Friday, January 15th, 2021 |
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Pastor Deb Announces Retirement as of July 1
Shared in worship on January 10th:
“While it’s been a difficult decision, in the past month I have discerned through prayer and conversation with my family, that it is time for me to retire as of July 1st. It’s a matter of ongoing stamina for the level of ministry this church deserves and it’s time to live closer to family. You don’t know what a blessing it will be to have this congregation as my final church before retiring. I have been very fortunate.
Our Staff Parish Relations Team, the District Superintendent and the Bishop are aware of this announcement. The Staff Parish Relations Team will prepare an updated church profile to submit to the District Superintendent and Bishop. This will guide the Cabinet’s appointment of the next pastor.
I am looking forward to a good transition for whoever is appointed, and I know the next pastor will be an excellent fit for the ministry needs of our church. I am also looking forward to being with you over these next six months, and the fruitful ministry we will continue to do together. “ -- Rev. Deb Olenyik
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Ministry Jottings
“There is an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth. . . . A right time to hold on and another to let go. – Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 6 [The Message]
My first church appointment was in 1980 as an associate pastor intern to Christ United Methodist Church in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. It was a special year-long appointment between the second and third year of my graduate studies at the Iliff School of Theology.
Rev. Ron Harshman was probably the best mentoring pastor I could have received – there were so very few women in pastoral roles in that day. He was gracious, encouraging, wise – and also let me fall on my face a few times and figure out how to pick myself up. It was a bi-racial congregation— including the Sunday School and youth group, located just south of downtown Ft. Wayne.
Fast forward forty-one years to 2021. I have travelled many miles serving my Lord in ministry with great congregations [including ours] and the communities in which they were located, as well as working directly for the Bishop and the churches of the Mountain Sky Conference for about nine years. My two kids were raised in the thick of being pastor kids in small towns – and came out very well, despite all that was expected of them along the way.
What will the next chapter of my life hold? I plan to move to Portland, Oregon to be near Chris and family. Beyond that, I will have to wait and see. I will rely on my faith and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide me, just as I have since I gave my life to Christ as a sixteen-year-old at Ashton United Methodist Church in Maryland.
Some of you already have shared a bit of your stories transitioning into retirement. Please keep them coming. I value the experience and wisdom you bring, and they will help ease the way. If you have noticed anything about me, you probably know that I don’t plan to let up in doing whatever I can for God and you in these months to come. I will treasure being with you for them more than you can imagine.
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Welcome to Jill Bryant, Our new Bookkeeper/Payroll Officer
We are pleased to announce that Jill Bryant is joining the UMCE staff as our bookkeeper/payroll officer. While we will miss Tracy in this role, Jill has experience and the skills we need.
Jill was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. She and her husband married in 2001 and traded the rainy skies of the Pacific Northwest to the sunny blue skies of Colorado in 2012. Jill worked in corporate banking for 15 years before taking a break to stay home with their 4 children. She now uses her accounting degree to support churches and nonprofits in the greater Denver area. The Bryant’s love camping and traveling to all the amazing places Colorado has to offer. You will find them swimming, hiking, and exploring any chance they get.
This is a 7-10 hour per week position and is able to be worked remotely. Jill has the same role and about the same hours per week with two other churches, and sees this as her career calling. She plans to be onsite one day a week when she is fully on board. She plans to be present for one of our 10:30 worship services in the coming weeks where we can welcome her in person. Let’s all join in making Jill feel welcome.
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Passing of Former Member, Bob Aussprung
We lift the memory of former member, Bob Aussprung, age 91, who joined the Kingdom Eternal on December 19, 2020. Bob and wife Betty were living in Mesa, Arizona at the time of his passing. Bob is known partly for his outstanding care of the landscaping around the church. Prior to retiring and moving to Evergreen, he was a high school science teacher and coach in Illinois. Expressions of care may be sent to daughter Sherry Penny Packer at sherrymeints@hotmail.com
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Christmas Offering
Thank you for your generous Christmas Offering contributions. We received $4,733 which will go to:
- Evergreen Christian Outreach (25%) = $1,183.25
- Mountain Resource Center (25%) = $1,183.25
- Salvation Army [Evergreen Unit] (50%) = $2,366.50
We are blessed to be able to be the hands of Christ assisting in the important work of these agencies who provide for those in need in our community.
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Chairperson-Dave Loomis
Secretaries-Carolyn Hohne & Janice Vickery
Co- Lay Leaders–Jeanne Ambrosier & Debby Humphrey
Lay Member to AC- Jeanne Ambrosier
Staff Parish Relations-Dixie Miller
Finance Co-Chrs—Matt Sailor & Roger Quayle
Treasurer-Matt Sailor
Financial Secretary–Vickie Borden
Pastor/Chr of Nominations-Pastor Deb
Youth Rep–Wesley Sailor
Trustees-Penn Gildersleeve
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Endowment–ST Womack
Adult Learning–Pastor Deb
Children & Youth-Sarah Sailor
Church & Society-Carolyn Hohne
Lay Care-Jo Ann Dunn
Membership Growth & Fellowship–Pastor Dean Penrod
Missions–Bill Graf
Worship-Marleen Eggers
UMM-Jim Ament
At Large-Jan Thurling, Ruthanne Huber, Lynn Womack, Janice Vickery & Brad Eggers
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Congregation Beth Evergreen Offering an Interfaith Study on Israel
We have a wonderful opportunity not many UM congregations have to be part of an interfaith study on Israel being offering by our Jewish brothers and sisters. Check out the information below – Pastor Deb
You are invited to participate in a new, exclusive class taught by Itai Divinsky exploring the complexities of Israel and our relationship to it. This six-class program will meet twice/month from 7:30-9:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from February-April. The series is free for CBE members and $72 for non members.
The goal of this class is to inspire participants to learn more about Israel. Participants will better understand the connection between Israel and the lives of all Jews, and will be exposed to the complexities of Israeli reality. Participants will also be exposed to the rich diversity of Israeli culture generally, and Jewish culture specifically . Finally, participants will better understand the differences between the US and Israel and the different viewpoints of Israelis and Americans.
Admission to the class is by application only. Please fill out the following form so we can understand your connection (if any) to Israel and create a diverse and rich class environment. In order to engage in meaningful dialogue we are limiting the number of students in the class. We will follow up with you by January 25th.
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Daily Response to the Word
If you enjoy and find meaning for your faith journey with “The Daily Response to the Word”, we are able to send it to other friends and family members who might also appreciate it. Just let the church office know.
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We are now a member of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce for 2021. |
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Family Promise Update
Family Promise reached out to extend their heartfelt thank you for sponsoring a family for the holidays, or donating funds toward that effort. With your support, they were able to sponsor 88 families this year, including 235 children. This is the largest group they’ve ever been able to sponsor, so thank you so much for that! This year has been incredibly difficult for everyone, so it is more meaningful than ever that you chose to give these families a special holiday season.
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Words of Life Bible Study |
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Words of Life Bible Study |
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Onsite worship: 8:30 & 10:30
Online worship: Available from 9 on
Online Kid's Sunday School: 9:30
Onsite Kid’s Sunday School: 10:30
Online Youth Group: 1:30 - 2:30
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THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN
Growing a community of faith by serving a world of need and changing lives. We affirm a spirit of openness and hospitality to all, including persons of all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, financial strata, and abilities who seek a closer walk with God.
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