The Presbytery of Milwaukee  
 
Fresh Impressions
September 17, 2014

In This Issue
September Meeting
Ghana Partnership
Hot Links
Parking Lot
Sharing the Ministry
Theological Education
Highlighted Congregation
Hot Links
Invitations
Employment Opportunity
Looking Ahead
Quick Links
 
SEPTEMBER PRESBYTERY MEETING

"Vital Youth and Young Adult Ministry"

with Dr. Rodger Nishioka from Columbia Theological Seminary

 

Prior to his joining the faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary, Rodger Nishioka served for twelve years as denominational staff in youth and young adult ministry for the Presbyterian Church (USA).

 

Click here to see Roger speak about what it means to be the church of Jesus Christ for young adults.

 

 

Register Now!  

 (online registration closes at noon on Friday) 

 

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

 

Call for Presbytery Youth to help lead Presbytery worship at Carroll University on Saturday, September 20th. Those interested, please contact Pastor Christian Boyd at Southminster Church in Waukesha (pastor@southminsterchurch.org or 618.292.8583).

 

Check out the new videos on our website, introducing our ordination candidates and summarizing the Ethical Boundaries Policy.  A simple registration is required to obtain the password in order to view them.     

GHANA PARTNERSHIP VISIT

Our presbytery's partnership with Dangme-Tongu Presbytery in Ghana is upon us. Rev. Stephen Tetteh, Catechist Mercy Fiorgbor, Rev. James Adjokaste and Rev. Fred Appertey arrived on Friday, September 12, 2014.

 

They began their visit with churches and events in the Rock County area. Following that they will be hosted in Waukesha and surrounding areas. For the last portion of their visit, they will be hosted in the Wauwatosa area with connections to churches in the Milwaukee area.

 

We have gotten several churches involved in activities to make the visit a special occasion. If you have not been contacted and wish to be involved, there are a few ways to do that.  

  • First - attend the Presbytery Meeting at Carroll University on Saturday, September 20.
  • Second - be non-traditional and attend a different church on Sunday, September 21 (Wales, Jerusalem; Beaver Dam, Grace; Milwaukee, Grace; and Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa) where they will be preaching or participating in the church service.
  • Third - Contact Judy Jaggard , 608-752-5760, or judy.jaggard@gmail.com for information where our guests will be preaching and what other activities you might be able to attend.

     

Thank you for your willingness to help us make this partnership truly a Presbytery wide effort!

 

YOUTH and YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY HOT LINKS
 THE PARKING LOT

The Confirmation Project seeks to learn the extent to which confirmation and equivalent practices (CEP) in five Protestant denominations in the United States are effective for strengthening discipleship in youth. Strengthening discipleship includes nurturing faith in Jesus Christ and facilitating youth encounters with Christian traditions (Scripture, creeds, confessions, and practices) to support lifelong Christian vocation.

The five denominations in this project include: the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Methodist Church. This project is funded by the Lilly Foundation, Inc. and seeks to provide ministry leaders within the Christian church examples of strategies and practices that are effective in helping young Christians grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Churches in the PC(USA) will receive an e-mail link to our confirmation survey on October 1, 2014. By taking the time to fill out the survey, you can help them better understand the depth, breadth, and effectiveness of confirmation and equivalent practices in the PC(USA). They look forward to learning from you and your ministry! To learn more, visit their website.

 

New Book: COME AND SEE: PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATIONS CELEBRATING WEEKLY COMMUNION by Ronald Byers.  According to a recent count of Session Clerks, nearly 25% of those responding reported that their congregation offered at least one service of the Lord's Supper every week. This book offers practical counsel from the experiences of a number of pastors and sessions, as well as some biblical and theological commentary.  Details
 
A policy change regarding Board of Pensions Medical Dues will be voted at the September presbytery meeting. Review this information to become familiar with this proposed change. This can also be found under Forms and Documents/COM on our website.
 
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 Communication in the 21st Century Church.    

 

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.   

 

A new monthly column by

Marilyn Gamm, Teaching Elder member of Milwaukee Presbytery and chair of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, has recently debuted on the PC(USA) website.  Check out her latest column!  

 

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 dpc1851@centurytel.net. 

 

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.   

 

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Youth and Young Adults

 

A couple of weeks ago I was part of an installation service of our new pastors Dianna and Donald Bell. I was early. As I walk into the empty sanctuary, there is a boy about the age of 11 just standing around. I do what I usually do when I see a kid by himself, I ignore him. As I walk briskly by, he said, "Hello." This single word of welcome makes me pause, acknowledge him, and we engage in conversation. During my time at the church I came to know Noah. Later, I give him my camera and ask him to be the photographer of the event. Noah does an excellent job! I look forward to seeing Noah on my next visit to the church.

 

The next time you see a child in church, be sure to say hello.

 

Children, young people, and young adults are becoming rare in our church. The median age of a Presbyterian member is now 65. Perhaps this is why one of the first requests of the new pastor is to bring in young people and young families. We are trying to address this issue at our upcoming presbytery meeting on Saturday at Carroll University as we focus on creating vitality to youth and young adult ministry.

 

The dynamic Dr. Rodger Nishioka, one of the most gifted leaders on the subject of youth and young adult ministries will be our presenter at presbytery. Rodger is a professor at Columbia Seminary, yet teaches a confirmation class each year at a local church. For Rodger, youth ministry is not only academic but also hands on.

 

In addition to Rodger, we will have representatives from McCormick and Dubuque Seminary, along with Laura Cheifetz, executive Director of Presbyterian Publishing. Laura will be doing a focus group on using resources in our churches during fellowship time. If you want to be a part of this group let us know at office@pbymilwaukee.org.

 

I talk a lot about the future church, and how we are called to build the foundation of that church. I believe the model of that church is in the hearts and minds of our youth. Noah has it. And every young woman and man in your church has it too. Bring them to the presbytery meeting. Registration for those under 21 is free. Lunch is included. You can register your young person here. Let's start laying that foundation now!

 

Rev. Craig M. Howard

 

(To respond to Craig, go to choward@pbymilwaukee.org

THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION MONTH
During this month which includes Theological Education / Seminary Sunday, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry provides resources to encourage congregations to support the Rev. Dr. Margaret E. Towner Scholarship fund and to inform the presbytery about what the process toward ordination looks like in our presbytery.  Please consider using each of the  bulletin inserts created for the four weeks in September to help raise funding for the scholarship and support for our inquirers and candidates in the presbytery.  Congregations who have supported seminarians might consider "Theological Education Month" an opportunity to celebrate their own seminary students!  Inserts are also accessible on our website (Forms and Documents: Committee on Preparation for Ministry).
HIGHLIGHTED CONGREGATION
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:

Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon
Click here to view their website 
YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER
Hannah Weinberg-Kinsey, member of Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, has been chosen as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) for the PC(USA) and will be spending the next year in Zambia. We invite you to follow Hannah's journey through her blogHannah's Blog (ZEST - Zambian Experiences with a Serving Thirst) 

 

 Become a sponsor and donate to Hannah's mission   

INVITATIONS

First Presbyterian Church of Ottawa invites you to join us for an old fashioned Ice Cream Social on Sunday, September 21st from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.  The social will include live music, food, games for the children and a display of collector cars.

 

Living Waters Contemplative Life Center....A Mission Ministry of Tippecanoe Church Presents: Intro to Centering: Ever So Gently! on Sunday October 5th.   Click here for details.   

 

Milwaukee, Christ invites presbytery friends to mark your calendar and plan to join them for their annual Men's Association Barbeque on Saturday, October 4, 2014. BBQ Chicken,

Ribs, or Shoulder Dinners will be available  
                          from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
 

McCormick Theological Seminary and the Presbytery of Chicago are sponsoring a new Certificate in Leadership for a Transformed Church, equipping pastors and leaders with skills and abilities necessary for effective leadership in today's changing churches in order to meet tomorrow's growth and challenges. Church teams will be matched with an experienced pastor/coach who works with them to accomplish their church's goals. The program emphasizes developing adaptive and transformational skills, combining church leadership practice with theological reflection.  Click here for more information.   

 
Free Country, Gospel, Bluegrass Concert featuring Pebble Creek Crossing at Vernon Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 28th.  See flyer for details.  

 

Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering - Saturday, October 18 at Vernon PC, Big Bend. Registration at 8:30.  Click here for the schedule and registration.  

    

Teaching Elder Mary Steege is offering a spiritual growth opportunity based on Richard Rohr's book:  Breathing Underwater; Spirituality and the Twelve Steps.  This series combines community with contemplation, and is for anyone looking for a transforming experience of the Holy Spirit. Participation in a 12 step program or familiarity with the 12 steps is not necessary.  An honest, open, willing spirit is the only prerequisite.  Click here for registration information and dates.

  

Pastors and Commissioned Ruling Elders of Small to Mid-Size Churches supervising full-time and/or part-time employees and volunteers?
Supervision, especially in a faith-based environment, requires skills you probably didn't learn during your professional formation. In conjunction with the Winnebago Presbytery Leadership Commission's emphasis on leadership development, Winnebago's Commission on Ministry is pleased to offer a day-long seminar at no cost to you. (See Flyer) Thursday, October 9, 2014, Pilgrim Center
W1010 Spring Grove Road, Ripon.

Milwaukee, Immanuel
invites presbytery friends to mark your calendar and plan to join them for"The Bible's 'Yes' to Same Sex Marriage: An Evangelical's Change of Heart" a Saturday Seminar on September 27, 10 am - 3 pm, with Dr. Mark Achtemeier. Click here to register.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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 (sarah@winnebagopresbytery.org) 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 suesmith@gapc-usa.com.  Any questions, please feel free to call Pastor Kevin Tarvid: 414-588-0159.  

 

First Presbyterian Church of Waukesha is seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM). The ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, diplomatic, poised, and skilled at managing all aspects of a church office. Experience with proofreading, the full Microsoft Office Suite, including Publisher, and Quickbooks is required. Experience with Church Windows is preferred. Please send r�sum� and cover letter to the Personnel Committee at  presby1@sbcglobal.net 

LOOKING AHEAD
Sept. 20th - Presbytery Meeting - Carroll University
Nov. 22nd - Presbytery Meeting - Tippecanoe and Immanuel to co-host @ Immanuel
Feb. 21st - Discovery Day - Mequon, Crossroads