TableTalk

September 29, 2008
Vol. 14 No. 9 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 News and Resources

Time Changed for the Service Celebrating Bishop's Assignment: Now 3 p.m.

The time for A Service Celebrating the Assignment of a Bishop to an Area has been changed to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 at St. Andrew UMC in Highlands Ranch. This should allow additional persons the opportunity to attend the event. Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky, elected in July at the Western Jurisdiction Conference in Portland and assigned to the Denver Episcopal Area as of September 1, will be officially welcomed at this time. Leaders from the two conferences that make up the Denver Episcopal Area, Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain, will participate in the service and a reception will follow the service. This is an open invitation. Please pass on this information and as you are able, join in welcoming our new Bishop. St. Andrew UMC is located at 3350 White Bay Drive in Highlands Ranch.

RMC to Offer “Outstanding” Stewardship Event: “It’s Not Your Parents Offering Plate” October 24

Don’t miss an “outstanding” stewardship event, as United Methodists from the Rocky Mountain Conference will have the opportunity to join Bishop Stanovsky and other Conference leaders to rethink stewardship in the local church. Harvey Martz, senior pastor of St. Andrew UMC is so confident you will benefit from this workshop that he is personally offering a money back guarantee. The event is set for Friday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Andrew UMC in Highlands Ranch.

Clif Christopher, an elder in the Arkansas Annual Conference, is the director of the Horizons Stewardship Company. While he provides assistance to churches that are raising large amounts of money, this workshop is not about his company. Clif is a pastor first and on the side he has been doing extensive research on stewardship in the local church. This workshop is a result of that research and will challenge us to rethink stewardship in our own local churches. When Harvey brought Clif to meet with Wayne Bettendorf (RMC conference treasurer) and me, we realized local churches needed to hear what he had to say. Numerous bishops and conference leaders within the Church agree with us and have invited Clif to teach their clergy and lay leadership that the offering plate of today is “Not Your Parents Offering Plate.”

We always regret when members of our conference are excluded because the event is located on the front range of Colorado. But, if this workshop proves to be helpful then we may be able to offer it at other locations in the conference. Go to the St. Andrew’s web site, find the brochure here and register yourself and others for this workshop. (Cost is $25/person with $75 maximum per church.)
-Skip Strickland, Director of Mission and Ministry

Latest Church Tithe Giving Report Released with Thanks

" How can I repay the Lord my God for all God's Goodness to Me?" -- 2 Samuel 24:24
Thank you for your continued support of the mission and ministry of the Rocky Mountain Conference and the United Methodist Church as a whole! Your faithful stewardship helps us all share in ministry and leadership within our Church and throughout the world. When we all give thanks for the goodness we have received, together we can do even more.

Your Tithing Money At Work In The Conference - Thank you for supporting pastoral leadership in the RMC! The Conference has responsibility to recruit, train and resource its ministers for quality pastoral leadership. During this past month the RMC sponsored three such activites:

Residency in Ministry, a program of training and retreat for newly commissioned pastors, helped 17 new pastors learn about Christian Stewardship. The fall retreat will focus on worship, liturgy and ritual.
New Pastor's Orientation, for all ministers in their first appointment with the RMC, hosted 11 new pastors learning about Conference ministries and structure so they can be effective church leaders.
Local Pastor Licensing School of the Rockies, for individuals seeking appointment as Local Pastors. Several attended the two-week training focused on Preaching and Worship, Pastoral Ministry, Christian Education, and Organizing a Parish for Nurture and Mission.

Your Tithing Money At Work In The General UMC - Thank you for supporting the Episcopal Fund, enabling our bishops to lead the church in responding to needs related to education, health care, natural disasters, poverty and much more!

Four cents of every local church dollar tithed to RMC supports this General Church Fund.
The Rocky Mountain Conference welcomes Bishop Elaine Stanovsky as our new leader. Her ministry is supported through this Fund.
The Episcopal Fund provides economic support by paying bishop's salaries, pensions, benefits and Episcopal office and business travel and meeting expenses.

Pass Through Funds Deduction Clarified - Thank you for your continued commitment as we transition from Apportionment Giving to Tithing. It is a learning process for us all. Here is some clarification for the "Pass Through Funds" deduction.

Pass Through Funds are monies received for transfer to projects, events or organizations outside the local church. Such donations are not under control of, or use by, the local church and are not included in the basis of the Church Tithe. Include this amount as income on Line A and deduct on Line F.
Funds given to specific programs (youth, outreach, etc.) within the life and ministry of your church are part of the general operations and should be included as income on Line A and tithed. Do not deduct this income as a Pass Through on Line F.

August Tithing and Second Mile income, based on July receipts in local churches, totaled $350,682. A detailed Tithing report by church is available for your information on the Conference web site by clicking on “Resources” and then “Finances.” 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. Find the charts, report, and form here.

Guide to IRS Restrictions on Political Activity of Churches Available

The Conference Church and Society Network Advocating for Peace with Justice reminds churches of the importance of participating in the political process as well as at the same time protecting tax-exempt status of churches. During every major election cycle the question of "separation of church and state" comes up: faithful people ask, how can I express my faith through my political commitments and involvements (even if that involvement is only to vote!). The Constitution says that no religion will be "established," that is, given official sanction or preferential support (the interpretation of this amendment, of course, is subject to debate). But that does not mean Christians cannot express themselves on issues that have (sometimes huge) ethical implications.

The UM Social Principles state under V. THE POLITICAL COMMUNITY; Political Responsibility: "The strength of a political system depends upon the full and willing participation of its citizens. The Church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust." Also under Church and State Relations: "The United Methodist Church has for many years supported the separation of church and state...The rightful and vital separations of church and state, which has served the cause of religious liberty, should not be misconstrued as the abolition of all religious expression from public life."

How much can a church do, what can a pastor say from the pulpit? The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published an updated report called "Politics and the Pulpit 2008, A Guide to the Internal Revenue Code Restrictions on the Political Activity of Religious Organizations." This guide sets out in plain English the rules governing political activity that apply to nonprofit organizations (including churches and other religious groups) that are exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The 2008 edition of the guide updates versions previously published by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in 2004 and 2002. Read the complete story here, where you can also download the full report.

You might also check out the new "How to engage in faithful advocacy" brochure from the General Board of Church and Society (which was given to all RMC churches in their Conference packets) as well as WAND’s (Women's Actions for New Directions) learning session on how churches can actively engage the political process by educating themselves about voting rights, articulating the characteristics inherent in a just leader, and putting hands and feet to work getting out the vote in communities. The title of the session guide is How Congregations Can Take Part in Legal, Non-Partisan Election Activities. Visit www.faithwand.org for more information. Also, Sojourners magazine has a wonderful resource, "Election 2008 Voting All Your Values: Principles and Policies for Christian Voters." The Church & Society Network will be publishing an election resource guide, too. Watch for it.

Help Us Rejuvenate!

Pastors and youth leaders!!! Now is the time to hit the road running! Rejuvenation packets have been sent to every church and the event–set for November 14-16 in Grand Junction–will be here before we know it! Early registration is encouraged. Any questions can be directed to Loren Boyce and I will be glad to help. It would be helpful to email me with the name, email, and phone number of your youth worker (even if you have done it before) to insure that the information gets to the correct person. See more, including required forms and a schedule for the event at: rmcumc.org/MI/Youth/#rejuvenation. -Loren A. Boyce, Associate Director of Mission and Ministry

Wesley Foundation Director Announces New Date for "Wine Into Water Extravaganza"

Howdy folks! I'm the director of the Wesley Foundation, which is the United Methodist campus ministry at CU in Boulder. You can learn more about us at www.wesleyf.org. At any rate, we need some help!

We're having our first annual "Wine Into Water” Silent Auction & Wine Tasting fund raiser, which is being postponed to Saturday, Feb. 21. We are currently seeking DONATIONS OF GIFTS OR SERVICES for people to bid on at our auction. Do you have a condo in Summit County that you could make available for a weekend, or artwork, season tickets, skis, bikes, computers, or any other NEW items that people might want to bid on which you could donate to our cause? OR do you have professional services that you could donate? e.g. a massage or rolfing session; fly fishing lessons; horse riding lessons, rock climbing lessons, painting/sculpting lessons, plumbing, electrical or carpentry work; legal services, spiritual direction; therapy; music lessons, etc. that you could offer? Think outside the box - we'll seriously consider all offers! All persons or businesses who donate items or services to the auction are able to display their brochures and business cards in order to help generate new customers and all gifts are tax-deductible! Please contact Roger Wolsey at brotherrog [at] hotmail.com if you can help. (P.S. If you haven't already contacted us, we'd love to learn of any students from your congregation who are attending CU!)

Native American Ministries Skit Available

Retired elder Lynn Evans has a short, three-person play about the Sand Creek Massacre written by a middle school teacher from Washington State. About six minutes long, it ends by asking for an offering to help build the memorial at the site. Since Rev. Chivington--who led the massacre--was a Methodist and the site is in our Conference some may choose to participate. Lynn says he will e-mail the script to anyone who asks for it; contact him at lynnevans [at] qwestoffice.net. Learn about the recent General Conference action regarding a Sand Creek research and learning center. Another resource. A bibliography published by the Colorado Historical Society is here (PDF). UMCGiving.org also has resources for Native American Ministries Sunday. UMCGiving.org is also where supplies for all special Sundays may be ordered.

RMC Clergy Publishes Advent Book

RMC clergy Bob Kaylor, pastor at Park City Community Church, has just had an Advent book titled Come to the Manger published by Abingdon that is now available through Cokesbury. The book consists of meditations on the lectionary scriptures for Advent 2008 and is designed for use by individuals and small groups. A leader's guide is also available. Here's the Cokesbury link. In addition, he also has a week of meditations published in the Upper Room Disciplines 2009, which is also available through Cokesbury. Bob is also Senior Writer for Homiletics.

Clergy Publishes Article

Marti Zimmerman, senior pastor of Smoky Hill UMC in Centennial, CO, has an article in the current issue of Circuit Rider, a publication of the United Methodist Publishing House for pastors. Read the current issue here.

Utah Lay Speaking Classes Scheduled

Two Lay Speaker classes will be offered at Mountain Vista UMC in West Jordan, UT on October 24 and 25 (Friday 6:30-10 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.). The Basic Course will be taught along with an Advanced Course. Local and Certified Lay Speakers are invited to take the advanced course: "Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism." The cost of the Basic Course is $35 (includes the book), while the cost of the Advanced Course is the cost of the books plus $18. Lunch will be provided on Saturday. Persons wishing to take the Advanced Course must order the books prior to the class. Please call Cheryl Elliott, District Director of Lay Speaking Ministries in Utah, at 801-568-0108 to reserve a place in either course, to get information on how to order the Evangelism class books, or with any questions about requirements for becoming a Lay Speaker.

Bridges Out of Poverty Series Sponsored

A "Bridges Out of Poverty" series begins Thursday, Oct. 16 at Trinity UMC in downtown Denver from 7-9 p.m. Deborah Ortega, Executive Director of Denver's Commission to End Homelessness, Shawn DeBerry, Mayor's Clergy Council and Daniel Klawitter (RMC clergy), Religious Outreach Organizer FRESC will be featured. Other evenings include: "Bridging the Culture of Poverty with the Culture of Possibility" with William Lewis, Program Director, Denver Urban Ministries on October 23; "Wha't Working?" with Cecilia Broder, Mile High United Way, Don Burns, Families & Allies and Tina Yankee, Turnabout Inc. on October 30; and "How You Can Be the Change: Personal Support Networks" with Mickey Axtell-Muck, Families & Allies on November 6. For more information: Miriam Slejko, associate pastor, mslejko [at] trinityumc.org. Postcards here.

Missions News

Missionaries to Visit This Fall

Zimbabwe has 7000 percent inflation! How do a United Methodist doctor and nurse witness in Zimbabwe? Dr. Emmanuel and Florence Mefor will be visiting the Rocky Mountain Conference from October 3 to November 9 and would like to share their amazing stories with local UM congregations. Please contact Joanie Calhoun at 303-955-1185 or jimnjo30 [at] aol.com for information.

Northwest Denver CROP Walk Coming Up

Merritt Memorial invites you to join the Merritt team as we support the Northwest Denver CROP Hunger Walk for the second year. The walk will take place at Highlands Lutheran Church (3995 Irving Street, Denver) on Saturday, Oct. 11. Contact Deniese Estrada at 303-455-5765 to receive a packet of information. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, and the funds raised will benefit hungry neighbors in Northwest Denver and around the world (some 80 countries).

UMCOR’s Sam W. Dixon Requests Emergency Hurricane Response

Hurricanes and torrential storms have caused massive damage, destroying homes in the Caribbean and throughout the Gulf Coast. Nearly one million people in Haiti alone were displaced by the series of storms. Hurricane Ike swept in on the heels of Fay, Gustav and Hanna with powerful winds and drenching rains. Even inland communities of the United States suffered great loss from widespread flooding. "The impact of Ike and other hurricanes on life and property extends from Haiti to Houston," says Bishop Janice Huie of the Texas Annual Conference. Donations are needed to help children and families in desperate need, to help UMCOR, which has mobilized teams of first responders in Haiti, Florida, Louisiana and Texas and to aid many churches that need major repairs or complete restoration. Gifts will also provide emergency relief kits, flood buckets, fresh drinking water, building materials, as well as school kits for children. Find out more >> http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/emergencies/

GBCS Partners with the ONE Campaign

This is a new post to the Community Bulletin Board: In 2008, the General Conference called United Methodists in the U.S. and internationally to work to engage in ministry with the poor and to stamp out killer diseases of poverty by improving health globally. The General Board of Church and Society is an official partner of the ONE campaign, which seeks to raise public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in developing countries.

In support of this partnership, persons are urged to sign the ONE Declaration committing themselves to help fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. Do so at: http://www.one.org/declare/. ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans - one by one. So far, over 2 million have signed the declaration in support of a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world. Together as ONE we can make a difference! Read more.

General/Jurisdictional News

RMC Clergy Don Messer Elected Chair of Global AIDS

(GBCS) Dr. Donald E. Messer, executive director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS, Centennial, Colorado, has been elected by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee to serve as chairperson. Messer succeeds Bishop Fritz Mutti and wife, Etta Mae, who have served as co-chairs of the committee since its inception in 2005. Under the Muttis' leadership, more than $1.8 million has been raised to help fight the global HIV and AIDS pandemic. The Global AIDS Fund has provided grants to nearly 70 HIV/AIDS projects in more than 20 countries around the world. The Global AIDS Fund Committee is charged with overseeing the promotion, use, supervision and distribution of the fund.

Messer wrote the original legislation adopted by the 2004 General Conference that established the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. Monies are to be used to support programs offering HIV and AIDS education, prevention, treatment and care services in the United States and around the world. The goal is to raise at least $8 million for HIV/AIDS. "Those who are infected with HIV/AIDS experience not only the effects of this devastating disease, but also extreme stigmatization and discrimination," Messer said. "As disciples of Jesus Christ, United Methodists are called to continue his healing ministry to the most marginalized in the world."

To support the Global AIDS Fund, you can donate online, contribute through any local UMC, or send gifts to: UMCOR Advance #982345 Global AIDS Fund, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. You may also call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation. For more information, visit the Global AIDS Fund Web site or UMCOR United Methodist Global AIDS Fund.

World AIDS Day Resources

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 each year to provide a time for programs on HIV/AIDS education and religious worship services that focus on intercessory and healing prayer, hope in God, and love and compassion in the midst of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. United Methodists are encouraged to observe World AIDS Day on or around December. 1. Voluntary offerings should go to "Global HIV/AIDS Program Development" (UMCOR Advance #982345). Materials for World AIDS Day are available each year from UNAIDS, and the United Methodist General Boards of Church & Society and Global Ministries.

Western Jurisdiction Academy Planned

United Methodists in the Western Jurisdiction have a great opportunity to grow in head, heart and soul through the two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation®. Beginning February 16-21, 2009 at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, California, this journey into Christ is for highly-committed clergy and lay participants who are yearning for something more. With over 25 years of history, the Academy is one of the most highly regarded programs of its kind, providing a balanced approach to spiritual formation with worship, lectures, silence, covenant groups and spiritual disciplines. Participants gather eight times for five days every calendar quarter - a total of 40 days in retreat. Racial-ethnic participants are encouraged to apply.

Faculty for this Academy (#29) includes Lloyd Allen, Elizabeth Canham, Jane Vennard, David Horowitz, Marcia McFee, Juan Bek, Bruce Rigdon, Jim Neafsey, Sr. Joann Heinritz, Roberta Bondi, Amy Oden, Hy Xuan Le, Bishop Hee-soo Jung, Luther Smith, Kathryn Damiano and James Lawson. The leadership team, which guides the experience, consists of Suzanne Seaton (PNW), Jan Sechrist (Cal-Nev), Jim Seaton (Cal-Pac), Bob Mitchell (Desert SW) and Ginger Howl (Oklahoma). More information about the Academy, including an application can be found by visiting www.upperroom.org/academy or by calling 1-877-899-2781, ext. 7233. Scholarship assistance is available.

Small Congregations Project Planned For Summer 2009

The Summer Collegium: a Project in Support of Small Congregations, is being prepared for the fourth summer of this ecumenical project, generously funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. The theme for 2009, to be held June 24 to July 2, is Body, Mind and Soul: Celebrating, Strengthening and Sustaining Clergy Wholeness in Small Congregations. Spouses/partners are invited to attend the first half of the nine-day conference to strengthen their support of their spouse/partner's ministry. All expenses for the 25 participants chosen, including travel, meals, lodging, books, pulpit supply and child care at home, are paid by the grant. There is no cost for participants. Single clergy and non-ordained local clergy are encouraged to apply. The application is rather lengthy, and the deadline to apply is December 15. For more information, please visit the web site, www.vts.edu/education/collegium or call Marilyn Johns, D. Min., Project Manager, The Summer Collegium, Virginia Theological Seminary, 703-461-1760.

Community Events

RMC Retired Clergy Gene Rowbotham Celebrated

Some folks at First UMC in Cheyenne are planning a party to help Gene Rowbotham celebrate his 90th birthday. If you have been touched by his ministry you may be interested. The celebration will be held in Allison Hall, First UMC, 108 E. 18th Street Cheyenne, WY on Saturday, Oct, 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. No gifts, but if unable to attend and would like to send a card, please address to Gene at 10616 W. Polo Plate Rd., Cheyenne, WY 82009. For more information, call Orene Jerome, 307-638-0935, 435-760-6957 (cell).

Interfaith Conference "Feeding the Soul" Scheduled

CENTUS Counseling, Consulting, & Education presents Feeding the Soul V, an annual interfaith conference for professionals and volunteers in the caring fields, including clergy, hospice caregivers, care team volunteers, nurses, chaplains, and other care givers. The conference is set for Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at our new venue for 2008, Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church at 11500 W 20th Ave. (at Simms), Lakewood, CO. For more information and registration forms go to www.CENTUS.org.

Interfaith Leaders Call For Just, Workable, and Humane Immigration Reform

Prompted by concern about the tone of the dialogue around the issue of immigration, Governor Bill Ritter, along with a diverse group of interfaith religious leaders in Colorado, asked all Coloradans of good will to sign an interfaith pledge on immigration during a press conference from the west Capitol steps on September 25. By signing the pledge on immigration, Coloradans commit to stand for America's finest ideals and core community values by rejecting the politics of division and isolation that fan anger and hate against persons and communities. Patrick Demmer of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance asserts that "By signing this pledge we affirm the highest criteria of our American Constitution, the deepest decency of our Declaration of Independence and the noblest virtues of our faith, practices and Godly principles." You can read the whole release here. The actual pledge you can sign is linked on the Council of Churches web site.

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:

all those affected by hurricanes and tropical storms Gustav, Hanna and Ike especially, including those who have responded to the needs. More: here and here.
the parsonage family of Mariah Hayden and Malcolm Himschoot, Andy and Madeleine. Mariah is pastor of Grant Ave. and Goode Centennial UMCs and Malcolm is UCC clergy. Their son Andy was hospitalized recently with a bad infection and surgery. Madeleine and Andy will be one year old December 17. Expressions of care may be sent to Grant Avenue UMC, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209 or revmariah [at] gmail.com.
Sally Geis, former member of the United Methodist Judicial Council, and active member of University Park UMC in Denver, has been caring for her husband, Bob, for some time. Bob died September 2. He had been in declining health in recent years, but his sudden death was unexpected. Memorial services were September 20 at University Park. Expressions of care may be sent to her at sbgeis [at] msn.com or Dr. Sally Geis, Atria Inn at Lakewood, 555 S. Pierce #340, Lakewood, Colorado 80226. Her phone is 303-715-9277.
Former members and friends of St. Paul UMC in Pueblo, who gathered September 14 on the corner of Colorado and Routt in Pueblo for a memorial service for the church, which was razed earlier in September for the construction of the new Pueblo Community Health Center. Kim James and Brent Ritter, of Wesley UMC, led the memorial service. The St. Paul congregation merged with Wesley in May 2007.
Retired RMC clergy Ray Logan's daughter Heidi, who has been diagnosed with stage 2b cervical cancer. Heidi is 33 and the mother of Aspen, aged 8. Aspen is staying with grandparents, Ray and Wendy. Please keep them all in prayer. Expressions of care can be sent to Ray and Wendy at wenray66 [at] msn.com.
Michael Chamness, pastor of Good Shepherd UMC in Thornton, and the rest of the family are grieving the loss of his brother Craig Chamness. Expressions of care may be sent to revmvc [at] yahoo.com or to Good Shepherd UMC, 3960 E. 128th Avenue, Thornton, CO 80241.
Bernie Bliss, who returned to the Peaks and Plains District office exactly six weeks after surgery. She recently reported that, "I am doing well, thanks to many prayers, emails, cards...flowers, and visits from United Methodist clergy, both appointed and retired. My recovery has been steady...Physical therapy will continue for some time. I am grateful to be driving again, walking without my cane (sometimes) and getting back to work..." Expressions of care may be sent to her at Bernie [at] rmcumc.com.
Earl Howard, Sr., father of Larry Howard (Central UMC, Colorado Springs), died August 24. Services were August 30, in Wichita, KS. You may send condolences to Larry at pastorhoward [at] cumccs.org, or to the church at 4373 Galley Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915. Phone numbers for Larry are 719-597-6642 (church); 719-358-7621 (home); 303-345-8145 (cell).

Clergy Eugene Fox Dies

Retired RMC clergy, Eugene Fox died August 28. He transferred to Rocky Mountain from the Illinois Conference in 1984 and served with Bonnell Good Samaritan Retirement Village, retiring in 1992. He was an avid bird and nature lover. Memorials in his name are suggested to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Memorial Contributions, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120. Expressions of care may be sent to his spouse, Jean Fox, 218 Tralee Ct., Fort Collins, CO 80525.

Appointments

Updated appointment list on the web, updated monthly July-May.

Lowell Karnes, retired elder, will begin serving on October 15 as the supply pastor to First UMC in Holyoke. As previously announced, local pastor Darrell Dennis, retired as of September 1, will be the supply pastor to the Kirk and Stratton UMCs.

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 October and sent a few days later by US Postal Service bulk mail. 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.