June 2018 Newsletter Estes Park’s historic mainline Protestant congregation founded in 1907.
Core Value: The Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies is a Sacred Community formed around Jesus the Christ where we experience God’s presence in our lives and service together. Volume 6, Number 6
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PCCR Directory
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 to 3:30, Friday Closed
Office Phone: 970-586-4404
Disciples
All who seek to follow Jesus
Church Staff
Minister: Rev. Michael Moore Ext. 1 [email protected]
Handbell Director: Patti Dolezal Ext. 5 [email protected]
Choir Director: Rich Dixon, Ext. 5
Organist: Larry Gillum, Ext. 5
Organist Emeritus: Ray Young
Finance: Carolyn Hull, Ext. 3 [email protected]
Office Coordinator: Terry Brigham, Ext. 4 [email protected]
Sexton: Sergio Aguilera Conejo, Ext. 6 [email protected]
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue of the newsletter—whether it be your service in this church, providing a written article or photo, or folding and assembling the finished product. We appreciate your input!
Worship Schedule
June 3 — Communion, 10:00 a.m. (Morning Prayer Service, 8:00 a.m.) Preaching: Rev. Michael Moore Liturgist: Carol Nussbaumer Chancel Choir: Anthem Organist: Larry Gillum Greeters: Audrey TeSelle and Janet Keller Fellowship Hosts: Journeys Class
June 10 — 10:00 a.m. (Morning Prayer Service, 8:00 a.m.) Preaching: Rev. Michael Moore Liturgist: Lois Sumey Chancel Choir: Anthem Organist: Larry Gillum Greeters: Marilyn Vergoth and Bev Henderson Fellowship Hosts: Prayer Quilters
June 17 — 10:00 a.m. Father’s Day Preaching: Sam or Jan Adams Liturgist: Patti Dolezal Chancel Choir & Bronze Bells: “How Can I Keep from Singing” (Hobby) Pianist: Beverly Nicholas Greeters: John and Dona Cooper Fellowship Hosts: Presbyterian Women Horizon Bible Study
June 24 — 10:00 a.m. Preaching: Rev. Michael Moore Liturgist: TBD Chancel Choir: Anthem Organist: Larry Gillum Greeters: Peter and Lisa Plaut Fellowship Hosts: Scrapbook / Card Making June 25 — 4:15 p.m. Communion Service at Good Samaritan
The July Newsletter deadline is Tuesday, June 19. Please send your pictures and stories to Terry Brigham at: [email protected] Thanks!
©Contents copyright by the
Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies 2015-2018 and may not be used for any commercial purpose without written permission from PCCR.
Morning Prayer Service
We will once again be having our 8 am Morning Prayer services this summer (June, July, and August).
The service will run from 8:00 - 8:30 am with Communion being celebrated on the first Sunday of the month.
There will be three Sundays (June 17, June 24, and August 12) when we will not have the 8 am service.
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June 2018
From Pastor Michael Moore…
You may have heard me talk about the upcoming trip I will be taking to St. Louis in mid-June. This isn’t a vacation trip; it is definitely a work trip! The Presbytery of Plains and Peaks elected me to be the Minister Commissioner to this year’s General Assembly. This year is the 223rd meeting of our Church at the national level.
Our Presbytery will also be sending a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (Emma Carney) and a Ruling Elder Commissioner (Dianne Kenning). Denise is going as an Observer. Our job will be a combination of lots of research, reading, committee work, and work as a part of the larger assembly (Called the Plenary Session).
The Committee that I have been assigned to is “The Way Forward” Committee. This committee will receive reports and recommendations from various agencies about the current and potential future structuring of our Denomination. It will also discuss and bring a proposal to the Assembly about Per Capita.
Some of the major issues facing the General Assembly are: (1) Election of a Moderator for 2018-2020, (2) Israel/Palestine Middle East Issues, (3) Fossil Fuel Divestment, (4) Racism/Poverty/Violence, (5) Immigration, (6) Gun Violence, (7) Paid Family Leave, and (8) Pastoral Leadership for Immigrant
Congregations.
For more information about the assembly and its business, please visit https://ga-pcusa.org/ and https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/fossil-fuels-middle-east-denomination-structures-and-funding-likely-to-dominate-general-assembly/. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as the Commissioners, Advisory Delegates, and Observers work through a very intense ten days of business. Grace and Peace,
Michael
Presenting two new benches near the entrance to the church: In loving memory of Harriet and William Burgess, Dorothy Durrett , and Virginia Te Winkle
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What is a Presbyterian? What does this church offer?
How can I get involved? Where do I start?
Beginning in July, an Inquiry Class will be offered every quarter, for the purpose of providing information and
resources to individuals interested in learning more about our church.
Two members from the Membership and Hospitality Committee will be available in the Lounge for an informal
gathering of 30 minutes following the worship service – to answer any questions and share a friendly and warm
welcome.
After becoming acquainted with the church – its programs, mission, vision, and people – a new member
orientation may be planned, based on the interest and wishes of those attending the inquiry class.
Dates: July 8, 2018 October 14, 2018 January 13, 2019 April 14, 2019
No need to sign up! All are welcome. If you are unable to attend one of these dates, feel free to call Pastor
Michael or the church office (970-586-4404) for more information.
Coming soon… Inquiry Classes
Presbyterian Women Birthday Luncheon
Presbyterian Women (PW) will celebrate their annual Birthday Luncheon on
Monday, June 18 at the church. Come at 11:00 for a discussion of Lesson 9 in our
Horizons Study Book, followed by a potluck salad lunch together. This is a fellowship
event for all PCCR women, members and friends, whether or not you’ve participated in
PW or Circle. Bring a salad to share and enjoy some time with the women of our church.
Presbyterian Women’s Annual Birthday Offering will be received during worship on Sunday, June 24. This year’s recipients
are (1) Cottage Village, a Tiny House Community for Low-Income
Residents in Cottage Grove, Oregon; (2) Village of Grace Center for
Physical and Spiritual Health in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and (3) The
Dwelling Place in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, which provides
shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. Detailed
information about these mission projects was in the May 2018 PCCR
Newsletter and will be in the June 17 Sunday bulletin’s inserts.
The PW Birthday Offering celebrates Presbyterian Women’s history of
mission giving. It was launched in 1922 by the PCUS, the ”Southern
Presbyterians.” Over the years the offering has funded nearly 100 major
mission projects that continue to make a difference in the lives of women
and children in the United States and all over the world.
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Renowned Lubbock, Texas Choir Presents a Free Concert at PCCR
On Saturday, June 9, at 7 pm, the First United Methodist Chancel Choir of Lubbock, Texas will present the first of four concerts in our sanctuary on a short summer tour to the area. The forty or so choir members will offer a widely varied one hour program sampling centuries of American Protestant and English choral traditions. From the music of British composer John Rutter to American spirituals, and from timeless European classics to innovative contemporary works, the concert is sure to engage and delight every musical interest.
Manning our impressive Schantz-Akers organ for accompaniment and solo work, David Warren is the current Guest Artist in a program that has, for thirty years, brought organ and choral scholars to Lubbock from schools in Cambridge, Oxford, Wales, and Norway. These gifted young people serve as organist and assistant music director at FUMC, while earning advanced degrees at Texas Tech University.
The current FUMC choir director is Dr. Seung-Won Cho, a native of South Korea. Dr. Cho came to the U.S. for graduate studies, and has earned a Masters from the University of Texas, and a DMA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He served as organist and choral director for churches and other groups in Austin, Urbana, and Roanoke, VA before coming to Lubbock.
For over four decades, the Lubbock choir has toured near and far to share their music and experience cultures, people, and places of worship besides their own. They have sung at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, and numerous cathedrals in Great Britain and New Zealand. Some of their U.S. concerts were performed at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the Crystal Cathedral, and the Washington National Cathedral.
This is their first tour to Colorado. Other concerts will be in The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, the Air Force Academy Chapel, and First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs.
Stan and Kathye Osborne sang for over 25 years with this choir before moving to Estes Park. Everyone is invited to enjoy an evening of inspiring choral music at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies on Saturday, the 9th of June, at 7 pm. Admission is free.
Spend your Summer Holidays at Highlands . . . . . . . . Your Place in the Mountains!
Fourth of July: July 1-6 Labor Day Weekend: August 31-September 3, 2018
Rooms, which sleep up to 6 people, are $90 per night—the lowest rate to be offered in 2018. Meals available are breakfast: $8.50, lunch: $10.50 and dinner: $14.
Summer fun . . . Canoeing, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, archery, star gazing, and campfires with s’mores can make this a special summer for your family!
On July 4 join us for the unique experience of a small town Colorado parade and picnic! Ride through the streets of Allenspark on our float….or enjoy the entire parade with front row seats. Then join our community for a picnic, games, and activities. No charge for the picnic on July 4!
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A Note from Mission Each month this year we are trying to highlight a member of the congregation who is deeply passionate about his or her volunteer work. This month I sat down with Steve Fry and chatted. I originally contacted Steve because of his work with Community Café, but when we began to talk I realized that he is not volunteering with them at this time. Instead of focusing on one organization, we decided to explore his passion for mission work in general. This is some of what I learned.
Two things contributed to Steve’s deep desire to make a difference in the world around him. Probably the greatest influence came from his grandfather who was instrumental in raising him. His grandfather taught young Steve that you can worship God every day and that you don’t have to be in church to do so. He set an example for his young grandson through his life and actions. He showed Steve how to live with eyes open to the needs around him; through this Steve inherited his grandfather’s life motto, which is do the right thing, be respectful, and be kind. Second to his grandfather’s influence was a life-changing event at the age of 14 when youth group drove from Kansas to Angel Fire, NM with UMYO/YSF, a youth service mission to volunteer. That experience flamed a desire to help others.
As often happens life, family, and work commitments took the majority of his time and his volunteerism fell away. Then about 20 years ago he went with other folks from our community to Alamosa on a mission trip where his electrical skills were much needed. He volunteered there for 19 years before finally deciding it was time for a break. Steve admits that he really has no idea how he got started, but does believe that God was instrumental.
He also fell into volunteering at Community Café. He says it was “just one of those things”; someone told him that he should go there for dinner and communicate with people. He went but didn’t feel right taking advantage of the free meal which he could afford, and when he expressed this sentiment he was told to then come back next week to help set up. Before long he had spent almost every Friday night for two years setting up, bringing bread, handing out take-out meals, listening to lonely people, and encouraging children. At least for now, that season has passed, but he misses spending his Friday nights helping others. Now, you can find him many mornings at St. Bart’s Church making coffee and welcoming newcomers to AA. He listens, accepts, and encourages them wherever they are in life.
Steve also realizes that he can still fulfill his yearning to do mission work in his everyday life by paying attention to the people he sees and listening to their needs. He does what he can to be a resource, but most of all he genuinely cares. He admits that in a roundabout way his whole life is a mission, because he tries to do what he can when he sees a need. Local mission is his passion because there are so many people in need right here in our community.
He recently discovered an organization that holds workshops for people struggling with grief. Although he is not formally volunteering for Loving Spirit at this time, he is eager to encourage others to experience healing at one of their workshops.
Hopeful that God will have him stumble across a new organization to volunteer with soon, Steve, in the meantime, does what he can for others.
Our article also highlights a church each month who has taken unique steps
to try to be relevant to their surroundings. Our committee is not suggesting
that PCCR do any of the things the other churches are doing, but rather
demonstrating how mission and outreach models are as unique as
congregations and their surrounding communities.
This month we will look at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. Since 1910
Evergreen Presbyterian has been doing ministry in Memphis, TN. Even since
the beginning they were committed to reaching out to those in need and
doing the work of justice in the community. In 1947 they bought about ten
acres of land from Rhodes College and built a large 1,000 seat sanctuary in a
big traditional tall steeple church. Like many other congregations, they have
experienced a steady decline since the peak years, and in 2013 had an
average attendance of around 100 people. It was depressing to worship in
the beautiful sanctuary that was 90% empty; the upkeep of their large
campus with multiple buildings was creating a strain on the congregation and they felt it was time for a daring change.
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Mission Study Trip to Malawi
Do you yearn to visit Africa? Believe God’s love extends to all the world? Wish you had a chance to share your faith outside of the comfortable confines of the Church sanctuary? Your chance is here!
PCCR Mission and Outreach Committee has given the go-ahead for such a mission study trip in early summer, 2019. The trip will travel to Malawi, Africa under the leadership of Jim and Carol Nussbaumer, volunteers-in-mission to Malawi since 1997. The emphasis is on study. Our purpose
will be to travel around northern Malawi visiting institutions and programs in search of a project for PCCR to embrace and support outside of the usual mission giving. We will meet with heads of institutions, people in the villages, schools, and at least one very successful church-to-church partnership.
This will not be the typical mission trip. There will be no hands-on work, but plenty of opportunities to meet and share with brothers and sisters you haven’t yet met. You will see extreme poverty up close and personal and will
also experience lives being lived in faith in the face of that poverty. You will not return to Estes Park the same as you left. And, yes, there is an opportunity to go on safari at the end of the working portion of the trip.
You do not have to be a member of the Mission and Outreach Committee or have any special skills to be part of this trip. You do need to be in reasonably good health and willing to travel and live in close proximity with a small group under sometimes interesting conditions.
If you are interested, but missed the initial informational gathering on May 20, please contact Jim or Carol in person or at: 586-2437; [email protected]; [email protected]
In 2013 they agreed to sell the land back to Rhodes College (who needed the land and buildings) and set off on an adventure that was scary and exciting at the same time. Even though Rhodes agreed to give them meeting space each week, they literally became a church with no walls. “It was difficult to leave that building. I miss the formality of the sanctuary. I really miss that organ. But I look around on Sundays and I see so many of my friends, people I’d worshipped with for so many years. The church isn’t a place, after all. The church is the people.
During this time of transition, they decided that they did need walls of some kind and purchased a commercial storefront in the busy surrounding neighborhood. The building can be set up as a sanctuary, a dining hall, or even a yoga studio. The pastor says that some people are intimidated by the image of the big church on the large green lawn but are not afraid to step off the sidewalk and into a storefront church building.
Their webpage says, the Church is still in the process of becoming. At Evergreen, we are discovering the next church, for our congregation, for our denomination, for future generations. We believe experimentation, flexibility, and playfulness are helping to birth new expressions of Christian spirituality today. In that calling, we also remain committed to some core values. One of those core values reads, We also love the heritage of our faith, which has shaped the identity of this community for more than a century. We trust that both our roots and our changing environment can bring new life to the church.
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Planning for the Future of PCCR
The Session believes it is time for our congregation to think seriously again about our church, its programming, its role in our community, and how it can best serve the needs of our congregation in the future. As the world and the community we live in change, our congregation will evolve along with them. Along with other churches world-wide, we have steadily lost active participants, and the financial strains on each of us continue to grow to meet our fixed and personnel costs, and the expenses of our programs and mission activities. It is appropriate now to ask what we would like our church to look like in the following decades and how we might achieve this vision.
The church has examined itself periodically, most recently during our search for Rev. Moore. The Session believes this study should be re-visited and new thought be given to our work.
To that end, the Session has created a committee of 10 to guide this process, ably led by Sally Park, a local, well-respected planning expert with wide experience in this field. The committee membership is drawn from the Session, the Deacons, and the congregation at large. The steering committee met May 16 for the first time, identified a number of initial issues to consider, and developed an initial way forward. The entire congregation will contribute to the study. The goal of the study is to estimate what our church’s structure, programs, and mission activities could look like in the future to best address our congregation’s needs, serve our local and wider community, and attract new members.
Before we envision the future of the church, the study will review our history. This phase of the work will develop a timeline to show important events and trends in our church, the local community, the social context in which we live, and the larger national scene. The intent of the timeline is to put our thoughts about the future into the context of where we are now and how we got here. This should establish a foundation for looking ahead, with a common understanding of our heritage and the environment and events that shaped who and what we are. Developing the timeline will require contributions from a broad representation of the congregation.
The committee looks forward to everyone’s active participation and interest in this process.
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Session Highlights ~ May 2018 Heard a report by Carol Nussbaumer from the May Presbytery meeting. Highlands Camp will be holding a
leadership training on Nov. 9. General Assembly delegates, including Pastor Michael, were commissioned.
Noted that our financial status remains good. Expense control is holding steady and revenue receipts are up a bit.
Heard from Personnel Committee that work continues to update all the church staff job descriptions, and that the committee is in the process of developing a separate employment agreement/contract which will contain the compensation and the start date for each employee.
Received a report from Membership and Hospitality that plans are proceeding for the wedding of Dave Evans and Karen McClure on May 27 at the morning worship service. A reception will follow the service. Reminder of the Foundation dinner on June 10; the All-Church picnic on July 15; and the August 19 Pie Social.
Noted that the choir from the First United Methodist Church of Lubbock, TX will be presenting a concert for us on Saturday, June 9 at 7 p.m. This is the church that Stan and Kathye Osborne attended before moving to Estes Park.
Discussed how to arrange sound and AV equipment use for outside groups who use our church facilities. Adopted a proposal from Worship and Music Committee to add a section to the Facility Use form, asking groups to identify their audio/AV needs.
Scheduled outside clean-up days for June 7, 14, and 19 from 9 a.m. until noon.
Work will include repairs to the Meditation Trail and removal of fire risk materials from around the church yard. Volunteers will be welcome! Noted that the painting of the exterior of the church building will begin on June 4.
Received information from the Communications Committee that a new brochure is being developed for PCCR for display at the Visitor’s Center.
Reviewed the ongoing plans to develop a Strategic Plan for PCCR. A ten-person steering committee has been formed and with the help of Sally Park, a local planning expert, will begin the work of leading our congregation through the planning process.
Approved Pastor Michael to officiate at the baptism of Logan Bauer Richardson on July 15.
Received information regarding an AED/CPR training session to be held in Fellowship Hall later this summer. Cost is $30 per person.
Received information regarding a safety training, especially an active shooter situation, to be held at the YMCA on June 13, from 9-11 a.m. Only twenty slots are available for trainees.
The Session decided to cancel the June meeting.
Deacon Highlights ~ May 2018
The meeting was called to order and Tami Scace led the group devotional.
A Session report was given by Dave Evans.
Joys and Concerns were shared. There were 14 cards to be sent to those needing a cheerful greeting, get well messages, or condolences.
Three thank you notes were shared.
The Sunshine committee reported that two meals were delivered in the last month. Also, rides to doctor appointments and grocery shopping were provided.
In June, with two Sunday services, communion at the 8:00 a.m. service will be by intinction. The 10:00 service for communion will follow the usual procedure. A schedule for servers was determined for the summer.
The communion at Good Samaritan on April 30th was attended by 6 residents and 4 persons from PCCR. The next service will be held on May 21st due to the Memorial Day holiday.
At this time there are no memorial services planned.
The team meeting with Deacons and Stephen Ministers was rescheduled for May 21st at 2:00.
Tami Scace will represent the Deacons on the Church Steering Committee. Harriet Irwin would also serve if another Deacon is required.
The Prayer Ministry has prayer quilts available for persons needing their comfort.
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JOURNEYS CLASS will meet every Sunday morning at 8:30 until the end of July. We encourage your arrival at 8:15 for coffee, snacks, and conversation.
Beginning in August we’ll take a six-week summer hiatus and then resume meeting after the Labor Day weekend. Mark your calendar for the 4-week series “Paul and Justice” from June 24 through July 15.
Please look . . .
Are you in the current church directory?
Has your phone number changed?
Is your email different?
Any family member changes?
Have you moved? Is your address correct?
If you are a summer resident only, are you receiving your mail at your preferred address?
Are you receiving the monthly church newsletter by postal mail or email, per your wishes?
. . . and let the church office know (970-586-4404) if and when you have any changes to your contact information. Thanks!
Grace and Grub
For fun, friendship, laughter, fellowship, and good food, join the Grace and Grub group on the 4th Monday in June, July, and August
at 4:30 pm at the Sprague Lake picnic area.
Hotdogs, buns, condiments, and table service are provided (donations accepted).
Bring your own drinks and a dish to share. Also bring chairs if you wish.
Contact: Joy Holcomb, 970-586-9600
Estes Valley Chamber Singers concert on May 20.
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Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies 1700 Brodie Avenue Estes Park, CO 80517
Address Service Requested
Non Profit Organization U. S. Postage Paid
Estes Park, CO 80517 Permit # 31
Save the Date!
Church Family Picnic
11:00 am
to 2:00 pm
Sunday,
July 15,
2018
Rain
or Shine
Lake Estes
Marina
