New Beginnings
New Beginnings "Why and What" Webinar
January 21 at 10:00 a.m. Webinar “New Beginnings: Why and What?”
March 11 at 9:30 a.m. “Come and See” A more in – depth presentation and discussion about New Beginnings at Arvada Presbyterian Church
March 25 Deadline to decide to join New Beginnings
May 1- 4 Period of Outside Assessment which includes a congregational gathering
June 9 -10 A Friday evening and all-Saturday Leadership Training
For more information, contact Tom Sheffield.
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Please Welcome Our New Stated Clerk
OLIVIA HUDSON SMITH
The Assembly unanimously elected Ruling Elder Olivia Hudson Smith as the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Denver at the Stated Meeting on January 24th. Her first official day here at the Presbytery office was, February 1st. We are excited about working with her. She can be reached by email at olivia@denpres.org or direct 303.777.2462. Below is information that was presented at Assembly sharing what the Search Committee learned about Olivia during the call process.
Background Information
Ruling Elder Olivia Hudson Smith has had a distinguished service to the Presbytery as a member of the Committee on Ministry, member and moderator of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Moderator of the Presbytery, member of the Presbytery Council, chairperson of the Mission and Ministry Work Group, member of the Leadership Work Group and, currently, chairperson of the Racial Ethnic Diversity Work Group. Along with her Presbytery experience Olivia also brings her experience as an attorney with the City and County in Denver and multiple roles and responsibilities at Peoples Church where she has been a member her entire life. Olivia has been a teacher in the Denver Public School System and was an attorney for the City and County of Denver. She is a graduate of Metro State University and the University of Denver School of Law and is also a candidate for ordained ministry and is under care of the Committee of Preparation for Ministry of the Presbytery.
Olivia’s Sense of Call to the Position of Stated Clerk
In applying to the Nominating Committee, Ruling Elder Hudson Smith wrote: “A call to the Stated Clerk position would allow me to serve in ministry utilizing my pastoral, administrative, and theological experience, as well as my legal and teaching experience. It is my belief that the Stated Clerk is required to possess pastoral and administrative leadership, theological understanding, and legal familiarity, with a goal to strengthen the Body of Christ. Our denomination, like all mainline denominations faces issues with changing demographics, ethnic and other diversity realities, changing societal values, ethical and social justice issues, pastor burnout and conflict, congregational apathy, and economic considerations as congregations decrease in size coupled with the costs associated with maintaining underutilized property and diminished resources to secure appropriate pastoral leadership. Combined, my secular and ministry experience will allow me to support the vision of the Presbytery of Denver, with the varying dimensions in congregations, as it addresses these issues, faces new and rapidly changing concerns, and vision for the future.”
Presbytery Assembly Meeting January 24, 2017 - Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Thank you to Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church for hosting our meeting. Also, a special thank you to Bill Strickland for being the official photographer.
Assembly Highlights available here.
Installation of Rev. Kim Graber - St. Paul Presbyterian Church
Congratulations to Rev. Kim Graber and the congregation of St. Paul Presbyterian Church for the installation of their pastor.
Interim Stated Clerk Cathy Ulrich receives a new call
Dear Friends,
It is with a genuine mix of sadness and joy that we inform you that our Interim Stated Clerk, Cathy Ulrich, has accepted the call to serve as General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Eastminster. The Presbytery met with and heard from Cathy and voted on her call yesterday, December 6, in their stated meeting. Eastminster Presbytery includes large portions of northeast Ohio with its offices located in both Youngstown and Akron, Ohio. Cathy will complete her work in Denver Presbytery on January 31. In the very near future you will receive an official invitation to an open house in recognition of both Cathy and our retiring Presbytery Treasurer, Joann Goss, for Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Presbytery Center. Cathy has been an outstanding servant in our midst bringing the fullness of her “energy, intelligence, imagination and love” to the unique work of stated clerk. In addition, she has offered enormous gifts for our time of transition and planning for our future in the Presbytery.
We do want you to know that our Stated Clerk Search Committee continues to work diligently and thoroughly and will recommend a candidate in the new year. We ask that you continue to pray for them as they discern and decide in regard to their critically important work.
Although we will miss Cathy in every way, we also know that this is a great opportunity for her and Eastminster Presbytery. We know that Eastminster Presbytery will be blessed as we in Denver Presbytery have been. We also hope that Cathy feels our deep appreciation for her time, work, commitment and love for Denver Presbytery. Finally, in this time of transition for Cathy and her husband, Tom, we ask that you offer prayers of both gratitude and also strength for the journey ahead. And may God guide us all in our service for Christ’s church.
In Gratitude and Grace,
The Rev. Loye Troxler
Chairperson of the Presbytery Personnel Committee
The Rev. Thomas Sheffield
Presbytery Pastor and Moderator of Presbytery Council
Advent Luncheon 2016
Thursday, December 9, 2016 friends and family of the Presbytery of Denver gathered for a conversation led by Adrian Miller on the "Theology of Barbecue".
Thank you for a wonderful afternoon of fellowship.
Merry Christmas!