UMC Bishops end five-day online meeting; clarify key decisions

For Immediate Release

April 30, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC: The bishops of The United Methodist Church gathered online for five days to worship, to discern ways to best offer leadership to the church in this liminal time and to hear about the exciting mission and ministry occurring across the global connection.

During the meeting which was attended by more than 100 active and retired bishops from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, the Council of Bishops celebrated the lives of their colleagues and spouses. The bishops began each day in a time of devotion as they grounded their work.  The bishops also spent time in Covenant Groups each day where they shared their heart and life and work.

Read more at this link.

News from the Western Jurisdiction

We are called to make a difference in the world. The Western Jurisdiction believes that this can only be achieved by connecting justice, inclusion, and love with our faith.

On February 13, following an all-delegate meeting to explain the fiscal state of the episcopacy fund, the Western Jurisdiction met with the bishops of the Jurisdiction to process the information and its implication for future elections and assignments in the West. At that meeting, the bishops and Mission Cabinet proposed the creation of five teams to gather information for the WJ delegates to help inform decision-making about our shared future. The final reports will be presented to the delegates at the next called session of the WJ.

In a desire to have as much transparency as possible, as well as include the feedback and wisdom of WJ stakeholders, the following is an update on the work of the five teams, along with contact information for each team. Your feedback and insights are critical as we create a Church and jurisdiction where love lives. 

Read more at this link.

Get involved with Church & Society

As United Methodists, we understand our call to transform the world involves personal, social and civic righteousness.

The relationships we form in our communities, often through our direct service and mercy ministries, lead us to be advocates for justice. We cannot remain silent when we witness our neighbors impacted by broken social, economic and political systems that result in poverty, conflict, and oppression.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Mountain Sky Conference's 2021 Book Group

The Racial Justice Movement and Ministries Task Force Hosts the Mountain Sky Conference's 2021 Book Group

The Racial Justice Movement and Ministries Task Force would like to encourage you to join our conferencewide Book Group. We will be reading one book, every three months. When you register, you will receive a suggested reading schedule, a link to join a discussion board, and a Zoom link to join a monthly one-hour check-in and discussion.

For April, May and June, we will be reading So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo.

Please register to join

Lay Ministries & You

The ministry of the laity is the work of mission and ministry to which each believer is called. As Christians, we are all called to this ministry or priesthood – not just clergy. Each of us has a responsibility to proclaim the Good News and reach out to others in love.

There are many ways laity can be involved in the ministry of the church. For more information, please click the links below:

 

Certified Lay Ministry / Lay Servant Ministries

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Scholarships available for lay leadership development

The Board of Lay Ministry of the Mountain Sky Conference provides scholarships for lay members to attend an event or workshop that would help you spiritually, increase your knowledge, or strengthen your leadership ability. Scholarship amounts are up to $250 for in-state events and up to $500 for out-of-state events and workshops.

Download the scholarship application

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Wednesday:

10:00 am, Virtual Coffee/Tea Gathering

6:30 pm, Colorado Mountain Club (in Franz Hall)

Thursday:

Noon, UMW Faith Talks Podcast on Gun Violence

(register here)

                                 

Saturday:

5:00 pm, Facebook Live with Bishop Oliveto

Fifth Sunday of Easter 

10:00 am, Virtual Worship

Scripture lessons for May 2

Menologion of Basil II (illuminated Byzantine manuscript)

We begin another month with virtual worship at St. Paul's UMC with lessons from     John 15:1-8 and Acts 8:26-40. 

April 25 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

 

Joys:

+Belinda A. gives thanks for the wonderful UMW gathering yesterday via Zoom.       

+We give thanks for this week's birthdays: Josie G., Ben H., & Christine P.            

+We give thanks for five years of wonderful ministry offered through STEMrev.

+We are blessed this morning through the musical ministries of Lori C. (piano), Ron R. (song leader), and Alpha & Omega (prelude & postlude). We were also blessed by Belinda A. (video), Tim C. (liturgist), Rebecca G. (Mission moment), and Scott G. (slides). 

Concerns:

+Tim C. asks for continued prayers for his friend, Romona, who is having serious complications from Covid-19. 

+Skippy R. asks for continued prayers for Linda B. who is in hospice care.                 

+Sally O. asks for prayers for their grandson who is out of school due to a case of COVID-19 in his school.

+Lorie C. asks for prayers for the family of Jim B. who was killed yesterday in a motorcycle accident.

+Marcy R. requested prayers for Ryan S. who has gone to the East Coast to be with his mother who is in hospice care. 

+Prayers are asked for Baghdad where 82 were killed and more than 100 injured following an explosion involving oxygen tanks.                                                          

+We join with the people around the United States in mourning the 289 people killed in gun violence and the 93 injured in the past seven days. 

+We remember those facing a Covid-19 related illness, those supporting them, those who are providing treatment and those lost to the pandemic. 

April 25 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+Join the UMW's Faith Talks podcast on Thursday @ noon for a discussion on the mass shootings that plague our nation—and the suicides, domestic partner abuse and community-based violence that result in the vast majority of U.S. gun deaths. Now more than ever, understanding and interrupting the cycle of gun violence is a public health imperative. Register here.

+Ladies Lunch marks its return on Thursday, May 6, with a gathering at 95a Bistro (1381 Forest Park Circle in Lafayette).

+You are invited to join us each Wednesday morning @ 10:00 AM for a virtual informal gathering via Zoom. Join our gathering at this link.

+The Men's Breakfast returns on Saturday, May 8 with a gathering at Le Peep's (2525 Arapahoe Ave/next to McGuckin's Hardware).

 

+Please remember to send your gifts and offerings to support the ongoing ministries of St. Paul's UMC (Boulder) to Martha B.

April 25 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Today’s Meditation Verse: “This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected: He has become the cornerstone!” – Acts 4:11

Welcome—Pastor Charles

Prelude: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” — Alpha & Omega (February 16, 2020)

Call to Worship (Psalm 23, NKJV)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Tim C. (People)     Leader: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. People: He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Leader: He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. People: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Leader: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. People: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Hymn: “Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy” Verses 1 & 2 led by Lorie C. and Ron R.

Saint Gregory the Great’s Easter Prayer–Tim C.

It is only right, with all the powers of our heart and mind, to praise You Father and Your only begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ: Dear Father, by Your wondrous condescension of loving-kindness toward us, Your servants, You gave up Your Son. Dear Jesus, You paid the debt of Adam for us to the Eternal Father by Your Blood poured forth in loving-kindness. You cleared away the darkness of sin by Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection. You broke the bonds of death and rose from the grave as a Conqueror. You reconciled heaven and earth. Our life had no hope of eternal happiness before You redeemed us. Your Resurrection has washed away our sins, restored our innocence, and brought us joy. How inestimable is the tenderness of Your love! Amen.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles

Gospel Lesson: John 10:11-18—Tim C.

Musical Offering: “Peace Song” — Chancel Choir (January 19, 2020)

Epistle Lesson: 1 John 3:16-24—Pastor Charles

Sermon: “This is how we know love”—Pastor Charles

Celebration of Ministry: Five Years of STEMrev—Rebecca G.

Hymn: “I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing”    (verses with sing and shout) led by Lorie C. and Ron R.    

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Postlude: “Come, Let Us Sing” — Alpha & Omega (January 19, 2020)

Action Alert from Church & Society

The Biden Administration announced that it is considering restoring the annual refugee admissions goal, back to the numbers it was before the Trump Administration.

It is time for the administration to restore the refugee resettlement program. There is no reason for delay.

The Biden Administration and Congress needs to hear from United Methodists! Tell your elected officials and the Biden Administration why raising refugee admissions matters to you as a person of faith!

Send them a letter today: http://ow.ly/DpDM50EwemB

Reading is important!

Do you have a favorite children's book?

A story can help to celebrate an experience, a culture and also dismantle biases. We want all children to know they are beautiful reflections of God.

With this vision in mind, The General Board of Church and Society has a searchable database to find diverse children's books that teach all children that they are created in God's image.

But we need your help expanding our database! Do you have a favorite children's book to recommend? Kid recommendations are encouraged and welcomed!

Visit this link to learn more.

Global Ministries commits to net-zero emissions by 2050

Witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of the growing climate crisis on its operations and the people it ministers to around the world, leaders of United Methodist Global Ministries have joined a coalition of United Methodist agencies pledging to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the organizations’ ministries, facilities, operations and investments by 2050.

Global Ministries is the worldwide mission and development agency of The United Methodist Church. Founded in 1819, Global Ministries today supports more than 200 missionaries in over 70 countries, including in the United States. It has personnel, projects and partners in 115 countries. As a part of Global Ministries, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), founded in 1940, is the global humanitarian aid and development arm of The United Methodist Church.  

“The devastating environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the unfolding climate crisis are witnessed every day by our missionaries and staff around the world,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of United Methodist Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. “Whether through missionaries serving as evangelists, educators, health professionals or agriculturalists; helping families recover from repeated disasters; praying with those forced to migrate; or working to give people access to clean water and renewable energy, we see firsthand the need for bold action. While environmental sustainability has been a priority for us for a while, we are excited to join with other UMC agencies in committing to net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Read more at this link.

Earth Day Prayer

 

O God, we thank you for this earth, our home;

For the wide sky and the blessed sun,

For the salt sea and the running water,

For the everlasting hills

And the never-resting winds,

For trees and the common grass underfoot.

We thank you for our senses

By which we hear the songs of birds,

And see the splendor of the summer fields,

And taste of the autumn fruits,

And rejoice in the feel of the snow,

And smell the breath of the spring.

Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;

And save our souls from being so blind

That we pass unseeing

When even the common thorn bush

Is aflame with your glory,

O God our creator,

Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

- Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918)

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Tonight's virtual Trustees meeting

The Trustees are making good use of the time and resources available to us to continue doing the work of taking care of our building!

UMCOR response for St. Vincent volcano eruption

In response to the La Soufrière Volcano eruption, UMCOR has provided financial assistance to the Methodist Church of St. Vincent for the purchase and distribution of food, hygiene items, and bedding at evacuation centers, some of which are Methodist churches.

These goods will provide immediate relief for those staying at the centers and will extend further into the community, too, as many centers offer services to those staying with friends and relatives.

Young adult missionary William Willoughby III serves in St. Vincent and has been evacuated to another part of the island. He shares this update:

“Because the volcanic activity has been consistent, the communities in the northern part of the island have been hit with seismic activity, loud rumbles, and very heavy ash. Those who live in these areas have been displaced all over the island. Most are staying with family or being housed in shelters. I am volunteering at a local shelter, trying to help offer assistance during this time.”

Please continue to pray for those who are displaced and seeking basic needs.

SUPPORT THE WORK OF UMCOR DISASTER RESPONSE: https://umcmission.org/advance-project/999895/

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Tuesday:

7:00 PM, Virtual Trustees meeting

Wednesday:

10:00 am, Virtual Coffee/Tea Gathering

11:30 AM, Creating a Culture of Care & Accountability in the MSC Through Racial Justice Work webinar (register at this link)

7:00 PM, Mountain Sky Conference Covid-19 Town Hall (Zoom registration)

                                 

Saturday:

5:00 pm, Facebook Live with Bishop Oliveto

Fourth Sunday of Easter 

10:00 am, Virtual Worship

Scripture lessons for April 25

We bring April to a close, and with it, 1/3 of 2021 is in the books next Sunday with   John 10:11-18 and 1 John 3:16-24.

April 18 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

 

Joys:

+We give thanks for the twenty individuals who were able to donate blood at our drive last Wednesday.

+We give thanks for the more than 100 in attendance at yesterday's virtual district gathering. Tim C., Belinda A., and Pastor Charles took part from St. Paul's UMC.  

+The family of Kevin Mahoney give thanks for the gift of the prayer shawl.

+We give thanks for the words of encouragement from St. Paul's UMC (Cherokee, Iowa), Westlake UMC (Austin, Texas) and Erie UMC (Erie, Colorado) following the shooting at King Soopers.                                                                                                     

+We give thanks for this week's birthdays: Jodi B., John C., Ariel C., and Sandra J.  

+Bob M. gives thanks for Larry's birthday party. 

+We are blessed this morning through the musical ministries of Hannah G. (piano) and Ron R. (song leader). We were also blessed by Belinda A. (video), Bob M. (liturgist), and Scott G. (slides). 

Concerns:

+Prayers for Steve B. whose mother, Myrt, died last Sunday                                    

+Prayers are asked for the Rev. Youngwon Seo whose father, Wooseok Seo, died last week in South Korea.                                                                                                            

+Tim C. asks for prayers for friends Ramona & Gary W. who have a Covid diagnosis.                                                                                                                               

+We join with the people around the United States in mourning the 297 people killed in gun violence and the 72 injured in the past seven days.                                    

+We remember those facing a Covid-19 related illness, those supporting them, those who are providing treatment and those we've lost to the pandemic.                   

+We ask prayers for those facing economic uncertainty in the face of the ongoing pandemic. 

April 18 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+Streams of Justice virtual worship - Come to worship with and honor the many streams of justice for which we seek and from which we drink. LGBTQ children of God come from all races, abilities and disabilities, languages, ethnicities, socioeconomic realities, nationalities, and more. These intersecting identities enrich our community, and they also invite us to more deeply understand one another as God's fellow beloveds. Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is hosting a service today at 6pm, containing worship, music, testimony, scripture, and more. Service will be live-streamed on Facebook and on YouTube.

+You are invited to join us each Wednesday morning @ 10:00 am, for a virtual informal gathering via Zoom. Join our gathering at this link.

+Please join the conversation and learn how you can engage in anti-racism work with the conference and in your own context. Creating a Culture of Care & Accountability in the MSC Through Racial Justice Work on April 21 at 11:30 am. Register for Vital Conversations here.

+We're at The Beginning of the End of Covid-19. Now what? Join Bishop Karen and the Ministry in a Time of COVID-19 Team gathering for a Town Hall discussion on April 21, 7pm MT. As new guidelines unfold, the team seeks to share information and hear about the challenges our churches are facing. We invite you to listen and learn from MSC laity and clergy leaders. Register at this link.

+Please remember to send your gifts and offerings to support the ongoing ministries of St. Paul's UMC (Boulder) to Martha B.

April 18 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Today’s Meditation Verse: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – God of our ancestors – has glorified Jesus.” --Acts 3:13

Welcome—Pastor Charles

Prelude: “Come, Thou Almighty King” — Hannah G.

Call to Worship (Psalm 1:1-3, CEB)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Bob M.

Leader: The truly happy person does not follow wicked advice …

People: Doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful.

Leader: Instead of doing those things, these persons love the Lord’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night!

People: They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade.

Hymn: “Now the Green Blade Riseth” Verses 1 & 2 led by Lorie C. and Ron R.

Prayer after Easter (Book of Common Prayer)—Bob M.

Blessed are You, Lord God of our salvation, to You be praise and glory forever. As once You ransomed Your people from Egypt and led them to freedom in the promised land, so now You have delivered us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of Your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of Your new creation, rejoice in this new day You have made, and praise You for Your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God forever.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles

Gospel Lesson: John 12:20-33—Bob M.

Musical Offering: “My Tribute (To God be the Glory)” — Hannah G.

Second Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34—Pastor Charles

Sermon: “Time for one more covenant?”—Pastor Charles

Hymn: “Surely the Presence” led by Lorie C. and Ron R.

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Postlude: “God of Grace and God of Glory” — Hannah G.

Native American Ministries Sunday

 In the account of Jesus walking on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), the disciples do not recognize Jesus until they invite him to stay with them and he sits and breaks bread. Similarly, in our churches, it is through sharing with one another that we experience Christ among us. 

The Covid-19 crisis has an increased impact on those who live paycheck to paycheck and weren’t able to stockpile basic needs. And in places like the Yankton Sioux Tribe on the White Swan Reservation in South Dakota, the nearest substantial grocery stores are 60-90 miles away. The community was still recovering from 2019 flooding when they were further compromised by the pandemic.

The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference sent a grant to the tribe to purchase food and supplies and distribute them during the crisis.

Through our giving, we celebrate United Methodist Native American Ministries. As we share in community for this and other denominational giving opportunities, our offerings connect us in ways that recognize Christ among us.

Beyond times of crisis, the special offering supports Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United States and provides seminary scholarships for Native Americans.

When you give generously on Native American Ministries Sunday, you equip seminary students who honor and celebrate Native American culture in their ministries. You empower congregations to find fresh and culturally appropriate ways to minister to their communities with Christ’s love.

Give today at this link.

Today's Virtual District Gathering

More than one hundred were in attendance this morning for the annual Peaks/Pikes Peak District gathering. Belinda A., Tim C., and Pastor Charles took part from St. Paul's UMC.

Vital Conversation on Creating a Culture of Care & Accountability in the MSC Through Racial Justice Work

Please join Rev. Annie Arnoldy in this Vital Conversation on Creating a Culture of Care & Accountability in the MSC Through Racial Justice Work on April 21 at 11:30 am.

Register for Vital Conversations here.

During our 2020 Annual Conference, Bishop Karen Oliveto initiated the Racial Justice Movement and Ministries (RJMM) Task Force. The RJMM Task Force has been meeting regularly to organize and discern how to keep the Mountain Sky Conference engaged in the work needed to dismantle racism as we long to live into becoming an anti-racist conference. 

While the work is wide and deep, currently there are four subgroups: History, Book Group, Engagement with the Conference, and Resources. The panelists represent the Task Force and each of the subgroups. Join us in learning what the Task Force is working on, discover how you can be involved, and bring others within our Conference along on this important and necessary journey. 

Please join the conversation and learn how you can engage in anti-racism work with the conference and in your own context.