Thursday, January 10 at 10:00 am
Meet Wellshire member Angela Japha who will show and tell us about her adventures photographing exotic locations around the world. Some of her photos have appeared in National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Please join us for this fascinating presentation. Invite a friend!
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Join us Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, the 30th for a workshop on faith and sexuality for kids and their parents led by Nicole Newton. This workshop is an opportunity to discuss ways to open up communication as your child grows, moving from “the talk,” to an ongoing, open conversation about faith and sexuality. This is NOT a purity and abstinence workshop. Our goal is to help your future conversations around puberty, adolescence, and sexuality within the context of faith, and learn to share your values as you talk about these topics with your child. Childcare is available; rsvp to childcare@wpcdenver.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video title=”Faith & Sexuality – God Made You Good” link=”https://youtu.be/M0itdpPwO_Q”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1537479056001{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
10:30 – 12:00: Early Childhood (birth – 8 years)
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch ($5 donation)
1:00 – 2:30: Middle Years (9 years – 12 years)
3:00 – 4:30: Teens
10:00 – 11:00: Children in PreK – 3rd Grade and Their Parents
Creator/Created
Explore the creation story and what it tells us about God and ourselves and how that relates to our bodies. (Teaching geared toward the children, with interactive ways for parents to engage in conversation and activities with them.)
All of our workshops seek to have LGBTQ-inclusive lessons and language.
12:00 – 2:00: 4th & 5th Graders (includes lunch)
1:30 – 2:00 Parents join their 4th & 5th Graders
3:30 – 5:30: Middle School Youth (6th – 8th grade)
5:00 – 5:30 Parents join their Middle School Youth
5:30 – 6:00 Dinner ($5.00 donation)
6:00 – 8:00 High School Youth
7:30 – 8:00 Parents join their High School Youth
*Question Box/Hot Topic Time
One of the promises I will make to your children is that if they are brave enough to ask an honest question (either aloud or on paper) I will be brave enough to answer them. This builds trust in our group and helps me get a better feel for what issues are coming up regularly in their peer groups that I need to address. Because this is the most open ended part of the workshop, all kinds of issues can come up. Questions of fact I will answer directly, questions of conscious I will answer from my perspective, try to summarize other perspectives, and encourage them to bring those questions home to have a conversation with you about them as well. I will keep a running list of questions for each age group and will send out a copy of them after the workshop so that you can see what we discussed.
Safety
I will not call out individual youth or tell you who asked the questions unless I have reason to fear for their safety. In the case that something comes up during a workshop that does make me question the safety of a minor, I will report it immediately to staff and we will follow protocol to make sure that it is handled appropriately before I leave.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1535565022883{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
Children and youth will have age appropriate discussion centered around the idea that all of life is a gift from God, and we are all made in the image of God.
We believe that parents are the primary sexuality educators and faith educators of their children. All creation is of God, and therefore good. Sexuality as part of creation is good! Shared experiences in sexuality education can improve communication between children and their parents as young people mature.
In the workshop for young families, we’ll spend most of our time diving into what God has to say about how we are made. Conversation and activities will be geared toward the children, with parents alongside them as co-learners and conversation partners.
In the middle and high school groups, we cover a wide range of age appropriate topics. Possible discussion topics include: sexuality as a gift from God, with related scripture readings, physical & emotional changes of puberty male & female reproductive systems, including the basics of sexual intercourse, prenatal development & birth, media and peer pressures, basic definitions of hot topics, and answers to their questions.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Faith and Sexuality Workshop – Intro” link=”https://www.facebook.com/wpcdenver/videos/893935177469642/”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Wellshire Presbyterian Church is pleased to welcome its new Director of Music and Worship Arts, Christine Gaudreau. Christine brings many years of experience in both traditional and contemporary worship music settings as well as in musical theatre incorporating many musical and vocal styles and instrumentation ranging from jazz to pop to rock. She will join us the end of September.
The Search Committee and Dr. Bell found Christine to be accomplished and comfortable with traditional and contemporary worship music, and she has many exciting ideas for keeping worship music fresh and interesting to Wellshire members. She brings an extensive knowledge and music vocabulary across multiple genres and a spirit of joy through music.[/vc_column_text][mk_custom_box corner_radius=”3″ bg_color=”#ced9ed”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1536250299670{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
[/vc_column_text][/mk_custom_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1536250498766{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Christine holds degrees in voice performance, music education and music history, and a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting. She has served as Music Coordinator for Christ Congregational Church since 2011 and has previously served over 30 years as Music Director for UCC, Methodist, and Lutheran congregations in California, North Carolina, and Colorado. Christine effectively introduced and incorporated praise, gospel, and world music into her previous churches’ worship offerings.
Additionally, she is in her ninth season as the Artistic and Musical Director of the Evergreen Chorale, directing the 80+ voice chorale and providing musical direction for a wide variety of musical theater productions. In her time with the Chorale, she has been able to expand membership and artistic reach, establishing partnerships with such noted groups as the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, Colcannon, The Queen City Jazz Band, Fiesta Colorado, Rocky Mountain Brass Works, Kutandara, and the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra.
In July 2016, Christine led the Evergreen Chorale on a European Tour, visiting Italy, Austria, and Germany. During the tour they had the privilege of singing for mass at St. Mark’s in Venice, the Salzburg Dom in Austria, and in the Regensburg Cathedral in Germany.
We are excited to welcome Christine to Wellshire!
Scott Campbell, Mary Christ, Katy Fink-Johnson, Deby Brown, John Ruby, and John Bell.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Join pastors, church staff and lay leaders for a one day training to equip leaders of faith communities and those who are passionate about doing ministry to those who are desperate due to any type of experience with suicide.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church
1980 Dahlia St. Denver
The training includes the creation of worship resource, training congregation members in suicide awareness and basic conversation skills, and the invitation to those who have been suicidal in the past to share their stories.
To register, go to www.centus.org/soul-shop-registration
Questions: Contact Kim Kucera, KKucera@centus.org
Fee: $50, with partial and full scholarships available. Lunch provided.
The Soul ShopTM experience demonstrates that with a few simple conversational tools you can save a life. You can ease the suffering of someone dealing with the hopelessness and isolation that accompanies suicidal desperation.
You may also be surprised to learn how much the Bible has to say about suicide. This Biblical foundation guides us to integrate Soul ShopTM into preaching, teaching, liturgy, training, and community outreach. This workshop will help you identify a wide range of next steps that you and your congregation can take to develop a culture in your faith community that recognizes and ministers to suicidal desperation, supports survivors, and is actively engaged in conversations publically and privately that save lives!
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The Annual Report was distributed on Sunday, August 19, and includes some of the highlights of the past year. Wellshire members and staff always want to “do more,” of course. But I think you will read that we are a very vital church, doing much good in Denver and around the world.
This past year will be remembered as the year dominated by the One Wellshire campaign for Narthex expansion and Sanctuary renovation. During 2017, we made a pitch to you for funding, and we turned over the entire north end of our building in January 2018 to the contractor and architects. Barring any surprises, the work should be completed in October, and we can “move back in” during November.
I want to humbly ask for your continued patience during this time. I know parking is limited and entering the building is a challenge. Our worship and music are admittedly “compromised.” Due to our compact worship space, the temporary loss of the organ, and staffing issues, we simply cannot offer the variety and vibrancy that we historically have been able to do. It feels to some like we are out wandering the wilderness!
But borrowing two Biblical phrases, know that “this too shall pass” … “in the blink of an eye.” In a few short months, we will move back into an open, light, spacious, welcoming Narthex and resume worship in an updated Sanctuary that offers more flexibility and improved function. If you want a sneak peek, come down during a week day and a staff member will be happy to get you a hard hat and show you around.
Financially, the project is “within budget.” However, costs levied on us by the City for water delivery and additional fire safety measures, combined with a couple of challenging issues in the demolition phase, have stretched the project thin. If any of you wish to give any amount to enhance the project, it is needed and would be most beneficial! Any member of the building committee, Chuck Sparks (csparks@wpcdenver.org), or I would be happy to discuss specifics.
Wellshire Presbyterian Church is a true community of hope.
Let us give thanks to God for the good work, and to God be the glory!
IN CHRIST, THROUGH CHRIST, AND WITH CHRIST,
Rev. Dr. John H. Bell, Jr., Pastor
Wellshire Presbyterian Church
Denver, Colorado
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3: Kona Ice Truck
10: Table Talk with Pastors
17: Potluck Brunch
24: Love Your Neighbor[/vc_column_text][/mk_custom_box][mk_custom_box corner_radius=”5″ bg_color=”#f2e148″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1527198500800{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
1: Bike and Ice Cream Social
8: Table Talk with Pastors
15: Potluck Brunch
22: Love Your Neighbor
29: Bible Trivia[/vc_column_text][/mk_custom_box][mk_custom_box corner_radius=”5″ bg_color=”#a7dd66″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1527198570306{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
5: Watermelon Social
12: Table Talk with Pastors
19: Potluck Brunch
26: Love Your Neighbor[/vc_column_text][/mk_custom_box][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Wellshire has been a long time supporter of Zimbabwe Mission Partnership. From the One Wellshire Capital Campaign, $35,000 has gone to the Heather Chimhoga Orphan Center (HCOC). It’s time to raise even more for the orphans of Zimbabwe through the annual Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival:
Riding in the Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival on Sunday, June 3 as a part of Team Wellshire, a group of Wellshire cyclists who join together with other churches to create the massive Team Zimbabwe. Register at www.zimpartnership.org/team-zimbabwe. Then make a donation to the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership. Be sure to select Team Wellshire when you register and donate. Training Rides take place every Saturday in May. Contact Beth Hamstra.
Donating by writing a check for any amount to Wellshire Church with Team Wellshire in the memo. You can give in the name of a rider you know by going to www.crowdrise.com/team-wellshire (please note that CrowdRise charges a 9% user fee, but writing a check to Wellshire ensures your entire donation goes to the orphans).
New this year! You can ride a little, contribute much. The 8 mile ride has been established for people of all ages to enjoy a pleasant bike ride and the event festivities. If you want more action, you can ride the route as many times as you want. Registration cost is only $30.
Whether you’re a bike-rider or a check-“rider”, your participation helps feed, clothe, provide medical help, and pay school fees for approximately 1,000 orphans. This event provides half of the annual budget of the HCOC. Questions? Visit a Team Wellshire rep at the poster in the Fellowship Hall, or contact George Scheuernstuhl.
[clear]Share your skills and talents through Wellshire’s Mission Possible.Use this form to offer an activity or skill that connects you with others at Wellshire – all while supporting mission at Wellshire Church. Please fill out the form below by Sunday, March 19.
[th-contact-form subject=”Mission Possible Share Form Submission” to=”dcvanpelt@gmail.com,kirstenbrant@kbrantinteriors.com,sandyebrock@comcast.net,bcstrickland1@comcast.net,marytomr1@msn.com” button_text=”Share Now!”]Name: [th-contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /]Email: [th-contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” reply=”true” /]Phone: [th-contact-field label=”Phone” type=”text” /]Description of service/activity/class being offered, including provided materials: [th-contact-field label=”Description of Activity” type=”textarea” required=”true” /]Provide a specific date for activity: [th-contact-field label=”Date of Activity” type=”text” /]Provide a raincheck date: [th-contact-field label=”Raincheck Date” type=”text” /]Approximate duration of activity: [th-contact-field label=”Duration of Activity” type=”text” /]Suggested initial bid: [th-contact-field label=”Suggested Initial Bid” type=”text” /]Suggested bid increment: [th-contact-field label=”Suggested Bid Increment” type=”text” /]Suggested “buy it now” bid: [th-contact-field label=”Suggested Buy It Now Bid” type=”text” /]If a group activity is being offered, how many people can participate? [th-contact-field label=”How Many People Can Participate” type=”text” /]If you are open to doing your service more than once, how many times? [th-contact-field label=”How Many Times Is The Activity Offered” type=”text” /] [/th-contact-form]
Thanks for completing this form! We’ll be in touch with you to clarify your offer.
Please join us in worship on Sunday November 15 for Generosity Sunday; Dr. Bell preaches on Philippians 4:4-14. Please note that both services will be in the Sanctuary. The annual Wellshire tradition of Generosity Sunday gives individuals in the Wellshire community the opportunity to pledge their financial commitment for the upcoming year during worship. Please prayerfully consider how you can practice the spiritual discipline of giving, which undergirds the ministries critical to Wellshire’s work as the hands and feet of Christ – we can’t do it without you![clear]
“We all devote our time, work energy, and money to that which is important to us. Increased giving each year has strengthened my faith and my bond with my church family. Financial Peace University has enlightened me to the concept of giving a tithe and offerings — not a tithe or offerings. Rev. John Bell has pointed out that generosity to our church — the Body of Christ — is having a religious as well as a spiritual experience. I feel it!”
— A “Piece of the Body of Christ” at Wellshire Church
Make your pledge online! Just fill out the Pledge Form here.