The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

IN BETWEEN, PART 2

Last week, I wrote about the in-between time that is Holy Week – that transition from Palm Sunday’s triumph to the cross. This week, our “in-between-ness” continues. On Easter Sunday, many of us heard the good news of Jesus’ resurrection from the Gospel of John, an alternate option from continuing the lectionary in Luke. In it, Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb, wondering who had stolen Jesus’ body. She questioned two angels and Jesus himself about the body. In her distress, she...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

We are sad to report that our Presbytery Executive Rachel Yates has submitted her resignation effective May 31, 2022. Please read the announcement letter about her plans and the Presbytery's transition.

Click to read Moderator Kent Tess-Mattner's invitation letter to the Presbytery Gathering on May 24th.

Click to register for the Presbytery Gathering, which includes the the request to pay for your dinner using a credit card: REGISTRATION

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Caring Relationships: "Let love be genuine..."

COVENANT (RACINE) & UMOS: CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

Covenant Presbyterian (Racine) recently put together 40 hygiene backpacks for UMOS. UMOS will give the backpacks to people they recover from labor trafficking situations. The congregation collected items and the youth group and mission team members put together the backpacks.

LEADERS LEAN IN

Throughout the Easter season, we discover how the risen Lord shaped the early church. Caring relationships were an integral part of his ministry but the disciples were not without conflict, and neither are we. But by leaning into conflict in healthy ways our relationships can thrive and flourish. Rodger Nishioka, who will be joining us at our next Presbytery gathering, shares his wisdom on this in Leaders Lean In, how conflict can offer positive opportunities for growth and understanding if we lean in rather than avoid. Included are questions for reflection.

'YOU CANNOT LOVE IF YOUR HEART IS NOT SOFT'

Alla Soroka is a 2017 International Peacemaker living and working in Odessa, Ukraine. She’s clearly devoted to her work with at-risk teenagers — even those who are beyond being considered at-risk and are incarcerated.

With the help of translator Dasha Yakovenko, Soroka appeared Sunday during a moving, illuminating and youth-driven webinar called “When Did We See You, Ukraine?” put on by the Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium/PYT Beyond and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Learn more about Soroka’s 56-minute conversation with PYT’s Gina Yeager-Buckley and the PPP’s coordinator, the Rev. Carl Horton, by clicking here.

NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION

AFTER EASTER, THERE'S EARTH DAY TO OBSERVE, CELEBRATE

With Earth Day around the corner, the Presbyterian Hunger Program is pointing faith communities to a number of resources, including an online hub created by one of its partners, Creation Justice Ministries (CJM).

CJM has created an Earth Day Sunday 2022 website that includes liturgy, Bible studies and sermon starters, videos, action steps, stories, and a map of how communities of faith are being affected by climate change. The theme is “Weathering the Storm: Faithful Resilience.”

“Faith communities must take a proactive stance towards resilience to prepare for social, physical, and spiritual storms of the climate crisis,” the website states. “This year, we invite you to consider how you and your church are anticipating, preparing for, and ‘bouncing forward’ into a just, sustainable and resilient community.”

The Presbyterian Hunger Program highlights CJM’s website and other resources on its Earth Day Sunday page, which notes, “Earth Day is April 22 and you can celebrate Earth Day Sunday with your congregation anytime in April, or throughout the year.”

Find additional resources here.

COVID-19 NEWS & INFORMATION

COVID-19: WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Save the date! Wisconsin Council of Churches is proud to announce that they will be co-hosting a panel discussion with Wisconsin DHS, "COVID-19: Where Are We Now?" The webinar, to be held Tuesday, April 26th at 4:00 p.m., will focus on what churches can expect in the near future. The panel will be moderated by Rev. Daniel Schultz, WCC Community Health Program Director. If you have any questions you'd like to see discussed, drop Dan a line. Registration details to come.

Out of the Blue in '22

SPELLING BEE WORD GETS KID CRACKING UP ON STAGE

Who knew spelling bees could be so funny?!? Enter "sardoodledom."

Spelling bee word gets this kid cracking up on stage (Sardoodledom)

Invitations

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN VIRTUAL GATHERING

Saturday, April 23, 2022, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

All women are invited to join the upcoming Presbyterian Women gathering, "Who and What is Trustworthy?"

In the Baptismal service, those who are to be baptized or their sponsors are asked: “Who is your Lord and Savior? Do you trust in him?” Why do we need the second question? Carol Wickersham, Teaching Elder of Milwaukee Presbytery and Associate Professor of Sociology at Beloit College, will help participants engage with the concept of trust in society and their spiritual lives. The group will explore documents for the general decline of trust in society and reflect data on these trends in light of scripture and our faith.

Make your reservation by April 21 by emailing Judy Bell or call 414-378-6437. Please provide name, Presbytery, church, and phone number when registering.

(Zoom link will be emailed to registrants)

Share this flyer with those who might be interested in the upcoming PW gathering.

VIRTUAL CLERGY TRAINING EVENTS ON MORAL INJURY & SUICIDE PREVENTION

William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, Madison, WI., would like to invite you to participate in one of two upcoming free Virtual Clergy Training Events. Each event will be two hours long with the topics of Moral Injury and Suicide Prevention to be discussed.

The event dates are:

April 26, 2022 (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
June 28, 2022 (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

To find out more see this flyer and to register, please click on this Eventbrite link. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Heidi Klave, 608-256-1901 x17546 or Heidi.Klave@va.gov.

"BELOVED CHILD: A DAKOTA WAY OF LIFE" BOOK STUDY

The upcoming Presbyterian Women Native American Book Study book, "Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of LIfe" by Diane Wilson is open to interested women and men across the synod. This study will occur on May 16, May 23 and June 6th, with sessions at 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM (Central). This book is recommended reading prior to Rev. Dr. Clifford Canku's workshop at the PW Synod Gathering which will be held on June 16-19 in Sioux City, IA. Please share this information with others. To register, email Marily Stone with name, presbytery, cell #, and identify 1:30 or 6:30 PM Central session.

Mission Opportunities

IS HE ILLEGAL? *corrected link*

A Letter from Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado Escobar, serving at the U.S. – Mexico Border

“Is he illegal?” asked the 911 dispatcher.

“No, he is a human being created in the image of God, beloved by God. Send an ambulance now!” should have been my response. But that was not what I said.

While Adrian Gonzalez and I were serving our 8 p.m. to midnight volunteer shift at the Migrant Resource Center in Agua Prieta, Sonora, a man entered the center and was obviously concerned. He reported that...(read more)