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The Presbytery of Milwaukee
Wisconsin
With a public elementary school across the street from the church, the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church decided it would do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God with a program to address the needs and challenges faced by the students there.
Townsend Street Elementary is a small K–8 public school. Many of the students are being raised by single parents or grandparents, and almost 95 percent of families live at or below the federal poverty level.
In an effort to make a difference, the Rev. Volina Cross-Dukes, pastor of Trinity, began the Adopt-a-School program in which fifth graders develop relationships with surrogate grandparents. They experience hands-on science projects with Trudy Holyst, a scientist in the congregation. The projects are done in conjunction with “God’s Garden,” a vacant lot that has become the church’s community garden. The church provides reading and homework tutors for children through fourth grade, and the boys in grades six through eight (the girls have a separate program) attend Youth Empowerment Skills classes with volunteer Thomas Matthews. Program coordinator Mark Bedford works with church volunteers to support the Townsend staff, students’ families, and the students as they learn life skills, develop self-esteem, and have fun.
Planting seeds in the late winter and harvesting crops in the fall, reading with a partner, or learning about how young people can be empowered — the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian is learning, teaching, and living that the call of Micah 6:8 is not only possible but real in its Milwaukee neighborhood.
The Presbytery of Milwaukee is richly diverse, with 10,702 members in 47 churches. Within its bounds are Presbyterian-related Carroll University in Waukesha and Presbyterian Homes of Wisconsin, Inc.
Elder Janet Martin, member, GAMC
Presbytery Staff
Rev. P. Gregory Neel, executive presbyter
Elder Eileen Pierce, program coordinator
Elder Roxanne Lawrence, resource center coordinator
Elder Judy Bell, stated clerk
Elder DetlefPavlovich, treasurer
Elder Christine Halverson, administrative assistant
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Rev. Robert L. Ellis, GAMC
Cynthia Embry, GAMC
Merciful God, we pray for children, especially those children whose lives are torn apart by poverty, who are confronted with racism, and who cry out for love, justice, and hope. Enable us to respond to their cries not simply with words but with deeds. Enable us to challenge the comfortable, lift up the brokenhearted, and confront those who claim poverty and racism as insurmountable. Amen.
Ps. 27, 147:12–20 Ps. 126, 102
Jer. 22:13–23
Rom. 8:12–27; John 6:41–51
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