Courageous Community Characteristics
Let’s review our theme from 2025 Assemblies
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.
🎬 New Worshiping Community Incubator Initiative – Program Wrap-Up
Over the past 3 years, innovators, dreamers, and faith leaders came together through the New Worshiping Community Incubator Initiative to reimagine what church can look like today. This video celebrates their journey — the bold ideas, sacred experiments, and Spirit-led collaborations that have taken root in communities across our region.
From first conversations to flourishing ministries, these leaders have learned, grown, and launched expressions of church that meet people where they are. Join us as we give thanks for their creativity, courage, and commitment to sharing the love of Christ in new and transformative ways.
A Joyful World Communion Sunday Celebration
On World Communsion Sunday, St. Paul Presbyterian Church and True Light Community Church came together to celebrate World Communion Sunday with a beautiful joint, bilingual worship service and potluck fellowship. Nearly 130 people gathered in joyful unity to worship, sing, and share a meal together.
The service was filled with special moments of collaboration and praise:
A Bell Choir made up of members from both congregations set a joyful tone.
Each church’s choir offered an anthem, lifting voices in both English and Korean.
Bilingual liturgy was led by Joann Goss and Rev. John Yu, reminding all of our shared faith across language and culture.
Ki Park led a vibrant time of praise and song.
Nearly 20 children from both congregations joined in, with a children’s sermon shared by Beth.
The sermon was delivered in two languages, embodying the heart of World Communion Sunday—unity in diversity.
Following worship, everyone enjoyed a potluck meal, celebrating not just the bread and cup we share in faith, but also the rich variety of our community and culture.
It was a day full of joy, music, laughter, and connection—truly a glimpse of God’s kingdom on earth!
💼 2026 Minimum Effective Salary Recommendation
2026 Minimum Effective Salary
The Ministry Relations Committee is bringing forward updated guidelines to set the 2026 Minimum Effective Salary for ministers of Denver Presbytery at $71,000, aligning with the national PCUSA median effective salary. This recommendation reflects both the high cost of living in Denver and our ongoing commitment to ensuring that pastors are fairly compensated for their service and leadership.
The guidelines will be presented for a vote at our Presbytery Assembly on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church. In preparation, we invite all ministers, sessions, and congregational leaders to attend an informational Zoom session on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, where the Ministry Relations Committee will provide background, walk through the details, and answer questions.
Curious about the 2026 Effective Salary Recommendation?
The Ministry Relations Committee heard an Informational Session on Septemer 16th to walk through the details and answer key questions. This recommendation also includes increases to pulpit supply and session moderating.
If you were unable to attend, Watch the full recording!
Whether you’re a pastor, elder, or simply interested in how this recommendation impacts our shared ministry, this session offers helpful insights and context.
The Assembly will be voting on Ministry Relations Recommendation at our October 28, 2026 Assembly at Montview.
GRANTS & ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES
The Presbytery of Denver is committed to supporting pastoral leaders and congregations through various funding opportunities. Here’s what’s currently available:
To address the rising costs of salaries and the Board of Pensions benefits pricing, the Ministry Relations Committee has approved two different mechanisms for financial support:
Pastor Leadership Compensation Assistance Policy. This will award up to three grants, each not exceeding $12,780 to help congregations ensure their pastor is receiving the minimum effective salary.
Board of Pensions Subsidy Grant. This will award eight subsidies of up to $10,000 each to congregations who are finding it difficult to meet the new Board of Pensions (BoP) dues. These funds are ONLY to be used to offset BoP dues.
See and click on images below to learn more and apply.
