April newsletter

United Methodist Church of Estes Park 1509 Fish Hatchery Road (970) 586-4153

www.estesparkumc.org

Vol. 34 No. 4

April 2015

Sunday Morning Schedule 9:30 am Early Bird Coffee 9:45 am Worship (Children’s Sunday School) 10:45 am Fellowship Time in Anderson Hall Church Office Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 9am – 3:30pm

Musings from Your Pastor Easter – Resurrection – Springtime. The date for Easter is set by the season and the moon – the first Sunday after the first full moon that follows the Spring Equinox. Easter day, the most important holiday of the Christian tradition, is set by the rhythm and cycle of life on earth.

Often we marked time by events. We tend to recall birthdays, baptisms, weddings, deaths, and multiple other times of events or transitions that happen in our lives, with a mixture of sentiment, joy, sorrow, or any myriad of emotions.

Easter marks new beginnings. In the early church, people fasted, prayed and prepared themselves throughout lent to be baptized on Easter morning, representing their new life in Christ. New life is all around us in the natural world – buds beginning to show on trees, flowers pushing up from the ground; and the air offers a freshness that beckons warmth from the increasing daylight hours.

Easter is a time of transition. As L. Roger Owens writes in a current edition of Weavings magazine, “Transition is a ripe time to recognize the work of God in our Lives.” Easter reminds us of God’s undying and merciful love in Christ. Coming out of the cold, gray days of winter, springtime reminds us of the cycles of life that are constant and regenerating.

And so it goes – year after year, month after month, day after day; the constancy of endings and beginnings.

And so it goes in the church. People come and people go. Soon we will be saying goodbye to each other. It has been a joy to share the past seven years in ministry with you. I will dearly miss you. And, I am also looking forward to the next chapter of my journey. I don’t know exactly where it will take me, but I trust in the Spirit that leads me to a new season of my life.

I am also grateful for the wisdom of Bishop Elaine, DS Strickland and the rest of the Rocky Mountain Cabinet and their decision to send Rev. Tom Towns to serve with you in the ministry of The United Methodist Church of Estes Park. Tom and I recently shared two fourday sessions of Continuing Education classes. What I know of Tom is that he is a scholar, a reflective and compassionate man. He listens well and is greatly respected among colleagues. I have no doubt that you will be blessed by Pastor Tom, and his wife, Sandy, as they come to share in ministry with you.

I pray that in this time of transition we recognize how God is at work in our lives.

Resurrection Blessings!

Pastor Donna

Holy Week Services: Our church will host the Interfaith Good Friday Service at Noon on April 3rd. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

11pm April 4th KREV-LP 104.7 FM Easter Vigil broadcast by members from our church.

7am Sunrise Service at the Estes Park Marina on Hwy 34. Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church will join the United Methodist Church in worship at the Pavilion, just off the highway. You should enter from the west side and circle around to the pavilion parking. Dress warmly!

9:45am Easter Service in the Sanctuary. Both bell and chancel choirs will present inspirational music at this family service.

Help Us Create a "Peacemaking Tree" in the Sanctuary !!

Let's find new ways to be peacemakers in our daily lives, this Spring and Summer. Come to the "create table" in the Fellowship Hall and make a paper egg, cross or a heart to hang on the tree upstairs - on the back write a way you can create peace. In April, we hope lots of you will add handmade paper or cloth symbols of all kinds for the "Peacemaking Tree" to celebrate local and world peacemaking around us: Bread for the World; Equal Exchange and Fair Trade products, Crossroads Ministry, My Sister’s Place; Estes Valley Victim Advocates; Partners Program, Community Garden, Combatting Sex Trafficking (UMW in April), UMCOR, Music groups, Sacred Space, UM Global AIDS Fund, Imagine No Malaria, Mission Work Trips, etc.!

Blessed are the Peacemakers – From SPPRC: Church Administrative Assistant Position Kathy Levine has informed the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee that she plans to step down from the day-to-day duties of the Administrative Assistant position, primarily in order to have more and longer blocks of time for family, travel and other retirement activities. Thus, the SPPRC is seeking applicants for this part-time (currently 18 hours/week) position, $11-$13/hr, depending on experience. For the first several weeks, the new Administrative Assistant will work with Kathy in a period of training and transition.

The SPPRC invites anyone who would consider being an applicant to contact either the church office or a member of the SPPRC before April 21st .

The Chancel and Bell Choirs would like to invite you to join them! The Bell Choir rehearses from 5:30pm – 7pm on Monday evenings, and the Chancel Choir

rehearses from 7pm-8:30pm on Thursday evenings. Please contact Linda Bowie regarding the Bell Choir and Denise Stookesberry regarding the Chancel Choir.

2015 Dates to Remember Administrative Council: meets quarterly from 11:15am-1:00pm on the following dates, after worship, with a potluck brunch and the meeting: May 17 August 16 November 15 (Approx. date to coincide with All-Church Conference) The Administrative Council is open to all who want to know what is going on in the ministry of the church. Discussion includes financial updates as well as reports from Staff, Pastor Parish; Trustees; and proposals for ministry. This is your opportunity to hear what’s happening and express your celebrations and/or concerns in the community of faith.

Pastor Donna’s last Sunday in the pulpit will be June 21, 2015.

Submitted by Katharine Lockwood: I thank God every day for my blessed life. I'm not rich, but I'm healthy, have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table, a family that loves me and lifelong friends to get me through. I'd say I have a lot to be thankful for, AMEN.

Carol Partidge will be in Anderson Hall, April 12th at 5pm, to talk about her missionary work in Strumica, Macedonia. Carol was a missionary for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church and served as Director of Christian Education. Her work has helped to promote a positive relationship with the area’s Muslim residents and provided opportunities for Christians in the community to explore and expand their faith.

There will be a free-will offering, following the presentation.

United Methodist Women will meet on Wednesday, April 18th at 1pm in Anderson Hall. The program is a book discussion, Refuse to Do Nothing, recommended reading on human trafficking and will be led by Dorothy Gibbs. Hostess will be Susan Newendorp.

New Book Study The Women's Devotional Group meets almost every Tuesday at the Good Samaritan Village, 1901 Ptarmigan Trail, downstairs in the main building. They will begin a new book study called "The Prayer Box" by Lisa Wingate. This novel won several Christian Book Awards. It is about a young woman finding prayer boxes of a recently deceased friend.

Hidden in the boxes are stories containing a lifetime of seasons. Please feel free to join this non- denominational group at 6:30 PM, starting on April 14th. Call Connie Dedon if you would like a book.

Please put on your calendar April 22nd (Earth Day) for a Friend- Raising Event for the Estes Valley Community Garden.

It will be a come-and-go affair at the Estes Park Resort, 1700 Big Thompson Avenue, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. The Mayor will speak at 6:00 PM and other community leaders will follow. The Mountain Music Makers will perform to make your evening enjoyable. This is a free event, and you will learn about the latest plans for the Community Garden this summer.

Dear Donna, I'm looking forward to being with you for "Earth Day Sunday" on April 26! The message that is taking shape for that day combines encouraging perspectives about progress on some of today's Big Environmental Problems, along with historical perspectives touching on both the 45 year history of Earth Day and the deep prophetic traditions of our faith.

Thanks!

Peter Sawtell

Rev. Peter Sawtell As the executive director of Eco-Justice Ministries since 2000, Rev. Peter Sawtell invites Christian churches to dig deeply into their faith and ethics in this time of deepening ecological crisis. Congregational programs for energy efficiency, political advocacy and spiritual development are most significant when they embody the transformational Good News of the Christian gospel. Eco-Justice Ministries has brought this message to hundreds of congregations and thousands of church leaders in the Rocky Mountain region, nationally and internationally.

Sawtell has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader at ecumenical and denominational conferences across the United States, and was invited to southern Germany in 2014 for a 10-day speaking tour on environmental ministries. He is widely known for his weekly email commentary, Eco-Justice Notes, which addresses current issues of environmental justice from the perspective of Christian theology and pastoral ministry. An emerging project of Eco-Justice Ministries, Not Ordinary Times, invites churches into an extended series of environmentally relevant worship themes.

Peter is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, and has been one of the denominations most prominent and persistent environmental leaders. He served on the UCC's Environment and Energy Task Force (2005-2009) and national Environmental Ministries Steering Committee (2013-2014). Peter, with his wife Rev. Allyson Sawtell, served as co-pastor of two parishes in Iowa for ten years before the family came to Denver in 1988.

March Worship Attendance 1 – 69 8 - 64 15 – 70 22 – 71 29 – 59

Mark your calendars! Game Night Schedule at Kay and Lynn Myer’s: April 26th All gatherings begin at 5pm. Beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to share with the group.

Harriett Jane Olson to headline UMW Spiritual Life Retreat Event to be held April 24 to 26 at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park All women are invited to the United Methodist Women Spiritual Life Retreat from April 24 to 26 at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. This event promises to be a spirit-filled time of renewal. Harriett Jane Olson, General Secretary and CEO of the United Methodist Women's National Office, will be the keynote speaker. "Spiritually Empowering Women" is the theme and the scripture study will be Ephesians 3:16. Special activities also are planned for young women, including assembling health kits for UMCOR.

2015 “NEIGHBORS IN NEED” CHALLENGE

Take the Neighbors In Need Challenge 2015 March 1 through April 30 A local donor has pledged $50,000 to serve as a dollar-for-dollar match for contributions to the “Neighbors In Need” Challenge. All donations to Crossroads Ministry received between March 1 and April 30 will be counted together. The more contributions collected, the more of the $50,000 pledge Crossroads Ministry will receive to relieve hunger and poverty.

Checks should be made out to: Crossroads Ministry and mailed to P.O. Box 3616, Estes Park, Colorado 80517.

Thank you for your help.

Save these Dates to respond to the AIDS crisis: The Center for the Church and Global AIDS in Denver is busy with opportunities for you to help respond in faith to HIV AIDS !

May 2, Saturday - "Spring is a Time for Hope" Brunch, U of Denver July 14-24 Trip to Kenya

Aug 18 "Swinging@AIDS 9th Golf Benefit, Denver; $125, Donate to Silent Auction : Contact Maureen Vetter, HIV/AIDS Fund coordinator for Estes Park Task Force: www.churchandglobalaids.org

NOMADS TO AID IN FLOOD RECOVERY The Rocky Mountain Conference UMCOR Flood Recovery Team is excited to host a special group this spring and summer in Colorado, the NOMADS (Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service). NOMADS provide volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations. They demonstrate God's love through their work and by listening to the people with whom they work. They do new construction, remodeling, and repairs for churches, children's homes, camps, colleges, outreach missions and disaster rebuilding.

They also do maintenance, cleaning, painting, electrical, drywall, sewing, and flooring. With God's help, NOMADS pretty much do it all.

"NOMADS bring a very specific and unique skill set to their volunteer projects. They bring skilled labor, which really helps in rebuilding process after disasters like the September 2013 Colorado flood," said UMCOR Flood Recovery Team Volunteer Coordinator Deb Campbell. "Because they stay in one area for a considerable amount of time, they make a sincere connection with flood survivors, other volunteers and each other. NOMADS are committed to helping the underserved and those affected by disaster. We are blessed to have them in Colorado this spring and summer."

Campbell is encouraging Methodist congregations in the flood affected area to "adopt the NOMADS" for a week while they are in Colorado in order to show their gratefulness and appreciation for their help in flood recovery. Some ideas are for churches to provide hospitality, arrange potluck meals, bring lunch to NOMAD volunteers, or anything else that will make these special people feel welcomed and appreciated. Please contact Deb Campbell at dcampbell@rmcumc.com or 303-532-7563 if your church is interested in "adopting the NOMADS."

Holy Week, 2015 Good News!

Behold, I make all things new!

The future is not determined by the past.

We are not fated to live the lives we have become familiar with.

We aren't destined to repeat the same old arguments with our children, our parents, our spouses, our neighbors.

We don't have to be afraid of people of color we don't know or understand.

You are not limited to what people say about you - ugly; stupid; lazy, no-good.

People who have a history of violence, can learn a new way.

People who have lied their whole lives, can turn to truth and integrity.

Addicts can find their way to freedom.

Bullies of any age can quit using power to intimidate.

Jesus died and rose from death as a sign that God is at work in our lives and in our world, seeking us when we are lost, bringing us home, leading us in the way of truth and life.

Walk with Jesus this week through death to resurrection. Jesus came so that you might live life to the fullest! Be healed. Come home. You are forgiven. Stand and walk.

God bless you this week with new life in Jesus Christ.

April Birthdays 2 - Garrett Hurni 3 - Jake Meyer, James Bowie 6 - Allie Jo Ayres 7 - Donald Bailey 9 - Deanna Bleyle 12 - Tom Davis 18 - Pete Hogue, Dave Petersen 25 - Sue Anderson, Alicia Rosenthal 26 - Marlene Willey 28 - Donna McCleary, Bob Call

Prayer Concerns (as of March 29, 2015) Prayers of Celebration: Welcome new pastor and wife, Rev. Tom and Sandy Towns (July 1st); Welcome, Denise and Dave Stookesberry; Welcome back, Bell and Chancel Choirs; Polly Ingold has been nominated for Quiet Disciple.

Prayers of Hope & Healing: Steve Jackson (Linkhart); Maryann Karinch (Levine); Dorothy Gibb’s sister, Betty Ruth; Cliff and Sarah Dill; Paul Sellers (D & P Beck); Marlene & Larry Willey; Eddie Hutchison (Rosenthal, Ayres); Nikki Gertz; Marilyn Saunder’s brother, Dick Baker; Daughter, Brenda (Wilson); Step-daughter, Susan O’Neil (Mendoza); Son, Ryan Groene; Bob Pallissard; Brother-in-law, John Scott (Elgin); David Glismann (Stone); Warren Mays (Bell); Rev. Kent Keller; Shelley Chew; Charlaine Fear (Bell); Frank Gunter’s grand-daughter, Jennifer; Donna Treadway’s sister, Bettye Gilstrap; Karen Blinn; Mark Hall and his mother-in-law, Vineta Brown (Dill); Beverly Nicholas (Bell); Sister, Virginia Flusser (L. Strandberg); Dan Wilkinson (Strandberg); Sandi Rosenthal; Eric Miller (S. Newendorp); Great-grand-daughter, Kayla Steward, and her family; Elaine Evans (Strandberg); Daughter-in-law’s father, husband, Britt, and brother, Doak and his wife, Lydia (D’Ann); Mother, Jody Kennedy (Lee Criswell).

Special Concerns: For the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the Harmony Foundation, their families and friends.

Relief from the high fire danger.

For those battling fires in southeast Wyoming and in Greeley.

Safe journeys for Spring Break travelers.

Prayers for Loss: For the family and friends of Tracy Hilker (local business owner); for the family and friends of Rod Mulder (D & P Beck); for the family and friends of Maurice Herring, M.D.; the family and friends of Don Vetter, Jay Vetter’s father; the family and friends of Beth Pfeifer’s uncle.

NOTE FROM GREETER/USHER COORDINATOR Katharine Lockwood has been usher/greeter coordinator for nearly two years. Katharine will attempt to schedule a Head Usher and another person for Head Greeter for each month. The Head Usher will schedule ushers for that month. The Head Greeter will do the same for greeters. Instructions will be emailed to each greeter and usher for each month. Instructions for ushers are also in the blue folder on the table behind the pews. Instructions for greeters are also available in the table by the front door. We will greatly appreciate more volunteers, as two of our loyal ushers/greeters are no longer available. Thank you so much for all who have volunteered!

GREETERS APRIL Head Greeter: Polly Ingold 5 – (Easter Sunday) Dorothy Gibbs and Dorothy Scott 12 – Jane Boyer and Arleta Bell

19 – Karen and Larry Blinn 26 – Connie Dedon and Mary Lou O’Neil MAY Head Greeter: 3– 10 – 17 – Larry and Karen Blinn 24 – Lynn and Kay Myer 31 – JUNE 7– 14 – 21 – Larry and Karen Blinn 28 –

USHERS APRIL Head Usher: Katharine Lockwood 5 – (Easter Sunday) Dewain Lockwood and Babs Mock 12 – Babs Mock and Thomas Beck 19 – Gerry and Kathie Dougherty 26 – Walt Kaesler and Jim Gunter MAY Head Usher: Kathy Levine 3– 10 – 17 – 24 – 31 – JUNE 7– 14 – 21 – 28 –

OBITUARY FOR MAURICE HERRING: Maurice Earl Herring M.D. (1932 - 2015) HERRING, MD, Maurice Earl Maurice Earl Herring was born November 30, 1932, in Utopia, Texas, the third of seven children of Smithie Griffin Herring and Albert Lee Herring. He passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. He spent his childhood in several small towns in south Texas, graduating from high school in Hebbronville, Texas.

Even in his childhood, Maurice knew he wanted to be a physician. He worked his way through college and medical school as a "roughneck" on oil rigs, a boarding house waiter, a surgical scrub nurse and a medical records clerk. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and an AOA graduate of the University of Texas School of Medicine in Galveston. After an internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, Maurice enlisted in the US Air Force, serving as a flight surgeon assigned to an F-100 fighter squadron in Clovis, New Mexico and Adana, Turkey. Following his Air Force duty, he returned to Galveston and a residency in internal medicine, including a year as Chief Resident.

In 1964 Maurice joined the internal medicine partnership of Drs. Harvill, Hamilton and Tschumy in Dallas. He practiced at Medical Arts, Baylor, and later, Presbyterian Hospital. In 2000, he moved his practice to Presbyterian Hospital's Senior Center, retiring in 2002. He also served as President of the medical staff of Presbyterian Hospital, President of the Texas chapter of the American Society of Internal Medicine, and President of the Dallas County Medical Society. A dedicated physician, he loved the practice of medicine and considered the care of his patients a sacred trust.

After retirement, he devoted time to the activities he loved: hiking and backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park from the base of the family's summer home in Estes Park, fly fishing, bird watching, woodworking and traveling with his family. An avid amateur naturalist, he saw the entire universe as the glorification of God and indisputable testimonial to His presence.

Maurice's love for his family was equal to his love of medicine. He married Grayce Hornung, the love of his life, during his junior year in medical school, and their 59 year union produced three children and five grandchildren, all of whom made him very proud. His children are: Ruth Anne, a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner in Fort Worth; Walter Andrew, an attorney in Dallas; and Michael Thomas, MD, a physician in Bozeman, Montana. His grandchildren are: Walter, Jr., Haley, and Camille Herring of Dallas; and Thomas and Elizabeth Herring of Bozeman, Montana.

Other survivors include a sister, Margaret Smith and brothers Don Herring and Ron Herring.

The family would especially like to thank Maurice's caregivers for their devotion and skill: Melinda Castillo, Angelica Guerrero, Elena Juarez, Rita Juarez and Lisa Varela; and the staff of Faith Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Village North Foundation (8600 Skyline Drive, Dallas TX 75243); the Aldersgate Class of First United Methodist Church of Dallas (1928 Ross Avenue, Dallas TX 75201); Alzheimer's Association (P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC, 20090-6011), or the charity of your choice . A memorial service will be held Monday, March 2 at 3pm in the Corrigan Building at Presbyterian Village North, 8600 Skyline Drive.

~ April 2015 ~

◄ Mar 2015

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed 1 7am Sacred Space@Old Church Shops

5 EASTER SUNDAY

6

8 7am Sacred Space@Old 12:30pm – 4:30 pm 6pm – 9pm 7am Sunrise Bridge Club Service @the Make-up Bridge Church Shops Marina on Hwy 34 Class 9:45am Worship Communion Service

5:30pm Bell rehearsal

12

13

9:45am Worship

5pm Carol Partidge in Anderson Hallspeaks on missions.

19

20

Native American Ministries Sunday

26 9:45am Worship Earth Day Service

5pm Game Night @ the Myers

Thu 2

7:00pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Fri

Sat

3 4 Noon – Interfaith Good Friday Service@UMCEP No Bridge Club

9

10

7:00pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

12:30pm – 4:30 pm Bridge Club

11

6:30pm WDG

14

12:30pm – 4:30 pm Bridge Club 5:30pm Bell rehearsal

9:45am Worship

7

May 2015 ►

1pm Community Garden Meeting

15 TAX DAY 16 7am Sacred Space@Old Church Shops 1pm United Methodist Women

17

7:00pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

12:30pm – 4:30 pm Bridge Club

23

24

18

6:30pm WDG 4pm Leadership team mtg

21

12:30pm – 4:30 pm Bridge Club 5:30pm Bell rehearsal

6:30pm WDG

27 Pastor off-site

28 Pastor off-site

12:30pm – 4:30 pm Bridge Club 6:30pm WDG 5:30pm Bell rehearsal

22 7am Sacred Space@Old Church Shops

29 Pastor off-site 7am Sacred Space@Old Church Shops

7:00pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

30 Pastor off-site

7:00pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

12:30pm – 4:30 pm Bridge Club

Notes:

25