Called to Lead? Serve as Vice-Moderator of Denver Presbytery

Denver Presbytery is seeking faithful, thoughtful, and collaborative leaders to serve as Vice-Moderator for 2027—a vital role in shaping the life, worship, and direction of our shared ministry.

The Vice-Moderator serves as Moderator-elect, stepping into the role of Moderator the following year, and plays a key leadership role across the Presbytery.

What does the Vice-Moderator do?

• Help plan and lead Presbytery assemblies with the Stated Clerk and Lead Presbyter

• Cultivate a non-anxious, Spirit-led presence while moderating large gatherings

• Participate in ordinations and installations

• Prepare meaningful worship experiences at Presbytery meetings

• Serve on Presbytery Council and leadership bodies (VLC, design teams)

• Represent the voice and vision of Denver Presbytery

• Receive training (including time in Louisville)

Who are we seeking?

• Individuals grounded in the Reformed faith and open to diverse perspectives

• Leaders gifted in facilitation, collaboration, and spiritual discernment

• Those willing to make a two-year commitment (Vice-Moderator → Moderator)

📌 Eligibility Note:
In alignment with our commitment to equity and representation, the 2027 Vice-Moderator will be a Ruling Elder in good standing within Denver Presbytery who identifies as a woman.

We are committed to lifting up leadership that reflects the richness of the Body of Christ—across gender, race, ethnicity, theology, and life experience.

Why serve?
This is a unique opportunity to:

• Shape the tone and direction of our Presbytery

• Strengthen connections across congregations and leaders

• Grow spiritually and in leadership alongside a vibrant community

📣 Interested or want to nominate someone?
Reach out to the Nominating Committee or Presbytery leadership to learn more.

Step forward in faith. Your voice matters in the life of Denver Presbytery.

Apply HERE→

Transitional PLAN

Dear Denver Presbytery,

As we celebrate and appreciate gretchen Sausville’s three years of faithful ministry with us, we invite you to join us in honoring her service and the new call she has received. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and commitment during her time as our Stated Clerk.

We also want to assure you that we have been carefully planning for coverage during this period of transition. The Stated Clerk Nominating Committee has been working diligently with candidates to discern who will be brought forward for nomination as our next Stated Clerk in the upcoming months. In the meantime, we have engaged Ruling Elder Anne Bond and Rev. Brian Ellison to support and cover the essential roles and responsibilities until the next Stated Clerk is in place.

Here is what you need to know about the transition plan:

Anne Bond is well known to many of you as a former Stated Clerk of the Denver Presbytery, where she served faithfully for many years. She is a member of Central Presbyterian Church and has served on numerous national committees including leading the GA committee of Episcopal-Presbyterian Bilateral Dialogue. Anne will act as a consultant until March 3rd and has been elected by the Visionary Leadership Commission to serve as the Stated Clerk Pro-Tem for Presbytery Operations after that date.

Rev. Brian Ellison is the Stated Clerk of the Synod of Mid-America, a member of Heartland Presbytery, and the Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Brian has also served on the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. Brian's path has previously crossed with Dee’s as they worked together in Heartland Presbytery. Brian will also serve as a consultant until March 3rd and has been elected by the Visionary Leadership Commission to serve as the Interim Stated Clerk, with a specific focus on the work of the Investigative Committee.

To ensure the operations of the presbytery office continue without interruption, we encourage you to reach out to Dee, gretchen, and Anne  (statedclerk@denpres.org) with any questions or needs during this time. We are working diligently behind the scenes to ensure a smooth handoff and transition, and we are confident in this plan to carry us forward.

Thank you for your support and prayers during this time of change. We look forward to celebrating Gretchen’s ministry with you and entering this new chapter together.

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper
Lead Presbyter

Faithful Friction: Turning Tension Into Faithful Witness

2026 Denver Presbytery Assembly Theme

Building on last year’s theme of Partnership: Courageously Conspiring Together, we now turn to Faithful Friction: Turning Tension into Faithful Witness, rooted in Matthew 25’s call to eradicate systemic poverty and recognizing that following Jesus often brings us into tension with cultural expectations, political realities, and personal comfort. Rather than fearing this friction, we will embrace it as a holy opportunity for growth, trusting the Spirit to use it to refine our discipleship, strengthen our unity, and deepen our shared witness in the world.

Translation Services

Denver Presbytery has partnered with the Community Language Cooperative of Denver as part of our commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and language justice. This was our first time providing interpretation services at Presbytery Assembly, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help ensure that all participants can engage more fully in our shared discernment and decision-making.

Thank you Worship Leaders for a wonderful Assembly Worship! 

Dee Cooper, Bill Sanders, Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra, Ruth M. Huff, Charis Smith, gretchen Sausville, Chris Wineman, Sue Shaw, Rob Habiger, M. Roger Holland II, Choirs of Peoples and Central Presbyterian Church

Worship 

Our incoming Denver Presbytery Moderator Chris Wineman and Vice-Moderator Bill Sanders were installed.

Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra, Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church, wrote and led our Land Acknowledgement.

Chris Wineman preached a sermon entitled No One Said This Was Going To Be Easy rooted in Leviticus 25: 8-41 (selected) and introduced this year's theme Faithful Friction: Turning Tension Into Faithful Witness. 

The sermon reflected on a lifelong pursuit of financial security and how Scripture, especially the Year of Jubilee, challenges those with resources to shift from accumulation toward community care, trust in God, and a commitment to justice. It calls disciples to embrace “Faithful Friction” by saying “I have enough,” aligning their choices with their faith, and taking concrete steps to help address systemic poverty.

Bill Sanders and Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra celebrated communion.

Lead Presbyter Report | Dee Cooper

Dee Cooper shared appreciation for the prayers, encouragement, and time away that supported her recovery from surgery and gradual return to work. She reflected on using this season to reset, re-engage ministry with renewed perspective, and consider how the Presbytery can respond faithfully amid ongoing challenges locally, nationally, and globally. She also spoke about the importance of addressing injustice and systemic poverty through both self-reflection and action, encouraging continued learning, honest conversation, and shared commitment as a Matthew 25 community.

Thank You Ruth McCollum Huff

Moderator Chris Wineman and the Presbytery Assembly thanked outgoing Moderator Ruth McCollum Huff, for her steadfastness and service. Ruth, we thank you again for your leadership and service among us and with us over the last two years.

Thank you Sue Pilcher

Mike Norris and Sharon Blackstock, Co-Moderators of the Fiduciary Stewardship Committee and the Presbytery Assembly thanked outgoing Treasurer Sue Pilcher for her faithful 2 terms of service, and wished her well in her retirement. 

Thank you gretchen N. Sausville

Dee Cooper, Lead Presbyter, Julia Henderson and Ruth Curtin from the Staffing Resources Committee thanked gretchen N. Sausville, Stated Clerk for her term of service to Denver Presbytery and 8 years of ministry as a minister member of the Presbytery. gretchen will be concluding her time as Stated Clerk on March 3, and will be moving back east to pastor a congregation closer to family. 

Offering

The Assembly took an offering for the Special Needs Fund of the Presbytery which provides pastoral care for our ministers, candidates, and their families when facing medical or financial concerns.

Welcome New Minister Members!

Kim Clayton is the Transitional Pastor at Wellshire Presbyterian Church transferring from Mid-Kentucky Presbytery.

Steve Nofel is the Interim Pastor at First Presbyterian-Brighton and transferring from Baltimore Presbytery.

Kim Nofel is the Pastor at Elizabeth Presbyterian Church and transferring from Baltimore Presbytery. 

Generative Time

During Generative Time, participants spent fifteen minutes exploring interactive stations around the sanctuary focused on moving from learning to action in addressing systemic poverty. They had opportunities to connect with leaders from the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, learn about advocacy resources from the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness, and engage in a simple sensory reflection connected to the theme of faithful friction. This time encouraged conversation, relationship-building, and imagining practical partnerships so congregations could do more than talk about eradicating systemic poverty.

*Please contact the Presbytery Office if you wish to know more about resources shared. 

Celebrations

Congratulations and thank you for your leadership:

• Jill VanderWal and Nancy Dixon as Co-Moderators for 2026 of Servant Leadership Development Committee

• Bethany Peerbolte as Moderator of the Ministry Preparation Committee. 

• Peg Logan as Vice-Moderator of the Ministry Relations Committee

Congratulations and thank you to newly elected and re-elected folx willing to step into leadership on Presbytery Committees.

• Joanna Douglass - Ministry Relations Core Team for Transitions

• Paula Steinbacher - Ministry Relations Core Team for Pastoral Care

• Robert Mathes - Visionary Leadership Commission

• Ethan Raath- Permanent Judicial Commission

Thank you to all who have served  so faithfully and are rotating off Presbytery Leadership.

• Denver Presbytery Moderator - Ruth McCollum Huff

• Denver Presbytery Treasurer - Sue Pilcher

• Denver Presbytery Stated Clerk - gretchen N. Sausville

Visionary Leadership Commission:

• Doug Friesema

• Charla Musgrave

• Chris Spotts

Ministry Relations Committee:

• Sheri Fry - Moderator

• Beth Hewlett

• Bill Sanders

• Marlene Trout

• Jordan Warntjes

• Racquel Yslas

Mission Engagement Committee: 

• Celeste Habiger

Staffing Resources Committee:

• Karen Yarberry

Ministry Preparation Committee:

• CJ Biewenga

• Cindy Moorman

• Katie Robb - Moderator

• Bruce Taylor

Permanent Judicial Commission:

• Gretchen Wilson 

And All those who have served without recognition on investigating committees and judicial matters.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Rev. Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra and the staff and many volunteers at Central Presbyterian Church for your space, hospitality, and making room for all of us.

Courageous Community Characteristics

Partnering: Courageously Conspiring Together

In 2025, Denver Presbytery gathered around the theme Partnering: Courageously Conspiring Together, a vision that named both the challenges before us and the faithful response required of us. To conspire—from its Latin roots—means to breathe together. This understanding shaped the year as an invitation into deeper partnership with one another, with our congregations, and with God’s Spirit moving among us.

Courageously conspiring together reframed “conspiracy” not as something secretive or harmful, but as a positive, faithful act of shared moral commitment. As Sheri Fry so powerfully articulated, this kind of conspiring has always been present in movements for justice and freedom—when people, facing real risk and uncertainty, chose unity, trust, and courage over isolation or fear. The courage required was not only about confronting external challenges, but also about placing faith in one another: listening well, acting in good faith, following through, and building trust where the stakes were high.

Rooted in Matthew 25 and the PC(USA)’s seven marks of a vital congregation, the presbytery explored how courageous partnership strengthens the whole body of Christ:

• Lifelong Discipleship

• Intentional, Authentic Evangelism

• Outward Incarnational Focus

• Empowered Servant Leadership

• Spirit-Inspired Worship

• Caring Relationships

• Ecclesial Health

To reflect the unique context and calling of Denver Presbytery, these marks were expressed through engaging, invitational language that emphasized shared action and mutual responsibility:

• Conspiring for Spiritual Growth and Faithfulness (Discipleship Formation)

• Conspiring for Authentic Evangelism

• Conspiring to Respond to the Call of Transformation (Servant Leadership)

• Conspiring for Courageous Worship

• Conspiring to Build Courageous Relationships

• Conspiring to Build a Healthy Whole Body (Ecclesial Health)

Throughout all presbytery assemblies and major gatherings, three core practices were intentionally integrated and highlighted: courageous worship, courageous relationships, and ecclesial health. These formed the relational and spiritual backbone of our shared life together.

The year unfolded through a series of gatherings, summits, and celebrations that embodied the theme in practice—from the installation of Moderator Ruth Huff in January, to leadership development focused on relational capacity, discipleship and servant leadership with General Assembly Co-Moderator Tony Larson, and deep dives into courageous relationships, curiosity, trauma-informed community, and anti-racism work. Global partnership and evangelism were celebrated through the 20-year Zimbabwe Partnership anniversary, lifting up mutuality, reciprocity, and shared mission with global partners.

Together, these gatherings demonstrated that courageous conspiring is not about power held by a few, but about empowerment shared among many. Individuals and congregations discovered renewed strength by breathing together—choosing trust over fear, curiosity over certainty, partnership over competition, and hope over isolation.

In a time marked by cultural fragmentation and ongoing recovery from collective trauma, the 2025 theme called Denver Presbytery into a way of life: one rooted in courage, unity, and faithful partnership, as we sought to live more fully into Christ’s vision of beloved community—for the sake of the church, the world, and one another.

RESOURCES

Meet our 227th General Assembly Commissioners

The General Assembly is the PC(USA)’s highest council—a gathering for discernment, decision-making, and worship. Commissioners from every presbytery—equal numbers of ruling elders and teaching elders—serve alongside advisory delegates representing young adults, theological students, global partners, and interfaith voices.

Meeting every two years, the Assembly gathers for committee work, plenary sessions, education, shared meals, and connection. It is also a vibrant worshiping community, celebrating God’s work in and through the whole church.

The 227th General Assembly (2026) begins with online committee meetings June 22–24. Attendees travel to Milwaukee June 25–26 and take part in a Community Day on June 27, including public witness events and a Town Square of ministry resources. Plenary sessions will follow in Milwaukee from June 28–July 2, 2026.

This year Denver Presbytery was able to elect 2 teaching elders and 2 ruling elders, 2 alternates and a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD). The Servant Leadership Development Committee reviewed several applications, did interviews and selected Commissioners that were elected at our December 2nd Special Called Assembly on Zoom. Learn more about them below.

Alternates are Rev. Whit Dempsey from Community of Grace PC and Pamela Jones, Ruling Elder from St. Paul PC.

CLEVE DIXON
Cleve Dixon (he/him) is honored to be selected by the Presbytery of Denver to serve as a Ruling Elder commissioner to the General Assembly next summer in Milwaukee.

In addition to serving St. Paul as Chair of Mission and Outreach, participating on the Worship Planning Team, singing in the choir, and serving on the Presbytery’s Ministry Preparation Committee, he enjoys many activities outside of church life. He loves feeding the people he cares about and spends much of his time planning meals and cooking for family and friends. He is an avid reader—especially of history, historical fiction, and science fiction/fantasy. A native Coloradan, he also loves spending time outdoors gardening, hiking, camping, and hunting.

Cleve looks forward to General Assembly—to experiencing the energy of God’s people in work and worship. And since he has never been to Milwaukee, he hopes to find time to explore the city and, of course, enjoy some beer and brats!

KIERSTEN HILL
The Rev. Kiersten Hill (she/her) is the Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults at Wellshire Presbyterian Church. She has never been to the state of Wisconsin, and looks forward to enjoying some cheese curds while there! Kiersten is a founding member of a monthly Karaoke Club, a mom of two toddlers, and a lover of all things pink. She is excited to witness the movement of the Spirit at General Assembly and feels grateful for the opportunity to serve the Church as a commissioner. 

RAAFAT GIRGIS
Rev. Raafat (he/him) Girgis is an Incubator Leader, Founder, All People Intercultural Community (APIC). Raafat has served the church in both Egypt and the United States since his 1982 ordination in the Synod of the Nile. He holds degrees in social sciences, history, and theology from institutions in Cairo, Alexandria, and Chicago. He is the founding pastor of All People Intercultural Community (APIC), a ministry of Denver Presbytery in partnership with Grace Presbyterian Church in Highlands Ranch.

Raafat previously served congregations in California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and spent 15 years on the national staff of the PC(USA) directing Multicultural/Intercultural Ministries. His passion is creating safe, welcoming spaces where differences can meet, building bridges that help all people encounter the good news in ways they recognize.

He is excited to serve as a commissioner to the 227th General Assembly—his first time as a commissioner after attending more than 15 Assemblies as Presbyterian Mission Agency staff.

And for fun: one of his hobbies is fishing (though not fishing expeditions!).

BETH CARLISLE
Beth Carlisle (she/her) has served as the Communications Manager for the Presbytery of Denver for the past ten years. A lifelong Presbyterian who later married a Presbyterian minister, she has been part of several congregations across Indiana, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Colorado. Beth is the proud mom of two amazing young women—Grace (who will also be attending GA) and Ava.

Beth also enjoys watching Ava compete or simply ride her horse, Buck. An outdoor enthusiast, she spends as much time as she can hiking in the mountains or walking her adopted dogs, Riv and Roo. Her decade of work as mid-council staff has given her a deep understanding of the denomination’s inner workings, and she is excited to experience General Assembly for the first time as a Commissioner. It will be extra special to have this shared experience with her daughter, Grace.

Beth has family in Milwaukee and a special connection to Wisconsin—it’s where she met her husband, the Rev. Steve Blackstock, during his first call.

GRACE BLACKSTOCK
Grace Blackstock (she/her) is a freshman at the University of Colorado Boulder studying Political Science. Last summer, she interned with the Presbyterian Mission Agency and spent several days in Washington, D.C. with the Office of Public Witness, where she saw firsthand how her passion for social justice connects with faith and public ministry.

Grace is eager to experience the polity side of the denomination at General Assembly and hopes that she can help develop more opportunities and spaces in the Presbyterian church for youth voices and communities.

In her free time, Grace is active in her campus reproductive rights club, enthusiastically cheers on Colorado’s sports teams, and never tires of soaking in the beauty of the mountains she loves.

October 28, 2025 Assembly Highlights

Partnering: Courageously Conspiring Together

Moderator Ruth McCollum Huff welcomed folx* to our Assembly Gathering at Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church. Vice-Moderator Chris Wineman shared our theme for this meeting: Conspiring Together…For Others

Welcome De’Amon Harges and Rev. Mike Mather

Denver Presbytery welcomed De’Amon Harges and Rev. Mike Mather.

De’Amon Harges, the original Roving Listener and founder of The Learning Tree, is a social banker and artist who helps communities uncover and connect the gifts, talents, and passions of their neighbors to build shared prosperity and joy. His work as a neighbor, consultant, and storyteller has taken him around the world, reminding people of the power and presence of community—especially in places where others are pushed to the margins.

Mike Mather, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Boulder and faculty member of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, helps congregations and organizations across the globe discover the abundance within their communities. Author of Having Nothing, Possessing Everything and co-author of the forthcoming 100 Year Work: Social Capital for the Long Haul, he inspires faith communities and civic partners to build on local gifts rather than perceived deficits.

Worship and Generative Time

Clover Reuter Beal led our Land Acknowledgement.

Worship was an interactive generative experience of liturgy, storytelling, reflection and song centered around our baptism and our connection to each other. De’amon Harges and Mike Mather  invited us to look at one another with the assumption of giftedness, shifting our attention from what is missing to what is already present and alive among us. Together, they fostered a worship space shaped by abundance, mutual recognition, and the practice of noticing God at work in one another’s stories.

Clover Beal and Jason Hays led the Assembly a re-affirmation of Baptism.

Thank you Worship Leaders for a wonderful Assembly Worship!

In addition to our speakers De’Amon Harges and Mike Mather, our liturgists included representatives from our Denver Presbytery Mission Partnerships, and staff from Montview Blvd. 

• Clover Reuter Beal- Liturgist, Montview Co-Lead Pastor, Molly Brown - Journey With Migrants Mission Partnership,  Whit Dempsey - Empowering Incarcerated Women,  Dana Easton- Presbyterians for Second Wind, Dan Gasser- percussion, 

• Jason D. Hays - Liturgist, Montview Interim Co-Lead Pastor, Barry Mayhew - Guatemala Mission Partnership, Chris Primus - Carpenters Helpers, Jordan Shive- guitar, vocals,

• Adam Waiter - piano, vocals, Ann Butcher - liturgical arts.

  Worship Planning Team: Jordan Shive, Ann Butcher, Ruth McCollum Huff, Chris Wineman, Dee Cooper, gretchen Sausville, Raafat Girgis.  

Lead Presbyter Report | Dee Cooper

Dee addressed the Denver Presbytery on some of the most pressing challenges of our time—gun violence, immigration, and systemic oppression—urging us to respond with compassion and intentional care. She reminded us that dismantling oppressive systems begins with small acts of love and connection, rejecting the divisive “us versus them” mindset. Committed to embodying Christ’s love, the presbytery strives to see one another as whole people, support each other faithfully, and work together to bring healing, hope, and transformation to our communities. 

Welcome New Minister Members!

• Ron Graves is the Supply Pastor at United Church of Idaho Springs. Idaho Springs is a joint United Methodist and PC(USA) Congregation

• Vernon Jones is the Installed Pastor at United Church of Montbello, which is one of our EMI congregations between the United Methodists, United Church of Christ, and the PC(USA)

• Alex Sergio is the newly Commissioned Pastor for Congregational Engagement for Presbyterian Church of the Covenant and Grace Presbyterian Church

Triennium Report

Bethany Peerbolte and Kiersten Hill and Triennium attendees reported back to the Assembly about Triennium 2025 As If We Were Dreaming, which was held in Louisville, KY July 28-31, 2025. Abby McCubbin and company led us in an Energizer. 

PC(USA) Stewardship & Funds Development

We welcomed Rev. Jeanie Shaw for the first time to Denver Presbytery as she gave us an update of Special Offerings and the restructuring under the new Unified Agency. 

Servant Leadership Development Committee

Thank you Nancy Dixon, Verniece Vafeades, and Jill VanderWal for your passion, witness, and vulnerability in sharing about serving in the Presbytery and the ways people can serve. 

2026 Budget -passed! Thank you Chuck Sparks, Rob Habiger, Julia Henderson for your reports and all those who helped create the 2026 budget.

2026 Minimum Minister Compensation and Pulpit Supply Guidelines -Passed! Thank you to the Ministry Relations Committee for your preparation. 

Celebrations

Congratulations to newly elected members who will begin/continue their service in 2026!

• Visionary Leadership Commission - Kiersten Hill

• Ministry Relations Core Team- Whitney Dempsey & Cindy Cearley

• Synod of the Rocky Mountains- Dwight Blackstock (Moderator) & Rob Habiger

• Servant Leadership Development Committee- Brett Gudeman, Bill Davis, & Charla Musgrave

• Ministry Preparation Committee - Karen Hogue Murray

• Sarah Savage, our Interim-Treasurer beginning in January 2026.

Celebration of Mission Partnership!

The Denver Presbytery’s Mission Partnerships and Covenant Communities were represented during the Assembly during dinner time, in worship, and celebrated during the Mission Engagement Report  given by Kim Graber. 

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Rev. Clover Reuter Beal and Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, and the staff and many volunteers at Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church for your space, hospitality, and making room for all of us.