Celebration of Ministry of Rev. Amy Mendez

Dear Presbytery Friends and Colleagues,

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You may have already heard the news, but I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I am leaving my position at the Presbytery of Denver to a new opportunity to serve as the Associate Director of Racial Equity and Women's Intercultural Ministries for the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church USA in Louisville, KY.

Serving the Presbytery of Denver for the past fourteen years has been an honor. I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with you. I sincerely appreciate your support, prayers and the spirit of collaboration to serve the One who calls us to love God and our neighbor. I have loved working on our workgroups, mission partnerships and joining mission trips with you. I will miss you all and I do not say goodbye because I am sure we will cross paths again.

Pray for me as I will pray for you.

Paz, peace!

Rev. Amy Mendez

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A Note from Denver Presbytery Vision Team

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A Note from Denver Presbytery Vision Team

Denver Presbytery Vision Team is a group of Ministers, Ruling Elders serving and worshiping in our Presbytery. Led by Transitional Presbytery Pastor, Rev. Dana Hughes, we meet monthly to discern God’s vision for the future of Denver Presbytery. In 2020, a member of the team will share something with you about the work we are doing and ask for your prayers. I, Rev. Susan Boucher, Pastor of Church of the Hills in Evergreen, begin this effort with the following brief report.

We are reading Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger; this has prompted lively and profound conversation and reflection about the future work of Denver Presbytery. There are no “new” decisions, but there is tremendous energy, intelligence, and dialogue that will lead us into a vibrant future. The cord struck for me is our immediate need to pray for those that are currently in leadership, specifically the Council. During this time of transition, both within our culture and the life of Denver Presbytery, they are diligently striving to lead us with intelligence, imagination, and love.

Please join me in praying for each member of Council, their work together, and their families as they lead. Their names are listed below.

In the peace of Christ,

Susan

Evan Amo | Wanda Beauman | Sharon Blackstock | Georgia Comstock | Jo Culbertson | James Fouther | Kim Graber | Peter Hulac | Michael McLane | Kendal Mullins | Sue Pilcher | Pat Queen | Justin Spurlock | Paula Steinbacher

Fifteen Delegation Members from Denver, Wyoming & Heartland Presbytery visit The Border

Fifteen delegation members from the Denver, Wyoming & Heartland Presbytery have just returned from a trip to the towns of Agua Prieta, Sonora & Douglas, AZ. under the leadership of Frontera de Cristo, a PC(USA) Mexican- US border ministry. This border ministry is a partnership of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico & the PC(USA). Our purpose was to learn the realities of life in the borderlands among migrants, asylum seekers & communities. We walked & prayed along the U.S. side of the border wall as sun set behind the mountains. We experienced the very welcoming hospitality & worship with our host, the Lirio de los Valles Presbyteriana Church in Agua Prieta. We met with the staff and clients of the ministries of Frontera de Cristo & its partners serving asylum- seeking families- Douglas/Prieta Trabaja (a self sufficiency model for families living in poor neighborhood of Agua Prieta), CRREDA-a drug rehab center of addicts helping addicts and CAME- a hospitality center for migrants where we heard their stories. We walked in the desert where migrants have travelled encountering the waterless terrain, as well as had time with the US Border Patrol. We participated in Agua Prieta festivities & ended our time with Robert Uribe, the mayor of Douglas talking about the joys & challenges of life on the border. This PC(USA) border ministry encourages compassionate giving, receiving, learning, growing & spiritual illumination. We encourage you to experience it for yourself!

2020 Minister Minimum Compensation and Pulpit Supply Increases

At the October 22, 2019 Assembly, Committee on Ministry proposed an increase in the minimum salary for ministers in Denver Presbytery. It was approved by Presbytery.

The changes are as follows:

  1. The 2020 base minimum salary and housing in Denver Presbytery shall be$51,078 (3% increase of $1488/yr.) NOTE: These are revised each year.

  2. When a manse is furnished for the pastor’s use, the annual minimum for 2020 shall be $37,188 (3% increase of $1083/yr.)

  3. The "study leave" period minimum shall be two weeks, including 2 Sundays, maybe cumulative for 3 years.

  4. The "continuing education" minimum shall be $1000 per year (increased 2019).

  5. The annual vacation minimum shall be 4 weeks, including 5 Sundays.

  6. Churches shall be instructed on the importance of meeting pastor ministry and mileage expenses through an accountable reimbursement program.

  7. Churches in the Presbytery whose ministry location puts them in the area of extreme housing costs, are encouraged to find ways to face this burden. Such approaches may include "equity share" investments to reduce the cost of a monthly mortgage payment, purchase of a manse or other creative financing approaches.

  8. The funding of Board of Pension dues for plan participants should be determined by each congregation working with plan participants who elect optional coverage.Financial tools such as IRS Part 125 plans (healthcare reimbursement accounts,Health Flexible Spending Account, Health Reimbursement Arrangement, etc.) or other tools discussed in IRS Publication 969 may be useful to both parties as well as contacting the Board of Pensions.

  9. The Presbytery strongly recommends that each Session and installed pastor plan for a Clergy Renewal. If there is no plan for a Clergy Renewal, there are resources available to assist that conversation, and if the congregation has a Clergy Renewal (Sabbatical) Plan, it should be reviewed each year to be sure session, congregation and Minister are “on track”.

Approved: October 22, 2019

PULPIT SUPPLY INCREASE
During a recent Committee on Ministry meeting, changes to the guidelines for supply preaching were amended to recommend $175 to conduct of one worship service a Sunday and $225 for conducting two worship services on Sunday.

Advocacy 101: What you missed

This year’s Annual Leadership Retreat was Advocacy 101 presented by Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Executive Director for the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness. It was held November 8—9, 2019 at Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center.

“Reformed theology teaches that because a sovereign God is at work in all the world, the church and Christian citizens should be concerned about public policy”, says Rev. Hawkins.

Friday evening Rev. Hawkins introduced the theological and biblical foundation for why Christians are called to be advocates for the voiceless. Saturday morning he reviewed both local and national issues that Office of Public Witness and the local presbyteries are actively working on. The last session was an in depth look at the issue of immigration justice and how the local congregations & presbyteries can become involved in the issue.

In addition to the 3 keynote sessions we also had a vespers service Friday night and a closing worship service with communion Saturday afternoon.

There were 27 in attendance, but here is what attendees said about their experience:

“Jimmie’s info about the Office of Public Witness and his rationale for why we need to do advocacy as Christians was very good.” “Excellent weekend—such an important issue.”

“Wonderful program and the food was particularly delicious!

“Jimmie did a great job of jazzing us up. My hope is that the momentum will continue and we will begin as a presbytery and as congregations to do more advocacy.”

Thank you to Nancy Dixon, Diane Ritzdorf, Denise Shannon and Maria Shupe from the Leadership Workgroup for their work to bring this amazing opportunity to Denver Presbytery. THANK YOU!!!