YOUR 2024 HOLY POWERPACK

A welcome and interview with our newly elected presbytery moderator, Bill Leonard (Linn), vice moderator, Kim Trimboli (Forest Park), and re-elected Stated Clerk, Christian Boyd (Southminster). Come meet the 2024 Holy Powerpack!

PRESBYTERY HOLIDAY CLOSURES

The Presbytery Office will be closed Friday, March 30, and Monday, April 1, in observance of the Easter holiday. Presbytery staff will resume normal working hours on Tuesday, April 2.

LET US HELP YOU SPREAD THE WORD

With the promise of warmer days ahead, many churches are planning sales and fundraisers to support mission work, youth programming, and special events. Let us help you spread the word! Not only will the free advertisement reach the Presbytery's list serve, it might also help fill a gap in the work of a congregation. Having a church-wide yard sale? There are a number of congregations helping families find furnishings to make a house a home. Youth hosting a spaghetti dinner? A great way to support youth in the church and to not have to worry about putting a meal together.

To get your event information in Fresh Impressions all you need to do is send Kate a brief description with a time and location and she will make sure the information is shared in the newsletter and on the Presbytery's social media. Pictures or an event flyer can also be sent, but are not required.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING CELEBRATES 75 YEARS

In a world of disaster, hunger, and oppression, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing—Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People—all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

Over 75 years, OGHS has:

• Granted 3.1 million dollars by PDA in the United States and 15 countries
• Distributed over 55,000 pounds of seeds and seedlings to farmers
• Certified 291 PC(USA) congregations as Earth Care Congregations
• Gave a $5,500 grant to small farmers in South Sudan
• Had 90 grants that impacted 22 countries by PHP
• Distributed 228,318 Gift of the Heart Kits and Blankets
• 875 chickens were distributed in Guatemala and Colombia
• 105 women became self-employed in Malawi
• 152 people won their land back in Sri Lanka
• 872 Presbyterian congregations purchased eco-palms for sustainable forestry and livelihoods

Online gifts can be made here: https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/make-a-gift/gift-info/oghs/

Traditionally collected on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday, much thanksgiving for the offerings made by the churches in the Presbytery of Milwaukee.

REGARDING RULING ELDERS

Responding to God’s Activity in the World through Service to Others

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

Having worked through the Seven Marks of Vitality over the past couple of years, the Presbytery staff thought it would be fun to see images that fit into Outward Incarnational Focus. Those are the times when you're looking "out the door" with mission, philanthropy, connecting with partners, building relationships...you get the idea!

Photos sent to Kate will be shared in Fresh Impressions to celebrate you're Outward Incarnational Focus and help inspire those who are looking out their own door.

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. This year's service will be framed by a string quartet offering of Joseph Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ.  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.

1100 N. Astor Street, Milwaukee, 53202

CELEBRATE SPRING WITH MUSIC AT WAUWATOSA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

S.O.U.L. YOUNG ADULT GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Children’s WI Grief Services is now offering a young adult group (18-29) called S.O.U.L. for individuals experiencing any significant death in their lives. This is in addition to multiple support groups covering all ages, texting program, podcast, camps, events and workshops. 

Learn more and register at:

https://childrenswi.org/patients-and-families/milwaukee-campus/inpatient-visit/during-your-stay/hospital-programs-and-services/grief-support or email griefsupport@childrenswi.org for information.