Your Weekly News & Updates |
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From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive |
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As a Presbytery, we have entered the fourth of our themes under Matthew 25: Fair Employment. Based on the Scripture lesson in Matt. 25:31-46, we hear the question, “Lord, when did we see you naked and give you clothing?” Fair employment addresses many topics: disability access (particularly important on this anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act), just wages, non-discrimination, and more. By removing barriers to...(read more)
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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 August 5th to be included in this price break.
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PRESBYTERY STAFF EVALUATIONS -- DO YOU HAVE FEEDBACK? |
In August, the Presbytery Personnel Committee will be conducting evaluations of all our Presbytery staff. If you would like to provide a comment or concern about or celebration of any of the Presbytery Staff, please reach out to the Moderator, Rev. Jenny Gleichauf at jenny@covpres.org.
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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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COVID-19 VACUNACION INFORMACION EN ESPANOL |
Spanish-language answers to questions about COVID-19, information about other vaccine-preventable diseases, and resources for vaccines during pregnancy can be found at: https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/en-espanol/ . You can also find a series of videos in Spanish to share information about COVID-19 vaccinations with Spanish-speaking workers. The videos, produced by WI DHS in cooperation with Dr. Javier Rincon of Family Health La Clínica, address frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Matthew 25: I needed clothes and you clothed me... |
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LABOR TRAFFICKING IN WISCONSIN
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 on 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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SINSINAWA MOUND REOPENED FOR IN-PERSON GATHERING |
Sinsinawa Mound will be reopening for in-person gatherings on August 15th. After the 15th they offer both in-person and online retreats, workshops, talks, and other gatherings, including weekly in-person organ concerts are happening on Wednesdays this summer. For a full schedule of events that are always being added to, please go to: www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter/events.
A list of upcoming indigenous-themed programs - Listening to the Land w/ Dakota Artist & Writer Gwen Nell Westerman (July 27th), Indigenous Book Discussion Series: Linda Hogan (Chochtaw), Dwellings (August 10th), Settler Capitalism and Indigenous Dispossession on the Upper Mississippi (August 17), Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change - Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples (September 11th), Native Sacred Lands Tour (Weekend of September 25th)
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News from the Denomination |
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WORKSHOP: IS YOUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE COPYRIGHT COMPLIANT? |
Tuesday, August 10, at 1:00 p.m. (CST) the Presbyterian Communicators Network, will host a workshop to provide information enabling you to make sure your church is taking the necessary steps to help make your livestream event copyright compliant. PC(USA) staff attorney, Andrej Ajanovic, will discuss the dos and don’ts of copyrights and licenses for performances on various Social Media platforms and other mediums.
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NEW AUDIO AND VISUAL WAYS TO ENJOY PRESBYTERIANS TODAY
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As part of Presbyterians Today’s newly-updated digital edition, you can now enjoy the publication's audio technology on any computer or mobile device. Select any article from the magazine, press the sound icon, and the article will be read aloud to you.
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The Presbyterians Today digital edition also lets you read articles in a simple "contents view." This gives you a very clear black-type-on-white paper view of all of the stories. Just double-click on any article to start reading. If the print seems too small, you can easily enlarge it. And it’s easy to switch back to the magazine view if that’s your preference.
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION WEEK CELEBRATION RESOURCES -- A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION |
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) planning calendar recognizes a Week of Christian Formation in churches and faith communities. This week begins the Sunday after Labor Day, but churches may choose different weeks depending on their particular calendars and practices. When considering all the ways in which formation happens in our faith communities, we can use this time to kick off a new program year for Christian education, to commission faith formation leaders, and to highlight and start ministries. Here are resources to help you plan for this celebration.
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ABUSE PREVENTION POLICIES |
The PC(USA) partners with the Insurance Board on issues related to abuse prevention in our ministries. The most recent newsletter of the Insurance Board has helpful advice for your practices and policies.
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Rodger Nishioka has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
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10 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT THE OLYMPICS |
With the Summer Olympics having begun on July 23 in Tokyo following last year's postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, sports fans across the world were happy to see the return of this global event. This also means that we are being overwhelmed with facts, figures, and features of every kind imaginable. But Athlon Sports found a few things you probably won't learn. Here are 10 surprising facts about the Olympic Games.
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WHAT IS MANEKI-NEKO? DISCOVER THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE LUCKY CAT |
If you’ve ever been to Japan or other parts of Asia, you’ve probably seen the small maneki-neko ornament waving at you from store windows and restaurants. Also known as the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, and beckoning cat, the maneki-neko figurine is believed to bring good fortune to businesses. Today, the kitsch cat is now recognizable all over the world, but the iconic lucky charm dates back to the 17th century and has a fascinating backstory.
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SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOOD PANTRY |
The Food Pantry at Southminster Presbyterian Church is full!!!
Come and shop, no questions asked, for fresh, healthy food. The Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Additional shopping times may be made through the SEWIESG website.
Volunteers are also appreciated as the Food Pantry moves from feeding 300-700 people each week to more.
Southminster Presbyterian Church, 200 Richard Street, Waukesha
In partnership with SE WI Emergency Support Group, Inc and Feed America.
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PRESBYTERIANS FOR EARTH CARE ANNOUNCE WORKSHOPS |
Starting on Sunday, August 1, everyone is urged to attend “Creation Care Buffet: Come to the Table” which is the Presbyterians for Earth Care’s online national conference on Sundays, August 1, 8 and 15. Worship and Bible study will be from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CDT, followed by a dinner break, with workshops from 6:00 - 7:30 pm CDT. Preachers will be the Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson and the Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo (formerly with San Jose fellowship in Beloit). Musicians will be hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, folk singer David LaMotte and jazz pianist Bill Carter. 12 workshops include top scientists sharing latest science news on the Climate Crisis, a spiritual director teaching about spiritual practices for activists, food waste and composting, worship ideas for creation care, ideas for involving young adults, farming and justice concerns, environmental racism and uranium mining in the Navajo Nation, creation care faith formation, Introducción al Cambio Climático, and carbon dividends. The cost is only $20 per Sunday or $50 for all 3 Sundays with scholarship available.
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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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