Just the Facts

Jan 31, 2022

The Provisional Conference Wide Committee on Ministry Is Underway!

We are excited to report that all three of the subcommittees of the new Provisional Committee on Ministry voted into being at the specially held Conference Meeting on Dec. 4th have had a meeting together and are beginning to build relationships with one another, gain understanding of their roles and responsibilities, and lay foundations that will equip them to be a faithful and effective Committee on Ministry.  I am so deeply grateful to all who are serving on this new Committee on Ministry as well as to all who served on the previous Association Committee’s on Ministry.  I am in awe of the collective depth of wisdom, experience, skill and care that resides within our conference.

As we continue to transition from Association Committee’s on Ministry to this Conference Wide Committee on Ministry I wanted to share some information that will hopefully help us maintain good communication and provide clarity as we move forward. 1.  We have created role specific emails for the Committee on Ministry.

  • The co-chairs of the Formation and Authorization Subcommittee: cochairfas@rmcucc.org
    To co-chairs of the Supportive Oversight Subcommittee: cochairsos@rmcucc.org
    The Accountability Subcommittee: acs@rmcucc.org
  • If you have a Member in Discernment, or someone who is seeking to become a Member in Discernment, who want to connect to this new COM, they can email the cochairs of the Formation and Authorization Subcommittee.
  • If you know of someone who is seeking to transfer their standing in or out of the Rocky Mountain Conference they can reach out to the cochairs of the Supportive Oversight Subcommittee.

2.  We are working on pages for the website that will outline various processes that people maybe looking for in relationship to the Committee on Ministry, i.e. How to Become a Member in Discernment, What is 3-way or 4-way Covenant, Standing Requirements, etc. This is a work in progress so we will update you as new items are brought on line.
3.  The Formation and Authorization Subcommittee is currently meeting virtually on the third Saturday of the month from 9-11 am.  The Supportive Oversight Committee is currently meeting virtually on the second Saturday of the month from 9-11 am.  The Accountability Subcommittee is meeting as needed.
4.  With the implementation of the new Provisional Committee on Ministry, clergy and churches will now have standing in the Rocky Mountain Conference rather than in a specific Association for this 2 year period.  We will re-evaluate where standing of clergy and churches reside after this two year experiment.

Thank you your continued prayers, support and engagement as we journey forward into this new ministry,

Rev Erin Gilmore

In partnership with the United Church of Christ Association of Conference Attorneys (ACA) the Insurance Board announces the addition of a Legal Helpline through our partnership with the Association of Conference Attorneys (ACA) of the United Church of Christ. All Insurance Board participants can access legal counsel that will provide a free legal consultation and referral service. Ministries will benefit from connecting with attorneys who have an intimate understanding of polity and how issues are processed in observance of free church traditions. As the only non-profit insurance provider serving six denominations through our exclusive covenant, our ministry continues to offer resources to protect yours.

Email The Legal Helpline: legalhelpline@insuranceboard.org (or)
Call The Legal Helpline: 800.437.8830 (prompt #7)

Revolutionary Joy: Poetry & Embodiment March 11-13 at La Foret

Now, more than ever, it is necessary to befriend our bodies and experience our souls as a source of healing, strength, and resilience.

Are you feeling drained, disconnected, or tired on a level that extra sleep won’t fix? The ongoing personal and collective experience is one of great stress and anxiety which is verging on impossible to cope with. Choosing our bodies, prioritizing our rest, and tending our joy is an act of defiance to a system hell-bent on crushing exploitation. Experienced artists and space-holders Ashley Cornelius and Mallory Everhart invite you to a weekend of rest, embodiment, and community, offering practices and resources to connect with your own inner well-spring of fierce, revolutionary joy.

Register: https://laforet.jumbula.com/Spring2022/RevolutionaryJoyPoetryEmbodiment

Earth & Soul, John Philip Newell May 6-8 at La Foret

Earth & Soul is a Celtic initiative of study, spiritual practice and compassionate action inspired by the teachings of John Philip Newell. Its School and Pilgrimages are designed to nurture a vision of the earth and every human being as sacred and to enable the work of healing in our lives and world.

This retreat will follow the first stage in this cycle: Celtic Wisdom 1, Sacred Soul (reawakening to the sacredness of every human being through the teachings of Pelagius, St Brigid, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)

$30 OFF FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE UCC MEMBERS!
COUPON CODE: CHURCH30OFF
Register: https://laforet.venue360.me/public/events/homepage


Jan 21, 2022

Racial Justice Sunday

Join the Rocky Mountain Conference in celebration of Racial Justice Sunday. February 13, 2022. The conference will provide a virtual worship service and sermon available for use on February 13. The Rev. Dr. Anthony Scott, Associate Conference Minister will preach.

On Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00pm, The Rev. Erin Gilmore and The Rev. Dr. Anthony Scott invite you into a conversation about the role of white comfort in movements for racial justice. 
The link for the Zoom meeting “White Comfort and Racism” is: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvfuCrqj4vEtFzZlTZmnl-0vuUBcUH1QY0

Starting on Thursday, February 17 at 7pm, the Antiracism Ministry will begin a conference wide book study using the book “The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth about Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations” by Robert Livingston. All are welcome to join in. Order your copy today. 
 
Dates for Book Study: 

  • 2/17 – Chapters 1-4 
  • 2/24 – Chapters 5-7 & Forum 1
  • 3/3 – Chapters 8-10 & Forum 2
  • 3/10 – Chapters 11-12 & Forum 3

The link for the Zoom meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscuGqrDorGNMHzAk9eIeJ2tCxS1eTq0zV

Annual Celebration 2022

The office of the RMC and the BOD have begun planning the 2022 Annual Celebration and Business Meeting, which will be held June 9th through the 11th on Zoom. The agenda and other information will be shared in the next few weeks. As churches elect their delegates we would ask that their names and email addresses they will use to register be sent to admin@rmcucc.org.

Medicare Made Simple Seminar

Medicare is complicated!  An educational Medicare seminar will be held on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 PM. Rebecca Skouson, a licensed Medicare advisor, from the Medicare advisory firm, Chapter, will share an overview of what to know about Medicare, as well as how and when to sign up.  In addition, she will review the common mistakes people make, like the myth that there is only one time per year to sign up for Medicare coverage.  This interactive one-hour seminar (time for questions is included) will be helpful to navigate the challenges and options of Medicare.  

Who should attend? People approaching enrollment eligibility in Medicare  (64 years and older) or people who are already on Medicare but may want to get a better understanding of their plans or improve their current coverage. In addition, adult children of those who are eligible may be interested as well. The purpose of this session is to educate people on the key components of Medicare.

To register for the free seminar click on the link here.  

La Foret 2022 Program Update Newsletter

La Foret has released it’s 2022 program update newsletter. They would like to share it with you as these are RMC events that will interest you.

To view the newsletter click on the link here.

Guns to Garden Tools

Following in the wake of gun violence throughout Denver and Aurora, organizations come together to offer new opportunities to reduce gun violence on MLK weekend, which included a gun to garden tool demonstration and gun buyback. Mountain View United Church and 6th Ave United Church of Christ (UCC) are partnered with RAWtools to host a gun buyback at Mountain View United Church, preceded by Sharletta Evans of Colorado Crime Survivors Network speaking at the 6th Avenue service.

Rev. Dr. Tracy L. Hughes reported that the Gun BuyBack went very well. Tracey said “We disabled (although I keep saying dismembered) 75 guns of which 50 were semiautomatic weapons, out of which 6 were assault rifles.”  As a woman from the church said, “Wow, that’s a lot of killing power off the street.” 

This is a great example of community action demonstrating a true UCC collaboration from Longmont to Boulder to a Denver to Aurora! And they brought along a few Presbyterians too!

In The Mud 2022

Over the last few years, we have seen all kinds of new and innovative outreach programs sprouting up across our Conference through these grants. From food pantries to playgrounds, to evening programs with progressive faith leaders, these small grants are helping local congregations have a greater impact in their communities.

It is never too early to start thinking about applying for an “In the Mud” grant, click here for program details.

To see what some of the results churches have achieved click here.


Jan 14, 2022

Rocky Mountain Credit Union Survey

As you may know, a 2017 General Synod Resolution identified a non-profit, member owned credit union as a way to provide vital financial benefits to the UCC community, and to advance justice for many who need access to the products and services a credit union can provide.

The Pension Boards of the UCC has undertaken the challenge to create a credit union for UCC clergy, lay church workers and local church members across the denomination.  As part of the regulatory process to obtain a credit union charter from the National Credit Union Association (NCUA), a critical step is a survey to measure interest from potential credit union members like YOU. 

Please answer the 10-minute survey now by clicking this link.

This survey is conducted by our research partner at Campbell Rinker through their AnswerClicks survey website. Your answers are held in complete confidence at Campbell Rinker. PBUCC and the NCUA will receive only compiled data. None of the information you provide will ever be used to solicit you for any service.

Your answers are essential, as a new credit union charter cannot proceed without a sufficient number of surveys. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (800) 642-6543, from 8:30-4:30 Eastern Time.

Dec 17, 2021

Deadline for 2021 Contributions

In order for donations to be counted towards the 2021 5 for 5 awards, checks must be dated 2021 and received no later than January 19, 2022 in the Conference Office.

Conference mailing address change

While we used a temporary mailing address during the early months of COVID, please start sending all checks and communications to the Conference Office at 1140 W 5th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204.

Conference Communications Strategy

This newsletter by design is simple, unadorned and down to a few simple facts. We are currently in a transition period since Daryl left the Conference Office and I assumed some of her many responsibilities. During the transition we are developing a communication strategy for which we would appreciate your feedback as to what has worked for you and what you need from the Conference Office.