United Methodist Church of Evergreen
Rev. Deb Olenyik, Pastor

Sunday, January 12, 2020
1st Sunday after Epiphany & Confirmation Sunday
Services 8:30 & 10:30 am
 
     


Ministry Jottings by Pastor Deb can be found later in this newsletter. Please scroll down to see what Deb is sharing this week.
 
COMMUNION OFFERING


Last Sunday's Communion offering raised $246.00 for
No More Malaria.
 
NOTES AROUND THE OFFICE
  • We are blessed that the second piano in the choir room has found a new home with a wonderful local family.
  • Looking for a special note card to use? The church has beautiful cards for purchase in the narthex. 
  • The church office will be closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST - THIS SUNDAY



THIS SUNDAY - from 9:15 - 10:15 am  join us for one of our three annual pancake breakfasts. A time to enjoy fellowship and good food.


 
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY



Join us THIS SUNDAY  at the 10:30am service to welcome our eight confirmands into membership and join in a welcoming reception after.
 
INTERFAITH MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE

Church & Society invites you to join the Evergreen-Conifer interfaith community on Friday, January 17, 7 - 9:30 p.m. for a FREE showing of the movie "13th". "13th" is a 2016 American documentary that explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans.  After the showing, there will be dessert & discussion in the Fellowship Hall. It is appropriate for 7th grade up. 
 
OFFICER - MINISTRY TEAM MEMBER RECOGNITION & CONSECRATION
We are able to serve our Lord and be in ministry only because of our dedicated church officers and ministry team members.  At both services on January 19th we will honor those completing service, recognize those beginning service, & consecrate our new and returning officers/ministry team members. May we be sure to come along side, encourage and pray for them throughout the year.
 
SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY COMING SOON
God's people have always been called to gather together because together is where (and when) we most clearly experience God. In community is how we learn of God's ways and how we taste God's goodness.

This is one reason for us to begin a small group ministry in the New Year. For our purposes, a small group is a gathering of 8-12 persons who meet frequently (say once a week) and will study, reflect, and apply God's wisdom to their lives.

A small group is one of the most effective ways we Christ followers can:
  • experience community as God intended (get to know and rely on one another)
  • deepen our walk and communion with Jesus
  • come to know the many facets of God's grace and love
  • come to serve joyfully in our individual callings
  • come to know discipleship in fresh and engaging ways
  • invite and engage our community for Christ.
If you are one who desires a deeper, more spiritual connection with Jesus (and one another), would you join us in a small group?

Mark your calendars!

A short organizing meeting is planned for January 26 after both services. Please come be part of this great adventure! Watch for more information on small groups in the coming weeks.

If you have questions ahead of time, contact Pastor Deb, Roger and Nancy Quayle, or Dean and Lin Penrod.
 
UMM BREAKFAST: CROSSROADS PRISON MINISTRY
On Saturday, February 1st @ 8:30am, UMCE's own Ruthanne Huber will be speaking on United Crossroads Prison Ministry's mentorship program. Following is a synopsis of her presentation:

We are not meant to study God's Word alone. That is why Crossroads Prison Ministry's mentorship program connects prisoners with mentors who help them study the bible. The mentors are the heart of the ministry and what makes it different from other correspondence programs. Through the mentorship program, students can take over 100 guided bible study lessons free of charge. The program also pairs prisoners with their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from churches all over the world. They review their lessons, write to them and encourage them to grow in their faith in an effort to transform their communities in prison and in the outside world upon their release.

UMM invites all church members and friends to come at 8:30 to learn about Crossroads Prison Ministry and Ruthanne's involvement in this extremely important program.
 
THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
Our own Clyde Sacks will be performing in The Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at Center Stage Theater in Conifer. Come join your fellow Methodists to see this hilarious musical comedy. A block of tickets has been reserved for Saturday, February 8 at 2 pm. The cost of the discounted ticket is $20.00/ per person. Please, sign up on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall or call Ann Gerteis 303-674-5970. Checks should be given or mailed to Ann Gerteis 28806 Clover Lane, Evergreen, CO 80439 by January 26, 2020 and made out to her. Any questions call Ann Gerteis 303-674-5970 or email [email protected].

A distant heir to a family fortune aims to speed up the line of succession by using a load of charm ... and a dash of murder.

When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn't the only thing on Monty's mind.
 
YOUTH SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY FUNDRAISER!
Super Bowl Sunday is almost here! On Sunday, February 2, 2020 the UMCE Youth Group will be selling homemade soup to go - perfect for enjoying during the big game. Please plan to take home quarts or gallons of homemade soup to feast on while you watch some great football. And in doing so, contribute to the UMCE Youth Mission 2020. That's a cause fans of both teams can support! Suggested donation: $5 per quart and $10 per gallon.
 
YOUTH MISSION FUNDRAISER: UPCYCLED T-SHIRT TOTES
Our reusable, washable t-shirt totes are made from an upcycled t-shirt, donated to Evergreen Mission Upcycling. According to the Huffington Post, "The EPA estimates that the average American throws away about 70 pounds of clothes a year, most of which are destined to rot away in landfills. Why toss a shirt into the trash where it will waste away in a landfill when you could give it new life instead?" T-shirt upcycling gives new life to cotton t-shirts, and saves an incredible amount of energy and resources. The youth of the United Methodist Church of Evergreen are working to make the world a little safer, beautiful, and all around better. But we aren't done yet! All proceeds from the sale of totes goes directly toward our Youth Mission Fund, to help fund our annual mission trip service work. Thank you!
 
YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION 
AND ACTIVITIES

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Action Pack Sunday
Preschool - 5th Grades 9:30 am
EverKids Sunday School Preschool - 5th Grades 10:30 am
Wednesday Children's Program
 Preschool - 5th Grades 4:00 pm
SUNDAY YOUTH GROUP

Youth Group
6th-12th Grades Noon - 3:00 pm
 
EVERGREEN SHELTER PROGRAM
November was a cold and snowy month and December continued the cold weather temperatures. For most of us, the cold weather is a sign to get out our hats and mittens and make sure we have a snow plow company at the ready. But for others in our community, the cold presents different challenges. For those living in their car, this means waking up each hour of the night to turn the car on to heat it enough for the next 50 minutes of sleep. And for those living in their car who then work all day, the challenges mount when you are working on such a low amount of sleep, and none of it quality sleep. Thankfully the Evergreen Shelter Program run by Evergreen Christian Outreach in partnership with 5 area congregations (Bergen Park Church, Christ the King, Church of the Transfiguration, Congregation Beth Evergreen, and Evergreen Lutheran Church) opened on November 4 th . For the first two months of this shelter year, the shelter was open 24 of 58 possible nights (the shelter opens when the temperature is due to drop below freezing temperature) and in those 24 nights, 14 different clients overnighted one or many of the nights.

Clients of the Shelter include:
  • A father with his 7 year old child. While the child is in school during the day, the dad works as an independent contractor. Years of legal bills obtaining full custody of the child have set this dad back but he knows keeping his child out of the path of the mother's abusive partner was most important.
  • A manual laborer who broke his back 2 years ago has now been hired at a local retail chain where he is being offered new opportunities to learn new skills. He is currently saving money to be able to afford permanent housing.
  • A couple in which the wife is fully disabled and the husband works all day in a local retail store. While she receives disability payments, the medical bills and cost of appointments can be staggering.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the Evergreen Shelter Program are welcome at any of the 5 sites. Please reach out to: [email protected] for more information. If you are interested in helping this program financially, please visit: www.evergreenchristianoutreach.org

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me," Matthew 25:35 ESV
 
SPECIAL EVENT AT EVERGREEN LUTHERAN CHURCH
On Thursday, January 23 at 5:30pm Evergreen Lutheran Church will have the privilege to host the movie Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz.

Prosecuting Evil is the fascinating story of one man's unrelenting pursuit of justice and fearless commitment to humanity. After witnessing Nazi concentration camps shortly after liberation, Ben Ferencz became chief prosecutor in the Einsatzgruppen - SS death squads - case at Nuremberg, known as the biggest murder trial in history. He was just 27, and it was his first trial. Since then, he has dedicated his life to fighting for justice for victims of atrocities.

Prosecuting Evil is part of the Movies that Matter film series at the Mizel Museum in Denver which was developed to address the most pressing social justice issues of today and to inspire students and community members to become civically engaged in positive change

Rudi Florian a local Holocaust historian will provide a special post-film discussion. He will examine the impact of the Holocaust and the importance of speaking out against hatred and bigotry in the world today. Rudi briefly served in the Hitler Youth until his parents had him released as part of their secret resistance to the Nazi regime.

Location: Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 HWY 73, Evergreen.
 
LIBRARY ADULT STUDY CLASS
Sundays from 9:30am-10:20am in the Library (Room 12)

January 12: No Class. Come enjoy the pancake breakfast!
January 19: Bible Study (details to follow)
January 26: Bible Study (details to follow)
 
ADULT OFFERINGS
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Wednesdays from 9:30 - 11:30 am
Location: Church Library (Rm 12)
Women's Bible Study began a new six week study: "Romans - Good News that Changes Everything" by Mellisa Spoelstra. As we attempt to escape the bad news around us, this study will show us that the gospel truths shared by the early church at Rome echo into our day, reminding us that we still have good news to embrace and to share with others.  Contact Jeanne Ambrosier: [email protected] or 303-674-6377 to register.
 
THE MEN'S BAGELRY FELLOWSHIP GROUP
1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 6:30 am
Location: The Bagelry in Bergen Park
The Men's Bagelry Fellowship Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Bagelry in Bergen Park, across from King Soopers. Contact Bill Graf at (303) 246-8330 for more information.
 
REV. JESSICA ROOKS TO BE SUPERINTENDENT FOR
MILE HIGH METRO DISTRICT
Bishop Karen P. Oliveto has announced her intention to appoint the Reverend Jessica Rooks as the new superintendent for the Mile High Metro District, effective July 1, 2020. Rev. Paul Kottke, current superintendent for the Mile High Metro District, will be
 retiring this year.
Rooks is currently a co-pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo. She is also the chair of the Mountain Sky Conference's Board of Ordained Ministry. She has served as a delegate to General and Jurisdictional conferences, as well as a number of leadership roles in Mountain Sky.
"I am excited that Rev. Jessica Rooks will be joining the Cabinet," said Bishop Oliveto. "With a well-grounded faith, Jessica has demonstrated through her local church ministry and conference service a commitment to excellence in ministry. I look forward to the ways she will help us continue to create vital congregations in the Mountain Sky Conference."
"I'm excited for the chance to work with the clergy and local churches of the Mile High Metro District!" said Rooks. "In this unique time in the life of our denomination I'm honored to serve the district and conference in this role, and I look forward to supporting congregations and our connection as a DS in the Mountain Sky Conference."
Rooks was ordained an elder in 2007 and began serving in the conference starting in 2002. She has served as associate pastor for Arvada UMC, senior pastor of Lamar UMC in southeast Colorado, Cameron UMC in Denver, St. Paul's UMC in Denver and co-pastor at St. Luke's UMC in Highlands Ranch.
Please pray for Rooks and her family in this time of transition.
 
"PROTOCOL FOR RECONCILIATION AND GRACE THROUGH SEPARATION" PLAN RELEASED
On January 3 all major secular news outlets, as well as our United Methodist news agency, received information on a "Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation" plan that was put together and agreed to by representatives from the various United Methodist denomination reorganization plans which are coming before General Conference in May 2020. The group also included some of our Bishops. The Protocol statement itself is available in Fellowship Hall and online through the Mountain Sky Conference or UMNS.

Among the key aspects is the mediator who worked with the group, Kenneth Feinburg. He was the lead mediator who worked on the September 11 th victims fund, the BP Deep Water Horizon Disaster victim fund, the Boston Marathon Bombing victims fund & currently is working on the Boeing Max Air 737 settlements. He provided his services pro bono.

This is just another plan going to General Conference. It's not a "done deal".   However, given those who were at the table and the level of detail they agreed to, I find it hopeful and one to take note of.

First, let me share several of the underlying principles laid out in the beginning of the document which I consider important grounding:

"A. Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members-after careful reflection, discussion and prayer-have fundamental differences regarding their understanding and interpretation of Scripture, theology and practice;  
B. Whereas, The United Methodist Church at its February 2019 Special Session of the General Conference in St. Louis did not resolve their differences specifically related to the full participation of LGBTQ persons in the life of the Church;
C. Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members are at an impasse, the Church's witness and mission is being impeded, and the Church itself as well as its members have been injured;  
D. Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members have a deep desire to fulfill our long-stated mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. . . . .
H. Whereas, the undersigned, in recognition of the regional contexts and divergent points of view within the global United Methodist Church, propose separation as a faithful step with the possibility of continued cooperation around matters of shared interest, enabling each of us to authentically live out our faith;"

The 8-page document then goes into the "Therefore" sections. Here are some of the points which I lifted up in worship:
  • Those who signed this Protocol are to place the Protocol as their primary endorsement efforts moving forward & are to work to bring their groups on board with the Protocol over any individual plans put forward by groups.
  • The document anticipates the formation of a new traditionalist Methodist denomination and a post-separation United Methodist denomination.
  • It provides for launch money for the new traditionalist denomination.
  • It provides for continued partnering, if desired, among the new groups for the type of denominational level outreach we currently have in place.
  • It provides money for those groups which are considered marginalized groups in our church to continue their ministry no matter where they land - Asian, Black, Hispanic-Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander.
  • If approved, it anticipates that in this year after General Conference concludes there would be official gatherings of each of the new parts.
  • In the post-separation UM gathering to have a vote to have new regions, including a US region, which would decide on polity and stands within each region. It would be the regions which would establish the stance on LGBTQ issues.
  • The document provides timelines and processes for Annual Conferences and individual churches to make decisions about their future direction.
  • The document provides for the churches to keep their property and assets as long as they stay with one of the approved groups coming out of this process.
  • The timeline for the above runs from spring 2020 through December 2024. 
I closed my sharing in worship with this from the Frequently Asked Questions document the Council of Bishops released around the Protocol. {The FAQ document is also available in Fellowship Hall.}

"This work is important because it provides a pathway of reconciliation and grace through separation and offers us an opportunity to bless and send on another into a new reality rather than continue to fight and rend our way into irrelevance and destruction. . .   We hope that this work will be the stimulus for a gracious acknowledgement that while we share a common heritage we cannot share a common structure moving forward. We hope that the outcome of this work will be a civil process of separation that in a pre-determined time frame will preserve The United Methodist Church and allow for one or more Methodist denominations to emerge with their own mission, vision and structure."

May we continue to be in hopeful prayer for those who are leading us forward to whatever future God intends for those of us who call ourselves United Methodists.

In Christ's grace,
Pastor Deb
 
MINISTRY JOTTINGS BY PASTOR DEB
 
 


 


Born to Fly

One day a prairie chicken living in a canyon found an egg and sat on it until it hatched. Unknown to the prairie chicken, the egg was an eagle egg, abandoned for some reason. That's how an eagle came to be born into a family of prairie chickens.

While the eagle is the greatest of all birds, soaring above the heights with grace and ease, the prairie chicken doesn't even know how to fly.   As to be expected, the little eagle, being raised in a family of prairie chickens, thought he was a prairie chicken.

One day he looked up to see a majestic bald eagle soar through the air.  When he asked his family what it was, they responded, "It's an eagle. They come through here every spring. But you could never be like that because you are just a prairie chicken." Then they returned to pecking the ground. For three springs the little eagle watched the eagles come, still not realizing he was one of them. He had wings, but it never occurred to him to lift his wings and to try to fly.  

On the fourth summer the eagles came through, one landed close to where the little eagle was pecking the ground. The eagle who landed said to the little eagle, "Little eagle, why are you pecking the ground when you are an eagle? You should be flying like me." The little eagle replied, "I can't be an eagle, I'm a prairie chicken. I live with the prairie chickens, I act like the prairie chickens and they tell me I am a prairie chicken."

"Come stand beside me," said the big eagle, "and look at your talons like mine, look at your feathers like mine, look at your wings like mine. You are an eagle, and if you want to fly and soar you can. Come and join me." And so, the little eagle did. Every spring when he and the other eagles came through the canyon, he always stopped by to see his friends the prairie chickens. But he was very glad that he had found what it was like to be who he was, a great eagle.

As we welcome a fine group of teenagers into membership this Sunday, let us be sure that through the years ahead we let them know they were born to fly. Let's tell them time & again that God created them to be more than what the world around tells them they can be. That God created them "a little lower than the angels." {Psalm 8:5 & Hebrews 2:7}. That we are here to help them be all that God created them to be.

Blessings,
Pastor Deb 
 
FAITHFUL THURSDAYS
The Colorado Council of Churches invites the community to celebrate the Faithful Thursdays series at the Colorado State Capitol. Held annually, this year's kick-off on January 7 was opened in prayer by United Methodist Bishop Karen Oliveto. Faithful Thursdays will meet every other Thursday during the legislative session starting January 23. They will be held at noon in the Capitol foyer through April 30.

Faithful Thursdays is a diverse coalition of leaders, organizations and community members who are committed to adding a deeper, moral dimension to the public policy-making process in Colorado. Last year, we gathered as people of faith, we're committed forward a unifying narrative that uplifts our common faith call to build human dignity in Colorado. This legislative session, let's come together again to advance a moral economy, equity, and the eradication of racism.
 
FINANCE UPDATES


Attendance & Stewardship Report
-------------------------------------------------
Sunday School & Nursery 01/05/2020
Worship Services 01/05/2020
------ -------------------------------------------
Needed Weekly
Received 01/05/2020
                                                Difference
-------------------------------------------------
                     2020 Budget
Needed Year to Date
Received Year to Date
Difference Year to Date
1/10/2020
-------------
20
80
--------------
$6,311
$ 3,526
($2,785)
--------------
$328,187
$6,311
$3,526
($2,875)







 
AROUND THE CHURCH -  JANUARY & FEBRUARY

Sunday, January 12th 9:30 am Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, January 12th 10:30am Confirmation Sunday
Friday, January 17th 6:45 pm Movie Night for Adults
Monday, January 20th ALL DAY Church Office Closed for Holiday
Sunday, January 26th 9:15am Small Group Info Session #1
Sunday, January 26th 11:30am Small Group Info Session #2
Monday, January 27th - Tuesday, January 28th ALL DAY Church Office Closed (Jessica vacation)
Saturday, February 1st 8:00am UMM Breakfast
Sunday, February 16th 10:30am Baroque Folk Program
 
TEAM MEETINGS -  JANUARY & FEBRUARY
 
Tuesday, January 14th 10:00 am Staff
Thursday, January 16th 6:00 pm Endowment
Thursday, January 16th 7:00 pm Finance
Sunday, January 19th 12:00 pm Church Council
Tuesday, January 21st 6:30 pm Church & Society
Thursday, January 23rd 6:00 pm Membership
Tuesday, February 4th 10:00 am Staff
Tuesday, February 4th
 6:00 pm Missions
Tuesday, February 4th
 7:00 pm Trustees
Saturday, February 15th 9:00 am Officer & Chairperson "Bootcamp"
Tuesday, February 18th 6:30 pm Church & Society
Thursday, February 20th 7:00 pm Finance
Thursday, February 27th 6:00 pm Membership
 
CHURCH INFORMATION

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 1:15 pm
Friday: CLOSED
Please call the office at 303-674-4810, or email [email protected] if you would like to add 
your event to the weekly Happenings.

LARGE PRINT HYMNALS, BIBLES AND BULLETINS  are available in the vestibule for Sunday services. Just ask one of the ushers to help you.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES  are available for Sunday services. If you would like to try an Assistive Listening device this Sunday just ask one of the ushers or a sound booth technician.

AN OPEN INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP  is extended to all persons. Please speak with the pastor about your interest in becoming part of this great Christian Fellowship.

RELOADABLE KING SOOPERS/SAFEWAY GROCERY CARDS  are on sale in Fellowship Hall on the  third Sunday of each month  following each worship service. 5% of all purchases made with these reloadable cards goes back to UMCE! You can also purchase these by contacting the church office.

REMEMBER TO USE AMAZON SMILE  when you shop at Amazon. Go to www.amazonsmile.com and designate The United Methodist Church of Evergreen as your charity of choice. Amazon will then donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to UMCE.

EQUAL EXCHANGE FAIR TRADE COFFEE is served during our Sunday morning fellowship but you can also order it. Please contact the church office with requests or questions. Also, please drop some change in the coffee pot to help pay for Sunday morning fellowship coffee.
 
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.
 
                                                Visit us on the web:   www.evergreenumc.org