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New Division on Ministries with Young People

The Division on Ministries with Young People works to connect young people and those in ministry with young people to each other, the church, and God, and to empower young people as "world changing disciples of Jesus Christ." Learn what's new in the Division on Ministries with Young People. Visit their web site for more on these issues: www.gbod.org/youngpeople

• Mission: It's Not Just a Trip: Mission Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults
• Reflections on the Wesleyan Identity Seminar and World Social Forum
• The Youth Worker Network
• Youth Service Fund Information and Grant Applications
• Ministries with Young People Grant Applications (Translated in English, French, Russian, and German. Portuguese translation coming)
• A Note from Lillian: Defining the Dream
• Upcoming Training and Conference Opportunities (Youth 2007, the Global Young People's Convocation/United Methodist Young People's Legislative Assembly and more)

Learn more about ministries with young people by visiting www.gbod.org/youngpeople. We'd love to hear from you. Our contact information is as follows:

youngpeople@gbod.org
877-899-2780 x7184
615-340-7184
fax: 615-340-7063

Please send us information about young people in ministry, ministry opportunities, questions, etc. Please share the Division on Ministries with Young People information with others in your annual conference and central conference or jurisdiction. May God's blessings overtake you in ministry!

Lillian C. Smith
Division on Ministries with Young People
The General Board of Discipleship
P.O. Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
615-340-7079

Weddings or Prenuptial Counseling Resource

As one of her ministries, Bev Fest, RMC Deacon, officiates at weddings, primarily for persons not connected with a congregation. She wants pastors to know of her availability to couples looking for an officiant and to please pass on her name and website: www.mountainministry.com. She also does prenuptial counseling, using the Life Innovations (see above) materials, and is willing to do counseling for couples, whether or not she officiates at the wedding. Questions or additional information: 303-494-4246 or at revbev@mountainministry.com.

Hospice Organizations Offer Education

Many people living in our communities are either coping with a life-threatening illness or caring for an elderly loved one with fragile health. Odyssey Healthcare is a hospice organization in Colorado Springs specializing in palliative care for people diagnosed with terminal illnesses, including heart, lung, liver and kidney diseases, debilities related to strokes, cancer, and severe MS, ALS, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Although Odyssey has served Colorado Springs for over 3 years, we have discovered that too many people have misconceptions about hospice benefits available to them. As a result, we are looking for opportunities to speak to community groups and address healthcare issues that concern so many.

Some topics include:

• Serving Persons with Terminal Illnesses with Dignity
• Ministering to the Dying and Their Caregivers
• How Hospice Services are Paid
• Adding More Life to Days vs. More Days to Life
• What is Hospice?
• Remaining at Home with Hospice
• Volunteering Your Time to Help Hospice Patients

If you are interested, please contact Michael Kirk, Spiritual Care Coordinator, by calling our office at 719-573-4166. Odyssey Healthcare is located at 4465 Northpark Drive, Suite 400, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, 719-573-4166 (voice) 719-632-5990 (fax), or toll free 866-366-6473.

If you are too far from Colorado Springs, consider contacting your own local Hospice organization.

Vacation Bible School Training Offered

The Pike’s Peak Sub-District Education Committee is offering Vacation Bible School training sessions to churches in the Pike’s Peak Sub-District. The 90-minute VBS training sessions include topics such as, teaching to learning styles, storytelling techniques, craft ideas, recruitment ideas, and more. Contact Rev. Char Elliott, Children’s Minister at Sunrise UMC, Colorado Springs, at 719 598-7013, Ext. 19 if your church is interested in scheduling a session.

"Sacred Dance" Meditation Class Available

WHEN IS SACRED DANCE NOT DANCING? – When it’s an hour of meditation, deep breathing, stretching, and careful motion. If you’re afraid of the word “dance,” be not afraid. We meet at University Park UMC at Warren & University Blvd in Denver from 8:00-9:00 am on most Wednesday mornings. We leave with our inner spirits calmed and relaxed, ready to face the day. The class is lead by Dr. Christina Bryan, who delights in easing frustrations and making smiles. No reservation needed, just put on your warm-up suit and join us! What a great way to get through the middle of the week!

Chaplain Issues Invitation to Prison Ministry

Yong Hui V. McDonald, chaplain at Adams County Detention Facility since December 2003, has issued an invitation to those who would like to be involved in prison ministry without going to prison: "You are invited to join the TRANSFORMATION PROJECT and DINNER for the benefit of the Christian ministries program at Adams County Detention Facility (ACDF). Our vision for this project has three parts: Book Project; Ministry Studies Project, and Ministry Prayer Project. The dinner is at the Broomfield United Methodist Church Wednesday, April 13, at 6:00 p.m. where we will share in the testimonies of those involved in prison ministries throughout the state." The 3 parts of the project are designed to enable participation of any who wish throughout the Conference, because personal travel to the prison is not necessary: prayer, donation of books, and sponsorship of ministry studies can be done from afar. Get complete information on this invitation to ministry here:

• Invitation to Prison Ministry (MS Word DOC)
• Dinner Flyer (MS Word DOC)

Is Your Church On Fire?

What are the marks of a church "on fire" so that disciples of Jesus Christ are being made and formed for the transformation of the world? So asks retired United Methodist pastor John Middleton in an article titled "The Church Is on Fire!" on The General Board of Discipleship worship-preaching-music website.

Weekly Sunday Worship Features ASL Translation 

At Korean-American UMC in Colorado Springs we have American Sign Language (ASL) translation for the deaf at each Sunday Morning worship service at 9:30. Our address is 4550 Carefree Circle North, Colorado Springs, CO 80917. For additional information, contact Bill Gamble, 719-272-4223.

National Council of Churches Web Headlines

36 American Faith Groups Linking Hands and Voices to Share the Love of Christ

Read stories and more at www.councilofchurches.org 

New Resource Available: "Living the Questions"

A new resource entitled "Living the Questions" is available for congregations and small groups. It’s a 12 week series on DVD and World Wide Web that can be used in small groups. Several UMC denominational leaders and pastors are involved including Dr. John Cobb (Claremont School of Theology), Bishop Minerva Carcaño (Desert/Southwest), and Dr. Tex Sample (St. Paul School of Theology). Other well known religious scholars also involved are Marcus Borg, John Shelby Spong and Emilie Townes. The program focuses on Christian invitation and spiritual formation. Check it out.

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Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Alert E-List

The Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is issuing an invitation for their Alert System. Alert Messages from their national organization concerning anti-choice legislation that is pending either in Colorado or Washington, D.C. will trigger an alert and and an invitation to act in an appropriate manner. If you would like to work with them and receive their e-mails, please contact Betty Serotta at bserotta at comcast.net

United Methodist references to reproductive choice are in the Book of Discipline (2004) Par. 161J and 162I and Book of Resolutions on Responsible Parenthood.

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Clergy Retreat Opportunity in Fruita, Colorado

Clergy, need a break? Take a retreat at Mulberry Cottage, Fruita, Colorado. Fifteen minutes from the western gate to the Colorado National Monument, Fruita is only four beautiful hours from Denver. It is a great place for shedding the demands of the pastoral routine. Explore the Colorado National Monument, take a single track trail, tour our vineyards and wineries, enjoy the wonderful restaurants of the Grand Valley, or simply curl up with a good book or soak in our hot tub. Bed and Breakfast for clergy is free, Monday through Thursday, the rest is on you. Weekends are available at a reduced price on a space available basis. Visit us on the web at www.mulberrycottagebandb.com or call Lynne at 970-858-0851.

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New Worship Resource for Pastors: Mission Moments & More

United Methodist Communications has developed a new resource for local church pastors called Mission Moments and More. This electronic resource provides a mission moment for worship, nuggets for the church newsletter and an offertory prayer for each Sunday of the year focused on our United Methodist connectional giving. These weekly resources will focus on the apportioned funds, the six churchwide special Sundays with offerings and the Advance for Christ and His Church. 

Please follow this link to view the Mission Moments and More for January, 2005: http://www.umcgiving.org/content

Thanks, 

Kent McNish, Connectional Giving Team, United Methodist Communications
810 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203-4744
Phone: 615-742-5142 Fax: 615-742-5460 

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Fraud Alert: New Identity Theft Laws Protect Consumers

The January Fraud Alert, "New Identity Theft Laws Protect Consumers" is available here in a Word doc, courtesy of the Denver District Attorney's Office.

Identity theft continues to be a major crime in Metro Denver, and these new laws provide increased protection and assistance for victims. Remember also that Denver DA Economic Crime Specialist Debra Shampanier can provide assistance to ID theft victims. Her direct phone number is on the Alert. 

We have developed a great program on identity theft prevention and victim resources. Please think about scheduling us into your 2005 calendar to speak to any group - or your entire congregation. Those communities who schedule an identity theft prevention program in 2005 will receive a state-of-the-art, cross-cut shredder that can be used for your community or as a door prize!

In addition to the identity theft program, we are offering in-depth programs on new telemarketing scams and how to protect your investments from fraud. We look forward to serving you in 2005! 

Wishing you many blessings for the holiday season and in to the New Year!