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From Rev. Lisa Heckman,
Transitional Executive Presbyter
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Budget, per capita, a “new” employee starting (yeah!), conversations with other presbytery execs, a long phone call with the Board of Pensions, meetings, meetings, meetings … these are just some of the things happening in my life so far this week; and it’s all good! I’m sure your days are equally full. In the midst of our busyness, I’m asking myself, “so how is your spirit?”
Perhaps your spirit is...(Read More)
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REGISTER NOW FOR THE SEPTEMBER 21 HYBRID PRESBYTERY GATHERING | |
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Will Houts has graciously volunteered to be Clerk Pro Tem for this Gathering. Please send requests for excusal to him at whouts76@gmail.com. Will is also available to read session minutes and records during the education hour; please contact him ahead of time so he is aware that you will be bringing these.
[Note: Will is NOT acting stated clerk while Christian Boyd is on sabbatical. If you have any questions that you would normally ask of Christian, please contact TEP Lisa Heckman at lisa@pbymilwaukee.org.]
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SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKER JUNE LORENZO IN THE PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE | |
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International Peacemaker Dr. June Lorenzo will be joining the Presbytery of Milwaukee for several events between September 21-23. Mark your calendar and join Ms. Lorenzo for one of these opportunities!
Saturday, September 21:
Presbytery Gathering at Crossroads Presbyterian Church
6031 West Chapel Hill Road, Mequon, 53092
Ms. Lorenzo will present during the education hour at 11:00 a.m. and preach during worship. Presbytery Gathering registration
Sunday, September 22:
Worship and Adult Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church of Kenosha
1803 83rd Street, Kenosha, 53143
9:30 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Adult Sunday School, topic: the Doctrine of Discovery and its current impact
Peacemaking Possibilities Dinner at Sun Valley Presbyterian Church
1650 Sun Valley Drive, Beloit, 53511
5:00 p.m. dinner and discussion about the Doctrine of Discovery and other issues that have impacted relationships with Native American communities. A Laguna Pueblo and Dine (Navajo Nation), and a member & session clerk for Laguna United Presbyterian Church, Dr. Lorenzo has years of experience of fostering peace within and beyond the PC(USA). A chicken dinner will be served. Tickets for the dinner are $12. Please call (608-365-7547) or email (office@sunvalleypres.com) to make reservations by Monday, September 16.
Monday, September 23:
Carroll University Convocation, Recital Hall in the Shattuck Music Center
218 N East Avenue, Waukesha, 53186
6:30 p.m. Convocation followed by a Q&A facilitated by Carroll Chaplain, the Rev. Elizabeth McCord.
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KATE HOPTA BEGINS AS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT | |
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As of September 1st, Kate Hopta has taken on the role of Administrative Assistant, combining it with her work as Communications Coordinator. We are blessed that Kate is already very familiar with our presbytery as well as many of the systems we use to keep it running well. Kate will be training with Chris Halverson, retired Administrative Assistant, and working closely with Lisa as she picks up more of the administrative tasks. Kate and Lisa will also be coordinating the preparations for the September 21st Gathering together. Thru the month of September, Chris will continue handling our bookkeeping with the hope that Kate will be able to add that in October.
You can continue to reach Kate at khopta@pbymilwaukee.org or 414.292.2744.
Please welcome Kate into her new position and be patient, please, as she gets up to speed.
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PRESBYTERY STAFF SABBATICAL LEAVE | |
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Rev. Dr Ann Gibbs, Associate for Ministry Vitality will be on sabbatical beginning September 1 , 2024 and returning November 1, 2024.
Rev. Dr. Christian Boyd, Presbytery Stated Clerk, will be on sabbatical beginning August 26, 2024 and returning December 1, 2024.
In lieu of Rev. Dr. Gibbs and Rev. Dr. Boyd, Transitional Executive Presbyter Lisa Heckman will be available via email (lisa@pbymilwaukee.org) or telephone (414-292-2743).
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News From The Denomination | |
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VITALITY GRANTS
Apply for a mini grant by November 1
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Mini Congregational Vitality Grants are available through the Vital Congregations Initiative.
These “momentum grants” are offered directly to congregations who have completed the three-year initiative for vital congregations. The grants are to be used for ongoing ministry work in the areas of revitalization, missional partners and clusters, and re-emergence (death and resurrection).
Each grant of $1,000-$2,000 is intended for impactful ministry and programmatic support — not for existing budgetary, capital or administrative needs. More information.
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LAST CALL FOR FOR BENEFITS CHANGE ZOOM MEETINGS
from Rev. Dr. Ken Green
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Colleagues in Ministry,
I am reaching out to make certain that you understand the 2025 Benefits Plan. As you know, the Board of Pensions has made some changes to the pricing structure for benefits packages for Pastors beginning in 2025.
You are receiving this email because my records indicate that I have not yet connected with you at the in person and virtual events I have hosted or via some other means.
These are the final offerings for churches in my service region.
The Board of Pensions has approved a new Benefits Plan structure, effective January 1, 2025. This represents a significant change for churches and pastors because the existing Benefits Plan has been in place for over 35 years.
I am inviting you—as a minister enrolled in the current Pastor’s Participation plan—to come to one of these events to learn more. Please forward this invitation to up to two additional representatives from your church to also attend. (Likely suspects would be the Clerk of Session or chairs of Personnel and Finance—but bring a couple of the “right people.”)
If you have already attended one of these events or have the information you need, feel free to shoot me a quick email at kgreen@pensions.org that I might update my records.
Register in advance for these meetings.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Event details -- Led by Church Consultant Ken Green
Event details -- Led by Senior Church Consultant, Kristin Leucht
Please click the link above and indicate if you’re able to attend. This is a registration link, and will send you the link to the Zoom mtg after you register.
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CONGREGATIONS WITH FEWER THAN 100 MEMBERS REIMAGINE CHRISTIAN FORMATION WEEK
by Beth Waltemath
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September is a month where “we begin new things, restart or reconnect in our small churches,” said Sandy Safford, a Christian educator and commissioned lay pastor who recently served a small church for 10 years.
At the invitation of the PC(USA)’s Office of Christian Formation, Safford facilitates community circle for leaders of small churches. Educators, volunteers, pastors and commissioned pastors serving congregations with fewer than 100 members meet regularly to discuss the particular triumphs and trials of small church ministry. The community circles are held as open office hours, so anyone who registers can attend, whether or not they’ve attended in the past. The next meetups are in October and November. Register for Small Church Community Circles to receive a link.
Read more
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NEW RESOURCES FOR LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR IN ELECTION SEASON | |
The Wisconsin Council of Churches continues to add more resources to their Loving Your Neighbor in Election Season Worship Resources page. Here are the newest additions:
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PEACEMAKING POSSIBILITIES AND THE PC(USA)
A dinner with Dr. June Lorenzo, PC(USA) Peacemaker
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On Thursday evening. September 26th at 7:00 p.m., the Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin will offer a live, hour-long Zoom session on the crisis in Gaza. The session will begin with a presentation by Dr. Peter Makari, one of the leading students of developments in the Middle East and the present crisis in Gaza, and conclude with a conversation with Dr. Makari about the situation in Gaza and what the church can do to promote the ceasefire and peace for which we all pray.
Dr. Peter Makari is among the most well-informed and respected Church leaders in the United States on developments in the Middle East and Gaza. He works closely with the Middle East Council of Churches and with faith communities internationally as Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe for the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Having recently returned from Jerusalem, Peter’s presentation and the discussion to follow will provide an opportunity for participants to hear, first-hand, about the latest developments in Gaza. This event is designed to assist spiritual leaders and members of communities of faith and conscience to understand, from a faith perspective, what is taking place in Gaza and to reflect together on what can be done to help bring to fulfillment the widely shared hopes for peace, an end to the violence, and reconciliation in Gaza and Palestine.
The Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin presents this hour-long event in the spirit of faith, hope and love and welcome all who are hoping and praying for peace to be a part of it. Find the Zoom link here.
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OUT THE DOOR IN AUGUST '24! | |
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A special thank you to Ted Anderson, Monica Gramling, Ann Gibbs, Lisa Heckman, Linda Hoon, Emily Hopta, Cathy Manthei, Lee Tan, Carol Taylor, and James Ziegler for sharing excellent pictures from August with us!
Let us see What's Out Your Door in '24! Send Kate photos of what you see in September!
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If you’ve never considered serving in Wisconsin, read this to learn what makes this a special place to call home.
On Wisconsin!
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Future Presbytery Gathering Dates | | |
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2024 PRESBYTERY GATHERING DATES
- Saturday, September 21 @ 10:00 a.m., Crossroads Presbyterian Church, Mequon
- Saturday, November 9 @10:00 a.m., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee
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Contact Your Presbytery Staff | | | | |
