The March 28th Stated ONLINE Assembly was held via Zoom.
Denver Presbytery Assembly, Vice Moderator, Pat Queen lead the Assembly in a land acknowledgement.
It is important to introduce the Presbytery of Denver by recognizing those who lived here before the presbytery came to be, those who were the first stewards of the land. The first people who offered the first prayers and sang the first songs. All land has a tribal story, and so we must remember it as the home to many indigenous people. Then and today these are diverse communities of those who have never left, those forced to relocate, those who walked on a trail of tears to a different land and those who disappeared before we could ever know their names.
New Voting System
Communication Manager, Beth Carlisle, with assistance from our new Administraive Assistant, Brontë Shedden, explained the new voting system using a QR code or link to access. The new "AHA Slides", will be used onsite and online for voting members to register their vote at Assembly and allows for our New Worshiping Communities to have an Advisory Vote. The Assembly was provided with an opportunity to practice prior to voting on the Omnibus Motion.
Worship
Rev. Bethany Peerbolte, a New Worshipping Community Leader (Our Tapestry) used Zoom reactions and the new voting system to interact with the Assembly, including an opportunity to move to breakout rooms to connect with new folks. Bethany's message was based on Philippians 1:4 using the New Living Translation.
Necrology Recognition Video
John provided opening remarks as we remembered our Minister of the Word and Sacrament colleagues who transitioned in 2022. Click here to view video.
Lead Presbyter
Lead Presbyter, Dee Cooper, showed us a video about the intentionality of launching a ship. She invited us to recognize if we were on the boat (this new structure ) sailing into this new expression of ministry and asking us how are we appreciating those on the shore and all they brought to building the boat to today? And for those on the shore, how we were sending our prayers, blessings, intentions, and support of success as we sail? Click here to watch the video.
Recognition and Appreciation
Dee recognized and expressed appreciation for all the former agencies in the Presbytery that have completed their work as the new structure is being phased in and implemented. Click on here to view the video.
Visionary Leadership Commission
The Assembly voted to approve the dissolution of Trinity Presbyterian Church and Arvada Presbyterian Church effective April 1, 2023.
The Assembly approved the dismissal of the Arvada Trinity Administrative Commission, with gratitude for their ministry in merging two congregations into a new faith expression, constituted as Community of Grace.
Finance & Property
The Assembly approved of the sale of Genesis Presbyterian Church to Abiding Hope Lutheran Church for not less than 90% of the $2,250,000.00 listing price and that Genesis be authorized to lease back the Sanctuary for Worship.
Ministry Relations Committee
Richard Aylor
Rev. Richard Aylor is serving Church of the Hills as a Temporary Supply Pastor. The congregation voted to call him as the next installed pastor, which requires an Assembly vote. The Assembly approved to install Richard at Church of the Hills.
Richard comes to Colorado from Wilmington, North Carolina, but is originally from Roanoke, Virigina. Richard attended Emory & Henry College not too far from there. It was in college that he felt a call to ministry. Richard received his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2015 and then moved to Wilmington.
In his spare time, Richard has already gotten involved in the community. He sings bass in the Evergreen Chorale and has joined the Evergreen Rotary Club. While he’s not working, he enjoys hiking 14ers on his Sabbath and being outside photographing nature and the beautiful Colorado landscapes. Congratulations to Richard and Church of the Hills!
Introduction of New Worshiping Committee Incubator Leader
Nathan Heimer introduced Raafat Girgis, New Worshiping Committee Incubator Leader who spoke on his vision to begin a new multicultural faith community based on diverse vocations.
Before arriving in Denver, Raafat served as a Lead Pastor for New Rehoboth-Greenville and Pisgah Presbyterian Churches located in two counties in Pennsylvania. Previously he served as a Mission Agent in the Presbyterian Mission Agency as Associate Director for Evangelism and Racial/Cultural Diversity. Welcome Raafat!
Stated Clerk Nominating Committee
Moderator John Yu announced that Ruling Elder Diane Ritzdorf will serve as Stated Clerk, pro tem, for the duration of the meeting. Stated Clerk Olivia Hudson Smith left the meeting.
Stated Clerk Nominating Committee Chair, Judy Jensen, introduced the report from the committee. She and the other committee members, Jon Sutterlin, Jill VanderWal, and James Fouther explained the work of the committee, their processes, and their choice. The nominee, gretchen Sausville, explained why she applied for the position. After questioning, gretchen was moved to a breakout room. The Assembly had discussion and voted to elect, Rev. gretchen N. Sausville as Stated Clerk for a three-year term, beginning April 1, 2023, and effective through March 31, 2026, according to the Terms of Call included in the Assembly packet.
gretchen is a 2002 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado (in Greeley) with a BA in Performing and Visual Arts, with minors in European History and Women’s Studies. She earned a Master of Divinity, with Women’s Study emphasis, from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2007.
Rob Habiger, Moderator of the Visionary Leadership Commission, dismissed the Stated Clerk Nominating Committee with great appreciation for their service. Welcome gretchen!
