Winnebago Presbytery Semi-Annual Report

January 5 News & Notes Interactive Question

Tri-Presbytery Collaboration Conversation & January Devotional

Members of Winnebago, John Knox, and Milwaukee presbyteries gathered at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison on Wednesday, January 17th to continue to share ideas about how our three presbyteries can promote the connectional church. More updates to come at our February Presbytery meeting - don't forget to register!

We continue to be pleased about the January devotional that came about from conversation with our presbytery neighbors. If you haven't checked it out yet, we highly encourage you do so!

With Sympathy to the Family of Rev. John Baumann

Rev. John Baumann served as an Associate Pastor of First Presbyteroan Church, Oshkosh from 1969 to 1975. You can view the full obituary here.

Funeral service details are as follows:

• Kettle Morraine United Presbyterian Church

N66 W32690 County Road K

Hartland, WI 53029

• Saturday, January 20, 2024
• Visitation from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
• Service to begin at 11:00 a.m.
• Luncheon to follow funeral service

Prayers for Pastor Katie Estes, FPC Green Bay

Members of FPC Green Bay's church community are asking for prayers for Pastor Katie upon the death of her mother. Katie and her family have faced a number of unexpected emergencies during these past holiday months. We hope that the power of prayer will uplift Pastor Katie and those around her as they begin the path to healing, as well as offer additional support the congregation of FPC Green Bay in her absence.

Reminder for Ministry in a Secular Age with Andy Root Workshop Attendees Tuesday, January 23rd at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

This is a reminder for all previous attendees that Andy will be back (via Zoom) for an online discussion. The plan is for Andy to do some teaching for the first 30 minutes, Q&A for 30 minutes, and close with discussion about continuing as a group. For a link to the event, please check the inbox of the email you registered for the original event with. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Miranda Halsey at miranda@winnebagopresbytery.org.

2024 Annual Checklist Documents

Clerks, Pastors, and Church Office Staff should have received digital copies of the 2024 Annual Congregational Checklist Documents from Stated Clerk, Bob Boswell, and Administrative Assistant, Miranda Halsey. Additionally, hardcopies are en route and should arrive soon!

We just wanted to remind you that you may need other staff members to help with these forms (Finance, Administrative Assistant, etc.). As always, if you have any questions, please contact Miranda Halsey at miranda@winnebagopresbytery.org.

Samaritan Counseling

January is Mental Wellness Month

According to the World Health Organization, mental wellness is defined as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community. Mental wellness is an important part of the work of Samaritan, especially for our Samaritan Wellness Screen team. Their work helps identify students who are struggling through an in-school screening process.

Through the screening, students voluntarily answer questions about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Answers are confidential and only seen by Wellness Screen staff. If the screening identifies a student who needs help, results are shared with the student and their parent or guardian. Our clinicians also provide resources and support to find appropriate mental health services.

Mental wellness screening allows for early identification of highly treatable mental health needs, including those that may be associated with increased suicide risk. You can learn more about the work of Samaritan Wellness Screen by visiting samaritanfoxvalley.com/wellness-screen.

United Church Camps, Inc.

2024 Registration Announcement

• All Cedar Valley art workshops are open now
• Moon Beach winter events are open now
• Moon Beach summer family camps registration opens on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
• Daycholah Center summer camp registration opens on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
• Camp AweSum Family Camps registration opens on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

View the event calendar showing all camps and events here.

Wisconsin Council of Churches

Upcoming Event: Housing Justice and Congregational Futures - February 1st, 8:30-2:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Parish in Wausau

The way we gather is in a season of transition. Many faith communities have large buildings that were used in an era when congregations were larger and had busier schedules with events happening throughout the week. Some believe that they may conclude ministry in that place in the next 5-10 years. It is time for us to re-examine our buildings and ask how they can continue to serve our communities.

One widespread community need across Wisconsin is safe, affordable housing. [... What would it] look like if faith communities used our assets such as buildings, people, and faith that calls us to love our neighbor [and] to advocate for housing justice in our cities[?]

Faith communities in north central Wisconsin are invited to join together to share, listen, and dream about how they could have an impact on their communities through housing justice.

Read More.

Matthew 25 Summit: An Invitation to Innovation - The Rev. Dr. William Yoo Explores the Matthew 25 Church That Never Was and The One We Have Today

By Mike Ferguson - Presbyterian News Service

[The Matthew 25 Summit event wrapped up yesterday, January 18th, in Atlanta, GA. The event brings mid-councils, churches, and individuals together to explore the vision of Matthew 25 in the PC(USA).]

Read the Full Article & Yoo's 5 Main Points Here