Your Weekly News & Updates |
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From Rachel Yates, Presbytery Executive |
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As a trial attorney, I learned certain important rules about how to interact with juries, some related to persuasiveness and others related to ethics. I also learned the Golden Rule, which as it turns out is different for lawyers than it is for church-goin’ folk. In a trial setting, the Golden Rule is a prohibition on attorneys from asking the jurors to put themselves in the shoes of one of the parties. I couldn’t ask the jury, for example, how they would feel if they had suffered the same injury as my client. Golden Rule arguments are improper because...(read more)
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A MESSAGE FROM NICOLE FARLEY, PRESBYTERY MODERATOR |
Drip, drip, drip, drip, drip.
Like the persistence of a faulty faucet is the firing of a gun in this country.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
For our sanity, we might try to tune it out.
Do not turn away. Do not choose numbness. Do not look for validating reasons.
As people of faith, like the post-resurrection disciples, we have been equipped and sent to bear witness, to bear the weight of what we have seen and to carry the news of what we have seen...(read more)
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PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE'S MATTHEW 25 EFFORTS MAKE PCUSA NATIONAL NEWS |
The effort our members, churches, commissions, and committees have made to live into the Presbytery's Matthew 25 commitment, Healing Through Action, have not gone unnoticed. Mike Ferguson from the Presbyterian News Service contacted the Presbytery Office to find out more about what the Presbytery has been doing over the past year and what our upcoming plans include. Read the Presbyterian News Service article hot off the presses here.
If you would like to make a donation to the current effort to reform the cash bail system, checks can be mailed to the Presbytery office, noting "Joshua Glover Justice Fund" in the memo line.
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LOOKING FOR A PARTNER MINISTRY SITE! |
Carroll University and the Presbytery of Milwaukee are excited to announce our Chaplain Residency Partnership for the 2021-22 academic year. The Chaplain Residency will bring an emerging faith leader to our Presbytery, who will serve halftime in a local congregation and halftime on the Carroll University campus. This recent seminary graduate will receive mentorship, continuing education, and vital ministry experience. Drawing on our shared Presbyterian heritage and Reformed commitment to education, Carroll University invites your congregation or ministry setting to consider joining us in this innovative program. Applications for ministry sites are due June 1, 202.
This program is made possible through the generosity of Carroll University’s donors and the support of the Presbytery of Milwaukee.
For more information, please contact:
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COMMON GROUND SPRING DELEGATES ASSEMBLY |
Monday, May 3rd, 2021, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Who should attend?
- Core Team leaders
- Prospective members
- CG leaders who want to find out what Common Ground has been working on, what's next and how you can be a part of it
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POSTS, TWEETS, AND SNAPS: PERSONNEL POLICIES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USE |
How do you manage the use of social media on behalf of the church? The Presbytery recently adopted a new Personnel Policy for the Presbytery staff that includes provisions on this topic. You can find it here. Feel free to adapt any provisions of the policy for your use.
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COMMON GROUND HEALTHCARE COOPERATIVE INSURANCE OPPORTUNITY |
Greetings,
We are reaching out to faith-based organizations to encourage communication to your members about the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARP) for those who need to purchase their own health insurance, either for themselves or their families.
The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11, 2021 and it offers significant increased savings and lower costs on health insurance offered on...(read more).
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Matthew 25: I was in prison and you came to visit me... |
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Only 3 states in the country automatically criminally process 17-year old’s as adults, and Wisconsin is one of them. An advocacy campaign is underway to Raise the Age to 18 years, allowing everyone younger to be processed and tried as juveniles, with only the most serious cases moved to the adult court. Learn more and how to contribute your voice here.
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TELLING OUR STORIES: REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE |
The PC(USA)’s Task Force for the Disparities of Black Women & Girls presents its next Facebook Live discussion, Thursday, April 22 at 4:30 pm (Central), on Reproductive Justice. No registration is required; just log on to the Gender Justice Facebook page of the PC(USA).
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TIME: THE KALIEF BROWDER STORY LUNCH DISCUSSION
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As part of our Matthew 25 commitment to criminal justice reform, for four weeks, members of your Presbytery Planning Commission will lead lunch-time discussion on episodes of Time: The Kalief Browder Story, The next discussion will begin at noon on Friday, April 23.
To participate, watch episode 3 before April 23 and episode 4 before April 30. The series is streaming on Netflix. Then, come for a guided discussion about each episode.
Also, please be sure to register at the link below in order to be sent the Zoom link.
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PRESBYTERY ANNOUNCES NEW MATTHEW 25 INITIATIVE FOR CASH BAIL RELIEF |
The Presbytery is pleased to share this invitation and challenge for support of the Joshua Glover Justice Fund in Racine. This letter explains why we’re called to act and answers questions about how cash bail works. We hope you’ll join us between now and our May 22 Gathering!
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News from the Denomination |
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PRESBYTERIAN MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK MINISTRY GROUP |
PMHN is a new churchwide independent grassroots network launched with the support of a mental health ministry grant. Its purpose is to facilitate networking, conversation, and the sharing of stories and models for mental health ministry across the church. The PCUSA Associate for Mental Health Ministry collaborates closely with this developing network. Find more details on this Mental Health Ministry here.
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Join a new Facebook Group for all topics "Tech" in Presbyterian churches From live streaming to Wi-Fi, computer networks to Worship video screens, the group hopes to encourage Presbyterians throughout the denomination to share their best practices, assist each other with tech issues, share media assets, and promote the growth of technology within our churches. To join, search for "Presbyterian Tech Talk" in Facebook or click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/presbyteriantechtalk
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Rodger Nishioka has written the most recent installment of Regarding Ruling Elders, a monthly resource of the Office of the General Assembly.
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NEW PCUSA CURRICULUM AVAILABLE IN JULY |
Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living features 36 units based on practices Jesus did and taught to his follower; it looks at where these practices are found in Scripture and how they have been used in the Christian faith in the time of Jesus, now, and in between. There will be curriculum available for children, youth, and adults, along with a Congregational Guide that has links to worship, an intergenerational session plan, and more. Watch an introductory video, and find more information - including a sample session, timing of the different units, and new updates - here. Practical Resources for Churches will host a free, in-depth "Follow Me" webinar at 12 p.m. on April 28; register here.
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11 ZANY COLLECTIONS THAT PROVE WISCONSIN'S QUIRKINESS |
Pick an object. It could be a bottle of mustard. Or a life-size troll sculpture. Or a metal sculpture with big Victorian-steampunk energy. It doesn't really matter, as long as you collect or create so many of them that your collection becomes a roadside attraction and a cherished local landmark. A remarkable number of Wisconsinites have chosen this life path, and the result is a truly remarkable collection of collections scattered across the state.
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PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURES VIRAL SHOT OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BEHIND ERUPTING VOLCANO |
What do you get when you combine the aurora borealis and an erupting volcano? If you ask Christopher Mathews, he'll tell you that it's a once-in-a-lifetime photo. The former legal professional has been living in Iceland for many years and enjoys photographing the country's incredible landscape. So when news came out that the Geldingadalur volcano was ready to erupt, Mathews went out of his way to put himself in a good position to capture the action.
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LAST MINUTE IDEAS FOR OBSERVING EARTH DAY AND FAITH CLIMATE ACTION WEEK |
Faith Climate Action Week (FCAW) is sponsored every year by the national Interfaith Power and Light campaign as a time for congregations of all faiths to lift up climate justice and the care of creation. This year's theme is "Sacred Ground: Cultivating Connections between our Food, our Faith, and the Climate." FCAW runs through Sunday, April 25, so you can still participate in these activities:
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“Kiss the Ground” is a hopeful and inspiring new film that explains why regenerative agriculture could be key in rehabilitating our planet. You and members of your congregation can view the film for free at home at your leisure through April 26 by registering at this link. You will automatically get the Zoom link to join “Sacred Ground: A Message of Hope”, a webinar with the filmmakers on April 21, 11am PT/2pm ET
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Join the nationwide climate prayer at noon (local time) on Earth Day. Download the prayer text here
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Find more ideas and resources at the FCAW website Faith Climate Action Week — A moral call for climate change action, including a free digital download of the FCAW Organizer’s kit and free worship resources.
Also, check out "A New Heaven and a New Earth," this year's Earth Day Sunday resource from Creation Justice Ministries on health, racism, and environmental justice. Download this education, action, and worship resource at Earth Day Sunday - CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES. Earth Day is every day, so this and previous year's resources are appropriate for any time during the year.
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Milwaukee Police District three, Milwaukee County Sherriff's, Safe and Sound, and other WCC Partners are hosting a Drug Take Back program on Saturday, April 24, at Johnsons Park from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Please share this flyer with your networks to help get the word out.
In addition to collecting and properly disposing of medications on site, there will also be drug disposal packets available on site for later use by families, along with PPE.
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ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM: WHAT IS IT, AND HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH RESPOND? |
The Clergy Emergency League and the Wisconsin Council of Churches invite clergy, church leaders, and community partners to join this important discussion about the church’s response to environmental racism on Tuesday, May 11, at 6:00 p.m. Our distinguished panel will share their reflections on the role of the church in addressing this intersection of systemic racism and environmental justice. Why should congregations care about environmental racism? How can a church’s ministries address this issue? What are biblical and theological ways to frame environmental racism? What are the challenges – and opportunities – for living out the gospel by taking up the work of dismantling the twin oppressions of white supremacy and ecological destruction? This panel discussion will help us cast a vision for repairing communities of color and the Earth as a way of co-creating the Realm of God.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT MOON BEACH & PILGRIM CENTER |
UCCI's site locations Moon Beach & Pilgrim Center have some exciting offerings coming up in the next few months. Check out opportunities at both locations and for all ages!
The Presbytery offers youth camper scholarships to cover most of this cost. Please contact Ann Gibbs for more information.
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DISCERNING THE FUTURE OF HYBRID WORSHIP RESOURCE |
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Disaster Preparedness & Response Task Force |
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Written by Catherine Neal
With the pandemic most of us are wanting just to have the ability to get out and see our friends and family without the worry of COVID. I am sure no one wants to be thinking about a possible tornado as we all feel like we have huddled away long enough, but tornado season is coming.
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The Sower - February 2021 Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
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Future Presbytery Gathering Dates |
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- SATURDAY, May 22, 2021, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- WEDNESDAY, September 22, 2021
- THURSDAY, November 18, 2021
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Presbytery of Milwaukee
414-292-2740
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