Saturday, September 29, 2007

Missions & More

Tomorrow, Sunday, September 30, we will have a Spaghetti Dinner to learn more about and support the CROPWalk of northwest Denver, which takes place in two weeks, Saturday, October 13. CROPWalk is a fundraiser and educational opportunity for Church World Service, an international, ecumenical relief and development organization. Walkers visit local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other hunger-relieving ministries in the neighborhood, and funds raised are divided between international hunger-fighting efforts and those same local hunger ministries.

While this post is very late notice for tomorrow's dinner, I hope it will be in time to be helpful in getting the word out about the CROPWalk - walkers and sponsors are still needed.

The Process Theology discussion group met this past Thursday for the first time, and will meet again the fourth Thursday in October, 10/25, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Thanks to all who came for Leadership Training this morning - we had many good conversations and exciting ideas brainstormed for the future of ministry at Highlands UMC. Stay tuned (and join us Sunday mornings at 10am) to learn more about the fruits of our work together!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Fall at Highlands UMC

Okay, clearly I am a serious delinquent in this task, and should be taken out back and shot. Or at least smacked up side the head once or twice. Sorry.

Fall and the program year are well underway at Highlands! Our theme for the year is "The Church Under Reconstruction," as our building will soon be surrounded by scaffolding for the renovations and restoration supported by our State Historical Fund grant, awarded earlier this year. But we are also reflecting on the ways in which our congregation, and the wider church, is in a time of reconstruction, re-imagining, and resurrection as we acknowledge that the world has changed and is changing, that old certainties are no longer adequate, that we have more questions than answers, and that we are called to move forward in faith to live in this world that God loves in new and creatively faithful ways. I hope you will consider joining us some Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. for Christian education for all ages, and 10:00 a.m. for worship.

Thanks to all who helped with the Rummage Sale this weekend - your time and effort were incredibly valuable, and we raised just over $1400!

This Thursday, Sept. 27, an adult discussion group will begin focusing on Process Theology. Process Theology is a way of understanding God to be at work in the world through natural and human processes, a belief system that takes science seriously and respects free will. The class will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday evening of each month, probably through January. Call the church office, 303-477-5857, for more details.

This Saturday, Sept. 29, we will have Leadership Training for all chairs and members of committees, as well as anyone else who might be interested in how the different areas of church life relate and the work that gets done behind the scenes. We'll be in the Parlor (2nd floor) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Coming soon...

Sunday, September 30: Pastor Betty (Rev. Dr. Betty J. Bradford) preaching.

Friday, October 5: Parents' Night Out, childcare provided for any family in the community from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $20 for one child, $15 per sibling. Contact Kristi Conroy or the church to sign up.

Sunday, October 7: World Communion Sunday, celebrating the unity of the church around the world. Guest preacher Rev. Maggie Roe, Chaplain for Denver Hospice.

Sunday, October 14: Pastor Kerry (Rev. Kerry Greenhill) preaching; beginning of Stewardship Campaign: "Building a Life Together." Focusing on Faith as a necessary ingredient to our life as a community.

Sunday, October 21: Laity Sunday, "Building a Life of Service." Celebrating how all of us as the Body of Christ are needed to carry out God's work in the world.