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BELOVED COMMUNITY - OUR BLOG!
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BELOVED COMMUNITY
If you are looking for some inspiration in y
our life, some ideas,
some challenge for your imaginat
ion, you've found a source! It's our blog site, "Beloved Community." You will be able to subscribe to the blog, leave comments, and share the articles. There are also links to related resources. We hope you like this feature in Fresh Impressions. Nice to have you with us!
Be sure to check out Craig Howard's newest blog entry "Time For Action."
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN FOX LAKE
We lift up one of our congre
gations each week in Fresh Impressions, inviting you to learn more about your sister congregations and keep them in your prayers. This week we are lifting up First Presbyterian Church in Fox Lake.
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BOB JENSEN REFLECTS ON HIS MINISTRY
Rev. Bob Jensen retired recently, after 15 years serving at Delafield Presbyterian Church in Delafield. He reflected on his ministry of 30 years and shared his observations on the church and how the role of pastors is changing, and spoke of success and challenges during his tenure. (READ THE INTERVIEW
.
)
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Looking for a response to gun violence in our community? Read Craig's blog "Time For Action."
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KEEP OUR COMMISSIONERS/ATTENDEES IN PRAYER
The following people are in Portland, OR for the PC(USA) General Assembly 222 Gathering from June 18-25:
- Teaching Elder Commissioner - Jean Dow, Immanuel
- Ruling Elder Commissioner - Sue Volkman, Good Shepherd Trinity
- Young Adult Advisory Delegate - Theo Leavell, Racine-First
- Executive Director - Craig Howard
- Stated Clerk - Christian Boyd
- Noel Adams, West Granville (Observer)
Deborah Block, Immanuel and Sara Miles, Kenosha-First are also there in different capacities.
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NEW CO-MODERATORS
On the 60th anniversary of making women eligible to be pastors, and the 85th anniversary of ordaining its first woman elder, the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
made history again Saturday, electing two women as co-moderators for the first time. (READ MORE)
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PRESBYTERY COUNCIL WILL LAUNCH A SURVEY ON JUNE 27
Presbytery Council will launch a Survey on June 27, for
Teaching elders,
active ruling elders on sessions, and
members of Presbytery committees. This survey is an assessment tool called "Landscape" developed by, Holy Cow Consulting. (Yes that is the real name!) Landscape is a highly efficient and effective tool for checking priorities and setting the direction ahead.
This is an on-line survey which will be sent to you be e-mail on June 27
th. Set aside twenty to thirty minutes to complete this important survey. There are no wrong answers! All responses will be completely anonymous.
Let us Treat You! In appreciation for 100% participation in the survey from elders currently on your session, we will cater a dinner at your SESSION meeting!
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DONATION GIVEN IN PRESBYTERY'S NAME
Last month the council reported that a settlement offer had been made to the presbytery from FPO to either pay the presbytery $30,000 for legal fees or up to $60,000 in the presbytery's name to dig a well in South Sudan. Acting as presbytery trustee, the council decided not to pursue the case and responded: "the presbytery has no desire to tell the FPO how to use its financial resources. FPO therefore is welcome to expend the $30,000 or $60,000 offered, or any amount the FPO's members choose, as they see fit. It is the presbytery's view that both the presbytery's and FPO's consciences are bound to the Word of God." The legal case is closed. On June 14, the council and presbytery received the following communication through our attorneys:
To the Council and the Presbytery of Milwaukee,
It is with great joy, and with a sincere desire to glorify God, that at the conclusion of this legal process the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Oostburg, on behalf of all our Covenant Partners, announces that we have donated $60,000 on behalf of the Presbytery of Milwaukee to the work of Water for South Sudan. This donation will result in the drilling of 4 wells that will bring life-giving water to one of the world's most poverty-stricken regions. We are grateful for the Council's prayerful response to our last offer, and glad to be able to bless this worthy charity as a sign of our thankfulness.
In Christ,
The Session of FPO
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ALL PRESBYTERY BOOK READ - EVICTED
One Presbytery. One Book. All of us united against Poverty
An ALL-PRESBYTERY Book Read.
Evicted, by Matthew Desmond. Join others in the presbytery as we read and discuss this powerful book about the lives of eight families in Milwaukee, some black and some white, all several leagues below the poverty line. Poverty in America has become a lucrative business, with appalling results: "No moral code or ethical principle," he writes, "no piece of scripture or holy teaching, can be summoned to defend what we have allowed our country to become." Matthew Desmond, a sociologist at Harvard, follows the lives of landlords and tenants in some of Milwaukee's...(
READ MORE)
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PRESBYTERIANS AT THE PARK
How about a little summer baseball fellowship at Miller Park! We have tickets for the Brewers vs. Cardinals game on Saturday, July 9. The tickets are going for $5, and we have a limited number.
(Only 6 tickets left!) If you would like a ticket please contact Chris Halverson at 414-292-2740 or
[email protected]. Please let Chris know if you would like to help organize a tailgate.
There will be fellowship with John Knox presbytery too! Don't delay!
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SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
During the summer the office will be open regular hours, 8:30 - 4:30, Monday through Thursday, and closed on Fridays, but staff will be monitoring emails on Fridays.
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHANGES AFFECTING CHURCHES
On December 1, 2016 the federal government will apply new rules for employees that may apply to pastors, administrators, and employees of your church. It is critical that all personnel committees and sessions are aware of the rules and implications. Please read this
link from the Presbyterian Mission Agency legal department.
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PRESBYTERY GATHERING WITH NADIA BOLZ-WEBER!
The Presbytery of Milwaukee is very excited to welcome nationally known speaker, Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, to our September 27th presbytery meeting. Location will be the Milwaukee Art Museum, and time is 3pm.
Registration is now open!! Please don't wait to register, as we anticipate a large attendance.
REGISTER NOW
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BOOK REVIEW, NADIA BOLZ-WEBER
In an effort to know Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber better, we invite you to
read
two of her books. Heidi Knuds
e
n, a member of North Shore Presbyterian Church, offers two reviews
, to inspire you to read! Her
e are Heidi's comments after reading both of Bolz-Weber's
books.
Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint, by Nadia Bolz-Weber
Published in 2013, "Pastrix" is a collection of stories that serve to illuminate the author's unconventional life of faith. With poignant honesty and a heavy dose of both humor and (READ MORE)
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SAVE THE DATE FOR FUTURE PRESBYTERY MEETINGS!
The Presbytery of Milwaukee welcomes Vera White on November 15, 2016. In 2017 the dates for Presbytery Meetings are as follows: February 25, May 7 and 8, September 26, and November 14. We look forward to seeing you there!
We invite you to mark your calendars and plan to attend.
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PICTURES
Please send us your best 5 VBS pictures and we will add them to a picture montage for our next meeting. Send them to
[email protected].
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GREENFIELD AVENUE STRAWBERRY FEST
Sunday, June 26 is the date of the 27th Annual STRAWBERRY FEST at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church,
1455 S. 97
th
Street in West
Allis.
From 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, you can order large or small portions of incredibly delicious strawberry shortcake or sundaes; enjoy hot dogs, brats, pizza, & beverages; purchase fantastic home-made bakery; bring the kids & grandkids to play games; & enjoy a visit with friends old & new on the front lawn of the church. It's a "rain or shine" event (& moving inside for last year's showers didn't "dampen" the enthusiasm of fest-goers!) Invite your family & friends, & join us!
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ROCK PRAIRIE CELEBRATES WITH PATRIOTIC CONCERT
Rock Prairie Pr
esbyterian Church will celebrate its 9
th
Patriotic Concert. The theme this year is "America's Foun
ding Fathers" to be presented on June 28 & 29 in the church sanctuary. The concert begins at 7:00P.M., and follows with refreshments of pie and custard. A free-will offering will be collected to support local veterans. Arrive early and enjoy some trivia and a DVD. This is a night of great music and fellowship. (VIEW POSTER
)
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DONNA LEXA ART FAIR AUG. 20
Welcome to the
Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair, a juried fair committed to excellence in fine arts and fine crafts.
The Fair is held along the Glacial Drumlin bike trail in the charming little village of Wales, Wisconsin just south of I-94 on Hwy. 83 and within easy driving distance of Madison, Milwaukee and beyond. (READ MORE)
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Ruach Words
- Teaching Elder Kathryn Craven's website offering worship liturgy.
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Parish Paper Articles
- 2 new articles:
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Keeping In Touch - Find out what is happening in our Synod of Lakes and Prairies and be informed about our larger church presence.
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