FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
 GOOD INTENTIONS
It started innocently enough, and I had good intentions.  As I was turning the orner in my neighborhood the other morning, I saw someone pull out of her driveway and onto the side road.  As I followed the same route, I noticed she'd left her garage door open.  No other cars were inside, and I suspected she was the last one to leave the house.  Before I could alert her, she turned onto the major road and was headed away.  Immediately, I was on a mission!

I followed closely behind until ... ( READ MORE )
PRESBYTERY PULSE
INSTALLATION SERVICE FOR REV. STEPHANIE STEINER
March 15, 1:0o p.m. *please note new time*
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 1:00 p.m *please note new time*.  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 SYMPATHY
Pastor Iris Colon passed away Tuesday, February 25th, after prolonged illness.  A funeral celebrating Iris' life will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Church in Muskego, WI, on Saturday, March 7th.  A brunch will follow.  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.

St. Paul's Church, S66W14625 W. Janesville Road, Muskego, WI
PRESBYTERY DIRECTORY PHONE APP
If any minister member or church member from our presbytery would like to have the presbytery directory accessible on their phone or tablet, please email Chris Halverson for login and password. If you've previously gotten access, but forgot  your login and/or password, Chris can help with that, too.
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.
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.
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.
COVID-19, THE CORONAVIRUS
PREPAREDNESS FOR PANDEMICS
a Disaster and Preparedness Response Task Force article by Marilyn Stone
Seldom do we find "severe infectious disease outbreaks" or "pandemic" on a list of potential disasters that might occur within our presbytery or any presbytery across our state or the U.S.  Although, COVID-19 Coronavirus updates appear in our daily news feeds.  Previously, media reported how other countries were impacted by this virus and precautions being taken, yet now we are hearing about cases identified in the U.S. even without foreign travel. 

This is not a time to panic nor overreact, but as with all possible disasters, preparedness is prudent.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has created...(READ MORE).
RESPONDING TO THE FLU & THE CORONAVIRUS
Resources from the Wisconsin Council of Churches
The Wisconsin Council of Churches is providing information and resources through their website, social media, and other means.  As always, the WCC acknowledges there may be particulars of individual religious traditions about which ecclesiastical authorities should be consulted before adjusting church practices.  Please accept these recommendations and resources from the WCC as a starting point, and adapt them as makes the most sense for your own setting and traditions.
EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS FOR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
The Wisconsin Council of Churches is offering a webinar on Epidemic Preparedness for Faith-Based Organizations at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th, with Cheryl Skjolaas, UW Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, and National Chair of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). 
THE PC(USA)'S THEOLOGY AND WORSHIP OFFICE ISSUES PASTORAL STATEMENT ON THE CORONAVIRUS
In this time of high anxiety, the PC(USA)'s Office of Theology and Worship ahs issued a Pastoral Statement on the Coronavirus/COVID-19.  The statement provides pastors and congregational leaders with guidance on how to talk to worshipers about the outbreak, as well as practical suggestions for passing the peace, shaking hands, embracing, and communion practices.  Some elements of this statement are adapted, with gratitude, from a letter by the Rev. Dr. Steven T. Yamaguchi and Dr. Peter Mathis, who's at Tokyo Union Church in Tokyo, Japan.

You can read more information from the PC(USA) about the Coronavirus/COVID-19 in the article Coronavirus: Faith not fear.
INVITATIONS
MEDITATION SONG CIRCLE FOR THESE TURBULENT TIMES
Friday, March 6th, at 6:30 p.m. join the Tippe Faithing Community in leaning into the Holy Hush with simple melodies -- prayer!
The Spirit invites you to go deep to explore the gifts of truch beneath the turbulence in your life...and discover the eventual gifts of freedom and joy!
All are welcome at this meditative song circle led by Pastor Karen Hagen.
An open heart offering of $5 is appreciated.
Tippe Faithing Community, 125 W. Saveland Avenue, Milwaukee
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
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
BREAKING HATE: CONFRONTING THE CULTURE OF EXTREMISM WITH CHRISTIAN PICCIOLINI
Sunday, March 29, 2:00 p.m.
Christian Picciolini is an award-winning television producer, public speaker, author, peace advocate, and former violent extremist.  Christian chronicles his involvement and exit from the early American white-supremacist skinhead movement in his memoir "White American Youth."  He now leads the Free Radicals Project, a global extremism prevention and disengagement network and has helped over 300 individuals leave hate behind.  He showcases his disengagement work in a second book, "Breaking Hate: Confronting the New Culture of Extremism," (February 2020, Hachette Books), as well as the MSNBC documentary series of the same name.

Free and open to the public.  Book sale and signing to follow.  Find more information here.

Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI
MOON BEACH WILDERNESS TRIP
You're invited to join a week of canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, August 22-28, 2020.  The adventure will originate out of the beloved Moon Beach camp and head to the BWCA for five days of canoeing.  Pastor Nick Hatch, a PC(USA) pastor serving First Congregation UCC in Appleton, WI, will lead the trip using his NOLS Outdoor Educator training.  Participants will learn outdoor skills, enjoy fellowship with one another, and build their ecological theology.  Participants will be outfitted with premium lightweight gear and excellent food (food restrictions can be accommodated).
Target group: Adults and/or youth 12 and up with an adult chaperone.
Register or find out more information here.
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