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SEPTEMBER PRESBYTERY MEETING
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"Vital Youth and Young Adult Ministry"
with Dr. Rodger Nishioka from Columbia Theological Seminary
GATHERING OF THE PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE
Saturday, September 20, 2014 + 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Carroll University in Waukesha
Business Meeting + Lunch + Worship led by presbytery youth
Presbytery dedication of Carroll's new Presbyterian cross
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| THE PARKING LOT |
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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.
Proposed Bylaws and Manual of Operation
If you haven't been to the presbytery website lately, please check the main page. On the left side of the page is a button (3rd button down from the top) titled "Bylaws and Manual of Operation Draft". Click that button to see the proposed Bylaws and Manual of Operation sent by council to the May 27th presbytery meeting as a first reading. They will come to the September 20 meeting of presbytery for approval. Please take a look and offer any comments or suggestions. Contact Bob Jensen (262) 646-2323 or [email protected].
Ethical Boundaries Policy-DRAFT
On our website is a draft of the Ethical Boundaries Policy that will be considered at the September presbytery meeting. (Look for the button on the left side of the homepage.) It is quite lengthy (34 pages) but please take the time to read it. A summary is also available on the website under Forms & Documents:Committee on Ministry. The summary is also available here.
The minutes from the May 27th Presbytery meeting are now on the website. Go to the home page and click on the minutes button on the left side.
Creating Safe Ministries
The Book of Order at G-30106 Administration of 
Mission provides: "All councils shall adopt and implement a sexual misconduct policy." Therefore, all sessions, presbyteries, and synods should adopt a sexual misconduct policy as soon as possible. If your congregation has not adopted and implemented a sexual misconduct policy, this website is very helpful.
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SHARING THE MINISTRY
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Push and Pull Motivation
Last Friday I'm sitting at the dinner table with The News Hour playing in the background. The next story is on Milwaukee. I get excited because our great city is making the national news! However, the story is about the racial and economic divide that plagues our city and area. It tells how Milwaukee is a minority majority city (57% of Milwaukee is African American and Hispanic) and the great discrepancy between those living in the city and those in the suburbs. As I listen to the program from my home in Waukesha county (which was featured on the program) I feel uneasy. And this is good.
In the book, "Choosing Change: How to Motivate Churches to Face the Future" Peter Coutts writes that there are two ways to motivate change. One way is by setting goals that are challenging and speak of hope for the future. This form of motivation is what I often read of in books and articles on change. It challenges us to reach for higher goals and a greater purpose. Coutts calls this Pull Motivation.
But there is another type of motivation that happens when we are uncomfortable with where we are. It is looking in the mirror and saying enough is enough. As Fannie Lou Hammer said, it is being "Sick and tired of being sick and tired." It is the feeling I had listening to a program about race and poverty in Milwaukee, while knowing that is just the tip of the iceberg. Incarceration. Poor education. Infant mortality. Violence. Divided community. These are the results and issues The News Hour didn't mention. Coutts calls this Push Motivation.
As a presbytery, What's Next was created because the presbytery wasn't happy with the way things were going. What's Next is a push motivation to revitalize presbytery meetings, train leadership, birth new worshiping communities, and create an environment of trust and risk taking.
Now we're being pushed again, and I'm sure the Holy Spirit has something to do with it!
Can we as a presbytery connect with the social justice issues in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Beloit, and Janesville? What does that look like? What structural and organizational changes are needed to make this connection a reality? I will be talking with the Council, Mission Partnerships, and Session Partnerships about addressing these issues. But my first conversation is with you.
If you are feeling a push from what I am saying, share your ideas, thoughts, and feelings with me. Let's get this conversation going!
Rev. Craig M. Howard
(To respond to Craig go to [email protected])
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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:
First Presbyterian Church of Ottawa in Dousman Click here to view their website
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| INVITATIONS |
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The Nifty Seniors of Christ Church in Milwaukee are selling fried chicken dinners this Sunday July 27 from 12:30pm til 2pm for $8. The funds generated will go to continuing the ministry of feeding the Repairers of the Breach shelter.
The 18th Annual Donna Lexa Art Fair is on Saturday, 8/16 in Wales. This juried fair, with some 60 artists, includes live music, great food, a used book sale, and a kids' tent for your young tie-dying artists-in-training. It takes place along the Glacial Drumlin Trail, in the village of Wales - just a short ride west on I-94, then south on Hwy 83 for 4 miles, then left on Main Street. Proceeds benefit area non-profits, including the Donna Lexa Art Center for people with special needs, the Kettle Moraine Food Pantry, two college scholarships, Grandmothers Beyond Borders, and more. All happily brought to the community by Jerusalem Presbyterian Church.
The next day, Sunday, at 9:30, worship will be about "The Art of Spirituality," when one of the artists from the fair will help us explore the spiritual life, using her work as a sort of parable. Church phone: 262-968-3408 Website
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (MSTI) will be offered August 4-8, 2014, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The training will be led by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, well-known for its training seminars around the country for church leaders in addressing conflict in churches and ministry. This event provides 32 hours of training, which is useful for clergy who are looking for continuing education opportunities in addition to honing their mediation skills. Not only is there still room for more registrants, participants who register before the extended pre-registration deadline of July 28, 2014 will save $100 off the late registration price. Registration information.
Union Seminary is offering a music conference, "Faith in our Music: Many Voices, Diverse Chords, Common Hopes," on their Richmond campus September 23-25, 2014. This ecumenical and diverse event features John Bell from the Iona Community in Scotland, and other fine musicians helping us to learn about new forms of congregational music for folks of all denominations, abilities, and ages. Click here for details.
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| EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES - OTHER |
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Crossroads Presbyterian Church is seeking a full-time Director of Children's Ministry (DCM) who has an inherent sense of call, an excitement for presenting Christ to children and their families, and a heart overflowing with joy. Job Description http://www.crossroadspres.org
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| LOOKING AHEAD | | |
Sept. 20th - Presbytery Meeting - Carroll University
Nov. 22nd - Presbytery Meeting - TBD
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