FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
 GOING VIRAL
I gave my article its title, and then I groaned.  We know too well the wildfire spread of the coronavirus.  It's not going to go quietly into the night.  By staying isolated, we are doing what we can to stay safe and stem the spread.  I pray for you all.

My article, however, is not about the virus per se.  I'm talking about going viral on social media, though the analogy feels perhaps too potent right now. 

On Saturday night, I went to ... ( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
A PALM SUNDAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP
for when we cannot worship together in body but still do in spirit
There are two complete services offered for this Sunday each highlighting a different aspect and view of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The first is a video link that contains the entire closing worship service from the 2020 Next Church gathering that took place in early March. It features Brian Blount, president of Union Theological seminary in Richmond VA, providing an insightful and challenging message based on Luke's account. The second service follows the format of the past few weeks with a sermon from MaryAnn McKibben Dana based on Matthew's account.
FREE DIGITAL & PRINT WORSHIP PACKAGE FOR APRIL 19-MAY 24
Much has changed since Rev. Beth Patton, Rev. Nicole Farley, and Ruling Elder Rachel Yates began designing a creative worship package for the Easter season (April 19 through May 24). We recognize how challenging these recent weeks have been in providing worship (and care) for communities.

In hopes you might find it helpful as your church leadership tries to catch their collective breath after Easter, we are offering, at no cost, to anyone who wishes to use some or all of the included resources, the following worship package:
  •  six digital worship services, including embedded links to hymns
  •  six weekly bulletins for congregations (editable in Word) six full liturgy scripts, except sermon,
  • for worship leaders (editable in Word)
  • a brief guide on the resources
The series moves through confronting our fears, 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. We hope you will find the Spirit's moving in these themes that spoke to us long before our worship moved out of our sanctuaries.

THIS EASTER CELEBRATION - NEW HYMN FOR CURRENT TIMES
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written a new hymn that is a prayer that can be used in Easter 2020 worship services, while most churches are closed and people are remaining in their homes because of the pandemic.  This Easter Celebration can be used for online worship or in online written communications from a church to its members.  Permission is given for free use from the author.
PRINTABLE PALM FROND
Illustrated Ministry is providing a free palm frond coloring page that can be printed, colored, and cut out.  Great for use in upcoming Palm Sunday services.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR CHURCH STAFF
Jean Dow has graciously offered to provide Spiritual Direction at no cost during this difficult time for clergy and church staff.  If you are interested in speaking with Jean, please contact her via email: jeandow@immanuelwi.org
A note about spiritual direction from Jean Dow
Some of you may be asking, what IS Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is a ministry of accompaniment and listening, in which one person - a trained "director" (or companion) - meets with another person to explore their spiritual life and journey.  This might include listening together for the movement of the Spirit, exploring various forms of prayer or other spiritual practices, or discerning God's call at a particular time of life. These conversations generally take place once a month for about an hour.  
This is a time when it is important to have companions for the journey.  If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk with you.
WORSHIP RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Given the current climate and conditions, the Presbytery Office is trying to provide as many resources and opportunities for worship as possible.  To do this, we would like to compile a list with active web links to worship services -- text or visual -- that can then be shared via email, social media, and our website resource page.  If you are providing a weekly worship resource for your congregation, please consider sending it to Kate Hopta to include in our Presbytery information.
SHARE YOUR DAILY PRAYER
If you've visited the Presbytery COVID-19/Coronavirus Resource Page hopefully you've noticed the daily prayer being offered.  If you would like to submit a prayer to be published, please send your prayer with name and church or location to Chris Halverson.  
ANYTHING BUT COVID-19 NEWS
COMPLETE THE 2020 CENSUS
The time is now.  Help shape your future, and your community's future by responding to the 2020 Census.  For the first time, you can choose to complete the census -- just a few simple questions about you and everyone who is or will be living with you on April 1, 2020 -- online, by phone, or by mail.  Find all the information you need to complete the 2020 Census here.  
WILD GOATS TAKE OVER WELSH TOWN
Herds of wild goats have taken over the streets in Llandudno, a town in northern Wales.  Residents have been staying in doors to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, allowing the Great Orme Kashmiri goats, who usually reside on a nearby hill that overlooks the town, to take to the streets, yards, and hedges.  This CNN report shows the mountain goats enjoying all that the ton of Llandudno has to offer.
AFTER 240+ DAYS AUSTRALIA IS FREE FROM BUSHFIRES
Beginning in early July 2019, the Australian state of New South Wales suffered bushfires that were unable to be extinguished until early March 2020 when extremely heavy rain was able to put an end to the fire devastation.  Read more about what's happening in New South Wales here.
WANTED COW HAS EVADED US POLICE SINCE JANUARY
A cow described as "faster than it looks" is wanted by US police after avoiding capture for over a month.  The elusive female has been on the loose in South Florida since late January and local authorities have now issued a wanted poster for her.  View the wanted poster and read more about the bovine fugitive here.
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
FAMILY FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
Congress has adopted an important piece of legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which allows churches and other employers to provide family and sick leave at no cost to any staff member, because of the employee's exposure to coronavirus or the need to care for someone in the family.  This helpful article from Mike Kirk, counsel for the denomination, explains how it works.  Even if you did not previously provide sick or family leave to your staff, you might be eligible now.
CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, & ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT
A second piece of federal legislation affecting our congregations and all of our members is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("the CARES Act").  It offers loans to churches, non-profits, and other small businesses for payroll, utilities, interest on debt, and mortgages/rents.  Note that any loans secured by real property of a church must also be approved by the Presbytery, and the Council is ready to act swiftly as our congregations have need.  Loans might be forgiven where the employer does not lay off any of its staff or rehires them under specified circumstances.  The CARES Act also covers unemployment assistance, student loan relief, retirement and medical plan changes, and more.  This summary from Jean Hemphill, a member of the Church Alliance and an advisor to the Board of Pensions, provides details.  To learn even more, tune it to the webinar tomorrow.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATED CLERK ADVISORY OPINION: 
COMMUNION IN AN EMERGENCY/PANDEMIC
The Rev. Dr J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) General Assembly, has issued an Advisory Opinion regarding Communion in times such as these.  This Advisory Opinion differs from the advice given earlier in March 2020.   Sessions hoping to authorize online communion should have a thoughtful discussion beforehand.  These resources (in the Communion section) from Ann Gibbs offer guidance.  The Love Feast approach from Marcia McFee is another alternative.
ZOOM WORSHIP LABORATORY
Former General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reys-Chow recently shared with Presbyterian Outlook how his current church, First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto, CA, is practicing social distancing by worshiping online.  Rev. Reys-Chow will be hosting a Zoom Worship Laboratory every Monday through May at 10:00 a.m. CST.
INVITATIONS
WORSHIP RESOURCES FROM MARCIA MCFEE
Dr. Marcia McFee has been developing and sharing liturgy that lends itself to our current style of digital worship.  Below is the message from Dr. McFee that describes her aim in creating this liturgy. The link for the liturgy is provided in Dr. McFee's text.
HEART OF THE MATTER 
an Easter Season Series for Online Worship
From Dr. McFee:  A little over a week ago, I realized we may be in this online worship situation for a while. And so I began to create a worship series that is specifically geared toward these times we are living through. Since then, my team and I have been working quickly to get these materials into your hands for the Easter Season. THIS LINK will take you to a page where you can sign up to get not only the Easter Season series, but also Holy Week materials-all for no charge.

We have produced a way for you to lead the "Heart of the Matter" Easter Season worship experiences online ("Leader-Led") and/or to send the materials to folks to do At-Home ("Self-Led"). Please feel free to adapt for your context. You have permission to use these in any way, including live-streaming in the public sphere. The overview document tells you how to give credit.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions as you use these materials. Many blessings on your preparations!
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
  • 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