FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
WORLDS COLLIDE
Last week I had the privilege of representing the Milwaukee Presbytery at a consultation with the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board in Baltimore. The consultation was held on the margins of Big Tent, a learning and mission gathering of Presbyterians. Thousands of Presbyterians could be found in three hotels downtown, in large ballrooms and small meeting rooms, in coffee shops and restaurants. What a showing of unity! Or so it seemed ... until we realized another group had taken center stage ...( READ MORE ) .
PRESBYTERY PULSE
SHE WORKS TO BRING HEALING TO THOSE AROUND HER
Read more about our visiting International Peacemaker, Rev. Lydia Neshangwe from Zimbabwe.  If you would like to invite her to your congregation or to visit with a group, please contact Rachel Yates ( ryates@pbymilwaukee.org) soon.  There are only a few slots left during her visit from September 20-24!
OFFICER TRAINING FOR RULING ELDERS AND DEACONS
Saturday, September 14th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Grace (Beaver Dam)
Ruling elders and deacons are invited to a training session sponsored by the presbytery and offered 
through the Leadership Development Task Force.
Training will include:
* a session for all ruling elders and deacons on the PC(USA) basics
* lunch
* a hands-on break-out session designed for ruling elders
* a hands-on break-out session designed for deacons
* a copy of Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers: A Handbook
* a copy of the 2019-2021 Book of Order
Whether you are newly ordained into your office of ruling elder or deacon or just looking for a refresher, you are invited to join us.
If you have any questions about the day, please contact Rev. Nicole Farley at 847-239-2013.
 
Click here to register online or here to print and mail in your registration.

Grace Presbyterian Church, 215 Gould Street, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
NEW EDITION OF  GRAPEVINE  AVAILABLE
The August 2019 edition of the  Grapevine, the newsletter for Presbyterian Women of the Milwaukee Presbytery, is now available.  Future editions are expected to be published quarterly.  The most current edition of the  Grapevine will always be available in the "Hot Links" section of Fresh Impressions.
MONTHLY PRAYER MEETING TOMORROW, AUGUST 15TH
Join the staff at the Presbytery Office for the monthly prayer meeting held every 3rd  Thursday of the month from 1:00-1:30 p.m.  Can't make it to the Presbytery Office?  We  invite you to join us by "Praying in Place" at that same time.

NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
OGA PRIORITIES SURVEY
As one component of the Office of the General Assembly's strategic planning process, we are conducting an online survey to help us learn about Presbyterians' current understanding of the work we currently do, as well as thoughts about our priorities going forward.  Note that the survey is both for those who are familiar with OGA as well as those who may have little or no knowledge -- part of the purpose is to discover how well OGA is understood across the church.

Please complete the survey yourself and share it with your members and congregations with encouragement for them to participate.  Here's the link to share:  http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5112086/OGA-Priorities-Survey.   The survey closes on August 19.
TRIGGER: THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF GUN VIOLENCE
Trailer for
Trailer for "Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence"
The movie  "Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence," produced by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's Story Productions, is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime.  This documentary frames gun violence as both a disaster and a public health issue through the eyes of its victims.  It addresses the critical issue of gun violence prevention by moving the conversation away from polarizing extremes that have long dominated the debate and lifting up the voice and experience of those who seek common ground and a new way forward.

A physical DVD of "Trigger" is also available for purchase through the PC(USA) store for $19.99 and a 4-session Study and Action Guide is available for $4.00.

You can read more about "Trigger" and other Story Production movies here.
MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY
The Compassion, Peace & Justice Ministry is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the two-year mental health initiative and reporting back to the next General Assembly (2020).  Please take a few minutes to explore the new website and see how you can get involved.
INVITATIONS
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN BECOMES BLUE ZONES PROJECT APPROVED FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY
On Sunday, August 25, 2019, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10:35 a.m. to recognize Grace (Beaver Dam) as the newest Blue Zones Project Approved faith-based community.  The ceremony will take place on the church's back lawn and will be followed by a potluck picnic.  In the event of inclement weather, events will take place in the fellowship hall.  You can read the official media advisory here.
Grace Presbyterian Church, 215 Gould Street, Beaver Dam, WI
JUST WORSHIP
September 30 - October 2, 2019
The second annual Just Worship event, held at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, promises to be an extraordinary time led by stirring preachers, exceptional musicians, and talented workshop leaders.  Just Worship explores the intersection of justice and worship.  Participants will discern God's call to work for justice, discover how worship itself is justice-making, and join in exuberant, Spirit-filled worship that welcomes the coming reign of God.
Be a part of this extraordinary experience, where we will sing, pray, lament, and celebrate together.  Full scholarships for registration and lodging are available for students/seminarians and Presbyterian Association of Musicians members.
Just Worship is a cooperative effort between Austin and Johnson C. Smith seminaries, the PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship, and PAM.
MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION WORKSHOP
Mental Health America of Wisconsin is hosting a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Workshop for Faith Communities on August 24, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Workshop participants will:

Learn about mental health warning signs

Learn how to ask the right questions

Hear from a Pastor's personal experience with depression and anxiety

Learn how to start your own mental health ministry 

This workshop will take place in the Tannery Building, 700 W. Virginia Street, Wilwaukee, WI 53204
"FIRST READING" -- A PODCAST RESOURCE FOR PREACHERS
Rachel Wrenn and Tim McNinch (Old Testament PhD students at Emory University) have designed "First Reading" to help preachers and other lovers of Scripture get a handle on the richness of the Old Testament readings in the Revised Common Lectionary.  Each week, they provide some literary and historical background, discuss Hebrew linguistic tidbits, help in hurdling and preaching pitfalls in the text, and offer a couple of potential preaching angles to spark ideas for sermons.  Weekly episodes are generally about ten minutes, but once each moth, Rachel and Tim invite leading Old Testament scholars to join them for a deeper dive (about forty-five minutes).  Episodes air on the website and in the Apple podcast app (and other podcast repositories) two weeks ahead of the lectionary date.  Find "First Reading" here or subscribe wherever you get podcasts.
SCHOLARSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE FOR PRESBYTERIAN OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES NETWORK NATIONAL CONFERENCE
There is still time to register for and receive scholarships for the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network national conference, set for October 15-18, 2019 in Louisville, KY.  The conference features two keynote speakers from the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, PMA's President and Executive Director, and the Rev. Dr. Jason Brian Santos, PMA's mission coordinator for Christian formation and small church support.

The deadline for scholarship application is September 1.
The conference brochure and application are available for download, or you can register online.
WASHINGTON ISLAND FORUM ANNOUNCED FOR 2020
The Wisconsin Council of Churches is excited to announce that Native American Christian author and speaker, Kaitlin Curtice will be the speaker for the 2020 Washington Island Forum.  As an enrolled member of the Potawatomi Nation and someone who has grown up in the Christian faith, Kaitlin writes on the intersection of Indigenous spirituality, faith in everyday life, and the church.
Join us June 22-25, 2020 for the 2020 Washington Island Forum.  Registration is now open.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
PRESBYTERIAN HABITAT HOME UPDATE
Volunteers from Crossroads, Immanuel, Wauwatosa, and West Grandville churches worked on Saturdays and Wednesdays in June to complete the framing of our 2019 Milwaukee Habitat home.  These churches, along with the Presbytery, partially fund the cost of the home and provide lunches and workers.  After the mechanical components are installed at the house, volunteers will hang dry wall on two Saturdays in August, August 17th and 24th. 
 
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
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee seeks  DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Presbyterian Homes & Services seeks
 VARIOUS POSITIONS
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
  • WEDNESDAY, September 25 - Good Shepherd Trinity Church
  • THURSDAY, November 21 - Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, Wales

Share this information with your congregation -- bulletin inserts & bulletin board flyers available!

Presbytery of Milwaukee
414-292-2740
khopta@pbymilwaukee.org
http://www.pbymilwaukee.org