A Conversation with our Lead Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper
Our Communications Manager recently sat down with Dee Cooper and heard all about what is happening in Denver Presbytery--why Matthew 25, what happened at the Matthew 25 Summit and the recent Shade Trees Anti Racism workshop. Take a look!
March 1st and 2nd Special Called Assembly Highlights with Shade Trees
The March 1-2 Presbytery Meeting was strongly attended, with 95 in attendance, representing 49 of Ministers of Words and Sacrament, 7 of NWC leaders, 4 of CP, as well as 31 of elders, 21 of different churches and 8 of different New Worshiping Communities. Given the statistics, this was a great cross diversity of our leadership.
Since this was an experiential, relational bonding and sharing of personal narratives and learnings, we are sharing highlights from a place of process.
Ecosystem
A community of organisms whose livelihood is intricately linked to the wellness of their connected neighbors.
UNCOVER | Excavation of what is unseen or unspoken
We were greeted and in turn, greeted one another with the words “it is good to see you.” A vital part of community building ,inclusion, and belonging is that people are seen and heard.
We reviewed fears that keep us from seeing others or being seen by others, and distract us from engaging in authentic connections in difficult conversations.
We explored the deep uncovering by reflecting on the dirt of our world, in our historical lives, in our perceptions and origins.
We shared with each other what people see of us, our public roles and what we know about ourselves that very few see. We celebrated what God sees in us. Through sharing these particularly vulnerable places, we opened our hearts to seeing one another and how we cultivate empathy and connection with one another.
We experienced a deepening capacity to trust one another in our sharing of ourselves.
We explored how words have power and together we created definitions for racism at each of our 17 tables.
RECOVER | space to revisit and revive
A small task force worked through lunch to create a shared definition that was celebrated as an affirmation of the whole…….Racism is a set of perpetuated behaviors that systemically devalues, excludes, traumatizes, and dehumanizes people of one group to maintain the power, privilege and wealth of another group.
We explored the vibrancy and qualities of water and its impact within ourselves and in our world and how our baptismal vows impact our anti racism work.
DISCOVERY | the trees of life
We explored what seeds we can plant to impact our work not just for us but for generations upon generations in order to bring lasting change.
We drew and shared our tree of life stories, and realized that to tell a counter story (against racism) we have to know our own story first.
We explored, listened, discussed, and shared what specific things God is calling each of us to realize that we need to break free from the sin of racism and embrace the call of becoming.
We witnessed and experienced the profound impact of watching someone be invisible and the harm that can be caused, and the shift to being seen.
We celebrated that we can bring change in 3 feet of our personhood, and to not get overwhelmed in the journey ahead we go together.
January Assembly Highlights | A Place at the Table
A Place at The Table
Moderator John Yu welcomed folx* to a celebratory Assembly, complete with sound makers, confetti, and snacks as we celebrated folx in our midst who have completed their leadership and those beginning their leadership. Wherever we are on this journey, there is a place at the table for everyone.
Special Guests
Clare Lewis, the newly named President and Executive Chief Officer of Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program (PILP) was on hand to bring greetings and hand out PILP refunds to 9 congregations. St. Paul Presbyterian Church was approved for a loan in the Omnibus.
Rev. Izett Samá Hernandez, a Minister of Word and Sacrament from the Presbytery of Havana brought greetings to us. She is part of the Cuba Partners Network between PC(USA) and the Reformed Church in Cuba, of which Central Presbyterian Church is a part.
New Minister Members Introduced and Blessed by the Assembly
Rev. Caressa Murray, Pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church
Rev. Jonathan Murray, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Littleton
Rev. Becca Jordan-Irwin, Pastor of Elizabeth Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care and Older Adult at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church
The Installation of Pat Queen as Moderator and Rev. Ruth McCollum Huff as Vice-Moderator of the Presbytery Assembly.
Pat Preached on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and introduced the theme for the year ‘A Place At The Table’. Communion was celebrated and the Assembly lifted their voices in song.
The Matthew 25 Summit and Shade Trees
Dee Cooper in her Lead Presbyter Report reflected on the The Matthew 25 Summit in Atlanta.
18 Folx from Denver Presbytery attended this Summit including staff and presbytery leaders.
In South Africa, there is a word of greeting, Sawubona which means I see you. The response is Yebo Sawubona which means I see you too. This is at the heart of Matthew 25 and the focus for Denver Presbytery of dismantling structural racism.
The Visionary leadership Commission has called a Presbytery Assembly on March 1-2, 2024 for the purposes of anti-racism training with Shade Trees. This training is for the Presbytery to strengthen our relationships and deepen our conversations on race and racism. LEARN MORE→
Celebration of Service Denver Presbytery Leadership
Thank you Rev. John Yu for being the Moderator of Denver Presbytery and leading us with compassion, thoughtfulness, and humor.
Thank you Rob Habiger, for being the Moderator of the Visionary Leadership Commission and leading us with vision, vigor, and openness to the new things before us.
Thank you to all the leaders who have served on committees and commissions as they rotate off and committees come to completion.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW!
CONNECTIONAL
Our Generative Time took place around tables in the Sanctuary that were covered in snack foods - from fruits and vegetables to candy, cakes, and chips that can be found in the US and internationally.
Folx talked about their favorite snacks and what they mean, whether online or in person.
We have a diversity of tastes and there is always a place for us at the table.
The Pastoral Leader Compensation Assistance Policy was approved by the Assembly. Click below to view the policy. It was created by the Ministry Relations Committee and the Finance and Property Committee. Details about applying for the grant will be coming soon! READ POLICY HERE→
Congratulations! We are excited for your leadership and service!
Servant Leadership Development Committee
Verniece Vafeades, RE, Peoples Presbyterian Church, Class of 2026
Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC)
Peggy Marshall, MWS, First Presbyterian Leadville, Class of 2027
Steven Blackstock, MWS, Validated Ministry, Class of 2029
Deby Brown, RE, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, Class of 2029
Ministry Preparation Committee (MPC)
Diane Ritzdorf, RE, Calvary Presbyterian Church, Class of 2026
Cindy Moorman, RE, Byers Community Church, Class of 2025
Synod of the Rocky Mountains, Commissioners
Dwight Blackstock, MWS, Retired, Class of 2025
Rob Habiger, RE, Central Presbyterian Church, Class of 2025
RE= Ruling Elder
MWC = Minister of Word & Sacrament
Commissioned Ready
Josphat Ombacho was introduced to the Assembly as Commission Ready as a Commission Pastor.
Special Needs Offering
During our gathering we received the Special Needs Offering. This offering is normally received at the January Assemblies, Ordination and Installation services to support the Presbytery’s Special Needs Fund. Through your generosity, we can provide pastoral care for our ministers, candidates, and their families when facing medical or financial concerns. Thank you for your gifts, enabling us to minister to our ministers. Please make checks payable to the Presbytery of Denver or go to https://denpres.org/give to donate electronically. Thank you!
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Green Mountain Presbyterian Church for your space and hospitality, and making room for all of us, whether on zoom or in person.
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 folx at Green Mountain Presbyterian Church for hosting the Assembly in their space.
*folx is inclusive language for including everyone and is used throughout
Denver Presbytery Represented on Youth Triennium Production Team
Abby and Grace have been selected by the staff of the Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium and called by God through the Presbyterian community to serve as a member of the Production Team for the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium!
You might remember, Youth Triennium was cancelled during Covid and is now scheduled to take place in Louisville, Kentucky July 28-31, 2025 at venues very close to the Center.
Meet Abby!
Abby McCubbin works as the Director of Children & Student Ministries at Community of Grace: A Presbyterian Church in Arvada and as a barista at Starbucks. She is a proud Disney adult, avid crafter, board game enthusiast, theatre nerd and Polaroid photographer. Looking forward to this opportunity to learn and collaborate with church friends across the country!
Meet Grace!
Grace Blackstock is a junior at Heritage High School in Littleton. She enjoys participating in student government and theatre at her high school, and loves taking 0.5 photos. Grace feels very passionate about youth involvement in the Presbyterian Church PC(USA) and is thrilled about this opportunity.
Connecting with the Community at Aurora First Presbyterian Church
1001 New Worshiping Communities put together another wonderful video sharing the ministry happening at Aurora First Presbyterian Church. Check out this video to learn more about Neema and Divino Salvador and the connections Aurora First is creating in the community.
When the staff is working
As the Presbytery staff continues to reach out and make connections with the members of Denver Presbytery where you are, we are trying to be strategic in scheduling open hours at the Presbytery Office to ensure someone is at the office.
Our roles are different in that some are called to build relationships out and about in the presbytery and community; this is not accomplished behind a desk.
For others, they sometimes need to be out and about coordinating details of hosting events, providing opportunities for gatherings, attending the remote staff days, and running errands, all of which require time outside of the Presbytery Office. We are equally aware we are holding the tension of making these essential connections, setting up logistics, and holding down the home base of the Presbytery Office so that someone is here.
Many may not realize that, on average, on any given week, only 1-2 people come into our office other than for a scheduled meeting.
To balance these tensions, we are adjusting the hours the Presbytery Office is open to 9-2 Monday through Thursday. We assure you that the staff are committed and still working the total hours of their respective workloads. Please note this is a change in the office hours, not our work hours. We want to create flexibility for us to be with you and avoid the possibility of someone showing up unannounced and there is no one here to greet them. This creates flexibility if several of us have meetings elsewhere offsite; we won't have to decide who cancels their plans to keep the office open for that one person who might drop by.
We continue to encourage you to make an appointment if you are coming in to ensure we are here, open, and prepared to resource you.
Our staff do join evening meetings via Zoom, and that requires them to leave the office, have dinner or take care of children or pets to be at home to join the meeting. If staff are out and about working remotely or at a gathering, if you leave a voicemail on the office number, these voicemails are automatically forwarded to our emails so we can return your call as soon as we are able.
Below are the staff work hours:
Dee. Typically, Sunday -Thursday 9-5 (some evening, and some weekend meetings). Days off Friday and Saturday
Fernando. Typically, Sunday -Thursday 9-5 (some evening, and some weekend meetings) Days off Friday and Saturday
Gretchen Typically, Sunday-Thursday 9-5 (some evening and some weekend meetings, Days Off Friday and Saturday.
Beth. Monday - Friday 8:30-4:30
Brontë. Monday - Thursday 9-2
Chuck. Tuesday - Thursday 7:30-11:30