The Rocky Mountain Conference
of The United Methodist Church

Oct. 26, 2015
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Photo courtesy the Iliff School of Theology
Global, interfaith partnerships form at 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions
Fifth annual gathering converges in Salt Lake City from Oct. 15 to 19

Story submitted by the Rev. Paul Kottke, Metropolitan District Superintendent

More than 10,000 people gathered in Salt Lake City from Oct. 15 to 19 for the fifth Parliament of World Religions. The theme for this impressive gathering was "Reclaiming the Heart of our Humanity". According to the chairperson for this massive event, Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid "I pray that, in our time together at this Parliament, God will help us all reclaim the heart of our humanity and restore the earth to its bounty and beauty for all." Read more

Photo by the Rev. Valerie Jackson
Rev. Dr. Jana Childers at Preaching Academy: Recapture elements of 'classic church'
Second annual event focuses on reaching out to Millennial generation

Story submitted by the Rev. Kerry Greenhill

At the second annual Preaching Academy of the Rocky Mountain Conference, the Reverend Dr. Jana Childers advised that to reach the Millennial generation, pastors would do well to preach God's love and tenderness, and to live out their sermons with integrity. Close to 40 participants gathered to learn and be renewed for the work of preaching at the event, held at First UMC in Colorado Springs on Oct. 23. Read more | See photos

Photo courtesy Emery Hannon, Christ UMC, Salt Lake City, Utah
UM Student Sunday Spotlight: Group brews up 'Holy Grounds' at Christ UMC in Salt Lake City
Young adult ministry mixes coffee, conversation

Story submitted by the Rev. Jean Schwien, Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City, Utah

What do you get when you combine one college sophomore who really wants to "come home to God," a newcomer searching for a spiritual space that fits, and a college freshman who is starting a new stage of faith and life? "Holy Grounds." In the fall of 2014, the young adult ministry at Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, was created by inspired and determined young people who wanted a spiritual time and space that matched their interests and age group. Meeting weekly for coffee and conversation, the group quickly expanded to include young adults from 18 to 30 years old. Read more

This story is part of a "Student Spotlight" series for United Methodist Student Sunday on Nov. 29. To learn more about United Methodist Student Sunday, click here.

Zion United Methodist Fellowship remembers ministry at closing worship
Church leaders decide it was time to disband

Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Melanie Rosa, Mile High Pikes Peak District Superintendent

On Friday Oct. 23, 16 people gathered for the final closing worship service of Zion United Methodist Fellowship in Colorado Springs. This Fellowship was started by the Western Jurisdiction Korean Mission and has played an important role in this community for decades. In recent years the fellowship has dwindled, and the leaders decided it was time to disband the congregation. Closing a church is Holy work, and not something to be taken lightly. In disbanding the congregation, we gave thanks to God for the administration of God's word and sacraments, Christian fellowship and education, mission and discipleship. We remembered the people who had been inspired and transformed in this sacred space. And we affirmed that in death there is new life, in endings there are unforeseen beginnings. God is faithful in all things. Click here to see the photo.

Volunteers still needed in Wyoming for flood repair
Recovery an ongoing process; help now sought for homes damaged by wildfire

Submitted by Bob Stowe, Wyoming Disaster Response Coordinator for Rocky Mountain Conference

The push to get Niobrara County, Wyoming, residents back into their flood-damaged homes has become a reality. Due to the efforts of United Methodist and World Renew recovery teams, more than 20 flood-damaged homes have been repaired to the point where the residents can move back into a safe, secure and warm home.

Just as the Niobrara County flood recovery is winding down, a wildfire two weeks ago destroyed 16 homes in Natrona County, just east of Casper, and affected two other homes. The area has recently been approved for clean-up activities. Read how you can help.

Upcoming Deadlines

Nov. 30 is the deadline to apply for the Emerging Ministries Grants from the Rocky Mountain Conference Board of Global Ministries. The grants assist local churches of the Rocky Mountain Conference in developing new ministries or facilitating the development of new ministry ideas for mission, outreach and education with people who are low-income and/or underprivileged. Click here for details and an application.

What's Happening?
Events around the Rocky Mountain Conference
  • Basic Lay Servant Ministries Course at First UMC Grand Junction, Nov. 13 and 14
  • Sunshine District Lay Servant Ministries Training, Nov. 20 and 21
  • Clergy Renewal: Cultivating Compassion Through Art, Feb. 17 and 18, 2016
Learn more about these and other activities on the Events page online.

Job Postings
  • Congregational Support Coordinator - First UMC, Golden, Colorado (deadline to apply is Oct. 31)
  • Camp Registrar - Grand Mesa Christian Camp (deadline to apply is Nov. 1)
  • Volunteer Leaders - Grand Mesa Christian Camp (deadline to apply is Nov. 1)
Full job descriptions and application instructions are on the Job Postings page online.

Newsletters

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Rocky Mountain Conference communications list. This includes the weekly e-newsletter distributed on Mondays, a monthly M&M (Mission & Ministry) newsletter, a monthly Colorado Flood Recovery Team newsletter, letters from Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky and urgent news as needed. Clergy are required to receive these newsletters. Guidelines and archives can be found on the Newsletters page online.

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Contact:
The Rocky Mountain Conference
of The United Methodist Church

6110 Greenwood Plaza Blvd.
Greenwood Village, CO  80111
303.733.3736