The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

EV'RY TIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT

Another Presbytery Gathering is on the books, and I’m still humming “Ev’ry time I feel the Spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray. Yes, ev’ry time I feel the Spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray.” The movement of the Spirit was palpable – even from Idaho. More important, it was earnestly sought. As we move into the vitality mark of “Spirit Inspired Worship,” we welcomed Rev. Dr. Melanie Harris as our guest speaker. During the education hour, Dr. Harris led us in exercises to...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSURE

The Presbytery Office will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day. Staff will resume working remotely on Tuesday, May 30.

COMING SOON! PRESBYTERY GATHERING HIGHLIGHTS

Looking for the Presbytery Highlights from the May 23, 2023 Presbytery Gathering? Check back next week! Gathering Highlights will be available in the Wednesday, May 31, edition of Fresh Impressions.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

Summer is coming and so are opportunities to enjoy camp. The Commission on Congregational Vitality offers camper scholarships of up to $150 per child or youth. Access the application at https://www.pbymilwaukee.org/commission-on-cong-vitality.html.

PRESBYTERY STAFF ON THE ROAD

To make ourselves more accessible, your Presbytery staff will be scheduling some remote office days! Keep an eye out for a date and location in your neck of the woods and stop by for some conversation and a beverage or snack - our treat! We hope to see you!

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies and the Presbytery of Milwaukee will be open during the summer Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If a matter arises that cannot wait until the following Monday, you are welcome to email or call the Presbytery Executive, Rachel Yates, at the office. All emails and voicemail messages will be forwarded and monitored during Friday office closures.

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Spirit Inspired Worship:

"...present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God..."

SPIRIT INSPIRED WORSHIP

Individuals throughout the Milwaukee Presbytery share how they have experienced God's Spirit in worship as we introduce the new vital mark of Spirit Inspired Worship.

News From The Denomination

SYNOD MEETING SUMMARY

April 30 - May 2, 2023 the Synod of Lakes and Praries held its Spring stated and annual meeting in parson for the first time since Fall 2019. You can find the meeting summary here. If you have any questions, please contact Pamela Prouty, Stated Clerk at pprouty@lakesandprairies.org.

REGARDING RULING ELDERS

Taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation

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

What You See in '23

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

We're enjoying seeing what you see in '23 -- please keep the photos coming! Send Kate photos of things that catch your eye this month -- 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. Your photo will be shared in our monthly collage!

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

OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATING PASTOR CATHY MANTHEI'S MINISTRY

TRAUMA INFORMED MINISTRY: DIGGING DEEPER

At the Leadership Summit in April 2023 and the Spring Meeting of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, participants explored the topic of Trauma-Informed Ministry and Becoming a Trauma-Informed Church. For many this was a new topic. The Transforming Communities/Vital Leaders Committee is offering a series of three workshops in the coming weeks to allow a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma in the life of faith and Christian Community. You can register for one or all three, depending on your availability.

Spiritual Trauma and the Bible: Thursday May 25

Do we read the Bible differently those the lens of trauma? What might others hear thatwe don't recognize? Facilitated by Laura Beth Buchleiter.

Grief and Trauma, Thursday, June 1

Grief is a complicated experience made even more so by traumatic events. Recognizingthe differences and clues to what is happening is important. Facilitated by Joanna Quanbeck.

Intersectionality and Trauma, Thursday, June 15

Intersectionality is the acknowledgement that everyone has their own uniqueexperiences of discrimination and oppression and we must consider everything andanything that can marginalize people – gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physicalability, etc. Trauma is frequently connected with such marginalization. Facilitated byJulica Hermann de la Fuente.

NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY AND WEAR ORANGE WEEKEND

Every year on the first Friday in June, members of the Wear Orange movement come together to honor survivors of gun violence and demand a future free from this crisis. People wear orange throughout the weekend to show support—in every state and every community across the country.

Make sure you're ready to join Wear Orange on June 2–4 for this year's National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. Find an event near you and share it with your friends!

GUNS TO GARDENS: SAFE SURRENDER EVENTS

The United States has a gun problem. The Wisconsin Council of Churches is joining with churches across the country to dismantle unwanted firearms. The WCC believes that as a Church, we can affirm Isaiah’s call to beat our swords into plowshares and end gun violence. Many people are in possession of unwanted firearms and have no trusted place to discard them without turning them back out into the market. Dismantling your unwanted gun is the only way you can be sure your gun will not be used for harm. Two Madison churches are hosting safe surrender events through the Guns to Gardens program.

Bring your unloaded firearm(s) stored in the trunk of your vehicle to:

Sat, June 3, 9:00am – noon

First United Methodist Church (203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison)

Sat, June 10, 9:00am – noon

Midvale Community Lutheran Church (4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison)

A volunteer will remove weapons for dismantling. Raw materials are sent to RAWtools to be made into tools. Learn more here and please help spread the word.