From Rev. Lisa Heckman,

Transitional Executive Presbyter

AH, SPRING!

♬ What a wondrous time is Spring when all the leaves are budding.

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming. ♬

from “Pass It On!” by Kurt Kaiser

Ah, Spring! Even after the relatively mild winter we’ve had, it is a delight to see signs of spring all around. Flowers are popping up, bird song fills the air, and the weather is doing that “April rains” thing. (Yeah, it’s Wisconsin, so there was also a chance of snow last night!)

Spring is the season of new beginnings, so how fitting it is that...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

GONZALEZ PART OF PC(USA) DELEGATION AT GLOBAL PARTNERS ROUNDTABLE IN BUENOS ARIES

Evangelista del Presbiterio Dan González-Ortega was chosen as one of the delegates for the Global Advisory Panel, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) team that has been working with a representative group of the full range of the PC(USA)’s global partners to create a space where in the spirit of living into a decolonized vision of being the church. The delegation recently met to explore how the PC(USA) could most effectively show up in the world today.

YOUR 2024 HOLY POWERPACK

A welcome and interview with our newly elected presbytery moderator, Bill Leonard (Linn), vice moderator, Kim Trimboli (Forest Park), and re-elected Stated Clerk, Christian Boyd (Southminster). Come meet the 2024 Holy Powerpack!

LET US HELP YOU SPREAD THE WORD

With the promise of warmer days ahead, many churches are planning sales and fundraisers to support mission work, youth programming, and special events. Let us help you spread the word! Not only will the free advertisement reach the Presbytery's list serve, it might also help fill a gap in the work of a congregation. Having a church-wide yard sale? There are a number of congregations helping families find furnishings to make a house a home. Youth hosting a spaghetti dinner? A great way to support youth in the church and to not have to worry about putting a meal together.

To get your event information in Fresh Impressions all you need to do is send Kate a brief description with a time and location and she will make sure the information is shared in the newsletter and on the Presbytery's social media. Pictures or an event flyer can also be sent, but are not required.

News From The Denomination

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING CELEBRATES 75 YEARS

In a world of disaster, hunger, and oppression, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing—Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People—all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

Over 75 years, OGHS has:

Granted 3.1 million dollars by PDA in the United States and 15 countries
Distributed over 55,000 pounds of seeds and seedlings to farmers
Certified 291 PC(USA) congregations as Earth Care Congregations
Gave a $5,500 grant to small farmers in South Sudan
Had 90 grants that impacted 22 countries by PHP
Distributed 228,318 Gift of the Heart Kits and Blankets
875 chickens were distributed in Guatemala and Colombia
105 women became self-employed in Malawi
152 people won their land back in Sri Lanka
872 Presbyterian congregations purchased eco-palms for sustainable forestry and livelihoods

Online gifts can be made here: https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/make-a-gift/gift-info/oghs/

Traditionally collected on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday, much thanksgiving for the offerings made by the churches in the Presbytery of Milwaukee.

Out the Door in '24

OUT THE DOOR IN MARCH '24

A special thank you to Dan González-Ortega, Ed Hale, Linda Hoone, Susan Long, Judy Jaggard, Cathy Manthei, and Carol Taylor for sharing excellent pictures from January with us!

Let us see What's Out Your Door in '24! Send Kate photos of what you see in April!