The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

THE GOOD BOOK

One of my favorite scenes (and there are many) from the movie “The Jerk” is when Nathan Johnson (played by comedian Steve Martin) gets a copy of the latest telephone book. He thumbs through it quickly and jumps up and down, shouting, “The new phone book’s here! The new phone book’s here!” Replay it here in case your memory’s a bit fuzzy.

My mom still uses the phone book. She’s...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

REV. DAN GONZALEZ'S WORK OF THE GLOBAL ADVISORY PANEL

Several weeks ago we shared that Evangelista del Presbiterio Dan Gonzalez was chosen to be part of the Global Advisory Panel for the PC(USA). You can read more about what the panel discussed regarding bringing ministry efforts around the world here.

ASB WITH CARROLL UNIVERSITY

by Chaplain Resident, Rev. Anna Langholz

The Office of Spiritual Life at Carroll University recently led an Alternate Spring Break (ASB) trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We took two chaplains and 12 students to Montreat Camp and Conference Center to serve with their staff repairing and preparing their popular hiking trails before summer season begins. Our students fortified a river embankment, cleared trails of weeds and dead trees, constructed a camping outhouse, and built rich community throughout the week. Additionally, they served with a local congregation providing weekly meals to the unhoused community in Asheville.

Some highlights from the trip, according to many of our students, included...(read more)

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Ecclesial Health:

"So far as it depends on you,

live peaceably with all"

QUICK AND SIMPLE ASSET-MAPPING EXPERIENCE

Continue your Ecclesial Health Check-up with Asset-Mapping. The Quick and Simple Asset-Mapping Experience is a great resource from the Alban Institute. Often congregations focus on the things that are missing, meaning we reflect on our ministry from a deficit mindset. Asset mapping flips this so that instead we begin with what we have. Focusing on God's grace and provision through assessing our resources allows congregations to move forward with more confidence and joy.

Invitations

FUNDRAISER FOR FATHER'S HOUSE ORPHANAGE IN KIEV, UKRAINE

Rev. Nikki Blanks (Delafield Presbyterian Church) organized a fundraiser for Father's House Orphanage in Kiev, Ukraine this Friday, April 28, at Coffeetails in Milwaukee. Beautiful handmade items, gift cards, theatre tickets, and more have been donated by individuals, businesses, and churches throughout the Presbytery that will be auctioned and raffled throughout the evening. Come join the fun and bring a friend!

Coffeetails is located at 1506 N Van Buren Street, Milwaukee, 53202

JOIN VOCES DE LA FRONTERA IN ACTION THIS MAY DAY

This May Day, NSM Milwaukee invites you to march alongside immigrants like Alejandra Gonzalez Aviña, a nearly life-long Wisconsin resident, DACAmented-college graduate, and an active member in her community. Alejandra is our valued neighbor, and she deserves to live and work freely, with permanent protections, access to drivers licenses, and in-state tuition. She is not alone. Our Latinx neighbors and workers strengthen Wisconsin, but our laws and regulations keep them at a disadvantage. To show how essential the Latinx workforce has become, thousands of marchers will engage in a general strike on May 1 (A "Day Without Latinx and Immigrants"), many at the risk of their jobs. This march is for them and for all of us who value and respect the dignity of our Latinx neighbors. Won't you join them in solidarity? This year's march will begin at 11 am at Voces de la Frontera, 1027 S. 5th St., Milwaukee, and end at Ziegler Park for a program featuring speeches and music. Find more information about the day's activities here.

HONING YOUR PREACHING (FOR MINISTERS AND ELDERS ALIKE)

For the preacher in all of us, the Synod of the Covenant invites you to preaching workshops to help you with seasons and themes for preaching and wisdom from renowned preachers. The Synod of the Covenant’s Preaching Workshop at 10:00 am Eastern on May 3 is Craig Barnes, President Emeritus of Princeton Seminary, who will be leading a workshop called “Caring for the Preacher’s Soul.” You can learn more and register here: Caring for the Preacher’s Soul - Synod of the Covenant.

On June 7, Wes Avram, pastor of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Ph.D. in rhetoric from Northwestern University, will lead a workshop called “Acceleration, Amplification, Accumulation, Alienation: Preaching in Times Like These.” If you want to get ahead of the curve, learn more and register now here: Acceleration, Amplification, Accumulation, Alienation: Preaching in Times Like These - Synod of the Covenant.

To see the schedule for the whole year, visit Explore these Opportunities to Train and Strengthen Preachers - Synod of the Covenant

PROVIDE LUNCH AT HEPHATHA CHURCH

Hephatha Church (ELCA) in Milwaukee's central city is looking for churches to provide lunch after their weekly service and Sunday school. This involves serving lunch to approximately 50 people. They appreciate any meal (there are A LOT of kids). Lunches could also be bagged for take home. Lunch providers would arrive before 11:00 to set up. They have several dates in 2023 still available. Pastor Mary Martha can be reached through the Hephatha website or contact Michelle Henrichs for more information.

DONATIONS NEEDED

Heritage has a mission partner looking for filing cabinets and a large corkboard or magnetic white board. If you would like to donate them, please contact Michelle Henrichs to arrange pick-up.

INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE TO CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Adults and college age young adults are invited to join Rev. Dan Gonzales Ortega and San Jose Fellowship (Beloit) in an Intercultural Exchange to Chiapas, Mexico this summer July 5-14. The cost is $300 plus airfare and includes: accommodation in shared rooms, meals, and a bus ticket from Mexico City to Chiapas.

The exchange has three foci: Ecological diakonia (leadership for creation care), Empowering youth spirituality (indigenous spirituality and youth awareness-raising), and Training for the development of intercultural dialogue.

Chiapas is a place of deep spiritual roots as an environment of different cultures of Mayan (indigenous) origin. It is also a place of multiple socio-economic needs and great marginalization. However, there is a large sector of Christian churches that encourage hope and build a life of faith in the search for food sovereignty and cultural subsistence. Sharing experiences with indigenous and evangelical communities in Chiapas will help young people and leaders from Mexico City and North American churches to find expressions of the Gospel of Christ that help to give meaning to the faith that develops in these other contexts. As well as the value of solidarity and appreciation of the different ways of expressing faith in situations of need and crisis, nurturing hope.

If interested, please contact Rev. Dan Gonzales Ortega. Space is limited.

PRES HOUSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INVITATION

Pres House is seeking committed and engaged individuals to serve on the Board of Directors for our dynamic and growing organization. Board members will provide vision, governance, and financial oversight over programs, including the Pres House Apartments, that serve more than 1,000 students annually as well as a $2.5M+ annual budget.

Board members should share a passion for meeting the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual needs of UW Madison students. Board members should also share the Christian faith that is central to the mission of the Pres House.

Pres House is committed to diversity in socio-economic status, racial-ethnic identity, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, and more and we hope for our board to reflect that commitment in spirit and in membership.

Board meetings are held 6-8 times per year in-person in Madison, WI.

Please reach out to Andy Holmes or Lee Tan if you have questions or are interested in providing your name for consideration.

2023-24 UCM STUDENT INTERNS

University Christian Ministries (UCM) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is seeking undergrad and graduate students interested in serving their peers in an internship capacity. There are currently four open positions. These internships will have students leading small groups, organizing service and outreach events, and also serving within a local congregation. Each internship position includes free housing (conveniently located right across street from campus) or a stipend. If you know of a student currently attending or beginning at UWM in the fall, please share this information and application. Application deadline: May 19, 2023

About UCM: University Christian Ministries (UCM) is a multi-denominational campus ministry which seeks to serve students, staff and faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As we accompany and inspire students to continue in their faith journey, it is our hope that ministry may flourish not only in our building, but throughout the wider-community of people who call Milwaukee home.

News From The Denomination

REV. DR. J. HERBERT NELSON TO STEP DOWN AS STATED CLERK

Last week at a meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson announced that he would not seek a third term as Stated Clerk of the PC(USA). On April 25, 2023 he made known his intention to resign from the position, effective June 30.

IS THERE A GRANT FOR THAT?

The Presbyterian Mission Agency has many grants available to congregations and presbyteries. For a complete list, visit https://www.presbyterianmission.org/grants/.

REGARDING RULING ELDERS

Embracing the valuable ministry of ruling elders

valerie izumi has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.

Disaster Preparedness & Response Task Force

TORNADO SEASON IS UPON US

by Laurie VanderJagt

In the U.S., the Midwest and Southeastern states have a greater risk for tornadoes.

Tornado season typically starts in April. In 2023 the season started in Wisconsin on Friday, March 31^st when 12 confirmed tornadoes touched down in Wisconsin. What if this had been a Sunday morning tornado? ARE WE PREPARED?

As a congregation, we can accomplish disaster preparedness if we work together. With the understanding that knowledge and communication are the most important parts of a disaster plan, we offer these suggestions for your consideration...(read more)

What You See in '23

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

We've 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.

Employment Opportunities