MOVIES OF ALL TIME
Not all movies can be cinematic masterpieces.  Some are produced to provide laughs, escape, or scares for the audience rather than be awarded Emmy's and Oscar's; however, sometimes movies are produced that leave audiences and movie critics wondering " why...?"  Here are 22 films that have left reviews no choice but to award a zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
THOUSANDS OF BABY TURTLES HEAD TO SEA 
Yearly, one of the smallest sea turtle species, olive ridleys, hatch and head to sea on India's eastern coast.  This year, for the first time in seven years, the baby turtles crossed the sand during daytime hours.  The videos captured of the tiny turtles are a marvelous sight to behold.
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
WATER JUSTICE IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC
TODAY, Wednesday, May 20 you are invited to screen
Flint: The Poisoning of an American City followed by a discussion with faith and community leaders at 4:00PM CT addressing how COVID-19 has impacted on-going water issues around the country.
 
The panel will include insights from David Barnhart, Director of Flint: The Poisoning of an American City, Pastor Greg Timmons, Senior Pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church and Flint Water Recovery Resource Coordinator, Rev. Fern Cloud, Stated Clerk and Treasurer of Dakota Presbytery, moderator of the Native American Consulting Committee and a member of the Racial Equality Advocacy Committee, Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, Coordinator at The Presbyterian Committee on the Self Development of People, Monica Lewis-Patrick, President & CEO at We The People of Detroit, and Codi Norred, Director of Programs & Policy at Georgia Interfaith Power and Light.
 
To register for this webinar and to receive your link and password to watch the film sign up here.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RnASfeouQIWgQ4-OtRlqAA
ENGAGING PENTECOST OFFERING DURING A PANDEMIC
The Pentecost Offering unites us in a churchwide effort to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world.  And during these uncertain times, this work is more important than ever!  Presbyterian Mission Agency has compiled a list of Pentecost Offering resources for congregations and individuals to use during this time  - from a beautiful coloring page designed by Illustrated Ministry, LLC to recorded songs and testimonials you can incorporate to online worship.
SPRING ISSUE OF PHP POST NOW AVAILABLE
In this issue...Learn more about the national hunger work of the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) pre-COVID-19 through articles from grant partners in North Carolina, Illinois and New Jersey; Hopeful Action in Hard Times Poster; "PC(USA) National Hunger Concerns"; Panning out with Kathia Ramirez to build a U.S. food movement; Interfaith climate prayer for Earth Day, April 22.  Plus an opportunity to download the National Hunger Concerns poster.
GA224 BULLETIN INSERTS AVAILABLE TO ORDER
The 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) meeting in June 2020 is shaping up to be an assembly like no other.  For the first time, critical business and a new team of moderators (co-moderators or moderator/vice moderator) will be elected virtually.

Help your congregation know what's coming to GA and give your church members a fast, accurate and fair account of what happened after the votes are taken with the pre-GA and post-GA bulletin inserts that are full-color, easy to read, and can easily be emailed to all members of your congregation.

Find ordering information here.
REGARDING RULING ELDERS: 
A MONTHLY SERIES FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS

Communion in a Time of Lament
Cristopher  (Ófe) Abreu Rosario has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
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.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE TASK FORCE
SELF-CARE TOOLS #6
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 and months of coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.  This week's simple exercise is
Doorknob Affirmation.  When practiced regularly, you may find it helpful to bring the motivation for your work front and center when feeling the stress prior to making a phone call, attending a meeting or completing a task.

Doorknob Affirmation
When work feels stressful, it's helpful to remind ourselves of the meaning of our work.  Think about a brief response to complete this statement . ...( READ MORE )
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
SPURRING ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS
A Letter from Elmarie and Scott Parker, serving in Iraq, Lebanon, & Syria
Dear Friends,
In the midst of all that the COVID-19 pandemic has held, among the most profound realities is bearing witness to how our partners in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon have taken hold of and lived into the encouragement of Hebrews 10:23-25: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
We ask you to pray for all of our partners who have been working from home and following the social restrictions implemented by ...( READ MORE )
NOT EVEN NEWS
MISSOURI PENGUINS ENJOY 'MORNING OF FINE ART' AT LOCAL MUSEUM
Humboldt Penguins visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum
Humboldt Penguins visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum
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
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