The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

CASTING SHADOWS

Never satisfied with experiencing life in the same way, I invited my family to visit Disney World differently in January. (Yes, I went back again. Mickey Mouse said he wishes you’d come for a visit.) I suggested alternatives to my family, like let’s only eat foods that start with the letter G. Grapes and goulash? I couldn’t get any takers. In the end, we chose to hunt for...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

HOW NOT TO WASTE A CRISIS

Don't miss out! Register now for the Empowered Servant Leadership retreat How Not to Waste A Crisis with Tod Bolsinger on February 17. This retreat is sponsored by the Commission on Congregational Vitality and the presbytery's gift to you and your leadership teams. Tod Bolsinger is the Senior Congregational Strategist and Associate Professor for Leadership Formation at Fuller Seminary and the author of Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.

The retreat is being held at Cedar Valley Retreat Center from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch.

UMOS SEEKING SINGLE BED

UMOS has requested a single bed and bedding for a person victimized by labor trafficking. Do you have one you could donate? Please contact Rachel Yates.

AN UPDATE FROM THE TRANSITIONAL EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER SEARCH TEAM

The search team for the Transitional Executive Presbytery has been hard at work. Angela Madison, Committee Moderator for the search team, has provided a brief update for the Presbytery about the current stage of the process.

VIRTUAL OFFICE TRANSITION, #2

As the Council explores the transition to a fully virtual Presbytery Office by year-end, they have asked the staff to reflect on what the physical office closure might mean for the Presbytery. Ann Gibbs reflects: The shift to working at home during the pandemic was not hard for me, what I didn't realize was that it also came with unforeseen blessings. As someone who spent 10 ½ years working as a solo pastor, I already had experience working alone; and while I thought I would miss the comradery with my fellow staff members that I have come to love, we have found ways to keep that going. I am not surprised that I do not miss the commute to and fro (and with it the gas that I save), but I had no idea how good it would be for me to take a walk with my dog in the middle of each day. Or that taking a few minutes to go outside and feed the birds or pull some weeds would be a stress release. As some important parts of my ministry have included caring, encouraging, and supporting others in ministry, this has always been better done over a cup of tea and in a relaxed atmosphere, so it was rare that I'd meet people at the office. During the pandemic, my backyard became a safe place to meet in person, and since has become a place for pastors to gather or meet to discuss ministry needs as well as my going out to meet them for coffee or lunch as I did before. As the Associate for Ministry Vitality, I am well aware that two of the marks of vital ministry, Caring Relationships and Empowered Servant Leadership go hand-in-hand. Working from home has not inhibited me in this work, in some ways it has definitely enhanced it.

GONZALEZ-ORTEGA COMMISSIONING CELEBRATION

On Sunday, January 15, the Presbytery of Milwaukee and the South Central Synod of Milwaukee (ELCA) joyfully commissioned Rev. Dan Gonzalez-Ortega, our Presbytery Evangelist, to Parroquia San Jose. We are excited to welcome Dan and celebrate his call to Beloit.

MAKE AN OFFER!

The Vernon Administrative Commission is now ready to receive offers from congregations and our Presbyterian Homes facilities. There are a number of notable items which include a 4 case Mullmark Hand Bells, Wood carving of Jesus with hands raised in blessing, Statue of Jesus with the little children, banners and paraments, Office, library, and fellowship hall furniture, Choir robes with reversable collars, folding chairs, communion service, and a small nostalgic popcorn popper. Additionally, for those who are engaged in rehoming ministries, there are a number of kitchen appliances and dishes available as well. A digital inventory is attached. Please contact Rev. Judi Holmes-Jensen at artisanabode@yahoo.com if you have any questions or are interested in any of the items.

SESSION ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT

This is a reminder to all clerks of session that the Annual Statistical Report for the year 2022 needs to be submitted online by February 16^th.Included in your report are your membership numbers which will be used to determine next year's Per Capita Apportionment, so please make sure your membership numbers are accurate. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Halverson, 414-292-2740.

Thank you to the 19 churches that have already entered their 2022 statistics online!

INSTALLATION OF REV. BETH PATTON

Can't make it Faith on Saturday, January 28? The installation of Rev. Patton will be live streamed on the Faith Presbyterian Church Facebook page.

AFTER THE INSTALLATION...

You are invited to a reception at Faith and will have the opportunity to tour and pack a grocery bag for Faith's food pantry, The Cupboard. This is an excellent opportunity to not only see The Cupboard, but to also see the mission outreach Faith is able to do in a small space.

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

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Empowered Servant Leadership:

"We all have gifts according to God's Grace"

EMPOWERING NOT FUSSY

Empowering Not Fussy is an interview with members of First Presbyterian Church of Richfield who share how they've adapted in ministry, taken on new responsibilities, and welcome youth and children as music leaders all while deepening their relationships and faith. These staunch Presbyterians show that engaging in reformation isn't just a thing of the past; it leads to an engaged and vital future.

News From The Denomination

NEW SEVEN-WEEK PC(USA) BLACK RESISTANCE BIBLE STUDY LAUNCHES FEBRUARY 1

Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries is launching a new virtual Bible study to celebrate Black History Month. The series is called “Models of Black Resistance Past and Present” and will stream on the RE&WIM Facebook page at 4:00 p.m. Central Time each Wednesday from February 1 through March 15.

Find more information about this Bible study, including the compelling lineup of ministers who will be leading each week, here.

CAMP AND RETREAT SUNDAY RESOURCES

The Presbyterian Mission Agency's Office of Christian Formation is proud to announce the release of the Camp and Retreat Sunday Resources. This special Sunday is scheduled for February 12 for the PC(USA), but it really can be whenever your faith community chooses to lift up camp and retreat ministry. These liturgy resources were prepared by Jocelyn Wildwright of Ferncliff. You can find them here.

REGISTRATION FOR NEW CONNECTING THE DOTS WEBINAR NOW OPEN

The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Militarism Working Group is kicking off 2023 with its newest in a series of Connecting the Dots webinars at 11:00 a.m. Central Time on January 25.

The topic is “Peace Church.” Participants will have the opportunity during the 90-minute Zoom session to begin talking about how faith might direct their attitudes toward war and peace and learn what it means for congregations to declare themselves “peace churches.”

Find more information and register here.

REGARDING RULING ELDERS

Reading the Room

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

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL FROM PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK

The Presbyterian Outlook is once again offering accessible and inspiring daily devotions for Lent written by editor Teri McDowell Ott. In Examen: Inward work for outward living, Ott explores the ancient spiritual practice of examen that focuses on honest assessment and reflection. With a different theme for each week of Lent, readers are invited to explore the connection between internal contemplation and outward action.

What You See in '23

LAST CHANCE!

Let us see what you see in 2023! There are still several open spaces in the February photo collage that could be filled by you! Check the camera roll on your phone and send Kate a snap of something that spoke to you this month.

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

TWO UPCOMING OFFERINGS FROM KAREN HAGEN HEALING ARTS

Lectio Divina and The Gospel of Thomas…

An Ancient Spiritual Practice Moving Us From Head to Heart

via Zoom 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28

This Spiritual Practice is based upon the Benedictine understanding that the Divine deeply longs to be known and to be in relationship with each of us. And the Divine has given us all of ourselves…our whole selves (mind, body, memory, intuition, dreams, feelings…) as valid ways to touch into Divinity. Deep meaning is uniquely revealed to each of us as we Holy Read the Wisdom Teachings.

The Non-Canonical Gospel “The Gospel of Thomas” will be used to poignantly move participants into a new year.

Class will fill at 8 individuals on a first come basis.

A self-sliding scale “Open Heart” Offering of $25-$100 for the series is appreciated.

To register email Karen Hagen Healing Arts

Holy Held…

Centering Prayer: Spiritual Support For The Journey

Thursdays 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. February 2, 9, 16, 23

In-Person

Hosted by Plymouth UCC

2717 E. Hampshire Street, Milwaukee

Upstairs Graham Fireside Chapel

Offering: Open Heart Sliding Scale $2-10 per week. Basket provided as you enter.

Part of a rich contemplative tradition within Christianity (a cousin to the Buddhist Zazen), “Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.” (Father Keating)

Each session will include a special time of check in to help participants gently arrive and a check out honoring the fruits of the spirit. Our first session will include an orientation of the spiritual practice as well as a “sit.”

“Silence is the language God speaks; everything else is a mistranslation.” (Father Keating)

WCC ANNUAL MEETING: RECORDINGS AND POST MEETING LINKS

A note from the Wisconsin Council of Churches

Thank you so much for joining us at the WCC Annual Meeting for worship, keynote, business and workshops! We had so many extended opportunities for learning, sharing and fellowship this year, and we're grateful to have engaged with a broad range of people from our network over the course of several days.

If you were unable to make everything you wanted to attend fit into your calendar, don't despair! We've created a playlist of events we had permission to record. As a registered participant, these are available to you for your personal use or with your organization's leadership. If you'd like to use it with a wider audience, please be in touch. We are able to connect you with speakers so you could have a presentation designed and customized for your own setting.

The WCC Annual Meeting 2022 Playlist currently includes: