Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

05 Nov

BUBBLE WRESTLING AND COTTON CANDY FAVORITE AT IAA FAIR

By Joel Reyes – Grand Junction, Colorado …In what can be called typical 2020, a heavy snow fell just days before the annual Intermountain Adventist Academy’s fall festival, threatening to ruin the afternoon of fun, games, and food.

Resilient, the home and school team organizing the event continued with their plans. As the weekend drew closer, the snow still wasn’t melting. That Friday, however, unusually warm temperatures returned to the Western Slope causing the snow to rapidly disappear before the planned gathering.

The community was welcomed on the first Sunday of November with sounds of laughter from game booths, the smell of fair food, and all the cotton candy an individual could desire.

“It was a lovely Fall day to have activities outside. We enjoyed some delicious chili and watching the children paint pumpkins,” Karla Klemm, Grand Junction church member said.

Some twenty booths were available with fall items for sale helping raise funds for IAA. Activities included a cake walk, face paintings, and hay rides.

Everyone had their favorite activity.

“I liked the bumper balls because you got to knock people over,” Sophia, IAA third grader commented.

Max, a third grader at IAA said, “My favorite thing was wrestling in the bubbles.”

The fair cuisine will be remembered by some as their favorite, “my favorite part was probably the snacks and cotton candy,” Elloise, IAA third grader stated.

While others enjoyed everything, “the fun games that we played and good food,” Mason, IAA third grader said.

As the sun dipped behind Colorado National Monument, guests headed for home. Children had their hands full of items they had acquired at the different booths, including homemade pastries and yes, lots of cotton candy.

–Joel Reyes is principal at Intermountain Adventist Academy; photos supplied

05 Nov

BARBECUE, DOUGHNUTS, AND EGGS LEAD TO NEW RELATIONSHIPS AT CAMPION FALL FESTIVAL

By Tiffany Dean – Loveland, Colorado…What do you get when you combine doughnuts, eggs, and hay? The Campion Academy and church fall gathering.

On the last evening of October, the Campion community came together to enjoy an evening of fellowship and games between students and church members following COVID precautions.

“We are unwilling to do nothing and act like life is on pause. So, we took an idea that brought everyone together as safely as possible and had spiritual and social focus,” Michael Goetz, Campion church pastor said.

The evening began with vespers which featured music and a skit in which students commemorated the actions of Martin Luther who sparked the Protestant Reformation on October 31, 1517.

Following vespers, Campion Academy students and community enjoyed a barbecue dinner followed by hayrides, doughnut eating, and egg-tossing contests.

“My favorite part of the night was riding on the hayride to the field of games and competing for the top prize of doughnut-eating champion or egg-tossing queen,” Campion church member, Suzie Sendros commented.

Students enjoyed all the food choices, including ones that were meant for games.

“I really enjoyed hanging out by the fire with everyone. It was warm and we had so much fun talking. We went to the baseball field to eat some doughnuts and it was good,” said Blet Htoo, sophomore.

By the end of the evening, relationship had been formed between the community and the students.

“What stands out most to our family was the camaraderie between the staff, students and community members, the laughing and singing and having some light-hearted moments together.” Sendros reflected.

–Tiffany Dien is a senior at Campion Academy; photo by Jill Harlow

04 Nov

BIBLE CHARACTERS VISIT CAMPION

By Sami Hodges – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy welcomed Apostle John, Peter, Judas, a leper, a blind man, and finally, a Roman centurion during their week of prayer.

Army Chaplain and award winner Dick Stenbakken became each individual to enact six key elements of the Gospel story and to help students better understand Jesus’ character through the experiences of first-person presentations.

“I’ve never seen Mr. Stenbakken’s performances before,” Haley Beckermeyer, Campion sophomore commented. “They personally made me look at my life in a whole new light. They showed me how to see the Bible characters from their point of view rather than just reading the story. I felt like I could really experience the characters, like we lived in the same time period.”

Although never officially trained in drama, Stenbakken pointed out that all preachers and teachers have to “dabble in drama” at some point in their lives.

“I’m a visual learner, and many other people are too. So, when you see the character, the hammer, the nails, and the leprosy spots, it makes an impression that just describing it can’t do,” Stenbakken explained.

Not only are these drama performances influential to the audience, but he described how the presentations have changed his own life very deeply. “In order to develop a character, I need to get the story behind the story. I have to dig way deeper into the biblical text, as well as the historical and cultural background. As I immerse myself in the character, the message that character has comes alive. When it comes alive to me, then it does the same for the listener.”

Students found the presentations realistic.

“I think it was cool to see what the characters in the Bible might have actually looked like. It was very interactive, relatable, and Mr. Stenbakken really captured my attention with his presentations,” Kylie Wehling, Campion junior said.

Stenbakken had this final message to the audience: “Study the Bible and enter into it as an actor of the story; then, read it again from a different point of view. Suddenly the story will become very real and personal instead of something on paper. That’s the ultimate way of encountering God.”

–Sami Hodges is a senior at Campion Academy; photos supplied

04 Nov

MHA STUDENTS EXPERIENCE FRIENDSHIPS WITH PASTORS

By Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Relationship building and helping students discover the joy and fulfillment of a life with Jesus is at the center of pastoral involvement at Mile High Academy.

During the school week, you can often see pastors from MHA constituent Denver area churches playing games at recess, eating lunch and praying with pupils, and learning real life experiences through Bible classes taught by Pastors Andy Nash and Chris Morris.

“It’s been a lot of fun having the pastors here on campus,” said Claire Philpott, fourth-grader.

To show appreciation during pastor appreciation month in October, MHA assembled “Dinner on Us” baskets and signed candy posters from the students.

“It was a fun surprise receiving the gifts,” said Jamey Houghton, Franktown Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor. “Our family enjoyed reading the messages. I’m so glad that we have an Adventist school close by for the kids at the Franktown church. I know our families are grateful for the Christian education and wonderful teachers. I’m thankful to be able to partner in ministry with MHA in preparing our kids for Heaven.”

MHA recently held a special week of spiritual emphasis with Pastors Daniel Birai and Seth Day from LifeSource Adventist Fellowship sharing with students about the character of God and how during hard or challenging times, God is always there providing love and support.

Rebecca Berg, MHA’s upper school teacher and chaplain reflected, “The beautiful messages brought to us during our week of prayer reminded me and our students of God’s unshakeable love.”

Jocelyn Aalborg, MHA’s vice principal of finance and development added, “Our churches have remained dedicated to our school even during leadership and financial struggles. We’re excited to have several new pastors joining our community and look forward to building a stronger relationship with them. Our goal is that area churches will see MHA as an extension of their ministry.”

— Karrie Meyers is Mile High Academy’s communication assistant; photos supplied

04 Nov

LAUGHTER, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND HOTDOGS AT ANNUAL CASPER HAYRIDE

By Kiefer Dooley – Casper, Wyoming … Laughter and fellowship filled Mills Spring Ranch at the annual Casper church hayride held in early October.

Some thirty-five individuals gathered for this much-anticipated, multi-generational evening. Piling onto the hay trailer for a slow ride through the mountains spotted with the colors of the fall, participants were welcomed by an unusually warm Wyoming October evening.

“We love the hayride, rain or shine,” Liz Cornett, Casper church member commented.

“Back when Joanne Robinette was attending, it didn’t matter the weather–everyone showed up! It could be full-on snow and the hayride would go on,” she continued.

The trek through the wilderness made its conclusion back where they began at MSR where the camp director had everything ready for a campfire and cookout. Families quickly gathered for roasted hotdogs. Conversations continued into the night as church family relationships were built and strengthened.

The Casper church is grateful to MSR for opening the camp for an evening they will cherish throughout the long winter coming across Wyoming.

–Kiefer Dooley is RMC Youth director; photos by Kiefer Dooley and Tom McDonald

03 Nov

HOW TO “TRUST” YOUR CALLS TO RMC TRUST

By Mary Lynn Green – Denver, Colorado… When constituents make calls to Planned Giving and Trust Services, but don’t leave a message, there is no way to return those calls.

Doug Inglish, Trust Services director explains, “Our phone system, unlike a cell phone, doesn’t record the number of a caller who hangs up before leaving a message. We have heard that some of you have called, left no message, then wondered why we did not return the call.”

Likely similar issues have been experienced by all conference departments due to the COVID restrictions in Denver which have not stopped RMC office staff from working. Employees, however, have had to adapt to these restrictions by staggering schedules and honoring social distancing. Many have had to work virtually and the majority of meetings have been held via zoom.

During these challenging times, Planned Giving and Trust Services would remind potential callers who have questions to do the following: use email, access us through the website rmcgift.com, or try reaching us by phone.

“When you contact us via email or through the website, we respond pretty much as always. However, when you call us, it may be a different story depending on how you manage that contact,” Mary Lynn Green, associate director of Trust Services said.

“We are as committed as ever to providing service to our constituents, so when you do choose to call us, please leave a message,” Green stated.

–Mary Lynn Green is RMC’s associate director of Planned Giving and Trust Service’ photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

02 Nov

CASPER CHURCH AND SCHOOL COLLECTS FOOD TO SHARE FOR THANKSGIVING BASKET GIVEAWAY

By Gabriela Vincent – Casper, Wyoming …Supporting those in need this holiday season is top priority for Casper church and Mountain Road Christian Academy.

For the last twenty years, the Casper church has been partnering with Mountain Road Christian Academy to collect and distribute nonperishable food items in their fall can drive. This effort has been helping the Casper community, needy church members, and a couple of other organizations such as Mimi’s House.

“Many people in our community who are struggling will receive a Thanksgiving basket filled with the canned goods and non-perishable items that were collected, as well as fresh produce and turkeys,” Nancy Sybrant, Adventist Community Services director for Casper said.

The event began with volunteers delivering paper bags to neighborhoods in Casper with a note explaining how the project works and that volunteers would pick up the full bags a few weeks later on October 31.

Some forty volunteers gathered after church, October 31, to fan out to the community to collect the many items.

“We had more than 300 homes to go to and with everyone’s help, we were finished in just an hour and a half. A big thank you to all who participated,” Sybrant stated.

The community responded by providing many bags filled for those in need this season. The drive brought in hundreds of items.

“The Lord certainly blessed with an abundance of canned goods and other foods. The food will fill many food bags and Thanksgiving baskets, while the surplus will go to the Community Food Bank,” Gabriela Vincent, Casper church members said.

—Gabriela Vincent is a Casper church member and wife of Pastor Shayne Vincent; photos by Shayne Vincent

02 Nov

CREATIVE OUTREACH AT HMS RICHARDS SCHOOL

By Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado…Even though personal contact is limited these days, HMS Richards Adventist School teachers are still finding unique and creative ways for their students to serve the community.

Kari Lange’s first and second graders are using their budding handwriting and artistic skills to share Bible verses through the mail. A staple of the curriculum, students write a Bible text each week on a paper and color the border themselves. Lange mails these out to church members who are feeling isolated during these difficult times.

“During stay-at-home orders, it was so exciting [for me] to get personal mail that I thought my class could encourage our church members through their writing,” Lange explained. “Our church supports us in so many ways; this is a simple way my class can give back. They sign a cover letter and have learned how to address the envelopes all by themselves. So far, we have mailed out some thirty Bible verses.”

When asked about the project, Callista Jahn, 2nd grader, said, “It makes me feel happy to be helping someone else.”

COVID isn’t stopping the students in fifth and sixth grade from their work at Lon Hagler Reservoir. The pupils spend about two hours almost every month wandering two-and-a-half miles of trails around the shore collecting trash and keeping this natural space a pleasant reprieve for visitors.

Zachary Harlow, fifth-grade student said, “I think cleaning up the lake is a good way for us to serve because it gives our community a clean place to go. I feel good when we clean it up because there is always a lot of trash.”

“The class usually averages twenty to thirty bags of trash each time we go. Our very first time cleaning the lake, we found thirty-five-quart containers of used motor oil,” Paul Bragaw, fifth and sixth grade teacher commented. “Students are awesome with cleaning the lake and love to find treasures, except none of us like the dirty diapers, cigarette butts, or beer cans! But that being said, students have learned that even the smallest trash matters and shouldn’t be thrown down on the ground.”

The teachers at HMS Richards continue to recognize the importance of teaching students the value of serving others. Through their service, there are many valuable spiritual lessons to be learned, Bragaw explained. “Our class has discussed how sin in our lives can relate to the trash we pick up around the lake. Jesus takes all the sin or trash in our lives and throws it away forever!”

–Jill Harlow is the communication director at Campion Academy; photos by Kari Lange and Paul Bragaw

29 Oct

IT’S JESUS WHO IS IN CHARGE

AN APPEAL FROM PRESIDENT OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE

Dear Rocky Mountain Conference Family,

Next Tuesday, November 3, is an important date for our country! I don’t know about you, but I am glad the election will soon be behind us.

What I see today, as never before, is a divided nation. It’s scary and frightening. What bothers me more is the division among our own church members, as differing views and opinions are not received with respect.

Brothers and Sisters, the church needs to be above the angst we see in the world today. Jesus is in charge, and when we ask, the Holy Spirit will guide us in bringing people to Him.

Jesus is coming soon! We need to keep our focus on His return. Our churches should be oases of love and kindness in a society which is divided. We must love one another no matter what our political views. Christ’s church is a community where unity reigns. May we be Jesus’ agents of Good News, having understanding, and respect for all people.

In the words of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10 [NIV], “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

In your personal reflections, if you need to apologize to a brother or a sister for actions or words, please take time to say you are sorry.

As people enter our churches, our homes, our communities, they should feel loved no matter their views. They should be welcomed.

We will move forward no matter who is elected as president because God is ultimately in charge of our world. We can have confidence in God as He knows what is best for us.

We must pray for the healing of our country, and we must remember our elected leaders in prayer.

It’s my prayer that each of us will recommit ourselves to engage in God’s mission. That’s what He wants us to do–putting the things of the world behind us.

May the days and weeks ahead be a time to restore love, kindness and grace in our homes, churches, and communities.

Your brother in Christ,

Ed Barnett, RMC president

29 Oct

MAKING YOUR LIFE PLEASANT TO NEGOTIATE

By Rajmund Dabrowski — In the era of social distancing, we are encouraged, even regulated, to keep our distance in social gatherings. Going back to the days when we were meeting left and right and enjoying each other’s company, we travelled in busses, trains or trams, packed to the rim. We went to camp meetings, church worships and other events or concerts, and sat next to each other.

I also remember print newspapers, which now are replaced by their digital versions. While in Washington, D.C., I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Washington Post.

One day, a picture caught my attention–an evening scene with a man kissing a woman’s hand. She was full of happy laughter. The caption was not an example of imagination nor erudition. It said, “Ron Miller, aka the Compliment Man, kisses the hand of Lyn…”

The story caught my attention. It reminded me of days when men let women go through doors first; when women would be served first at a dinner table; when they would be offered seats on a crowded bus or metro car.

Ron Miller, who then was 36, had a story to tell. He was known as the Compliment Man and spent years walking Washington’s 18th Street “offering rapid-fire flattery for masses,” as the Post reported.

A description of Ron’s vocation made me stop and read again: “He works a crowd like an evangelical minister, pacing the sidewalk, waving, trying hard not to let a young lady go without hearing she’s got on one smart outfit.” The locals know him well. Those who watch him work the street testify that it would be hard to dispute his presence, considering the traffic jams he creates.

“Drivers stop to wave and call out his name. Women converge on him two or three at a time, waiting for a greeting or, in many cases, a kiss on the hand.”

Panhandler, you say. Well… Ron spends many hours making people feel better and happier, and he doesn’t ask for money. He is employed and has time to volunteer at a local church. The Post again, “Miller insists he wants only ‘to meet and greet’ — his way of paying back to the community that supported him when he was broke and jobless several years ago.”

The Compliment Man. A hand-kissing-icon. A man who is paying back in kisses and smiles because someone cared for him.

This reminder makes me pause today and review my own compliment routine. Let’s consider a practice route first — a spouse, a daughter, a secretary.

The other day someone commented: “Ray, you are such a European!” Yes, I am, of course. For in Europe, we still greet women by kissing their hands, though such a custom is slowly disappearing there also.

This might not be a big deal, but at least it makes our ives more pleasant to negotiate.

Taking Scriptures as a guide, we can easily interpret the Pauline admonition: “Build each other up,” we read in 1 Thess. 4:11 [NIV]. Our homes, churches, and communities will be well served, will become kinder, and we might even find a way to make our social distancing more bearable.

—Rajmund Dabrowski is editor of NewsNuggets.