Friends in ministry,

If you’re like me, you’re sad, angry, in lament and grief and rage that we are at a point where we have to come up with fresh ways to talk about the deaths of children by mass shootings on a regular basis. It’s infuriating to live in a place that treats this as a sad inevitability, that it is just a fact of life that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in our country. 

I am with you, and praying for you as you preach your way through the impossible. I encourage your lament and your anger, and I encourage you to channel both into changing the narrative about gun violence. In many ways, you already are, and for those looking for further resources, I’d like to help.

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has been leading the way on faith-based gun violence prevention for years. We mourn with the people of Minneapolis. And we mourn the fact that we live in a society where having resources ready to go for the next mass shooting is logical. Here we find ourselves.

We hope these rapid response prayers might be helpful as we all struggle for the right words for something so terribly, unimaginably wrong. And for those looking for ways to put action with prayers, we invite you to make use of the resources here.

Finally, I invite you to join us. PPF will help you coordinate any and all gun violence prevention work your congregation and community seek. We’ll collaborate on efforts toward getting more gun locks into the community, gun safety educational programs, and peace education. Please reach out if you’ve got ideas or projects or questions - I’m at laurie@presbypeacefellowship.org and our Minister for Gun Violence Prevention, Rev. Margery Rossi, is available at margery@presbypeacefellowship.org 

Remember, friends – we do not have to live like this. These things are not inevitable. Let’s join together in the work to make these resources completely unnecessary.



Sending peace,

Laurie Lyter Bright

MILWAUKEE AND WAUKESHA COUNTY FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS

from Marilyn Stone

It has now been just a little over two weeks since various areas of our presbytery experienced significant rainfall in a very short time, leading to significant flooding in various areas of Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties.   This significant flooding has resulted in foundational walls collapsing, homes shifting from their foundations, significant cracks forming, the loss of personal belongs. . . and now the mold.  Not only have home owners been impacted, but also renters.

The Presbytery’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Task Force continues to seek churches that have been impacted by the flooding.  We also are seeking to learn of pastors as well as parishioners who are dealing with significant damage.  Our task force members are here to help make connections with resources

This severe flooding may no longer be on your radar if you weren’t impacted or if you don’t live in or drive through areas where you see the mounds of personal belongings piled up at the curb.  Yet, for those impacted, the need for assistance is real and is great.

The amount of significant damage as a result of the flooding in the Milwaukee and Waukesha areas has been greatly under-reported in the national media.  This means that fewer organizations have brought volunteers to the area to assist with debris removal, mold remediation, and mucking out.  Therefore, local volunteers need to be recruited to assist our neighbors.  

There are a number of ways that volunteers can help.

Flood Volunteer Needs

Emergency Cleanup Bucket items list

Our task force members are here to help connect volunteers with needs.  We are grateful for all the ways you have responded already and the ways you will in the days, weeks and months to come.

Please prayerfully consider how you can help.  Email Marilyn Stone at mmstone52@att.net to share the ways you are willing to step forward at this time of local need.  You can volunteer as an individual or as a team.  There’s an organization providing team leads, equipment and training for help in homes.  

May our efforts bring comfort, healing and restoration to our communities, as we serve as Christ’s hands and feet in our local neighborhoods.

Matthew 25:40 reminds us:  “. . . whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

ONGOING FLOOD RELIEF

from the Wisconsin Council of Churches

Milwaukee County will be hosting Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) on September 3 and September 6 to support affected residents with a one-stop location to access information about recovery resources, apply for assistance, and connect with county and community support services.



The MARCs will be open from 11:00 a..m to 6:00 p.m. on these dates and locations:

• Wednesday, September 3 - McCarty Park Pavilion, 2567 S. 78th St, West Allis
• Saturday, September 6 - Mary Ryan Boys and Girls Club, 3000 N Sherman Blvd, Milwaukee

For more information, visit county.milwaukee.gov/2025floodresources

SCAM ALERT!

The Presbytery office has been made aware that congregation members are being targeted by scammers. Please be wary of any email that looks like it could be from your church, clergy, or Presbytery staff asking for an immediate reply or financial/gift card help. If an email or text message looks suspicious, err on the side of caution and contact the church office or Presbytery. DO NOT respond to the email. In many cases, these crafty impersonators may change a single letter that is barely noticeable or use a familiar name, but a suspicious email address. It is better to take a few extra minutes to ensure your digital security than fall prey to these scams.

While the information we received this week pertained to email, please remember that phishing can happen through any medium, including phone, text message, and social media.

How to Recognize a Scam Email:

• Check the sender’s email address. Fraudulent messages may display a familiar name but use a random or suspicious email address (e.g., scammer@gmail.com

• Beware of vague messages. If the message is urgent, brief, or asks you to “do a favor” without details, it is likely a scam.

• Don’t click on suspicious links. Avoid opening attachments or clicking on links if you're unsure of the sender.

• When in doubt, call. Contact the church or Presbytery office directly if you ever receive an unusual message claiming to be from any staff member.

How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages

Spoofing and Phishing

COMING SOON! PRESBYTERY GATHERING HIGHLIGHTS

Looking for the Presbytery Highlights from the May 26, 2025, Presbytery Gathering? Check back next week! Gathering Highlights will be available in the Wednesday, September 10, edition of Fresh Impressions.

PLANNING CALENDARS & BOOKS OF ORDER PICK UP

Thank you to everyone who picked up PC(USA) Planning Calendars and 2025-27 Books of Order! If you were unable to collect your order at the May 26 Presbytery Gathering, please contact Kate to arrange pick-up at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church in Wauwatosa.

CPM AUGUST GATHERING

The Commission on Pastoral Ministries gathered with four of the presbytery's inquirers/candidates under care: Morgan Grace Edwards, JP Kastner, Lance Jones, and Sara Zallar. After enjoying a meal, the group met with a spiritual direction for a conversation on call and vocation. We give thanks for the privilege of journeying alongside these gifted candidates for ministry and for our shared call to serve the Church!

VOTE NOW (AND DAILY!) TO HELP BREAD OF HEALING CLINIC

Bread of Healing Clinic, founded and directed by minister member Rev. Dr. Barbara Horner-Ibler, is one of six finalists for a CareSource Foundation grant of $25,000-$50,000! Help Bread of Healing Clinic earn a CareSource grant by voting for them every day until September 6. One vote per day can be submitted from all email addresses an individual uses. Vote now!

GREENFIELD AVENUE'S SUMMER GARDEN PICNIC

BELOIT UNITED AND SUN VALLEY PARTNER FOR VBS

The United Church of Beloit and Sun Valley Presbyterian Church joined together for Vacation Bible School. Children. Children had a great time learning how they were Made to Magnify God and participating in messy and fun activities like making bird feeders with sunflower seeds, peanut butter, and ice cream cones!

PIZZA AND MUSIC IN THE GARDEN

Food for the Journey is hosting a pizza and music in the garden night on Friday, September 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There, you'll be able to build your own personal-sized pizza and top it with fresh veggies right out of the garden! These pizzas will be cooked outside with grills, and musicians from various churches will share musical pieces in the garden setting. This event will be open-house style, so everyone can come when they're able. There is no cost for this event, but a free-will offering will be collected to benefit Food for the Journey. The location of this event is Food for the Journey's flagship garden, located at Kettle Moraine United Presbyterian Church. 

Kettle Moraine Presbyterian Church

N66W32690 County Trunk Hwy K

Hartland, WI 53029

WHAT IS YOUR CHURCH UP TO IN 2025?

Taking a break from the photo collages we've all grown to love, we want to share what your church is doing in 2025! No matter the size of the event, if it is coming up or has already happened, send Kate information about what's happening at your church! Have a great photo from the event? Please send it in, too! Just make sure to include a description to go along with the photo so everyone knows what's happening in the picture.



These events will be shared in Fresh Impressions on a rolling basis and can be sent to Kate at any point during the month.

SUNDAY'S COMING: WE PREPARE SO THEY CAN HEAR

October 7-8, 2025, First Presbyterian Church of Enflewood, NJ

Fall 2025 PC(USA) Church Growth Network Conference "Sunday's Coming: We Prepare so They Can Hear.” The goal of this mini-conference is to help equip churches to provide the best Sunday morning experience possible through worship services and experiences that help people grow in faith and help our churches grow in numbers. This conference will help individuals learn how to do that in new ways or to improve by focusing on things like hospitality, preaching that is engaging, AVL (audio, video, and lighting), family ministries, and the digital front door!

This is open to all PC(USA) leaders - ruling elders, teaching elders, church staff, and any leaders affiliated with a PC(USA) institution.,

Registration Link

Dates

October 7-8, 2025 (with special pre-conference and post-conference options)

Location

First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, New Jersey - near the Washington Bridge/the Bronx, NYC - https://www.englewoodpres.org/- 150 East Palisade Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07631

Cost

$49 per person - covers conference registration, lunch on Tuesday, and coffee breaks

 

Spiritual Director at Conference

Rev. Dr. Paul Burns will be serving as the spiritual director for the conference. Paul will be providing opportunities to connect with him during the conference.

PBYMKE Scholarship Assistance

Apply for financial assistance through the Commission on Congregational Vitality. Grant applications are located under the Marks of Vitality.

Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee seeks MISSIONS LEAD ASSOCIATE