NN Dec 2020 – Page 2 – Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

16 Dec

BRIGHTON SMALL GROUP FOCUS ON CONFLICT OF AGES SERIES

By Eric Aakko – Brighton, Colorado … In the month of September, a group of lay leaders created an online small group with the intention of studying the Conflict of the Ages series over the course of a year.

Designing a yearly reading outline, the small gathering began on a Friday evening studying The Desire of Ages, one of the books in the series written by Ellen G. White.

Discussion participant, Letha Hoos commented, “You can read the Conflict of the Ages books on your own, but in a small group format, you learn from each other, and the weekly discussion helps motivate you to keep up with the reading plan.”

The online gathering continues with The Great Controversy, also one of the series’ books, reading around five chapters a week and then assembling together to discuss highlights.

To learn more about the gathering please visit http://www.brightonsda.org/conflict-365.html

–Eric Aakko is lay leader at Brighton Adventist church; Photo by Types & Symbols

16 Dec

KITCHEN UTENSILS REPLACE TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS AT MHA VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy’s gymnasium was void of musical instruments and singing voices; however, that didn’t stop the students from spreading holiday cheer online.

The virtual event airing on December 14 began with a greeting from Brenda Rodie, MHA’s vice-principal of operations, reminding them that while things look a little different, there is one thing that hasn’t changed–“the love of a Savior who came to this earth to save us, and the promise of His soon return.”

MHA decided not to offer band or choir this year because of the COVID precautions implemented. Finding alternative means of musical instruction, lead to performances from table harps, handbells, boomwackers, ukuleles, a piano solo and kitchen utensils. Students couldn’t wait to record their masterpieces, showcasing their hard work for the community.

First-grader Andrew commented, “I love learning to play the harp. I play the piano too, so it makes me feel really musical.”

“It’s been fun watching these little ones start with what sounds like a beautiful mess, [that] with a little practice, eventually turns into a Christmas song,” said Kate Kamarad, first grade teacher. “Their faces light up when they all play together.”

The evening continued with a drama reading presentation featuring upper-grade students, their message, that no matter the hardships that become us, there was a great Man who died and rose again.

The gathering concluded with a special “Go Mustangs” message from interim school board chairman Brodie Philpott, and Michael Armstrong, vice-principal of academics thanked God for the gift of His son and asked for “help as we navigate life right now.”

Reflecting on the program Jocelyn Aalborg, vice principal of finance and development said,

“We are thankful we could provide the MHA community with a Christmas program during this unique time.”

To watch MHA’s virtual Christmas program and see photos of the kids’ artwork, please visit https://www.milehighacademy.org/2020-virtual-christmas-program

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

16 Dec

WELCOME CHRISTMAS COME THIS WAY…TO LITTLETON

By Jon Roberts– Littleton, Colorado … On a cold Sabbath morning with snow in the air, the Littleton Church gathered safely together to welcome Christmas by sharing their gifts of talents.

Chris Morris, associate pastor of youth and worship, worked tirelessly preparing a special program, accurately titled Littleton Family Christmas that all could enjoy.

“Christmas is more than giving and receiving gifts from one another. It’s about truly receiving Jesus as our gift, and then bringing Him our gifts and talents. That’s what was on display at Littleton Sabbath, and it was inspiring,” Morris said.

One by one, they came to the front, some with violins and trumpets; others serenading the congregation with their voices. The action stopped for a moment as the congregation rejoiced in a special Christmas-season baptism as Heaven joined the crowd in celebration.

Morris told the story of “The Gift of the Magi” in three short parts to remind all of the meaning of the season.

Those who gathered enjoyed the many aspects of the program.

“We enjoyed hearing the variety of Christmas music and messages from people we don’t often see up front,” Daniel Warner, church member said.

Candy canes were available for everyone and the reason behind the candy canes was made clear by Alise Weber, pastor of children and families, during the children’s story.

“Every parent wants their children to focus on the true reason why we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ! Sharing the story of the candy maker, who made candy canes to point children towards remembering Christ first, reinforces that,” Weber said. “The white shows the sinless nature of Christ, the peppermint symbolizes the spices the wisemen brought, the shape of the candy cane emphasizes that Jesus is our good shepherd, and the red shows the blood he spilled for us all.”

The morning was full of moments to recall during the year ahead, but no one will forget that a 10-month-old named Sully won the hearts of all with a presentation of the Little Drummer Boy.

The crowd left not only with their hearts filled with joy and celebration but with a special invitation to return next week for “O Little Town of Littleton,” also known as the Bethlehem Experience, a 30-minute outside celebration filled with laughter, gifts, animals, and a glimpse into a 2024-year-old cave that seems to hold some importance.

–Jon Roberts is RMC communication/media assistant; photos by Alise Weber

14 Dec

CAMPION STAFF AND TEACHERS HARD AT WORK DURING SEMESTER BREAK

Campion Academy News –Loveland, Colorado … The semester may be over, but teachers and staff aren’t just sitting around with their feet up; they are taking advantage of the extended break to complete training and improve the campus.

One piece of training the staff had a chance to complete was a Tactical Communication and De-Escalation session led by Campion’s School Resource Officer, Craig Cable. Under Cable’s direction, the staff role-played multiple scenarios in order to learn to think critically and respond appropriately in high-stress situations. In each situation, Cable helped the staff focus on prioritizing the safety of our students.

Teachers are also spending time working through professional development modules to improve their classes.

Meanwhile, the gymnasium floor is undergoing a make-over. Wesley Kluchesky, son of Plant Services Director Jeff Kluchesky, is cleaning the wood in preparation for the floor to be refinished. Campion students can look forward to playing ball on a shiny smooth floor when they return in January.

–Campion Academy Newsletter; photos supplied

10 Dec

SAFETY TOP PRIORITY FOR RMC CHURCHES AS COVID CONTINUES TO WORSEN IN REGION

By Jon Roberts – Denver, Colorado … As COVID cases continue to rise throughout the Rocky Mountain Conference and the world, public health is still at the center of all COVID policies.

In an email to pastors, Eric Nelson, VP of administration stated, “In a web conference with faith leaders on December 7, Governor Polis’ office shared that churches in Colorado are being moved to the status of “Critical” or essential services. This classification changes slightly the limitations on our church attendance from what they have been in the recent past. The lightened restrictions will only apply to worship services–not potlucks, prayer meetings or other gatherings.”

For all levels of “Critical” services, the limits on attendance are 50% of capacity. The Conference is adding that the limitation of attendees should not exceed 100 since the virus is peaking rather than diminishing. “Caution is still required since we want to keep our members and community safe while not overburdening our hospitals and health care workers,” Nelson said.

New restrictions were placed into effect in Wyoming also. “It is my understanding that Wyoming’s governor recently published a statewide mask mandate. This is due to the increase of cases in the State of Wyoming. Wyoming pastors will need to confirm that this is applicable to their county and affects churches directly,” Nelson added.

With cases increasing, RMC administration is urging all members to exercise caution throughout this holiday season and wanted to remind all members of the safety protocols in effect for all churches in RMC.

“Still in effect is the mask mandate, social distancing of six feet, and hand sanitation. We also recommend [that] online services be available to our higher-risk members,” Nelson stated.

In concluding, Nelson wanted to stress the following point, “Please do not take undue liberty with this lessening of restrictions. We still need to be careful and cautious.”

–Jon Roberts is RMC media/communication assistant; photo by iStock

10 Dec

3.2.1 ACTION – CAMPION STUDENTS INTRODUCED TO FILM MAKING

By Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado…When Campion Academy’s Digital Journalism and Communication class heard that Enrollment Director Jessica Rios was holding a contest for videos that would give potential students a glimpse into campus life, they were ready to step up to the challenge.

The class spent the first part of the semester focused on news reporting and other types of writing, so filming and editing was a fresh experience.

“I liked filming, although it’s honestly really complicated. For me, it was difficult to get the right angles or shots I envisioned, but it’s definitely a fun process,” Tiffany Dien, Campion senior said.

Students partook in the process with mixed emotions.

“Going into the project I was thinking I was not going to like it, and I thought I would do a terrible job,” commented Jayce Treat, Campion senior, who had never made a video before. “Once I started working on it though, I really enjoyed myself and ended up having a really good time editing. Watching all the clips come together and form a finished video was extremely satisfying.”

During the month of October, Jenny Sigler, former Campion teacher instructed the class in the basics of planning and filming. Darcy Force also lent her expertise to help students navigate editing software.

“Mostly, I love teaching video editing because it’s fun,” explained Sigler. “Also, it’s fulfilling to watch kids become more informed about the media that we consume all the time, but don’t necessarily create that often. Once they know what goes into making a video, they’ll never watch one again without thinking about it more critically.”

The students worked in two groups to tackle the project and were able to learn from each other as well. “I was very lucky to have Sami as one of my partners as she taught me a lot about editing and helped me with getting the best film shots,” reflected Bentlee Barry, Campion senior. “One of the biggest lessons I learned by far was time management. By the time we came up with our plan, we had two days to finish. It was very stressful; nonetheless, I’m happy with the way the video turned out!”

The two videos produced by the class received first and second place in Rios’ contest and each member received Amazon gift cards as prizes.

The students concluded that the project was a success and a good learning experience. “I enjoyed being able to make some of my creative ideas into reality,” said Barry.

Dien commented, “It was really cool to create a video to represent one student’s life and spiritual experience at Campion. It was very encouraging to listen to her story about being vulnerable. Hopefully others outside of campus will see and experience that part of Campion for themselves.”

—Jill Harlow, is Campion Academy’s communication director; photo supplied

To view Video 1 please click here
To view Video 2 please click here

09 Dec

STRINGS OF THE ROCKIES PROGRAM STRONG AT VISTA RIDGE ACADEMY

By Marsha Bartulec – Erie, Colorado … At Vista Ridge Academy, arts play a crucial role in building strong minds. In addition to weekly music and art classes, VRA offers opportunities for students to participate in choir and Strings of the Rockies program, funded in part by Avista Adventist Hospital.

The Strings of the Rockies program helps students learn that effort, partnered with perseverance, leads to success. Through training in technique and reading music, students are able to strengthen parts of their brain that would not otherwise be developed.

In preschool, the main goal is to develop a love a music by teaching students to have a trained ear to hear low and high pitches, and through listening to different musical styles, they can maintain a steady beat, as they clap, march and stomp to the beat.

In Kindergarten, they are given wooden violins, and start to learn musical techniques.

First through fourth grade students have learning stations, which include learning to read music, ear training, and listening stations.

Strings of the Rockies Program Director Holly Curtis says a big part of the program is character development.

“Playing an instrument is not always easy. Violin is one of those instruments that can be difficult. Through learning to persevere and stick with it, I feel in my own life it developed so many different character qualities in me that I wouldn’t have developed otherwise. Learning to play violin connects different pathways in the brain, and as students are growing as a person, they get to have that experience with music to help develop their character as well,” says Curtis.

The violin class, over the years, has performed for various church and local community events including Avista Adventist Hospital, Chapel Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church and Northglenn Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church. They have also performed for the annual Christmas and Spring concert programs.

During this year’s Christmas program, student violin performances will be pre-recorded and shared at the Christmas program on December 17 via Zoom.

–Marsha Bartulec is the VP for administration at Vista Ridge Academy; photo by Greg Floyd (photo taken during 2018 Christmas program)

09 Dec

JESUS AT THE CENTER OF THE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE TOP PRIORITY FOR HARRIS

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Diane Harris will become Rocky Mountain Conference director of education effective January 1, 2021. The RMC executive committee meeting on December 8 via Zoom voted unanimously to accept the RMC Administrative Committee’s recommendation of the appointment of Harris to replace Lonnie Hetterle, who is retiring at the end of the month after serving more than 25 years in RMC education.

Harris brings 20 plus years’ experience in education, having served as RMC’s associate superintendent since 2003. Prior to joining the education department, Harris taught second grade at Mile High Academy.

Education has always been a passion for Harris and she is excited about the opportunity ahead of her.

“The Rocky Mountain Conference is blessed with incredibly talented teachers who strive to show their students Jesus. I am so blessed to continue to work alongside them,” Harris said.

Outgoing superintendent Lonnie Hetterle said, “Harris is not only an expert in Adventist education, but also has a God-given ability to understand and to care for people of all ages. She is a licensed counselor and has a passion for all of God’s people, but especially for children and young people.”

“She has a tender and compassionate spirit and yet has the ability to have difficult conversations when necessary. Diane Harris has the confidence of the teachers and has the vision to lead our schools into the future. She is a consummate professional. I am so very pleased to welcome her to her new role and know that she will be a blessing to the Rocky Mountain Conference for years to come,” Hetterle concluded

Jesus at the center of the education experience will continue to be top priority for Harris.

“Together we can move forward in the effort to educate the children of Rocky Mountain Conference and, more importantly, make sure that each student gets to know Jesus,” Harris said.

RMC President Ed Barnett, commenting on the new role Harris will assume in 2021, said, “We couldn’t be more excited about Diane accepting the position as our new education director. She has been trained for twenty years to step into this new position. I believe she will continue to be a blessing to the Rocky Mountain Conference.”

–RMCNews

09 Dec

RMC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS 2021 PRELIMINARY BUDGET; DIANE HARRIS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … In their final 2020 meeting, December 8, the RMC Executive Committee reviewed church finances and approved the 2021 preliminary budget.

The October YTD financial report was presented by George Crumley, RMC VP for finance, who shared “how even with COVID, the Conference is only down roughly .5% on base tithe after adjusting for the extra Sabbath this year.”

Additionally, Crumley continued, “because of lower expenses and special assistance from the North American Division and the Mid-American Union Conference, we are actually tracking better than the 2020 budget had estimated for this time of the year.” He expressed gratitude to God for the “faithful support of our members in returning their tithes and offerings during these challenging times.”

“God has really blessed His church,” commented Ed Barnett, RMC president. In his President’s Report, he shared a number of missional activities and outreach challenges in the Conference, among them the evangelistic outreach of the Campion Church by placing a church plant in the Johnstown area. He remarked that though the number of baptisms is down, in line with the entire Mid-America Union, Mike Maldonado at Colorado Springs Central has welcomed 35 new members through baptism this year.

Crumley presented the Preliminary 2021 Budget, which was voted by the Committee. The budget projected a 1% lower tithe for 2021 and makes no provision for a July 1 cost-of-living pay increase next year. “Additionally, we budgeted lower income for Glacier View Ranch and the Summer Camp program not knowing the impact COVID would have by then. Because of the uncertainty of next year, we did rely on $119,000 of this year’s potential earnings to bring the budget into balance. Of course, we will take another look at this when we have ended the year and [will] present the Revised 2021 Budget,” Crumley said.

Roy Ryan, chair of our Audit Review Committee, presented a report stating that “for 2019, the conference had an Unmodified Opinion, which is the best opinion you can get. The Conference is in good financial health and being operated in a very responsible manner,” he commented.

COVID’s impact on RMC was reviewed by Eric Nelson, VP for administration. He shared that more than 10 pastors, three staff members in the office and a number of members have contracted the virus. “The virus is having an impact on the health of our members,” he said. Lonnie Hetterle, RMC education superintendent reported on how teachers are dealing with pandemic conditions, often switching between in-person and virtual classes. “’Adaptability’ is the key word. Most of our schools have had to adapts to teaching by distance learning for a day or a week due to the COVID tests impacting their students,” Hetterle, who is retiring at the end of the year, explained.

“All parents, teachers and students want to be in school. So, there are stringent guidelines being followed to be as safe as possible,” he added.

Eric Nelson informed the Committee of pastoral placements, elated to open districts. Geoff Patterson will begin in January 2021 as Boulder’s Senior Pastor. He comes from Forest Lake church in Florida, where he has been senior pastor. Bill Nixon began pastoring in Cheyenne in November after coming from Minnesota where he pastored five churches. As of this month, Godfrey Miranda assumes the pastorate of the Fort Collins congregation. He has been in RMC for the past four years. Two districts are still open–Castle Rock, Colorado Springs South, and Woodland Park, as well as the Golden, Denver West, and Lakewood Fellowship district. Pastor David Martinez returned to Castle Rock as chaplain.

Following the announcement of the retirement of Lonnie Hetterle, who has served more than 25 years in RMC and 20 years in the Office of Education, the Committee voted to appoint Diane Harris as RMC education director. She has served as assistant director of education in RMC for almost 20 years.

“Lonnie Hetterle has been a real blessing for the Rocky Mountain Conference as our superintendent of education. After twenty years in that position, he has decided to retire the end of the month. He will be missed by all,” said Ed Barnett.

He also commented on the Committee’s vote to appoint Diane Harris as RMC director of education. “She has been the associate for the last twenty years. We welcome her happily as she steps up as our new superintendent as of the first of January,” Barnett added.

–RMCNews

08 Dec

Counseling During the Holidays

By Claudio and Pamela Consuegra – Columbia, Maryland … Nine months into the pandemic, and with no end in sight, the holidays approach — and with them come the shadows of uncertainty, fear, loneliness, and depression. During a normal year, the holidays are a cheerful, happy time for a lot of us. But for many, the holidays can be a difficult time as we remember loved ones no longer with us. The natural aura of nostalgia that surrounds this time of the year can also cause deep sadness. Compounding things this year is the addition of the pandemic and its resulting toll of death and fear of contamination and illness. It has become more challenging and even risky for families to meet to enjoy the holidays together, thus adding to the somber feeling around the upcoming holiday season.

The North American Division Family Ministries department has compiled a list of Seventh-day Adventist counselors who can help you during times like these. “It is our most often requested service,” says Pamela Consuegra, Ph.D., associate director of the department. “Several times a month someone will contact us asking if we know of an Adventist counselor located in their vicinity.”

The directory of counselors provides contact information for Adventist counselors in many areas. You may find that listing at https://www.nadfamily.org/resources/counselors/. There are locales, however, where you will not find an Adventist counselor listed who services the area near where you live. In that case, you may click on another button on our webpage and it will take you to a data base of Christian counseling to assure that you receive biblically-based counseling.

If you are in need of counseling, please visit the site. If you are a pastor or church member and know of someone in need of counseling, please share this information with them. If you are an Adventist counselor, and would like to be listed in our database, please contact us at [email protected]. You provide an important service that many desperately need.

Remember, seeking help, when needed, is a sign of strength, not weakness! May God’s richest blessings be with you and your family and, despite the circumstances that this year brings, may we all find reasons to be thankful, reasons to celebrate, and reasons to, once again, seek the Baby born in a manger.

— Claudio and Pamela Consuegra, North American Division Family Ministries; photo by iStock.

This article was originally published on the NAD website.

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