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Today’s Supreme Court decision ruling unconstitutional the use of affirmative action is antithetical to the social teachings of The United Methodist Church. As stated in the Book of Resolutions, The United Methodist Church sees “the most fundamental premise underlying the concept of affirmative action is both moral and spiritual … According to biblical teaching, we are mandated, in the face of inhumane discrimination – whether that discrimination is intended or unintended – to do what we can to redress legitimate grievances and to create a society in which the lives of each and all will flourish” (2016 Book of Resolutions, #3373: Affirmative Action). The Supreme Court’s ruling will make the struggle to redress past injustices and advance equity even more difficult in our institutions and society.
As agencies of The United Methodist Church, we remain committed to the Wesleyan value of social justice and the social teachings of the Gospel as expressed in the Social Principles and Book of Resolutions and will continue to pursue inclusive and equitable practices in our hiring, programming, and institutional witness. We continue to believe “given the tenacity of many forms of racism, sexism, and ableism – both blatant and subtle – the concept of affirmative action retains its relevance as part of an overall effort to create a more just and equitable social system” (BOR #3373). And we will continue to reflect in our own practices and champion to the wider world the kin-dom values that seek to ensure access to and effective participation in all sectors of society for people of color, women, and persons with disabilities.
In response to today’s ruling, we will advocate for a legislative response that will rectify historic inequities and expand present opportunities in the face of continued obstacles based on race, sex, and ability. Furthermore, we will advocate for an active response by United Methodists and people of faith to support our constituents, educational institutions, and ecumenical partners who will be negatively impacted by today’s ruling and to recommit to our own practices of justice, inclusion, and equity in the church and society.
John Hill, Interim General Secretary
General Board of Church and Society
Rev. Greg Bergquist, General Secretary
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, General Secretary
General Commission on Race and Religion
Dawn Wiggins Hare, General Secretary
General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
Read more at this link.
Today is John Wesley's birthday. His birthday reflections give us a glimpse into how he viewed his life, health and ministry. On June 28, 1770, he wrote:
I can hardly believe that I am this entered into the sixty-eighth year of my age! How marvelous are the ways of God! How has he kept me, even from a child! From ten to thirteen or fourteen, I had little but bread to eat, and not great plenty of that. I believe this was so far from hurting me that it laid the foundation to lasting health. When I grew up, in consequence of reading Dr. Cheyne, I chose to eat sparingly and drink water. This was another great means of continuing my health, till I was about seven and twenty...; (He then speaks of various ailments.); Since that time, I have known neither pain nor sickness, and am now healthier than I was forty years ago! This hath God wrought!
One year later, he wrote:
This day I entered the sixty-ninth year of my age. I am still a wonder to myself. My voice and strength are the same as at nine and twenty. This also hath God wrought.
~ John Wesley (Journal)
God’s presence and provision in the life of Africa University are evident, thanks to the steadfast support of the Mountain Sky Conference. Thank you to Bishop Karen Oliveto, Mountain Sky Conference leaders, and member congregations for being attentive to the needs of Africa University’s ministry and giving sacrificially to ensure its continuing vitality. The Mountain Sky Conference led in giving, investing 100 percent of its share of general church giving to support the day-to-day operations of Africa University.
Supported by Mountain Sky United Methodists and others across the denomination, Africa University embraced new opportunities as it emerged from pandemic-related restrictions in 2022.
● Enrollment: Africa University achieved a total enrollment at 2,791 students in August 2022. Female students comprised 58 percent of the student population and 23 African nations were represented. ● Academic Growth: Africa University launched its first new academic unit in almost twenty years—The School of Law—with a pioneer cohort of 20 students pursuing the Bachelor of Laws (Honors) (LL.B.) degree program. ● Infrastructure expansion: A new residence hall for female students at Africa University is under construction, funded by the East Ohio Conference’s $1.5 million Teach * Reach * Bless campaign. Once completed, it will boost the available on campus housing for students to around 1200 beds. ● Outcomes: 712 graduates from 18 African countries became Africa University alumni in June 2022. The university’s almost 11,000 graduates to date are making vital contributions as clergy, educators, agriculturalists, health professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Faculty and students are addressing endemic challenges such as malaria and tuberculosis, food insecurity, and climate change, and gaining significant international support for their efforts.
Africa University’s year-long 30th anniversary program culminated in October 2022 with a gathering of more than 3,000 people at its main campus in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Amidst the commemoration and joyful thanksgiving livestreamed to the world, the Rev. Dr. Peter Mageto was installed as the fifth vice chancellor (president) of the institution. Mageto, a Kenyan and academician specializing in theological ethics, echoed the gratitude of the students, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni of Africa University for the many answered prayers represented in the Africa University story.
Thank you, Mountain Sky Conference, for nurturing change leaders and building an enduring legacy through the ministry of Africa University. Let us continue to journey together—learning, leading and serving God, all the time, everywhere.
James H. Salley, President and Chief Executive Oficer, Africa University (Tennessee) Inc. & Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, Africa University
This week's scripture lessons will come from Deuteronomy 10:12 –13, 17–22 and Matthew 7:21-29.
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| The work of Deacons is celebrated |
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| The 2023 Commissioning class |
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| The newest Elders of The UMC |
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| Pastor Charles joins the MSC clergy in song |
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| Bishop Oliveto leads the way |
+Joan & Austin Cooper celebrate their 68th anniversary today.
+Amy Abshire celebrates Cole & Rihanna's 1st anniversary.
+Frank & Katherine Richardson lift up the celebration of Sydney graduating from veterinary school and her move to Oregon.
+Belinda Alkula lifts up the work of the Annual Conference and that Pastor Charles has been reappointed to St. Paul's UMC.
+Jim Vander Vorste celebrates that the Richardsons have broken ground on a new home to replace the one lost in the Marshall fire.
+Rev. Dan Daniels who was recognized at Annual Conference as having 64 years of ordained ministry. Pastor Charles was recognized as having 27 years of ordained ministry.
+We Celebrate this week's birthdays: Betty Herrell and Michele Matthews
+We are blessed by those who served this week: Belinda Alkula (videographer), Steve Bainbridge (greeter), Tim Cook (adult class), Lorie Courier (piano), the Rev. Dan Daniels (sermon), Rebecca Glancy (liturgist), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), and Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host).
Concerns:
+Pastor Charles lifts up the thirty-eight churches whose disaffiliations were approved at Annual Conference (the complete list is on the June 22 blog post).
+Pastor Charles asks for prayers for the five United Methodist churches whose closures were approved at Annual Conference last week: Christ Central UMC (Denver, CO), Carter UMC (Carter, MT), Fleming UMC (Fleming, CO), Redstone UMC (Redstone, MT), and St. James UMC (Central City, CO).
+We join with many across our nation in mourning the deaths of the 102 killed and 294 injured due to gun violence last week.
+As of now, 19 of us are signed up to see The Sound of Music at BDT Stage on Thursday, July 20. We still have tables available. We’d love to have you join us for this next-to-last show at BDT. Let Judy Waller know if you want to be a part of this group. Final count is due by June 22.
+The Trustees are investigating the installation of a hearing loop in our sanctuary to help people who have trouble hearing the service. This technology is most convenient for people who have hearing aids with telecoil, or T-Coil, function. (About 80% of today's hearing aids have this function--you might have a T setting on your hearing aids, or the function may be built in.) For those who don't have hearing aids or do not have T-coil function, we could also provide headphones each week that connect to the hearing loop. If you have trouble hearing the service in the sanctuary--anything that comes through the sound system, including Pastor Charles, the liturgist, and prayer requests--and are interested in finding out more about hearing loops, please contact Suzanne Polacek (303-709-6676).
+We are going to begin printing wedding anniversaries in St. Paul’s UMC newsletter. Please submit your wedding anniversary (month and date—year is optional) to the church office at office@saintpaulsboulder.org.
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| Pastor Charles & Kathryn Witte (Mission u Dean) at the United Women in Faith's annual breakfast |
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| Bishop Oliveto asks the 2023 class of ordinands the historic Wesleyan questions. |
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| Candles are lit during the Memorial Service |
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| Rev. Jessica Rooks joins Bishop Oliveto in fixing the appointments for the Colorado Front Range District. |
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| AC member hold light of welcome |
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| The Hospitality Area invited participants to linger! |
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| Rev. Sandi Dillon and Bishop Oliveto preside over the Clergy Session |
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| The work of the Annual Conference |
Colorado: Bristol UMC, Brighton UMC, Cañon City UMC, Dove Creek UMC, Eads UMC, Eaton UMC, Florence UMC, Granada UMC, Haswell UMC, Haxtun UMC, Holly UMC, Holyoke UMC, Howard UMC, Johnson Memorial UMC, Kirk UMC, Korean American UMC, Las Animas UMC, Limon UMC, McClave UMC, Marvel UMC, Meeker UMC, Ovid UMC, Peetz UMC, Pikes Peak UMC, Springfield UMC, Swink UMC, Trinity UMC, Vineland UMC, Walsh UMC, Wilson UMC, and Yuma UMC
Montana: Monarch UMC, Saco UMC, Sun River UMC, and West Side UMC (Great Falls)
Wyoming: Pavillion UMC and Rock Springs UMC
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| AC members holding up lights of lament and welcome. |
At the close of the disaffiliations voting, we lamented. And then Bishop Karen Oliveto reminded us of what Tom Bodett, (from the Motel 6 ads) said about "we'll keep the light on for you." She reminded us of who Jesus calls us to be and told our departing siblings we’ll “keep the light on for you.” Our love and prayers go with them.
~ John Wesley (The General Deliverance)
The Annual Conference theme of “Give Me Your Hand” provokes each United Methodist in the Mountain Sky Conference to engage deeply with the care of one another. Throughout the tumultuous past few years, we have continued adapting and connecting in new ways. We are now at a moment where our common call to love one another and to reach out in care to truly know one another is the beacon of light we are seeking. You belong in the Mountain Sky Conference!
Be sure to keep connected to Annual Conference from June 22-25th with the livestream on our 
website.
Worship Services will include:
Online giving for all Annual Conference offerings can be found here.
The Annual Conference landing page can be found here.
For specifics on Petitions, Legislation, and Disaffiliations, click here:
The Block Schedule and Detailed Agenda are available here.
