Our commissioners to the Synod met in Salt Lake City with leaders for a gathering in September to give their annual reports via video.
October Assembly Highlights Now Available!
Welcome to Infinity and Beyond
Moderator John Yu welcomed folx* To Infinity and Beyond! This theme was woven throughout the Assembly, as folx dressed in costumes portraying time and space from popular culture and explored together the infinite possibilities of God for the people of God here and now.
Land Acknowledgement | Stephen Poos-Benson
Steve Poos-Benson, the Pastor of Columbine United Church led us in a Land Acknowledgement he crafted for this region of Colorado.
Welcome to Special Guests
The October Assembly Welcomed Special Guests from the greater church. Candice Sweet, the Stated Clerk of the Synod of the Rocky Mountains and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Utah, was seated as Stated Clerk of this Assembly. gretchen Sausville, our Stated Clerk, joined us on zoom as she recovers from Covid-19. DeEtte Decker, Melody Smith and Emily Odom, who are our friends and Colleagues from PC(USA) in Louisville and are a part of the Locally Situated Action Team (LSAT) were with us in person. Shavon Starling-Louis, our Co-Moderator of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) and preacher of the evening was welcomed by standing ovation.
Omnibus Motion | John Yu
The Omnibus passed and the 2024 Assembly dates were approved. 2024 Denver Presbytery Assembly Dates
Tuesday January 23, 2024 - Hybrid, Green Mountain Presbyterian Church
Tuesday April 23, 2024 - In-Person, Location TBD
Tuesday June 11, 2024 - Zoom
Saturday August 17, 2024 - In- Person, Location TBD
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 - Zoom
The Assembly responded with the song God of Wonders.
Lead Presbyter Report | Dee Cooper
Our Star Fleet Captain, Dee Cooper, gave a Captain’s Log report based on a Star Trek format. Our Star Fleet Captain shared that we were bringing the faithful vessel Denprez into the mothership- with thanksgiving and appreciation for she had served us, protected us, supported us in our old explorations and that she was stretched beyond her capacity to fulfill the next mission we were being called upon to embark.
We needed time and imagination to continue crafting and creating our new generative exploratory starship. We spent the needed time developing the new system with innovation, creativity, and love for our next adventure by giving thanks to our pioneers who journeyed before us, replenishing our crews in the spirit of collaboration and innovation, and exploring the depth of God’s love.
We have welcomed the support of others, and celebrated the new ways we are co-creating and truth-telling with each other.
“To live long and prosper” involves creating systems where all prosper by reaching out in love and building connection, in order to boldly learn and reflect the love of our Creator God. There is utmost urgency to continue our journey with each other toward the vastness of God’s vision for our communities.
Agency Review Task Force | Visionary Leadership Commission | Rob Habiger
Rob Habiger, or Robbie One Kanobi as he was at Assembly, gave a brief report from his time as Visionary Leadership Commission Moderator. He summarized the work of the last year and also the work still before the Assembly as the new structure continues to take shape and be implemented. He spoke to the committees still to be populated and the opportunities to serve.
Sermon and Greetings | The Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, Co-Moderator of the General Assembly of PCUSA
It was a special joy to welcome Shavon Starling-Louis to the Presbytery and the pulpit. She even came in a costume that referenced her sermon. She led us in a Prayer for Illumination, Scripture lessons Psalm 136:1-9 and Matthew 2:1-11, and preached an interactive sermon entitled Among The Stars, which included references to the Wise Ones who followed the star after Jesus birth, Star Wars, Star Trek, Toy Story, and the possibilities for the church in this time.
Ministry Relations Committee | Sheri Fry and Sandy Safford
Sheri Fry and Sandy Safford, the Moderator and Vice-Moderator of the Ministry Relations Committee (MRC), presented a report about the Denver Presbytery’s minimum effective salary increase. The Ministry Relations Committee recommended that the minimum effective salary for 2024 be increased to $60,000. approximately 5.7% from the 2023 minimum. (Effective salary moves from $56,770 to $60,000. An increase of approximately $3200.) The Assembly approved this increase.
A video explaining the rationale for this year’s minimum effective salary is linked here, and the full Minimum Effective Salary page for 2024 from the Presbytery website, click here.
Sheri and Sandy also spoke about the MRC teams that are still looking for people to serve on them.
Servant Leadership Development Committee (Committee on Representation) | Nancy Dixon
The Servant leadership Committee brought forth 3 motions with individuals willing and called to serve in various capacities. Servant Leadership development Committee Moderator Nancy Dixon shared that there were many prayerful conversations to bring about these motions. All the motions passed.
Congratulations to Katie Robb Davis (class of 2025) was elected to serve on the Ministry Preparation Committee as Moderator.
Congratulations to Sheri Fry (class of 2025) and Don Shrumm (Class of 2026) who were elected to remain in their current roles on the Ministry Relations Core Team.
Sheri as Moderator, and Don as Leader for the Transitions team.
Congratulations to Stephen Scott (Class of 2026) and Russ Kane (Class of 2026) who were elected to the Visionary Leadership Commission (VLC). Stephen currently serves on the VLC, and Russ has been elected as the Moderator of the VLC.
Zimbabwe Delegation Report| Zimbabwe Delegation 2023
Rob Habiger, Dee Cooper, Celeste Habiger, Kim Graber, and Josphat Ombacho were present at the Assembly Meeting to share about the June 2024 Zimbabwe Partnership Delegation Trip. Rob gave a brief summary of the trip, and Dee presented the glass teardrop from the Presbytery of Zimbabwe to the Presbytery of Denver. One of the highlights for the delegation was to be in attendance at the installation of Rev. Lydia Neshangwe as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. A video montage of the delegation's trip was presented and can be viewed here.
Time of Engagement | John Yu
Moderator John Yu invited the Assembly to ponder the infinite, boundless, and eternal presence and possibility of God. John invited us to think about two and three-dimensional objects, and then to consider infinite-dimensional objects as God is not bound by dimensions. This infinite God becomes known when we go beyond ourselves in relationship with one another. The Assembly was invited to gather in groups in person and in break out rooms online to explore the following questions. 1. What new thing(s) have you learned about infinite and eternal God, God's Kingdom, and us in relation to our God? 2. How can we help one another go "beyond" in our relationship with God?
Presentation of 2024 Budget | Chuck Sparks and Sue Pilcher
For those Star Wars fans, Princess Leia and Chewbacca presented the 2024 Budget for the Presbytery. They helped Chuck and Sue considerably, or is Princess Leia really Sue Pilcher and Chewy really Chuck Sparks. You decide! Karen Yarberry, the Moderator of the Personnel Committee joined the Assembly via zoom to present personnel recommendations for the year.
The Assembly voted to accept the 2024 Presbytery Budget which included the Terms of Call for the 3 ordained Ministers of Word and Sacrament on the Presbytery Staff. Please watch the introduction to the budget presentation from Assembly here, and if you would like to revisit a detailed budget presentation by Chuck Sparks recorded prior to assembly, it can be found here.
Locally Situated Action Team (LSAT) from the Presbyterian Mission Agency| DeEtte Decker, Melody Smith and Emily Odom
Last winter, the Presbyterian Mission agency reached out to our Visionary Leadership Commission and invited Denver Presbytery to be part of a pilot program called the Locally Situated Action Team. They wanted to explore extending their ministry to local presbyteries, offering focused, specialized support for specific areas. Denver Presbytery leadership and the Presbyterian Mission Agency leadership landed with three distinct areas which we have agreed to partner in. 1) Personnel development 2) Equipping support for our new structures 3) Communications.
John Yu and Beth Carlisle introduced the Locally Situated Action Team (LSAT) which graced us with their presence from the “Mother Ship” in Louisville. DeEtte Decker is the Director of Communications for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Melody Smith is the Associate Director for Digital and Marketing Communications and Emily Odom is the Associate Director for Mission Communications. The LSAT team celebrated the work of Denver Presbytery over the last 6 months.
Adjournment, Communion, and Benediction
The Assembly Meeting was adjourned with the Sacrament of Communion. Stephen Poos-Bensen and Jill VanderWal, the pastors of Columbine United Church, led the assembly in an open and inclusive liturgy.
Shavon Starling-Louis blessed us on our way with a Benediction.
Acknowledgements
The October Assembly was an innovative, creative, generative, and visionary Assembly meeting. In order to bring the theme “To Infinity and Beyond” to fruition, many folks gave their time and talents from videos, scripts, reports, costumes, and technological expertise. Hybrid meetings require multiple technological components in order for folks on-site and online to actively participate as one body. Many thanks to the staff, many volunteers , and the folks at Columbine United Church for hosting the Assembly in their space.
*folx is inclusive language for including everyone and is used throughout
2024 Ministers' Compensation Increase
Watch this 3-minute video as Rev. Jordan Warantjes and Rev. Sheri Fry of the Ministry Relations Committee present the proposed increase to the 2024 Ministers’ Salary.
Our current minimum stands at $56,770 for 2023. Research reveals that the 2024 national median salary for ministers is projected to be $67,100. It's important to note that this median accounts for various regions, some with lower living costs.
Our pastors are struggling to make ends meet while serving our churches faithfully. We must honor our vows to pay them a just, fair, and equitable salary.
To address this, the Ministry Relations Committee recommends a 5.7% increase for 2024, raising the minimum to $60,000 plus board of pensions, amounting to an average church increase of $270 per month.
We have some ideas for you and are committed to supporting you.
In addition, to know where our churches in the presbytery stand, we ask that you please report your terms of call to the Presbytery. Go to our website https://denpres.org/terms-of-call (now reporting for 2023 and after January please report 2024 terms of call)
This isn't a one-time event; we plan to gradually, over a 3 year period, reach equitable minimum salaries that reflect education, experience, and responsibilities.
We know that this may feel difficult for some of our churches in the presbytery, that’s why we wanted to share our process, discoveries, and support plans as we make this transition together.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Sheri Fry, Moderator of Ministry Relations Committee at mrcmoderator@denpres.org.
Like a scene from The Avengers, six digital ministers ...
Like a scene from The Avengers, six digital ministers and their fearless leaders descended upon Atlanta. Their mission? To share experiences, tips, tricks, and more to make each other stronger, faster, and even more tech-savvy. Who are they? The Senior Digital Ministry Fellows of Convergence.
Convergence’s fellowship program started in the mind of Rev. Jim Keat, the original pioneer of digital ministry currently serving at Riverside Church in New York. The program is being supported by Convergence (formerly The Center for Progressive Renewal). Their goal is to support the work of progressive church leaders who are imagining a future for the church online. The six fellows meet monthly as a group and have one-on-one chats throughout the month. Recently we had a retreat in Atlanta, which was the first time we had met in person. Each fellow is invited to create courses and write articles for Convergence to share their expertise. (If you have any topics you would love to see addressed let me know!)
Earlier this year, Rev. Jim Keat invited me to be a Senior Digital Ministry Fellow. Every project and conference Jim has asked me to contribute to has been a great experience. Convergence has been great to work for in the past too. They do a wonderful job creating spaces for learning from experts and trailblazers. I knew this would be another incredible experience, especially as Our Tapestry (the new worshiping community I lead) sets a foundation for growth.
The group of Senior Digital Ministry Fellows has pastors serving small congregations and experimenting with translating their congregation’s strengths to the digital world (Rev. Brandon Robertson and Rev. Timoth Sylvia). There is the scholarly one earning a Ph.D. in ethics focusing on the church and digital spaces (Daniella Hobbs). The nerds, geeks, and gamers are represented by their pastor (Rev. Nathan Webb). We have a writer who can make even the heaviest topics approachable (Rev. Ashley Dargai). I bring my knowledge of making digital content and building community through digital spaces.
The week of our retreat we spent time making content, talking about why we do digital ministry, the 14+ platforms we are using for our ministries, and generally geeked out on all the cool ideas we have and finding ways to make them a reality. We also recorded a dozen conversations for the 2023 Digital Ministry Summit. The summit is FREE and the daily conversations will be sent out November 13-16. Every conversation we recorded blew me away. We talked about practical applications of digital ministry to help leaders get started or level up their digital ministry. We also had theological discussions about digital ethics, our responsibility to proclaim the Gospel, and what Jesus would do to combat online trolls. If it’s not clear yet, I believe every church leader should register for this FREE resource.
The time I spend with these brilliant colleagues energizes me and empowers me to have the courage to give even my wild ideas a try. I’m also reminded of how thankful I am for the generosity and support of the Denver Presbytery. You have blessed me and every Our Tapestry member in a way that most digital ministries dream of. Creating sacred digital spaces where any question can be asked and everyone is affirmed by God’s love has a bigger impact when its partners give support like you do.
Thank You,
Rev. Bethany Peerbolte
Bethany is an Incubator Leader in Denver Presbytery and leads an online, New Worshiping Community called Our Tapestry. Check it out here.
Pastoral Leadership Revitalization Program
Pastoral Leadership Revitalization Program
Pastoral Leadership Revitalization (PLR) is a program offered by Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation, in partnership with presbyteries, specifically for newly ordained and/or isolated pastors to provide support, rejuvenation, and resiliency. Pastors participating in this program receive monthly coaching from a seasoned pastor and retreats for rest and renewal. The retreats provide education, worship, fellowship and rest. Retreat topics range from resiliency to worship design, from learning the enneagram to church growth. Pastors participating in this program have expressed their appreciation, especially during the pandemic, for how much coaching and retreats have kept them energized for ministry. ALL for only $100!
August 19th Assembly Highlights Now Available!
Welcome to the Wild Animal Sanctuary
Moderator John Yu welcomed over 80 people to the Presbytery Assembly. The staff of the Wild Animal Sanctuary spoke of the history of the Sanctuary and we watched a welcome video about the vision and values of this amazing place. The Assembly was able to explore the Wild Animal Sanctuary for an hour before the business of the Assembly began observing the animals including tigers, bobcats, and lions.
Opening Worship| Dee Cooper and Assembly Members
Our worship was cultivated by our Lead Presbyter Dee Cooper with an invitation to rest, restore, recreate, reflect, and ponder how we can create sanctuary by allowing love to show us how to create a sanctuary for all. Members of the Assembly were invited to participate in the Call To Worship and to watch and listen to the music video of Sanctuary by Boulder singer songwriter Rebbeca Folsom.
Land Acknowledgement | Candice Sweet
We welcomed the Stated Clerk for Synod of the Rocky Mountains, Candice Sweet who spoke briefly about the General Assembly in 2024 in Salt lake City. Candice is also the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Utah. She led us in our land Acknowledgement for the day.
Welcome to our New Minister Members /Ministry Relations Committee
Sheri Fry and Sandy Safford introduced and welcomed our new minister members, Michelle Fincher, Pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church and Karla Lara Maldonado, our New Worshiping Community Incubator Leader, to the Assembly. They were asked to share one thing about themselves that is not in the Assembly Packet and what their favorite animal is and why. We blessed them and their ministry in our midst. Welcome Michelle and Karla!
Voting at Assembly | John Yu
Voting was a little different and in the spirit of our assembly location. The Assembly was asked to vote using animal voices. There was a lot of buzzing like bees, roaring like lions and tigers, and howling like wolves.
Omnibus Motion | Pat Queen
The Omnibus passed. Congratulations to Community of Grace and the approval to sell the house formerly owned by Arvada Presbyterian Church.
Agency Review Task Force|Rob Habiger
Rob thanked the existing committees that continue to do their ministry as the new structure is built and until new committees are populated and equipped. Congratulations to Louise Westfall who was elected as the newest member of the Servant Leadership Development Committee.
Ministry Relations Committee | Sheri Fry
Candidate Kiersten Hill, who is the newly called Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults at Wellshire Presbyterian Church was examined by the Assembly for Ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. After questions and discussion, including one about her favorite Taylor Swift song that describes her faith journey, she was enthusiastically approved for ordination to her call. She will be ordained and installed on September 17, 2023. A joyous day for Kiersten, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, and the Presbytery. Moderator of Committee on Preparation, Chris Spotts offered a prayer of thanksgiving for Kiersten and her ministry.
Exploration in the spirit of Terra Divina | Dee Cooper
Worship continued with a sermon and scripture from the book of Job. Dee reminded us of Job and how in the midst of deepest despair he was invited to learn, seek and ask from the animals. She shared that the animals had a great deal to teach us about taking risks into new ecosystems and structures and she invited us to go out among the animals in the spirit of Terra Divina which is a divine conversation with co-created beings and creation. The Assembly had time to go back outside among the animals- to wander, explore, observe, listen, imagine with curiosity, wonder, pray, ponder, and reflect about what we can learn from the animals about ourselves, our creation, our creator, and our call.
Time of Engagement | John Yu
Moderator John Yu invited the assembly to think about what transpired in this sacred time among the animals. The assembly pondered the following questions. What were some things that were heard, observed, and learned through these experiences? How has God challenged you in these moments? How is God speaking to you through these animals, through nature, and through one another? How have you been challenged? John invited each individual to consider writing a letter to themselves about where God may be speaking to them. The letters will be mailed back to folks in the coming weeks. He also invited each participant to consider the 8 values of the Presbytery. Each person was given 3 animal stickers to place upon the values they believe God is telling the Presbytery to focus on.
Servant Leadership Development Committee (Committee on Representation) | Nancy Dixon
The Servant leadership Committee brought forth 3 motions with individuals willing and called to serve in various capacities. Servant Leadership development Committee Moderator Nancy Dixon shared that there were many prayerful conversations to bring about these motions. All the motions passed. There was a nomination from the floor to elect a Commissioner Teaching Elder Alternate to the slate for General Assembly Commissioners.
Congratulations to Cleve Dixon (class of 2024), Martin Cobb (class of 2024), C.J. Biewenga (class of 2025), Bruce Taylor (class of 2025) who were elected to serve on the Ministry Preparation Committee.
Congratulations to the Commissioners Elected to the 226th General Assembly. Commissioner Ruling Elder: Jeff Sneddon (Church of the Eternal Hills), Commissioner Ruling Elder Alternate: Diane Ritzdorf (Calvary Presbyterian Church), Commissioner Teaching Elder: Bill Sanders (Honorably Retired), Commissioner Teaching Elder Alternate: Bethany Peerbolte (NWC Incubator Leader)
Rev. Ruth McCollum Huff
Congratulations to Ruth McCollum Huff (Teaching Elder) who was elected as the Vice Moderator of the Presbytery Assembly for 2024!
Thank You Servant Leadership Development Committee for your incredible work!
Treasurer Report | Sue Pilcher
Our treasurer gave a brief oral report based on the financial documents in the Assembly Packet.
Ministry Relations Committee | Sandy Safford
Candidate Amanda Osenga, who is the newly called Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church was examined by the Assembly for Ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Amanda has served the Presbytery on the Cultivation and Innovation Work Group. After questions and discussion, she was enthusiastically approved for ordination to her call. She will be ordained and installed on October 8, 2023. A joyous day for Amanda, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, and the Presbytery. Sandy Safford offered a prayer of thanksgiving for Amanda and her ministry. Congratulations Amanda!
Assembly was adjourned with the sound of bears from the Assembly body and blessings from Presbytery Moderator John Yu.
It was an incredible day with vision and planning from our staff and leadership.