Friday Night Gathering
Thank you to Rev. David Heil (Trinity in the Pines) for providing music along with musicians from Church of the Eternal Hills.
The morning began with Rev. Matt Syrdal leading a prayer walk in God's creation.
Rev. Paula Steinbacher welcomed the Assembly and called the meeting to order at Church of the Eternal Hills in Tabernash.
Rev. Dr. John Yu from Racial Ethnic Diversity introduced the video of Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper sharing her story. Watch the video to learn more about Dee.
The Agency Review Task Force moved the Assembly business meeting from the sanctuary into the fellowship hall to lead a workshop on outlining the new structure and timeline.
The Assembly was invited to ask questions, for better understanding, prior to a vote on the new structure and allowing Council to allow the formation of the 1st Committee on the new structure, the Servant Leadership Development Committee. There were both approved! LEARN MORE→
Finance & Property brought 2 motions to the Assembly. The cell tower policy was approved. Click here to read. Policies for Expense Reimbursement & Investment, Mortgage Assistance and Denver Presbytery Equity Share Agreement were all presented. After discussion and a vote, did not pass.
The General Assembly Commissioners of Denver Presbytery gave a summary of their experience at the 225th Hybrid General Assembly. This brief video is a sneak peek at their time, commitment and passion to the greater work of the church.
Brad Drenth (Arvada/Trinity) Mid-Council Committee
Terry Olthoff (Retired) International Engagement Committee
Pat Queen (Green Mountain) Environmental Justice Committee
Paula Steinbacher (Church of the Eternal Hills) Polity Committee
Video Production credit: Brad Drenth
A Matthew 25 video shared during the 225th General Assembly featured Mountain View United Church of Denver Presbytery. It was shared during our August Assembly. Thank you to Rev. Dr. Tracy Hughes, Rev. Wayne Laws, Ruling Elder Jean Demmler, the congregation of Mountain View United Church for your ministry.
Committee on Ministry
Welcome to Rev. Stephany Crosby! Stephany Crosby is a minister member of National Capital Presbytery, which encompasses northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and areas of Maryland near Washington D.C. She and her husband Jack moved from Vienna, Virginia to Highlands Ranch to be near their family.
Stephany attends First Presbyterian Church of Littleton. She has been an associate pastor and an interim solo pastor for churches in Virginia and Maryland. She has served on sub-committees of the National Capital Presbytery Committee on Ministry. The Crosbys have a son, daughter-in-law, and two-year-old granddaughter in Denver, and another son and daughter-in-law in Kunming, in western China. LEARN MORE about Stephany and COM Report→
Rev. Rodger Y. Nishioka, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker to start our afternoon. He gave the Assembly much to think about Servant Leadership. Rev. Nishioka explored the value of warmth and welcome and challenged us to revisit our ordination vows when we became an ruling or teaching elder. What does it mean to lead with energy, intelligence, imagination and love? Watch his keynote message below.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Corey Schlosser-Hall appeared by video for our afternoon workshop on Servant Leadership Development and sharing your passion. After watching this video you feel called to serve on the Servant Leadership Development Committee, we encourage and invite you to complete the Passion Discovery Form. Click here.
Land Acknowledgement was provided by Grace Blackstock. We wish to recognize the first nation peoples who lived and stewarded this beautiful territory —The Ute and Cheyenne Tribes. May we, in all our days, seek to steward our nature resources and give glory and honor to our creator.
The Installation Commission came from near and far. Thank you to the Church of the Eternal Hills choir for providing music.
Rev. Cindy Kohlman brought Justice and Joy to the Installation Service. Dee signed (using SEE sign language) responses to the ordination questions and the Assembly learned "yes" in Korean to give their response.
Revs. Paul and Lydia Neshawgwe appeared by video to invite us to Lord's Table. Rev. Sheri Fry (Denver Presbytery; Good Shepherd) gave Dee her charged and helped serve communion to the Assembly.
Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper, the new Lead Presbyter, delivered a benediction and Rev. Paula Steinbacher adjourned the Assembly with prayer.
Special thanks for Church of the Eternal Hills. Rev. Paula Steinbacher and all the volunteers that helped create a welcoming space. Thank you for Greg Hoover of Church of the Eternal Hills for many of the photos shared here. James Steinbacher for his video genus, Emily for sound tech and Jill Miles for all the details! We appreciate your time, energy and passion!