BELOVED COMMUNITY - OUR BLOG!
  
IN PURSUIT OF THE CALL
We all need people who will encourage us to find our voice; people who believe in us and help us believe we have something to say. For me, it is Herb and Jean Evert.

On my last day at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian church in Cottage Grove WI, Jean and Herb take me to lunch. This is our chance to say goodbye and thank you. I am moving on from pastoral ministry to serve as Executive Director of the presbytery of Milwaukee. Jean and Herb are two amazing members of Bryn Mawr whose wisdom I've admired. I am all ears as we talk about life and ministry. Herb suggests I continue writing a weekly column that is directed toward the presbytery. "But I don't know what to write," I say. As we continue talking Herb interrupts . .. ( READ MORE ).  


(A slide show of pictures from Craig's farewell reception can be found at the end of his blog.)

FEATURED CONGREGATION
LINN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LAKE GENEVA
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  Linn Presbyterian, Lake Geneva.
 PRAYERS, CONCERNS AND JOYS
JOIN US IN PRAYER
We invite you to share your prayer requests, concerns and joys with the wider faith community of our presbytery so that we might have opportunity to more fully support one another in prayer. Please contact the presbytery's  Pastor to Pastors , Susan Stoll, via email at
 SHARING THE MINISTRY
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo is pastor of San Jose Parish, a fellowship of the PC(USA) and ELCA in Beloit WI. I asked Neddy how the immigrant communities are responding to the recent election. Here is her response

Craig Howard 
 
Want to share your stories? Please send them to Donna Holmes or Chris Halverson . Thank you!
 PRESBYTERY PULSE
EXECUTIVE SEARCH
ADVENT: PRESBYTERY IN TRANSITION
Advent marks the beginning of the new Christian year and is the season of the church marked by hopeful waiting and preparing for what is yet to come. Advent is a time of transition. As a presbytery, the regional incarnation of the Church, we are living into the season as we begin the process of transitioning with hope and careful preparation for where God is leading us next.
 
A couple weeks ago at our November Presbytery Assembly, we celebrated Craig Howard's ministry with us and blessed him as he follows his call to be...(READ MORE).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING EXEMPT EMPLOYEES
The church packets provided at the November Presbytery meeting contained a memorandum on a blue sheet from the Commission on Ministry regarding a rule change for exempt employees.  Starting December 1st, the minimum salary for an employee to be classified as exempt was to increase to $47,476. Due to an injunction in Federal Court, this change has been placed on hold. The minimum salary an employee must make to be classified as exempt will remain $23,660.

Please contact Sarah Rand if you have any questions: 414-292-2740.
4PM SAVE THE DATE
The four-presbytery gathering is coming soon! Please mark your calendar for April 30 to May 1 at the Kalahari Resort. ( READ MORE

 INVITATIONS
PRESBYTERIAN/JEWISH WORKSHOP
 
You are invited to join us for a special workshop on  Tuesday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with Rabbi Leonard Gordon and Rev. Peter A. Pettit, Ph.D. Rabbi Gordon and Rev. Pettit wrote the curriculum that we've been using and will lead us in a program designed to deepen understanding and build community. Our time together will include shared study, a shared kosher meal, and interactive exercises.   Click here to RSVP.   More info here
HOT LINKS
McCormick Theological Seminary newsletter, Leading Change.
Wisconsin Council of Churches Study Guide: Loving our Interfaith Neighbors.
Holiday Pancake Brunch and Christmas Cookie Sale. Lisbon Church, December 11.
Christ Church Toy Store. Help make  children's lives a little brighter.
Calvary Christmas Celebration. The Big Red Church, Milwaukee. December 10. 
Ruach Words  - Teaching Elder Kathryn Craven's website offering worship liturgy. 
Parish Paper Article
Leadership Development Facebook Page   Click to see the page and the many links to available resources in the Presbytery of Milwaukee.   
Keeping In Touch - Find out what is happening in our Synod of Lakes and Prairies and be informed about our larger church presence.