The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

CHURCHY WORDS

We’ve been sharing of late about the shift in our theme. For the next several months, we will examine a new mark of vitality -- a new way that our ministries can be more relevant and vital. This new theme is Outward Incarnational Focus. In the spirit of confession, I admit that sometimes I shorten it to Outward Focus, dropping “Incarnational.” It’s a big word that requires unpacking – a churchy word. It’s easier to understand and put into practice an outward focus, in which we...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

PRESBYTERY GATHERING HIGHLIGHTS

Weren't able to make it to the last Presbytery Gathering, but interested in the good work happening in the Presbytery? Check out the Presbytery Gathering Highlights, a one-page synopsis of the September 20, 2022 Presbytery Gathering.

THE CHURCH AND RACIAL AND GENDER JUSTICE

General Assembly Commissioner Carol Wickersham (associate professor of sociology at Beloit College and minister member of the Presbytery) has offered to facilitate workshops and/or adult education times to share her experience working with The Church and Racial and Gender Justice commission at the 2022 General Assembly. Carol can be reached via email at wickersh@beloit.edu.

CAR NEEDED FOR MINISTRY

In November, the Presbytery of Milwaukee will welcome the Dan Gonzalez-Ortega as our new Evangelist for Latinx Ministries including our San Jose Fellowship in Beloit. Dan and his wife, Alma, will be relocating from Mexico City to our presbytery to start a new ministry with very few belongings. One of the essential items for Dan is a car. If you have an additional car or have connections to someone who does, the presbytery (and Dan) would be very grateful for its donation for the purpose of this ministry. Please contact Ann Gibbs at agibbs@pbymilwaukee.org.

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Outward Incarnational Focus:

"Lord, when did we see you?"

COMMUNAL CONVERSATIONS: THE PATH TO BECOMING A NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH

Communal Conversations: The Path to Becoming a Neighborhood Church is the first in a five-part video series from the office of the General Assembly. In 2018, General Assembly co-moderators Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and the Reverend Cindy Kohlmann selected Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission for a denominational book study aimed to inspire congregations to become strong community partners.

In the continuing video series on the book, Co-Author Rob Mueller talks with people who have seen firsthand how being a neighborhood church can change lives. To view the rest of the series visit our Outward Incarnation Focus page on the presbytery website: https://www.pbymilwaukee.org/outward-focus.html.

IMMERSION CONFERENCE DIVES DEEP INTO VITAL CONGREGATIONS

The Presbyterian Office of Vital Congregations is inviting people to gather at the beginning of November around Lake Susan at Montreat Conference Center for a deep dive into the seven marks of vital congregations.

The Immersion, set for November 2-3 at Montreat Conference Center, will be led by:

Dr. Obery M. Hendricks Jr., a Biblical scholar, activist, and speaker currently based at Columbia University in New York City
The Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, a pastor, educator, and organizer based in Philadelphia
Dr. Gary Neal Hansen, a church historian exploring Christian theology, spirituality, and community
The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, a pastor, author, speaker, and podcast host based in California

The conference will be available both online and in person. Find out more about the conference, including how to register here.

News From The Denomination

"ALONG THE ROAD" PODCAST

“Along the Road," Mid Council Ministries’ new podcast that will be available beginning in mid-October, will feature and support the work of ruling elders and deacons at congregations and mid council leaders at presbyteries and synods. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3DAOAxf

REGARDING RULING ELDERS

To Be Not Just To Do -- Question H

Julie Hester has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.

CHURCH IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Measuring, and understanding, online worship metrics

by Richard Hong

I recently discussed the idea that many, perhaps most, of our congregants are not worshiping exclusively online or in person but are switching back and forth. This post-Covid phenomenon brings us to the discussion of how we can measure who is worshiping with us.

If your online worship uses Zoom, you can simply count the faces on your screen. But if you are streaming your worship to Facebook, YouTube or through your website, interpreting the metrics is trickier.

Finding the data isn’t always obvious.To get attendance numbers, you must know how to...(read more)

Out of the Blue in '22

HORICON MARSH ARCHAEOLOGICAL FESTIVAL

October 8 & 9

Featured at the Horicon Marsh Archaeological Festival will be the Fox of the River Voyageur Canoe giving rides on the water of the Marsh, a Buck Skinner encampment with a flute and drum circle, atlatl demonstration and instruction, tomahawk throwing, flint knapping demonstration, home cooked food including a wild rice soup, corn grinding demonstration, leather stamping to make a necklace, bead collecting for children, wagon rides behind antique tractors between the Buck Skinner encampment and the Education Center, artifact display of Native American artifacts, vendors offering handmade items, food for purchase, and much, much more!

The Festival is FREE to the public and takes place at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, N7725 Hwy. 28, Horicon, WI, 53032 on Saturday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 9, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Find more information on the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center Facebook page or this flyer.

Invitations

FAITH PRESBYTERIAN'S ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER

Faith Presbyterian Church invites you to their annual spaghetti dinner catered by That's Amore on Saturday, October 1st, 4:30-6:30 p.m.The annual event you have come to know and love is drive-thru only again this year. Enjoy spaghetti with meat or marinara sauce, salad, bread, and a cookie at this affordable night-in that supports the work of Faith's Deacons. Tickets are $12. Pre-order your tickets and pay online at franklinfpc.org, or pay cash at the door.

Faith Presbyterian Church, 3800 W. Rawson Avenue, Franklin, 53132

CELEBRATE 150 YEARS WITH GRACE PRESBYTERIAN

Grace Presbyterian Church, 2931 Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee, 53207

TEACH THE TRUTH WI

October 9-15

Around the country, the forces of white supremacy and racism are confronting school boards, demanding they prevent teaching the true history of racism, slavery, sexism, and violence against marginalized communities that is part of the founding of our country.

As people of faith, we believe it is the responsibility of each person to do their part to address the systemic inequities and injustices in our society and to create a world where every human being can live a life of dignity and respect. Our children need to be prepared to take on their share of this task when they grow up. Yet, without knowing the true history of how our nation came to be, they cannot understand the underlying causes of the issues we face, and therefore, will be ill-equipped to meet the challenges they will confront as adults.

Please join the Wisconsin Council of Churches once again for a Week of Action for Racial Equity, October 9-15th, as we lift up stories of Wisconsin history at significant sites of racial justice around the state.

Find more information, a Teach the Truth WI toolkit, and registration here

CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 64TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. La Quetta Clipps and the session of Christ Church would like to invite you to attend their 64th Anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 16th at 10:45 a.m.

The celebration continues Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights at 6:00 p.m. with a Revival as we ask the Holy Spirit to work with Christ Church in restoring the people of God to a more vital spiritual life, witness, and work by prayer and the Word. The guest speaker will be the Apostle Paul R. Dade of Richmond Virginia.

Please join Christ Church as they celebrate and renew their commitment to God and their community.

Christ Presbyterian Church, 1930 W. Walnut Street, Milwaukee, 53205

SAVE THE DATE: A ROAST AND A TOAST TO CELEBRATE REV. KAREN HAGEN'S RETIREMENT

CHOOSING A LIFE OF GRATITUDE

A retreat for women in the Presbytery of Milwaukee

Women in the Milwaukee Presbytery are invited to attend a spiritual retreat for reflection, prayer, inspiring messages, and fellowship October 28th, 4:30 p.m. - October 29th, 3:30 p.m. Registration for the retreat at Schoenstatt Retreat Center is limited to 25 participants and the registration deadline is October 12th.

Retreat leader Rev. Danelle Crawford McKinney is a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Oyate. She is the first Dakota woman (fifth Native American woman) to be ordained in the PC(USA). She currently serves Native American students at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS.

Find more information, including registration materials, here. Share this with your congregation! The retreat is open to all women in the Presbytery.

YOUNG PRESBYTERIAN SCHOLARSHIP, WESTMINSTER COLLEGE

Westminster College celebrates our Presbyterian heritage by offering a Scholarship to outstanding Presbyterian students who have been nominated by their pastor or ministry partner within their congregations.

There is no limit to the number of students that a church can nominate. Every qualified, accepted student now receives $24,000 per year for a total of $96,000 for 4 years of their education.

The current nomination materials can be found online: https://admissions.westminster.edu/register/yps

If you have any questions, regarding the scholarship or these materials, please feel free to contact Rev. Jim Mohr, College Chaplain (724) 946-7116, or email at mohrjr@westminster.edu.