The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

BACK TO SCHOOL

Excitement is in the air as kids return to school. Lunches are packed, and permission slips readied. New teachers, new classrooms, and new friends. For many, it’s also a time for new school supplies and a new backpack. Cracking open that fresh box of crayons is a memory still filled with smell and color for me.

And so, it was an opportune time for Presbyterians Today to run its article on the church’s involvement in sending children...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

GENEROSITY ABOUNDS!

When the call went out from UMOS to assist in furnishing 2 apartments for labor trafficking survivors, you immediately responded. People connected to Heritage, North Shore, Linn, Crossroads, Second (Racine), Covenant, Forest Park, First (Kenosha), and your Presbytery staff all chipped in to give these hard working men a fresh start. Our second apartment will be furnished next week. Thank you for supporting UMOS, so that they can work to eradicate the scourge of labor trafficking and assist the victims.

PEACE & GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING

With gratitude for their continued and generous participation, the Presbyterian Mission Agency lifts up the following congregations of Milwaukee Presbytery, who have given to the Peace & Global Witness Offering for at least 20 years!

First Presbyterian Church, Richfield

Second Presbyterian Church, Racine

Faith Presbyterian Church, Franklin

West Granville Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee

North Shore Presbyterian Church, Shorewood

Living Hope Presbyterian Church, Menomonee Falls

MEET REV. JULIE KANDEMA, PRESBYTERIAN PEACE MAKER FROM RWANDA

The Presbytery of Milwaukee is excited to welcome the Rev. Julie Kandema, Presbyterian Peacemaker from Rwanda.

Rev. Kandema will be with us the week of September 21-24 and here are opportunities to meet her.

September 18 - 9:30 a.m. worship at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church
September 20 - 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Presbytery Gathering at Crossroads Presbyterian Church where Rev. Kandema will be the speaker for our education hour and preaching in worship
September 21 - 11:30 a.m. lunch at Forest Park Presbyterian Church with presentation and discussion at 12:15. Please RSVP with the church administrative assistant, Pam, at 262-786-5850 by the morning of Thursday, September 15
September 21 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church Brown Deer on behalf of the Wisconsin Council of Churches this includes a meet and greet with Rev. Kandema, presentation, and dessert

REGISTRATION OPEN -- GHANA MISSION NETWORK ANNUAL MEETING

The 21st PC(USA) Ghana Mission Network Annual Meeting will be held on October 14, 15, and 29, 2022 via Zoom. Information about the annual meeting, including daily schedules, and registration can be found by following the links below.

Annual Meeting Information

GMN Registration Form

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.

Invitations

25TH ANNUAL DONNA LEXA MEMORIAL ART FAIR

The 25th annual Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair is this Saturday, August 27, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Wales Community Park. This art fair is provided by Jerusalem Presbyterian Church; all proceeds from vendor fees, the silent auction, and food sales go to support various non-profits in Waukesha County. Come on out to the fair for beautiful art, delicious food, great music, and plenty of fun. The fair also has a used book sale at JPC (207 W. Main Street in Wales) Wales Community Park is just off of Hwy 83 in Wales (470 S. Brandybrook Rd.).

INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKER AT GREENFIELD AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Rev. Julie Kandema, International Peacemaker and ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church Rwanda, will be guest speaker at the September 18, 2022 morning worship at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church. The service begins at 9:30 a.m., with Rev. Kandema sharing information on the evolution of Rwanda since the 1994 genocide, which cost approximately one million lives. At that time, a rebel group of Hutu attempted to wipe out the minority Tutsi people.

“By sharing stories of their work and witness, the peacemakers help us understand peace and justice concerns around the world and provide insights that can inspire us to greater faithfulness,” according to the Peacemaking Program. “Their visits broaden our sense of God’s inclusive family and help equip us to build a culture of peace and nonviolence for all God’s children.”

Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church invites everyone with an interest in peacemaking to join them on September 18 to hear Rev. Kandema.

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

TOGETHER, AGAIN

A letter from Rev. Danel Schultz, WCC Community Health Program Director

Dear Friends:

This was supposed to be an article focused on COVID and the new school year. After all, COVID is now one of the top ten causes of child deaths in the US, and a leading cause of hospitalization. We intended to encourage the use of safe and effective vaccines as kids returned to school and religious education programs. We still do!

But then the CDC updated its COVID guidelines, which complicates the picture.

In short, the CDC is less focused on...(read more)

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.

REFORMATION LESSONS AND CAROLS

Be inspired to do something different for the celebration of Reformation Sunday, October 30, by holding a "Reformation Lessons and Carols" worship service. The service takes worshipers on a Reformation educational tour, weaving in confessions throughout the centuries with historical tidbits.

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

WISCONSIN KIDS ARE WINNERS IN THE USA MULLET CHAMPIONSHIP

Last week, the USA Mullet Championships, a Michigan-based organization, released the names—and more importantly––pictures of the 36 total finalists, for the kids and teens divisions.

On Sunday, the organization announced who was walking away with the coveted title and two Wisconsin natives now hold the title of best mullet!

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.

Employment Opportunities