From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive
A BRIGHT STAR
I don’t know how widespread the practice is, even though it’s been around for decades.  Giving out “star words” is a revered Epiphany tradition for many congregations, and I worshipped with just such a congregation recently.  Worshippers were invited to pick a paper star out of a basket, as we left the sanctuary.  Each star had a...(read more
Presbytery Pulse
MILWAUKEE PRESBYTERY AND SOUTH CENTRAL SYNOD OF WISCONSIN (ELCA) COMMISSIONING OF REV. DAN GONZALEZ-ORTEGA
INSTALLATION OF REV. BETH PATTON
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
KIRKPATRICK ORDINATION CELEBRATION
On Sunday, January 8, the Presbytery of Milwaukee joyfully ordained Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick as a Minister of Word & Sacrament and installed her to the position of Designated Associate Pastor at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church. We celebrate her call to ministry and the mutual call to Tosa Pres.
GRACE (MILWAUKEE) SHOWS SUPPORT FOR UMOS
Grace (Milwaukee) made a generous gift of $5000 to support the UMOS Latina Resource Center. UMOS has been a faithful mission partner, working toward the eradication of labor trafficking and the shelter and support of survivors of domestic violence, including their recent activities during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many of our congregations have supported UMOS through donations of furnishings. Through its wonderful monetary donation, Grace has extended the reach of UMOS even further.
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 16th.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 8 churches that have already entered their 2022 statistics online!
2023 STANDARD MILATE RATES
The IRS standard mileage rates for 2023 are 65.5 cents/mile for business, and 14 cents/mile for volunteers. Find more information here.
RACIAL EQUITY & JUSTICE TASK FORCE SURVEY
The Racial Equity and Justice Task Force (REJTF) is asking for a clergy person in each congregation in the Presbytery to complete their survey regarding the state of anti-racism work throughout the Presbytery. When the Presbytery established the REJTF, they were asked to consider engaging all congregations in the Presbytery through a review of current efforts related to racial equity and justice. The survey is our first step in doing this. It was sent directly to clergy via email on Wednesday, January 4. The REJTF would like all surveys completed by Wednesday, January 25.  If you have any questions, members of the Task Force would be happy to answer questions and support you in this.
FPC RICHFIELD'S REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR SUCCESS
In November, FPCR’s Slinger Food Pantry Liaisons brought forward the idea of the church family doing a“Reverse Advent” food collection for the Pantry, an idea that had been shared in Fresh Impressions. With a little tweaking to match the FPCR calendar, the idea came to fruition and was communicated to the FPCR community just in time for Advent.

TOD BOLSINGER TO VISIT PRESBYTERY
Presbytery pastors and leadership teams mark your calendars for February 17 and 18 and two opportunities to join with renowned author and speaker Tod Bolsinger as we engage the vital marks of Empowered Servant Leadership and Ecclesial Health. 

On Friday, February 17, Tod will lead us in a retreat:
How NOT to Waste a Crisis. 
As the world is emerging from the disruption of the past few years, what has become of your congregation? What challenges are you facing? What capacities have you discovered? What opportunities are before you that you couldn't even see before? And mostly, what leadership will be required of you? 

Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience will take us through some interactive sessions that will help us develop the leadership capacity needed to take a congregation through a world of constant disruption and change--and how you can not only survive, but thrive. 


And on February 18th Tod joins us as the speaker and guest preacher for our presbytery gathering at West Granville as we shift from Empowered Servant Leadership to Ecclesial (Church) Health.
VIRTUAL OFFICE TRANSITION, #1
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. Rachel Yates reflects: For 3 of the 5 years that I’ve been your Presbytery Executive, I’ve worked from my home office (aka the laundry room, dining room, or kitchen). It was rare that I needed to “go to the office,” except maybe to look at an old file. Even now, as your Bridge Executive, I’m able to serve with you from Idaho, hopefully seamlessly. The office staff typically meet by Zoom three times per week. The meetings can be as short as a half hour, but they still allow us to check in with each other on ministry activity and needs and to maintain collegiality. I continue to support the Commission on Transitional Ministries, which also meets by Zoom even though the office conference room is available. This saves travel time and, for pastor candidate interviews, travel expenses.  Happily, when we need to gather, there are many available venues. Pre-COVID, the staff enjoyed our periodic days on the road, when we would set up the office at a coffee shop in Janesville or Racine or Delafield, and invite nearby pastors or church members to drop in. We look forward to gathering in these settings in the coming year.
Building Ministry Vitality
Through Matthew 25
Empowered Servant Leadership:
"We all have gifts according to God's Grace"
HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER MY CHURCH IS READY TO INNOVATE?
Creative churches don’t panic when things go wrong. They pivot. But how do you know whether your church is prepared for it? 

You can find this article and other resources in the Empowered Servant Leadership section of our website.
News From The Denomination
PC(USA) 2023-24 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN
Applications for 2023-2024 scholarships through the Presbyterian Mission Agency are now open. The applications are available in English, Spanish, and Korean through the Kaleidoscope platform linked through the Financial Aid for Service page of the Presbyterian Mission Agency website. The Kaleidoscope platform allows students to complete the application at their own pace over the span of weeks or months until the final deadline of May 15, 2023. As a host for other grants and scholarships, it also allows students to apply simultaneously for several scholarships through multiple foundations — a further benefit for students seeking to finance their education.
What You See in '23
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!
In 2023 we want to see what you see! Send Kate photos of things that catch your eye -- 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. The photos will be compiled into a monthly collage to be shared in Fresh Impressions.

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.
Photos submitted by Presbytery staff
Invitations
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE RESOURCE FROM ADVOCATE AND AURORA HEALTH
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived his life serving others. You can celebrate the Civil Rights leader’s life by giving your time on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 16 — and beyond. By doing so, you help bring to life Dr. King’s vision of neighbors working together to build a better future.

HERITAGE WELCOMES SABBATICAL PASTOR REV. TOYA RICHARDS
Heritage Presbyterian Church is excited to welcome Rev. Toya Richards as our sabbatical pastor January 16-February 24. She will be preaching a worship series "Behold! God is doing a new thing" based on Isaiah 43:14-21 and the three areas of focus of Matthew 25 congregations. All are welcome to join us for worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays (in person and Zoom). 

Rev. Richards is ordained in the Baptist tradition, but has her M.Div. from Louisville Seminary and is in the process of completing her D.Min. at McCormick Theological Seminary. She also has spent time working for the PC(USA) in the Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly. Currently, Rev. Richards has been endorsed and appointed to serve as a missionary in South Africa via the American Baptist Church USA. She’ll be teaching at Cape Town Baptist Seminary, and will depart for that five-year call as soon as she reaches 100 percent of her funding goal. If you’re interested in having her share more about that call with your congregation, email her directly at trichards@internationalministries.org.
RACE AND FAITH, INC. "SOMETHING TO SAY!"
This event has been created to allow participants to learn at their own pace with built in opportunities for engagement with the community through offering a movie night discussions and through the intergenerational panel held on Monday evening of the King holiday.

The Interfaith Community has been offered $10 off, simply use the promo code: interfaith
2023 BUILDING ON FAITH BREAKFAST
An invitation from Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Thank you for your interest in partnering with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in our 2023 Building on Faith Program. Together we'll help you live out your congregation's ministry, engage your members, and see the miracle that happens when God touches the hearts of new homeowners and the volunteers and donors who support them.

Please use this form to register for the Building on Faith Breakfast on Thursday, January 26 at 9:00 a.m
We will gather at our Headquarters, 3726 N Booth St, Milwaukee, WI 53212. 
We request that everyone from your congregation or organization register separately. Please share this link!
KEEP UP WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS FROM WCC
The Wisconsin Council of Churches invites you to subscribe to their Community Health Program Newsletter to stay informed about the fluctuating activity of various respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19. View this week's edition here.
WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES PRESENTS FAITH & DEMOCRACY
Employment Opportunities
Good Shepherd Trinity in Milwaukee seeks PART-TIME DESIGNATED PASTOR 
Please contact Rachel Yates to learn about ministry opportunities at the joint Presbyterian-ELCA congregation
Future Presbytery Gathering Dates
2023 PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
  • Saturday, February 18 @ 10:00 a.m. *DATE CHANGE* at West Granville Presbyterian Church

  • Tuesday, May 24 @ 4:00 p.m., location TBD
Hot Links
APCE - Association of Partners in Christian Education 
Grapevine - April 2022 Presbyterian Women's Newsletter
Keeping In Touch - Newsletter from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies 
Life in the Labyrinth - Inspirational Website by Michelle Henrichs
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Current Information
The Sower - November 2022 Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
UCCI Newsletter - January 2023 Newsletter for United Church Camps, Inc.

Presbytery of Milwaukee
414-292-2740