FROM RACHEL YATES, PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE
A CALL TO ACTION
"What we do matters to God."  I wrote down her words.  I wanted to keep them handy.  Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, President and Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, spoke to a group at Immanuel Presbyterian Church this past Thursday.  They are exploring what it might mean to be become a Matthew 25 congregation, and Dr. Moffett was the perfect person to ignite that discernment.  
Couching this specific remark on Micah 6:8, she distinguished justice work from other demonstrations of faith, such as...(READ MORE)
PRESBYTERY PULSE
REGISTER FOR NEXT WEEK'S PRESBYTERY GATHERING
On Tuesday, March 9, we welcome Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to our Presbytery Gathering to address the need for criminal justice reform.  He will speak and take your questions, as we explore our Matthew 25 calling to care for those in prison.  Also on the docket:  welcoming new ministers, dissolution of pastoral call policy changes, creation of a Racial Equity & Justice task force, installation and commissioning of new Presbytery leaders, and an inspiring worship service.  Register now to get your Zoom link, meeting papers, and instructions!

Before you print the meeting papers, please be aware that they are over 65 pages. Consider only printing  the pages that are helpful to you, and accessing the other pages electronically.
AGAIN AND AGAIN A LENTEN REFRAIN
UPDATE ON REV. KEVIN TARVID
With joy we share that Kevin's surgery to remove the cancer went very well and doctors believe they got it all. To be on the safe side, Kevin will begin radiation treatment, but things are looking good. He is grateful for the prayers, cards, and messages, knowing his presbytery family is supporting him through this journey. Continued prayer is very welcome!
SURVIVAL AND LOVE: A WOMANIST PREACHING SERIES
The Wisconsin Council of Churches is offering subscriptions to "Survival and Love: A Womanist Preaching Series."
Confirmed preachers to date include:
  • The Rev. Dr. Joy Gallmon (St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church)
  • The Rev. Kerri N. Allen (Advocate Aurora Health, PCUSA)
    (Rev. Allen is the newest minister member of Milwaukee Presbytery)
  • The Rev. Kara Skatrud Baylor (Carthage College, ELCA)
  • The Rev. Dr. Donna Childs (Tabernacle Community Baptist Church)
  • Minister Janice Tolliver (Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church)
This resource is available on a sliding scale. Subscribers will receive a roll-out of seven sermons on video over several months, with the first sermons made available shortly after Easter. These sermons will be centered in the preacher's own tradition and informed by a womanist ethic. A subscription to the series gives the subscriber rights to use these sermons in their church's worship service. You will also receive liturgical elements written for this project by Disrupting Worship. With your subscription, you will receive a list of references and resources to inform your own scripture study and sermon preparation.
 
If you are still looking for a way to honor Black History Month and/or Women's History month, this series could be a way for you to begin: by making space in your ministry for these important perspectives. We celebrate the reality that this a year-round call, and not restricted to a particular place in the calendar.
VACCINE AVAILABILITY?
Wondering whether or when you will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and how to get in line? One tool that churches can use for this work is the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry which the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is launching March 1. This will help connect individuals with sites offering vaccine by providing a central place to let people know where and when they can they can get vaccinated and let them schedule an appointment. The Wisconsin Vaccine Registry will be used by those who opt in. While not a comprehensive resource for all vaccination options, it can be a valuable tool as we work towards community vaccination rates that will make it safer to gather in groups again.
MATTHEW 25: I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU INVITED ME IN...
SEND US YOUR RESTORE CHALLENGE PHOTOS!
The Presbytery housing challenge to benefit your local Habitat organization is now underway.  Your donations to and purchases from ReStores are a significant source of funding for Habitat, making it possible for them to build and rehab more homes in our communities.  The Presbytery invites you to visit your local ReStore and purchase an item that could use a makeover.  A lamp, a table, a window, it's your choice.  Refurbish or restore or transform the item using your creativity and -- by March 6 -- send your before-and-after photos to Kate Hopta (khopta@pbymilwaukee.org).  Then, donate the item back to the ReStore, so it can be sold again - a double gain for affordable housing!  The Planning Commission will select the best transformation and announce the challenge winner at the March 9 Presbytery Gathering.  The winner will be allowed to select a non-profit working on housing or homelessness to receive a $250 donation from the Presbytery. 
LIVING OUT LIBERATION: CHALLENGING RACISM IN THE CHURCH
This six session series grounds participants in liberation theology and using that as a lens to begin to move towards anti-racist practices within congregations. The goal is to develop people of faith who are willing to create brave spaces grounded in a theology of liberation, yielding antiracist actions. Are you looking to start your Lenten journey by examining racism within the Christian church? Consider joining this Race and Faith series being sponsored by Redeemer UCC. 
Continues through Wednesday, March 24th, 6:15-8:15PM, $60
AS WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE: INDIGENOUS FREEDOM THROUGH RADICAL RESISTANCE BOOK CLUB
Join the Race and Faith Book Club as we read the book As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom through Radical Resistance by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. 

NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION
CELEBRATE THE GIFTS OF WOMEN SUNDAY
Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday is March 7, 2021, or any day your congregation or women's group chooses. Download an English or Spanish resource to honor women who work for transformative change and seek to end injustice here.
INTRODUCTION TO PC(USA) ANTI-RACISM POLICY TRAINING
The Rev. Denise Anderson and the Rev. Shanea D. Leonard have presented antiracism training sessions for Presbyterians around the country. This virtual training on March 23, 5:00 p.m. (Central), will focus on a basic introduction to concepts centered around racism and an in-depth look at the anti-racism policy of the church. It will cover concepts such as the definition of racism, types of racism, and why racism is a spiritual problem, with a biblical and theological foundation. Registration for this Zoom conference is open by clicking here.
SAVE THE DATE -- TRIENNIUM 2022!
Make sure to add Presbyterian Youth Triennium to your congregation's planning calendar for 2022 and have your High School youth join with other Presbyterian High School youth from around the PC(USA) and Cumberland Presbyterian Church on
July 24-28, 2022. Our Milwaukee Presbytery program leaders are Lee Tan and Andy Holmes, and they're already working to plan a terrific event. More information to come soon!
REGARDING RULING ELDERS:
A MONTHLY SERIES FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS


Rodger Nishioka has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
EASTER HOPE IS BLOOMING
After a full year, "pandemic fatigue" has left lots of us feeling more than defeated. If we ever needed a good measure of Easter hope, it is now. In 2020, many churches took their message of "He is risen!" outdoors. This year, Presbyterians are continuing their public witness of hope with a beautiful practice that invites community participation in a safe way: the flowering of the cross. The March/April issue of Presbyterians Today, checks in with several churches around the country and shares their Easter worship traditions.
HAVE SOME FUN IN '21!
MARCH MADNESS ART OLYMPICS
Vote in a battle between museums on March 4 at 7 p.m.! It's Art Olympics March Madness, where your vote for your favorite works of art will help determine the winner in this quick-fire virtual competition. 

The Milwaukee Art Museum be taking on the Columbus Museum of Art, showcasing their collections in ten different categories with a fun basketball twist. 
COMPOSE FOR AND CONDUCT THE BLOB OPERA
Create your own opera inspired song with Blob Opera - no music skills required! Blob Opera is a machine learning experiment by David Li in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture.  Not feeling up to creating?  There are also pre-recorded holiday songs the Blob Opera can preform. 
INVITATIONS
IFCGM TUESDAYS-IN-MARCH LECTURE SERIES
Every Tuesday in March, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Coming up next week is "Nurturing Hope from Within: Wisdom Teachings and Spiritual Practices" with the Rev. Karen Hagen, pastor of Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee's Bay View community will join us for a sampling of spiritual practices from around the world. A time to reflect and let the light of hope shine into our everyday living.

Cost for the virtual program: $25.00 the Series of 5, or $10.00 per lecture 

You may pay online for the series OR download a printable form to mail in payment

Once you register, a receipt will emailed, and an event link will also be emailed before the program dates.

All registrants will receive a link to watch programs again on our Interfaith Conference Youtube channel. These programs will be captioned for the hearing impaired.
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST
Thursday, March 4, 7:00
Join Simone Schweber, Goodman Chair of Education and Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in this interactive workshop where we'll combine pair-and-share, small-group work and lecture to figure out how to talk to young kids about the Holocaust and other difficult topics. 

This workshop is designed to make sure that, as parents or educators of young children, we're balancing the competing pressures of protecting our little ones' idealism with being truthful about historical harms. In these tough times, learn how to approach your child with age-appropriate information, address the tough questions, and shut down conversations you feel your child is not yet ready to hear or may not be worth opening up in the midst of a global pandemic. 
RURAL RESILIENCY: CARING FOR YOU AND YOURS
March 9, 16, 23, 7:30 - 8:45 p.m.
This webinar series is a discussion starter and healthy mindset promoter for dealing with rural behavioral and brain health, communication skills, and relationship enrichment for self, marriage and families. Farm families and those who work with them as consultants or neighbors are encouraged to attend. Rev. Dr. Larry Tranel, Pastoral Psychologist and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Specialist is the featured speaker for:
* March 9-Personality Keys When "Married" to Farm Stress
* March 16-Dealing with the Stresses of Men, Women, and Children
* March 23-Brain and Behavioral Health "Hacks" to Mitigate Distress .
 
Registration for the series can be done at: http://www.aep.iastate.edu/stress . Questions about the program can be directed to Larry Tranel at 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
WINTER STORM RELIEF
For those who want to do something to help people impacted by the winter storms in the south (this includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana), PDA asks everyone to stand in the GAP --
G = give  (designated fund DR000015)
A = act  (assemble Gift of the Heart Kits -- see kit contents at https://pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/ )
P = pray  (pray for all involved for safety, warmth, safe drinking water and food)
To donate directly to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), designate account # DR000015 on your checks, donate online, or send your check payable to the Presbytery of Milwaukee (designate PDA winter storm relief on the check.
 
"Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in communication with Presbyterian leadership on the ground in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. We have offered assistance and assessments will be more accessible as power is restored and things begin to thaw. PDA stands ready to assist. Please join us in praying for safety and warmth."

Marilyn Stone, moderator of the Presbytery's Disaster Preparedness & Response Task Force, writes:  "PDA has been in touch with the impacted presbyteries to offer support and initial grant funds.  PDA works through presbyteries because the disaster is local.  The presbyteries can assess the local needs and work with other agencies to determine needs that are not currently being met.  Initial PDA grants can be provided and then long term needs addressed as they become known.  As of Friday, we know that five PC(USA) churches in one presbytery in Texas have suffered damage.  We also know that some PC(USA) churches have opened up their churches to serve as temporary shelters.  We see through media the significant impact in some areas.  While some agencies are very visible initially and their help is short-term, PDA will be there for the long-term and in ways requested by the presbytery.  PDA services can include providing emotional and spiritual care, a ministry of presence, providing initial grants to presbyteries, assisting with church damage assessment, AND down the road helping volunteer work teams to get connected with repair and rebuilding needs, assist churches in becoming host sites/housing for volunteer work teams, provide training and assistance for long-term recovery teams, provide emotional and spiritual care/resilience support when stress is overwhelming (not just to PCUSA folks, but for FEMA workers, first responders, etc.), and the list goes on."   
HOT LINKS
Grapevine - Presbyterian Women's Newsletter
Keeping In Touch - Newsletter from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies 
Life in the Labyrinth - Inspirational Website by Michelle Henrichs
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Current Information
The Sower -  February 2021 Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
UCCI Newsletter - December 2020 Newsletter from United Church Camps, Inc.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FUTURE PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES

Download the 2020-2021 Presbytery Gathering flyer 

  • TUESDAY, March 9, 2021 -- Register Now
  • SATURDAY, May 22, 2021
  • WEDNESDAY, September 22, 2021
  • THURSDAY, November 18, 2021 

Presbytery of Milwaukee
414-292-2740
khopta@pbymilwaukee.org
http://www.pbymilwaukee.org