The latest news for you

From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive

LEGACY

by Ann Gibbs, Associate for Ministry Vitality

The Karnak Temple Complex is located in Luxor, Egypt. There, great pillars etched with hieroglyphs tell the story of Egypt’s past, recalling the feats of the pharaohs and all they built and conquered. Walking through it is like walking through a forest of history, head craning to look up to the tops. There is another forest in Montgomery, Alabama where the pillars don’t rise up from the ground but hang overhead. These too tell a story of a nation’s past, but one many of us would rather not tell.

These hanging pillars are part of...(read more)

Presbytery Pulse

UPCOMING PRESBYTERY STAFF CHANGES

The Personnel Committee, on behalf of the Presbytery Council, shares the news that Chris Halverson has chosen to retire this Fall. Chris currently serves as the Presbytery’s Office Manager/Associate Stated Clerk, but in the 18 years since she began as a part-time administrative assistant, she has filled many roles. At each point, Chris accepted more hours and more responsibilities, until it is hard to imagine the Presbytery without her. While dreaming of retirement, Chris also shares a couple fun facts about her tenure:

My dad, the Reverend Dr. Carl R. Simon, was the first Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Milwaukee for 14 years, from 1977-90.
I have worked with 8 different Executives, some temporary, during my 18 plus years.

We plan to celebrate heartily Chris’ ministry with us as her retirement date draws closer. Stay tuned for those details!

To accommodate the larger transitional work that’s underway, Personnel will examine the position description (especially for a likely virtual environment) and will open the search for a temporary staff position in late summer, to begin in October or slightly later. We plan to have a period of overlap with Chris to make the transition smooth.

WALKER CLEAVELAND ELECTED TO RUSD BOARD

Congratulations to the Rev. Sarah Walker Cleaveland who was elected to the Racine Unified School District Board! Read more about Rev. Walker Cleaveland's appointment in Racine's The Journal Times.

CHAPLAIN RESIDENCY PARTNERSHIP

APPLICATION DEADLINE FRIDAY, APRIL 15

The residency program of the Milwaukee Presbytery and Carroll University is preparing to enter its third year. We've had two amazing residents in the first two years who have deeply enriched the congregations they served as well as increasing their own ministry gifts. As we plan for the third year, there is another opportunity for a congregation in our Presbytery both to benefit as a residency site with a seminary graduate as well as nurture someone in their call to ministry. Please see the attached application form for more details, and don't wait too long the deadline for applying is April 15. Our third congregational host site might just be yours!

Building Ministry Vitality

Through Matthew 25

Ecclesial Health:

"So far as it depends on you,

live peaceably with all"

ECCLESIAL HEALTH: FROM FIXING TO EMPOWERING

A conversation with Jane Johnson

Ecclesial Health: From Fixing to Empowering is part of Faith and Lead's Building Healthy Communities initiative. Jane Johnson, pastor of Beloved Community congregation in Steven's Point, WI, and congregation members share their experiencing in "making room for the Holy Spirit" as they shifted their ministry focus from trying to fix the church to living into the Kingdom of God.

News From The Denomination

'SOWING SEEDS' ON EARTH DAY SUNDAY (APRIL 23)

The Presbyterian Hunger Program invites you to download Creation Justice Ministries’ new Earth Day Sunday resource. It features stories from people committed to caring for the planet and can help to guide you and your congregation in faithful action.

EARTH DAY MINUTE FOR MISSION

In an Earth Day Minute for Mission, PHP’s Rebecca Barnes asks, “How much will we continue to ask vulnerable populations, future generations and the earth itself to withstand — just so that we can continue to live the way we

want?”

Invitations

CALVARY HOSTS HOUSING AND RACIAL EQUITY WORKSHOP

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity’s Housing and Racial Equity Workshop is a 2-hour interactive opportunity to better understand how local history has impacted the city's housing patterns today. We'll also learn ways to take informed action in support of housing equity. This workshop will take place at Calvary Presbyterian Church, downtown Milwaukee, on April 23rd at noon.

628 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, 53233

FROM THE HOLOCAUST TO CIVIL RIGHTS

Apostle Presbyterian Church (1509 S. 76th Street, West Allis) would like to invite you to a special program on April 30 at 4:00 p.m. Chris Halverson, Joannie Weinberg and Debbie Konkol will be presenting a fascinating program which will retrace their grandmother's journey in the Holocaust as well as Carl Simon's (their dad) experiences in Selma Alabama in 1965. This is a truly amazing program you won't want to miss.

There will be a light supper following their 4:00 p.m. presentation on April 30. In order to make appropriate plans, please contact Joan Van Able at 414 762 5073 if you plan to attend.

Mission Opportunities

OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT FATHER'S HOUSE ORPHANAGE IN UKRAINE

In 2017, Rev. Nikki Blanks was a part of a group from the Presbytery of Milwaukee that traveled through Moldova, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. Rev. Blanks recently received an urgent call from Father's House, an orphanage this group visited while in Ukraine that needs help.

Read more from Rev. Blanks about ways to directly support organizations on the ground in Ukraine, without going through an international organization. All donations are tax-deductible and every penny will go to the people it's supposed to go to.