Pastor Dean Penrod Leading Worship and Available for Pastoral Needs
Pastor Dean Penrod will be leading worship June 27 & July 4. Pastor Deb’s last day with us is June 22. Pastor Dean will be available for pastoral needs June 23 – June 30. On July 1 we welcome Pastor Sarah Clark as our new pastor.
Contact information for Pastor Dean: Cell phone 937-479-4994; Email [email protected]
Pastor Deb’s Contact Information as of July 1
Cell Phone: 307-287-2192 {same cell phone}
Address: 10437 SE Cook Ct #169, Portland, OR, 97222
{Her current church email address, [email protected], will go away on June 23. As soon as we have Pastor Sarah’s church email address setup we will share it.}
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Ministry Jottings
Our Ministry Together by God’s Grace
My friends in Christ, thank you for all the faithful ways we have been able to join together in ministry for God’s Kingdom these past three years. I will miss being in worship with you [including being with our online congregation], will miss being with you in the various ministries we do together [including those by Zoom]. And I will miss each of you individually as the wonderful disciples of Christ you are.
During our time together we saw ministry expansion and an emphasis on discipleship growth. Twenty-two adults became active members, as well as eight confirmands. In addition to staying strong with the outreach partners we already had, we expanded by becoming a major partner with the Mountain Resource Center as well as new partnerships with Joy International, Pura Vida and Resilience 1220. We led the community in establishing the annual Barefoot Mile [thanks to Jan Thurling and her group], and sent five members with two teen granddaughters to Guatemala for Pura Vida.
Participation in adult learning and spiritual formation ministry opportunities increased four-fold by beginning year-round short-term classes, in-home small groups [this cut short by COVID, but will resume soon] and a daily online devotional [thanks to Pastor Dean]. The United Methodist Men, the Men’s Bagelry Group and the Ladies’ Bible Study continued their excellent ways. Five members joined the bishop for a pilgrimage to Israel in the winter of 2019. Our youth ministry stayed strong [thanks to Sarah Sailor]. They made a mission trip to the Heifer International Ranch in Arkansas, [including letting me tag along], the summer of 2019 and blessed us with two home-town mission weeks the other years. We moved to a noticeably stronger online presence and switched major administrative operations to a digital format [thanks to Jessica, Jill and their predecessors].
We saw unprecedented adaptation for ministry with the onset of COVID19. We began weekly online worship, online EverKids Sunday School, and switched other ministries online. Church and Society sponsored a new ongoing “Journey Towards Racial Justice” group. We were able to resume worship onsite, as well as our onsite children’s and youth ministries, much quicker than most churches because of the high level of COVID protocols we had in place [thanks to Gayla Michelin]. We began the church’s first handbell group in the midst of COVID, [thanks to Nathan Jensen] since the choir couldn’t sing live, by leasing handbells. Those who were a part of our music ministry brought so much to our times of worship [thank you accompanists, choir members, and those who provided special music].
You, our faithful members and constituents, provided outstanding financial stewardship throughout my time here. You can’t imagine how important this has been for our ministry together and for me as your pastor. We also grew in connecting with our congregation members in times of need with our Lay Care Team. We restarted the Endowment Team which had been dormant for many years. You introduced me to some great annual events our church has such as the pancake breakfasts, the Queen City Jazz Band, the Fall Festival and the Annual Christmas Dinner. I could go on, and those ministries which I haven’t lift up, know how important you are to doing the work of Christ and to me.
I hope and pray that Christ will bless Pastor Sarah in her ministry and bless each of you individually as well as in your ministry as the body of Christ. Thank you for privilege of serving as your pastor.
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:9
“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” -- 1 Thessalonians 2:3
“The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace”. – Numbers 6:24-26
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Communion Sunday
Our last communion offering on Sunday, June 6th for our AGAPE fund raised $345. Thank you for your generous offerings.
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Sam & Nancy Ulmer Moving Fulltime to Ohio
For several years, longtime members Sam & Nancy Ulmer have spent part of the year in Ohio. They are moving full time there this week. Our prayers go with them for good health and good times ahead. Here is their new address:
7 Spring Hill Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45227
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Thanks for All Who Helped with the Work-Day on June 5
Thanks to all who helped with the work-day on June 5. Projects completed include cutting down trees, weed clearing, debris clearing, window cleaning, painting the pastor’s office, painting the front door, and planting the flower planters. We are appreciative of your work for us and Christ.
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We greatly enjoyed having our choir back live on our June 13th service! They will be back again on Sunday, August 1st for our 50th Anniversary service. More details to come.
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Thank You for Helping Raise Funds for Mtn. Resource Center’s Shipping Container for Food Storage
Mtn. Resource Center in Conifer thanks our congregation for raising $528 towards the several thousand-dollar cost of a shipping container for food storage. Because of increased demand in these last two years, they have gone from distributing 8,000 lbs. of food a month to 36,000 lbs. of food. During COVID they stored extra food in their preschool classrooms. Now that they have resumed those classes, they have no room to store the needed amount of food. Their solution was to purchase a shipping container and convert it into a walkthrough food distribution and storage center. Thank you for being an important part in responding to this need in our community. If you would still like to donate for the cost of the container, donations may come to the church or to Mtn. Resource Center directly.
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Rev. Joyce Snapp Appointed to Serve Deer Park UMC as of July 1
We celebrate Rev. Joyce Snapp returning to active ministry from retirement. She will begin serving quarter-time at Deer Park UMC in Bailey on July 1. Rev. Joyce helped start the church as a lay woman and was called into ministry out of that church. As imagined, the congregation is thrilled to have her return as their pastor. Rev. Joyce brings many gifts and graces to that congregation. We will miss her wonderful wisdom and grace-filled presence in our midst. We lift prayers for great things for her in this new adventure in ministry. [Deer Park UMC is a few miles before getting to Bailey, and sits up on a hill off to the right of US 285.]
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Bidding Farewell to Roger & Nancy Quayle and Diana Aldridge – and Changes for the Finance Team
With prayers and love we bid farewell to Roger & Nancy Quayle who will be moving to sea level for health reasons, as well as Diana Aldridge who will be moving to be near family in Houston. Roger has been our Finance Chairperson and Diana an active member on the Finance Team. Roger also has been serving as a coordinator [along with Nancy & the Penrods] for our small group ministry, on SPR and as an 8:30 usher and liturgist. We will miss these wonderful folks, and thank them for their service to UMCE and the Kingdom of God.
We are grateful to Vickie Borden who will serve as interim Finance Chairperson through August. We announce two new at-large members who have joined the Finance Team, Greg Huffaker and John Olson. Welcome aboard!
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Safeway Gift Cards
Thanks to those of you who stepped up and bought many Safeway gift cards. Now the church has only 65 of the Safeway $10 gift cards left. Since the cards are reloadable we don’t need very many of them anymore. We’d like to keep about 20 of them for future needs of new church members or to use as gifts. So we have 45 cards that we'd still like to sell. They can be used just like cash at Safeway grocery stores and gas stations. We earn 5% on the dollars that are spent at Safeway. The cards can also be used as gifts for friends, family or charities. They may be purchased at the church.
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Don’t Take Your Tithe on Vacation
Don’t take your tithe on vacation! This summer, if you can’t make it to church due to travel or other commitments, we encourage you to continue making your regular donation. Signing up for online giving through the church or your bank is an easy way to ensure that your tithe gets to the church every month. We rely on the consistent financial support of the congregation and depend on your regular contributions to operate the church all year long. We thank you for your continued support!
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Passing of Cyndyn Bridge
Members Jan and Phil Brown invite you to their daughter Cyndyn Bridge's Celebration of Life on June 22, 2021, at 4:30 at the Denver Botanical Gardens. All are welcome. Her memorial announcement and obituary can be found HERE.
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Greetings from the deck of the Wild, Wonderful Ark!
This summer’s Vacation Bible School was a great success. Each morning, June 1-4, children from the church and surrounding community gathered for a fun-filled day camp that included music, crafts, games, snacks, scavenger hunts, and of course Bible Stories. We studied the story of Noah’s Ark in detail, and our flood-and-rainbow theme of God’s renewing promise and love for the earth could be seen in everything we did. From the cardboard ark decorations to the rainbow windchime crafts, and Pirate’s Booty snacks, we focused our learning! Our songs also reflected the theme, with familiar favorites like “Father Noah,” “Deep and Wide,” and “Children of the Lord.” Mrs. Noah taught the children more about the Bible Story every day, and both she and the crews of children were in full Bible costume.
Our crews included:
Penelope the Parrot’s Crew of Preschoolers
Simon the Snake’s Crew of Kindergarten – 3rd Graders
Sid the Sloth’s Crew of 4th-6th Graders
And our Bible Themes for the week were:
Tuesday: God has a plan!
Wednesday: God loves everybody!
Thursday: God is always with us!
Friday: God keeps His promises!
A huge thank you goes out to all of our amazing volunteers, who made the Wild, Wonderful Ark VBS possible:
Ann and Cami Thomas (Rainy Day Games Station)
Lysha Foster and Jan Thurling (Unique Rainbow Crafts Station)
Debby Humphrey (Galley Snacks Station)
Nathan Jensen and Wesley Sailor (Joyful Noise Music Station)
Abby Foster and Zariah (Bible Bracelet Scavenger Hunt Leaders)
Elan Lamas, Maddie Major, and Lindsay Atlas (Penelope Parrot’s Crew Leaders)
Milo Lamas, Libby York, and Sam Cotterman (Simon Snake’s Crew Leaders)
Quinn York, Abby Atlas, and Joss Cotterman (Sid Sloth’s Crew Leaders)
Pastor Deb and Jessica Coons (Mrs. Noah’s Bible Stories)
We had an amazing time and learned so much! I hope you’ll join us again next year!
Sarah “Skippy the First Mate” Sailor
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Church Office Summer Hours
Starting on Monday, June 21st our summer office hours will be in effect:
- Mondays: 12pm-2:30pm
- Tuesdays: 9:30am-2:30pm
- Wednesdays: 9:30am-2:30pm
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Finances Year to Date through May 31
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Evergreen Rodeo Parade
The Rodeo Parade is tomorrow! Come join us as the UMCE van does double duty! The UMCE van will be draped in a JOY International banner with walkers handing out Save the Date cards to parade goers.
We could use more walkers to spread the word about JOY's life saving work, both locally and globally. If you are up for this extra measure of service, please come to church by 8am Saturday with a water bottle. We will leave church at 8am sharp in the van to go to the staging area along highway 74.
For more info call/text Bill Graf at 303.246.8330. YOUTH ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO JOIN US!!
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CBE Bike Rodeo
On Sunday, July 25th from 10am-12 noon the rodeo will take place in the parking lot of Congregation Beth Evergreen. The program will feature the rules that apply to bikers in Colorado. Attendees will learn the laws pertaining to bikers and the hand signals that can keep one safe on the open road. Other strategies for safe biking will be discussed. General bike maintenance and repair will be addressed. At the conclusion of the program, attendees will have the opportunity to ride through a bike course and obtain a certificate of completion.
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New Free Transportation Services
To replace the Senior's Resource Center transportation services previously offered throughout Evergreen, Via Paratransit is now operating Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm in addition to the RTD Flex service.
Service areas include: Genesee, Lookout Mountain, Evergreen, Conifer, Marshdale, Idledale, Kittredge, El Rancho, and Chief Hosa. The service is FREE but does require a reservation.
Via can take you almost anywhere you would like to go within these areas - including medical appointments, therapy, grocery stores, social events, restaurants, senior centers, adult day programs, employment and more. Via can also pick up and deliver pre-paid grocery orders within the service area. Potential riders must register first by calling 303-444-3043. Registrants will then be given the number to call for making a reservation.
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Saturday, June 5th - Sunday, June 20th
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9am @ Evergreen Rodeo Grounds
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Retirement & Farewell Party for Pastor Deb
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Welcome Party for Pastor Sarah
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11:30am @ Fellowship Hall
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50th Anniversary Celebration
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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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