Winnebago Presbytery

Impending Snow Storm

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:07:58 +0000

All meetings set for today, January 12, are scheduled to go on as planned.

Any changes will be posted on Facebook and on this web page as soon as a determination is made.

It is understood that some people will choose not to travel, and we respect that decision. Your first concern should be your own safety.

In those days…

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:38:46 +0000

a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they wee there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. –Luke 2: 1-7

The staff of Winnebago Presbytery
wishes you a Blessed Christmas

Gratitude for God’s Good Gifts

admin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:47:41 +0000

Photo courtesy of First Presbyterian Church, Neenah

Choose Your Workshop Sessions for November 12

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:26:42 +0000

Plans are moving along for the workshops at the Presbytery Meeting/Educational Event on November 12.

Saturday afternoon will offer two sessions of 50-minutes workshops geared toward Clerks of Sessions, Financial Officers, Ruling Elders and others. Make your selections from this list. Pre-register here.

Presbyterians in Education (PIE) are conducting a “workshop” for Confirmation Classes from 10 a.m – 2 p.m. Check here for details and registration information.

Now that You’ve Registered for Camp

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:22:21 +0000

You’re wondering what to bring, how to get there and just exactly how you will be spending your time. The answers to those questions can be found in the Camp Information Packet.

You say you haven’t yet registered for camp. Get your registration forms or adult volunteer forms now and send them in.

Fall Camp 2011 – Registrations Due Before October 14

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:54:33 +0000

Mission

IS Impossible

Fall Youth Camp – October 27-30, 2011

Wisconsin Lions’ Camp, Rosholt

Thursday: Registration from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Program begins at 8:00 p.m. thru Sunday morning

For All Youth in Grades 6-12

Keynote: Dan LeMonnier – Storyteller extraordinaire!

Promotional Flier – Print and Share

Registration/Release Forms – (must be FULLY COMPLETED and signed by a parent or guardian)

Volunteer Packet/Release Forms

Errata Sheet for 2011/2013 Book of Order

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:35:49 +0000

The Office of the General Assembly has published a two-page errata list for the new Books of Order. That list may be found at this link: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/oga/pdf/errata_boo_2011.pdf

You may also find this link on the Resources tab of this web page.

August Letters from Moderator and Stated Clerk

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:56:20 +0000

The Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010), Elder Cynthia Bolbach, reflects on her first year as Moderator. Read her article reflecting on her experience and what she has learned about the Presbyterian Church (USA). Read the article.

Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons has also posted his monthly letter, “Ordinary Encounters, Extraordinary Power.”

Stated Clerk releases PC(USA) 2010 statistics

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:51:01 +0000

Total membership stands at 2,016,091

Office of the General Assembly July 1, 2011 Sharon Youngs – Communications Coordinator

The Office of the General Assembly has released the 2010 statistics of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The statistical materials include a comparative summary of the PC(USA) membership, a summary of receipts and expenditures from 2007-2010, and additional miscellaneous information.

The new numbers show that the total membership of the PC(USA) in 2010 was 2,016,091, compared to 2,077,138 in the previous year, a decline of just over 61,000 members.

Nearly 59,000 individuals joined by profession or reaffirmation of faith. Adult baptisms totaled 6,148, a decrease of 672, and child baptisms numbered 22,460, which was 2,163 fewer than 2009.

While 21,615 members joined by certificate of transfer, 29,835 left by the same manner.

The number of PC(USA) churches stood at 10,560, down from 10,657. The figure reflects only those congregations that have been chartered, rather than new church developments, new immigrant fellowships, or other worshiping communities within the denomination.

Twenty new churches were organized, 77 were dissolved, and 26 were dismissed to other denominations.

The Reverend Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, noted that the latest statistics continue a difficult trend.

“These numbers are not what anyone wants to see,” he said. “While it appears that we lost fewer people in the category of ‘other’ (those who did not die or transfer to another congregation) than the previous three years, it is still where our largest number of losses occur.”

In the area of financial giving, the annual statistics for 2010 show a total in contributions of $2,027,479,202.

“Presbyterians continue to be incredibly generous,” said Parsons, “even when their own pocketbooks are taking a hit from the economy.”

Speaking from the Big Tent event in Indianapolis, Parsons reflected further on this year’s statistical report. “Our numbers are down,” he said. “Seeing the data on paper is sobering. And yet, incredible things are happening in the PC(USA). For example, more folks than ever are at the Big Tent this year, especially youth and children. There’s a palpable sense of excitement and energy and conversation about vital ministries that are happening across the church.”

“It is an important time in the life of the PC(USA),” he added. “We have a new Form of Government that will encourage all of us to think differently about how we do church. I anticipate that we’ll see new models and fresh approaches springing up.”

“The excitement doesn’t nullify the numbers,” Parsons said, “but it’s a clear indication that God is not nearly finished with us.”

Read the complete summary of statistics.

Read the miscellaneous information.

Governor Walker announces veto to save Pres House exemption!

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:47:30 +0000

Read the Wisconsin State Journal Article announcing the veto.

Here at Pres House we’re praising GOD and writing to thank YOU because the effort to retain Pres House’s property tax exemption succeeded! I am relieved and grateful to report that Governor Walker has announced a veto of the repeal of our property tax exemption! This means that current law remains in place and our exemption is secure. The contacts made by Pres House supporters like you throughout the past six weeks were vital to retaining this exemption. Legislators and the Governor heard from you about how important Pres House is. Thank you for your help!

This excellent news makes it possible for Pres House to continue its mission of meeting spiritual, emotional and intellectual needs of students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With the exemption in place we can return to focusing on expanding our ministry to students on campus.

The worshiping community at Pres House grew this past year for the seventh year in a row and we look forward to new students arriving in the fall.. At the Pres House Apartments, our efforts to provide a safe and welcoming home grounded in the love of God now can continue. It can continue to be a place where growth is nurtured and encouraged and where students of any faith or none can engage together in an intentional journey toward wholeness.

A great deal of prayer and effort went into retaining the property tax exemption in the face of this major challenge. Here is a brief summary of what happened in the past six weeks:

May 12: We received a call from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel informing us that the Joint Finance Committee, Co-chaired by Rep. Robin Vos and Sen. Alberta Darling, had with no warning voted to eliminate Pres House’s property tax exemption. We learned that the Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin had asked for the repeal.

May 13-June 13: Pres House worked tirelessly to educate legislators about the damage this move would make to an important campus ministry and to counteract numerous mischaracterizations made about Pres House. Hundreds of supporters contacted their legislators asking them to remove this provision before passing the budget. Rep. Don Pridemore and Sen. Leah Vukmir spearheaded an effort to take the repeal out of the budget.

June 14-16: Despite broad support for Pres House, the State Legislature voted to pass the budget with the repeal in place (though they extended the effective date for the repeal to 2013). We believe we came close to getting it removed completely but were unable to overcome the momentum in such a short period of time. Five legislators visited Pres House personally and all expressed enthusiasm for what they saw.

June 17-24: Pres House asked Governor Walker for a line-item veto of the repeal. Twenty legislators signed a bi-partisan letter requesting a veto from the Governor: Rep. Tyler August (R), Rep. Gary Bies (R), Rep. Brett Hulsey (D), Rep. Joe Knilans (R), Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R), Rep. Bill Kramer (R), Rep. Tom Larson (R), Rep. Al Ott (R), Rep. Jim Ott (R), Rep. Warren Petryk (R), Rep. Don Pridemore (R), Rep. Keith Ripp (R), Rep. Roger Rivard (R), Rep. Travis Tranel (R), Rep. Mary Williams (R), Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D), Sen. Bob Jauch (D), Sen. Fred Risser (D), Sen. Leah Vukmir (R), Sen. Van Wanggaard (R). The Moderator, Executive Director, and Stated Clerk of the national office of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., along with the Synod Executive and Executive Presbyters from all four Wisconsin presbyteries wrote a letter to the Governor asking for a veto. Hundreds of pastors, Pres House students, parents, alumni, and friends wrote, emailed, and called the Governor expressing support for a veto.

June 24: Governor Walker announces a veto of the repeal of the Pres House property tax exemption before signing the 2011-13 Budget Bill into law.

Please take a moment to drop a note of thanks to Governor Walker (govgeneral [at] wisconsin.gov) for supporting Pres House in this way. If you are represented by one of the legislators listed here thank them also.

In the coming months and years, we look forward to sharing with you stories of God’s work in the lives of students through the ministry of Pres House. Thank you so much for your calls and letters and for your role in keeping the Pres House ministry alive and strong.

In God’s service,

Rev. Mark Elsdon
Campus Co-Pastor and Executive Director
Pres House
731 State St.
Madison WI 53703
www.preshouse.org