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.
