NewsNuggets – Page 39 – Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

06 Oct

MILE HIGH ACADEMY WELCOMES ALUMNI HOME

Jocelyn Aalborg – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Just a few weeks ago, Mile High Academy (MHA) welcomed honor classes and alumni home for its annual alumni festivities.

The weekend began with Grandparents Day on Friday, September 23. More than 100 grandparents enjoyed the morning with light refreshments and time in the classroom with their grandchildren. A special all-school chapel was held on the soccer field, with a student-led song service and a special worship thought by grandparent and former Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) superintendent of schools, Lonnie Hetterle. Grandparents enjoyed time with their students and were given suncatchers as gifts to commemorate the day.

“I love Grandparent’s Day at Mile High Academy,” said Julie Collett, grandparent. “The kids are so excited to be able to show their grandparents their classrooms and everything they are learning. The teachers and administration work hard to make this such a special day for the kids and their grandparents.”

On Alumni Sabbath, the school welcomed 12 honor classes and along with other alumni for the annual event. New music teacher, Ismael Castillo, and his upper and middle school band and choir kicked off the music performance season by performing several selections

“After five weeks of hard work and determination on behalf of every student from middle school through high school, the MHA music department had an amazing first performance,” said Castillo. “I am incredibly proud of each student for not only putting in the hard–and sometimes annoying–work of learning the musical elements, but [also] for the simple things like arriving in uniform and arriving on time. These students have excelled from the most basic of expectations to the more complex aspects of this program and have made me not only a proud teacher but proud to be called their teacher.”

Attendees were warmly welcomed by MHA alumna and current MHA teacher Christina Hernández, and treated to a generation video, featuring five current MHA seniors whose parents or even grandparents have attended MHA. A special dedication of Rebecca Berg’s upper school classroom was held in honor of Jim Feldbush, former teacher and mentor who, throughout the years, touched the lives of many MHA students. Feldbush lost his battle with cancer just over a year ago.

“It is an honor to have my classroom dedicated to Mr. Feldbush,” said Berg. “He left a legacy of love for his students and love for God, a legacy we work to fulfill every day at MHA.”

Andrew Carpenter, current MHA principal, was the alumni speaker. He focused on the importance of being an alum and that, while each have chosen a different path, what connects MHA alums is the story of the relationships built during their time on campus. He compared MHA to a hub, where the Lord has brought the students to MHA–some for generations. And while the paths have been different for all, MHA is where it all connects, the hub of stories, testimonies, and relationships.

After the service, the alumni enjoyed a haystack lunch and toured the campus. The day concluded with fellowship and an open gym night.

Sunday’s Mustang Classic golf tournament dawned sunny and warm as 14 foursomes met at Arrowhead Golf Course. After checking in, grabbing Mustang swag and breakfast burritos, the golfers headed off to enjoy fast greens and the beautiful nature sights Arrowhead has become well known for. Unique to this year was a prize drawing, with tickets purchased to be entered to win a signed Grant Ordelheide print, a Yeti cooler, and much more. Putting green, hole-in-one and skins competitions were held throughout the course. The event concluded with an Italian lunch and awards ceremony.

“Our group had the best time at the MHA tournament,” said Matthew Moreland, MHA parent and RMC’s associate director of planned giving and trust services and corporate real estate manager. “There was so much wildlife out there this year. I couldn’t believe how many deer, bucks, turkeys, and hawks we saw out on the course. I had a great time hanging out with friends and supporting Mile High Academy. I look forward to playing in this tournament again next year!”

Although the annual festivities are over, the school is looking forward to hosting its annual alumni basketball games on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

–Jocelyn Aalborg, MHA vice principal and development. Photos supplied. To watch the MHA generation video, visit https://vimeo.com/rmcsda/mhagenerations

06 Oct

DINOSAURS AMAZE AND STARS ASTONISH DURING CREATION PROGRAM AT POWELL

Samantha Nelson – Powell, Wyoming … A special event was hosted by the Powell Seventh-day Adventist Church on September 25-27 when Creation Truth Foundation* President Matt Miles gave a series of presentations on Creation, dinosaurs, the Flood, and biblical astronomy. Attendance averaged in the 30s with approximately half of the attendees during each seminar from the local community.

One woman who attended all the programs with her daughter, said they were fascinating and very educational. Others commented on how amazing it was to see the life-size dinosaurs and fossils. The night of the grand finale gave opportunity for everyone to line up at the telescope to see Jupiter and other planets. Unfortunately, the clouds kept Saturn covered during the event, but it was, nonetheless, spectacular to see the glory of God’s creation!

After the final program, a group of attendees from the community gathered around Pastor Steve Nelson to ask questions about what the Bible has to say about various topics. An elderly gentleman also attended and shared that he had not been in church for many years but enjoyed being at the programs.

“Commenting on the event, Pastor Nelson said: “It is amazing how God orchestrates events and allows us to witness for Him—even when we least expect it. These three woman were seeking answers to subjects we don’t often discuss, or preach about. ‘Do you think aliens exists? How do you explain the lost day that science has uncovered?’ Thankfully God is only a prayer away and a simple ‘God help me,’ is all that is needed when met with unexpected questioning.”

“To grow as a church we need to be wiling to step outside our comfort zone and do evangelism in ways we don’t often think about,” he added.

We have no idea what God has in store for those who attended and for the local congregation, but we pray God will lead many to visit the church and seek for greater understanding and Bible truth.

–Text and photos by Samantha Nelson

*Creation Truth Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization unaffiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church or the Rocky Mountain Conference.

06 Oct

THOUGHTS ON THE IMPACT OF RMC’S RECENT VOTE ON WOMEN’S ORDINATION

Mic Thurber – Denver, Colorado … After our constituency vote to send the names of both men and women to the Mid-America Union for ordination, a few questions are left over. We might uncover additional questions as we live longer with it but for now I thought I’d share a few thoughts with you. Here is a short list of things I will mention:

As has already been reported in NewsNuggets, the Executive Committee may develop a policy on how conference workers will relate to the action we took, but in the meantime your Rocky Mountain Conference administration has put forward a set of assurances that includes that no pastor will lose his or her position in ministry because of their personal views on women’s ordination; nor will their potential for advancement within the conference be limited because of it.

As pastoral openings become available, for churches that are willing to entertain the possibility of a female pastor serving their congregation, administration will provide names of qualified and gifted women whom they can consider. Since we always work with a leadership group in the local church when placing a pastor, we would not attempt to place a female pastor in a church whose leadership would not support it.

The Executive Committee voted for Pastor Lisa Cardinal, who was commissioned a few years ago, to receive an ordination credential for this new term. This action was taken when the credentials were voted for the rest of RMC’s workers. After learning of the vote, Pastor Cardinal relayed a short story that illustrates one small aspect of how this simple change will further enhance her ability to be a pastor in her community. She said that at that time she was approached by her local police department to serve as a chaplain to female police officers. However, the requirement for doing so was ordination, which meant she could not serve her community in this way. “This is the kind of ministry opportunity among many others that I, as well as the other female pastors will be able to step into.” As I said, this is just one small impact.

In reaction to our vote on women’s ordination, concerns were raised because the word “variance” was used in the introduction of the issue by Union leadership. This is also the word used to describe an organization granting a “variance” of its policies for a group. Clearly, neither the General Conference Executive Committee nor the General Conference in Session voted a variance of its policy on women’s ordination for any organization including the MAUC and the Rocky Mountain Conference. By our vote, the Rocky Mountain Conference was voting to do something different than the GC/NAD Policies provide regarding women’s ordination, which was legal to do at a duly called constituency meeting, even though it was not in accordance with church policies or General Conference actions. The Union leadership, who introduced this subject to the constituents, recognizes how this might have caused confusion to some at the meeting and apologizes for inadvertent use of a word. There was never any intent to be misleading and the Union hopes the RMC delegates will understand it was a mistake of the mind, not the heart.

When the word “variance” was used, it was intended in the context of an exception to our own by-laws language about being linked to and following the policies of the Mid-America Union, North American Division, and General Conference. The word “exception” would have been a better word. However, there was no intention on the part of the Union or RMC leadership to infer that the General Conference had granted us a variance. We also all realized that our vote would do nothing to change GC policy, or the action voted at the 2015 GC Session but resulted only to change the position in the Rocky Mountain Conference based on the action of the Mid-America Union which was also not in accordance with church policies or the General Conference Session actions.

–Mic Thurber, RMC president

06 Oct

NEW SCHOOL BRANDING UNVEILED AT MILE HIGH ACADEMY

MHANews – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) recently unveiled its new branding campaign during the school’s annual Walk-A-Thon event.

“Our goal [for the campaign] was to create something that reflects the school’s forward momentum and to build visibility and recognition across our community,” said Andrew Carpenter, MHA principal.

Updates to the logos came after input from stakeholders in the form of surveys, individual interviews, and group engagement sessions. The strongest feedback was that the visual identity must clearly articulate and define MHA as a school.

The stakeholders settled on three important directives, stating that existing logos should be simplified, should find the symmetry of “three elements,” and that the Mustang mascot is integral to MHA’s athletic program and school pride.

Thus, the School Board was recently presented with and approved a new school mark, academic seal, and Mustang logo that will be implemented across MHA’s physical and digital properties.

The school mark and academic seal centers around a three-line image of a flame. Research revealed a distinctive correlation between MHA’s values and the number three. The tri-flames express MHA’s underlying principles of faith practiced at the school. This imagery is central to the identity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Trinity, the Three-Angels Message, and MHA’s philosophy of holistic education, the cultivation of mind, body, and spirit, are all reflected in this tri-fold symmetry. The symbol further exemplifies the core of MHA’s individual schools (lower, middle, and upper), their momentum, and their shared goals. It underscores the perpetual commitment to learn, explore, and serve. The flame personifies the light that shines into the school, its families and community while epitomizing what MHA desires to teach its students, that they reflect the light of Jesus in this world. The shield in the mark represents the daily commitment to developing students with strong and sound minds. It is further a reminder to rely on the Armor of God, as we are admonished in Ephesians 6.

The MHA Mustang logo was also reworked to set itself apart from other Mustang and Bronco logos in the area. The shield was encompassed as a point of connection to the new school mark. The Mustang stands tall, representing pride, strength, and power, while using the color black to further express these attributes.

The school has already begun implementing the new identity across its digital platforms. Physical use will transpire over the next several months as funding becomes available and during ongoing maintenance and campus updates.

The school has also partnered with Out of Breath Sports to develop an online store so that the community can purchase MHA and Mustang swag items.

“We are excited to embrace our new identity,” said Carpenter. “Our new branding is one that we can all look towards to know what Mile High Academy stands for and where it is headed.”

–MHANews

06 Oct

RESIDENCE HALLS WILL OPEN TO VISITORS FOR FALL ACADEMY DAYS

Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … For the first time since 2019, the residence halls will be opening their doors for prospective students to spend the night during Fall Academy Days, October 28-29.

Campion Academy is preparing to host seventh through eleventh-grade students coming from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and several other states to experience life at Campion for this free event. Not only do prospective students get to sleep in a dorm room and eat cafeteria food, but they also have the opportunity to interact with current students and staff to get a real feel for campus life.

Tiffany Mogaka, senior student, and SA officer is looking forward to hosting her younger sister for Academy Days this year: “I’m excited to introduce my sister to Campion and to show the other students around to let them see what it is like to live away from home. I know it will be a fun experience for everyone.”

This year’s Academy Days theme is “Hunger to Know” and features a life-size inflatable Hungry-Hippo Chow-down game, an ice cream sundae bar, mixers, and interactive games.

Haley Beckermeyer, now a senior student at Campion, reflected on her experience at Academy Days: “I made friends at Academy Days when I was in eighth grade that helped me feel comfortable when I arrived as a freshman. Many of the people I met then are still my friends now.”

In addition to the fun activities, students will have a chance to compete for scholarships in academic subjects, music, and athletics.

New this year, Academy Days is being held in the Fall. Jessica Rios, Campion Academy’s recruiter, explains, “We found that by springtime many parents and students have already made up their minds about their school choices for the upcoming year. By hosting Academy Days in the Fall, we hope to give families a better opportunity to learn about Campion early in the decision-making process.”

While tours and visits to Campion can be scheduled individually year-round, Rios emphasizes that this weekend is not to be missed: “While we have many events to attend throughout the year, this is the only event that is specifically geared for prospective students. It is intentionally designed to give students a good understanding of what it is like to be a student here. I highly encourage any student considering their high school options for next year to attend Academy Days for the full experience.”

–Jill Harlow is Campion Academy communication director. Photo Campion Academy eNewsletter.

29 Sep

COMMENTARY: WE ARE NOT ALONE

By Doug Inglish

The world is full of people who need help. Jesus told us that the poor would always be with us (Mark 14:7) and, in another setting, expounded on what kinds of poor would need our help–prisoners, underfed and under-clothed people, sick people, etc. (Matthew 25:35-37). It is a blessing that our church takes the challenge seriously, and that we do many outreach ministries for those in need.

Of course, we are not the only ones doing good works in this world. I will deliberately refrain from citing specific organizations because the one I might mention could have a scandal that I don’t know about, and we don’t need letters coming in over that. Besides, I’m not here to do PR for any of them. Whatever group you can think of that is relieving suffering, consider them to be the ones to whom I refer.

I’m not taking anything away from our efforts. I love our health work, our educational system, and our local food banks. I am proud that we dig wells in small villages and operate clinics where medical work would otherwise not exist. I have been in the trenches of prison ministry, visiting and corresponding and performing baptisms. This is what we are supposed to do, and those who are not able to go themselves are generously giving so that the appeal of our Savior is put into practice.

After that set up, I am going to say something that some of the staunchest among us might find heretical. It’s not a sin to support good works done outside our system.

Years ago, I lined up with volunteers to stack sandbags along a river before the flood arrived. The consequences for a lot of people in a poorer section of town would have been devastating had no one shown up. We worked through the night, finally securing the area about an hour before sunrise. My church didn’t organize it, and as far as I know, I was the only Adventist there, so of course, the next day when the residents were on the news expressing gratitude, we never got a mention.

So, was that the right thing to do? To give to a secular charitable effort? I didn’t make a monetary offering but giving up a night’s sleep to do heavy labor is a very tangible contribution. Other times, I have made monetary contributions to hospitals, relief agencies, youth organizations, and other groups that were not only outside of our formal church structure, but not a supportive ministry either, people who may not even know who Seventh-day Adventists are, and maybe don’t even believe in Jesus. But there are such groups out there who are, nevertheless, doing at least a part of the mission He instructed us to do. Are they not worthy of receiving some form of support?

Don’t get me wrong, I support our missions and institutions, and I believe you should as well. But I also believe that while charity begins at home (Ben Franklin, not the Bible), it doesn’t end there. Hungry people don’t care where the food comes from, and maybe we should not care as much either.

I hope, pray, and do what I can to make sure the efforts we make to ease suffering in the world are the best available avenues for people to get relief. But it’s a big job, and when someone else joins the work, I don’t think it’s a sin to accept their help and support their organization before I know their views on the investigative judgment.

–Doug Inglish is RMC vice president for administration and stewardship director. Photo by Jonathan Ford on Unsplash.

29 Sep

WESTERN SLOPE’S WOMEN’S MINISTRIES RETREAT

Judy Kelley and Jerilyn Pester – Montrose, Colorado … The weekend of September 9 to 11, 2022 found 79 women at Mountain Top Retreat sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conference. We had women from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah.

Cindy Mercer was our Featured Speaker from Oklahoma. Our theme of “Bee Faithful” was her topic. She told us her story and how the Lord lead her through some very rough times by helping her to “Bee Faithful” to His plan.

New this year was a pre-retreat workshop given by Eileen Field. She demonstrated how to make a delicious Lasagna Soup and Mango Ice Cream.

Our Sabbath evening speaker was, Jana Thurber, our Women’s Ministries Leader for Rocky Mountain Conference. Her devotional titled, “From Fragrance to Faith,” highlighted Mary’s anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume from a heart overflowing with love and gratitude for what Jesus had done for her. Someone once said that worship is the act of sacrificially giving to Jesus something that is precious to us, what would that be for you? Your money? Your time? Your job? For the woman in this scripture, it was a container of perfume.

The meals that the ladies enjoyed were all served by volunteer gentlemen under the direction of Bob Springer. They met the needs of the vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free ladies.

As one attendee so profoundly put the weekend by saying, “Friday evening was the appetizer, Sabbath was the entrée, and Sunday morning was the dessert” of the spiritual feast.

A huge thank you to all the ladies that attended, everyone that helped, and all the prayers for a successful event from the planning committee.

— Judy Kelley and Jerilyn Pester are coordinators of Western Slope Women’s Ministries. Photos by MarLynn Green

29 Sep

CAMPION STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR SCHOOL

Tiffany Mogaka – Loveland’s Campion students and staff took a break from the classroom walls to experience God’s creation through activities including hiking, photography, and nature journaling in Rocky Mountain National Park during Outdoor School Day.

The long-awaited day brought students out of their beds bright and early. Designated groups boarded buses and set out to explore their interests in nature. Phoebe Mamanua, junior, commented, “It was really fun to be with my friends and be out in nature. I loved being outside, especially spending time with God in His creation.”

The nature journaling group first concentrated on the details in nature through doodling and writing before admiring the mountain views on a challenging hike up Deer Mountain. Ana Segawa, senior, reflected, “What I appreciated the most was stopping and really looking at nature and the things that often go unnoticed. It was very peaceful there.”

Students who participated in the intense-hike group did their best to stay hydrated as they traveled roughly seven miles across steep hills and formidable trails in high altitudes. They arrived at Loch Vale where they observed the splendid views of the lakes surrounded by mountains. Helen Reyes-Peres, freshman, said, “The hike was honestly easier than I expected. Overall, it was very fun to be with friends, and by the end, I felt very accomplished and happy.”

In between activities, students ate a pre-packed sack lunch prepared by the cafeteria team. In the afternoon, they worked on completing their various nature pursuits, followed by spending free time together at a sub-alpine point before heading back to campus.

The Outdoor School Day gave students irrevocable memories of nature learning with fellow students and teachers. Brayan Martins, senior, recalled, “It was a great experience to be out in the mountains and see great views. It was a really good bonding experience! I’m glad to enjoy this last outdoor school with my friends!”

–Tiffany Mogaka, Student News Team. Photo by Campion Academy eNewsletter.

22 Sep

FRAMEWORK FOR PERSONAL GROWTH DISCUSSED WITH NEW-IN-MINISTRY PASTORS

RMCNews with Mickey Mallory – Denver, Colorado … Under the theme of “Growing to Your Potential,” the two-day training event brought 18 Rocky Mountain Conference pastors to Denver, September 20-21. Several of these pastors are new to ministry in the Conference, according to Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director, who convened the meeting.

The event, according to Mallory, “was designed to help pastors build a framework for personal and professional growth.”

“My hope is that every pastor who attended the training will have the tools needed to grow to their potential. A thought that kept coming up in our discussions was that if you are going to grow, you must be intentional about it,” he added.

One speaker, Mic Thurber, RMC president, shared a presentation on Family Systems, demonstrating how an understanding of the family process can aid pastors in negotiating congregational dynamics and functioning as an effective leaders.

Through presentations and discussion, pastors discovered that all church members are simultaneously involved in two distinct families whose emotional forces interlock—their biological family and their church family, brothers and sisters in Christ. The emotional process in all these systems is identical. Unresolved issues in any of them can produce symptoms in the other, and an increased understanding of each creates more effective functioning in both.

Comments from the participants testify to the value of this and similar meetings. “These two days have been very refreshing to each of us. It is good to be reminded occasionally you are not alone in the pastoral ministry. Meeting with our colleagues is encouraging and stimulating and should be done more often, ” said Daniele Fantoni from Alamosa, Colorado.

A similar comment came from J J Martinez, an associate pastor in Grand Junction. “We talked about choosing positivity and keeping our failures right next to our successes. Sometimes negativity and failure overpower the positive and all seems lost. But I was reminded that it is at that moment that we need to look at the success in our failures. Because when you see that good happens even in failure, positivity is easier to see,” he shared.

Mallory plans for the next New in Ministry Training to take place in March of 2023.

–RMCNews with Mickey Mallory. Photos by Mickey Mallory and Rajmund Dabrowski.

22 Sep

CAMPION ALUMNI REKINDLE FRIENDSHIPS

Haley Beckermeyer – Loveland, Colorado … Some 700 alumni gathered at Campion Academy, September 14-18, to go back in time, reconnect with their classmates and support their alma mater.

Kicking off the event on Wednesday, September 14, the 26th annual Reeder Golf Classic featured 62 golfers, 20 more than in previous years. More than $10,000 was raised for Campion’s counseling and mentoring program. This year’s tournament was in honor of Lance Turner, an ‘85-’86 alum and beloved community member who was known for being exceptionally supportive of his classmates and neighbors.

On Friday evening, alumni joined current students for a Vespers concert presented by Prisma, a local group of musicians.

The Sabbath church service featured Dr. Andrew Harewood, the first Adventist and African American chaplain to reach the rank of General in the US Army reserve. In addition, Campion Academy’s music ensembles performed for the first time this school year.

Following the Vespers service, the honor classes were served a meal by the senior class. After lunch in the Ad Building, honor classes spent time looking at pictures of their class, reminiscing about their school experiences, and seeing how much things have changed.

Celebrating 70 years since graduation, Betty Ready, Class of 1952, reflected on her feelings when she first came to Campion Academy. She commented, “I was just always so excited to come to Campion because it was a bigger school with more people. I was coming from a school of six or seven people.”

The students enjoyed meeting the alumni and talking about how the school has changed since they attended. “I thought it was really cool getting to meet some of the people that graduated years ago and seeing all of the many faces on campus,” commented Daneil Camas, junior at Campion Academy.

Current students got to see friends who graduated recently. Sandra Arlt, Class of 2022 commented, “It’s really cool coming back as an alumnus this year because it was fun to see all of my friends, talk to the teachers, and update everyone on my life. I really appreciate being able to come back, seeing friendly faces, and having a family to say hi to.”

On Saturday evening, the visiting alumni and students joined together to perform in a brass ensemble and a choir sing-along that featured five former choir directors, a new feature this year.

Volleyball and soccer games against Campion Academy’s varsity teams closed off the weekend. In typical fashion, the alumni defeated the current students in both games.

The livestreams of the programs are available on Campion Academy’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

–Haley Beckermeyer is a member of Campion Academy’s Student News Team. Photos from Campion Academy eNewsletter.

NewsNuggets Page 39