Wondering What the Lead Presbyter Nominating Committee is Working on?

WONDERING WHAT THE LEAD PRESBYTER NOMINATING COMMITTEE IS WORKING ON?

WE ARE HERE | BIG NET

Your Nominating Committee for Lead Presbyter is meeting weekly on Saturday mornings and has already met 6 times since being elected at the October Presbytery Assembly.

Currently the Committee is at the “Big Net” stage of evaluating Personal Information Forms (PIF’s) for candidates that have been matched with the Lead Presbyter Ministry Information Form (MIF) or applied directly.  We are evaluating candidates for the best fit to the Ministry Information Form for the Lead Presbyter position. 

Does the candidate meet what we are seeking based on leadership characteristics, ability to carry out the Mission, Vision & Values of Denver Presbytery and have that rare blend of gifts for strategic leadership and pastoral presence?

By the January Assembly we will have collectively evaluated at least 20 of the Personnel Information Forms (applications) we have received.  We already have a list of high-quality candidates, in addition to others we want to learn more from.

What you can do:

• Continue to support the Nominating Committee with your prayers.

• Consider who you know that might be a candidate for Lead Presbyter in Denver Presbytery.  Personally invite them to discern the ministry and if so called, submit their Personal Information Form for consideration.  Don’t limit your contacts – do you know of a candidate outside the USA?  Do you know someone who might have the gifts we are looking for but hasn’t considered Presbytery level ministry, but should?

Please apply through the PCUSA’s Church Leadership Connection or send PIF via email to: LPSearch@denpres.org

Sandy Safford
Lead Presbyter Nominating Committee and
Commission Pastor for Byers Community Church

CHURCHES PARTNER WITH RAWTOOLS TO HOST GUN BUYBACK

Following in the wake of gun violence throughout Denver and Aurora, organizations come together to offer new opportunities to reduce gun violence on MLK weekend, including a gun to garden tool demonstration and gun buyback.

Mountain View United Church and 6th Ave United Church of Christ (UCC) are partnering with RAWtools to host a gun buyback from 1pm-3pm at Mountain View United Church, preceded by Sharletta Evans of Colorado Crime Survivors Network speaking at the 6th Avenue service from 10am to 11am. Ms Evans lost her 3-year old son, Casson, in the late 90s to gun violence and has since worked to address gun violence and the legal system locally and nationally for 25 years. RAWtools will also turn a gun into a garden tool at the 6th Ave service.

The buyback is the 3rd by a United Church of Christ congregation and first by an ecumenical congregation belonging to the Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist, and United Church of Christ since the Boulder mass shooting at a King Soopers, all facilitated by RAWtools. Community UCC in Boulder and Longmont UCC both hosted successful buybacks in June and September and both are paying forward visa gift cards to support the buyback in Aurora. RAWtools has been turning guns into garden tools since 2013, just after the Sandy Hook massacre. Based in Colorado Springs, RAWtools mission is to Disarm Hearts, Forge Peace, and Cultivate Justice. RAWtools provides and partners with other organizations working at intersections of gun violence to offer resources and trainings for mediation, dialogue, de-escalation, restorative and transformative justice, and more.

Colorado Crime Survivors Network, founded by Sharletta Evans, has a mission to support, advocate, collaborate and build coalitions for victims and offenders in addition to at-risk youth. Their programs include support for victims and survivors of violence, including advocacy and victim rights, victim/offender mitigation including juvenile offender reform and adult clemency. All of these programs echo Ms. Evans lived experience of gun violence and its aftermath.

6th Ave United Church Service with Sharletta Evans and Gun to Garden Tool transformation–
10am to 11am
3250 E 6th Ave
Denver, CO 80206
Rev. Christopher Gilmore Lead Minister cgilly314@gmail.com

Gun Buyback at Mountain View United Church 1pm to 3pm
NO PRESS TO MAINTAIN ANONYMITY (Photos can be provided after event by our designated photographer that maintain anonymity for participants)
10700 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
Rev. Dr. Tracy L. Hughes, Lead Minister revtracy@mtnviewunited.org

Colorado Crime Survivors Network – cocrimesurvivorsnetwork.org
Founder Sharletta Evans- sharlettacevans@gmail.com 720-309-7623
Community Gun Violence Prevention Advocate Kia M. Ruiz kruiz@bradyunited.org

RAWtools – rawtools.org
Executive Director Mike Martin mike@rawtools.org 719-203-8069

Compensation Rates for Guns turned in at Buyback:
$100 for single shot rifles and shotguns, including double barrel shotguns
$200 for semiautomatic handguns and rifles
$300 for assault style rifles as determined by RAWtools.

Gun Buyback | January 16, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ,                                                                                                                

Gun violence has increased 135% in Aurora in 2021. Have you wondered how the congregation that you serve can take faith-based action in response to this pervasive violence?

Join Mountain View United Church, Aurora and 6th Avenue United Church of Christ, Denver  as we create an ecumenical coalition to host a RAWtools Gun BuyBack on Sunday, January 16, 2022 to get guns off the streets. RAWtools literally “turns guns into plowshares” by cutting the surrendered guns into pieces that are later foged into garden tools and jewelry.

We need to raise $10,000 to host a RAWtools Gun BuyBack. This money is used to pay individuals for each gun surrendered. The buybacks are: $100 for long guns like hunting rifles; $200 for handguns; $300 for assault rifles.  We believe we can do this with the help of an ecumenical coalition of Christians who are tired of the scourge of gun violence in our neighborhoods. Here is the breakdown for fundraising per congregation:  

10 congregaitons - $1,000; 15 congregations - $666; 20 congregations 500; 25 congregations - $400

On January 16, 2022, the Sunday of MLK Day weekend, we will honor the nonviolent legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a worship service at 6th Ave. UCC (10:00-11:00) where volunteers will be blessed and commissioned for the Gun BuyBack that will be hosted at Mountain View United Church (1:00-3:00). During the worship service surrendered guns will be sawed into pieces to be made into garden tools and other resistance art.

Our partner “RAWtools’ mission to “disarm hearts, forge peace, cultivate justice” is driven by our ability to make a choice about the tools we use to navigate conflict. As we lose more than 109 people a day to gun violence in the United States, it’s becoming more and more clear that guns have no place in conflict resolution. Many folks donate their guns to RAWtools because they do not need them anymore”(from RAWtools website.)

We ask that congregations take a special offering during Advent, on Christmas Eve, or on Epiphany Sunday in the spirit to turn “guns into plowshares” as a gift to the Prince of Peace. Let us be messengers of justice and goodwill just like the wisemen who visited the Christ child and returned a different way as a defiant act of justice confronting Herod and his reign of terror. Gun violence in the U.S.A. is a reign of terror in our schools and neighborhoods. Let us join our hearts and fianncial gifts to confront and transform tools of terror to tools of life this Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

Online giving option: Go to mtviewunited.org click on the Donation link. Once in tithe.ly click on “Mission All.” Once you have filled out the amount donated write “buyback” in the memo.

We are confident that as an ecumencial coalition of congregations we are able to raise $10,000 to jointly sponsor the January 16th RAWtools Gun BuyBack! Your commitment date is Janauray 6th – Epiphany! Will you step up and courageously support this effort? Please contact Rev. Tracy Hughes or Rev. Chris Gilmore if you have any questions.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Tracy L. Hughes and                         Rev. Chris Gilmore
Lead Minister                                                    Lead Minister
Mountain View United Church                     6th Avenue United Church of Christ
10700 E. Evans Avenue                                    3250 E. 6th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80012                                             Denver, CO 80206
revtracy@mtviewunited.org                          chris@sixthavenueucc.org

THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

As we continue the process of providing nominations for the January, 2022 Assembly, we have a number of positions available for ruling elders. 

Specifically, we need volunteers, especially females, to serve on the Committee on Ministry (COM) in Classes 2023 and 2024.  This very important committee works with ministers and congregations and Presbytery resources to help address many issues.  COM helps churches in transition, supports congregations in times of stress and is particularly important when a congregation seeks an interim or called pastor.   

Individuals who enjoy a challenge while working to achieve a successful result will find serving on COM a rewarding experience. Although we have emphasized our recruiting for ruling elders, we also need ministers to serve on COM.   COM meets at 6:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, currently by Zoom. 

We also need ruling elders and ministers (male and female) to serve on the Committee for Preparation for Ministry.  This committee provides mentoring and support to inquirers and candidates seeking to enter ordained ministry.  Individuals serving on the CPM often build close bonds with persons entering the ministry and help enable that person to prepare for all the steps towards ordination.  Persons with an willingness to work with candidates using PCUSA educational requirements and standards are needed throughout the year. 

We also have one opening on the Partnership of Zimbabwe and Denver Presbyteries (PZDP) Committee for either a male or female minister, elder, deacon or lay person.  The PZDP is our mission outreach to our brothers and sister in Zimbabwe and is a very enjoyable way to support Christ’s church in Zimbabwe.   

Also, active and retired ministers are always needed in various leadership roles throughout Presbytery standing committees and work groups.

We have received no YAAD applications for General Assembly in 2022. If you know of a young member of the church age 17-23 who is interested, application can be found online on our website, click here.

Thank you for the help. We look forward to hearing from you with all those wonderful names!

The Presbytery Nominating Committee

Church Property Review to begin in January 2022

To:       Denver Presbytery Member Churches, Pastors, Sessions

From:  Denver Presbytery Council

Re:      Presbytery of Denver Real Property Review Program

In January 2022, Denver Presbytery will begin a two-year program to inventory and value all real property (land and buildings) owned by the presbytery and its member churches. This review will provide information that can assist you in determining appropriate insurance coverages and the need, if any, for a formal appraisal. The information can also help your church when considering property options, including potential sale or lease of portions of your property. For the presbytery, it will provide better knowledge of all the real property assets under the domain of the presbytery.

We anticipate this review program will be completed in two years by the real estate firm currently representing the presbytery, Shames Makovsky. The firm will utilize publicly available property records (such as zoning and any unique property restrictions) and will provide a realtor estimate of value based on viewing the property and considering comparable values from real estate sales of similar property. The realtor conducting the survey will not physically enter church buildings unless requested by you. You will be notified a few weeks in advance when and if the realtor will be visiting your church’s property.

Please note that a realtor estimate does not meet the standards of a property appraisal. If a member church wants to obtain a more in-depth review of its property, it can make separate arrangements with this real estate firm, or a firm of your choice. Churches that have recently completed a review and valuation of their property (due to construction, PILP loan, or for any other purpose) may provide the information to the presbytery in lieu of participation in the program.

Shames Makovsky has offered to complete the property review program over a two-year period. The firm has already provided property reviews and valuations for some member churches, and these have been very helpful. There will not be a cost to you or the presbytery for the review program. Denver Presbyter will cover the firm’s mileage reimbursement for visiting churches located outside of the Denver metro area.

Any questions you may have about the property review program should be forwarded to the moderator of Denver Presbytery’s Finance & Property Workgroup, Pat Queen at 303-997-4471 or pat_queen@comcast.net.

Help Afghan Refugees

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) works together with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), and other churches, organizations, community groups, businesses, and individuals to provide the services and supplies necessary for refugees to become self-sufficient and integrate into their new communities.

Recently, LFSRM has received a large number of inquiries and offers of help concerning Afghan refugees who will be resettled in Colorado. Unable to respond to each request, they've compiled a list of answers to frequently asked questions, as well as some general information and resources, that we want to share with you.

When will refugees and Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) from the emergency evacuations be arriving in Colorado? How many people will be coming here?

We don’t know—US-based resettlement agencies such as ourselves are not involved in the evacuation itself, and there are a lot of uncertainties about timing and logistics right now, as you have surely seen in the news. What we do know is that LFSRM and all the other resettlement agencies are preparing for when they do arrive. And Afghan refugees and SIVs have been part of our caseload for years, so we are using that experience to prepare to serve those who are evacuated due to current events as well.

How can I help?

Here are some of the most common ways that we can use the support of our welcoming community (you!):

Financial support:

We will need rental support for new refugee families. Contribute here and select “Refugee and Asylee Programs;” if desired, you can indicate “Afghanistan response” or “rental assistance” in the comment field; if you do not write a comment, funds will support our refugee programs in general (items such as case management, employment services, and household items).

Donating household items or furniture for new refugee families:

• To purchase new household items: we have an Amazon wish list. Bedding sets and pot/pan sets are a priority need; items ship directly to LFSRM.

• To donate used household items or furniture: please contact donations coordinator, Luis, at 303-525-5020. Please allow up to a week for response (we have received many inquiries in this area and we have limited storage space, so please understand that we may not be able to accept your donation). UPDATE: We are currently only accepting very limited furniture, as our warehouse is mostly full. BEDS and DRESSERS are still needed.

• If you have small basic household goods (bedding, towels, kitchen items), you can drop them off at our warehouse at 520 Raritan Way, Denver, 80204 on Fridays from 9:00-3:00 (until further notice). We are working to set up additional drop-offs for the coming weeks.

• We are working with local partners (military, faith communities, and nonprofit) to ship clothing and shoes to Afghan evacuees in Qatar. Please contact Brannon at brannonmaeaviation@gmail.com for more information.

Volunteer:

• We are in need of volunteer co-sponsors and Cultural Mentors. Each volunteer team of 4-6 volunteers is matched with a new family. Mentors make a commitment of 6 months/ approximately 4 hours per month. We are also asking co-sponsors of Afghans with refugee applications pending to raise $5,000-$10,000 to cover rent, as these families will only be eligible for very limited assistance and will need help with rent costs.

• Register for a volunteer informational session here.

Housing:

• If you are a landlord and are interested in renting a unit to a refugee family, please email our Housing Coordinator, Danielle.winter@lfsrm.org.

• We are currently keeping a list of those interested in providing temporary housing (~2 weeks, free of charge). However, this is a limited need at this time as the timing of arrivals is uncertain. Please email our Housing Coordinator, Danielle.Winter@lfsrm.org, with your contact information, and she will contact you within the next 1-2 weeks.

Advocacy:

• Write your elected officials to express your support for Afghan refugees and SIVs.

• Advocacy toolkit.