The Link: May 2016
1955 East Arizona Ave. Denver, CO 80210 303-777-3043
This month I turn 40.  40!  Forty.  Four decades.  5 x 8 or 20 x 2.  Two fifths of the way to 100.  I'm not sure what I feel about it, but I sense that it's significant.  I'm taking some time away from the office over my birthday, partly to be with my sister (who loves me despite my wrinkles), partly to do my yearly sermon planning retreat, and partly to just have some space to consider this number:  40.
 
I think about the number forty in the Bible . .  .it comes up a lot . .  40 days and nights of flooding.  Forty years of wandering in the wilderness.  40 days of fasting and praying before being tempted by the Devil.  I'm not sure these are uplifting images of forty!  I also am reminded that my grandmother didn't get married until 39, and had her first baby (my mother) at age 40. 
 
There is celebration and despair, shadow and promise around this number.  I think about what I've learned in the last 40 years and how I hope I can learn a fraction of as much in the next 40.  I think about the places I've lived and the people I've known that have shaped me to be who I am.  I think about the ways by body and face have changed, and yet how I often feel like a little girl with a pony tail and Stride Rite sneakers. 
 
I love what Anne Lamott wrote on her blog the day before she turned 61:
All truth is a paradox. Life is a precious unfathomably beautiful gift; and it is impossible here, on the incarnational side of things. It has been a very bad match for those of us who were born extremely sensitive. It is so hard and weird that we wonder if we are being punked. And it filled with heartbreaking sweetness and beauty, floods and babies and acne and Mozart, all swirled together.
 
In this new year in my life and in all of the new years of your lives, my prayer is that you experience the depth and breadth and beauty of this paradoxical life.  


Peace,
May Worship 

May 1: COMMUNION SUNDAY - We are the Body of Christ:  Clothe Yourselves, Colossians 2: 12-15
 
May 8: MOTHER'S DAY - The Spirit of God:  The Promise Shared, Acts 1: 6-11
                       
May 15: PENTECOST SUNDAY - The Spirit of God:  The Spirit Comes, Acts 2: 1-13
 
May 22: The Spirit of God:  The People Believe, Acts 2: 43-47
 
May 29: The Spirit of God:  The Community Grows, Acts 10: 9-16
Do you like WPUMC?!
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Preschool
Although we may be close to the end of the school year, things have not slowed down here at WPUMC Preschool. In the month of April after the kids returned from spring break, they learned all about our five senses, the zoo, and the ocean. To finish out the school year the children will be learning about animal/plant life cycles, Spring, and reviewing the themes from throughout the year!

Fall 2016-2017 School Year: Registration for next school year has been very successful and we are almost full in all of our classrooms. We do have space available in a few of our classes so if you would like more information on how to register your child please let us know.

Summer 2016: Are you looking for a fun option for you kids this summer? Check out WPUMC Preschool's summer camp. Camp runs from June 13 through August 19 with a fun new theme each week. We are accepting applications now! Please note limited space is available so get your application in before it's too late.

Wee Worship: We are so blessed to have Rev. Sandi lead wee worship with our kids twice a month. This month wee worship will be on May 11 and 12 and the theme will be friendship.

Graduation: We can't wait to celebrate all the kids graduating and moving on to Kindergarten from our Fox and Owl classrooms! A special graduation ceremony will be held on Tuesday May 24 at 5:30pm. 
Sheri and Matt Salis with Nick, Cathryn, Joey and Andrew
From Staff-Parish Relations Committee and Rev. Sandi Dillon

CORRECTION: The previous version this article contained incorrect ages for Sheri's children; the error has been fixed below.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee and Rev. Sandi Dillon are pleased to announce that Sheri Salis is the new Director of Children's Ministries. On Sunday, May 1, Sheri will officially transition from being an extraordinary volunteer in children's ministries at WPUMC to being a staff member and the director of the program.

Since 2008, Sheri has been a member of WPUMC and a dedicated volunteer with the Sunday School program and Vacation Bible School. She and husband, Matt, have lived in Denver and its Washington Park neighborhood for twelve years. They moved here from the Midwest to buy and operate The Great Harvest Bread Company located on Colorado Boulevard. They have four children (ranging in age from six to fourteen), all of whom are involved in various youth and children's activities through the church. Sheri is excited that something she loves doing - leading our children on a journey with God - turned into a staff position here with our church. We are thrilled that Sheri stepped up to answer God's call on her life and our need here at Wash Park UMC. Sheri will fit in well with the church's outstanding staff. Please join us in welcoming and encouraging Sheri in her new role! You can reach Sheri at childrensministry@washparkumc.org

With gratitude,
Staff-Parish Relations:
Lana Banbury - Chair, Mary Kay Casey, Blair Goering, Jameson Jones, Tracy Owen, John Partridge
Park Youth

We are a connected web of believers!  One that cares for one another and who loves on one another.  Our united web at Wash Park UMC is made up of newborns, young children, youth, college students, young adults, adults with youth families, middle age adults, adults with life experience and adults with great wisdom. The demographics of our congregation are vast and greatly diverse. We have a lot that we can learn from one another and a lot to share with one another with our experiences. Imagine what could happen if we slowed down and worked to deepen our relationship, truly living into our family values and working to healing the painful ripples and apply ripples of love, peace, gentleness and kindness into our family web of believers.

I pray that God will be present with us, helping us to grow more comfortable with one another, to deepen our conversations and to teach us to ask for help from one another and ask for opportunities to learn about one another's gifts and how they can be applied to our greater church community.
 
YOUTH:
The youth are greatly looking forward, preparing, and anticipating for our Summer Mission trip that is only 2 months away.  This is the list of participants going on our mission trip: (Note: if there is a discrepancy with the list of names, please let Tyler know.)
  • Tyler Joyner
  • Jim Dillon
  • Jacob Dillon
  • Emory Dillon
  • Mic Obleski
  • Jamie Obleski
  • Cathryn Salis
  • Nick Salis
  • Bryce Dickson
  • Julianna Dickson
  • Ryan Hoskins
  • Melinda Svenkerud
  • Hannah Svenkerud
  • Destiny Nelson
  • Mallory Palizzi
  • Ella Bondy
  • Jack Malarney
The youth group is still looking for financial support for our trip to NC. We will be working with an organization called Carolina Cross Connection.

CCC is a home repair mission in which campers have the unique opportunity to meet families in need and help to make their homes and lives better. It is a mission of spiritual renewal, service to others, and growing in community, a place of experiencing the presence of God, and knowing God more intimately.
Our week at Carolina Cross Connection will include laughter, meeting new people, exercising your home repair skills, worship, and experiences you will never forget. You will be impacting people's lives for the Gospel and learning along the way!

My prayer
Is that God's light will surround us.
That God will bless us and go before us,
Preparing the way
Thank you, Creator God that you will provide for us.
Continue to show us ways that we can involve the entire church community into our youth mission trip.
Show us how to be in better relationship, sharing life with one another.
In your Holy name we pray, 
Amen.
 
Tyler Joyner
Pastoral Intern/Director of Youth Ministries
Education: Mudhouse Sabbath

Join Rev. Sandi for discussion on the book, Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner on Mondays at 9:30 am (May 2-23). Cost of the book is $12. Register online or through the church office today!

"After her conversion from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity, Lauren Winner found that her life was indelibly marked by the rich traditions and spiritual practices of Judaism. She set out to discover how she could incorporate some of these practices into her new faith."

Missions
Guatemala Mission Trip:
You still have time to make a difference.  The WPUMC delegation will be packing for this worthy trip on May 1 and are still looking for shoes (especially for children and women), toothbrushes, and school supplies.  There is a bin located in the Narthex for you to drop off your donations at any time.  Monetary donations can be sent to the church.  Checks can be made payable to WPUMC - add Guatemala to the memo.
WPUMC will be participating in a work program through the Pura Vida organization ( www.puravida.org ).  This year's beneficiary is Sebastiana.  Sebastiana was abandoned by her husband and has two children.  Our project will be to build a home for this family.

Also, please join Rev. Sandi in offering a special blessing to the delegation from WPUMC on Sunday, May 1.  The delegation includes:  Kelly Carver, Caroline Christensen, Kathryn Codo, Paul Kinney, Chris and Carl Mikesell, Daniel O'Meara, Amy and Jim Rogers, and Jon Schmidt. You can follow their mission activities on the Guatemala Travel Blog.

If you would like additional info rmation about this trip, please contact missions@washparkumc.org.

Habitat for Humanity:
Coming soon .... It's about time to start thinking about how our church will be participating in the long-standing mission participation for Habitat for Humanity.  WPUMC and Loaves and Fishes coalition will be building a single family home at 2680 S Decatur St.  The build will start in late August or early September.  We will be looking for volunteers to sign-up to work on site.  No special skills are required.  You will receive on-the-job training and have an experience of a life time in giving back to our community.

As we prepare for this event, we will have a 'silent auction' during July and August where members of the church can bid on supplies used to build this year's house.  More information about how you can support Habitat will be coming as we get closer to July. 

SAVE THE DATE:  On August 7, 2016, we will have our first Canvas and Cocktails party to raise money for Loaves and Fishes.  Our very own Tyler Joyner will lead an art project for those attending. 

Enjoy the fellowship and friendship that comes from participating in one of the many events to raise funds for Loaves and Fishes/Habitat for Humanity.  Please continue to check The Link and other church communications for additional information.

Ronald McDonald House:
The Mission Committee will host quarterly meal service at the Ronald McDonald house.  Our first date is Saturday, June 11.  We will be at the house at 1300 E 21st Ave, Denver, 80205.  We are looking for 7-9 volunteers to shop for food, prepare breakfast, serve the residents, and clean-up.


All Church Mission Day:
SAVE THE DATE:  The Mission and Trustee Committees will be hosting an in-house mission day on Saturday, June 4.  There will be activities to assemble packages for on-going missions and help with the beautification of our church property.  We expect this event to be 4-5 hours long.  We will provide a sack breakfast and conclude the event with a potluck lunch.  All ages can participate in this event!

Here is a list of some of the things we will be doing at and around our beautiful church building:
  • Mulch flower beds.  
  • Terrace and Landscape the east side of the church. Clean, dust and wipe baseboards.
  • Hanging pot planting - we will have 8 hanging baskets to fill!
  • Clean chairs
  • Polish furniture
  • Clean appliances
  • Clean soundboard
  • Clean windows
  • Polish pews with lemon oil
  • Make sandwiches for Sandwiches and Socks in the Park
  • Assemble Bags of Hope
Please sign up for this event online, on the Missions page of the WPUMC website, or e-mail missions@washparkumc.org.

Ongoing Missions - Sandwiches and Socks:
Each week, you can help by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches after worship service in the tea kitchen.  The sandwiches will then be distributed to the homeless in Civic Center Park. 

The Sandwiches and Socks Mission is part of a bigger mission in our Denver Area. We collaborate with multiple churches and organizations to feed the homeless in Civic Park EVERY SINGLE DAY at noon.  Many rely on these lunches to keep them from starvation and the ability to save on the expense of close to $70 a week.
Also, as a church, we make full lunches and distribute them on the fourth Saturday each month.  The next event is Saturday, May 22.  We meet in the basement at 10:30 a.m. to assemble the lunches and then go to Civic Park to distribution. 

This mission is easy, family friendly and an integral part of life for almost 600 people a week! Next date is April 23 from 10:45 am - 12:30 pm.
You can sign up on the Missions bulletin board or sign up online.

Sermon Series:
In April, Rev. Sandi delivered a sermon series on 'We are the Body of Christ'.  To help campaign the experience in these series, we supported one of our on-going missions each Sunday.  Below is the schedule:
  • Sunday, April 3 - Sandwiches and Socks:  During communion, members will be asked to provide a sandwich as a part of the offering.  A table will be set up prior to the service that morning to make a sandwich for your family to donate - the Mission Committee will provide the bread, peanut butter, jelly and sandwich bag.  COMPLETED!
  • Sunday, April 10 - Food Bank:  Families are asked to donate non-perishable items for the FISH of East Denver.  This group is an emergency food bank that delivers 3 days a week to those who are unable to get to a regular food bank.  COMPLETED!
  • Sunday, April 17 - Bags of Hope:  Families are asked to donate the following supplies to be assembled and given to the homeless:  peanut butter, jelly, soft granola bars, individual bags of chips, sandwich bags, brown lunch bags, apple sauce, small bottles of water.  COMPLETED!
  • Sunday, April 24 - Earth Day:  We will distribute garbage bags to the congregation and encourage members to fill their bags with trash around your neighborhood.  In addition, a group will meet at Wash Park after church to collect trash around the park.  COMPLETED!
  • Sunday, May 1 - Sandwiches and Socks:  We will end the series with a collection of socks.  The socks will be donated during periodic Sandwiches and Socks in the park.  Please help re-stock our supplies of socks!
We look forward to the congregation participating in our final event.  It is easy for all ages!

Why does the Link look different this month?

This month, red is the highlight color in the Link newsletter to reflect the liturgical color for Pentecost, which occurs during the middle of May. We welcome your feedback on church communications, including the website, newsletters, social media, etc. Send us your thoughts communications@washparkumc.org.
May Calendar

May 2-6: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4: Preschool Mother's Tea

May 6: Preschool Staff Meeting (No Before Care)

May 8: Mother's Day

May 14-23: Mission Trip to Guatemala

May 15: Club 456

May 17: Administrative Council

May 22: Baby, You and Toddler Too. Please Join Us for Baby, You and Toddler Too! This is an event for parents with kids 3 and under to get to know one another. Childcare will be provided. Sunday, May 22 after church in the South Parlor. Brunch will be served. RSVP  connections@washparkumc.org

May 24: Preschool Owl Graduation

May 26: Preschool Spring Fling/Last Day of School

May 28: Sandwiches and Socks in Civic Park

May 30: Memorial Day. All offices closed. 


May Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays:
05/01 Cole Mengel
05/01 Guy Scott
05/01 Zoe Peterson
05/07 Carlotta Deason
05/27 Julie Archer
Anniversaries:
5/11: Nat and Laura Fraser

Washington Park United Methodist Church 
 303-777-3043 | www.washparkumc.org
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