PRESBYTERY GATHERING HIGHLIGHTS

Weren't able to make it to the last Presbytery Gathering, but interested in the good work happening in the Presbytery? Check out the Presbytery Gathering Highlights, a one-page synopsis of the February 24, 2024 Presbytery Gathering.

2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- GA227

The General Assembly is coming to Milwaukee in 2026!

(we hope)

The Committee on the Office General Assembly (COGA) is recommending Milwaukee as the site of the 227th General Assembly Meeting in 2026. The recommendation will be acted on this summer at the General Assembly in Salt Lake City UT.

Council was approached back in January to see if we would be interested in hosting. Since then, COGA has visited the city, toured the Convention Center, and liked what they found. You can read more of those details as well as the whole proposal here.  There is also a GA News Article about this here.

This will be a big event for our presbytery, needing lots of volunteers to help in the planning and assisting while GA is here. Our early expectation is that we will invite John Knox and Winnebago presbyteries to be co-hosts with us.

We hope you share our excitement in hosting our sisters and brothers of the PC(USA) in 2026.

Kent Tess-Mattner, Council Moderator

David Ewing, Presbytery Moderator

Lisa Heckman, Transitional Executive Presbyter

SESSION ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORTS

Thank you to the churches that entered their 2023 statistics online!

If your session has not submitted this report, please contact the Presbytery's Stated Clerk, Christian Boyd. 

Wondering about the Statistical Report? Check out Statistical Reports and Frequently Asked Questions from the PCUSA.

MARCH 20 IS MR. ROGERS DAY

Jesus, Teach Us to Be Neighbors Is a hymn was written with Mr. Rogers Day especially in mind and asks Jesus to teach us to be neighbors learning, growing, serving, loving, praying, and working for peace. The hymn text was written by David Gambrell, Associate for Worship, Office of Theology and Worship. Find this hymn and other Mr. Rogers Day resources here.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Lent is not only a time of reflection; it is also the One Great Hour of Sharing season. This offering can be received at any time, but it is traditionally received on Palm Sunday or Easter.

The Office of Special Offerings has so many great resources for you, and they thought highlighting just a few of them would help you select the ones that will work best for your congregation. Click here to find Minute for Mission, resources for children, and ways to spread the word about One Great Hour of Sharing.

SPEND A YEAR IN BERLIN

Young adults ages 19-30 are invited to spend 10 months living and engaged in volunteer service in Berlin! Explore what it means to be actively engaged in the world, develop a sense of living out faith in action, and learn more about what it means to be a faithful global citizen. The program is not restricted to PC(USA) member. For more information contact PC(USA) mission co-worker Alethia White.

A special thank you to Ted Anderson, Larisa Chmielewski, Linda Hoon, Susan Long, and Carol Taylor for sharing excellent pictures from January with us!

Let us see What's Out Your Door in '24! Send Kate photos of what you see in February!

ANOTHER SIDE OF DEMENTIA - SUPPORTING THOSE CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH DEMENTIA

Forest Park Presbyterian Church is hosting a Community Conversations workshop entitled "Another Side of Dementia - supporting those caring for loved ones with dementia" on Saturday, March 9, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Forest Park is partnering with the Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin Chapter and attendees will hear from topic expert, Virginia Zerpa. The linked flyer has a QR code where you can get more information or register. Whether you know someone in your neighborhood, faith community or your own family impacted by dementia, all can benefit from learning the ways to support the primary caregivers. 

Community Conversations is a new community outreach initiative of Forest Park Presbyterian Church. FPPC partners with various topic experts as they explore challenges within their community. Topics vary and include dealing with grief during the holidays, environmental issues, supporting veterans and families, just to name a few. 

Events take place at Forest Park and are truly open to all. Each event provides some education by topic experts followed by small group conversation over a light meal. There is some optional reflection time as the event wraps up and FPPC tries to leave participants with additional resources to support their journey.

2300 Sunny Slope Road, New Berlin, 53151

HOST A VACCINE CLINIC AT YOUR CHURCH

The Interfaith Conference is a subgrantee of the Wisconsin Council of Churches on its Covid Campaign to educate and vaccinate. The grant will expire at the end of June this year, however, they are still able to arrange for vaccination events at your place of worship through partners, which also are able to provide the flu and/or RSV shots. While the vaccinators will take insurance information, if one has no insurance, the Covid and flu shots are at no charge. (There is a charge associated with the RSV shot if uninsured.)

While some people think that Covid is done, the numbers tell a different story:

1. From 1/1/2023 through 10/21/2023 alone, almost 690,000 people had Covid related hospitalizations.
2. 75% of American adults have at least one risk factor associated with higher risk for severe Covid.
3. While protection from previous vaccines wanes over time, new variants continue to emerge, and updated Covid vaccines are designed to protect against the recent variants.

Hayat Pharmacy is offering a free and simple way to request a vaccine clinic at your place of work. Just go to this link and complete a simple form to request a clinic:

https://www.hayatrx.com/host-a-vaccine-clinic.