The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

LOOK BACKWARD

Sometimes we learn lessons the hard way. That happened to me this past week. Since you’ve known me, I’ve been encouraging us to look forward – to imagine the future that lies ahead as we discern God’s intentions for the Church. I’ve cautioned against spending too much time focused on the past and the way things were, whether we are just looking backward to pre-pandemic times or back to days when the church was teeming with people.

I’ve updated my opinion. Sometimes we need to look backward. I learned that the hard way last week. On the short drive from my house to my mother’s, I rounded a corner and heard...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

If attending in person, we encourage you to register for your meal by September 13th, so our hosts can plan accordingly for food. Thank you!

VIRTUAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING EVENT

Saturday, September 17, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

pre-registration required

A virtual Disaster Preparedness Training Event has been planned for Saturday, September 17^th, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and is open to individuals or teams from churches presbytery-wide. The potential exists for one of any number of disasters to occur within our presbytery, therefore, being prepared leads to a quicker response with less chaos.

What would you do if. . .

a tornado warning occurs on a Sunday morning?
gunshots are fired from the parking lot or street next to the church?
a fire destroys your church including membership, financial and historical records?
an emergency occurs in your church while a non-member group is meeting. Could they call for help?

This training event is designed to provide background information regarding disaster preparation for churches and will provide time to begin a Church Disaster Preparedness Plan specific to your church. All churches are encouraged to participate!

To participate in this training event on Saturday, September 17^th, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., register using this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sde6rrD0uEte08ex5n3eUVPGm2MZ96ce1

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Just prior to this training event, you will receive another email containing an agenda and a Church Disaster Plan Template. It will be helpful for you to have a printed copy of the template for this event.

Please contact Marilyn Stone, mmstone52@att.net or 262-763-0918, with questions.

MEET REV. JULIE KANDEMA, PRESBYTERIAN PEACE MAKER FROM RWANDA

The Presbytery of Milwaukee is thrilled to host Julie Kandema from Rwanda, an international peacemaker who is part of a group of seven individuals touring the country for the next month with the PC(USA)’s Peacemaking Program. Julie’s schedule while visiting the Presbytery is as follows:

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. This event will also be livestreamed. Registration for the livestream will take place through the Wisconsin Council of Churches website.

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program makes it possible for leaders from overseas partner denominations and organizations to visit Presbyterian congregations and institutions in the U.S. to bear witness and interpret peace and justice issues.

Since 1984 more than 350 International Peacemakers from 60 countries have been hosted through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. The International Peacemakers focus their time on 3 priority areas of the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s work: dismantling structural racism, alleviating systemic poverty and building congregational vitality. They also help Presbyterian’s live into a biblical commitment based on Matthew 25 by sharing unique experiences and stories from their work.

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Outward Incarnational Focus:

"Lord, when did we see you?"

OUTWARD INCARNATIONAL FOCUS

What is Outward Incarnational Focus? Find out with this introductory video from the PCUSA's Office of Vital Congregations. And to learn more about how your congregation can develop the vital mark of Outward Incarnational Focus visit https://www.pbymilwaukee.org/outward-focus.html.

PREACHING CLASS FOR ELDERS

Are you an elder in the Milwaukee Presbytery who currently preaches for your congregation but hasn't received training? Or, would you like to be able to preach in your congregation but don't feel equipped?

This class is for you!

Beginning September 29, the presbytery will offer 6 sessions on preaching and 2 additional classes on designing worship. Participants will learn the skills of Biblical exegesis (drawing meaning from the text) and how to develop a message that conveys the power and meaningfulness of the text for their congregation. Participants will also complete the class with two sermons as well as the skills, tools, and resources to keep going. For more information and to register visit: https://www.pbymilwaukee.org/preaching-class.html

WORLD MISSION INITIATIVE CONFERENCE

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is hosting the World Mission Initiative Conference, October 7-8, 2022. The conference is hybrid and free for everyone.

“Want to learn how you can lead in mission in new ways amidst the disruptions we’ve experienced in the past two years? Then join Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Conference, “Missional Leadership in a Time of Disruption”, Fri. and Sat., Oct. 7-8, 2022. Eugene Cho, renowned church planter and dynamic new president of Bread for the World will keynote. Check out the conference website and registration info at https://www.pts.edu/wmi-conference.”

News From The Denomination

GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOMINATIONS

Applications are now being accepted for persons who wish to be considered for appointment by GA Co-Moderators, Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace and the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, to the special entities created by the General Assembly this summer – special committees, commission, task force, development team, and implementation team –

2020 Guiding Statement Implementation Team (2022)
Commission to Unify the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency (2022) (225GA Commissioners and YAADS encouraged to apply; must be ruling elder or teaching elder)
Funding Model Development Team (2022) - (225GA Commissioners, TSADs, YAADs encouraged to apply)
Special Committee on the PCUSA and Race (2022)
Special Committee to Revise the Standing Rules (2022) - (224GA and 225GA Commissioners and 225GA TSADs and YAADs encouraged to apply)
Special Committee to Write a New Confession - (2022) - (must be ruling elder or teaching elder)
Task Force to Explore the Theology and Practice of Ordination - (2022)

Application forms can be found at the GA nominations portal.

HOPE CURRICULUM SALE

From now through September 30, 2022, you can save on the downloadable components of the Hope unit from the Follow Me curriculum series, ideal for use during Advent. Please note that the large- and small-scale packages include printed Adult Reflection Guides for the unit, however if the Adult Reflection Guides are purchased separately, they are not discounted.

Browse sale products

A PATH TO BELONGING

A Path to Belonging: A webinar sponsored by the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, will be offered November 1, 8 and 15 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Each week will build upon the previous week.

Loneliness is an epidemic. According to a 2018 national survey by Cigna Insurance, almost half of us feel sometimes or always alone (47%), and about the same number feel left out (46%) at any given moment. Why would a health insurance company be interested in loneliness? Aside from the mental health implications, the physical consequences for premature death due to loneliness are statistically equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Loneliness takes both an emotional and physical toll.

At LeaderWise, Mary Kay DuChene and Mark Sundby have studied loneliness and pathways to belonging in pastoral leaders for the past two years. Their book, A Path to Belonging: Overcoming Clergy Loneliness, was released in July 2022. The book is recommended but not required for this series.

In this 3-session webinar (each session is 90 minutes), Mark and Mary Kay will share what they have learned about loneliness and belonging for people in ministry as well as specific strategies individual clergy and denominations can pursue to counter the epidemic. Pastoral leaders, Deacons, Chaplains and mid-Council leaders will have the opportunity to converse with others in similar settings as the themes unfold.

(LINKS OF) LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED (FOR AN ALTERNATIVE GIVING MARKET!)

Alternative Giving Markets provide an awesome opportunity for your church and community members to make a real difference in the lives of people around the world — but it can feel overwhelming to plan one! If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to host an Alternative Giving Market, look no further than the Presbyterian Giving Catalog’s Links of Love activity!

Watch this video to see just how easy it is to use Links of Love for a festive holiday activity at your church!

Order your free Links of Love Activity Kit to get started.

Out of the Blue in '22

EXPLORE OUTDOOR ART AT THESE WISCONSIN SCULPTURE GARDENS

Visit a Wisconsin sculpture park and you’ll spend time in refreshing green spaces while appreciating a vibrant array of art – and in this state, that often means quirky creations made by self-trained artists. You’ll find these art gardens are decidedly family-friendly, allowing everyone to move about at their own pace. Here are some of the most photogenic (and Instagram-worthy!) outdoor art collections in Wisconsin.

Invitations

MONKEYPOX: WHAT CHURCHES AND CHILDCARE CENTERS NEED TO KNOW

Wednesday, September 14, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Join the Wisconsin Council of Churches and the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association as they discuss what churches need to know about monkeypox. WCC's Executive Director, Rev. Kerri Parker will be in conversation with Dr. Ben Weston, MD, MPH, FAEMS, with an introduction to monkeypox and what churches and childcare centers need to be prepared to do in order to respond.

Dr. Weston is an Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He serves as Chief Health Policy Advisor for Milwaukee County. In addition, Dr. Weston is the Director of Medical Services for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, overseeing medical services for the 15 fire departments throughout the county. He has been featured on MSNBC, CNN, BBC, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, and in Politico and The New York Times. He practices clinically in the emergency department at Froedtert Hospital, a level 1 trauma center and has research interests in prehospital care, resuscitation, health equity, and public health surveillance.

HARAMBEE NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER WALK

Everyone is invited to participate in Milwaukee Habitat's first Harambee Neighborhood Prayer Walk on Saturday, September 17 at 9:00 a.m. Thanks to Solomon Community Temple UMC for hosting. We’ll gather in their parking lot (3295 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr) for fellowship, food, and song, then a walk around 5^thStreet and MLK with prayer stops along the way. Please share the attached flier!

BLACK ELK SPEAKS BOOK STUDY

Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies sponsors a virtual Native American book study. They will begin their next book, "Black Elk Speaks" by John Neihardt, on September 26th, followed by discussions on October 17 and October 31. Two sessions are offered for each date, 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM (Central). Everyone will need to register with Marilyn Stone by emailing your name, presbytery, cell #, and identify which session, 1:30 or 6:30 PM (Central), works best for you.

Please feel free to share this information with others. This book study is open to women and men across our synod. A promotional flyer can be found here for your convenience in promoting this book study.

Please consider joining in this virtual discussion to learn more about racial injustices and to increase one's understanding of Native American/Indigenous Peoples' traditions, customs, and historical and generational trauma! Let Marilyn Stone know that you are planning to attend and she will forward the Zoom link to you.

AMAZING FAITH PROJECT: FAITH AS THE ARTIST'S MUSE

October 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Come together at the Milwaukee Art Museum with people of different spiritual beliefs and philosophies for a conversation on art, faith, and gathering. The Amazing Faiths Project is a discussion series organized by the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee to create a more hospitable and connected society.

COVID-19 News & Information

THE NEW CDC GUIDELINES EXPLAINED

by Rev. Dan Schultz, WCC Community Health Program Director

The federal Centers for Disease Control recently issued new guidelines for how to stay safe from COVID—and how to keep others safe.

How shall we put this? They're, um complicated, at least in the details. The broader strokes are easier to understand:

You don't have to stay six feet apart from other people. But it's a good idea to avoid crowds for extended periods of time. In-person church is okay, as long as you're not shoulder-to-shoulder with people you're not related to. An indoor concert, or a large sporting event, isn't a good idea.
Wear a mask in public in areas of high transmission. (That's pretty much everywhere these days.) If you're someone with a compromised immune system, or otherwise vulnerable, wear a mask when levels are medium. You can check levels for your county in English or Spanish on the WCC website.
Here's where things get a bit complex: If you've been exposed to someone with COVID, you can go out in public, as long as you're not positive yourself. Wear a mask in public for 10 days, and test yourself.
What if you test positive? There are some exceptions, but in general, plan to stay home and away from other people for five days, and to wear a mask in public for ten days after that.
Always, be kind to one another. Err on the side of caution, act to protect vulnerable people, and respect others who are doing their best.

You can see more details in our infographic, or in our slide deck.

The federal program offering free test kits ended last week, but the state of Wisconsin has just announced that residents can order a set of five test kits through their website. Do it today!