July Who We Are What We Believe

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1 July 2015 Highlands Lutheran Church Who We Are What We Believe Highlands Lutheran Church is an open, welcoming and affirming Body of Christ intentionally following the life & teachings of Jesus, committing to hospitality and social justice. Possession of knowledge alone cannot bestow virtue, happiness or fulfillment. For these things we must look within and beyond ourselves. Inside this issue: 1 HLC Stories Mary Williams 2 Worship Ministers Schedule July and August Birthdays and Anniversaries 3 HLC Council Minutes A Few Words From Leisl Begnaud 4 HLC Welcomes Highland Community Church! 5 Happening at Highlands 6 More Happenings at Highlands 7 Church Clean-up Day 8 July Calendar Dearly beloved, We are continuing our series of personal stories. This month, we hear from Mary Williams. Enjoy! Pastor Liliana It was 1990 when my then husband, Terrell, and I joined Highlands Lutheran Church. We had been in the process of adopting through Lutheran Family Services, and at that time, it was a requirement to have a relationship with a Lutheran church. Since Highlands was just up (or down, never can get that straight!) from our home, and in walking distance, we thought we would stop in, talk with the pastor and then let LFS know that we had a relationship. Pastor Grunow, the pastor at the time, had other ideas. A visit would not suffice! Membership was the only way he would sign off on the paperwork for the adoption process. And thus began our (and now my) journey with this amazing congregation. I grew up in Stockton, California. When my father, Pastor Gus Polack, took the call to Emmaus Lutheran Church at 31 st and Irving here in Denver, I came along with the expectation that I would have snow at Christmas and a warm and sunny Easter. Little did I know that Colorado weather doesn t abide by those rules! Our first Christmas here was warm enough to go without a coat and it snowed on Easter. As I grew up, church became difficult for me. My father was a Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor and that theology made it very difficult to feel good about God and good about my relationship with God. When I left for college at 17, I turned my back on all things church for a while. It wasn t until I was in my 20 s that I found myself craving not only church, but the community within church. I was drawn to the social justice work of the Episcopal church and with the help of a young priest at St. Michael s and All Angels in Tucson, I started on my trip back into the body that I had left. It was touch and go for a bit as to whether or not I would give up being Lutheran. In the end, the Lutheran in my DNA (there are pastors or seminary professors everywhere you look in my genealogy :-) won out. It has been an incredible life here at Highlands. My second daughter Abbey, was baptized here, both daughters were confirmed here and both girls were married here. Terrell and I shared many committee and council meetings and when we were going through the painful process of divorce, this congregation held both of us in prayer and gave me the support and love to understand that this was the right thing to do. You all have also walked with me during my journey to my graduation from Iliff and now support me as I continue on in my work at the St. Francis Center. I am now, and always will be, so grateful for the love that surrounds me in this place. It hardly seems possible that 26 years have gone by. As we all know, time flies when you re having fun! May God s grace always be upon this blessed and amazing community! Mary Graduated with her MDiv on June 3rd!

2 Page Irving St., Denver, CO ; office@highlandslutheran.org We re on Facebook Click here to check us out! WORSHIP MINISTERS IN JULY HLC STAFF Worship at HLC: Sunday at 10:00 am Visitor Hospitality for July: Sara Milius July 5 Usher Team 4: Lorraine & Paul Rumpeltes, Jerry Haselgren, Martin Brotherton Reader: Ken Wiig Assisting Minister: Mary Williams Chancel Ministry: Pam McClune Children s Sermon: Sue Wittkopp Birthday Coffee Hour Host: Loren and Patty Hanson July 12 Usher Team 1: Joe Milius, Paul Criley, Rick Wittkopp Reader: Andy Lubansky Assisting Minister: Robin Lockwood Chancel Ministry: Judy Sims NO Coffee Hour Church Picnic July 19 Usher Team 2: Lorraine & Paul Rumpeltes, Jerry Haselgren, Martin Brotherton Reader: Nicole Jobin Assisting Minister: Elizabeth Smith Chancel Ministry: Sue Wittkopp Coffee Hour Host: Martin and Wanda Brotherton July 26 Usher Team 3: Joe Milius, Paul Criley, Rick Wittkopp Reader: Robin Lockwood Assisting Minister: Sue Wittkopp Chancel Ministry: Sara Milius Coffee Hour Host: Pam McClune CLIP AND PUT ON YOUR FRIDGE! Rev. Liliana Stahlberg, pastor Anna Millies, communication and administrative assistant Jimmy Howe, music director Birthdays and Anniversaries JULY 9 Martin & Wanda Brotherton (1988) 9 John & Susan Pelikan (2011) 12 John Gustafson 13 Violet Holtzinger 19 Sara Milius 23 Loren Hanson AUGUST 7 Vivian Anderson 8 Carrie & Chris Olgierson (1993) 10 Jimmy Howe 12 Isaiah Milius (2013) 14 Maren Markus Bev & Doug Howe 15 Lorraine Rumpeltes 16 Tara Smith 17 Wendy & Jerry Haselgren 22 Wyatt Holtzinger Doug Howe Wendy Haselgren 26 Richard & Melissa Walters 27 Jerry Haselgren 29 Jake DeHamer

3 HLC MEETINGS MINUTES Page 3 Church Council Minutes 1 June 2015 Submitted by Mary Williams Community Assessment Liesl Begnaud who has been hired to be the community assessment coordinator for HLC was in attendance and described to the council what she will be doing during this assessment. She will be looking at the assets of the neighborhood outside of the HLC community as well as setting appointments for 1:1 interviews with the church membership. She will ask about the ministry and work at HLC. Ms. Begnaud will have a list of questions to ask at each interview. She will also be looking at the church s response to neighborhood change and at what the neighborhood s response is to the church. Ms. Begnaud would be talking to people in the community not just about how they perceive HLC but what needs and issues they see as important for the neighborhood and wider community. Pastor s Report Pastor Stahlberg reported on the May 31 st adult forum which was hosted by the Green Team from Messiah Community Church. Lorraine and Paul Rumpeltes, along with Elizabeth Smith, are interested in forming a Green Team at Highlands Lutheran. Ken Wiig reported on the replacement of fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs in the ceiling light fixtures of the church. He will start with the HCC sanctuary. The fixtures will be replaced one room at a time. Nicole Jobin will send a complete report on the total replacement and will let council know the end of the rebate offer. Pastor asked council if a bonus of $150 could be offered to Jimmy Howe, music director, for his work and ministry at HLC. This was approved by the council. Bishop Jim Gonia will be preaching on June 7 th when we welcome HCC to their new sanctuary. Pastor Stahlberg explained the contract for Pastor Dena Williams during the months of September, October and November when Pastor is on sabbatical. Pastor Dena will be paid $1200 per month - $600 per month for preaching and $600 for office time/ pastoral duties. A contract will be written and sent to Pastor Dena. The nursery attendant pay will be a line item in the budget. Nate Wittkopp held a fundraiser for the church designating $550 to the cost of the nursery attendant. Property Report Nicole Jobin reported on the cost estimate of replacing the HCC entry doors. A ball park figure of $3500 was mentioned. An conversation will be held concerning the doors so that work will start as soon as possible. The skylight is to be finished this week. Other Business Maren Markus will be scheduling a rummage sale and will organize reception of things for the sale. Roy and Sharon will be at church on July 19th to receive a blessing as they move onto their new faith journey. A few words from Liesl Begnaud: As a native of Colorado, I grew up in Arvada and grew up in the Lutheran Church. I was active in youth group and was fortunate enough to attend Denver Lutheran High School. After high school, I jetted off to Valparaiso University and completed the Lutheran Deaconess program. I was consecrated as a Deaconess in 1995 with a degree in Theology and Social Work. 20 years later, I have served in three Lutheran Churches and many non-profit organizations. My primary call and service has been work with individuals and families living in poverty and helping congregations connect with their changing communities. Over the years, some of my work has included working with the homeless and on housing issues. I am passionate about justice and finding ways for all voices to be heard. Most recently, I worked with St. Andrew Lutheran Church helping them conduct a community assessment and with the State of Colorado on the Homeless Programs team. Working with people of faith and congregations over the years has been a joy. As the body of Christ, we are called to love one another and serve the least of these. I m a month into the community assessment for Highland Lutheran Church. The conversations are rich. There are many more people for me to visit and I look forward to helping HLC better understand the community and find ways to connect with the neighbors God has given you.

4 Page 4 HLC WELCOMES HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN CHURCH! Bishop Gonia blessing the HLC/HCC space sharing.. Community is where humility and glory touch New Friends Good Food! Our Pastors And some of our precious little Ones.. Spaghetti Feed! Thanks again to Dennis and Nancy Lintvedt for the delicious spaghetti.

5 Page 5 HAPPENING AT HIGHLANDS SUMMER BOOK CLUB Our exploration of Sara Miles book, Take This Bread, continues on July 19 th. If you have not purchased the book, Amazon has quite a few new and used copies available. We will meet after church in the library. While certainly not necessary, it would be wonderful if everyone could have read the entire book. We are looking forward to a lively discussion! See you then! THE OLGEIRSON ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARTY From Carrie: On Saturday, July 4, we're hosting our annual Independence Day party, once again with the help of Erin Power and crew. Chris & I will supply grilled and smoked meats of all kinds, as well as some beverages. We ask attendees to bring some sort of side/snack/dessert to share, and if you have something specific you d like to drink then bring it. Festivities begin after 2:00p and end when the last sated guest rolls out the door. Feel free to drop in for a little while or stay all day. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the crew, bring those visiting friends from out of town, drag your significant other along and be prepared to mingle! [One caveat: we have two dogs who prefer to keep the yard free of other critters, so please keep pets at home.] ADDRESS: 3275 Dudley St, Wheat Ridge (near Lutheran Hospital); if you get lost call (Chris) or (Carrie). IT S ALMOST TIME FOR SUNDAY IN THE PARK! Sunday in the Park will be at Pferdesteller Park, West 33 rd Avenue and Yates, on Sunday, July 12 th at 10AM. This will be the first joint service with Highland Christian Church! There will be lots of singing and Briar Branch, Pastor Sondra s band, will be playing. There will be a barbeque following the service. Congregational members need only bring side-dishes to share (salads or desserts), which is what the other congregation is doing. All meats, buns, condiments and tableware will be provided for both churches. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE! ELDERBERRIES July 12:30 Pastor Liliana will share pictures from her vacation trip. Lunch will be a Romanian summer salad, meat balls and mashed potatoes, as well as a surprise dessert! There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex Elderberry hosts August - Nancy Lintvedt September October - Nicole Jobin & Ellen Lorts November - Jerry & Wendy Haselgren HLC Moms Group July Moms' Group will meet Sat July 11th, at 10am. We're meeting at Surfside Spray Park (5330 W 9th Ave, Lakewood). Cost is $1 per walker; small babies are free. Lucy and Ellison can t wait! See you there! COMING IN SEPTEMBER: NURSERY SCHOOL CLASSES Highlands Lutheran will be offering nursery school classes on Sunday morning starting in the fall. Classes for 3 to 5 year olds will be offered every Sunday starting at 9:45. We will get a bit of a head start on church which starts at 10 AM, and come back down before communion. We will have songs and a variety of lessons, along with art. The first Sunday for classes is Rally Day, September 13 th and will include a project for the children that coincides with God s Work, Our Hands stewardship Sunday that day. Please consider sending your child to these classes. Unless there are preschoolers out there that drive, we need the parents to provide transportation and support. We also hope to involve the older children in 5 th Sunday services. Hopefully, this will be a blessing to all concerned. Please contact Sue Wittkopp, Nancy Lintvedt, or Pennie Burris with any questions. Don't forget to use your GROCERY GIFT CARD Are You Using Your King Soopers / Safeway pre-paid card? When you reload your HLC King Soopers or Safeway Card, 5% of your purchases go to our church. If you have lost your card or, if you have not yet purchased one, talk with Lorraine Rumpeltes. When the balance on your card gets low, simply reload your card using a check or credit card.

6 Page 6 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 6, 7, 8 9 9:00 am Noon The theme is God s Workshop of Wonder! Imagine with God! Build with God! Grow with God! Work with God! Walk with God! We need volunteers for each of the three days or for all days, so please call Sue Wittkopp if you re interested. Sign up on the HLC website by clicking on Children. MORE HAPPENING AT HIGHLANDS FAIR TRADE COFFEE SOCIAL ACTION! SOCIAL JUSTICE! The farmers who grow this coffee are providing for their families, improving their communities, and caring for our planet. Bags are $10 each and are available in the Narthex. Show your compassion! BienVenidos Food Bank ay To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. Martin Luther The HLC Prayer Chain is in motion! To be added to the list or phone calls, please contact Maren Markus ( or marenmarkus@gmail.com). There are also prayer request forms on the table in the Narthex. HOLDING IN PRAYER THIS MONTH: Wendy, Bev, Carol, Jay, Carrie, Matthew, Sandy, Jim, Andy, Sidonia, James, Andrei, Laiken, Ashley, Nico and family, Annette, Trisha and Emma, Kathy, Katie and Becky, Sara, Mia, Betty, Eric, Marianne, Amy, Merwin, Hilde, Ray & Janet, Chris, Trae, Betty, Carl, Grace, Cathy, Linda & Dave, Pam, Victoria, Tina, Jeff & Jane, Tess, Gloria, Brandon, Loren & Patty, and all family members and friends serving in the military or in harm s way. Please let the office know of any changes or additions to the prayer list, and please add your name to the prayer chain sign-up sheet in the narthex. Thank you for your food donations in June. The donations are appreciated by the Food Bank and the hundreds of individuals served there each week. We bless the food bank donations on the last Sunday of each month and deliver during the following week. The need remains great Bienvenidos serves over 800 individuals in our neighborhood each week. Please continue to place nonperishable items in the baskets in the narthex. The Vacation Bible School kids will be helping with the July food collection -- let s fill our baskets (and then some). To help you identify most needed items, we work with Bienvenidos each month to identify items to add to your shopping list. For July, think Summer. We will be collecting relish, mayo, catsup, baked beans, mustard, pickles and other nonperishable Summer items. Mary s Graduation!

7 Page 7 CHURCH CLEAN UP DAYS On Saturday, June 6th several of the HLC community turned out to work on the church and the grounds. Many, many thanks to everyone who donated their time and energy, and to Ellen and Nicole for providing pizza afterwards. Judy working on the stairway Is that Zacheus? Beautifying our gardens! At some point very early on in its development, Christianity split between two different pathways: one path stayed with the teaching of Jesus and the primacy of ethics, the other started with the return of Jesus and, therefore, with supernatural belief. Today, ethics has been largely sidelined, viewed as secondary or subservient to belief. Don Cupitt argues that the time has come to give ethics priority in defining and shaping religious life. As he puts it, No longer should we aim to conserve the self, preparing for eternity: we must simply expend it, by living generously.

8 Page 8 WORSHIP TIME 10:00 am July Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Independence Day! 6:30 am HHunters 6pm Worship and Music 2:00 Olgeirson s Independence Day Party 5 10:00 am Worship 11:15 Birthday Coffee Fellowship 6 9am-Noon Vacation Bible School 6:15 Church Council 7 9am-Noon Vacation Bible School 8 9am-Noon Vacation Bible School 6:30 Vespers :30 am HHunters 10 am Moms Group at Surfside Spray Park (5330 W 9th Ave, Lakewood) 12 10:00 am Sunday in Pferdesteller Park :30 Elderberries Pastor s trip slide show and lunch :30 am HHunters 6:30 Vespers :00 am Worship 11:15 am Coffee Fellowship 12:00 HLC Book Club 6:30 Vespers 6:30 am HHunters 12-4 Cromosoma del Amor 26 10:00 am Worship Blessing of the Food August 1 6:30 am HHunters 11:15 am Coffee Fellowship 6:30 Vespers