A Look at Our Past: Trinity's Memorial Baptismal Font

By David Sanger

One of the prominent features of Trinity’s Sanctuary is the baptismal font; the angel holds a bowl in her outstretched arms for the baptismal water. The placement is such that she is only lighted by sunlight from the south windows during the Advent season. The story of this memorial gift from Edward and Amelia Eddy is a fascinating one.

 William B. Sampson married Ellen Potter on September 17, 1879, and settled in Georgetown, Colorado. Their daughter, Ellen Amelia, was born December 13, 1880. Five days after the birth of their daughter, mother Ellen died; she is buried in the Alvarado Cemetery in Georgetown. William, a miner, was unable to care for baby Ellen, and she was adopted by Edward and Amelia Blamey Eddy, William’s aunt and uncle. They were unable to have children of their own, but had the resources to care for a child. Unfortunately baby Ellen Amelia died at age 4 on January 1, 1884, of unknown causes.

Edward and Amelia had immigrated to Colorado from Cornwall, England. He was one of the best-known mining experts in the United States, and became wealthy as an ore buyer and one of the owners of the Omaha and Grant Smelter Company.  The Eddys made a substantial contribution to the construction of Trinity ($1,500) and paid for the baptismal font as a memorial to their lost child. The angel is carved from pure white Carrara marble and sits on a granite pedestal. It was created at a cost of $825. Edward died of heart failure in 1896, at age 57, and his wife returned to England, but their gift still graces Trinity’s Sanctuary and inspires those who see her.

You won’t believe what happened!

By Allison Watkins, Director of Children's Ministry

One Sunday morning shortly after Easter I had the privilege of teaching the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade Sunday School class. The lesson for this particular day was from John 21:15. The disciples have finished their breakfast on the beach and Peter and Jesus are having a conversation. Jesus has asked Peter three times if he loves him. 

Soon the lesson was suspended when questions were popping up. Without any planning the children were asking and answering their own questions – they were teaching each other! They remembered another Bible lesson when Jesus told Peter he would deny him three times before he died. Another child pointed out the coincidence of the number three. Three times Peter denied Jesus; after three days Jesus rose from the dead; three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him; the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then one boy asked, “How do we know that this really happened?”  I asked him if he ever came home from school with an exciting story and said, “You won’t believe what happened today!” I explained that in the time that Jesus lived such amazing things happened that the disciples wanted to share the news with everyone. The people who met and knew Jesus wanted to share what had happened when they witnessed Jesus.

When we returned back to the lesson we learned that Jesus is asking Peter to tend to his sheep, feed his sheep and follow him. The young boy needed more clarification and then asked, “So, that’s what we’re supposed to do?  Feed his sheep and follow him and spread the word?”

I have shared this story several times since I witnessed these smart, beautiful children learning and living the way Jesus taught us and asked us to live. They were kind and loving and respectful to each other. I was filled with joy and couldn’t wait to tell everybody “You won’t believe what happened today!”

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. — John 13:34 ESV

Interested in helping with Trinity's Children's Ministry? Come to the Children's Sunday School Training/Information Meeting on Sunday, August 27, 9 a.m., in the Red Room (Level 2 Children's Area). You'll learn more about the ways you can help by volunteering or donating supplies:

• Sunday School Teachers and Assistants
• Check-in Desk
• Worship Bags
• Classroom Supplies
• Special Events
• Nursery Help
• Donations of Goods

Contact Allison Watkins, Director of Children's Ministry, for more information: awatkins@trinityumc.org or 303-839-1493 x22.

There is a Super Hero in all of us. What are your Super Powers?

By Allison Watkins, Director of Children's Ministry

Every year there is a new action-packed, box office hit movie where superheroes are back in the spotlight. As we watch the comic book characters come to life with their amazing feats and super powers, we may wonder what super powers we would most like to possess.  We may wish to fly, scale buildings, have super-human strength or simply be invisible.

In June, Trinity was transformed into Hero Central, where over 135 children and volunteers reported to Headquarters wearing capes and masks for an amazing week at Vacation Bible School. Each day the children gathered at the VBS Hero Central Assembly Time with Flame the Red Panda Puppet and Captain Shield and shared the Hero Code of the day, relayed messages from Headquarters and recited the Hero Pledge: “Do Good, Seek Peace and Go After It! God’s Heroes have Heart! Courage! Wisdom! Hope! and Power!”

Every day brought epic adventures alongside biblical heroes learning Bible stories through crafts, recreation games, science experiments, story-telling, snack creations, mission moments, dancing and singing. They discovered their strength in God, explored God’s mission for their lives, and realized qualities within that make them every day super heroes!

Our mission for the week was Heifer International. We learned about the important work they do in the world; how they help the people of Rwanda and how we could be super heroes by empowering a family.  The children brought their money and watched the collection grow throughout the week, hoping to meet their goal of $500 to purchase a cow.  By Friday afternoon, the super power of giving was very apparent among our VBS family.  The children had carried their baggies full of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and bills – donating over $1200!  Enough to purchase 2 cows and a goat for a family in Rwanda!

This is always a powerful week for everyone who is here.  We may at times wish we had super powers like the characters in movies but what we discovered this week is that we already have super powers within us.  God has given us the power of faith, laughter, peace, praise, wisdom, forgiveness, friendship, prayer, thankfulness, caring, giving, joy, kindness, love, sharing and smiling.

Together we are all disciples of Jesus helping each other on our spiritual journeys and providing an adventurous Vacation Bible School for our children!

“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.”  — Maya Angelou

A Quiet Disciple: Cynthia Mousel

By Caroline Lee, Chancel Choir President

Each year, the Chancel Choir gives the Quiet Disciple award to a member of our choir community who exemplifies joy in giving, service without expectation and the bond of community. In past years, we have given this award to Jim Feickert, Jim Utzinger, Susan Turman, Diane Theobald and Dennis Semin. 

This year's Quiet Disciple was given to Cynthia Mousel at the Chancel Choir's end-of-season banquet on June 14. Each summer, when our regular season is done and we hang up our robes for a summer hiatus, Cynthia makes it her sacred mission to take home every single robe (all 100+ of them) and lovingly wash them. She does this without seeking recognition or notice, but simply as a way to service the Chancel Choir. And that’s just one example of the ways that she has served the choir over the years. We are proud to honor Cynthia with the Quiet Disciple Award for the 2016-17 choir season! 

Book Recommendation - A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith

Recommended by Rev. Lee Anderson-Harris

Brian McLaren has written books, delivered presentations and led discussions that have helped form the faith of Christians around the world. He wrote the book that began my journey to understanding Jesus in a whole new way, thus reviving my faith. I was privileged to hear him speak at an Annual Conference — yes, our own Rocky Mountain Annual Conference held each June. And in this book, he has once again breathed new life into a faith that is so dear to many, but so often misunderstood.

Don’t let the title mislead you: McLaren is not creating a new kind of Christianity, but I would say he is going back to the roots of it to help modern Christians understand it in a way that is new to us, perhaps the way it was originally intended to be understood all along. He unpacks the long-held (but not necessarily original) and commonly understood meaning of the overarching message of the Christian Bible, showing readers where this may be in error and the consequences of that misunderstanding. He presents another interpretation, one that I believe is life-giving. It is a thorough book, exploring questions such as “Is God violent?” “Who is Jesus and why is he important?” “Can we find a way to address human sexuality without fighting about it?” and more. As a faith leader who loves the Bible and seeks to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ, I appreciate McLaren’s knowledge, pastoral guidance and support, and experience shared in this book.

AMANDA WILLIAMS AWARDED BARNES SCHOLARSHIP

By Julia Williams

Amanda Williams was awarded the 2017 James E. and Mary H. Barnes Scholarship of $5,000 given annually to a deserving high school student who is a member of Trinity. Amanda is a 2017 graduate of Golden High School in Golden and has been selected as a full-time student at Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, where she plans to pursue a degree in civil engineering. With Amanda’s permission I quote her: “I have chosen civil engineering because of my experiences with a Trinity Youth Mission Trip to Guatemala. It created a passion and a vision within me to serve others with love and understanding. I might not have come to that conclusion about service if it were not for the time I spent in Guatemala.” While attending university she desires to participate in “Engineers Without Borders,” which sends engineering students to developing countries to build water filtration systems and other necessities like bridges. After university she would like to serve with the Peace Corps to continue to help others around the world.

During her high school years she participated in various projects, clubs and organizations which included “Senior Seminar,” a program for seniors to visit different religious institutions to interact with those in attendance; “Link Leader,” a program at her high school which challenged juniors and seniors to mentor freshmen; the “Rotary Youth Leadership Awards,” a full-scholarship camp which taught high school students team building, leadership and confidence skills; and the “Mentor Program,” which enabled her to mentor a blind student who taught her how to read braille. Her time with him made her realize she should never determine her opinion of someone based on a disability.

The Barnes Scholarship was created in 2009 by the Pioneer Fund, a private foundation funded by the late Helen McLoraine, a former member of Trinity, a community philanthropist and a close friend of
Reverend and Mrs. Barnes. The scholarship was established to honor their lives and ministries at Trinity.

The application process for the annual scholarship recipient considers essay questions about the applicant’s chosen field of study, grade point average, test scores, recommendations, honors and awards in high school, church activities and how the scholarship will benefit the recipient.

Congratulations, Amanda, and God’s richest blessings from your Trinity family!

Welcome, Donna!

Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference announced last month the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Donna Dempewolf to serve as Executive Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church. Donna is a spiritual and executive leader who is passionate about following Jesus and building up the reign of God. She has experience in pastoral and organizational leadership, and has served both urban and suburban congregations. Most recently, she was the lead pastor for seven years at Living Spirit United Methodist Church, a multicultural, multiracial congregation in south Minneapolis that became younger and more diverse during her pastorate.

Before entering ministry, Donna worked at 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in Cergy, France. She has extensive experience in finance, business development, and strategic planning, including staff supervision. She has an MBA from the University of Minnesota, an M.Div. from Boston University, an M.A. in religion from United Theological Seminary in Ohio, and a D. Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She is an ordained elder in the Minnesota Conference where she has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry and co-chaired the Commission on Religion and Race.

Donna writes: “I envision a church that shares the love of Jesus with all generations by being welcoming, inclusive and engaged in its local community; a church that dreams about its future, and then collaborates with the Spirit to put stepping stones in place to guide them there.”

“I enjoy working with all generations, and especially developing, equipping and mentoring staff and lay leaders for fruitful ministry. I value spirituality that touches the heart and engages the head, and organizational effectiveness and efficiency. I look forward to serving as Trinity’s new Executive Pastor, which blends organizational leadership and pastoral responsibilities. I am excited to join the Trinity team, and to partner with you to share the love of Jesus in downtown Denver.”

Donna will arrive in Denver in mid-June, in time to attend and be welcomed at the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference June 15–18. She will be in worship leadership on June 25. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is planning an event to formally welcome Donna later in the summer.

Senior Pastor Mike Dent says, “We are pleased to welcome Donna to our congregation, staff and pastoral team. She brings significant secular and sacred work experience to our ministry team, and a track record of effective leadership. I look forward to you meeting and welcoming her to Trinity, Denver and Colorado.” She plans to live downtown. Watch for invitations to get acquainted with Donna. Thanks to the SPRC and Chair Susan Turman for their vision, support and engagement to restore this vital position to our staff.