Your Weekly News & Updates |
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From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive |
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As I got ready for bed recently, I grabbed a toothbrush to get in some quick oral hygiene. I didn’t bother with the toothpaste, figuring the brush and water would be good enough until the morning. To my surprise, the toothbrush quickly began to foam up as I ran it over my teeth. In that moment I came to the terrible realization this was not my regular toothbrush. Instead, I’d grabbed...(read more)
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REACH YOUR PRESBYTERY STAFF BY PHONE |
Greetings from the Presbytery Office! Because we are working remotely, our office telephones are now forwarded to our cell phones. You can easily reach us on either number. We look forward to your call! |
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2022 PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES ANNOUNCED |
Mark your calendar! The 2022 dates for Presbytery Gatherings have been announced!
- Saturday, February 19 @ 9:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, May 24 @ 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 13 @ 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 19 @ 9:00 a.m.
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COMMON GROUND MEETING RECAP |
The Common Ground assembly met on October 17 to announce its new agenda with four focus areas: gun violence and gun safety (including urging development of new technologies to secure guns from accidental use by children or theft), education (for example, making tutoring more readily available), safe neighborhoods (with an emphasis on preventing reckless driving on residential streets), and jobs (especially for those reentering society after incarceration). This agenda was formed after interviews with more than 900 people about their community concerns and desires, giving voice and leadership to people of diverse races, languages, and theologies. The Presbytery had strong representation from our congregations (Apostle, Good Shepherd Trinity, Immanuel, and Wauwatosa) and Presbytery staff. Rev. Rob Ater led the discussion of the new agenda and interviewed Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. If you also want to lend your voice and leadership in these areas, contact Common Ground for more information.
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20TH ANNUAL GHANA MISSION NETWORK MEETING HIGHLIGHTS |
The Ghana Mission Network met on Saturday for its annual – and 20th Anniversary – meeting. Partners from the US and Ghana met to share about projects and to uphold one another in faith.
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THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP! |
As we begin the process of providing nominations for the next presbytery meeting, we have a number of positions available for Ruling Elders. Nearly every commission is in need of Ruling Elders willing and able to serve. Those commissions with the greatest need of good talent are Commission on Transitional Ministries and Commission on Congregational Vitality, though I am sure we can put an interested Ruling Elder to work in nearly any commission in which they are interested. Please look of the Manual of Operation to consider where an elder might best use their gifts and strengths.
There are a couple of positions available outside the commissions as well. In particular, we are seeking a Ruling Elder synod commissioner. The synod has been engaged in much social justice/racial justice ministry as of late, so people with a passion for that work might find an outlet there. As the current synod commissioner, I would be happy to answer questions. We are also seeking Ruling Elders willing to read ordination exams. This sounds daunting and Ruling Elders often feel unqualified, but it is quite rewarding and the training is very good, as is the staff for answering questions. Again, if someone is interested I would be happy to talk with them about the process.
We have received no YAAD applications for General Assembly in 2022. If you know of a young member of the church age 17-23 who is interested, please contact Chris at the Presbytery Office for an application.
AND FINALLY, just because we have focused on Ruling Elders for most of this article, worry not Ministers! There is room for you too! In addition to CTM that is always in need of gifted people to serve since the number of commissioners grew to fifteen, the Foundation is in need of two ministers to help do that important work. Please consider serving the presbytery in on one of those vital teams.
Thank you for the help. We look forward to hearing from you with all those wonderful names!
Lance Loveall
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MILWAUKEE PRESBYTERY IS IN THE NATIONAL NEWS ONCE AGAIN! |
As congregations join this week with the Presbyterian Hunger Program to celebrate Food Week of Action, five Wisconsin churches (Apostle Presbyterian Church, Calvary Presbyterian - The Big Red Church, Delafield Presbyterian Church, Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, and Kettle Moraine United Presbyterian Church) are living into their Matthew 25 calling to feed the hungry. This summer they built a community garden and now are harvesting the produce, distributing it to people who are experiencing hunger.
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WITH CHRISTIAN SYMPATHIES |
We recently learned that an honorably retired minister member of the presbytery, the Rev. Norman Fedderly, entered Life Eternal on September 11, 2021 in West Bend. Before returning to our presbytery in 2014, Norm served years ago at Faith Presbyterian Church. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. |
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Matthew 25: I was hungry and you fed me... |
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PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGAM RESOURCES |
Resources and materials are available from the Presbyterian Hunger Program, including educational resources for congregations and individuals. Many resources are available as free downloads or as printed copies for purchase. Below you will find links to specific resources created by the hunger program as well as recommended resources produced elsewhere. |
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Download current and previous issues of the Hunger Program’s quarterly journal. Each issue focuses on one hunger- and poverty-related topic and includes updates about PHP programs as well as reflections, scripture and activities. Email php@pcusa.org to sign up to receive the Post.
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MATTHEW 25: FEEDING THE HUNGRY |
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News from the Denomination |
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SMALL CHURCHES CELEBRATED |
This story in Presbyterians Today offers statistics about the sizes of our PC(USA) congregations and the might of our small congregations. Enjoy and celebrate!
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Rodger Nishioka has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
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SAVE THE DATE -- GIVING TUESDAY IS NOVEMBER 30 |
The PC(USA)’s Giving Tuesday campaign is a virtual celebration of the collective power of Presbyterian generosity. With our gifts, we can accomplish far more together than any one of us can do alone. Join the PC(USA) in responding to a world
in need!
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MINISCULE TARDIGRADE FOSSIL FROZEN IN AMBER IS OVER 16 MILLION YEARS OLD |
Don’t let their microscopic size mislead you. Tardigrades are some of the most resilient and successful species ever to populate our planet. Also known as water bears for their distinct shape, these eight-limbed organisms have been around for millions of years. During this time, they managed to explore just about every part of the world, from the peaks of the Indian Himalayas to the depths of the Antarctic ocean.
Although the evolutionary history of tardigrades is...(read more)
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CELEBRATE 160 YEARS WITH FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF OTTAWA |
You are cordially invited to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church of Ottawa on Sunday, October 24th, 2021. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon and fellowship.
Masks are recommended and social distancing will be observed with possible.
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As we welcome refugees from Afghanistan to Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Council of Churches and the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee are offering a series of webinars to better understand our new neighbors.
Join on Tuesday, October 26th at 2pm for the first webinar, an Introduction to Islam with Othman Atta as we learn about Islam and what it is like to be a Muslim in Wisconsin.
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WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ANNUAL MEETING |
The Wisconsin Council of Churches invites you to set aside time the morning of Tuesday, December 7th, to hear what keynote speaker Jessica Kantrowitz has to share with us for these days of crisis and change. Her voice speaks grace into those living with weariness and anxiety. She offers gentle, welcoming community spaces for those who have been actively excluded, or who feel left out.
The Annual Meeting includes WCC business meeting (hear updates on the Council's operations, vote for new members, etc), our plenary speaker, and workshops. This year, material typically covered in workshops will be spread throughout the week to allow for more participation - and so nobody has to spend an entire day with their eyes glued to the screen! Most events will be recorded so if you aren't able to attend them live, you can still listen and learn at a time better suited to you.
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Disaster Preparedness & Response Task Force |
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OCTOBER IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH |
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Month. This month is the perfect time to educate and talk with your whole family about fire safety – including the use of fire and CO alarms, fire extinguishers and escape route planning.
The Milwaukee Presbytery’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Task Force wants to encourage everyone to take time to educate your family. Throughout this month we will be featuring a number of resources, tips, and tools that you can use that will help to keep your family safe.
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CHRISTIAN JUSTICE, EXPLOITATION, AND RACIAL VIOLENCE |
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Hearing Stories, Seeing Activism month of events kicked off to a great start! On Oct. 6, it hosted the first session of the W. Don McClure Lectures (co-sponsored by WMI and PTS’s Continuing Education), featuring Dr. Kimberly Hill, who teaches U.S. and African American history at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Hill presented her lecture, "Christian Justice, Exploitation, and Racial Violence from 'Red Rubber' to 'Bloody Sunday,'" sharing about the amazing work of African American missionaries through the American Presbyterian Congo Mission in the late-19th to early-20th centuries. Dr. Hill brought a unique perspective to the discussion about the history of mission because these are not the typical mission stories we hear about. She challenged that as Christians we should not remain silent amidst the injustice that surrounds us and stressed that justice should be the constant concern of the church. Watch the Oct. 6 session.
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LETTERS FROM MISSION CO-WORKERS |
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Thomas Goetz, serving in Japan, reminds us to celebrate anyone who ministers in Jesus’ name whether they are part of our group or not. As Jesus said, “Whoever is not against us is for us.”
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Josh Heikkila, serving in Ghana, reminds us that we need to listen in bold humility to our partners, respect their guidance and follow their lead.
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The Sower - August 2021 Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
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Future Presbytery Gathering Dates |
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- THURSDAY, November 18, 2021
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2022 PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
- Saturday, February 19 @ 9:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, May 24 @ 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 13 @ 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 19 @ 9:00 a.m.
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Presbytery of Milwaukee
414-292-2740
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