The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

THE COUNTRY IS WATCHING

Wisconsin is under the microscope this week. From local school referenda to Supreme Court elections, the country was watching what we would do. Wisconsin’s role as a swing state has become increasingly prominent in the last several years. For residents, all this swinging can be dizzying or downright nauseating. The tension between our public life and our private values and faith can leave our stomachs in knots.

Some would argue that our...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

CHAPLAIN RESIDENCY PARTNERSHIP

The residency program of the Milwaukee Presbytery and Carroll University is preparing to enter its third year. We've had two amazing residents in the first two years who have deeply enriched the congregations they served as well as increasing their own ministry gifts. As we plan for the third year, there is another opportunity for a congregation in our Presbytery both to benefit as a residency site with a seminary graduate as well as nurture someone in their call to ministry. Please see the attached application form for more details, and don't wait too long the deadline for applying is April 15. Our third congregational host site might just be yours!

WITH CHRISTIAN CONDOLENCES

Donna Holmes, the Presbytery’s former Communications Associate, passed away on March 15 after several months on hospice care. A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church this Friday, March 31 at 3:00 p.m. The deacons will host a cake, coffee, and tea reception following. We give thanks for Donna’s time among us and the deep faith that now takes her home and into holy, eternal rest.

REPORT FROM COMMON GROUND'S RECENT GOING PUBLIC ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING SESSION

“We need to bring accountability to a system where residents -- many of whom are seniors and people with disabilities -- do not feel safe, where management insults and intimidates residents, where rent payments are "lost," where heat and air conditioning don't work, where residents live with rats, bedbugs and mold, and where the director makes $240,000,” declared Rev. Will Davis, Pastor of Invisible Reality Ministries and member of Common Ground’s Executive Team.

Pastor Will was speaking to over 1,000 -- CG leaders and tenant leaders living in Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) properties -- who gathered Sunday to stand together and call for an investigation of HACM. Thank you to everyone who attended! It was powerful!

During the assembly we featured a 12 minute video with powerful testimonials from residents. You can find it and more at www.commongroundwi.org/tenantsunited

HERE is a Zoom recording of the assembly in case you missed it.

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Ecclesial Health:

"So far as it depends on you,

live peaceably with all"

GOD'S CALL AND OUR DEEP GLADNESS: EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES IN MINISTRY THROUGH HEALTHY DISCERNMENT

A conversation with Milwaukee/Boise Presbytery Exec Rachel Yates on what makes for healthy transitions in ministry.

News From The Denomination

DAILY SHARING CALENDAR FROM SPECIAL OFFERINGS

Week 7 -- April 2-8

Wednesday

Education is a vital tool to help people address their needs. Give a gift for every year you have been in school.

Thursday

Sometimes people need help advocating for their rights — like those who work with the Immokalee farmworkers. Say a prayer for those who advocate for basic human rights for all.

Friday

People without housing have nowhere to keep food. Give a gift for each time you have opened the refrigerator today and pray for people experiencing homelessness.

Find daily activities for the entire Season of Lent here: pcusa.org/sharingcalendar

Mission Opportunities

OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT FATHER'S HOUSE ORPHANAGE IN UKRAINE

In 2017, Rev. Nikki Blanks was a part of a group from the Presbytery of Milwaukee that traveled through Moldova, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. Rev. Blanks recently received an urgent call from Father's House, an orphanage this group visited while in Ukraine that needs help.

Read more from Rev. Blanks about ways to directly support organizations on the ground in Ukraine, without going through an international organization. All donations are tax-deductible and every penny will go to the people it's supposed to go to.

Father House - Ukraine - DONATIONS Needed

What You See in '23

MARCH 2023

A special thank you to Terry Hennessy, Melanie Stevens, Susan Long, Cathy Manthei, and Emily Hopta for sharing excellent pictures from March with us!

Let us see What You See in '23! Send Kate photos of what you see in April!

Invitations

HOLY WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Maundy Thursday + Good Friday + Holy Saturday

Every congregation has a different Holy Week tradition. Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee invites you to join us in-person or online as we observe the “Triduum,” meaning “three days.” The three services leading up to Easter unfold the story of Jesus’ betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. The name “Maundy” Thursday comes from the Latin word for “mandate,” referring to Jesus’ commandment that we love one another as he loves us. The service remembers the last night of Jesus’ life, his last supper and his betrayal. A rather dramatic service of tenebrae, Good Friday shares the account of the crucifixion in scripture and song. Candles are extinguished, leaving the Sanctuary dark except for the Christ candle. It is an acute experience of the suffering wrought by human sin, and a call to forgiveness and hope. Holy Saturday's "Great Vigil of Easter" begins in darkness. Worshipers enter the sanctuary, lighting candles, until the room is filled with light and the first proclamation of the resurrection is heard. From ancient times, the Easter Vigil was the time that new Christians were baptized, and Immanuel follows that tradition with the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.

All three services are held at 7:30 p.m.

The Chancel Choir will sing on Thursday and Friday.

Click here for more information including the online links.

CALVARY HOSTS HOUSING AND RACIAL EQUITY WORKSHOP

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity’s Housing and Racial Equity Workshop is a 2-hour interactive opportunity to better understand how local history has impacted the city's housing patterns today. We'll also learn ways to take informed action in support of housing equity. This workshop will take place at Calvary Presbyterian Church, downtown Milwaukee, on April 23rd at noon.

628 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, 53233

FROM THE HOLOCAUST TO CIVIL RIGHTS

Apostle Presbyterian Church (1509 S. 76th Street, West Allis) would like to invite you to a special program on April 30 at 4:00 p.m. Chris Halverson, Joannie Weinberg and Debbie Konkol will be presenting a fascinating program which will retrace their grandmother's journey in the Holocaust as well as Carl Simon's (their dad) experiences in Selma Alabama in 1965. This is a truly amazing program you won't want to miss.

There will be a light supper following their 4:00 p.m. presentation on April 30. In order to make appropriate plans, please contact Joan Van Able at 414 762 5073 if you plan to attend.

RECLAIMING OUR CALLING: DEACONS & RULING ELDERS AND THE CARE OF SOULS WEBINAR

Ruling elders and deacons are invited to the second leader formation webinar of 2023, April 27, 7:00–8:30 p.m. Eastern.Participants will join with Rachel and Matt Rhodes to learn more about both the theoretical and practical realities of caring for one another in the church and the important role that church leaders serve within that.

This webinar will be recorded and interpretation into Korean and Spanish is available. There is a registration deadline of April 19.

For more information and registration links, visit the PC(USA) Leader Formation website. Please pass this along to your congregations.