TableTalk

November 26, 2008
Vol. 14 No. 11 For Church Leaders Gathered at The Table
TABLETALK is a publication of The Rocky Mountain Conference Office of Communications
Information and Concerns of RMC Leadership, for RMC Leadership
Send information to Ben Roe, ben at rmcumc dot com Fax: 303-733-1730 Voice: 303-325-7046
Mail: 6110 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Web address: rmcumc.org/News/table/

Conference Resources

Bishop Elaine releases 2008 Advent Invitation

To the United Methodist people of the Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain Conferences,

Grace to you and peace in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who invites us to encounter the future with irrational hope.

Gratitude: you have received me with radical hospitality.

I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:16)

Thank you for all the many acts of kindness and generosity with which you have welcomed me as your bishop. Weeks before I arrived in Denver you sent me your prayers, your wishes, your pledges of support. Before you could possibly know us, you showered my family with gifts of your love. In each place you have greeted me with warmth, openness and genuine eagerness to work together to strengthen the church and serve the world in the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Challenge: tough times require deep faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Next week Christians enter the season of Advent, a time when we spiritually wait in darkness for the birth of Jesus. There are times in our lives when we aren’t certain that God is with us, and like the ancient star-gazers, we look into the night sky for a sign of hope and of assurance. Day after day we hear reports of “economic downturn” and “global warming.” These are frightening words. It’s easy to feel powerless in their wake. What are Christians to do? How can a prayer group affect global weather patterns? How can one church turn scarcity into plenty?

Our faith has prepared us for such a time as this. It is our faith that teaches us to look for the good news when all the news seems bad. It is the Bible that tells of people who, despite being uprooted, defeated and transplanted, irrationally followed God through faith and hope to an unimaginable and incredible future of hope. In deepest darkness we are called to live with hope!

Invitation: extravagant generosity.

Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly from the field. (Deuteronomy 14:22)

I heard an economic analyst this week say that it’s time to dig a hole in the back yard and double bag your money. There is no hope in a hole in the ground. A different response to hardship is generosity. If you haven’t lost your house or your job, and if you still have a steady flow of income, you are among the blessed right now. You have a choice to live in fear or to live in gratitude. Fear would lead you to hoard what you have. Gratitude would lead you to share. Faith invites us into generosity. The Bible teaches that one tenth of all we receive belongs to God: a tithe. That means we return to God a tenth of our salary and income on our investments. I expect this of myself.

I invite you, in a time of economic uncertainty to join me in an experiment. What if, just during Advent, just for the month of December, you and your family gave one tenth of your income to the church or to other charitable causes? If you already give a tenth, God bless you! If we all did this, for one month, the financial uncertainty within the church would disappear and every church would have the ability to share abundantly beyond its doors. Just maybe we would learn that tithing isn’t so difficult after all.

I invite you to discover the abundance that comes from sharing. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. God bless you with great light and abundant hope in Jesus Christ this holy season,

Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky

Youth Leadership Conference Will Happen February 27-March 1 in Winter Park

Youth Leadership Conference is an annual event at YMCA of the Rockies in Winter Park, Colorado. This is your voice and vote in the United Methodist Church! This year’s theme is “Leadership: Is it in You?” The conference is set for Friday-Sunday, Feb. 27-Mar. 1.

“ We heard the cries, fielded the laments, and listened to the still small voice,” said Co-chairs Debbie Hull and Sarah Wynkoop, “and the event is now open to all youth from sixth to 12th grades. So y'all come! Leadership and a legislative push will be our focus, and your voting team for legislation consists of no more than two adults, three senior high and two mid high youth. Talk with your youth group about changes you would like to see in the United Methodist Denomination and be working on your petitions now.”

Registration fee (payable to RMC) is $60; housing options are varied, and those wishing to stay at the YMCA’s Aspenbrook or Silver Sage lodges can do so for $83, which includes two nights lodging and meals. Deadline for housing registration is January 15; arrangements can be made at 970-887-2152 or at www.ymcarockies.org (reservation #S20230, password 36551). For more information, call Debbie at 970-353-5522 or Loren Boyce at 303-325-7054.

October Church Tithe Reported

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

Thank you for your continued giving to the mission and ministry of the Rocky Mountain Conference and the United Methodist Church as a whole! Your faithful generosity and stewardship help us all share in justice and cooperative ministries within our Church and throughout the world. When we give of our treasures, we also find what is important in our hearts.

Your Tithing Money At Work In The Conference

Thank you for supporting justice work within and through the RMC! The Conference Church and Society Network empowers and resources local churches for justice and advocacy ministries. Requested by the Bishop, the Network co-sponsored three public hearings for “In Defense of Creation: ”

The UM Council of Bishops is now revising its 1986 pastoral letter, “In Defense of Creation” addressing nuclear proliferation, to now include new threats to God’s creation, including environmental degradation, global warming, endemic poverty, disease and a world awash in weapons.
Public hearings included theologians, scientists and scholars discussing the realities of God’s creation.
Participants asked questions and offered their own comments to be shared with the Bishops.

Your Tithing Money At Work In The General UMC

Thank you for supporting the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund (ICF), enabling the United Methodist Church to join with other denominations to make a more solid stance for Christian causes!

This fund supports ecumenical efforts, fosters Christian unity and understanding, witnesses to a common Christian faith, meets human suffering, and advocates for peace and justice around the world.
Almost four cents of every 10 local church dollars tithed to RMC supports this General Church Fund.
The ICF helps United Methodists be in ministry with people of many faiths through the World and National Councils of Churches, Pan-Methodist Commission, World Methodist Council and Churches Uniting in Christ.

October tithing income, based on September receipts in local churches, totaled $362,692.77. We are grateful for churches that continue to tithe faithfully during this difficult economic time. A detailed Tithing Report, by church, is available for your information, here. The graph reflects Conference-wide church giving comparisons to last year (2007).

If you have any questions regarding the tithing program, please contact Laurie Day, asst. treasurer–donor services (ext. 162) or Wayne Bettendorf, conference treasurer (ext. 151) at 800-536-3736 or 303-733-3736.

"Enliven the Offering" Resources Available

At the recent stewardship workshop at St. Andrew UMC in Highlands Ranch, the presenter encouraged pastors, before taking the offering, to use stories about how people are being affected by the ministries of the Church. Here are sources for such stories, if you need something from outside your own faith community: UMCOR updates, reports on how the Committee on Relief has helped the world, at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/hotline/; or the story of how local UMCs help hurricane-ravaged areas of the south (“If there is anything else we can do for you, just go to the nearest United Methodist church.") at http://tinyurl.com/575yq7; or the complete moment, offertory prayer, and newsletter/bulletin "nugget" of the following story here.

“It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke: A minister and a rabbi walk into a hospital. But Pastor Karen Onesti and Rabbi Andrew Bossov of Mount Laurel, N.J., don't care if people laugh—as long as they get the message that being an organ donor is the ultimate act of compassion. Onesti, pastor of Masonville-Rancocas UMC, donated her left kidney to her friend Bossov, rabbi at Mount Laurel’s Adath Emanu-El synagogue, earlier this year. For the two spiritual leaders, the operation in Philadelphia was the culmination of a yearlong odyssey that began in January 2006 as both attended an interfaith council of churches meeting. Bossov shared that his kidney disease had progressed and that he had been placed on a waiting list for a transplant. Without hesitation, Onesti offered, ‘I'll give you one of mine. My family has great kidneys, and we live into our 90s.’" The connection of United Methodist people is a channel through which goodness, mercy, grace and compassion flow. Thank you for being God's faithful people to others in need.

Conference UMF Provides Planned Giving Web Page

To follow-up on Dr. Clif Christopher’s stewardship workshop (It’s Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate): Dr. Christopher lifted up the simplicity of introducing planned giving. As discussed at the workshop, the RMC UM Foundation provides a professional planned giving web page available to all UM Churches. The site provides brochures, a gift calculator and details on various planned gifts. Also, this information is updated weekly with IRS updates and news of interest. Please consider adding this link to your church web page: www.umchurchlegacy.org.

In Defense of Creation Report Submitted

Three hearings were held in the RMC in 2008 for the revision of the “In Defense of Creation” foundation document and pastoral letter originally released in 1986 by UM Bishops. The final report to the Bishops of these hearings is now available on the RMCUMC.org web site (PDF).

The first hearing addressed "Environmental Degradation and Climate Change" and was held prior to the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference Session in Denver in June. About 80 participants attended. The session was energized by national presenters, and enhanced by lively discussion and the free exchange of ideas. The second hearing, “Poverty, Environment and the Church,” was in July at Trinity UMC in Denver. Following the breaking of bread, Linda Gertenbach moderated a lively panel of presenters. The third session, “A World Awash in Weapons” was in October at Wheat Ridge (CO) UMC. Twenty passionate, well-informed persons participated. The Wesley Center’s Roger Wolsey moderated a panel of top-notch individuals. The eight-page report provides a brief summary of the panelists' presentations and excerpts from comments made by participants in response to specific and challenging questions. Read it here (PDF).

SonRise in Interpreter Magazine

Read about SonRise United Methodist Church in Pueblo in the November-December issue of Interpreter, the official ministry magazine for the people of the UMC. SonRise is included in one of several features on “Gifts of Life.” The story features its support of an orphanage in Sierra Leone serving children orphaned by AIDS. Read the story on-line. Find other stories about Laura Bush’s delivery of mosquito nets, Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday and response to the devastation of hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Learn, too, about how simplicity can add meaning to the holidays and how some churches are saving money by going green. As always, enjoy reading the popular "It Worked for Us" and "IdeaMart" departments as well as "Lighter Fare." Check out Interpreter OnLine at www.interpretermagazine.org. Personal subscriptions may be ordered through UM Communications at 888-346-3862.

Ft. Morgan Drama Ministry Presents Christmas Dinner Theater

The drama ministry at Fort Morgan UMC invites you to its Christmas dinner theater production of “Beyond the Star” Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13. Advance tickets necessary: $15 adults, $12 children 10 and under; play only: $7 adults, $5 children. Free nursery for ages 3 and under. “Beyond the Star” is a unique story of faith beyond the miracle of Christmas. The drama is written and directed by Terri Dill, education director at the Fort Morgan UMC. Music is written and recorded by her son Brandon, a professional musician and actor. A seasoned tech crew handles sound and lighting for the production. The cast includes 30 actors; another 30-40 people serve as support, production, kitchen and dining room volunteers. Times: 5:45 p.m., doors open; 6 p.m., dinner served; 7 p.m., gather in sanctuary/theater; 7:30 p.m., performance. Tickets and more information at church office, 970-867-5666.

St. Andrew’s "The Music of Christmas" Concert To Be Recorded

St. Andrew UMC's own Charles Wesley Choir, handbell choir and orchestra come together to present "The Music of Christmas" on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. This wonderful collection of traditional and contemporary Christmas music will be recorded to produce a CD to be released in 2009. Admission is free, and seating is limited. Call (303)794-2683 to reserve seats. St. Andrew UMC is at 3350 White Bay Dr. (9300 Blk. Of University Blvd.) in Highlands Ranch, CO. More...

Messiah Sing Along Fund-raiser for Children with HIV/AIDS

Singers are invited to a special Messiah Sing Along at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 at Littleton UMC. Come sing favorite choruses with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra and hear arias performed by four of Colorado’s finest soloists: Judeth Shay Burns, Marcia Ragonetti, Jason Baldwin and Steven Taylor. Every penny of a requested donation of $20/ person will go directly to children suffering with HIV/AIDS in Kenya and India, through The Power of Hope and The Center for the Church and Global AIDS. More, with poster...

Denver Christian Indian Center Hosts 19th Annual Christmas Bazaar

Featured artist Red Tail Chasing Hawks will perform on Saturday (noon-3 p.m.) as part of the 19th Annual Christmas Bazaar held Friday-Sunday, Dec. 5-Dec 7 at the Denver Christian Indian Center, 501 Pearl St. (Virginia & Pearl), Denver. James Torres (piano and vocals) and Calvin Standing Bear (native flute, guitar, and vocals) formed Red Tail Chasing Hawks in 1993. Two albums went worldwide. After an eight-year hiatus, the pair reunited and is currently working on a third album, scheduled for release in early 2009. Red Tail Chasing Hawks CDs will be available at the Christian Indian Center. Other highlights will be Native arts & crafts, silver/turquoise jewelry, baked goods, Navajo tacos, mutton stew and frybread, a Christmas concert featuring RAINSONG and a Sunday worship service with RAINSONG, Terry & Darlene Wildman. For more information: 303-733-3693 or christian_indian_center@msn.com or http://www.denvercic.org or Bazaar flyer (PDF).

Yá'át'ééh Késhmish! ("Merry Christmas" in Navajo) The following Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Center, Sunny Dooley, Navajo (Diné) Storyteller & Former Miss Navajo 1982-3 will be featured at a 7 p.m. performance. Dooley is from the Four Corners region of the southwest from a community called Chi Chil' Tah (Where the Oaks Grow). She has been telling the Origin and Creation Stories of the Dine' people for the past 15 years and interprets her People's stories in English with all of their rich cultural, traditional, and historical context. Flyer... (PDF)

Joan Uda Honored as Finalist in Best Books Awards

HELENA, MT.- Book News honors Joan Uda's At the Water's Edge: God's Grace in Everyday Life as a finalist in the National Best Books 2008 Awards, Christian Inspiration category. Uda's book explores life's important events, celebrating life through real-life stories. Written simply and compellingly, At the Water's Edge lends itself to personal meditation and group study. A retired UM pastor, former attorney and teacher, Uda writes an inspirational column for the Helena Independent Record and the Great Falls Tribune. At the Water's Edge, Vol. II, will be published this fall by Rice Universe, a small Montana publisher: Rice Universe Publishing, P.O. Box 1065, East Helena, MT 59635, www.riceuniverse.net, joan@riceuniverse.net.

Missions News

United Methodists Give Tornado Aid to Windsor, Colorado

People in Windsor will receive $12,500 in long-term aid from the UMC. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has approved $10,000 for the long-term recovery of the community, following the tornado that hit the town May 22. The RMC Disaster Fund will be providing another $2,500 towards the recovery needs. Linda Pelletier, pastor at First UMC of Windsor, said "this is a real blessing. It will have a huge impact. It's wonderful that people from all over the world are supporting us" through these gifts. The administrative cost of UMCOR is funded by contributions to a "One Great Hour of Sharing" special offering usually collected in March. The money from this offering allows UMCOR to send 100% of donated supplies and funds directly to places and people in need. More information about UMCOR is here.

Bahamian Mission Trip Announced

Loren A. Boyce, RMC associate director of mission and ministry, recently traveled to the Bahamas where he saw “first hand the real needs of the people…and the opportunity…to be in mission with God in the Nassau area.” Here is part of his invitation.

Hello youth workers, pastors, and those interested in mission,
During the week of June 21 - 27, 2009, we ALL will have the opportunity to meet the real people of the Bahamas. The Youth Worker Movement, UMVIM, the Bahamas Conference and Mission Encounter have partnered to offer this experience for youth and youth workers across the United States. This trip is programmed for all youth (6th - 12th grade) and for young adults (18-35). Adult to youth ratio is one to five, with a minimum of two adults from each contingent. Some of the projects (participants choose!) include: orphanages/hostels/churches-building/construction, VBS teaching (bring your own materials), provision of supplies, painting; public schools - computer lab setup & instruction, tutoring & teaching, construction of pavilions and picnic tables, painting; sports camps - after school setting and teaching of sports related fields (bring your own materials & equipment); and building & construction, painting, roofing of homes. There is also a medical mission where doctors, nurses, dentists, etc. are needed.

Cost is $675/person (based on quad occupancy) plus a $50/person materials fee plus transportation. (At this writing airfare to Nassau is approximately $500/person.) The $725/person covers five breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners (meals on travel days and free day in Nassau are on your own). Also covered with this fee is housing in the Wyndham Hotel Nassau and all necessary materials. Travel will be coordinated through a group travel agency, so the travel costs could be slightly lower. There is a national limit of 600 people (so register soon if you want to participate). Since duties and tariffs are huge, as many tools as your group can bring is the way to go; however, tools can be bought in Nassau.

Logistics and deadlines: Registration began November 15 at (http://www.missionencounter.com). At registration a $500/team (non-refundable) deposit and the number of anticipated participants (not names) are required. By February 1 a non-refundable but transferable payment of $100/person is required. You will need names at this time. Additional payment of $300/person is required on April 1. Balance is due June 1. For more information please visit http://www.missionencounter.com or call Loren at 303-325-7054 or email loren@rmcumc.com

Honduras Service Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults

Sierra Service Project (SSP) plans to send three teams of youth and young adults to Honduras in the summer of 2009. Each year since 2003, Sierra Service Project has sent groups to Honduras that have built 21 homes. Volunteers work alongside Honduran families and community members to build two simple, but safe, dry and secure brick homes. This is a cultural immersion program that offers insight into one of the poorest countries in the Americas to young people wishing to learn more about the area and selflessly serve. The trip is open to mature youth and young adults. Participants must be high school juniors and seniors, or college-aged young adults. Each trip is two weeks long with departure dates of: June 21, July 8, and July 27. Cost is $2200 if you register before January 15, 2009, $2300 after that date. This includes all costs, including airfare from Los Angeles. Limited financial assistance is available. Please call SSP at 916-488-6441 or visit http://www.sierraserviceproject.org/honduras for more information.

Documentary Focuses on Reaching the Homeless

The key reason for homelessness is loss of family, according to Brian Souza, a UM pastor who provides a ministry that brings dignity to the person living on the street. Communities of faith can help fill the void by reaching out, he said. Souza, lead pastor of “The Rivers” UM Communities, a multi-site church serving the Blackstone Valley, is among those featured in “Lost in Woonsocket,” a story of human transformation, perseverance and hope. Story here.

Good News: UMCOR Gets Cuba Licenses

After weeks of efforts, the UM Board of Global Ministries has been granted two licenses from the U.S. government for relief work in hurricane-ravaged Cuba. The new licenses will allow the UMCOR to provide both short- and long-term assistance to Cubans affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in September. Sam Dixon, UMCOR’s top executive, was elated that the church's relief organization can finally respond to the destruction. "We rejoice in this news and look forward to this opportunity to be in mission together with the Methodist Church of Cuba," he said in a Nov. 4 press release. Read the whole story.

In a related story, Cuban Methodists expressed appreciation for aid efforts in a letter to UMCOR and its parent agency, the Board of Global Ministries. Four former leaders of the Methodist Church in Cuba expressed appreciation for the efforts made to obtain the required licenses from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to send humanitarian aid to Cuba. “We thank God for touching hearts and opening doors so that the United Methodist Church may carry out its humane and evangelical duty to aid the poor and the sick and those whose conditions in life depend now on the help that may be offered,” wrote the leaders, who now live in the United States. Hurricane Paloma also hit Cuba making it the third natural disaster to strike in 10 weeks.

General/Jurisdictional News

“The Third Eye: Contemplation as an Alternative Consciousness” Offered in Arvada in January

Join with Fr. Richard Rohr, OSF, for this workshop on building spiritual knowledge Friday-Saturday, Jan.16-17 at the Arvada Center for the Arts, 6901 North Wadsworth Blvd. Richard believes that people with some form of contemplative practice are in a unique position to both model and teach the alternative consciousness that leads to spiritual knowledge. Out of this contemplative dimension emerges both personal spiritual deepening as well as a world view that calls God’s people to global responsibility. The workshop will consist of lecture, guided silence, and guided practices, so participants can “know” for themselves. Flyer, registration, more information (PDF).

Churches Can Help to Simplify Holidays

Economic pressures will force many to simplify this year. Churches should plan and promote ministries that focus on the season’s meaning—and share holiday joy. For United Methodists seeking to be good stewards, simplifying will mean less spending and more time "to focus on the meaning rather than the method of giving thanks or celebrating Christmas," says Tom Albin, dean of The Upper Room Chapel, General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), Nashville, Tenn. Read the rest...

UMC Phone Cards Support Troops

The people of the UMC have donated more than 13 million minutes of conversations with loved ones to U.S. servicemen and servicewomen serving overseas. The Phone Card Project, five years old this November, was started by UM Chaplain Lt. Col. J. Maddox Woobery and was initially pushed by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the UMC. The chaplains who distribute the cards say many serving in conflict zones could not afford to call their families. With Christmas coming up, these cards are vital. To contribute to the phone card program, send checks to: UM Endorsing Agency (UMEA), General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, PO Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203. More....

New Scholarships Announced at Claremont School of Theology

Claremont School of Theology recently announced a new comprehensive scholarship program for students entering the School in Fall 2009. The University Scholars Awards at Claremont School of Theology is a merit-based scholarship program that provides for 100 percent tuition and fees, an on-campus apartment, books, and a monthly stipend that will be offered for up to eight entering masters-level students. Application deadline is January 30. Full details about the Awards are available at www.cst.edu. Press release continues here (PDF).

Professional UM Secretaries To Gather

A Certification Institute for UM church secretaries, administrative assistants, General Agency office personnel, Episcopal, district and annual conference office personnel is set for July 19-24, 2009, in Atlanta. This program of the Professional Association of UM Secretaries costs $315, which includes course materials, a continental breakfast Monday through Friday, a couple of lunches and dinners (Sunday & Thursday). Travel, room, additional meals and any other incidentals are the responsibility of each participant. Arrangements have been made with Emory University for air-conditioned dormitory rooms at $38 for singles per day and $30 per person, per day for doubles. The Institute provides outstanding advanced professional training and enrichment for UM church secretaries from across the denomination. A participant who completes the program and meets the requirements set forth by the General Council on Finance and Administration is eligible to apply for certification as a Professional United Methodist Church Secretary. Brochure, more information here (PDF).

The Conference Community

Prayer Concerns and Caring For the Conference Community

Prayer concerns are offered for the clergy and lay members and leadership of the Annual Conference and their immediate families as a way to nurture the community of the Annual Conference. Prayer concerns are listed on the Prayer Concerns pages on the Conference web site: RMCUMC.org/Community. More information about each of these named may be found on those pages. Please keep in your prayers:

Paul Rider, retired RMC clergy, whose son Rian, who had been shot, has now been released from the hospital and will be on convalescent leave for at least 30 days. He still has pain from a fractured rib, but is doing well and his spirits are very good. “We appreciate the prayers and greetings from friends in the RMC.” Rian, a juvenile detective in Montgomery AL, was shot November 5 at the scene of a home invasion/robbery. Expressions of care may be sent to Paul at afchap@pjrider.com.
People of the California-Pacific Conference who have suffered loss and damage from the fires in Southern California. Read more on the Cal-Pac web site.
Through the holidays, those who are homeless, jobless, or otherwise suffering from the recent economic stresses. UM Ministries that help: Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM); Crossroads Urban Center (Salt Lake City); UMCOR
Roddie Baden, spouse of Steve Baden, supply pastor for Cedar City UM Congregation in Cedar City, Utah, who was hospitalized recently with a heart episode. Expressions of care may be sent to cchase@infowest.com or their home address: P.O. Box 879, Parowan, UT 84761.
Matthias (Matt) Krier, pastor of the UMC of Steamboat Sprints, and his family. His uncle died and his mother and family would appreciate your prayers. Expressions of care may be sent to matthiaskrier@yahoo.com.
Francis Xavier, retired RMC clergy, is having medical tests at press time at National Jewish Hospital in Denver. Francis and Christine live in Walsh, where Christine serves as the pastor of the Walsh UMC. Expressions of care can be sent to f.xavier@earthlink.net or P.O. Box 92, Walsh, CO 81090.

Thanksgivings

Gene Rowbotham, retired RMC clergy, writes to say a "big THANK YOU to the many friends...who helped me celebrate my 90th birthday...at my party at FUMC, Cheyenne, October 18. Cards and/or calls from Bishop Elaine, the Cabinet, and many others helped make the day memorable and joyful. I had no idea it would be so much fun to celebrate a 90th birthday. Madeline includes her thanks with mine. Another note: I want to share with you my feelings of appreciation for the nearly 60 years of very meaningful relationship to the RMC and its predecessor, the Colorado Conference. I enjoyed and appreciated [all the churches I served]...Madeline and I are very grateful for our FUMC family in Cheyenne and the continuing fellowship we have with clergy friends..." Gene and Madeline live at 1717 Alexander Ave. #502, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

Appointments

Updated appointment list on the web: rmcumc.org/CHI/Journal/Appointments.htm, updated monthly July-May.

Dave Moorman is appointed as pastor to Sundance UMC effective January 1. He comes from the Holly, Bristol and Granada UMCs. Marcia Shafer, who was serving Sundance, was granted voluntary leave of absence effective November 1.

TableTalk Publication and Subscription Information

TableTalk is a selection or edited summary of some of the most important e-mailed information sent to the Rocky Mountain Conference e-lists since the last issue. If you wish to receive all information sent by e-mail to the Conference, please send us your e-mail address and say what kinds of information you wish to receive. If official Conference News is the only information you wish to receive, you can sign up yourself at rmcumc.org/subscribe. Help your Conference budget by receiving this publication via e-mail!

TableTalk is edited by Stuart Davis, communications intern, and Ben Roe, information administrator. The next TableTalk will be published via e-mail near the end of December and sent a few days later by US Postal Service. It will contain items sent prior to the date of publication. To subscribe to TableTalk, send an e-mail (or a postcard) with your name, church, and e-mail address to ben@rmcumc.com or the address above. Archives of the 2007 RMCUMC News posts are here: rmcumc.org/News/Communications/news.htm.