An Invitation to Pray

In light of last week’s shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, the Mosaic Diversity Workgroup of the Presbytery of Denver invites all to pray for healing.  
  
As we grieve and lament as a nation, we are reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s sermon title, “Where do we go from here?” “When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.  Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice”. (Sermon: “Where do we go from here?”- delivered at the 11th Annual SCLC Convention, Atlanta, GA, August 16, 1967).  

Where do we go from here, really? When we face the myriad of problems in our country, especially racial profiling, gun violence, mental health, fear, and race hatred of those who are different.  We need to cry out with the prophet “How long, O Lord, must I cry for help…?” It is a time for lament.  Yet our Brief Statement of Faith encourages us “to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask the idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and work with others for justice, freedom and peace” (A Brief Statement of Faith, 67-71).  We can do this and we must because we need God’s healing in our midst.   

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21b).
  
Olivia Hudson Smith, Co-moderator of Mosaic Diversity Workgroup 
David Chai, Co-moderator of Mosaic Diversity Workgroup 
William Sanders
Joe Mares 
Darryll Young 
Neil Berry 
Amy Mendez  

Resources for Responding to Gun Violence

As a pre-assembly event in May, the Relations and Communications Work Group sponsored the showing of the film,Trigger: The Effects of Gun Violence, which was produced by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Following the film Jean Demmler, a member of the work group, an elder at Capitol Heights Church and a member of the General Assembly’s Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, led a discussion about the film. To see a clip of the film click here.  

Many requested the links to helpful resources mentioned during the event.  The website and resource links about gun violence are as follows:   
 
Trigger study guide - $5.00 - http://store.pcusa.org/Trigger-Study-and-Action-Guide
Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call – report approved by the 219th General Assembly (2010) - https://www.pcusa.org/resource/gun-violence-gospel-values-mobilizing-response-god/
Washington Theological Consortium Resource Pages - http://washtheocon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Christian-Churches-and-Gun-Violence-3.pdf
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Resources - http://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence/resources#.VVuSZ03bL3g

Congregational toolkit -            http://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/files/gunviolence/GVP%20Toolkit2.pdf
Presbyterian Mission Resources for Responding to Gun Violence - http://www.presbyterianmission.org/gunviolence/
PC(USA) Resources on Gun Violence – http://www.pcusa.org/browse/resources-resource/tag/gun%20violence/ (many are duplicates from the mission resources but all in one place) 
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Resource material - http://pda.pcusa.org/situation/hcd/

Shootings responded to by PDA - http://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/pda/pdfs/shootings_responded_to_by_presbyterian_disaster_assistance.pdf

May 2015 Assembly

Thanks to Providence and Mountain View United churches for hosting dinner and to Bill Strickland for the photos!

Nepal Earthquake Relief

Many have asked how they can give financially to relief efforts in Nepal. Both Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church and the PC(USA) have options that may be of interest.

Montview has deep roots in Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world. For years Denver’s Montview community has worked closely with two exemplary, U.S-based nonprofits serving some of the neediest people in Nepal: Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) and International Development Enterprises (iDE). Both organizations have strong leadership in Nepal, experienced local staff and proven track records for effective management and successful program implementation. To learn more visit them online at NepalYouthFoundation.org and IDEorg.org.

In the days since the quake, NYF and iDE have been providing medical attention, shelter, food, and water to the people most affected by the quake—the people they serve. Both organizations have many boots on the ground and systems in place. They know what to do and how to do it. Their greatest need is funding.  If you chose to make a contribution to the efforts in Nepal via Montview, all donations will be split equally between NYF and iDE. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Donations can be made via the Montview website here or by check payable to Montview Church.  For donations made via a check, please write Nepal Earthquake on the memo line and mail your check to Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Nepal Earthquake, 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220.

You also can give through the Presbyterian Church (USA), if you desire. PC(USA)'s Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is supporting the work of partners in Nepal through the earthquake recovery efforts of ACT Alliance.  To learn more or to donate in this way visit the PC(USA) website here.

March Presbytery Assembly

Thanks to Good Shepherd for hosting and to Angela Duggan for capturing the images of an evening filled with important work and great fellowship.  

Being Leaders: Living into Your Call

The recent event sponsored by the Presbytery's Leadership Work Group provided stimulating conversation, connections across congregations and new thoughts for leading and living into your call.  Read the full report here.