Monthly News from Washington Park United Methodist Church |
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“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. “
-Winnie the Pooh
How lucky I am to have been so blessed by the people of Washington Park United Methodist. I have never had a warmer welcome or felt so enveloped in the loving arms of community than the time spent here. This was my first appointment, and I had no idea what kind of welcome to expect. When I came to Wash Park 5 years ago, I was overwhelmed by the vitality of the community and the joy you shared. I remember Rev. Sandi introducing me around and finding with each new person, a welcoming smile and true kindness. I am so grateful for our conversations large and small on that first Sunday—each one bolstered my nervous heart. Each Sunday for the rest of that summer, I witnessed my family seamlessly welcomed into this family of faith and incorporated into the rhythms of loving one another well.
By the end of that summer, I felt like I had come to understand a foundational truth of this community. At Wash Park UMC, love shows up. We share the joys of our lives and the sadness too. We gather to celebrate, to mourn, to learn. We join hands in the service of our community. We live life together. And in each moment of connection, whether we are gathering around a baby in baptism or serving chili in the basement is our love showing up. Beloved people of Wash Park, this is your superpower. You have the miraculous ability to show up with love and support. Thank you for all the times you have shown up for our community and thank you for all the times you have shown up for me. Your presence has been a gift to me and to my family, and we pray that you keep showing up. The world is better for your love being in it.
I hope you have a moment to say goodbye in the next few weeks before we begin our move to Laurel, Montana. We look forward to celebrating my final Sunday with you on June 12th. If you would like to join us for one last game of Sardines, let me know!
Thanks and Blessings,
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Sunday services can be viewed live at 9:30am on Facebook AND YouTube, or afterwards with the links found on the website and weekly emails.
June 5th – PENTECOST SUNDAY
PRAYER & COMMUNION SERVICE
God in Three Persons: Spirit
Acts 2: 1-13
June 12th – **Rev. Jamielee’s last Sunday with us – come join us for her final sermon and celebration after worship
A Benediction
Numbers 6:22-27
June 19th – FATHER’S DAY
God in Three Persons: Parent
Acts 2: 14-21
June 26th
God in Three Persons: Child
Acts 2: 22-24, 32-34
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WPUMC Responds to Gun Violence
During worship this weekend, we spoke about gun violence and what we as people of faith can do. Rev. Sandi handed out this resource sheet compiled by WPUMC member, Jeanne Archer. Additionally, Shelly Smith-Acuna shared these resources below from the Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
If you need to speak to someone about these issues or need help with coping, please contact Rev. Sandi at pastor@washparkumc.org.
Five Things You Can Do Now to Stop Gun Violence
compiled by WPUMC member, Jeanne Archer
Like virtually everyone else in the United States, I am horrified, saddened, and furious to see once again that innocent children and adults have been slaughtered by a madman with an assault weapon meant for war.
The question I keep hearing is, “What can one person do to stop gun violence?”
The answer: Each of us can and must take action. As Jimmy Kimmel said, “Be loud. Stay loud, and don’t stop until we fix this.”
We can express our opinions on gun violence. We can elect people who believe in gun reform. We can demand that lawmakers pass common-sense gun legislation that protects innocent children and adults.
Here are some policies that experts agree could be done without compromising the second amendment:
1. Tighten the age limits of people who can buy guns
2. Enhance universal background checks
3. Ban assault weapons
4. Promote safe gun storage at home
5. Strengthen red flag laws
6. Expand mental health resources
I’ve reached out to the senators and representatives (national and local) in our state to discover what we, as individuals, can do.
Their specific suggestions and resources are:
1. Contact your United States senators to express your opinions. (Your opinions matter!)
In Colorado, our two senators are Michael Bennett and John Hickenlooper
-- Michael Bennett:
Phone: 866-455-9866 or 303-455-7600
-- John Hickenlooper:
Phone: 303-244-1628
2. Contact your United States representative to express your opinions.
Enter your zip code and find out who your representative is through this website:
3. Contact your Colorado legislators to express your opinions.
Don’t overlook the impact that local legislatures can have on reducing gun violence in your state. Find your Colorado legislator here.
4. Donate to the local, state, and national candidates who are working to stop gun violence, if you are willing and financially able.
5. Support the organizations that are working to stop gun violence. Some suggestions are:
We must let our voices be heard. We can no longer remain silent. We each have the power to make a difference. Let’s work together and get this done.
Graduate School of Professional Psychology:
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Celebrate PRIDE all across Mountain Sky with our 2022 Guide to Pride!
NextGen & Inclusiveness Ministries has released a Guide to Pride for LGBTQIA+ allies across Mountain Sky! This 2022 Guide offers a brief history of pride, ways to celebrate, an LGBTQ+ inclusive church check list, queer theology 101, and MORE! You’re invited to download the guide and share it with others in your communities and congregation. Together, we can build truly inclusive ministries for all people across Mountain Sky.
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Join Denver Churches for Pride
After 2 years of virtual participation, this year’s Denver Pride will be in-person. Bishop Jim Gonia (Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA), Bishop Kym Lucas (The Episcopal Church in Colorado), and Bishop Karen Oliveto (Mountain Sky Conference, United Methodist Church) invite parishioners and congregations from across Colorado from the three denominations to march with them at this year’s Denver Pride Fest Parade. Participants should be prepared to spend about 2 hours total for the march and be prepared to walk approximately 5 miles. Interested parties will gather at St. John’s Cathedral on the church steps at 8:00am on Sunday, June 26th to walk to Cheesman Park together for the line up.
You can sign up to volunteer at the Episcopal Church booth or to march in the parade at the link below:
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Habitat for Humanity Build Needs Your Help
Many people intend to help with the Habitat build, but time slips away before they sign up. Don’t let this opportunity slip away this year!
Make 2022 be the year that you volunteer!
The best way to understand the impact Habitat has on a hard-working family is to read their stories. The Habitat Metro Denver website shares this wonderful story about Dorothy and her family:
“Dorothy has always set the bar high for herself, and has a lot of "firsts" to be proud of because of her determination. She's the first person in her family to graduate high school, a first-generation college student and graduate, and she'll soon be the first member of her family to own a home.
"I've looked into becoming a homeowner before but never thought it could happen as a single parent, and also with Denver's expensive housing costs."
For the past five years, Dorothy and her younger sons (ages 9 and 10) have been living in a 2-bedroom apartment with subsidized rent. While Dorothy has appreciated the affordable rent payments, the income requirements have limited her ability to progress her career. Dorothy has had to make the hard decision to turn down pay raises because it would push her over the income limit for subsidized rent, and actually cost her more money out of pocket. She's so excited to no longer need to hold her career back and believes the sky's the limit when she becomes a Habitat homeowner this year.”
This year we will build in the Aria development, which is close to Regis University in north Denver. The following dates have already been reserved for us. Mark your calendars and sign up soon!!
o Sat., July 9 from 7:45 AM – 3:30 PM
*Note: Carol Nelson will be building on July 9. Won’t you join me???
o Thurs., Aug, 4 from 7:45 AM – 3:30 PM (new opportunity!!)
o Sat., Aug. 20 from 7:45 AM – 3:30 PM
If you prefer, you may support Habitat and work in the climate-controlled production shop. You’ll frame or paint house walls that will later be delivered to a Habitat site. The following date is available for the production shop:
o Sat., July 16 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Note: If you would prefer to work a different day, please contact Carol Nelson, and I will see what I can do!
For more information about Habitat, contact Carol Nelson at 303.810.4635 or at customtrainingllc@q.com. I’d love to hear from you!!
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Denver Rescue Mission
On Saturday, 7/16/2022, WPUMC has 7 slots for volunteers to prepare and serve breakfast at the Denver Rescue Mission at the Lawrence Street Community Center. The time slot is: 6:15 to 8:30 a.m. Please sign up here.
In order to participate, you must have your COVID-19 vaccination.
The mission does have a dress code: Please dress in a manner that is modest and appropriate for working. Please refrain from wearing opened toe shoes, tank-tops, midriff tops, short shorts, and any clothing that is: tight, low-cut, or has controversial imprints. If you are dressed inappropriately, you may be asked to reschedule. A tip for kitchen volunteers: If you wear a hat (and a pony tail for long hair), you will not be required to wear a hairnet. At this time, masks are required.
Sign Up Below:
FISH of Denver East
We continue to support the food bank at FISH of Denver East. FISH is one of the few food banks that actually deliveries food to the needy families they serve. There are bins in the Narthex and they will be there through the end of July – recognizing that we will have a slow period during the summer months. Below is a good list of common items that they request routinely:
Toiletries:
- hotel and small-medium retail size unopened shampoo
- hotel and small-medium retail size unopened conditioner
- hotel and small-medium retail size unopened lotion
- deodorant
- toothpaste and toothbrushes
- hotel and small-medium retail size unopened mouthwash
- hotel and small-medium retail size unopened body wash
- bar soap
Food:
- hearty soups and pasta sauces
- variety canned beans (no black or refried)
- healthy snacks
- hot chocolate
- microwave popcorn packets
Clothes for Kids – Denver
This is a new mission for WPUMC. The organization’s mission is: Clothes To Kids of Denver proudly provides new and quality used clothing in a boutique setting to Denver area students from low-income or in-crisis families, free of charge. Our vision is that all students will have the clothing they need to feel comfortable, confident and prepared to thrive. A typical CTKD Wardrobe includes:
5 tops
4 bottoms (shorts, pants, skirts and/or dresses)
1 additional dress or skirt (optional)
5 pairs of new underwear
5 pairs of new socks
1 bra (optional)
1 pair of shoes
1 coat or jacket
Extras (accessories, school supplies, etc – if available)
There will be bins in the Narthex through the end of July. We are asking for the following:
- All school age sizes
- New or gently used
- Both male and female options
- Tops
- Bottoms (shorts, pants, skirts and/or dresses)
- Underwear
- Socks
- Shoes
- Coats/jackets
- Accessories
- School supplies
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Vacation Bible School 2022
What's better than a week at Vacation Bible School? TWO weeks at VBS!! Join Wash Park UMC at the end of summer break for VBS the week of Aug 1st-5th. Attend University Park UMC at the beginning of summer break June 6th-9th.
VBS-Adventure Island- at Wash Park will run for children 3years old and potty trained through completion of 6th grade, August 1st-5th, 9 -11:30 AM Mon-Thurs and 9-12:00 on Friday.
Register now with the button below or on our church website. Anyone interested in helping to support this event by spending some time with our attendees, decorating or donating, please reach out to me to find out how you can be a help to us. One way we could use some help right now is to spread the word, invite neighbors, friends, cousins, grandchildren, you get it, tell EVERYONE!
We will be using all safety protocols recommended by the CDC and state health department for schools and childcare facilities to help guide us to host a safe and healthy Vacation Bible School. We look forward to seeing returning faces and new faces. My email address is childrensministry@washparkumc.org. I would welcome your time, thoughts and ideas.
Blessings,
Sheri Salis
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I Wonder..... if anyone else is as excited as me? We would love to see our churches work together to create fun and exciting VBS programs at both locations this summer and hope to work together more often in the future. We are always in need of volunteers, so youth group ages and adults, don't feel left out, we need you, too!
Patricia Clark is the Children, Youth and Family Ministry director at University Park. Please email her with any questions at pclark@uparkumc.org.
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As we approach a new season, we are also experiencing change on our committee. I want to take the opportunity to thank Mark Warren, our outgoing Finance Committee chair and fearless leader for over three years; he is leaving big shoes to fill, but has also helped develop and advance our committee and church in so many ways. We are grateful for his expertise, assistance, and friendship. I will be stepping into the position of Finance Chair after a few years of serving on the committee.
We’d like to welcome John Drum to the committee. John, his wife Amy, and daughter Pearl, have been members of the church and preschool and we are excited to have him with us. He brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to our group and we look forward to working together.
Michelle Hoskins remains our Treasurer, and Steve Moats is handling our investments. Both Michelle and Steve have extensive knowledge of our church and history and we are blessed to have them.
We look forward to serving our church community in the weeks, months, and years to come! Please always feel free to reach out with any questions.
Kristiana DeYoung, Finance Chair
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There are lots of ways that you can offer your gifts in service to our congregation – looking for a way to be more involved at WPUMC? Here are a few opportunities:
*Ushering – online or in-person! We schedule individuals for a specific Sunday a month for their ushering “shift”. Online ushering doesn’t require you to be in the building, but to engage with online worship participants. In-person ushering requires your presence, and includes greeting people and helping with offering and communion. Email Rev. Sandi at pastor@washparkumc.org.
*New Baby Meal Team - Volunteers Needed!
Wash Park United Methodist Church and Preschool are organizing a team of meal providers from our church and preschool communities that would be willing to offer meals to preschool families that are welcoming new babies into their home. All of you know that when a new baby arrives, life can get hectic. We'd like to make sure that all of our families with new babies feel supported and cared for with the delivery of a meal or two. If you are interested in joining this team to provide meals--please contact Rev. Sandi at pastor@washparkumc.org.
*Sunday Morning Liturgist! If you’d like to help offer a greeting to our worship participants, lead the call to worship and read the scripture, email Rev. Sandi at pastor@washparkumc.org.
There are lots of other ways to volunteer at WPUMC – if there is something specific you’d like to share, or if you are interested in a certain area of leadership, please contact Rev. Sandi at pastor@washparkumc.org.
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June 01 Taylor Edgar
June 01 Devin Smith
June 05 Ellen Collins
June 05 Shelly Smith-Acuna
June 05 Cora Thompson
June 06 Spencer Sharp
June 07 Archer Harris
June 07 Lila Kapadia
June 09 Jennifer Harber
June 10 Elizabeth Partridge Tucker
June 15 Emily Thompson
June 17 Tyler Winkler
June 17 Kevin Zeman
June 18 Griffen O'Shaughnessy
June 19 Stella Strawn
June 20 Tony Acuna
June 20 Avery DeYoung
June 21 Kristen Scarbrough
June 22 Gregg Gonzales
June 27 Kevin Dickson
June 27 John Griffin
June 27 Shelby Griffin
June 27 Brody Harber
June 28 Tommy Baker
June 28 Molly Moats
June 30 Sage Schock
June 30 Jake Sublette
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Altar Flowers 2022
If you’d like to sponsor Sunday morning altar flowers in honor of an occasion or in memory of someone, please sign up for a date below. The arrangements cost $45 ($35 for seniors) and you can take them home or give them away after service. We just ask that you return the vases to the Tea Kitchen so that we can reuse them. Make checks out to WPUMC and put altar flowers in the memo line or pay via Venmo @Michelle-Hoskins-17.
Please enter the occasion or person to be honored in the My Comment field after you click Sign Up.
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