The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy team trivia. It’s basically Jeopardy in a restaurant with your close friends or family. My husband and I went to trivia last night. Spoiler alert: we played terribly, but we had a nice dinner. The first round was promising; we answered every question correctly. After that it went downhill…in more ways than one.

We narrowly missed questions about a sports labor dispute and the Epstein-Barr virus. We misheard the question about James Joyce’s Ulysses and answered laughably wrong. Then, we heard this question...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

INSTALLATION OF REV. BETH PATTON

Can't make it Faith on Saturday, January 28? The installation of Rev. Patton will be live streamed on the Faith Presbyterian Church Facebook page.

AFTER THE INSTALLATION...

You are invited to a reception at Faith and will have the opportunity to tour and pack a grocery bag for Faith's food pantry, The Cupboard. This is an excellent opportunity to not only see The Cupboard, but to also see the mission outreach Faith is able to do in a small space.

Faith Presbyterian Church, 3800 W. Rawson Avenue, Franklin, 53132

AN UPDATE FROM THE TRANSITIONAL EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER SEARCH TEAM

The search team for the Transitional Executive Presbytery has been hard at work. Angela Madison, Committee Moderator for the search team, has provided a brief update for the Presbytery about the current stage of the process.

VIRTUAL OFFICE TRANSITION, #2

As the Council explores the transition to a fully virtual Presbytery Office by year-end, they have asked the staff to reflect on what the physical office closure might mean for the Presbytery. Ann Gibbs reflects: The shift to working at home during the pandemic was not hard for me, what I didn't realize was that it also came with unforeseen blessings. As someone who spent 10 ½ years working as a solo pastor, I already had experience working alone; and while I thought I would miss the comradery with my fellow staff members that I have come to love, we have found ways to keep that going. I am not surprised that I do not miss the commute to and fro (and with it the gas that I save), but I had no idea how good it would be for me to take a walk with my dog in the middle of each day. Or that taking a few minutes to go outside and feed the birds or pull some weeds would be a stress release. As some important parts of my ministry have included caring, encouraging, and supporting others in ministry, this has always been better done over a cup of tea and in a relaxed atmosphere, so it was rare that I'd meet people at the office. During the pandemic, my backyard became a safe place to meet in person, and since has become a place for pastors to gather or meet to discuss ministry needs as well as my going out to meet them for coffee or lunch as I did before. As the Associate for Ministry Vitality, I am well aware that two of the marks of vital ministry, Caring Relationships and Empowered Servant Leadership go hand-in-hand. Working from home has not inhibited me in this work, in some ways it has definitely enhanced it.

GONZALEZ-ORTEGA COMMISSIONING CELEBRATION

On Sunday, January 15, the Presbytery of Milwaukee and the South Central Synod of Milwaukee (ELCA) joyfully commissioned Rev. Dan Gonzalez-Ortega, our Presbytery Evangelist, to Parroquia San Jose. We are excited to welcome Dan and celebrate his call to Beloit.

MAKE AN OFFER!

The Vernon Administrative Commission is now ready to receive offers from congregations and our Presbyterian Homes facilities. There are a number of notable items which include a 4 case Mullmark Hand Bells, Wood carving of Jesus with hands raised in blessing, Statue of Jesus with the little children, banners and paraments, Office, library, and fellowship hall furniture, Choir robes with reversable collars, folding chairs, communion service, and a small nostalgic popcorn popper. Additionally, for those who are engaged in rehoming ministries, there are a number of kitchen appliances and dishes available as well. A digital inventory is attached. Please contact Rev. Judi Holmes-Jensen at artisanabode@yahoo.com if you have any questions or are interested in any of the items.

GRACE (MILWAUKEE) SHOWS SUPPORT FOR UMOS

Grace (Milwaukee) made a generous gift of $5000 to support the UMOS Latina Resource Center. UMOS has been a faithful mission partner, working toward the eradication of labor trafficking and the shelter and support of survivors of domestic violence, including their recent activities during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many of our congregations have supported UMOS through donations of furnishings. Through its wonderful monetary donation, Grace has extended the reach of UMOS even further.

SESSION ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT

This is a reminder to all clerks of session that the Annual Statistical Report for the year 2022 needs to be submitted online by February 16^th.Included in your report are your membership numbers which will be used to determine next year's Per Capita Apportionment, so please make sure your membership numbers are accurate. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Halverson, 414-292-2740.

Thank you to the 12 churches that have already entered their 2022 statistics online!

2023 STANDARD MILATE RATES

The IRS standard mileage rates for 2023 are 65.5 cents/mile for business, and 14 cents/mile for volunteers. Find more information here.

TOD BOLSINGER TO VISIT PRESBYTERY

Presbytery pastors and leadership teams mark your calendars for February 17 and 18 and two opportunities to join with renowned author and speaker Tod Bolsinger as we engage the vital marks of Empowered Servant Leadership and Ecclesial Health.

On Friday, February 17, Tod will lead us in a retreat:

How NOT to Waste a Crisis.

As the world is emerging from the disruption of the past few years, what has become of your congregation? What challenges are you facing? What capacities have you discovered? What opportunities are before you that you couldn't even see before? And mostly, what leadership will be required of you?

Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience will take us through some interactive sessions that will help us develop the leadership capacity needed to take a congregation through a world of constant disruption and change--and how you can not only survive, but thrive.

And on February 18^th Tod joins us as the speaker and guest preacher for our presbytery gathering at West Granville as we shift from Empowered Servant Leadership to Ecclesial (Church) Health.

KIRKPATRICK ORDINATION CELEBRATION

On Sunday, January 8, the Presbytery of Milwaukee joyfully ordained Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick as a Minister of Word & Sacrament and installed her to the position of Designated Associate Pastor at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church. We celebrate her call to ministry and the mutual call to Tosa Pres.

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Empowered Servant Leadership:

"We all have gifts according to God's Grace"

EMPOWERING NOT FUSSY

Empowering Not Fussy is an interview with members of First Presbyterian Church of Richfield who share how they've adapted in ministry, taken on new responsibilities, and welcome youth and children as music leaders all while deepening their relationships and faith. These staunch Presbyterians show that engaging in reformation isn't just a thing of the past; it leads to an engaged and vital future.

News From The Denomination

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

Beginning today, January 18, eight days will be set aside for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25). Learn more about the annual observance that brings together Christians from all over the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01yhX6v0

REGISTRATION FOR NEW CONNECTING THE DOTS WEBINAR NOW OPEN

The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Militarism Working Group is kicking off 2023 with its newest in a series of Connecting the Dots webinars at 11:00 a.m. Central Time on January 25.

The topic is “Peace Church.” Participants will have the opportunity during the 90-minute Zoom session to begin talking about how faith might direct their attitudes toward war and peace and learn what it means for congregations to declare themselves “peace churches.”

Find more information and register here.

REGARDING RULING ELDERS

Reading the Room

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

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL FROM PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK

The Presbyterian Outlook is once again offering accessible and inspiring daily devotions for Lent written by editor Teri McDowell Ott. In Examen: Inward work for outward living, Ott explores the ancient spiritual practice of examen that focuses on honest assessment and reflection. With a different theme for each week of Lent, readers are invited to explore the connection between internal contemplation and outward action.

What You See in '23

PHOTOS! PHOTOS! PHOTOS!

In 2023 we want to see what you see! Send Kate photos of things that catch your eye -- 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. The photos will be compiled into a monthly collage to be shared in Fresh Impressions.

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

HERITAGE WELCOMES SABBATICAL PASTOR REV. TOYA RICHARDS

Heritage Presbyterian Church is excited to welcome Rev. Toya Richards as our sabbatical pastor January 16-February 24. She will be preaching a worship series "Behold! God is doing a new thing" based on Isaiah 43:14-21 and the three areas of focus of Matthew 25 congregations. All are welcome to join us for worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays (in person and Zoom).

Rev. Richards is ordained in the Baptist tradition, but has her M.Div. from Louisville Seminary and is in the process of completing her D.Min. at McCormick Theological Seminary. She also has spent time working for the PC(USA) in the Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly. Currently, Rev. Richards has been endorsed and appointed to serve as a missionary in South Africa via the American Baptist Church USA. She’ll be teaching at Cape Town Baptist Seminary, and will depart for that five-year call as soon as she reaches 100 percent of her funding goal. If you’re interested in having her share more about that call with your congregation, email her directly at trichards@internationalministries.org.

2023 BUILDING ON FAITH BREAKFAST

An invitation from Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity

Thank you for your interest in partnering with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in our 2023 Building on Faith Program. Together we'll help you live out your congregation's ministry, engage your members, and see the miracle that happens when God touches the hearts of new homeowners and the volunteers and donors who support them.

Please use this form to register for the Building on Faith Breakfast on Thursday, January 26 at 9:00 a.m.

We will gather at our Headquarters, 3726 N Booth St, Milwaukee, WI 53212.

We request that everyone from your congregation or organization register separately. Please share this link!

KEEP UP WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS FROM WCC

The Wisconsin Council of Churches invites you to subscribe to their Community Health Program Newsletter to stay informed about the fluctuating activity of various respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19. View this week's edition here.

Employment Opportunities