iHOPE

A Place to Sit

The next time you walk in from the parking lot, be sure to look for the newest addition to our Celtic Circle Courtyard. You'll see a bench placed there in memory of Ken Jansen.

Ken was one of the pastors who served the Sedalia and Louviers congregations that later combined to become New Hope. He was a terrific pastor with a deep faith, a sharp mind, a caring heart and a warm sense of humor.

When we built the latest addition, we wanted to include a courtyard that would provide a welcoming place for visitors as well an inviting place for people to gather. WE also wanted it to be a place to honor those who have made a difference in our life. Most people are familiar with the bricks, and we will be dedicating the next batch in July. Another way to honor people is with benches and there are provisions for almost a dozen of them around the courtyard and even more out in the proposed Memorial Garden. Ken's bench is the first, but it won't be the last! If you'd like more information about memorial opportunities, you can contact David Shipley. If you email me (link is in the right column), I'll forward it to him and the rest of the Memorial Team.

When Martine was thinking about a way to honor her husband, Ken, she always envisioned a bench. She wanted to provide a place for folks to sit as they waited to be picked up. It took awhile to get all the details right, but Ken's bench is here. Be sure to notice it next time you come by. Better yet, have a sit!

Welcome, Lisa!

I want to introduce you to our newest staff member:  Lisa Womack.

Lisa is filling a new position:  Pastoral Assistant. She'll be working with me to provide some secretarial, and administrative support so we can extend the ministry of New Hope. Lisa will be working on some key projects as well making sure our communication is consistent and accurate. The list goes on, but you get the idea!

I am told we had about 40 people applied for this position- many from outside the New Hope community. The Personnel Committee did a wonderful job discerning who might be the best fit for New Hope, the Staff- and this position. I talked to the final two applicants and it was clear that Lisa would be a terrific fit.

Lisa originally hails from Texas, though she has been living in Elizabeth for many years. If you come by her office, you'll see that she loves horses! Her last position was with Jewish Family Services where she worked with refugees from all over the world (there are a few pictures of them in her office, too!). Before that, Lisa was an Administrative Assistant at St. John's Episcopal Church in Denver.

Next time you are in the office, stop by and say "Welcome!" to Lisa!

 

 

Introducing, "iHope for Families"!

Jami Lewis is our Director of Children and Family Ministries. She and all the volunteers do a terrific job helping our children grow in faith and experience a loving relationship with Christ.

There are some big things going on in the Children's Ministries and we thought the best way to get the word out- and get some feedback,  was for Jami to start her own blog.  It's called, "iHope for Families".

Jami is just getting things started, but you can already get a feel for who Jami is and her passion for children's ministry by checking out her blog. Blogs do best when people respond, so don't be afraid to leave a little feedback! Once you're there, you can check out the link that belongs to this picture (5 Ways to Make Your Child Hate Church).

 

A New Ministry Frontier for New Hope

 

So, what is the fastest growing segment of Douglas County?

What group of people has increased by almost 200% in the last 10 years- and is expected to tripe again in the next 20 years?

What age group is full of commitment, resources, wisdom and creativity- yet is traditionally under-utilized in most churches?

If you guessed, "Senior Citizens", you would be right!

That is why Session has called for a "Senior Summit" on Sunday, May 20, from Noon to 2:00 pm. Want to be a part of it?  Then you can RSVP through the Connection Card on Sunday, or email me using the link in the right column.

A New Frontier?

At our retreat last Fall, Session was looking ahead at the key issues that we believe will impact New Hope and our community in the years to come. Looking at the demographics of Castle Rock and Douglas County, we were surprised to see the jump in population for senior citizens. What really got our attention was the projections of what is to come.  From just under 5% of the total population in 2000, it is projected that seniors will make up more than 20% of the population by 2030.  At the Fall planning retreat, Session likes to strategize about the things we should be doing now, that will have the most significant effect in the next 2-3 years. As we looked at the statistics, we began to wonder, "is this a new ministry frontier for New Hope?"

Nominations, Please

Every summer, we do a series at New Hope that uses movies to raise questions and address some of the issues of the day. We call it, "Moving Pictures." We show clips of the movies in worship and build the service around the questions raised and the resources in our faith to address them.

Each year, we pick a theme and this year's theme is "Husbands & Wives". I want to address some of the more pressing questions and ever-present issues behind the meaning, obstacles and possibilities in marriage.  Rich and I (see the previous post) have about a dozen or so movies that we have been tossig around, but I thought it would be good to get a wider pool of nominations. we are both 'old guys' who have been married more than 35 years. That doesn't disqualify us on the subject, but it does tend to skew the movies we watch. We need some help. What are some of the best movies you have seen that address the complexities, heartaches and joys of marriage?

Getting the Big Picture

This week I am out of the office because I am working on sermons for the coming year.

It is an annual tradition. Every year after Easter, I grab some materials and meet up with my friend, Rich Gantenbein. He is the pastor at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sonoma, CA. 

I have forgotten how many years we have done this together, but it has become part of the rhythm of my year- and my life.

I don't know if it is just coincidence that the sermon series I am preaching right now is "The Big Picture", but it is appropriate. Sermon planning week is one of the ways I use to step back and try to get the Big Picture for New Hope and the year ahead.The time we spend and the thoughts we share, help us get and keep, perspective.

How do you get the Big Picture in your life? It is one thing to talk about it, but it is another thing to have a way to step back, refocus and get the Big Picture.  Over the past 20+ years of sermon planning together, here are some things I have learned:

Favorite Night of the Year

Last Sunday night was a night I look forward to all year. It is the night of our Confirmation Dessert. Its the night that confirmands come before Session and their families, read their personal statement of faith, and joint ehchurch. It is a night that has be come my favorite night of the year (possible exception: Christmas Eve).

Snday night was part of a journey that begins for these young people in October. They pick a mentor from the congregation and together walk through a set of lessons and experiences that eventually leads them to Palm Sunday. It is a process that Erik brought to New Hope and it is the best I have seen for helping students grapple with and eventually own, their own faith. Faith in Christ is no longer simply borrowed from parents, teachers and other adults. Now it is claimed by the young person.

As I listen to these statements of faith and hear what has been meaningful throughout the year, I am always filled with gratitude. God is at work. Lives change- both for the young person as well as for their mentor.

When we baptize children, the congregation makes a promise to the parents that we will provide a community that is safe and vital, and where faith is caught as well as taught. The Confirmation Dessert last Sunday was evidence of promises kept. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Children's Programs, Youth Programs and Confirmation Class are all part of how we keep that promise. These same students will be part of the Easter worship service on Sunday, April 8 at 11:00.

Question:  Who were the significant adults who made a difference in sharing the Christian faith with you?  Who are you sharing it with now?

It's Time to Talk

There has been a problem that has been haunting us, lately.   We don’t know what to do about it and we hardly know how to talk about it.

The problem is: too many of our kids are dying. Sometimes it is by suicide. Sometimes it is at-risk behaviors that seem, well...suicidal. Call it what you want, but too many of our kids are dying, and we want to know what we can to do about it.

That is what was at the heart of the event we are hosting at New Hope next week:  It is a Suicide Prevention Forum and it will be held on Wednesday, March 14 from 6:30-8:00 pm.  Leslie Clemensen has gathered some of the best folks in Douglas County to talk to us about what is going on and how to be part of the solution.  

This is going to be a great event about an important topic. I hope you can be there.

Wildfire

 Yesterday, when I shared Lee Ann's observation that the prospect of going through cancer felt like going through an oncoming wildfire. The image sparked something in Bob Rotruck.  His son is heading to Afghanistan and the image of an oncoming wildfire seemed appropriate. He was inspired to write the following poem and when I asked, he consented to letting it be printed here:

Wildfires

 I stood on the plain facing the fires fierce flames,

I was looking for someone to place all the blames.

I didn’t want my son to face the horrors of war,

I wanted to go in his place to settle the score.

But I know my son wanted to do his part,

He agreed to do it from the very start.

That is how military men and women approach life,

They know from the beginning that there might be strife.

And so we stand in this field of wildfire together,

Our spirits locked together no matter the weather.

But a third party has joined our stance,

He is not just there by mere chance.

But Jesus is there holding each of our hands,

And together the three of us are taking our stands.

To face the unknown trials of the fight,

Together in spirit we are there at first light.

I have no fear for my brave, strong son,

For at his side will always be number One.

So this wildfire, we can face each day,

Each day I will be there in spirit to pray.

“God be with my son and all his comrades,

And be home with all of the moms and dads.

For they too face the horrors of war,

We just pray, there will be no more!”

AMEN

Thanks, Bob!

Ash Wednesday- What's THAT About?!

Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, February 22. Like we did last year, we’ll have a service at 7:00 pm. Like last year, there are bound to be a few folks who say, “Ash Wednesday- I thought that was for Catholics!” Ash Wednesday is actually observed by many denominations- including Presbyterians. It’s true, we haven’t had a special service until last year, and it may not be for you. But here are some reasons why some people find this to be a powerful way to connect with God and deepen their faith: