Friday, February 12th, 2021 |
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Pastor Deb's Helpful Hints for Scheduling a COVID Vaccine
If you find a place which has open appointments. After you register, it would be great if you could send a text or email to others in our church asap who might be eligible and needing a vaccine telling them about the location and open days you saw.
Safeway -- Their online site is the easiest to navigate. Between 9:30-10:30 a.m. seems to be the best time to try, but you can try throughout the day. Goggle "Safeway COVID vaccination". Enter your zip code. Enter that you are willing to travel up to 15 or 30 miles. The Evergreen or Conifer store will come up first [depending on your zip code]. If it doesn't have appointments, open the dropdown box and keep clicking down the store list one by one until open appointments appear. Don't pick the first appointment available as it will be filled by the time you complete the registration questions. Though if they tell you your appointment spot is filled, don't panic, they keep your registration, you just have to go back and pick a new time. Make sure you download and print the CO form you need to complete and bring with you.
King Soopers -- Their online site is a bit more complicated as you have to go store by store to search for availability. Goggle "King Soopers COVID vaccination". Go to the Colorado section and click. Don't begin until after 9:30 a.m., as they haven't had time find out what is coming in and get it on the site much before then. When there's no availability at a store you have to go back to step one to pick another store. Still, folk are having pretty good luck if they are willing to do this. Try the listings for Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and Littleton. I haven't heard if the Bergen Park or Conifer stores are giving the vaccines yet, but they could also be considered.
Stride Community Health -- Register online [stridechc.org] or by calling. [303-360-6276]. When appointments become available, they will contact you and find out which sites you are willing to go to. They have several clinics on the westside of the Denver areas. They will find an appointment for you at the clinics you are willing to go to. They also have a satellite clinic in Bailey.
[Please send us your own helpful hints to pass along in the weeks ahead.]
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New Communion Offering Recipient – Resilience1220
Our communion offering this past Sunday totaled $176 which is being sent to Resilience1220. Thank you for your support!
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Lent Begins February 17
Ash Wednesday “Drive Through” Blessing and Imposition of Ashes
On Wednesday, February 17, Pastor Deb will offer a “drive through” blessing and imposition of ashes from Noon-12:45 outside our main doors. No need to get out of your car. Pastor Deb has a non-contact method for the placing of the ashes.
Please join us for this meaningful way to begin our Lenten journey.
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Lenten Devotional Booklet
The Sanctuary for Lent 2021 contains brief readings for each day in Lent, from Ash Wednesday through Easter Day, including a suggested Scripture, a short devotion and a short prayer, with larger font for ease of reading. The readings help us faithfully journey through Lent as we prepare to experience the joy of the Resurrection. They are available at the church, or contact the church office if you would like one mailed.
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Become a Member of Our Virtual Choir
Worship music leader, Nathan Jensen, is putting together a virtual choir for special music on both Palm Sunday and Easter. By singing along with a singer you hear in your ear, you record your part for these special pieces. Nathan guides you through the whole process. He then will bring all the voices together for what is sure to be a highlight of worship on these Sundays. Nathan will have music and a sign up sheet out Sunday the 14th. He will send out recordings on Monday the 15th for you to sing a long with and you will have until the 14th of March to get your recording back to Nathan.
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Lenten Sermon Series – “Satisfying Our Soul’s Search for More”
Pastor Deb will bring the Lenten sermon series “Satisfying Our Soul’s Search for More” beginning the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. No matter how good life is, most Christians thirst for something more. Although we are people of faith, many of us aren't satisfied. We long for lives that are more fulfilled, more rich, more meaningful, and more joyful. These messages help us identify our individual thirsts and shows us the great adventure when we discover the freedom, promise, and rewards that come with committing ourselves to a closer relationship with God.
Feb 14: "Priming the Pump"
Feb 21: "Taking the Plunge"
Feb 28: "Tapping Into the Source"
Mar 7: "Jumping in With Both Feet"
Mar 14: "Offering a Drink to Others"
Mar 21: "Filling the Bucket to Overflowing"
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The Upper Room
The March/April edition of Upper Room is now available! You can pick up a copy in the narthex, or email the church office to mail you a copy. There is also a digital version available if you are interested! |
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Ministry Jottings
The “To-Be” List
“When the Holy Spirit controls our lives the Spirit will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23 TLB
Nearly all of us face our day with a “to-do” list”. The Scriptures compel us, however, to have a “to-be” list. While it may be important to accomplish certain tasks, engage in certain projects, or have certain encounters during a day, what is more important for eternity is the person we are through the day.
From a “to-do” perspective, we tend to come before the Lord and say, “This is my list and this is my schedule. Please be with me, help me and bless me.”
From a “to-be” perspective, we might make these requests of the Lord:
- Help me to reflect Your love today.
- Help me to display Your joy.
- Help me to manifest Your peace.
- Help me to practice Your patience.
- Help me to express Your kindness.
- Help me to make known Your goodness.
- Help me to reveal Your faithfulness.
- Help me to show Your gentleness.
- Help me to exhibit Your self-control
Wishful thinking does not produce these traits, however. They come from a life lived in communication with the Lord. They are the distinguishing marks of the Living Presence of Christ in our lives. Our “to-be” list, therefore, must begin with an invitation to the Holy Spirit to inspire us and impel us toward good works.
In order to express the Lord’s kindness, for example, we first must see ourselves as receiving the Lord’s kindness. In receiving this kindness, we become much more attuned to opportunities in which we might show this kindness to others. “Being kind” becomes a part of everything we do. When we make our “to-be” list our top priority, the things we have “to do” become much more obvious and less burdensome.
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Black History Month
"Love isn't what we feel; it's what we do". Dr. Edith Eva Eger
And there's much we CAN DO to overcome unconscious bias. We didn't
ask for it, we didn't want it, but white people are "programmed" to have it. Dr. Ibram Kendi says, "There's no shame attached to racist thoughts; history is constantly "raining" racist ideas on white people. Everyone has the capacity to grow and change to become anti-racist."
BUT FIRST WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE OUR BIAS. Social scientist Verna Myers believes, "biases are the stories we make up about those we don't know." She asks us to go against stereotypes, and to go toward our discomfort.
The heartbeat of anti-racism is compassion. Here are some ways those of us with privilege and power can act with compassion:
- Engage in self-reflection and learning about racism. (See some good reads below.)
- Act in solidarity with those experiencing racism in our community and our world. Support minority owned businesses when possible.
- Listen more; talk less. We are not the experts on life experiences different from our own.
- Ask with respect when we do not know. It's exhausting to be a marginalized person in this world. Don't expect them to educate us.
- The work of justice is Holy work; it doesn't need an audience: bringing a meal, giving shelter, bailing out a protester, paying a family's rent, signing a petition, marching in a rally. No thanks or praise needed.
"We will make mistakes; just keep showing up" (excerpts from "For Our White Friends Desiring to be Allies", by Courtney Ariel.).
GOOD READS (personal favorites):
- "His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope", by Jon Meacham
- "Just Mercy", by Bryan Stevenson (book and movie)
- "My Vanishing World", by Bakari Sellers
- "The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks" by Jeanne Theoharis (also for Young Readers)
- "Stamped from the Beginning" by Dr. Ibram Kendi
- "White Fragility" by Dr. Robin Diangelo
For Teens:
- "March" volumes 1, 2, 3 by John Lewis (graphic novels)
- "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You" by Dr. Ibram Kendi
The Racial Justice Corner on UMCE website is outstanding; check it out!
Jan Thurling, for the Journey Toward Racial Justice Group
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Passing of Sharon Gobel
With sorrow, we share that former member, Sharon Gobel, passed peacefully into her Lord’s heavenly arms on February 2, 2021.
Sharon was the organizer of the Parents Day Out preschool program, which became Great Escape, and was the director for many years. She led the Women’s Bible Study for several years and was a mentor to many of our ladies. She also held UMC Conference offices in Texas and Colorado, and was a trainer for some of the curriculum. Husband Jim, also very active in the church, who preceded her in death, made our stained glass windows that Pem Dunn designed.
Her family shared that she had a stroke last week after a few other health events. She was able to hear from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren for the next few days to exchange “I love you’s.” Her family said “We rejoice in her life, her service, and her faith. Thank you all for loving both Jim and Sharon. The UMCE family meant the world to them. We will celebrate her life when the family can gather.”
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to her son, Allen, and family at: Allen and Nancy Gobel, 15440 W. Asbury Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228
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Pura Vida Update & News
In the last two years, Evergreen UMC has joined other churches in Colorado and around the U.S. in supporting Pura Vida Ministries, an ecumenical mission outreach to the people of Guatemala. In carrying out its goal of creating a brighter future for Guatemala’s children, Pura Vida has worked with local indigenous communities to identify their needs, and has then sent teams to work with locals on construction projects, educational programs, and the like. In 2019, three grandparents from our church had the chance to accompany our teenage grandchildren to assist for a week of teaching English at a summer English language camp in Lemoa, in the central highlands of Guatemala. Our teenage “teachers” were the hands-down popularity winners, but the experience was a blessing to all the U.S. participants and, we hope, to the Guatemalan children as well.
Travel to Guatemala was not possible in the summer of 2020. However, our church has stepped up to the plate to provide much-needed financial support for Pura Vida’s ministries. Life in rural Guatemala has had significant challenges during the pandemic. Pura Vida has provided cash and food assistance to families most in need, has enabled its Guatemalan construction crew to complete construction on three homes, and has provided scholarships for 90 primary and 224 secondary students at the John Wesley school, as well as scholarships for 36 university students.
Pura Vida hopes to be able to return teams to Guatemala this summer. In the meantime, churches can continue to provide financial support, especially by sponsoring a student or donating to the unsponsored student fund. For more information contact Jerry Bucholtz, bucholzjl@msn.com.
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Looking For A New Loo?
The Oxford Dictionary defines Loo thusly: /lo͞o/ noun INFORMAL•BRITISH a restroom or toilet.
Several months ago, as part of our Church planning process, the Trustees prepared a long list of potential improvement projects that really need to be completed as we continue our faith journey. This list was presented to the Church Council with the request to help prioritize the improvements. The number one ranked improvement calls for renovating the upstairs restrooms to modernize them and make them more functional for both able bodied and disabled “users”. This turned out to be a daunting task given the physical constraints and of course the high costs of doing this kind of renovation work. After much deliberation and reiteration of alternatives, your Church Council directed the Trustees to go forward with a plan that calls for converting the two restrooms from our current, separate, men’s and women’s into two unisex restrooms that largely will meet Americans with Disability Act guidelines. In order to provide required maneuvering room, each restroom has been conceptually designed to have a single toilet with new vanity sinks along with many sorely needed upgrades to the floors, walls, lights, doors and fixtures. Armed with conceptual level sketches, the Trustees next met with a construction contractor (who happens to be formerly from England, hence the term “loo”), and he provided us with a budget level construction estimate for the improvements.
FAQs
But What About The Cost? Glad you asked! The Church’s Finance Committee has determined that due to the gracious giving of our members during 2020, when compared to lower than budgeted expenses for the year has resulted in finishing the year in the black. This surplus, helped out mightily with several grants that we received and with additional partial funding from the Trustee’s Building Fund, has given us confidence that we are in a position to go forward with the next steps.
So What Is next? Church Council has directed Trustees to finalize the design and obtain firm bids so that we can make our number one priority a reality!
Do We Really Have All The Money Needed? Well, we think we may have enough, but the need for a supplemental fund raising campaign will be evaluated once firm costs are determined. Also, there are still many more items on the Trustee’s list of needed improvements.
Who Will Complete The Construction? We will award the construction contract to the firm that provides us with the best combination of cost, schedule and confidence that they will provide a quality final product.
What Will The New Restrooms Look Like? We will be preparing drawings and will have them posted in Happenings and at the Church in the next few weeks. Our goal is to have restrooms that are modern, easy to clean, and something we will all be proud of for many years to come.
When Can We Expect To Have The Restrooms Completed? It is our hope that the work can begin towards the end of spring or into the summer of this year, but the current construction market conditions are such that it may take a while to get it started. Total construction could easily take a full month.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Penn Gildersleeve, Trustees Chairman
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Words of Life Bible Study |
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Words of Life Bible Study |
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Journey Toward Racial Justice Group |
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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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