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PRESBYTERY INVITATION
| | We are excited to offer a chance to meet with our November presbytery meeting keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, at a gathering the evening before the presbytery meeting. We hope you can join us!
GATHERING OF THE PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE Friday, November 21st, 2014 "Risking Mission - Joining In Advocacy" 6:30 p.m. Hospitality
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church
121 W. Saveland Ave.
Rev. Nelson reflects on the risks and joys of local mission and advocacy, including a time of informal conversation together. Open to Commissioners and Non-Commissioners, especially open to those involved in local missions. Please RSVP to the presbytery office if you are planning to attend, 414-292-2740 or [email protected]
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SHARING THE MINISTRY
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The Competitive Church
The church and state have not always been separated. In the 1700's, the early years of our nation, churches were supported by local and state governments (Massachusetts did not stop supporting pastors until 1833). When this support was removed, a new type of church emerged, the competitive church. Suddenly ministers were complaining because other ministers began to move into their parish and draw their members away. Ministers criticized their competing minister as ungodly, and less-than holy or honorable. These squabbles were within and without denominational structures. The Presbyterians began to separate and take camps based upon ideology, breaking the peace, unity, and purity of the church.
What happens to the church in our early history is that an organizational structure that is based upon mutuality, sharing, and trust, runs into a nation based upon capitalism, competition, and profit. The competitive church has a goal of numerical growth of members and money. This means innovation and increased market share. While serving at McCormick, I recruited a student who said his goal was to be a pastor of a mega-church. This young man simply made explicit what many others were thinking. As an American in a capitalistic society, his desire was to be on top and to be the best. He perceived the best as pastoring a mega-church.
We too want the best. We too struggle with being competitive and cooperative; being the church of increased numbers and yet being a place of sharing, connectedness, and trust.
Gareth Morgan writes about paradox management in "Images of Organization." I have modified his list for our work in the presbytery:
What's Next Status Quo
Innovate Avoid Mistakes
Think Long term Deliver Results Now
Reduce Staff Improve Teamwork
Be Flexible Respect Rules
Collaborate Compete
Decentralize Retain Control
What is important is that BOTH lists have merit, and a good strategy for institutional change will use both sides of the ledger. Our challenge is not to declare one side right and the other wrong, but to realize we are both the competitive church, and the connected church. At any point we may emphasize one or the other, and this is where good leadership is critical.
Rev. Craig M. Howard
(To respond to Craig, go to [email protected])
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| THE PARKING LOT |
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Minutes - The minutes from the September 20th presbytery meeting can be found on our website or by clicking here.
Session Partnerships' Fall Granting Season
Is Underway
We have two sites for our fall granting forums this year.
Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee
Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church, Janesville
"They shall come from East and from West!"
Date: October 18 Time: 10AM
Yes, we will be holding two forums simultaneously. Session Partnerships' grants go to congregations in the Milwaukee Presbytery through a partnership between the presbytery and a congregation's session. These grants are used to support new endeavors in ministry and outreach, spiritual growth, and congregational discernment. Our grants have ranged from $200-$25,000 depending on the need and the project. Our granting forums are great opportunities to: get feed back from Session Partnerships to help with grant applications, be inspired by what other congregations are dreaming and doing, and deepening your congregation's connection with others in our presbytery. Come to listen, come to share an idea, come to hang out with others who are excited about what God in Christ is doing in our midst. The fall grant deadline is Saturday, November 15. You can access a grant application form via the presbytery website under the "forms & documents" tab. For questions or more information on Session Partnerships and our granting process, please contact Ann Gibbs
Discovery Day!! Do you have a workshop that you would like to present at Discovery Day on February 21st, 2015? Please click on the link to fill out a workshop proposal for the committee to consider. The theme will be based on
Communicating Faith in the 21st Century Church.
There are 2 new articles posted!! The Presbytery now has a paid subscription to The Parish Paper, which publishes online articles monthly. Go to our website and click on the "Parish Paper" button to read the timely and informative articles. |
HIGHLIGHTED CONGREGATION
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We lift up one of our congregations 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:
Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee Click to see their website
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| INVITATIONS |
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WI Council of Churches Announces their
2015 Winter Forum:Another Way of Doing Life
2015 Winter Forum with Shane Claiborne
February 27-28, 2015 in the Wisconsin Dells
Milwaukee Festival Brass Concert: "Not Much. You? A minimalist mashup of music from our state."Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 3:00p.m. Mark your calendar! First Presbyterian Church of Waukesha is hosting a concert by the Milwaukee Festival Brass. The Milwaukee Festival Brass is a 30 piece all brass ensemble using the traditional British Brass Band formation and sound. The band was formed in 1985 and features some of the area's most capable brass players, teachers and students as its members. The band performs regularly throughout the Milwaukee metro area and runs a four concert season. Waukesha, First is honored to host their first concert of the season. Won't you join them? Admission: Adults $12. Seniors / students $9. Visit their website for more information, the address, and a handy map. Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church invites EVERYONE to attend their annual FALL FEST celebration on Saturday, October 25, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. It includes a high-quality RUMMAGE SALE; a BAKE SALE that's filled with delicious pies, cookies, breads, & more; a caf� serving barbequed beef & pork sandwiches, among other things; a RAFFLE with wonderful prize baskets, including one $500.00 CASH PRIZE; hand-made greeting cards; free blood pressure checks, & more! The church is located at 1455 S. 97th St. in West Allis, & you'll be welcomed with opened arms! Join us, & invite your friends to come too!
Franklin, Faith invites you to their Annual Spaghetti Dinner Catered By That's Amore, 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Saturday, October 18th. (3800 W Rawson Avenue)
Cost per ticket (includes all you can eat spaghetti with meat or marinara sauce, salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage): Adults and children $9.00; children 3 and under free. Carryouts available. Tickets may be reserved by contacting Bonnie in the church office at 414-421-3860. Bring all your family and friends for an affordable night out, while you help support the Church's many mission projects. Hope to see you there!!
Christ Presbyterian Church Anniversary/Revival is
October 16th -19th, 2014.Theme: "The Dawning of A New Day" taken from Joshua 6:15-16. Please plan to help us celebrate 56 years of service. Thurs. - Saturday services are at 6pm and Sunday services will be at 10:45am and 3pm.
Southminster Church in Waukesha is looking for volunteers for their Adult Mission Trip Opportunity in Partnership with Venice Presbyterian Church, FL., "Guatemala Stove Team".
Purpose: To be ambassadors of God's care and comfort to impoverished Guatemalans through the provision of safe and efficient stoves and water filters. When: March 7- March 16, 2015. Where: central highlands of Guatemala. Click here for more information.
Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering - Saturday, October 18 at Vernon PC, Big Bend. Registration at 8:30. Click here for the schedule and registration.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
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Commission on Ministry Coordinator -Winnebago Presbytery is now accepting applications for the 15 hour per week position with a minimum salary of $14,000 annually and includes continuing education and professional expenses. The position description is available here. Send cover letter and resume or PIF to General Presbyter Sarah Moore-Nokes ([email protected]) or mail to her attention at the Presbytery Office, 181 E. North Water St., #207, Neenah, WI 54956.
Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church has openings for Director of Choirs, Pianist and Organist. These rolls might be filled by several persons, or one, depending on a number of factors. If interested, please send a resume to the church at 1455 S. 97th St., West Allis, WI 53214 or [email protected]. Any questions, please feel free to call Pastor Kevin Tarvid: 414-588-0159.
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| LOOKING AHEAD | | |
Nov. 21st - Gathering with J. Herbert Nelson - Milwaukee,
Tippecanoe
Nov. 22nd - Presbytery Meeting - Milwaukee, Immanuel
Feb. 21st - Discovery Day - Mequon, Crossroads
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