Come as you are.

We invite you to join us for our Sunday worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m.

This year the Peace & Justice Task Force will again be sponsoring a number of  “issues” round tables during our annual Palm Sunday 9:30 continental breakfast hour.  For the third year we are offering members of Montview an opportunity to discuss issues of peace & justice in an informal setting.  This is one way in which our members can become more deeply involved with their church and their community.

The following topics will be highlighted:

• Caring for Creation, Montview’s “green team”
• Center for Immigrants and Immigration Services – offices at Montivew to serve victims of torture and other asylees
• House of Neighborly Services, an organization that works with at-risk youth
• Spirit of the Sun, an organization that works with Indian tribes
• Work trip to Vietnam – planned for later 2010
• Israel/Palestinian issues – a chance to continue discussions begun Fall 2009
• Criminal Justice – Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition 2010 legislative agenda and update
• Nuclear proliferation – emphasis on situation in Colorado
• Open tables – Any topics

As always, a highlight will be Patt Rempel’s homemade hot cross buns!  Come early, they go fast. For more information or to facilitate a discussion table, please contact Priscilla Linsley 303-830-8042 or pmlinsley@msn.com.

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, I will be on sabbatical this summer from May 8th through August 7th.  I am grateful to have this time away and I want to thank you and the Session for your long tradition of supporting clergy sabbaticals here at Montview.

I am happy to report that I received a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Clergy Renewal Program (see www.lillyendowment.org/religion).  The purpose of these grants is to allow clergy to step aside for a few months from leading and caring for a congregation, and instead pursue something completely different that “makes our hearts sing.”  For me, masonry has captured my imagination and my passion in recent years, and I am eager to pursue my dream of building a 10’ by 10’ solid stone shed in my backyard that I will use as a “hermitage” – a place to write, pray and meditate.  I look forward to sharing pictures of it with you when I return (provided it is still standing).  During my time away, I will also refresh my spirit by taking three trips; one to New Mexico with my family, one to British Columbia with Laura, and one by myself as part of a backpacking trip/retreat in the Four Corners area.

Part of the grant will cover expenses at Montview for increased staff support while I am away.  We are very fortunate that the Rev. Dr. Belden Lane has agreed to come to Denver from St. Louis University where he serves as a professor in the Theology Department.  Dr. Lane is an ordained Presbyterian minister and a well-known author. He will serve at Montview during my absence for 20 hours a week, preaching regularly, helping in the office and teaching a class.  I know Dr. Lane personally and cannot speak highly enough about him.  We are very fortunate to have him come and I have no doubt that Montview is in for an exciting summer.

I look forward to returning with fresh ideas and fresh energy to share with you as we continue this journey together to better know God’s grace and love.

Blessings on the way,
Greg

As I write this in the middle of December, our fiscal year is drawing to a close and the Session is busy discussing the 2010 budget.  During this time of year, the numbers we work with change quickly as people make end of year gifts for 2009 and others call the financial office to make their Estimate of Giving (EOG) for 2010.

Knowing that things will change by the time you read this, here’s where we stand today.  It appears that for 2009 we will break even; a sign of strong financial management by the elders in a difficult economic environment.  Looking to 2010, we have some good news and some challenges.  The good news is that we have more people who have increased their EOG than who have had to decrease them, for a net increase of $9,806. We also have 41 new EOG’s so far.  These are both good signs for Montview, especially when so many of us face uncertain job situations in 2010.

The concern at this point is that of those who made an EOG in 2009, only 65% have gotten their estimates in for 2010.  If you are among the remaining 35%, please make it a priority to spend some time discerning how God is leading you to support Montview.

I especially hope this letter reaches those of you who have not made an EOG to Montview in the past.  Even if you have given regularly to Montview through the years, I want to ask you to call the financial office and make an Estimate of Giving for 2010.

Why is this important?  Because we make decisions about Montview’s building, staff and ministries based on those numbers.  For example, say you will likely give $2,000 to Montview this year, but haven’t told the church what that estimate is.  If we don’t know what amount to expect, we may decide to cut a program, or a salary or a mission trip, when we really didn’t need to.  And, of course, behind every program, salary and mission trip, there are lives.  Real people are impacted by what Montview decides it can and cannot do each year.

So please, if you are able, let us know that Montview Church is important to you by calling Dan Gasser in the Finance office (303-355-1651, ext. 112 or gasser@montview.org) to make your Estimate of Giving for 2010.  If things change during the year, you can, of course, adjust your EOG as needed.

Montview Church is as strong as the faithful commitment each of us makes each year.  Please support our community and our work in the world by giving generously.

In Christ,

The Rev. Greg Cummins