Your Weekly News & Updates |
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From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive |
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My niece has been engaged to be married since the early days of the pandemic. She and her fiance delayed the wedding until this August. We’ll be delighted to attend and celebrate the start of their marriage. Because the wedding will be in Idaho, it’s also an excellent time to see family. Both of my parents are celebrating birthdays in their 90’s this year. It will be great to see them and show off our grandchildren.
My story’s not unique. This was going to be the year when we...(read more)
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PRAYER VIGIL TAKES STAND AGAINST RACISM |
SOPHIA wisdom group sponsored a prayer vigil Monday night, “Taking a Stance for Equity." Held at a local Waukesha church, speakers acknowledged recent efforts to restrict the teaching of history in our schools, especially the history of racism, and to devalue "positive equity goals" to ensure all people are valued and can thrive in every community. Believing our country and people are resilient enough to face the truth, they came together in a spirit of prayer. Rev. Marty Coons and Rev. Michelle Henrichs joined these efforts. |
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FIND OUT ABOUT A NEW WAY TO ASSIST EMPLOYEES WITH HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS |
Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative has developed a number of new plans and ideas on how congregations, small businesses and nonprofits can help employees pay for health insurance in such a way that the assistance is not taxable for both the employees and employer. They will be doing a meeting with CGHC staff to explain the potential benefits of this new approach to providing health insurance to employees. Online seminar is set for August 19 at 6:30 - 8:00 pm.
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LAST CHANCE FOR PLANNING CALENDARS |
The Presbytery office is now taking orders for the 2021-22 planning calendars. The calendars begin with the month of September 2021 and go through December 2022 and will be printed on matte paper (not glossy paper like was used in 2020-21). We order in bulk, making the calendars a considerably cheaper price. Place your order before tomorrow, Thursday, August 5th, to be included in this price break.
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COVID-19 News & Information |
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BY FAITH WE STAND FIRM
Ministry in the Era of COVID Variants
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'By Faith We Stand Firm' is a continuation of the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ ongoing guidance to churches for how to make safer choices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS
1. We recommend prioritizing life and health of the vulnerable as a Gospel witness.
2. Maintain masking expectations FOR ALL PERSONS indoors and when not distanced outdoors until COVID transmission is very low in the community.
3. Reinforce your COVID safety protocols in response to the more transmissible COVID variants.
4. Case tracking and establishing a No-Go threshold.
5. Maintain virtual/hybrid gathering options as much as you can.
6. Support vaccination efforts.
7. Plan on event modifications, mitigations and protective behaviors for many months to come. As much as we long for a different truth, the pandemic is far from over.
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Please be aware of the new CDC guidance that calls for mask-wearing by everyone, whether or not vaccinated. “To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.” We urge our congregations and other communal ministries to follow this life-protecting advice, and to begin considering new options for outdoor gatherings, social distancing, and online or hybrid ministries.
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PC(USA) STATED CLERK URGES PATIENCE ON RETURNING TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP |
Over the past several months, churches across the country have enjoyed a return to in-person worship as millions of people began receiving vaccinations against the COVID-19 virus. Many churches have relaxed guidelines completely while others have continued to practice social distancing and other measures.
The recent surge in the Delta variant of the virus has caused many to reconsider standards for in-person gatherings. But that decision rests with the congregations and their sessions, according to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II says the rise in variants and the upcoming flu season have once again raised anxiety. He says the challenge now is to “wait on the Lord and be of good courage.”
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Matthew 25: I needed clothes and you clothed me... |
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LABOR TRAFFICKING IN WISCONSIN
Tomorrow, Thursday, August 5, 6:00 p.m.
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The Presbytery of Milwaukee will host Javier Acevedo, the Lead Victim Advocate for UMOS in a webinar focused on labor trafficking in Wisconsin tomorow, Thursday, August 5, at 6:00 p.m.. Every day, UMOS is assisting the agricultural workers on whom we depend to prevent abuse and illegal trafficking. Mr. Acevedo will give us an insider view into the abuse against workers in our communities and how we, as the Church, can help root out trafficking and provide support for the workers. He will also help us announce our next Presbytery Matthew 25 challenge, in which everyone can play a part. Register here for the webinar.
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MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ANNOUNCES NEW BUILD AND FUTURE HOMEOWNER |
The Presbyterian Coalition (congregations in the Presbytery that build Habitat homes together in Milwaukee) will be joyously working alongside Shaquita Mitchell, the new future homeowner on the coalition’s 22nd home. Learn more about her story. If you would like to be part of the Presbyterian Coalition (individually or as a congregation) or learn more about the opportunities, please reach out to Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive.
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News from the Denomination |
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STEWARDSHIP KALEIDOSOCPE
September 13-15, 2021
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This year’s conference offers two great ways to participate in growing your stewardship practice. All participants will be able to join four plenary sessions and two worship times.
- Join in person for more than two dozen workshops choices and opportunities for connecting with colleagues from across the country.
- Logon virtually and participate in four workshops in addition to plenary and worship.
If you plan to attend in-person, group pricing is offered that will allow more people from your congregation to attend together, to learn together, and to take home tools for expanding generosity.
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THE WISCONSIN STATE FAIR, WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO |
Like many beloved traditions and events, the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair was lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the first time it was canceled in 75 years, but Thursday will mark its grand return!
Some things will be different, including cashless admission and parking. Some familiar traditions will be absent altogether, like the Milwaukee Bucks Milk House,Blue Ribbon Brownies and Colossal Cookies. But there will be new stuff, too, from foods — like Lobster Rangoon and a Deep-Fried Pink Squirrel — to a revamped Central Mall.
The 2021 fair is scheduled for August 5-15 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. Here's a look at how the fair is shaping up, how the pandemic has changed it and what fairgoers should know before they go.
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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE OLYMPICS |
As the Olympics are back this year with all its glory, the whole world has again been tied together with the Olympic spirit. It is truly marvelous how people from around the globe, irrespective of their differences, come together in the spirit of sportsmanship to celebrate one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
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The Sower - May 2021 Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
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Future Presbytery Gathering Dates |
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- WEDNESDAY, September 22, 2021
- THURSDAY, November 18, 2021
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Presbytery of Milwaukee
414-292-2740
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