FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
 DUST
I killed it.  At least I think I killed it.  I haven't seen any movement, any sign of life.  I'm not sure how long I should wait to know for certain, but I'm pretty sure I killed it.

When I received my tiny pot of soil and a carnation seed at the Presbytery Gathering, I thought, "How hard can it be?"  People grow flowers all the time."  Others who had joined me at the Rock Prairie chancel to be commissioned or installed and who had also received their tiny pots expressed more trepidation.  We held in our hands ... ( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
INSTALLATION SERVICE FOR REV. STEPHANIE STEINER
March 15, 1:3o p.m.
Presbytery of Milwaukee Moderator, Judy Jaggard, and First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, invite everyone to attend the installation service for Rev. Stephanie Steiner on March 15th at 1:30 p.m.  Stephanie comes to us from nearby John Knox Presbytery.

Stephanie is originally from Prairie du Chen, Wisconsin.  After graduating from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, she earned her Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and was then ordained in 1987.

Throughout her ministry, Stephanie has been called to serve as a solo pastor, chaplain, associate pastor, and co-pastor.  She has one daughter, Kiernan, who is a teaching assistant and doctoral candidate at Arizona State University.  Stephanie's hobbies include reading, crocheting, gardening, and she's an avid sports fan too!

We welcomed Stephanie at our February Presbytery Gathering; now we have the opportunity to celebrate her installation.

Clergy are invited to robe and wear red vestments.  

First Presbyterian Church, 312 Church Street, Clinton, WI
WITH CHRISTIAN SYMPATHIES
Longtime Milwaukee Habitat advocate and Crossroads Presbyterian Church member, Robert (Bob) Patton, passed away on Wednesday, February 19th.  Bob's life will be celebrated on February 29th at Crossroads Presbyterian Church with a visitation from 2:30-3:30 p.m in the sanctuary, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m.  Additional details can be found here.

Bob was well-known in the Presbytery for his work with Habitat for Humanity, for which he was recognized at last year's Framing the Future Gala.  Committing 20+ years of service with Habitat, Bob was a steady and beloved leader in the Presbytery Habitat Coalition.  Please hold Bob's family in prayer.
Pastor Iris Colon passed away Tuesday, February 25th, after prolonged illness.  Funeral services are being planned and information will be shared as it is available.  Please keep her husband Pastor Antonio Lucio and their family in your prayers, as well as the Good Shepherd Trinity congregation where Iris and Antonio have been actively worshiping.

NEWS FROM THE STATED CLERK
Recently, Stated Clerk Rev. Dr. Christian Boyd traveled to San Diego, California, to participate in the Episcopal-Presbyterian Bilateral Dialogue.  During the dialogue, participants considered how the two ecclesiastical traditions could partner with each other considering the context of the 21st century Church.  Read more about Rev. Dr. Boyd's recent activity here.
PRESBYTERY HIGHLIGHTS
Weren't able to make it to the last Presbytery Gathering, but interested in the good work happening in the Presbytery?  Checkout the Presbytery Highlights, a one-page synopsis of the February 4, 2020 Presbytery Gathering.
CREATIVE WORSHIP PACKAGE FOR CHURCHES IN PASTORAL TRANSITION
Inspired by the creative worship leadership of Marcia McFee last fall, Rev. Beth Patton, Rev. Nicole Farley, and Ruling Elder and Presbytery Executive Rachel Yates have designed a creative worship package for the Easter season (April 19 through May 24), specifically for churches in transition. More details here.
NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
MISSION STORIES ILLUSTRATE THE LENTEN LECTIONARY
Excerpts from letters of Presbyterian Church (USA) mission co-workers provide deeper insight into their ministries, the global partners with whom they work and lectionary New Testament readings for Lent.

Find stories from the mission co-workers here.
LENTEN RESOURCES JUST A CLICK AWAY
An array of Lenten resources designed to help congregations, mid councils, and individuals mark Jesus' journey to the cross and, just days later, his victory over the grave, have been gathered into one place on the website of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

By clicking here, you can lay your hands on a number of worship and other resources related to Lent, which begins today, with Ash Wednesday, and ends on Easter Sunday, April 12.
ASHES TO RAINBOWS: A QUEER LENTEN DEVOTIONAL
Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice and More Light Presbyterians have partnered to provide Ashes to Rainbows: A Queer Lenten Devotional that offers reflections for Ash Wednesday, each Sunday of Lent, and Holy week.  Ashes to Rainbows features an array of voices and perspectives, thought-provoking theologies, and a new way to think about the time in which we call Lent.
JOURNEY TO JUSTICE 50TH ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR SERIES
The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People invites you to its 2020 Journey to Justice 50th Anniversary Webinar Series.

The first webinar will kick off on Friday, February 28th, at 11:00 a.m. (CST) and will focus on how SDOP was founded as they celebrate their 50th anniversary this year!

For this webinar please refer to this material from Black Theology: A Documented History: 1966-1979 (Cone &Wilmore, 1979, Orbis Books).  Future webinars will challenge participants to go beyond charity and take a more holistic view of poverty, equipping teams to create real and lasting changes.

Each webinar will focus on a different theme and participants may choose to participate in one or more webinars.

For more information or to register, contact nina.lewis@pcusa.org.  Once you've registered, webinar call in details will be provided.
PARTICIPATE IN THE ARTS AND JUSTICE PROJECT
The Arts and Justice Project invites young adults (18-30) to submit the creative ways in which they express the need for justice.  Whether it be through music, visual arts, dance, film, and anywhere in between, this project invites you to be creative.  Submissions will be accepted February 8 - March 27.  Find out more here.
IT'S TIME TO ORDER ECO-PALMS!
Through the Eco-Palms project, 25% of the cost of each frond is going directly back to the Central American communities that harvest them.  Get ready for Palm Sunday (April 5th) and order yours today!
The deadline to order Eco-Palms is March 13.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS PARTNERS WITH ILLUSTRATED MINISTRY
Special Offerings is partnered with Illustrated Ministry, LLC., this year to provide bulletin inserts that correspond with each Offering in an illustration of a stained-glass window.  Coloring sheets are available for use at presbytery meetings, during Sunday school classes, or wherever else you see fit.  

Pictured is the design Illustrated Ministry created for the 2020 Action Kit (downloadable here).
REGARDING RULING ELDERS: 
A MONTHLY SERIES FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS
Carl Horton has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
NEWS FROM THE SYNOD
THE 2020 SYNOD SCHOOL CATALOG IS HERE!
Two copies of the 2020 Synod School Catalog have been mailed to every church; however, if you would like to view the catalog electronically, it, along with ads for newsletters and bulletins, is available on the synod website.  

2020's Synod School will run July 26-31.  Registration opens March 2nd.
INVITATIONS
WEST GRANVILLE RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION
At the 71st Annual Crime Prevention Awards on February 5, 2020, West Granville Presbyterian Church, who is a partner in the Milwaukee Police District Four, Faith Based Organization with Captain Wurth.  West Granville was awarded Outstanding Faith Based Organization.  

The District Four-Faith Based Organization members and faith communities hold events honoring the police officers and teachers, listening forums between police and community, block parties for residents, and events educating youth on issues such as suicide.  This past Christmas, the group helped raise over $5,000 for the Milwaukee Police Red-Kettle Challenge.

Congratulations West Granville!  Read more about the award here.
GREENFIELD'S 31ST ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Mark your calendars for Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church's 31st annual Pancake Breakfast!  From 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28th, enjoy all you can eat pancakes, choice of pork or turkey sausage, choice of juice, milk, or coffee, plus strawberry, blueberry, or cherry toppings.  Take out is available.  Price is $7 for adults and $3 for children.

Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1455 South 97th Street, West Allis, WI
SPRING OPEN HOUSE AND POT LUCK LUNCHEON
On Sunday, March 29th, you are invited to Greenfield Avenue's Spring Open House and Pot Luck Luncheon.  Enjoy Sloppy Joes and beverages in Greenfield's Richert Hall at 11:00 a.m.  Please bring your own place settings and a dish to pass.

Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1455 South 97th Street, West Allis, WI
COMMUNITY BOOK READ AND CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE 
SOPHIA, a Waukesha County Social Justice Organization, is seeking to educate our members and Waukesha County citizens concerning the issue of Race.  To accomplish that, members of the SOPHIA Religious Leaders' Caucus invite pastors, lay leaders, and community members to read Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving and join in community conversation on Thursdays March 5, 12, and 19 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Conversations will take place at First Congregational UCC and attendees are invited to bring a brown bag lunch.  Register by emailing admin@sophiawaukesha.org. 

First Congregational UCC, 100 E. Broadway Street, Waukesha
FAITH & GUN VIOLENCE STUDY-ACTION GUIDE
The Wisconsin Council of Churches has just issued its newest study-action guide,  Who is My Neighbor: Multi-Generational Conversations on Faith & Gun Violence .
 
This resource is the result of two years of faithful study, prayer and action, and gathering of insights from youth, activists and advocates, including a youth from Milwaukee Presbytery.  It includes theological frameworks, guides for planning worship on the theme, guides for single-session and multi-session discussions, first-person reflections, a link to video testimony by youth participants in our Statewide Youth Summit on Faith & Gun Violence, suggestions for group facilitation, action steps, reflections on church security, and safer church resources.
 
This study-action guide may be downloaded for free from the WCC website: wichurches.org/study-guides.
 
The resource is designed so it can be used on its own, without intervention by Council staff or volunteers.  The WCC is also available for guest preaching; workshops; adult, youth and multigenerational conversation and forums in various settings if you are interested in finding ways to introduce the resource in your area.
 
The WCC holds fast to its Lenten Call to Action two years ago:  We believe it is possible to address the scourge of gun violence as a people of faith, not fear. We believe our faith compels us to act, standing with the traumatized, aligning ourselves with the hope of transformation and new life.
JOURNEY OF HOPE: OUR MINISTRY WITH THE SOUTH SUDANESE
Friends and members of the Presbytery are invited to join First Presbyterian Church, Fond du Lac, on Saturday, March 21st, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. for "Journey of Hope: Our Ministry with the South Sundanese" by Leisa Wagstaff.  Leisa has been a mission co-worker in South Sudan since 2013, serving at the invitation of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan. 

Learn more about the celebration, that will feature Leisa's presentation, music, Q & A, and a reception here.

First Presbyterian Church, 1225 Fourth Street, Fond Du Lac, WI
TOP NETFLIX LAWYER TO SPEAK AT TOWARD ONE WISCONSIN
Toward One Wisconsin is excited to welcome Hilary Ware, Netflix General Counsel, VP Litigation & Regulatory Affairs, as one of the keynote speakers for this year's conference.  She will give insight on how, "Diversity fosters more creative and innovative workforces, and why building truly inclusive communities is necessary for diversity to grow and succeed." 

Growing up in Wausau, Ms. Ware saw the struggles in her community during the influx of Hmong Regugees in the 1980s.  Since then, she says, "We've learned that we may speak a different language at home, or eat different food, or celebrate different holidays, but we all share our essential humanity and a shared itentity of being American.  We can all learn from each other."

Learn more about the conference or register for Toward One Wisconsin: A Conference on Building Communities of Equity and Opportunity, April 28-29, 2020.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
2019 PRESBYTERIAN COALITION HABITAT HOUSE DEDICATION
Thursday, February 27th, at 2:00 p.m.  Melvane's home , the 2019 Presbyterian Coalition Milwaukee Habitat home, will be dedicated.  Melvane's home is the twentieth Milwaukee Habitat home that the Coalition has partially funded and did the majority of the volunteer building.
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
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