The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

COMMON GROUND

Do I have any Star Trek fans out there? Especially Next Generation? Remember the episode when Captain Picard is trapped on an alien planet with another captain whose metaphorical language is incompatible with the universal translator? They can’t determine if each other is foe or friend, but they must defeat a deadly beast by working together. The alien captain would repeatedly urge...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

UMOS REQUESTS HELP FOR LABOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS

Seven people recovered from labor trafficking situations are moving to two apartments to await the process of aiding the government in the prosecution of the traffickers. UMOS requests our help to supply the two apartments. One group moved last weekend, and the second will move in later this month. Please let Rachel Yates know if you are able to provide any of the following items and if you could help deliver (usually to South Milwaukee).

3 sets of bedding (Full Size) (fitted sheets, blankets, comforters, pillows)
Pots and pans

SAVE THE DATE -- PRESBYTERY GATHERING!

The September 20th Presbytery Gathering is just around the corner! The Gathering will be hybrid, with the option of attending online or in-person at Crossroads Presbyterian Church (6031 W. Chapel Hill Road, Mequon, 53097) at 4:00 p.m. and will focus on the vital mark of Outward Incarnational Focus. Julie Kandema, an ordained Minister from the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda, will join us for this Presbytery Gathering.

Since 2014 Julie Kandema has served as Vice President and deputy legal representative for the denomination. She leads the church program in charge of Church Growth supervising church activities related to evangelization, women and youth activities, deacons and Sunday School. Ms. Kandema serves on a variety of commissions for peace building at the national and international levels. As Vice President of the Interfaith Platform for Dignity and Peace, Ms. Kandema organizes inter-religious dialogues and other activities on peace and reconciliation. She looks forward to sharing with the Presbyterian Church (USA) her experience of the genocide against the Tutsi people of Rwanda in 1994. She will also share the efforts of the church in post-genocide Rwanda and the work done by different categories of people, particularly women and youth, to bring about true reconciliation and development in Rwanda.

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Lifelong Discipleship: "...be transformed by the renewing of your minds..."

PAYING ATTENTION TO GRACE

Paying Attention to Grace a conversation with Scott Samuelson, Associate Pastor at Crossroads Presbyterian Church. As a lifelong disciple, Scott grew up in the church, and along the way he's discovered that his faith keeps evolving and deepening as he attends to the ways in which God's Spirit is at work in his life and ministry and the varying life moments "where grace can seep in."

MATTHEW 25 ERADICATING SYSTEMIC POVERTY RESOURCE PACKET

Click on the above highlighted resource title to download the individual item. Click here to “download all” as a resource packet.

COVID-19 News & Information

COVID RISK UPDATE

From the Wisconsin Council of Churches

As our chart to the right indicates (click for full size), the B.A. 5 subvariant is much more transmissible than previous forms of COVID, and is now the dominant strain in the U.S. Just as with previous variants, B.A. 5 may—and we stress may—cause less severe symptoms. But more infections means there is potential for more complications and serious cases, particularly in vulnerable individuals.

This comes at a time when the CDC is relaxing its guidelines, shortening or even eliminating quarantine times and doing away with the six feet of social distancing to more general guidance to avoid crowded areas.

These guidelines put more burden on individuals to keep themselves and others safe, rather than insisting on social safety protocols.This will make it easier for schools to remain open, but make it harder to maintain community-oriented practices in churches and other organizations.

Another important reminder: last year, the CDC changed its reporting of COVID transmission, greatly reducing the number of areas requiring the strictest measures. Currently, under WCC guidelines, 21 counties in Wisconsin have high levels of transmission, and 51 are at critical levels. The WCC does not recommend relaxing COVID safety practices at this time.

Continue masking, social distancing, and when appropriate, physically distanced ministry. Always set community practices with sensitivity to the needs of the most vulnerable members, regardless of the perceived threat in your area.

Check the levels in your county in our COVID Risk table, and see recommended mitigations. As always, feel free to reach out to WCC Community Health Program Director Rev. Daniel Schultz with questions or for more information.

News From The Denomination

RACIAL ETHNIC STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

The Racial Ethnic Student Scholarship Fund is an educational assistance program designed to encourage racial ethnic students in their preparation for academic success in higher education. Students must have a permanent residence within the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and be active members in a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation. The synod is committed to partner with students and schools for greater access to lifelong leadership skills and affordable education. Application awards are based on personal achievement, financial need and recommendation from a teacher and pastor. Submission deadline is September 30, 2022.

Applications are available here.

UNBOUND SEEKS CREATIVES FOR ADVENT SERIES

Are you a creative writer? Want to reimagine the narratives of Advent? Let the team at Unbound know you’re interested in writing for the upcoming Unbound Advent series.

Contact Unbound

Out of the Blue in '22

EMOTIONAL BIRD PHOTOS CAPTURE THE EXQUISITE DIVERSITY OF OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS

London-based photographer Tim Flach is known for his intimate portrayals of birds. He captures a diverse array of species—many of which are rare and endangered—in photographs that each boast a compelling emotional component. It's as if we're gazing into the soul of these creatures.

These stunning shots offer a close-up look at various avian species, including blue tits, cockatoos, doves, and ravens. Their vibrant plumage and patterns are shown in exquisite definition.”Birds just present such an array of colors, such different morphologies, I just wanted to explore the wonderment and the beauty of birds,” Flach says.

Invitations

CHURCH SAFETY & SECURITY WORKSHOP

August 20, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Crossroads Presbyterian Church partnered with ACG Security Consultants and will host a free Church Safety & Security Workshop on Saturday, August 20th. ACG Security Consultants Troy Szotkowski and Dave Skinner will be on hand to discuss church safety and behavior recognition followed by a group discussion. Registration for this even begins at 8:30 a.m. at Crossroads on August 20th.

Mission Opportunities

2022-23 MISSION PERSONNEL GUIDE AVAILABLE ONLINE

Copies of the “Called to Service: Witnessing God’s Love Around the World” Mission Personnel Guide will soon be mailed to all congregations. A virtual version of the guide is available online.

PRACTICAL TRANSFORMATIONS

A letter from Elmarie and Scott Parker

Dear Friends,

Farmers in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley share something important in common with rural women having various physical disabilities and living in the isolated mountain communities of Lebanon. Both are collaborating with PC(USA) partners who are committed to long-term, transformational economic development in a country that has endured an historical economic collapse these past three years.

In July, we visited with...(read more)

CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST

A letter from Nadia Ayoub

Dear friends and families,

I greet you all in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. With a heart full of thanksgiving, I thank God for He is love, and through Him, we are more than conquerors because all the suffering cannot separate us from the love of Christ, who showed us the ultimate love by dying on the cross to save us from sin and gave us abundant life. What a comforting truth I treasure and refer to whenever I translate stories of hardship for the displaced and forced immigrant people.

Toward the end of April, Perichoresis welcomed the first...(read more)