FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
THE ROAR OF THE CROWD
Professional sports are back!!  Sorta.  The players, coaches, officials, and grounds crew are back.  The cameras and production crew are back. 

Fans, however, are noticeably absent from the giant arenas we built to feed our passion for watching sports.  It's not safe right now to gather thousands of people in close-knit quarters for several hours.  So the stadiums sit empty while the players do their best to entertain us virtually.

Even so, I can remember what it's like to be there.  My family loves hockey.  We all played hockey and had season tickets.  I've posed by the Stanley Cup.  While grocery shopping one day, I turned down an aisle and saw a professional player signing autographs.  I immediately abandoned my...(READ MORE)
PRESBYTERY PULSE
WHEN GOD CREATES: IN THE BEGINNING...
Welcome to the worship series When God Creates, a four week series featuring texts from Genesis to Revelation that celebrate God's active presence and creative power in the world.  This link will take you to the Presbytery's When God Creates series page which will be updated each week with worship materials (including video sermon link, re-printable/adaptable liturgy, and sermon text) as well as materials for Bible study.  Week One worship, centers on the creation story found in Genesis 1 with a sermon by Rev. Michelle Henrichs, pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Muskego.  "Creation is the physical sign of God's character and presence in our lives. Creation enables us to smell, feel, hear, taste, and spatially experience the God we cannot see."  You can also access complete service for worship here for use this Sunday or any time.
COVID-19 SCIENCE FOR CHURCHES
A Returning to Church Webinar, August 11, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Struggling to keep up with the latest science on COVID-19? Wondering about issues like:

  • What we understand about COVID now that we didn't a few months ago, and why some of the recommendations from public officials have changed
  • Airflow in your building, HVAC and how they impact health & safety
  • Cleaning, sanitizing and how long you should let spaces sit dormant between uses
  • When we might be able to sing together again, safely
  • Discerning reliable sources of information and when it might be safe to gather in buildings again

Join the Wisconsin Council of Churches for an hour-long Returning to Church webinar with Lisa Allgood, a trained scientist and the Transitional Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of Cincinnati. Throughout the pandemic Ms. Allgood has been offering clarity with easily-understood, up to date information in online presentations to groups around the country.  Ms. Allgood's presentation will also allow time for participant questions.
 

REGISTRATION

Choose which option fits your budget:

If you are not available at the scheduled time, the WCC invites you to register anyway! The link to the recorded event will be sent to all registrants after the event has concluded.

ANYTHING BUT COVID-19 NEWS
MUSEUMS BATTLE OVER WHO HAS THE BEST OBJECT IN THEIR EXHIBITIONS
When art institutions closed around the globe due to the pandemic, house-bound museum staffers started finding all sorts of ways to showcase their exhibits to people online.  Enter the #CuratorBattle on Twitter.

Organized by the Yorkshire Museum, the weekly challenge asked museums to share images of possessions, trying to figure out who has the best ones.  While each week had a theme, like creepiest object or best bum, the grand finale had no limits and museums gave it their best shots.  Check out some of the most-prized objects.
PLAY WITH YOUR VEGGIES
For the last 22 years, members of the Vienna-based Vegetable Orchestra have been purchasing fresh produce to be carved into instruments in front of a live audience.  The musicians used everything from onion peels and carrots to pumpkins and bell peppers to preform their original songs.  Post-performance, the musicians use the spare parts from their carved veggie instruments to cook a healthy meal for the audience.  Find the most recent video of the Vegetable Orchestra here or visit their web page for more information and additional videos.
RESCUE RACCOONS TAKE THE ART WORLD BY STORM
Piper, Cheeto, and Tito, three rescue raccoons, have entered the art scene and are huge successes.  The trio paint colorful, abstract hand paintings that range in price from $75 - $150 for a "Custom Masterpiece" created with a  buyer selected color pallet.  Not only do the paintings receive rave reviews, but the portraits of the artists with their work provide enough cuteness to crash the internet.
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
STATED CLERK URGES CHURCHES TO STAY THE COURSE ON COVID-19

Stated Clerk urges churches to stay the course on COVID-19
As states across the U.S. report record numbers of new COVID-19 cases, the PC(USA) is urging churches and presbyteries to continue to put safety first.
SYNOD OF LAKES AND PRAIRIES PANDEMIC SUPPORT GRANTS
Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic could materially diminish income streams and threaten staffing and ministries across presbyteries, churches and camps, the Synod has identified approximately $251,000 to date which can be used to support the staffing needs of affiliated organizations.
 
Grants will be offered on the basis of need and for a maximum of $10,000 or one month of a church's average operating costs for:
  • Churches whose vitality would be threatened by disruption to staffing and ministry programs;
  • Churches and ministries in need which serve historically marginalized communities; and
  • Camps, particularly as they seek to maintain programs staffed by college students.
 In all cases, the Presbytery would apply for grants on behalf of churches whose vitality or critical ministries are threatened by financial impacts of the pandemic. If you believe your congregation or ministry qualifies for and has a need for these grant funds, please notify Associate for Ministry Vitality Ann Gibbs at agibbs@pbymilwaukee.org.
 
Grants within each program will be awarded within two award periods:
 
Award Period                  Application Deadline              Award Decision          Award Distribution
Fall                                   August 31, 2020                      September 15, 2020   September 30, 2020
MATTHEW 25 CURRICULUM FOR THE PC(USA):
Accessible theological education and training for the people of God
Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and Stony Point Center have been invited by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to work together to develop an online and in-person curriculum to support the Matthew 25 Vision. Courses will center on the three focuses of the vision:
  • nurturing vital congregations and communities of faith,
  • dismantling structural racism, and
  • working to end systemic poverty.
The first course is "Awakening to Structural Racism" and will be offered on Monday evenings from August 10 through 31, 2020. Learn more about these classes and the Matthew 25 Vision
NEWS FROM SYNOD SCHOOL
Having as much fun as they could via Zoom, more than 330 Presbyterians gathered from across the country and across borders for the opening night of Synod School Monday.  They were treated to a childhood faith story from the Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka and laughed with -- not at -- a Synod School mainstay, the Rev. Burns Stanfield and his online band of tie day-clad musicians.  Read more about Synod School.
BOP SUMMER LETTER
The Board of Pensions has issued a summer letter addressing updated to BoP benefits for 2021 and other relevant information in lieu of a live visit from regional BoP staff during COVID-19.
PRESBYTERIAN PLANNING CALENDARS
The denomination is now accepting orders for the Presbyterian Planning Calendar.  Here is the link to order.  Remember that each church will receive one free calendar directly from the denomination. The current year calendar runs through December, so there is some time to determine if and when you will order calendars.  Due to our "Safer At Home" practices, the Presbytery's normal distribution system of submitting a bulk order and handing out the calendars is not possible this year.  So, every church will need to order their calendars directly from the denomination. Thank you for your understanding.  We all look forward to a safer and healthier world.
INVITATIONS
YOGA WITH ANN OTTE
You are invited to join Anne Otte, a member of Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon and Yoga Teacher, who offers daily yoga classes via Zoom as part of Crossroads' Yoga Ministry. The classes are free and open to everyone; a freewill offering is collected to benefit one of Crossroads' mission partners (for June, July, and August the beneficiary is Family Promise).
 
Zoom Yoga Class Schedule
Tuesdays @ 9:00 - 10:00AM & 5:00 - 6:00PM
              Wednesdays @ 8:30 - 9:30AM for a NEW Very Gentle Yoga Class
              Thursday @ 9:00 - 10:00AM
              Thursday @ 5:00 - 6:00PM for a NEW Very Gentle Class
              Saturdays @ 8:30 - 9:45AM
 
All who are interested are encouraged to participate - in recent weeks Ann has welcomed students from Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and California. Find more information about this mission opportunity, class information, and Zoom participation links in this letter from Ann.
BEAT YOUR GUNS INTO PLOWSHARES
Saturday, August 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Tricklebee Cafe is hosting a gun-beating event called Revival in the Garden in collaboration with Peace Garden Project MKE and RAWtools.  The purpose of this event is to pound guns into garden tools and it will take place at Alice's Garden Urban Farm at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15th.  By transforming weapons into garden tools, we seek to transform a world full of violence and death into a world where love is triumphant and the tools of destruction are turning into tools of life.

WE RACE AHEAD: A DAY OF REPENTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
Wisconsin State Fair Park, Saturday, August 23rd, 3:00 p.m.
The Day of Repentance and Solidarity is an initiative fueled by an alliance of city and suburban churches/organizations to grow a more unified church that is a tangible witness of God's love through justice and equality. This is done by the acknowledgement of the church's past and present roles in systematic injustice, repentance, forgiveness and intentional steps of growing diverse relationships across the city and suburbs.  This event will take place at the Milwaukee Mile Grandstand on Saturday, August 23rd, at 3:00 p.m.; however, online viewing will also be available.
Visit WeRaceAhead.com for complete details and to take the pledge to commit to study, prayer, and action to become an anti-racist individual in an anti-racist church.

Partnering allows you to invest in unifying city and suburban churches across ethnicity to bridge racial gaps and further work against injustice in our communities. As a partner, you invest in the resources dispatched to see the challenging, yet rewarding work of hosting the Day of Repentance and following efforts for uniting communities for change.

Sharing a sermon series across city and suburban churches promotes unity, while allowing variious communities to wrestle with topics needed for tangible changes.  Each week pastors will have access to the sermon content to prepare and offer to their congregations.  Individuals will also have the opportunity to participate through small cluster groups onsite and online platforms to study the small group content together as a diverse unit.  Churches can host at their locations or meet online with other churches across the city/suburbs.

We Race Ahead Invite
We Race Ahead Invitation
STATEMENT ON VOTER REGISTRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT
The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee has issues a Statement on Voter Registration and Encouragement that notes the first section of the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights to emphasize the value and dignity of every human being and of a government that reflects those values.  ICGM supports all efforts acting in a non-partisan way to encourage voter registration, participation, and turnout during this and future elections. 
FAITH+LEAD RESOURCES
The COVID pandemic has meant fast learning and switches to online ministry. This has meant new challenges and opportunities in our understanding of what it means to "be the church." The team at Faith+Lead out of St. Paul, Minnesota are cultivating resources and cohorts to help pastors and congregations find their way. Here are a few of the resources they are offering:

Online classes:
Engaging the Community beyond Zoom - 2 sessions starting August 13, $25 

And see these articles for insight into how our culture has shifted and the need for the church to be relevant:
MEDIATION SKILL TRAINING INSTITUTE
Registration is now open for both sessions of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center's Mediation Skills Training Institute.   Two sessions are scheduled for this fall: October 5-9 and November 16-20, 2020.  This popular and practical workshop helps clergy and other church leaders deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict.  Registrants will attend remotely via Zoom.  A $200 discount is available to those who register by the discount deadline.  To register online, go to https://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/720852
Questions?  Email  the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center or call 630-627-0507.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
INVITATION TO THE SYRIA LEBANON PARTNERSHIP NETWORK ANNUAL GATHERING
Peace and grace to you from the Syria-Lebanon Partnership Network of the PC(USA)
 
You're receiving this email because your church or presbytery has partnered with Elmarie and Scott Parker, our regional liaisons to Iraq, Lebanon and Syria; or your presbytery voted in concurrence with one of the General Assembly Overtures submitted in recent years, addressing the humanitarian crisis in Syria. 

We'd like to invite you to attend our Annual Gathering on September 22, which -- like most things these days -- will be held virtually.   We're planning two sessions. Presenters include Rev. Joseph Kassab, General Secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL; our Presbyterian Church partner); Rev Najla Kassab, pastor in NESSL and President of the World Communion of Reformed Churches; Elmarie Parker; and Georges Ziadeh, Executive Director of NESSL's NGO, Compassion Protestant Society. 
 
Here is a link to our webpage for more information about the Annual Gathering. Registration form is accessed at the bottom of this page. 

The Annual Gathering is free of charge, of course, with the extra benefit of no travel. We hope you will consider this an excellent way to learn about current events in the churches in Syria and Lebanon which we support.
INVITE A MISSION CO-WORKER FOR A VIRTUAL VISIT
There has never been a better time to invite mission co-workers to visit your congregation virtually than right now.  Through technology, mission co-workers can visit congregations in various ways, such as online worship services, mission committee or session meetings, Sunday school or Vacation Bible School.  Learn more about ways mission co-workers can participate with your congregation and how to connect with mission co-workers here.
TAIWAN HAS BECOME A ROLE MODEL IN FIGHTING COVID-19
Living relatively close to China with three young children, mission co-workers Jonathan and Emily Seitz feel comfortably safe in Taipei, Taiwan.

With only seven deaths in the entire country, Taiwan lifted many of its stringent restrictions on June 7, after the country had gone two straight months without a local transmission.  The Seitzes are, however worried about...(READ MORE).
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