FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
 TRUDGING
This week we trudge toward the crucifixion.  We walk toward Good Friday with Jesus, who stumbled under the weight of the physical cross he carried.  Carrying a metaphorical cross as well, he also bore the weight of the systems of oppression and injustice that our sins had built.  Jesus ministered on the margins.  He met with, dined with, cured, and forgave people on the fringes of society.  When religious practices and doctrine excluded all but a privileged few, he challenged the system.  When cultural norms systemically suppressed women, poor and sick people, and foreigners, Jesus showed both a love of neighbor and unrelenting advocacy for change.  The cross he carried to Golgotha was heavier than just the lumber from which it was built. 

This week, as we trudge toward the crucifixion, we, too, should reflect on the cultural and religious systems that continue to oppress and marginalize people.  Our government leaders are now confronting the statistic that ... ( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
A GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP
because Easter cannot come without the cross
This service was adapted from a Good Friday service produced by Jim Rand and Brett Swanson of Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church and Kate Fields of Underwood Memorial Baptist Church. It is a meditative and introspective service based on the Stations of the Cross. Usually this service takes place in a walk through the Wauwatosa Cemetery with stops at various graves which brings the reality of death, the pain of the world, and suffering of Jesus even closer. While we may feel we are constantly surrounded by such reminders now, what I hope you'll experience in this "walk" with Christ in the last moments of his life is a deepening of your own call to discipleship and relationship with the God who never lets us walk alone.
VIRTUAL CHOIR FOR EASTER
If you will miss the Easter music of your choir, Rev. Michelle Henrichs (Heritage Presbyterian Church) has graciously offered to help you create a virtual choir.  She is able to take multiple audio tracks (up to 5) and put them together into one piece that can then be played during your online Easter service.  What she would need from you:
  • Separate audio tracks - or if two people are in the same place playing / singing that they be equidistant from what they are using to record.
  • Instrumental track without vocals - everyone will use the same basic (probably piano) track - otherwise the timing won't match up
  • Vocals without instrument - each singer would listen to the instrumental track using headphones but record only their voices 

If these are submitted to her Good Friday, she can compile the tracks into your virtual choir for Easter.  She can be reached at mahenrichs@gmail.com.
RING OUT FOR JOY ON EASTER SUNDAY
At the suggestion of Archbishop Jerome Listecki,  we invite you to join with our ecumenical sisters and brothers  to ring bells in a joyful cacophony at noon on Easter Sunday!  The bells rung do not have to be church bells - individuals are encouraged to participate from home by ringing what ever type of bell you have available.
PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSURES 
The Presbytery staffs' remote office locations will be closed on Friday, April 10, and Monday, April 13, in observance of the Easter holiday.  The staff will resume working on Tuesday, April 14.
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.

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! 
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.
DAILY PRAYER OFFERING
We have enjoyed sharing the daily prayers that have been submitted for our  Presbytery COVID-19/Coronavirus Resource Page.  These prayers have not only found people who have visited the resource page, but who also follow the Presbytery on Facebook page.  We offer great thanks to individuals who have provided prayers and extend and invitation to anyone who would like to submit a prayer to be published.  If you would like your prayer included in our daily website and Facebook prayer offering, please send your prayer with name and church or location to Chris Halverson.  
ANYTHING BUT COVID-19 NEWS
MILWAUKEE COUNTY SQUIRREL CENSUS
Trying to find a fun group project to participate in while practicing social distancing?  Look no further!  Milwaukee County Parks has created a "squirrel census" as a simple way to enjoy some wildlife spotting while their regularly scheduled science and wildlife programs are on hold.  Interested in taking part? Learn more about how to participate and make sure your squirrel friends count!
RICHARD SIMMONS QUARANTINE COMEBACK
Self-isolation taking a toll on your mental and physical health?  TMZ reported  a solution that can help: Richard Simmons' online presence has seen an incline for the first time in SIX years!  As orders to stay inside were beginning to be announced, Simmons YouTube channel began posting "signature moves" clips and motivational messages from the former fitness mogul.  Many of the clips are 5 or 10 minutes long, making a great short workout, or stack several together if you'd like something that will take a little more time.  It's time...let's all get back to Sweatin' to the Oldies!
FREE ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES
Nikon has made its entire curriculum of online photography classes free until the end of April.  Each class is taught by a professional photographer and provides in-depth lessons aimed at helping you take better photos.  Some of the courses are Nikon specific, but many teach the fundamentals of photography such as how to photograph children or pets, making them worth your while even if you don't own a Nikon.  Lear more and find the class offerings here.
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
JOIN PRESBYTERIANS ACROSS THE CHURCH FOR A SPECIAL VIRTUAL EASTER CELEBRATION
J. Herbert Nelson, Diane Moffett, Bill McConnell, Vilmarie Cintron-Olivieri, and Cindy Kohlmann are collaborating to share Resurrection joy with the PC(USA).  Look for an Easter worship video link to be emailed to all congregations and mid councils by April 9.  Elements of the service have already been recorded, and production -- including English, Spanish, and Korean -- is continuing.  The link will be hared on the Presbyterian Church (USA) website and the PC(USA) Facebook page on Holy Saturday.
As Presbyterians respond to God's grace by giving generously to their local church, providing support fo their congregation and community, they will also have an opportunity to participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing, the whole church coming together in service to the most vulnerable among us.  To accompany the Easter service, download this bulletin insert highlighting the offering and how it enables the church to respond in times of crisis.
INVITATIONS
STRESS MANAGEMENT WEBINAR -- TODAY @ 3:00 p.m.
As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak spreads it is normal to feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed. In this week's Milwaukee Public Library Let's Talk series we will hear from Dr. Tony Piparo about the emotional and physiological effects of stress and scientifically sound tips to help manage our response to traumatic events. 

Please register for this webinar scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, at 3 p.m. through
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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 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!
NOT EVEN NEWS
SUNDAY HEROES "THE LAST SUPPER"
Sunday Heroes

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