The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

STANDING OVATION

As soon as the graduates began to walk out, the crowd began cheering. People in the back stood up to catch a glimpse, and excitement filled the air. Cell phones, set for either video or photos, were lifted high, preserving the moment. The stage handlers made sure everything was ready, and the ceremony began with a choral performance. By the end of the first song, the whole audience was nodding and tapping to a fan favorite until it reached its crescendo...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

Join us for the May 23 Presbytery Gathering featuring Rev. Dr. Melanie Harris as we celebrate the vital mark of Spirit Inspired Worship

The Presbytery of Milwaukee is thrilled to welcome Rev. Dr. Melanie Harris as we engage the vital mark of Spirit Inspired Worship. Professor, author, former broadcast journalist and news producer, Dr. Harris is a community leader whose passion for education is linked to a commitment to social justice. She has served as an educational consultant with the Ford Foundation, the Forum for Theological Exploration, and the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, Lilly Endowment Inc.

Dr. Harris was first introduced to the Milwaukee Presbytery when she preached at the ordination service of Rev. Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church. The Spirit was so present in her voice and message that people leaving proclaimed it the best ordination service they’d ever attended. Join us May 23 as we welcome back Dr. Harris and explore how Spirit Inspired Worship impacts our lives and ministry.

You can read more about Rev. Dr. Harris here.

PRESBYTERY STAFF ON THE ROAD

To make ourselves more accessible, your Presbytery staff will be scheduling some remote office days! Keep an eye out for a date and location in your neck of the woods and stop by for some conversation and a beverage or snack - our treat! We hope to see you!

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Ecclesial Health:

"So far as it depends on you,

live peaceably with all"

BUILDING TOGETHER: THE HEART TO HEART HUMAN STUFF OF BEING A CHURCH TOGETHER

A conversation with Shavon Starling Louis, co-moderator of the PC(USA) asking the question "Who should I be talking to?" and acknowledging the ongoing reality that "the Lord shows up in faithful ways."

News From The Denomination

REGARDING RULING ELDERS

Taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation

Marissa Galván-Valle has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.

What You See in '23

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

We're enjoying seeing what you see in '23 -- please keep the photos coming! Send Kate photos of things that catch your eye this month -- beautiful sunrises, storm clouds, people laughing, celebration events, flowers blooming, pet antics -- all the things that catch your breath, make you smile, or bring joy to your heart. Your photo will be shared in our monthly collage!

God is at work in the world through all these moments that cause you to snap a quick picture! Let us share that glimpse of God with the Presbytery.

Invitations

OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATING PASTOR CATHY MANTHEI'S MINISTRY

GUNS TO GARDENS: SAFE SURRENDER EVENTS

The United States has a gun problem because so many people have been duped into believing guns will make us more safe by those who stand to profit from gun sales. We are joining with churches across the country to dismantle unwanted firearms. We believe as a Church, we can affirm Isaiah’s call to beat our swords into plowshares and end gun violence. Many people are in possession of unwanted firearms and have no trusted place to discard them without turning them back out into the market. Dismantling your unwanted gun is the only way you can be sure your gun will not be used for harm. Two Madison churches are hosting safe surrender events through the Guns to Gardens program.

Bring your unloaded firearm(s) stored in the trunk of your vehicle to:

Sat, June 3, 9:00am – noon

First United Methodist Church (203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison)

Sat, June 10, 9:00am – noon

Midvale Community Lutheran Church (4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison)

A volunteer will remove weapons for dismantling. Raw materials are sent to RAWtools to be made into tools. Learn more here and please help spread the word.

COVID-19 News & Information

GOOD BYE AND ALL THAT, SORT OF

a message from Rev. Daniel Schultz, WCC Community Health Program Director

The World Health Organization has ended its global public health emergency declaration for COVID, as of May 5th. The WHO cited “reduced rates of COVID-related deaths, increased immunity and less overcrowding in hospitals” as reasons for its decision. Likewise, effective May 11th, the U.S. state of emergency will come to an end.

There are some reasons to see these moves as a positive. It means that health officials see COVID as moving from a pandemic disease to an endemic. That is: one that’s normal, more or less predictable, and not requiring emergency measures. “We fully expect it will become a seasonal virus much like influenza,” says Dr. Robert Citronberg of Advocate Aurora Healthcare.

But we’re not there yet. And not to put too fine a point on it, ending the public health states of emergency now leaves a lot up in the air...(read more)