PLEASE NOTE: PRE-REGISTRATION ENDS Thursday, August 14th at Noon so we have time to prepare your name tag and handouts. If you are unable to pre-register, please join us, check in with Bronte at checkin and create your own name tag. Assembly information is all available online. A limited amount of hard copies will be available.

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO REGISTER

Previously undocketed business may be presented as new business if a recommended action is placed in the hands of the stated clerk thirty (30) minutes prior to the convening of the Presbytery Gathering.

QUICKLINKS

VOTING

ONSITE and ONLINE Assembly Voting

A Hybrid Assembly will allow for those who need to remain safer at home, or those whose travel is complicated by weather or road conditions to join us from home or church. It is absolutely your decision whether to attend in person or to join us through the zoom meeting platform (link provided at registration). We are using a new voting platform to be used whether you attend ONSITE or ONLINE. The new voting system is called AHA Slides and can be used with any electronic device that connects to the internet (via Wifi or data). Please be aware of the following:

Scan QR Code or click here for voting app.

  1. USING A LAPTOP, TABLET or DESKTOP COMPUTER. If you will be using the same device you are using to connect via Zoom, you will connect to the new voting system via link shared in the chat on Zoom. Once you click on the link, a separate window will open into a screen showing the new voting system and ask for you to enter your name and submit. You will not be permitted to vote until the presenter begins the voting.

  2. USING smart phone with a camera. If you will be using a smart phone (or other device with a camera) you will use a QR code to scan and go to the link to enter your name and submit. You will not be permitted to vote until the presenter begins the voting.

  3. If you are a New Worshiping Community Leader or Member, you will be voting during the ADVISORY VOTE.

  4. If you are a Ruling Elder Commissioner, please register as such under the name of your representative congregation. Not sure if you’re the Ruling Elder Commissioner from your congregation? You become so through a process where your congregation’s session votes, electing you to serve as a commissioner either per month or for the year. Then your clerk or pastor submits the name of your congregation’s commissioner to our Stated Clerk, Rev. gretchen Sausville (PS: A reminder to pastors to please submit their congregation’s commissioner for 2023, email gretchen@denpres.org)

  5. If you are minister member, vote as instructed using the new voting system.

We thank you for your continued flexibility as the Assembly Workgroup discerns how best to facilitate and make available participation in Denver Presbytery Assembly!

From the Assembly Workgroup

PLEASE NOTE: If there are multiple voting commissioners in a household, you will need to use one device per commissioner to vote. This is to allow each vote in the household to be counted.
Email voting is no longer acceptable. You must be on Zoom and use polling to vote or be in person. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Engaging The Raise Hand Feature

Prior to voting on a motion, the Moderator will ask the Assembly if anyone has questions or discussion. For those attending online (via Zoom), please use the raise your hand feature located at the bottom of your screen in the Zoom toolbar. 

If the toolbar does not appear on your screen, use your mouse to hover your cursor over your Zoom screen, the toolbar should appear. Please reference the image below to assist with locating the “Raise Hand” feature.

Similar to how those in person will step to the microphone in the meeting space, using this feature will allow the Moderator to call on those on Zoom in the order they raised their hands. Once the Moderator calls on you, you will be able to unmute yourself, state our name, faith community and role at Assembly.

We understand that it is easier to just raise or wave your hand on your Zoom screen; unfortunately the Zoom Hosts (and Moderator) moderating the screen, cannot see or track anyone with their hand waving on screen.  This is why it’s so important to raise your “electronic” hand. We don't want to miss you!

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
call: 303.777.2454 or email beth@denpres.org

 ARE YOU NEW TO PRESBYTERY ASSEMBLY?

Click here for helpful information explaining your role as Commissioner.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR VOICE AND VOTE?

EXPLANATION OF VOTING MEMBERS Denver Presbytery Bylaws Section
1.01 Teaching Elder Members. Teaching Elders are continuing members of The Presbytery of Denver as defined in the Form of Government G-2.0503. Membership is a privilege granted by the Presbytery and it carries with it certain responsibilities.
1.02 Ruling Elder Members. (Commissioner elected by their Session)
1.02a All ruling elders duly elected in accordance with the following provisions as set forth in the Form of Government G-3.0301 shall be members in good standing of the Presbytery for the term of said election.
1.02b    Each church within the bounds of Presbytery shall be represented by elder commissioners on the basis of Church membership ...
1.02c    Ordinarily all such elections shall be for a period of one year. Each session shall elect alternate commissioners in sufficient number who will serve whenever it is impossible for a principle commissioner to serve.
1.03 Other Ruling Elder Members.
1.03a Each ruling elder elected an officer (Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Stated Clerk and Treasurer) shall be enrolled as a member of the Presbytery for the term of office, whether or not commissioned by his or her session.
1.03b Each ruling elder elected as a member of Presbytery Council shall be enrolled as a member of the Presbytery for the term of office, whether or not commissioned by his or her session.
1.03c Each ruling elder elected as moderator of a standing committee of Presbytery shall be enrolled as a member of the Presbytery for the term of office, whether or not commissioned by his or her session.
1.03d Ruling elders elected to exempt staff positions may be enrolled as members of the Presbytery for the duration of service in such staff position whether or not commissioned by his or her session.
1.03e One designated ruling elder representative from Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery shall be enrolled as a member of the Presbytery, whether or not commissioned by his or her session.

If you are a Commissioner or interested in attending our Assembly and did not receive registration information, please contact beth@denpres.org.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

When registering for the Presbytery Gathering, it is important that you state your role when attended, i.e. elected ruling elder commissioner, member of Presbytery Visionary Leadership Commission, etc. Registration not only helps us get your name tag ready, but also helps with a head count for dinner and set up for other spaces.

SCHEDULE

8 AM | In person Registration and Check-in, fellowship and breakfast begin
8:50 AM | Drum Circle begins (arrive at 8:45 AM)
9 AM | Worship, Celebration & Assembly begins

Directions

The Iliff School of Theology is located at the corner of Iliff Avenue and University Boulevard. From I-25, take the University Blvd exit and head south. Continue on University Blvd. until you reach Iliff Ave., two blocks south of Evans Ave. Turn right (west) on Iliff Ave. Visitor parking is available in the B Lot located off Iliff Avenue. Enter the main drive and turn left into the visitor lot (B Lot).

Parking

Parking at Iliff is metered, unless you have a permit. Costs for visitors will be $2.00/hour on the Iliff campus.

  • For visitors and students (non-permitted), please park at B Lot. Look for the parking kiosk to pay for your parking.

  • Iliff has arranged for ADA parking in Lot A, you must display a sticker or license plate your you will be ticketed. This lot is owned/managed by the University of Denver.

  • Pay station will be on the NE corner of the B lot.

VOTING

Every minister member who has been admitted to the Presbytery as active, at-large, validated or honorably retired is a continuing member of presbytery and can vote at meetings.

Every congregation has at least one commissioner (who is an ordained ruling elder), elected by action of a session. Additional commissioners, who are ruling elders, are also enrolled as members of presbytery while in leadership positions as committee chairs or presbytery officers. All of these elders have the right to speak and to vote. If you are unsure how many commissioners your faith communities have, please reach out to our stated clerk.

Please note, commissioners must be approved to represent their session prior to August 12th. 

Visitors may include other interested members of our congregations, ecumenical guests, other Presbyterian ruling elder and minister of word and sacraement, and students preparing for ministry. Members of other presbyteries of the PC(USA) may register as corresponding members at a meeting where they are present. Visitors may observe, but not speak unless the assembly allows. Visitors may never vote. 

Stated Presbytery Gathering
The Presbytery of Denver
Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 9 AM

PRESBYTERY GATHERING

9:00am Drumming Circle | Call to Order | Establish Quorum | Ruth McCollum Huff

9:05am Land Acknowledgement | David Hogue

9:10am Lead Presbyter Report | Dee Cooper

9:15am Greetings from the Presbytery of Zimbabwe

Elder Samkeliso “Samu” Siwela  | Clerk of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe

Rev. Talkmore Chilanga | Moderator of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe

9:30 WORSHIPz
See Slides and printed bulletin

10:15am Welcome to Corresponding Members and New Commissioners | Chris Wineman

10:20am Welcome New Minister Members | David Hogue

Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra | Central Presbyterian Church

10:25am Aha Voting Slides | Beth Carlisle

10:30am Omnibus Motion | Chris Wineman

10:30am Treasurer’s Report | Sue Pilcher

10:35am Guatemala Partnership Commissioning | Moderators

10:40am Servant Leadership Development Committee (Committee on Representation) | Nancy Dixon
MOTION: The Servant Leadership Committee (SLDC) recommends to the Presbytery Rev. Bill Sanders (Honorably Retired) to be elected as Vice Moderator of Presbytery Assembly for 2026.

10:45am Ministry Preparation Committee| Katie Robb Davis

Alex Sergio | Commission Ready

10:50am Administrative Commission for St. Andrew | Louise Westfall

10:55am Anti-Racism Policy | gretchen Sausville

Motion: to adopt the proposed Anti-Racism Policy of  Denver Presbytery.

11:25am Visionary Leadership Report | Russ Kane

11:30am Partnership of Zimbabwe and Denver Presbyteries 20th Anniversary Celebration and Journey 

  • Celebrations of the Partnership 

  • Signing the Memorandum of Understanding

  • Cake Cutting Ceremony 

  • Sing Siyahamba “We are marching in the Light of God”

12:00pm Generative Time | Paul Neshangwe

12:15pm Benediction  | Fiona Benzon 
Adjournment | Ruth McCollum Huff

  • Sharing the Cake

OMNIBUS

The Omnibus Motion (Consent Agenda) is a process intended to speed action on routine or noncontroversial matters. Any item may be withdrawn from the omnibus motion upon request of any member of the assembly. Items remaining are adopted without discussion when the motion is approved. Items from committees or other reports will be recorded in the minutes as part of that committee or staff person’s report.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the Presbytery votes to:

  1. Approve the Docket as distributed, with such changes as may be announced at the start of the assembly.

  2. Enroll the Corresponding Members that are introduced,and grant to them permission of the floor. The names and presbytery of membership of such persons must be written on the attendance roster or given to the Stated Clerk.

  3. Approve the minutes of the Stated Assembly May 20, 2025 Assembly as posted on the Presbytery website, except for any changes in the attendance roll that may be required.

  4. Receive the Annual Report of the Stated Clerk for 2024 

  5. Receive the Reports of the Staffing Resource Committee: Report to Assembly and Lead Presbyter Assessment Report.

  6. Receive the reports contained in the Assembly packet.

  7. Approve the Motion from Visionary Leadership Commission that the Assembly approve Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church’s request to relocate its columbarium to Crown Hill Cemetery. Rational: Per the Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church “Memorial Wall and Columbarium Guidelines” the presbytery must grant permission for the cremains to be moved. A copy of the guidelines is attached in the Assembly Packet. The FSC will obtain the final signed contract between Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church and Crown Hill Cemetery, the estimated cost is $118,600.

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. gretchen N. Sausville
Stated Clerk

MINISTRY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

SERVANT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Servant Leadership continues to work on openings on the Presbytery’s committees and commissions, both for current open positions and for new terms to start in January 2026.

We continue to encourage Elders, Deacons, Members, and Pastors to complete the Passion Discovery Form; to increase our pool of talent for the work of Denver Presbytery.

Servant Leadership has spent the summer, so far, working to bring our nomination for Vice-Moderator for 2025. We are pleased to nominate Bill Saunders for 2026 Vice-Moderator.

Thank you all for your willingness and encouragement to participate in our work and mission.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Dixon
Moderator of Servant Leadership Development Committee

MOTION: The Servant Leadership Committee (SLDC) recommends to the Presbytery Rev. Bill Sanders (Honorably Retired) to be elected as Vice Moderator of Presbytery Assembly for 2026.

FINANCIALS

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION for ST. ANDREW

The Administrative Commission for St. Andrew Presbyterian Church has conducted a congregational survey, held regular conversations with church members, moderated session meetings, and conducted financial reviews for 2023 and 2024, and elected new leadership, all towards helping the congregation discern their future.  

Recently, the music director and treasurer have resigned from the congregation. 

A congregational meeting will be held August 10th to vote on whether and how to sell the building and provide alternatives for worship and congregational care.  

Commission members:   Joann Goss, Carl Kantner, the Rev. Heather Cameron, the Rev. Scott Vanderwahl, and the Rev. Dr. Louise Westfall   

ANTI-RACISM POLICY

Motion: to adopt the proposed Anti-Racism Policy of  Denver Presbytery.

WRITTEN REPORTS & UPCOMING EVENTS