TableTalk
February 21, 2005 Vol. 11 No. 2 For Church Leaders Gathered at The Table TABLETALK is a publication of The Rocky Mountain Conference Office of Communications Information and Concerns of RMC Leadership, for RMC Leadership Send information to Ben Roe, 2200 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80210 E-mail: ben@rmcumc.com Fax:303-733-1730 Voice: 303-733-3736, x102 Web address: http://www.rmcumc.org/News/table/
Coming Events: National
“Voices of Faith: From Swords to Plowshares” Conference Planned The Methodist Federation for Social Action, a long-standing and unofficial social action organization in the United Methodist Church is sponsoring a conference on nonviolence entitled “Voices of Faith: From Swords to Plowshares” March 31st-April 2nd, 2005, at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles CA. More: http://rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#VOF Worship Connection Comes to Kansas City and New York Cokesbury is sponsoring 2 Worship Connection events, one in Kansas City and the other in New York City. The Kansas City event will be held at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection on April 7-9, 2005. This three day event promises to give worship leaders ideas to enhance their worship services using existing resources. Event registration is happening now, and the Early Bird pricing is available through Feb. 14. More: http://rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#WorshipConf RMC Pastors To Speak At Large Church “Rendezvous” Janet Forbes, senior pastor at St. Luke’s UMC, Highlands Ranch, and Rod Wilmoth, interim pastor at Arvada UMC, are two of the speakers at the “Rendezvous in the Rockies” entitled “Meeting the Challenge of Spiritual Leadership in Large Membership Churches.” The General Board of Discipleship and the Large-Church Initiative sponsor a conference each year for pastors and congregational leaders to exchange ideas, learn, and work together on common goals. Hosted this year by Trinity, Denver; St. Andrew, Centennial; First and Sunrise, Colorado Springs, other speakers will include James Forbes, Jr., of Riverside Church, Philip Yancey, author and editor at large of Christianity Today. Contact George Brunner at Trinity, 303-839-1493x18 for more information. Sierra Service Project Openings for Youth Groups It's not too late to enroll your high school youth group in a week-long mission project this summer with Sierra Service Project, the United Methodist affiliated youth ministry organization. Visit http://www.rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbmissions.htm#SSPopenings for more information
Coming Events: Regional and Local
Japanese Doll Festival at Simpson UMC Simpson UMC (6001 Wolff St., Arvada, CO) is hosting its 37th Annual Japanese Doll Festival, Hina Matsuri, on March 5 and 6, 2005. This cultural event includes Japanese dance, music, crafts, and martial arts demonstrations, in addition to one of the largest displays of traditional Japanese Dolls in the U.S. Visit http://www.rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#Festival or www.simpsonumc.com to learn more. Westside Weekend Youth Gathering Coming in March Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to Westside Weekend, March 4-6, 2005 in Cedaredge, Colorado. Westside Weekend is an annual event that was started by the churches on the western slope a little more than 10
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years ago. A flyer is available on the RMCUMC.org web site (Mission/Youth). For more information, call Becky Clark (Director of Youth Ministries, Montrose UMC) at 970-249-3716. Youth Quest Still Has Room! Youth Quest, an event for middle school youth grades 6-8, is being held March 4-6 and 11-13, at Frontier Ranch, Buena Vista. Sponsored by the 6 districts of the Conference, the event this year features Kelly Sisney, a speaker from the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, who promises to keep the funny bone tickled with her observations about religion and church life. Registration brochure is on the RMC web site: http://www.rmcumc.org/MI/Youth/ Five-Day Spiritual Academy Deadline Coming Up The March 1 lowest-cost deadline for the Five-Day Spiritual Academy is approaching and there is plenty of room! "Earth's Filled With Heaven..." is the theme for this year's 5-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, to be held April 17-22 at Sacred Heart Retreat House, Sedalia, CO. The Academy is a program of Upper Room Ministries and sponsored by the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Conference. It is "an invitation to see the holy in the ordinary through the life of a saint and in the way liturgy shapes life. 'Earth's crammed with heaven...' are words of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, inviting us to come and see 'every common bush afire with God.'" The 5-day Academy is designed for laity and clergy seeking rhythm and balance; rest and renewal; spiritual community; worship and study; prayer and reflection; spiritual disciplines; silence and solitude; companionship and play. Presenters this year include Kathleen R. Flood, OP, and Daniel T. Benedict, of the GBOD. Total cost: $545 ($495 by March 1), includes room, board, tuition and non-refundable $50 deposit Leadership team: Claire Childress - Boulder First United Methodist Church; Jean Foreman - Retired United Methodist Pastor; Joe Gorman - Golden Church of the Nazarene; Matthias Krier - Niwot United Methodist Church; Steve Miller - Hope United Methodist Church More on the RMCUMC.org Web: http://rmcumc.org/News/Communications/news.htm#5day Academy for Justice, Integrity, and Community Inaugurates Lecture Series The Academy for Justice, Integrity and Community in Castle Rock, Colorado, announces the inaugural series of Lenten presentations at First United Methodist Church of Castle Rock, 1200 South Street in Castle Rock, Wednesday, March 9 and 16, at 7:00 PM. Donald E. Messer and J. Philip Wogaman featured. Complete announcement here: http://rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#AJIC YLC Presenter in Denver Area Holy Week Celia Whitler, who spoke at a recent Youth Leadership Conference, is planning to spend Holy Week in the Denver area. Those interested in some special music in Holy Week worship services or programming offerings, contact Celia directly by email at crwhit@aol.com or by phone at 615-790-6573. To learn more about Celia and her ministry, visit www.celiamusic.net New Resource Available: "Living the Questions" A new resource is available for congregations and small groups. Entitled "Living the Questions", it’s a 12 week series on DVD and World Wide Web that can be used in small groups. Several UMC denominational leaders and pastors are involved including Dr. John Cobb (Claremont School of Theology), Bishop Minerva Carcaño (Desert/Southwest), and Dr. Tex Sample (St. Paul School of Theology). Other well known religious scholars also involved are Marcus Borg, John Shelby Spong and Emilie Townes. The program focuses on Christian invitation and spiritual formation. Check it out: http://livingthequestions.com/ Weekend With Winks: Jesus and the Spiral of Violence Dr. Walter Wink and June Keener Wink will present a workshop on "Jesus and the Spiral of Violence" at Hope UMC in Greenwood Village on Friday night, April 22 and Saturday, April 23, 2005. Dr. Wink will preach at Hope on Sunday, April 24. More here: http://rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#violence
Youth Quest Spring 2005 Still Has Room! March 4-6 and 11-13, at Frontier Ranch, Buena Vista, and sponsored by the 6 districts of the Conference, Youth Quest this year features Kelly Sisney, a speaker from the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, who promises to keep the funny bone tickled with her observations about religion and church life. She has been at Youth Quest before, working with the adult leadership. The registration form for the Spring event is available for downloading on the RMCUMC.org web site. Registration is down so bring all your friends! http://rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#YQ05Reg Exodus or Exile: Preaching and Bible Teaching in a Western Culture A Conference for those in preaching and teaching ministries called Exodus or Exile is being held April 25-28, 2005, in Salt Lake City. Sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Centers of Utah, Inc. More information at www.exodusorexile.com or http://www.rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#Exodus.
Conference & UMC News and Resources
Annual Conference Petition Deadline Approaches The deadline for submission of petitions to the upcoming Annual Conference is March 10, by Conference rules. Petitions must be mailed by March 10 to qualify for consideration at the June session of the Rocky Mountain. The petition coordinator is Tommy Gleaton. For forms and further information contact Tommy, Ben Roe (at the address above) or visit the Conference web site, RMCUMC.org, Conference Information, Annual Conferences, 2005: http://www.rmcumc.org/COI/ac/ac2005/ The forms are in Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect formats. Please read the instructions that are included with the form! Board of Stewards and the Executive Leadership Team Meet Board of Stewards and the Executive Leadership Team met together on Friday and Saturday, January 14 and 15 to discuss and to develop methods of working together to promote the work and vision of the conference. Each group plays a significant role in the work of the annual conference. The Board of Stewards (BOS) is the main administrative body of the annual conference as described in the Conference structure approved in the 2004 Annual Conference and as required by the Book of Discipline. BOS consists of representatives from conference committees and groups, Conference Lay Leader, Bishop, Director of Mission and Ministry, and three At-Large members. It has a primary role of performing the work of the annual conference between the annual gatherings. The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) consists of the District Superintendents (Cabinet), Director of Mission and Ministry, Director of Youth, Treasurer, and the Bishop. The ELT has a primary role of providing resources and support to the programs and activities of the annual conference. The joint meeting provided an opportunity for the two groups to communicate current activities and to plan for future work. Some goals and actions from the meeting include: • Continue to listen and to work with the local churches in living out the vision of the annual conference. • Discuss the possibility of having a common theme for the Annual Conference gathering in the summer and church charge conferences in the fall. • Schedule an annual joint meeting between the ELT and the BOS. • Continue to communicate plans and activities with each other and with the Annual Conference More BOS Notes The Board of Stewards met on January 14th and 15th with the Executive Leadership Team as was reported on 2/2/05. The meeting on the 15th was a typical Board of Stewards meeting with the Executive Leadership Team as our guests. The Structure of the Conference was reviewed as well as the Conference Vision and the Roles and Responsibilites of the Board of Stewards. LeAnn Williams was welcomed as the Church and Society representative on the Board. The Conference Inclusiveness Plan was reviewed. Reports were received from the Cabinet, Race and Religion, Vision/Mission/Values Team, Communications, Church and
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Society, COFA, Board of Global Ministries, BOM, Lay Ministries, Lay Leader. Chris Fraiser of the Conference Board of Trustees gave an update on Templed Hills and a Task Force was formed to clarify housing issues. Conference personnel issues and needs were discussed and will warrant further study. A Task Force met with the Nominations Committee and the previous issues have been resolved. Dan O'Neill handed out the 2006 budget working document to begin the budgeting process in time for Annual Conference. Due to budget concerns the February meeting will be cancelled and the Board of Stewards will meet again on March 19th. Nancy Boswell, Board of Stewards co-chair Conference Board of Pensions Sponsors Retirement Seminar The RMC Board of Pensions is sponsoring a seminar for those who are going to retire someday, especially those within a few years of retirement. Brochures have been mailed to all clergy 45 and older, but anyone who wishes to learn more about planning for retirement is invited, including younger clergy, and lay staff (especially those on the UMC CBPF). The seminar will be held at the Holiday Inn, Denver West Village, 14707 West Colfax, Golden, CO, Thursday, May 19, 2005, from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday, May 20, 2005, from 9 a.m. to noon. Speakers from the General Board of Pensions and Social Security, as well as legal and financial planning professionals will be presenting. These and other speakers will cover financial planning, health benefits, social security, investments, attitudes, role adjustments, and couples talking about life after retirement - and new beginnings! Inclusive cost, including accommodations and meals is $100 per person, $50 for their spouse. Registration deadline: May 9, 2005. To register, contact Donna Hite, Rocky Mountain Conference, 2200 S University Blvd, Denver CO 80210 800-536-3736, 303-733-3736x202, donna@rmcumc.com Iliff Board of Trustees and Alumns Release Letters The Iliff School of Theology has two new letters on its web site relating to the recent review of the departure of former president and RMC clergy member David Maldonado. An e-mail sent by Interim President J. Philip Wogaman on February 16 says, in part, I am forwarding you information regarding yesterday's Board meeting and discussed at Community Meal. Attached you will find a copy of a letter from the Board of Trustees to the community that expresses their regret and sadness that material from an executive session of the Board was made public by three former trustees. It also explains that an internal investigation into the allegations made by these trustees has found that there is no evidence of collusion or impropriety on the part of faculty members. As such, the Board will not be pursuing this matter further. Please take a few moments to read the letter. The letter from the Alumni/ae Board says, in part, Iliff is moving through a difficult transition with a transparency in its process that opens us to be vulnerable to vastly different interpretations, points of view and critique. Yet the leaders of our School are intentionally willing to continue to be open believing that the values held by the Seminary and the movement toward health and vitality converge through this process. Iliff will be changed through this time of conflict but change breaks open new possibilities for God to move in ways none of us could expect. We are committed to Iliff in this process and believe that God’s justice, grace and love will be embodied through the School for generations to come. The complete texts are here: http://www.iliff.edu/about_iliff/news.htm#ICReport Local Pastors School Information Special information for all pastors who have laity interested in becoming Local Pastors: This year's licensing school will be held on August 1-12 at the Iliff School of Theology. For more information about the licensing school, please call Nancy Mead at 719-846-6824, or e-mail at nancmead1@earthlink.net.
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Lay Speaking Advanced Course in Sunshine The Lay Speaking Team of the Sunshine District is pleased to announce an upcoming advanced lay speaking workshop. The workshop title is Lay Speakers Preach: Sharing God’s Story in the Pulpit. The course will be offered over a 2-day period: Friday, April 22nd, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Saturday, April 23rd, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Rocky Ford UMC. Instructor is Reverend Gary Goettel, UMC of Lamar. Texts: “Lay Speakers Preach” and “Go Preach!” by Jack Gilbert. Registration Cost: $30 (includes books and food). Please make checks payable to the Sunshine District Please send Name, Address, Phone, E-mail Address, and $30 to: Sunshine District, 310 West 11th Street, Pueblo, Colorado 81003 Note: The registration deadline is March 28th in order for participants to receive and read the textbooks before the class starts. From The Conference Treasurer Employee Reporting Requirements State and federal laws require that every employer report the name and social security number of every new employee within 20 days after they are hired. Churches, as employers, are also required to make these reports for every new part-time and full-time employee. For more information in your state, call: Colorado - 303-297-2849; Wyoming - 800-970-9258; Utah - 801-526-4361. Wider Mission Interpretation Resources A set of twelve Sunday bulletin inserts is available on the RMCUMC.org web site that offer information about how funds are used for United Methodist ministries beyond the local church. They have been prepared as one way the to help inform church attendees about some of the wonderful ministries that their offerings help to support. These are print-ready, but can be modified for your newsletter use. Or you can add to - or even change - the information in them. It is hoped you might use one each month during 2005. The document is available on the RMCUMC.org website under "Church Resources" - "Finances/Council on Finance" Feel free to contact the conference office for more information about any of these inserts. – Dan O'Neill, Treasurer - RMCUMC 800-536-3736x205 or 303-777-3116x205, dan at rmcumc.org. 360 Degree Review Process Begins To all Members of the Annual Conference, In 2002, Bishop Brown called for a comprehensive review process for all conference staff. Working with the Personnel Committee and other groups, we are now using a “360 Degree Review Process;” it is called “360” because it is designed to include a wide variety of participation across the conference. This item is so that you are aware and can participate in the process. This week, survey letters will be sent to numerous committee chairpersons, and a sampling of churches. The survey will also be generally available on the Conference website (rmcumc.org) so that anyone can offer their feedback. All surveys will be compiled in the Bishop’s office; in this way, all surveys will remain confidential, even as no anonymous surveys will be recorded. The surveys will be used by a Review Team, each specifically convened for each staff person, meeting with the staff person to discuss all aspects of their work; the reviews are scheduled in April. The report of all these reviews will be delivered to the Bishop, per his original request, and will be a part of his work with the special Structure and Personnel Study Groups. A final report and recommendations from these overlapping processes will be brought to Annual Conference in June. This year, 2004-2005, Brenda Lear and Ron Hodges are up for review according to the rolling schedule of annual reviews for all conference employees. If you have questions, please feel free to contact George Brunner, gbrunner at trinityumc dot org who is managing the review process for the conference Personnel Committee.
All the documents related to this process are available for viewing as web pages and for download (as Microsoft Word documents) on the RMCUMC.org web site: http://rmcumc.org/COI/Staff/360Intro.htm. Read especially the letter from Bishop Brown: http://rmcumc.org/COI/Staff/360.htm Seven Hymns for Handbells for Lent and Holy Week The General Board of Discipleship is offering handbell arrangements of seven hymns for Lent and Holy Week. These may be obtained without charge on the GBOD worship-preaching-music website. Titles include: All Glory, Laud and Honor, Beneath the Cross of Jesus, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, and others. More on RMCUMC.org web: http://rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bb.htm#7hymns. Worship Resources Available for Tsunami Aid Response There are a number of worship resources available for use with remembering the devastation of the South Asia tsunami. Visit http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=13241 for several prayers, reflections, and hymns, as well as a new choral anthem, “Choral Tsunami Prayer” by a UM pastor in the Philadelphia area UMCOM Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities United Methodist Communications offers three communications scholarship and fellowship opportunities to strengthen the study and practice of religion communications. Applicants must be members of The United Methodist Church. The deadline for all applications is March 15, 2005. Details are available at http://www.rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbscholarships.htm#UMCOM.
Mission
Tsunami Relief Concerts in Fruita, CO There are two more Tsunami Relief Concerts in Fruita, CO, March 5 (Big Band Sound), and April 2 (Variety). View and download flyers and bulletin inserts with more information on the RMCUMC.org web site here: http://www.rmcumc.org/News/Communications/bbevents.htm#TsunamiRelief. Africa Partnership Brings Missionary to Conference Rev. Marilyn Brenchley, representing Kenya Methodist University, will be available to speak in RMC churches from March 2-15. Please contact Dorothy Templin at 303-755-7416 for further information and to schedule her to speak at your church. Kenya Methodist University is sponsored by Africa Partnership. Last Chance for RMC Cookbook Entries! The deadline for receiving recipes for the RMC Cookbook, Cooking for High Spiritual Altitude, has been extended to March 15th. To send in a recipe, send your name, church you belong to and/or if you want to place that recipe 'in memory' of someone. All recipes can be sent to the Episcopal Office, 2200 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80210 or e-mail them to Jayne Adams at: jayne@rmcumc.com. Be sure to place 'Recipe' in the subject line. Proceeds for the cookbook will go to Denver Urban Ministries. The cookbook originated in the international potluck picnic brunch held at the Conference Center in September. One Great Hour of Sharing Supports Disaster Response The March 6 United Methodist special Sunday and offering called One Great Hour of Sharing raises awareness of how UMs are involved in ministry in the midst of natural and human-engineered disasters, such as the recent earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, hurricanes in Florida, and the Darfur tragedy in the Sudan in East Africa. One Great Hour of Sharing Presentation Available David Lillie, pastor, First UMC, Laramie, and Denver Episcopal Area Disaster Preparedness Chair, has produced a short presentation on the One Great Hour of Sharing special Sunday and offering coming up March 6. The presentation is in Microsoft Powerpoint format and is available for download and use on the
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RMCUMC.org web site (Mission, Connectional and Compassionate Ministries: http://www.rmcumc.org/MI/streams/compassion.htm). Here is his cover letter. The recent tragic loss of life and property caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami has resulted in an unprecedented outpouring of compassionate giving from Americans in general, and United Methodists in particular. We are blessed to have UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) to offer a way for caring and concerned Methodists to direct funds to victims of tragedies such as this. 100% of the funds given to UMCOR for disaster relief are used to help victims -- nothing is used for administration or marketing! The only way this is possible is through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering which is taken in United Methodist churches each year. The proceeds of OGHS go to pay the administrative and operating costs for UMCOR. Without OGHS the mechanism for utilizing disaster relief offerings might cease! Last year (2004) the Rocky Mountain Conference received $61,897 from OGHS offerings in our churches. That amount was down from $71,530 in 2003. During 2004, UMCOR responded to more requests for assistance from locations all over the world than in 2003 ... yet we supported them with fewer dollars. As a result, their ability to respond to disasters on our behalf was reduced. On a recent trip to the UMCOR depot in Baldwin, LA, I was being shown through the large warehouse which contains health kits, flood buckets, and other disaster response items. In the back of the warehouse is a large area full of dental chairs, medical examination tables, hospital gurneys (wheeled tables for transporting patients), and a variety of other medical and dental equipment. All of the items are wrapped in heavy plastic "shrink wrap" and are labeled with the names of destinations in South America and Africa. I asked the depot manager about the items and she said, "These have all been donated by medical and dental companies for use in developing areas. Some of them have been sitting here for quite a while because we don't have the funds to ship them to their destinations." As I looked, I saw that there were dates written on the shrink wrap in black marker ; some of the dates were several years in the past. As Denver Episcopal Area disaster preparedness chairperson, I want to ask each person who receives this to consider what your church will be doing on March 6, 2005. That is the day for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Our giving, regardless of how small each church's gifts are, makes a difference somewhere in our disaster afflicted world. Those dollars are, literally, what makes our compassionate giving in response to disaster such a powerful witness to our faith in Christ, and our willingness to reach out in care and concern. Let's not allow 2005 to be another year where our giving to this vital cause shrinks! Last year I put together a brief slide show of pictures taken at the UMCOR depot. On the day of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, we showed them in church, and I described what UMCOR is and how it responds using our gifts. The church's OGHS offering was almost six times larger than the previous year! I have created another show for use in my church this year and am sending a copy to the Conference who will make it available for you to download. The slide presentation shows images from places around the world where UMCOR is in service on our behalf. You are welcome to use the show in worship, meetings, or any venue which might be helpful in getting UMCOR's story out. (Note: all images and text are available on UMCOR's website, and therefore are not restricted by copyright for use within UM churches and UM endorsed organizations.) We are blessed to be in a Conference which is rarely visited by disaster. As a result, we don't often see UMCOR's work close-up. However, as our United Methodist brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast and up the Atlantic seaboard can attest, UMCOR is willing to give assistance to hurricane clean-up; United Methodists in the Midwest and the far West can attest to UMCOR's presence during recovery
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from devastating floods. UMCOR is "ready and willing." Will they be able to respond? You and I will determine that on March 6. Your fellow servant in Christ, Rev. Dave Lillie, First UMC, Laramie Denver Episcopal Area Disaster Preparedness Chairperson OGHS resources are at this web location: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/oghs.stm Earthquake/Tsunami Disaster After the Great Earthquake and resulting Tsunami that affected 11 nations in South Asia, the United Methodist Committee on Relief was involved from the start and has sent well over $12 million to the region, in addition to health kits and other aid. Donations to UMCOR's "South Asia Emergency" relief efforts can be placed in local church offering plates or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance #274305 and "South Asia Emergency." Online donations can be made by going to www.methodistrelief.org. Those making credit-card donations can call 1-800-554-8583. Children and Poverty Task Force Sponsoring VIM Trip to Angola The Denver Area Task Force of the Bishops' Initiative on Children & Poverty are planning a Mission Trip to Angola this summer (2005). Dates will be: June 25 - July 10. Cost will be approximately $3,000 per person, perhaps a bit more depending on airfare. Group will be formed by the end of February. For more information, questions, or to receive an application, contact Derek & Joyce DeToni-Hill at: Christ U.M.C., 104 S. Fourth St., Sterling, CO 80751 revderek@kci.net, 970-522-0140 (Derek office), 970-522-2910 (Joyce office), 970-522-9515 (home) HIV/AIDS Orphans Affecting Women from Kenya to Rocky Mountains and Nebraska Kelly C. Martini, Executive secretary for communications, Women's Division, has written an article on HIV/AIDS in Kenya. In it, she quotes Anne Kiome Gatobu, a member of Lodgepole United Methodist Women in the Nebraska Conference saying, “the biggest support has come from United Methodist Women in Nebraska and Rocky Mountain conferences. They've made children's hospital gowns and quilts, collected boxes of books for school, and accumulated tools for construction. They've adopted children as individuals or units to put them through public school. It's had a ripple affect," says Ms. Gotobu. "A number have asked me to speak to their groups and Sunday services. Someone else hears about it, and they ask you." Last summer, she and her husband organized a mission and cultural exchange team to Kenya with participants from Nebraska and Rocky Mountain Conference. The complete article is here: http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/pr.cfm?articleid=3007 Africa Partnership Sponsors Work Team to Kenya The Africa Partnership is sponsoring a work team to Kenya July 5-22, 2005. The focus will be on Kenya Methodist University projects and schools in the Meru area, which is where the young people mentioned in the above story attend school. Cost is approximately $2,700 to $3,000. For more information, please call Ann Fort at 303-220-0840. Ann says this will be her 6th trip and promises a life changing experience. HIV/AIDS and Africa Partnership are projects of the Rocky Mountain Conference. (See AC31, new Structure document, p. 8, and 2004 Journal, Advance Special Report, all on the RMCUMC.org web site under Conference Information) DenUM Gets $1 Million Matching Challenge Grant Your donation to DenUM means more in March Donations of food or money to Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM), a Conference advance Special, in the months of March and April will be proportionally matched with a national $1 million challenge grant from the Feinstein Foundation. Hunger-fighting agencies from across the country will receive a base grant of $250. After that, the more donations DenUM brings in, the greater the gift from Feinstein! The Feinstein Foundation’s past $1 million challenges to fight hunger have raised a record $350 million for agencies
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nationwide. Your donation toward this campaign makes you a partner in the most successful grassroots campaign to fight hunger of all time. Your donation to DenUM means more in March Shop online at www.iGive.com and up to 26% of each purchase benefits DenUM. Visit this web address to start: http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?causeid=18891 (note that this link is what gives DenUM the credit.) Through March 31, 2005, each new member who joins iGive and shops will earn an additional $5 for DenUM. That's on top of the standard 26% donation from shopping. Only one hitch: supporters must shop within 45 days of joining to get the bonus. With over 520 stores at iGive.com, there is something for everyone. Getting your everyday supplies benefits DenUM when you shop through iGive: make purchases at Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Viking Office Products, and more. Just shop through iGive! DenUM's IGive Link: http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?causeid=18891 – Belinda Lanyk, Community Relations Director, Denver Urban Ministries, 303-355-4896 x 310, belinda.lanyk@denum.org
The Conference Community
Prayer Concerns and Caring For The Conference Community Prayer Concerns are offered for the Clergy and Lay Members and leadership of the Annual Conference and their immediate families, as a way to nurture the community of the Annual Conference. Prayer concerns are sent to those on the Conference Bulletin Board e-mail list as “Prayers.” Please keep these in your prayers: • • • Ty Curtis, retired RMC clergy member, is receiving treatment for advanced leukemia. His spouse Joyce Curtis is Associate Pastor of First UMC in Fort Collins. Expressions of care are best sent to Ty and Joyce at their home address, 900 Oxford Lane, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Tom Boller, pastor at Valley Vista UMC in Denver. His mother, Kathryn L. Crume, 88, died on Feb. 14. She had been living with a heart condition for a number of years. Expressions of care may be sent to Tom at VVTRB@aol.com or c/o Valley Vista UMC, 1200 El Paso Blvd, Denver, CO 80221. John Thompson, Mile High/Pikes Peak District Superintendent, and his 21-year-old son Joseph. John has been very ill with the flu and Joseph has had pneumonia and mononucleosis. In addition, Joseph has 2 blood clots and considerable pain that the doctors are working with also. Joseph is a 21-year-old student at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and is in Penrose Main Hospital in Colorado Springs. Expressions of care may be sent to John, Valencia, and Joseph at johnt@rmcumc.com or 15443 Jessie Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. T L Phillips, senior pastor at Wheat Ridge UMC, whose mother Martha Parker Phillips, 77, died February 9 (Ash Wednesday). In T L's words, "Martha Parker Phillips became part of the church triumphant" today. Expressions of care may be sent to T L at: tl_phillips@qwest.net@qwest.net. Phil Green, Sr., and Phil Green, Jr., retired RMC clergy. Phil Green, Sr.'s wife Helen died January 25. Phil Green, Jr., reports that his father has just had a hip replacement as a result of a fall and broken hip. Expressions of care should be sent to 2929 Nevermind Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80917. (E-mail greetings may be sent to pgreen8681@aol.com, but will not be seen until after the initial rehab period is over.) Pat Bruns, one of the clergy team at Brentwood UMC, Denver, was hospitalized February 6 for tests. Expressions of care may be sent to PatrickRBruns@comcast.net or c/o Brentwood UMC, 1899 S. Irving St., Denver, CO 80219. Bishop Melvin Wheatley (Denver Area, 1972-1984) had a fall and broken hip on January 27th, and while in the hospital being treated for that, had a serious heart attack. His son Jim reports that on Monday, February 7th, Mel was transferred to a nearby skilled nursing facility to begin physical therapy for his hip and further evaluation of his ongoing needs. His sons Jim and Paul are working with the next steps with their parents. The Wheatley family expresses their gratitude for prayers and the "generous outpouring of love and concern" they've received. Mel and Lucille celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last June 15th. Expressions of care may be sent to Jim Wheatley at Jim.Wheatley @verizon.net and to Melvin and Lucile Wheatley, 859A Ronda Mendoza, Laguna Hills, California, 92637
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Michelle Johnson, chair of the Conference Board of Higher Education & Ministry, requests prayers for her older sister, Dottie Burnside, who was found unconscious at her home in Charlotte, NC, Febr. 14. She is now out of intensive care and faces recovery and decisions surrounding discovery of unsuspected diabetes. Please also keep in your prayers Dottie’s daughter, Alicia, of Savannah, who is understandably traumatized by this event. Expressions of care may be sent to Michelle at PO Box 102702, Denver 80250. Mary E Woods, retired RMC Clergy, living in Albuquerque, sends her gratitude for all who responded to her stroke of October 5 and all the loving support given her. She says she spent 2 1/2 months in a rehab center and nursing home (with one week of that in the University of New Mexico Hospital). She hasn't regained full use of her right hand but is walking now, with movement is impeded by arthritic pain and stiffening at her knee joint. She has excruciating pain in both arms, triggering high blood pressure. She would "deeply appreciate your continued prayers for healing." Expressions of care may be sent to her at EhenWoo@aol.com. Jim Keesey, retired RMC clergy member, asked for your prayers as he faced a difficult decision. He needed to decide by February 23rd whether to have a dangerous, seven hour spinal surgery to help balance his spine. Scoliosis is causing severe back pain and compression between his left rib cage and abdomen. It also is causing him to lean forward when he stands or walks. "Your prayers for guidance would be appreciated," he writes. Expressions of care may be sent to Jim at keesey@rkymtnhi.com or PO Box 448, Tabernash, CO 80478. Joan Uda, retired RMC clergy will be having open heart surgery as soon as tests are completed. Joan served churches in Lyons, Littleton, Heritage, Montclair and Cedaredge. She and her husband Lowell currently live at 4275 Iverson Road, Helena, MT 59602. Expressions of care may be sent to them there or via email: LMUda@aol.com Helen Griggs, whose son Houston Edward Branch, died January 26. Helen is a co-chairperson for lay speaking for the subdistrict of Pikes Peak. She also served as a committee member to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for many years and currently serves is on the Episcopacy Committee. Expressions of care may be sent to her at 1307 Acacia Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 or hlgriggs@adelphia.net. Craig Peterson, United Church of Christ minister serving Mountain View Community Church in Aurora (a UMC, UCC, and PCUSA congregation), and his life partner Mike Nunn. Mike's mother Terri Lynn (47) died on January 19 while dealing with lupus and diabetes. Expressions of care may be sent to Craig and Mike at 9686 E Arkansas Place, Denver CO 80247, or pastorcraigpeterson@yahoo.com. Janet Forbes' father, Joe Forbes, died January 27, surrounded by all of his family. Services were in Robersonville, NC, his hometown. Janet is senior pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch CO. Expressions of care may be sent to 10492 Grizzly Gulch, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.or to janet@stlukeshr.com Sam Jones, pastor at Wiley and McClave UMCs in Eastern Colorado and his family. Sam's father is journeying with cancer and is back in the hospital at M.D. Anderson in Houston. Sam recently spent some time there with his family, who continue to remain hopeful. Expressions of care can be sent to Sam at 309 Gordon Street, Wiley, CO 81092 or pastorswj@yahoo.com. Dan O'Neill, conference treasurer, and his extended family. Dan's younger brother Andy died Saturday, Jan. 22 in Evergreen, CO after a year-long struggle with liver problems. Expressions of care may be sent to Dan O'Neill at dan@rmcumc.com. Ginny Chase, RMC clergy and Associate Director of Field Education at Pacific School of Religion, has had another hip replacement surgery and is glad to have it behind her. Expressions of care may be sent to her at 2480 Virginia St., #3, Berkeley, CA 94709, or e-mail, Vchase@psr.edu. Faye Veal, retired RMC diaconal minister and active lay speaker, whose 100 year-old aunt, Mollie Gruenwald, died Feb. 16, in San Francisco. Expressions of care may be sent to Faye at 6334 North Deframe Way, Arvada, CO 80004 or FayeVeal@aol.com. Carol Dietz, lay member of the Church and Society Network committee is in Intensive Care at Rose Medical Center in Denver (4567 East 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80220, 303-320-2121) and cannot receive visitors or calls. Expressions of care may be sent via the Rose Hospital Patient E-mail service. Go to this web address and follow the instructions: http://www.rosemed.com/PatEmail.asp Otherwise, send to her home, 1684 Harrison Apt 8, Denver, CO 80206, or cdietz@ch2m.com.
TableTalk, February 21, 2005, page 11
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Del Hansen, pastor at Faith UMC, Cheyenne, whose father Walter Hansen of Centerville, IA, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Expressions of care may be sent to 522 E 6th St, Cheyenne, WY 82007, or pastordel@worldnet.att.net. Chuck Cooper, Wyoming/Northeast Colorado District Superintendent, asks that you keep him and his 81-year-old mother Dorothy Cooper in your prayers. Chuck says she had a pacemaker relocated and has started radiation treatments for cancer. Expressions of care to Chuck@rmcumc.com. Lora Payne, pastor of FUMC of Florence, CO, writes asking for prayers as she and her brother Lee Foreman help their 89 year-old mother make sensitive decisions regarding her care. Lora also writes that her niece Meg Foreman is being deployed to Iraq. Expressions of care may be sent to her at jlpayne84@hotmail.com or c/o FUMC, PO Box 504, Florence, CO 81226.
Thanksgivings Don and Helen Griggs and family write, "Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We wish to express our deepest gratitude to all of you, for your expressions of love, notes of sympathy and prayers sent at the time of loss of our son Houston E. Branch. It is such a comfort knowing so many people share our loss. Grace and Peace, Donald and Helen Griggs and Family" Vern Dockter, pastor at Delta UMC, had his appendix removed Dec. 29 and a cancerous mass on a kidney was removed January 26. Vern writes to express his gratitude: “I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and notes of concern. They have been expressed in a variety of ways, and Lindalin and I are deeply grateful for all the ways you have shared this time with us. We are also deeply grateful for the staff and Drs. at Delta Hospital. Pathology report confirmed that the "Renal Mass" in the kidney was cancerous, but also that it was totally contained and therefore totally removed. There is no additional therapy needed. Only time to fully recover and heal. Indeed, God is Good. I am slowly returning to the office routine, while still providing time to rest and heal. – Vern Dockter, Delta. Please keep not only Vern in your prayers, but his wife Lindalin and the Delta congregation. Expressions of care may be sent to doc.vdd2@juno.com or to the church at PO Box 427, Delta, CO, 81416. Clergy Transitions The complete appointment list with current e-mails is available on the RMCUMC web site: http://rmcumc.org/CHI/DistrictSites/allappts.phtml. This list is updated the first week of each month September - May (irregularly June-August). Effective July 1: • Doug Slaughter, Senior Pastor of Community UMC in Ogden, Utah since 1996 will be appointed as Senior Pastor of Heritage UMC, in Littleton, Colorado. Mike Hubbard, at Heritage will retire. • Don Bird will be appointed as senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Canon City. Don is presently serving as associate pastor at FUMC in Fort Collins. Dennis Sillaman, currently appointed at Canon City, will retire on June 30, 2005.
Positions Available
More detail, more jobs and resumes at: http://rmcumc.org/CR/Jobs/. Organist, Arvada UMC, Arvada The Arvada United Methodist Church seeks an energetic, visionary organist well versed in a wide variety of musical styles to provide music leadership and accompaniment at 2 of 3 Sunday services (9:00 & 10:30) and choir accompaniment at Wednesday evening rehearsals (7-8:30). Associate General Secretary, General Commission on Religion & Race The General Commission on Religion and Race is announcing a search to fill an Associate General Secretary position, which will become available upon the retirement of the person relating to the Hispanic/Latino staff portfolio. Applications are due by April 15, 2005. A full job description is available from http://www.gcorr.org/news/ or http://www.rmcumc.org/CR/Jobs/nonrmcjobs.htm.
Needed
Middle Grade Sunday School Teachers
TableTalk, February 21, 2005, page 12
Paul Grzbowski, Sunday School teacher at Warren UMC in Denver and an Iliff student, is asking to get in touch with middle grades Sunday School teachers from the Denver metro area who might be doing some kind of service project. A fellow teacher in Boulder has contacted him looking for ideas for service projects for her students. She had heard about Paul's class, which goes out into the neighborhood around Warren, 14th & Gilpin, to distribute food that is donated by members of Warren UMC and the other 3 congregations that meet in the Warren building. Paul's Sunday School class is coordinating a visit from her class of eighth graders to Warren UMC to see what the Warren class is doing with this food pantry. The idea grew out of Warren's participation in the Glide Empowerment Journey in 2004.
TableTalk Publication and Subscription Information
TableTalk is edited by Ben Roe, Information Administrator. Submissions for the next issue of TableTalk are due by noon, March 17. The next TableTalk will be published Friday, March 18. To subscribe to TableTalk, send an e-mail (or a postcard) with your name, church, and e-mail address to ben@rmcumc.com or the address above.