Zimbabwe Partnership Visit Summary

On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, Rev. Tinashe Chemvumi, Rev. Kurauone Mutimwii, and Elder Rapukeni "Mike" Chiwanda arrived at DIA for their nearly month-long visit to strengthen, deepen and enlarge our presbytery’s partnership with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.
 
During their stay here, Tinashe, Kura and Mike stayed with more than thirty different host families, participated in worship at fourteen different churches as well as the Ministers’ Communion, attended our May Assembly Meeting, participated in committee, Council and work group meetings, spent time “shadowing” three pastors of congregations, consulted with leaders of new worshipping communities and racial ethnic ministries, engaged in the work of several mission partnerships, shared in a fellowship time and “braai” with members of the local Zimbabwean community, visited Iliff School of Theology, the CPE program at University Hospital, Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center, and Denver Inner City Parish and provided leadership at three Zimbabwe Summit Review sessions that explored emerging direction for the partnership.  Of course, they also enjoyed the spectacular sights and people of Colorado!

Click here to read the viewpoints of the Summit Review Sessions. 

A special thank you to all the host families, churches, ministers and ministries that shared in this time of mutual understanding and unity. 

If you have pictures to share from the visit from the delegates, please send to info@denpres.org.

Synod of Rocky Mountain Presbyterian Women Answer Call

Disaster Preparedness

On Friday, June 17, at Laramie Community College in Cheyenne, 15 Presbyterian women from the Synod of Rocky Mountains were trained and commissioned as PDA Disaster Preparedness trainers. They are already in the process of scheduling training in their congregations and presbyteries.

A collaboration between Presbyterian Women (PW) and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), ministries of the Presbyterian Church (USA), provides specialized training that equips Presbyterian women to work with their congregations and churches in their presbytery to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis. Fifteen new trainers were commissioned as Disaster Preparedness Trainers in a ceremony held last week at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, WY. Part of their responsibility will be to go back to their local congregations and presbyteries and conduct disaster preparedness training for families, churches and community groups. 

READ MORE

Minister's Communion - South Park Community Church

On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, ministers, educators, commissioned ruling elders, candidates and inquirers, can gathered together in worship at the South Park Church in Fairplay. We remembered the victims and the grieving. Through Word and prayer we listened for the voice of God in this time. Around the Table of Christ we looked to find the strength, courage and vision to live in a new way in this sad time.  

I ask us, as the prayer in the Book of Common Worship invites us, to pray that God “surround those who have been shaken by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith….Watch our ways, and weave out of terrible happenings wonders of goodness and grace.” Today, and in days to come may the hope we have for what God will do also be our decision for what we commit to do.
 
In Peace,
Tom Sheffield 

Blessing of the Animals - Denver Zoo and Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church

On Sunday, May 22, 2016, Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper joined members of the Denver Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors collection for a special “Blessing of the WILD Animals” service at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church. The animals, which included a porcupine, Eurasian eagle owl and a Malayan box turtle, were walked to the church’s chancel by their handlers before being blessed as a group. The non-denominational, community event was meant as a celebration of life and all animals, honoring wild animals in particular. Afterwards, some animals and volunteers then remained to meet and educate the public and pose for pictures. 

“Indeed no animals were left behind,” said The Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper.

Prayer Walk - First Presbyterian Church in Littleton

On March 6, 2016 more than 50 people from our congregation walked or drove the neighborhoods around our church. We didn’t promote any church events or hand anything out. We simply blessed our neighbors and tried to see our area through God’s eyes. Thank you to everyone who participated and I am excited to see what God will do in our hearts as a result! Maybe try prayer walking the neighborhood around your house and see what God reveals!

In Christ’s Service Together,
Pastor Cody

Thanks for sharing your story of joy with us!  

Church of the Hills in Evergreen

Thank you, Rev. Chuck Traylor, for sharing photos of your Easter Celebration!

The Lord is Risen!

Easter Celebration - posted with permission

Posted by The Presbytery of Denver on Wednesday, April 6, 2016