Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Faith in Action
Children & Youth
P4-5
volume 71 • issue 1 • 2013
question think serve grow
P6
P7-10
m o n t v i e w b o u l e v a r d p r e s b y t e r i a n c h u r c h
w w w . m o n t v i e w . o r g
Music at Montview
Annual RepoRt2012
montview
— 2 —
Montview Boulevard PresByterian ChurCh
1980 Dahlia StreetDenver, Colorado 80220-1239
303-355-1651 - www.montview.org
Montview staFFlead Pastor for Congregational life
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Cearley
lead Pastor for spiritual lifeThe Rev. Ian Gregory Cummins
executive directorTilman Adair
Minister of MusicJohn Kuzma
associate Pastor for youth Ministry The Rev. Sheri Fry
Minister of Children and FamiliesSandy Prouty
Parish associatesThe Rev. Amelie BuchananThe Rev. Laurene LafontaineThe Rev. Ann Christensen
organist and Music administratorBarbara Hulac
director of FinancesDan Gasser
director of CommunicationsLarry Strauss
Facilities ManagerBob Cloud
administrative assistantsDiane CooperDanean Burke
Membership assistantStephanie DeFelice
sextonsTony Johnson, Ken Brown
Debra Johnson, Wayne AnspachCharles Johnson
Mission interpretersSusan Stewart & Court Walters, SE Asia
Colleagues in MissionLinda Marrs, Montview Preschool
Pat Harper, Montview Manor Susan Shamos, CENTUS CounselorCarolyn Ajie, CENTUS Counselor
Colleagues in Mission in nepalPenny Strong, Sajani Amatya
Montview Messenger(USPS 361-820)
Published QuarterlyPeriodical Postage Paid
at Denver, ColoradoPostmaster
Send Address Changes toMontview Boulevard Presbyterian Church1980 Dahlia Street
Denver, Colorado 80220-1239
Tilman Adair. . . . ext. [email protected]
Cindy Cearley. . . ext. [email protected]
Ian Cummins . . . ext. [email protected]
John Kuzma . . . . ext. [email protected]
Sheri Fry . . . . . . ext. [email protected]
Sandy Prouty . . . ext. [email protected]
Dan Gasser . . . . ext. [email protected]
Larry Strauss. . . . . [email protected]
Danean Burke. . . ext. [email protected]
Diane Cooper . . . ext. [email protected]
Stephanie DeFelice. . ext. [email protected] Hulac . . ext. 105
[email protected] Cloud . . . . . ext. 108
[email protected] . . . . . . . ext. 118
Montview Publication DeaDlines
Issue: sPRING/LeNT/easTeR 2013
deadline: February 26, 2013Mail: March 12, 2013
Email submissions to [email protected]. Submissions received after the posted deadline may not appear in the Messenger. Digital submissions (email or on disk) are preferred. Unless previously approved, submissions must be 200 words or less.
worshiP Bulletin deadlinesInformation to appear in the Sunday worship bulletin must be submitted the TuesDaY PRIOR to the Sunday in which the information is to first appear.
staff eMail & Phone303-355-1651
For the current Calendar information please visit www.montview.org or email [email protected] to request to receive the this week @ Montview weekly
informational email.
if you would like a weekly calendar mailed to your home please contact diane Cooper at 303-355-1651 ext. 106 or larry strauss 303-355-1651 ext 113.
fourth sunDay of ePiPhany
February 3, 2013Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6,1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30transfiguration sunDay
February 10, 2013Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)ash weDnesDay
February 13, 2013Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Psalm 51:1-17,2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21first sunDay in lent
February 17, 2013Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16,Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13
seconD sunDay in lent
February 24, 2013Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35thirD sunDay in lent
March 3, 2013Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-81 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9fourth sunDay in lent
March 10, 2013Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32,2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32fifth sunDay in lent
March 17, 2013Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8
liturgy of the PalMs
March 24, 2013Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Luke 19:28-40liturgy of the Passion
March 24, 2013Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14-23:56MonDay of holy week
March 25, 2013Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 36:5-11, Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11tuesDay of holy week
March 26, 2013Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71:1-14,1 Corinthians 1:18-31,John 12:20-36
weDnesDay of holy week
March 27, 2013Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70,Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32MaunDy thursDay
March 28, 2013Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35gooD friDay
March 29, 2013Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22,Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42holy saturDay
March 30, 2013Job 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:1-8, Matthew 27:57-66
l e c t i o n a r y P a s s a g e s
Prayer tree Pat Paton, Carolyn Gilbert (cousin of Karen Whiting), Bill Zinke (brother of Diane Cooper), Matt Rogers (cousin of Nancy Brigham), David Stephenson, Maggie Boley (granddaughter of Richard Summers, great-granddaughter of Jackie Summers), Cindy Cearley, Joanne Jordan, Priscilla Finnell, Brian Fuller (father of Andrea Fuller), Michael Briscoe (brother of Dianne Briscoe McKenzie), Mercedes Sherman (cousin of Rebecca Gale), Richard Shivley (brother of Nancy Brigham), Bunny Thomas, Warren Mitchell (brother of Mary Mitchell), Howard Roberts (son-in-law of Elmira Baynham), Clare Weinshenker (mother of Don Weinshenker, mother-in-law of Erika Walker and grandmother of Steven Weinshenker), Cheryl Winston (cousin of Margaret Russell), Celia Low, Ruth Fuller, David Russell, Helen Bradley (sister of Anne Schreiner), Dryden Rhys Sycamore (nephew of Debby Sycamore), Jocelyn and Jonathan Sycamore (parents of Dryden Sycamore), Connie Jungbluth (sister of Linda Rein), Mark Muldrow (son of Betsy and Bill Muldrow), Don Taylor (brother-in-law of Carrie Steuart), Eden Murphy and family, Gary Wolfer (father of Jon Wolfer), Julie Terry (wife of Ward Terry)
Men & woMen serving in the arMed ForCesNathan Cole (nephew of Dennis Cole and Linda Marrou-Cole), Richard Aaron Turner (grandson of Elmira Baynham), Chris Hahn, Buddy Hahn, Nathan Hahn, Wesley Kramer (grandson of Pat Kramer), Lt Col Matt Easley (son of Jean and Bill Easley), Simone Holmes, Jake Murphydeaths 08/12 William Lee Miller (brother of Bea Romer)10/25 Roberta Nichol (aunt of Margaret Russell)11/09 John Shuster (father of Gwen Shuster-Haynes)11/21 Lorraine Ann Hoefs (mother of Nancy Coleman)11/21 Pat Troyer (mother of Carol Troyer)11/17 Janet Mitchell (sister-in-law of Mary Mitchell)12/01 Norman Miller (brother of Bea Romer)12/01 Pat Jordan (sister of Ginny Sugg)12/31 Hazel Conn (sister of David Russell)12/31 John Ball (father of Margie Green)01/04 Mark Hedges son in law of Jackie Summers)01/04 Wilma Grover01/08 Bob Roberts (brother of Jerry Roberts)
— 3 —
Dear Friends, our first full year together as your leadership team has been a good one! each of us has settled in to our roles, as together we lead and serve Montview Church. We’ve had more time to envision our future and more time to focus on our individual areas of responsi-bility. As is true every year, we experienced many blessings, our share of heartaches and the transitions that come with changing lives. the love of God and the strength and dedication of the Montview community hold us fast throughout the year.
In November, we celebrated our two beloved music leaders, John Kuzma and Barbara Hulac. John has led the music ministry here for 25 years and Barbara has been our organist for 35 years! We look forward to enjoying more years of their leadership at Montview. Mary Beth Doubet, who worked with us in the membership area, left to take a full-time position at St. John’s episcopal Church. We miss her enthusiasm and wish her well. Stephanie Burke DeFelice has been temporarily filling her shoes in this position and we’re glad to have her with us. Charles Johnson (son of tony and Debra) came aboard as a part-time sexton and has been a huge help in setting up and caring for our building and grounds.
our Messenger has a new look as we move toward more depen-dence on our website, weekly e-mails and Sunday bulletin informa-tion. We engaged the ancient spiritual practice of Lectio Divina together, deepening our Biblical reflection and strengthening our spiritual practice. Worship attendance increased as we adjusted to our new Sunday morning schedule and added a fellowship time fol-lowing 10:30 worship through the program year. the generosity of the congregation in financial gifts and the sharing of time and tal-ent, persisted and grew. We are indeed blessed.
Cindy announced her decision to leave as Lead pastor for Congre-gational Life as of June 30, 2013. the session is working with Denver presbytery’s Committee on Ministry to ensure a smooth transition as we take this next step in Montview’s pastoral leadership.
the Montview congregation remains faithful, vital and looking forward to how we can be a healing force in the world. We are grateful for the privilege of serving this com-munity of faith and wish each of you a blessed 2013.
Tilman Adairexecutive director
from the leadership teamTilman Adair • Rev. Dr. Cynthia Cearley • Rev. Ian Gregory Cummins
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Cearleylead pastor for congregational life
Rev. Ian Gregory Cumminslead pastor for spiritual life
— 4 —
on any given Sunday morning this year, we have seen an average of 140 children in childcare and Sunday School. our 24 volunteer teachers and our 13 professional childcare providers developed close and loving relationships with these families as they shared Bible stories and God’s loving way of being in the world with them each week. We also served many families through our MomTime and MomSpirit programs. We provided childcare for an average of 10 babies, 15 toddlers and 20 preschoolers on Friday mornings throughout the year. this time is filled with the best practices of our professional childcare staff and a preschool curriculum of friendship and fun. With an adult education class on talking about your faith with children and a new monthly parent support group, Parents’ Time Out, we touched a 60 additional parents and friends of children in 2012. our Christmas and Easter Craft Fairs involved 150 children in using their hands to make crafts and mark these important
days in our church year. their parents also filled these fairs enjoying time with other Montview families. our 3-4-5 Fellowship for third, fourth and fifth graders met several times this year with five sponsors and 20-30 children enjoying food, games, hands-on mission activities and friendship each time. Important church relationships
are strengthened at 3-4-5 Fellowship. In June, we engaged over 200 children in the greater park Hill Community in lessons and activities from the old and New testaments during our two weeks of Vacation Bible School. We join with several churches in park Hill for this interdenominational outreach effort each year. our Sacred Art Program which also meets during the summer served 30 families with art exploration activities around our faith tradition and the traditions of world religions. our visits to the indoor and outdoor sanctuaries of Montview Church for fresh perspectives, greater appreciation, and creative artmaking are a highlight of
our time together. this program will be expanded significantly in 2013. our two Family Services on Christmas eve provided another way for our children to share a story with the nearly 1100 attendees as they read scripture and became a living Nativity. We teach our faith
tradition as 50 or more families each year carry the Communion Elements forward, as they read scripture lessons, and as the children serve as acolytes and ushers
during worship services. In addition to giving 23 Bibles to our fourth graders, having 50 children shadow the elders to serve Communion, having the Cantate and Timbrel choirs participate in worship and special concerts, and having the Chancel steps filled each week during Word to the Children reflect Montview’s continued and growing commitment to integrating children into all aspects of our life together. For this, all of us who love these children give God thanks and praise and say together Amen.
The Children’s Programs at Montview have had a large and
exciting 2012. We have touched many, many families and
this is the measure we hold most dear.
children at montviewSandy Prouty, Minister of Children and Famlilies
— 5 —
youth at montviewRev. Sheri Fry, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministries
Youth Ministry exists to Call youth to be disciples of Jesus
Christ, to Respond to the needs and interests of youth, to Con-
nect them with the whole church, community and world,
to help them Grow their faith, to Discover their ministry and Rec-ognize God’s activity in their life. We believe faith is a set of relationships with God, with neighbor, with world and with creation. We hope that our youth will grow their faith so they can use it in the
world. We believe we provide excellent opportunities for youth to connect the words and teachings of Jesus with the realities of living in our world. We received 10 confirmands into the church in May of 2012. Middle School Sunday School class met in a traditional morning Sunday School format from September 2011 to May 2012. In September these youth were offered the opportunity to perform the 5th, Middle School & High School Pulpit Players production for the 10:30 worship service. We continued offering our quarterly Parents of Teenagers (POT) “support and information” group. We hired Robby Cella as a seminary intern in 2012. Montview is Robby’s home church and he has been under Montview’s care in the ordination process. He has assisted as a leader in the youth programs and Sunday School. Robby is very committed to
developing the spiritual life of our teenagers and he brings an enthusiastic, caring presence to the youth programs. We continued a strong commitment in our youth fellowship program. In June, 45 people traveled to Miami, Florida to work with the D.o.o.R. program for the 59th Summer Youth Mission Trip. the Middle School youth participated in their second work trip experience at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico at the end of July. We worked with the Youth Service Corps program and spent time working on the ranch as well as with other agencies around northern New Mexico. We took them on presbytery retreats, camping trips and a retreat to Moab, Utah for biking and hiking. the youth participated in leading worship for Youth Sunday in March. they also participated in worship during the year as readers, ushers,
and acolytes. In addition, they offered a presence as child care providers working with the younger children in our congregation. We participate in church lock-ins and service work. our youth help with the First Sunday Supper program, the Interfaith Hospitality Network Food Preparation, sandwiches & socks for Senior Support Services, participating in the MLK Marade, painting work at Greater Park Hill Food Bank and food and worship experiences as well as the thanksgiving collection and serving dinner at the Denver Inner City Parish. the MOB (9th-12th) and JAM (6th-8th) programs focus on spiritual development, mission, life of the church and fellowship/fun each month. Attendance has increased for these programs in 2012. We are blessed to work with 20-60 youth each Sunday.
— 6 —
music at montviewJohn Kuzma, Minster of Music
Our music program takes an original approach to the
re-examination of Christianity as expressed in musical art. This
means that the curriculum of each choir is created according to
the needs and abilities of the singers, not appropriated from music selected by outside sources. each musician has the opportunity to experience a creative unfolding through the experience of performing and hearing sounds, hopefully with a fresh perspective, anchored in faith and history. Children and youth continue to participate in strong numbers with almost 100 singers in Cantate, Timbrel and Jubilate Choirs. the Pulpit Players Drama Program for kindergarten through fifth grade children provided an opportunity for 50 children to share a Bible story with the greater congregation in original words, songs and enthusiasm. Westminster Choir’s roster of about 100 singers continues with an ambitious musical season featuring a first ever Colorado Symphony orchestra collaboration this past october. the Montview Conservatory had record attendance last Summer with over 100 singers each week on thursdays in June. efforts continue to recruit for our choirs at all levels and to build the Sacred Music Endowment, which funds concerts not supported by the church budget. the endowment received $10,830 in 2012. Some 150 – 175 singers, ages 5 and up, participate each week in the Montview choirs.
— 7 —
Faith in Action is working to better articulate “Montview’s Approach to Mission.” this approach is outlined below:
*Service to others: “inasmuch as you have done it to the least…you have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)*Pursuit of Justice: “…let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:24)
Montview’s mission is member-driven. Some examples:
METrO CArErING (MCr)Metro Carering is a relationship estab-lished by Montview members, which helps the working poor with food, bills and job skills. Montview contributes funds, volunteers and board members. In
2012 Montview p a r t i c i p a t e d in food drives and diaper/
formula drives for MCR. In November a Montview member offered to match the money that our congregation could raise by December 31, 2012. the total that Metro CareRing received from Montview members in 2012 was $25,622.56 as well as 1,800 pounds of food.
FIrST SuNDAY SuPPErFirst Sunday Supper a service project held on the first Sunday of each month where congregational members prepare food for homeless people in downtown Denver. tim Heasley conceived this idea; Nancy tuma and Dan Heinrichs were also part of the “dream team” after tim experienced hun-dreds of hungry people waiting for soup kitchens to open in Denver’s triangle area. In 2012 they have served 1,527 meals with 157 members from Montview participating
over the year. 1,744 hours of time by Mont-view members has been given over the first
year. Katie Mullens Irish pub and Restaurant located at 1550 Court St. Denver has been donating the food for the program to use. In 2012 Katie Mullens donated $2,450 in food.
HOMElESS PACkET PrOJECT (HPP) this project makes and distributes packets with food and a list of agencies that can help them to Denver’s homeless and hun-gry, those souls we find holding signs and standing on our street corners. In 2012, the Hpp made and handed out 1,605 packets which quadrupled the number of packets made and distributed compared to 2011. In 2013 we hope to make and hand out 3,000 packets. this project was the recipi-ent of generous cash donations during the year and in-kind contributions. Fellowship groups across the generations were involved in the production of packets, ranging from our preschool and kindergarten Sunday School classes, the 3-4-5 Fellowship Group, our middle-school kids and Montview par-ents and seniors. In addition, the Montview knitters made many headbands to include in the packets during the winter months.
their efforts along with the addition of socks added warmth and color to the pack-ets. It was a blessed year for the Homeless Packet Project. A countless number of lives
among Denver’s hungry and homeless were touched by Montview’s Samaritan efforts.
HABITAT FOr HuMANITY Montview has been actively involved with Habitat since 1999. By providing financial support and construction vol-unteers Montview has helped build 12 affordable homes benefiting 40 low-in-come family members in metro Denver. Despite the realities of a recession-era
The continued theme of discussion in 2012, concerning
Montview’s mission activities, was how to maintain vibrant
mission activities in an era of reduced financial resources.
faith in actionMontview in the World...Locally and Globally
— 8 —
church budget, we remain committed to this important local mission. May was designated as Habitat Month at Mont-view with the goal of raising $5,000 from the congregation and filling 100 construction slots for the townhome at 1557 Chase Street in Lakewood. Results of the campaign were $5,865 raised from more than 80 individuals and a $5,000 grant from Faith in Action. We filled 89 construction slots with 64 individu-als participating. the dedication of the townhome was on November 17, 2012.
MONTVIEW’S COMMuNITY OrGANIzING MINISTrY (MCOM)this committee helps people strengthen and transform their community through public action to promote social justice. MCOM is a member of together Colora-do and people Improving Communities through organizing (pICo), which is the largest national faith-based communi-ty-organizing network in the U.S.
GlOBAl MISSIONPArTNErS ArOuND THE WOrlD our understanding of mission is to part-ner with others to bring about a more peaceful, just and compassionate world. We hope that we can be a blessing to oth-ers and we know that we will be blessed by the experience of working with others around the globe.
ETHIOPIAMontview’s Capital Campaign has funded $57,750 into the Ethiopia reads program. this program is involved with library de-velopment and publication of children’s books in indigenous lan-guages in Africa’s oldest/highest na-tion. Montview’s Capital Campaign funded gift has financed the de-
faith in actionMontview in the World...Locally and Globally
— 9 —
v e l o p m e n t , p u b l i c a t i o n and distribu-tion of the Am-haric/english and oromifa/english HIV/AIDS booklet for children; the development of the secondary school library at the presbyte-
rian Heritage Bethel/Mekane Yesus Girls School in Addis Ababa; and supported a container shipment of books for Ethiopia reads libraries in public schools nation-wide. this program has connected over 100,000 children with books through li-braries including the famous “donkey” mobile libraries, published the country’s first children’s books in one or more of ethiopia’s 87 languages plus english, and trained numbers of indigenous educators. Montview members, including Sue Leister, Brian pendleton and Rev. Sheri Fry visited the area in 2012 and are planning addition-al service oriented trips in 2013. Waterlines: During the past five years, Montview has sponsored eleven clean-wa-ter spring protection projects in the West-
ern Wollega Bethel Synod in ethiopia. the average cost of each project is $3,000. these projects supply a lifetime of clean water to over 8,000 people in six commu-nities at an average cost of $3 per person.
NEPAlFor more than thirty years, Montview has extended a helping hand in the mountain kingdom of Nepal. Since 2000, over 80
Montview church and community mem-bers have participated in active work trips and personal ministries. In November 2012 Dr. Fred Grover led a team of med-ical personnel to work in Nepal.
Friends Of Patan Hospital:During 2012 Montview’s support helped to complete a project to install an oxygen plant and piping to upgrade the provision of oxygen to patients at the hospital. Pa-tan Hospital also continues to partner with Project C.u.r.E. by sending about $400,000 in donated medical supplies and equipment to patan Hospital. patan Hospi-
tal has made much of progress in improv-ing the scope of services which it provides during the recent years, and much of that improvement is as a direct result of the extraordinary amount of support that the congregation at Montview has provided. Friends of Patan Hospital would not exist and could not continue to operate without the active participation of members of our congregation.
SuDANMontview Church has offered funding to Juanis Lual’s organization Ngaathaje De-velopment organization (NDo) which means “Hope and Believe, together We Rise.” Juanis is a member of the Nuer peo-
faith in actionMontview in the World...Locally and Globally
— 10 —
ple in Sudan. At an early age he lost his parents, and like many he and his extend-ed family were forced to seek refuge. He made his way to a refugee camp in ethi-opia and eventually settled in the U.S. In 2009 Juanis earned his degree from Metro State College and he hopes to bring sus-tainable development to his native country Southern Sudan with NDo. Montview’s Global Mission has offered support for the development of a school and educational supplies in Wanding, Sudan in 2012.
MEXICOMontview continues to be in relationship with IPODErAC, a home for abandoned boys ages 6 to 18 in the state of puebla, Mexico. the church supports IPODErAC through mission trips and goat soap sales.
They Are All My Brothers Montview Church offered support to Nicole opper’s film “they Are All My
Brothers” which follows the journeys of four boys before they arrived at IpoDeRAC. Nicole works with the organization Women Make Movies. this organization was estab-lished in 1972 to address the under repre-sentation and misrepresentation of women in the media industry. Women Make Mov-ies is a multicultural, multiracial, non-prof-it media arts organization which facilitates the production, promotion, distribution and exhibition of independent films and videotapes by and about women. the orga-nization provides services to both users and makers of film and video programs, with a special emphasis on supporting work by women of color.
MYANMArMontview continues its support of longtime member Susan Steward and her husband Court Walters, MD in full time, in-country community organizing work in this coun-try. the couple is half way through their ten-year commitment to this work.
GuATEMAlAMontview continues to participate in a Denver presbytery partnership with St. Andrew presbyterian Church and presby-terian Church of the Covenant. We will be
working in partnership with organizations in Guatemala focusing on water and edu-cation issues.
MONTVIEW YOuTH ABrOAD FuNDMontview continues its long-standing sup-port of youth participating in global mis-sion projects. our church has helped many youth over the years travel with Montview groups as well as conducts their own ser-vice trips all over the world.
MOVING FOrWArD our Montview Community has built and continues to build connections and partnerships with people and organizations all over the world. With the wonderful sup-port of the Montview Boulevard presbyte-rian Church congregation and the helpful guidance of the Montview Session, global mission activities flourished in 2012. the Global Mission committee welcomes the participation of our Montview congrega-tion and community members in the work of partnering to bring about a more peace-ful, just and compassionate world.
Faith in Action strives to inquire of each Montview member in this way:
• What is your mission passion?• Where is your desire to serve leading you?• How can Montview support you?
together we can explore how the Faith in Action Committee can partner with you and our mission goals. We strive to honor and encourage Montview’s mem-bers through our approach to mission, which is a rich and vibrant part of our church history.
faith in actionMontview in the World...Locally and Globally
— 11 —
worship at montview
reconnect with each other, and be reminded to whom we belong. Worship at Montview in 2012 continued to inspire, refresh, and call us to serve in the name of Christ. We were blessed with the remarkable voices of our Cantate, Timbrel, Jubilate and Westminster Choirs under the gifted leadership of John Kuzma and Barbara Hulac at the organ. the high value we place on the participation of children and youth continued, as we saw them take part as acolytes, readers, and ushers. they work with our adults to serve communion, they led the adults with Pulpit Players and Youth Sunday; and the gathering of kids for the Word to the Children seemed to grow each week, keeping the pastors on their toes! 2012 also saw a change in the schedule for Sunday morning, moving our
services earlier and compressing the morning. We continue to eval-uate the gifts and challenges of the change as we work toward meeting the many and var-
ied needs of our large and diverse community. Finally, 2012 saw the introduction of a new worship service on Wednesday evenings, called Open Chapel Wednesday. Brigitte Wald-man-thomas and Dre’ Dufford have provided a life-giving and welcoming space for quiet reflection and contemplation that has been a true blessing to our community.
Sunday morning worship is our chance to gather at the
family dinner table. This is the place and the time we know
we can come week in and week out to share our lives,
— 12 —
ministries of caring
It’s all in the service of being a caring com-munity of love. Montview’s caring arms
reached hundreds of people last year. the Prayer Tree ministry faithfully prayed for the 15-20 people on our prayer tree every week. 20 to 30 of Montview’s faithful who can no longer attend church received fre-quent, loving visits from their companions and Holy Communion twice a year in their homes or care centers. the Deacons have provided 50+ home-cooked meals to those recovering from hospital stays, in difficult times, or in celebration of the blessing of a new baby. those without transportation have been taken to necessary medical appoint-ments and the Deacon “Helping Hands” have raked, hammered, painted and
opened in love to Montview folks who needed help. the Prayer Shawl knitters
and Mont-view Quilters have poured love, hope and prayers into their b e a u t i f u l work, reas-suring those who receive them that our community’s prayers sur-round them. C o u n t l e s s
notes, sympathy cards and caring words have been offered to grieving people and those facing challenges in the days ahead. passion and hard work, along with Dea-con leadership and many congregational volunteers, made Montview available as a 9 Health Fair site, reaching over 400 folks last year. the Deacons identified people at Christmastime who could use some cheer and support and brought smiles and joy
to a wide variety of people. Generous con-tributions from the congregation to the Deacon’s Fund have been offered to those with urgent short-term financial needs. the beautiful flowers that grace the Chancel each Sunday morning are delivered to some-one in or recently home from the hospital. With the loving coordination of Diane Cooper in our office, the pas-tors and program staff have responded to pastoral needs with words of God’s presence and assurance for members and non-members alike. Many have come to be with grieving families to celebrate a loved one’s life and support a grieving family. 2012, as every year at Montview, continued to be year of deep caring, open hearts and helping hands as we reached out to one another in love.
On any given Sunday, you can walk through our
Westminster Commons and see people chatting,
working and offering hugs to each other.
— 13 —
ministries of connection
pastor Cindy has been able to focus more on Women’s Ministry and began a new Bi-ble Study for moms called MomSpirit this year. MomTime continues to grow under Leah oliver’s leadership, regularly attract-ing 30-40 mothers for programs and fel-lowship every two weeks. Linda Rumbarg-er continues to find great books for the Women’s Book Groups. Wine, Women and Conversation was so successful they decided to have a second one.
pastor Ian increased his work with Men’s Ministry, offering a class for men on Sundays and co-leading the fall Men’s retreat with Mark Musselman, who also helps him lead the Onion Club – a monthly men’s group that continues to provide friendship and support for the men of the congregation. the Montview Supper Clubs began their 4th year, bringing together 240 people in 30 groups that meet in homes once a
month to watch (and laugh at) a short video reflection from pastors Cindy and Ian. In addition, there were plenty of opportunities for intergenerational connections this year, including the return of the Ice Cream Social, Suds and Singing, Pumpkin Carving, and the revival of Musique and Masque in a production of Fiddler on the Roof under the gifted leadership of Jean Sibley that involved almost 100 participants.
One of the gifts of adding an Executive Director to the leader-
ship team has been the added time for our pastors to develop
opportunities for community and connection.
membership at montview
their stories of connection to Montview, how they found their way to Montview and their hopes for being a part of a thriving church community are moving and amaz-ing. the number of beautiful children and youth is on the rise, not just in numbers, but in active participants! About half of our new members come from the Staple-ton area of Denver, and we continue to draw people of all ages from around the
metropolitan Denver area. We lost 13 faithful members in 2012 and celebrated their lives at our All Saint’s Celebration in November. our dedicated team from the New Member Commit-tee phoned visitors, welcomed folks who looked a bit lost in the “Montview maze” and provided warm fellowship and good food when new guests came to learn about Montview and consider if Montview would
be “their place.” We baptized 36 children and adults and welcomed 10 confirmands into the life of the church. We made room in our pews for many visitors (15-20 per week) and contin-ued to be a place where those
who are searching for a church find a warm welcome and enough time and space to make their decision about membership. A good number of our families are Montview Preschool families as well, strengthening the relationship of the school and the church. our Youth Program in-vites many who are not from member fami-lies to be a part of its service and fellowship. A new fellowship time was added following the 10:30 am service each Sunday and a Vis-itor Center has been developed for the new-ly renovated Westminster Commons and will be installed in the first part of 2013. We are blessed by the families and individuals who make Montview their faith family and look forward to many new people to join us in faith and service in the days to come.
Montview enjoyed another year of revitalization and growth.
Five new member classes through the year brought 102 new
friends and faces to our Montview community.
— 14 —
building & grounds
envision plan update
Highlights• Fixed leaky roof in Heritage Center• Improved snow & ice removal protocols• Improved heating system operations• Consistent pay scales and supervision for the Sextons• Recarpeted the 4th floor offices• Restored the historic entrance to the Miller Center and removed safety risks
• Replaced all roofs, except Sanctuary, paid for by an insurance claim• preschool and education Wing improvements• planned for improved security
at the Church, education Wing and preschool
• planned for the new Visitors Center in Westminster Commons • Improved the Sanctuary sound system
In 2012, fresh off of the new envision plan and the hiring of an executive Direc-tor, the business operation of Montview Church embarked on an integrated plan-ning effort to turn that vision into action-able and measurable immediate goals for each of its four areas of focus.
Organizational Effectiveness1. empowered the volunteer committees2. Aligned staff, volunteer, committee, and Session responsibilities3. Created measurements to assess our success toward staff, committee and church goals 4. Began shaping a 3-year vision and operational targets to support it5. presented clear and simple communication to our members
Scholarship of Spirituality1. Reimagined the Montview Lectureship2. emphasized scholarship in worship3. Strengthened men’s ministry4. Supported new Faith in Contemplation Committee, featuring open Chapel Wednesdays
Fellowship and Connections1. Increased effectiveness of Deacon Connection task Force2. Leveraged group emails to strengthen individual connections to Montview3. Improved the process of transitioning visitors into engaged members through connections to the church and each other4. Supported and developed small group opportunities for Montview women
Culture of Stewardship1. operating Fund received $21,000 more income and spent $21,000 less than budgeted leaving a $42,000 surplus2. Coordinated a congregation wide fundraising plan for operations and mission, 3. Received a number of large gifts for special projects and funds4. Developed a definition of “stewardship” that goes well beyond fund development
stewardship at montview
The results are historic:• one million dollars pledged 3 days after Stewardship Sunday, which was the earliest we have achieved that mark.• We have returned to 2008’s total pledge level.• one month prior to the approval of 2013’s operating budget,
we are 95% of the way to the Stewardship Campaign’s goal. Considering the increased demands for building security and re-
pair, and the need to restore support for mission outreach, we will need a positive response from most of the 57 not-yet-renewed 2012 pledges which total $79,000.
• It is also significant to note that as of January 22nd, 86 new pledgers began financially linking their personal priorities to those of their Montview community, far exceeding the previous high of 57 new pledges in 2008.
Since the recession of 2008, our Montview Church community (and its members) have been challenged financially. our operating budget has not yet recovered to pre-recession levels. Since the 2013 Stewardship Campaign began in october of 2012, 490 families responded to the call to make Montview oUR place.
is myPLACE
Montview is our place
because...
— 15 —
finance report
As we strive to produce an operating budget that reflects
our faith commitments, it is certainly good news that we
ended 2012 with income greater than expenses.
2012 Operating Fundoperating Fund Budgeted Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,537,684 Actuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,559,123
operating Fund Budgeted expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,537,684 Actuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,516,299
Difference between receipts & disbursements . . . . . . . $42,824
GOVERNANCE
Session
LEADERSHIP
Executive Director& Pastors
SERVICE
Deacons
MANAGEMENT
Committees & Staff
PrOGrAM$840,319
45%
BuIlDING & GrOuNDS
$442,15624%
MISSION$190,456
10%
CHurCH OPErATIONS
$401,00021%
• Worship & Music• Children’s Program• Youth Program• Adult Education• Fellowship Groups• Connections
• Leases• Insurance• Workers Comp• Program Support• Printing & Supplies
• Faith in Action• Capital Campaign Commitments
• Facilities • Outdoor Sanctuary• Labyrinth• Columbarium• Parking Lots• Capital Campaign
It is also important to note that this resulted from a savings of $21,000 in expenses, and an additional $21,000 of income to the budget. A huge thanks to all of you for your personal commitment to the mission of Montview Church! As a result of conservative budgeting over the past four years, we enter 2013 in a stable position to address deferred re-pairs, unique one-time expenses, and programming to meet the needs of our growing congregation as well as the mission needs of our community.
2012 Operating & restricted Fund Expenses of $1,873,931 by Function
— 16 —
~ s tat e M e n t o F M i s s i o n ~we believe that the love of god surrounds us. our call is to
nurture this love in ourselves and each other. through prayer, worship, education, outreach, and mission, we seek to foster
spiritual fulfillment, community, tolerance, peace, non-violence, and social justice. we dedicate ourselves and our church to
follow the spirit of Christ by word and deed. (adopted by session, July 1998)
Church, USA and consider ourselves one branch of the family of protestant Christians around the world. We recognize the unity that Christ calls for with all his followers, work-ing for unity among all faiths and we open ourselves to the richness and truth of many
other religious traditions around the world, work-ing for understanding, interfaith dialogue and community. our 2012 oper-ating budget supported the mission and minis-try of the presbyterian
Church, USA with a gift of $17,000 for ministry and mission and $39,315 for the per Capita contribution. In addition, we work with the presbytery of Denver in mission partnerships that provide super-vised visits for non-custodial parents of children in need and offer GeD assis-tance and basic computer skills to adults living in Aurora and Denver on or near the Colfax corridor. our international partnerships find us working with our brothers and sisters in ethiopia, Ghana, Sudan, and Uganda, Africa, Nepal, Mexi-co, and Guatemala. Rev. Sheri Fry brings her leadership to Denver presbytery by chairing the Mission and Ministry Work Group of the presbytery and serving on the presbytery Council. Sandy prouty also offered her lead-ership to Denver presbytery as she mod-
erated the Joint Camp Committee for Highlands, our presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center in Allenspark, Colorado and served on the program and personnel Sub-committees of that organization. She served on the Leadership Work Group of Denver presbytery to plan Denver presbytery and joint presbytery events around new models for leadership and was co-leader of a pre-assembly work-shop on intergenerational leadership in october of 2012. Shirley Burkhart, pete Hulac, Linda Rumbarger and Jim Brown faithfully represented Montview at Denver presbytery as commissioners and kept us connected to the pulse of the larger presbyterian Church. All 3 Montview pastors share a passion for interfaith work. Rev. Sheri Fry is a part of the Habitat for Human-ity Interfaith build that will take place in 2013. Rev. Ian Cummins has been instrumental in the founding and development of the progressive Christian Alliance in Denver. Rev. Dr. Cindy Cearley has worked with the Religious Advi-sory Committee of the Bridges project with Denver
University, an alliance of interfaith leaders working for positive civic engagement since September 11, 2001. our pastors and program staff enjoy friendships and working relationships across the interfaith community of Denver and Montview con-tinues to play a leading role in fostering understanding, tolerance and partnership among our world’s faith traditions.
Here at Montview we see ourselves as a part of the fabric of the
world’s religious landscape. We share our reformed theology
with the Presbytery of Denver and the larger Presbyterian
montview’s connectionto the LARGeR CHURCH & the WoRLD
— 17 —
getting connected
CArING MINISTrIESTuesday Afternoon Club
Tutoring at Park Hill ElementaryLois Bray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-739-0701
Montview MentorsAshley Elementary School studentsMartha Fitzpatrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-986-2252
Soul Food MinistryMeals to help families with recent illness or new parentsSusie Higginbottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-377-2066
Faith in ActionPlanning & interpreting Montview’s mission programs & projects locally and around the worldSheri Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-355-1651
Montview Community Organizing Ministry (MCOM)Organinzing Montview members regarding community issuesKaren timmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-377-6454peggy Gonder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-321-3465
Habitat for HumanityWorks to build affordable housingellen West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-377-3867Kirstin Jensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1576
Metro CareRing Emergency assistance; weekly half-day or full-day volunteersRosalie McCall-Johnson 303-424-1916Liza Kirkpatrick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-399-1350
Family First (Formerly IHN)Meals, shelter and companionship to homeless families at St. Thomas Episcopal ChurchSheri Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-355-1651
Central Visitation ProgramSupervise parental visits at Central PresbyterianCarol Lingenfelter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-438-8439
Adult Guatemala Work Trip Sheri Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-355-1651Ipoderac Orphanage in Mexico
Mary Buckley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-695-8522Jim polsfut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-807-1783
CElEBrATING MINISTrIESWestminster Choir (Adults) Nate Neale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 720-840-1486Cantate Choir (K - 2nd grade) Heidi Shriver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-320-3622Timbrel Choir (3rd - 6th grade) Martha Fiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-692-9071Jubilate Choir (7th through 12th grade) Martha Fiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-692-9071Instrumentalists
Perform in concerts or during worship servicesMarcia Whitcomb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-863-1427
Musique & MasqueIntergeneration musical productionsJean Sibley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-722-4207
Sunday School, Nursery, and Childcare Sandy prouty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651, ext. 110Youth Group Advisors Sheri Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651, ext. 111Acolytes Beth ellsworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-399-4880Lectureship Committee
Plans for annual visit by distinguished theologianKate pettersen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-366-3328
Children’s CommitteePlans programs and projects for Montview childrenSandy prouty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651, ext. 110
Youth CommitteeDevelops activities for Montview youthSheri Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651-ext 111
Worship & Music CommitteeWorship planning & music programs for MontviewLorranine Alcott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-989-7190
Adult Education CommitteePlans Sunday adult education classes, Lenten studies, special educational eventsLinda Rumbarger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-525-2917
49ers Planning TeamPlans 49ers weekly adult education forumsSteve Kennedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-690-8265
The following is a list of some of the ministries and fellowship
groups at Montview. If you are interested in something not
listed please contact Diane Cooper at 303-355-1651 ext 106.not a complete list
— 18 —
getting connected
SuPPOrTING MINISTrIESSanctuary Guild Communion preparation & clean-up - teams rotate every second month
Martha Fitzpatrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-986-2252Sandra Freed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-388-5580
Building and Grounds Assist with fix-up, painting or special projects
David Lucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770-329-1685Montview Publications Assemble the monthly Messenger for mailing and collate Sunday bulletins on Fridays
Larry Strauss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 113Office AssistanceAssist with special projects, mailings or data entry
Diane Cooper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 106Danean Burke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 109
Montview Visual Arts Guild Assist with setting up art shows at the church
Debby Cella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-3931Montview Memorial Library Acquisition and collection management
Donna Beck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-343-7509Heritage Center Maintain church history and create displays
Bob Matchett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-756-9352Memorial Services Assistance Set-up, serve, and clear for receptions
Diane Cooper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 106Communications Committee Plan publicity and publications, assist with web site maintenance and development
Larry Strauss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 113Columbarium Committee Provide for ongoing support and maintenance of the Columbarium
Scott Showalter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303-355-1932Gardening Clean and maintain gardens on the South Campus pam Johnston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-377-3354
GrOWING MINISTrIESStewardship Committee
Inspire financial giving at MontviewMary Medley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-733-7112
Montview Foundation Don Burkhardt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-733-16811st Sunday Suppers
Supply, make and deliver dinner to the homelesstim Heasley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-283-6030Sheri Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651
CONNECTING MINISTrIESVisitor Calling Team
Follow-up with visitors to answer questions and keep in touch Stephanie DeFelice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 107
Ushering & GreetersWorship service teams, rotate every six weeksBecky Demcovitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-279-8742
Children’s Ushering Bob Byerhof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-378-4251Telephone/Reception Desk
Diane Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x1 06Membership Development Committee
Organize new member classes, plan for outreach actionsMary Jo Bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-360-8275
Companion MinistersSharon Craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-255-1173
Montview Deacon Helping HandsProvide help to people members of the churchDiane Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651
Montview Women’s Ministries TeamDevelop spiritual growth, fellowship, and service opportunitiesLinda Rumbarger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-525-2917
Montview Book ClubsDiane Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 109
STuDY & DISCuSSION GrOuPSFriday Morning Breakfast Bible Study Ann Barkdoll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-753-1315Men of Montview - East: Monthly bible study breakfast
Joe Jensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-388-5294Men of Montview - South: Bi-monthly bible study breakfast
ted treffinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-770-4092Youth Groups: JAM - grades 6-8, and MOB - grades 9-12
Sheri Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 111Sojourners: Ages 50 and up with school age children ellie talmage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-344-4378Wayfarers: Couples and singles ages 60+ Helen Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-388-8617Drifters: Couples and singles age 65 and older) Shirley Burkhart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-756-6521Pathfinders: Single women age 40 and up Diane Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x 109West Side Fellowship Group: Couples and singles of all ages Cathy Fanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-456-4115Chrismon Guild: Twice monthly fellowship and crafts Becky Demcovitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-279-8742Quilters: Quilt-making for service projects Brooke Durland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-722-7706Knitters - Prayer Shawl Ministry: Create loving shawls to be given to someone who has suffered a loss or is in need of comforting
ellen Reath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-5062ellen oakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-333-8991
Onion Club Men’s Group and Retreats Rev. Ian Cummins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-355-1651 x103
