Go Tell It On
The Mountain
may 2008
Volume: 27 No: 05
Monthly Newsletter of the United Methodist Church of Estes Park
1509 Fish Hatchery Road, Estes Park, CO 80517
970-586-4153
E-mail: epumc@qwestoffice.net
Pastor Debra
Olenyik
Worship
Services
6:00
PM: Informal Worship
10:30
AM: Sunday Worship
“For this reason, I
remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you.” – 2 Timothy 1:6
I have long associated creativity and spiritual exploration with childhood and teen years. I then have seen evidence of it being largely ignored by higher education and the working adult world. I now fully realize, having been with you in Estes Park, as well as with my own creative and spiritual journey, how much creativity and spiritual exploration can reappear in exciting and profound ways in our older years. Our beloved sister, Virginia Baker, was one who embodied this. Many of you have shown this to our church, our community and me as well.
Perhaps these new awakenings in our creative and spiritual sides are because we are freed from the restraints of a routine job, having our children grown, caring less about appearances or rejecting many of the restraints imposed by our culture. We are in a position to really contemplate the meaning of life, to honor God, and to find fuller expression of our inner beings. We realize there are untapped areas where God has given us opportunities to explore. We find new discoveries in the spiritual, intuitive, and creative sides of our beings.
It is easier to grow old if we are neither bored nor boring. In our later years we have more time to expand our horizons because we are set free from certain routines and rituals.
The problem is often within us. We are locked in a room with open doors. We try to blame our boredom on outside forces, but the issue is within us. If we take the time to look inward, we may be surprised at our new creativity and ingenuity.
Who knows what gifts our Lord seeks to rekindle within you. My prayer is that we all may find in our older years the creative and spiritual depths often neglected in earlier life. May we all give thinks to our Lord, the generous provider of all good gifts, both on the outside and on the inside.
In Christ’s
Grace,
Pastor
Deb
Joys and Concerns
Baptisms – David Jack “Jacks” Alexander Pastuer and Taylor Emily Pastuer, March 30
New Members – Debbie McMillion, Kathleen and Taylor Pastuer, March 30
Recognized for Service – Lynn Myers, treasurer and Alan Miller, financial secretary, April 27
Death – Virginia Baker, services were held on April 16
Prayers for Healing and Strength – Cindy Farran, Marlene Willey, Eleanor Simpson, Gwynne Hattan, Vicki Wagner
If you want to keep in touch with our members and would
like to be on an e-mail prayer chain please contact: Candace Gordon,
970-577-0134 or e-mail cgordon246@aol.com.
Memorials for
Virginia Baker
The family of Virginia Baker has requested that in lieu of flowers,
memorials be given to one of the following: Rocky Mountain Conference UMC
Scholarship Fund at 6110 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 or The June Intergenerational Mission
Trip to Louisiana sponsored by Arvada UMC.
That address is: Arvada UMC, 6750 Carr St, Arvada, CO 80004.
Welcome to our New
Members! 
Debbie McMillion comes by affirmation of faith. She moved to Estes Park last summer with husband, Michael. Debbie is a retired teacher of the blind and upper elementary children in Texas. Michael is a retired engineer currently working at the Best Western Lodge. Debbie enjoys collecting books and movie memorabilia, reading, travel, bowling, Spanish Club, hiking, Braille, tap dancing and singing. Michael enjoys Indian art, reading, travel, hiking and computers. 2530 Eagle Rock Drive, dnmcmillion@beyondbb.com, 577-1105
Kathleen and daughter, Taylor, Pastuer come by affirmation of faith. Kathleen, Taylor (15) and Jacks (9) have been residents of Estes Park for several years. Kathleen works for the University of Colorado in Boulder. She enjoys hiking and her children. Taylor is a high school freshman and enjoys cheerleading, ballet and volunteering for the American Cancer Society. Jacks is in 3rd grade. 990 Woodland Ct., Kathleen – estesglass@aol.com & cell 231-7872, Taylor – prinsesstayter@aol.com & cell 231-7874.
Mother’s Day Sunday,
May 11
We invite you to bring mothers to church on Mother’s Day, May 11 where they will be recognized in worship.
Graduate Sunday, May
18
We will honor our three high school graduates on Sunday, May 18 in worship and have a cake reception following. The graduates are Matthew DeWitt, Matthew Lake and Thomas Rosenthal. We encourage you to bring cards on that day for the graduates.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
June 8 will be Pastor Deb's last Sunday. There will be a Pot Luck Reception for Pastor Deb and Chuck following the service. Details to follow......
Youth Happenings 
Carroll Mock heads up our youth program in coordination with our youth, parents and sponsors. We will be finishing out the year with our regular Sunday meetings with the youth of Mountain View Bible Fellowship and E.P. Christian Church as well as have our final event with Estes Park Youth Church (E.P.Y.C.). Here is the latest information on May’s events from Jake Hess, youth pastor at Mt. View Bible Fellowship:
May 2 All-Nighter at Reel Mt. Cinema
May 4 Youth Group 5 – 7 p.m.
May 11 Youth Group 5 – 7 p.m.
May 18 E.P.Y.C. Annual Ultimate Cow Tongue Competition and Barbeque, high school practice field, time TBA.
We will keep you posted on any upcoming summer events. – Pastor Deb
Women’s Devotional
Group 
The Women’s Devotional Group will start a new study on
Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gordon’s home. This will be a short term study on nature
entitled, “Let the Fields Rejoice: Biblical Meditations on Nature” by Will
Soll. In June, we plan to read, “Asking
God Your Hardest Questions” by Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Chaplain of the US Senate. The ladies of the church are invited to join
us for one or both of these studies.
Please let me know as soon as possible so I will have books for
everyone. Come be a part of an exciting
group. Candace Gordon 577-0134 or cgordon246@aol.com
UMC of Estes Park 25th Anniversary
Celebration – June 1st, 2008 
Mark your calendars! Our 25th Anniversary celebration is Sunday, June 1st with a reception starting at 4:30 p.m., dinner at 5:00 p.m., and a special presentation at 6:00 p.m. Suggested donation is $7 for adults and $4 for children. Please RSVP by May 15th via phone to Beth at 586-4153 or via email to Peggy Campbell at coloradopeggy@qwest.net. Hope you can make it!
Peggy Campbell, UMC Communications Committee Chair. 586-9123
Outreach
Moments 
Every visitor to UMCEP is a guest waiting to be welcomed by our warm and friendly congregation. As the season approaches to welcome first time and returning visitors, we all have an opportunity to model our "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors". Here are some helpful reminders for welcoming guests and for all of us to serve as hospitality hosts and hostesses:
*Always wear your name tag
*Greet each other. Be especially aware of newcomers. Enact the "circle of 10" rule: anyone, member or guest who comes within 10 feet of you, will be greeted. Make people feel like an honored guest, member and visitor alike.
*Remember that the number one reason people join churches is that they feel a sense of belonging, like a member of a family. When several people greet a visitor, a caring congregation is manifest.
Those in our congregation who have offered to serve as our "Hospitality Hosts" are asked to be available in Fellowship Hall on the Sundays they are present to aid in greeting our guests. If there are others who would be interested in serving as a hospitality host or hostess please contact Suzanne Miller or a member of our Outreach Ministry. More importantly, everyone's warm smile and greetings are most welcoming in God's house of worship.
My name is
Garrett Hurni and I am completing the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of
America, Eagle Scout in Troop 10 of Estes Park, CO. In order to complete this rank, I am constructing an outdoor
theatre at UMC for my Eagle Scout project.
This theatre will be available for outdoor services, wedding ceremonies and other events. The newly terraced area west of the church will seat sixty people on wooden seats.
Fundraising for expenses is a large part of the project. The estimated cost of the materials for the outdoor theater is $1,800. If you would like to donate to my Eagle Scout project, make a check out to UMC, with a note in the memo section stating “Eagle Scout Project.” Checks can be dropped off in the office or mailed to the church. When construction begins in early summer, physical labor will also be appreciated.
Thank you for supporting my Eagle Scout project.
EPUMC TAKES THE LEAD!
United Methodist congregations and pastors have been challenged to “Take
the Lead” in the global struggle against HIV and AIDS. More people than ever
before—4.3 million—were infected with HIV last year. In 2007 about 3 million
persons died as the pandemic sweeps around the earth.
The Rocky Mountain Conference has
established a goal of raising $100,000 for the United Methodist Global AIDS
Fund by the end of 2008. Funds already raised by our Conference for HIV
and AIDS have:
Helped
women raped during civil wars in Sierra Leone receive AIDS counseling,
Provided
dental care for persons with AIDS imprisoned in Russia,
Helped
orphans in various places in Africa,
Provided
pediatric medicines for children living with AIDS in India,
Fought
stigma and discrimination in Kenya,
Educated
seminary students in Africa and Asia about the pandemic, and
Created
a special Upper Room to offer spiritual support for persons living with
HIV and AIDS.
The Missions and Social Justice
Committee has decided to “Take the Lead” and join in this struggle against HIV
and AIDS. We will inform you about how we, the congregation of EPUMC can
participate in this brave and great effort. Stay tuned!
HEADS UP!
Some Fair Trade items will be
sold in the coming months. Chocolate bars, cranberries, and nuts will be
offered very soon. These items are great treats for summer hikers and remember,
chocolate is good for the heart (and soul)! Be on the lookout FOR THE
FAIR TRADE TABLE!
……Marlene Brown
Crossroads Spring Sale - May 16-17 
Crossroads Ministries Annual Spring Sale will be held at Mountain View
Fellowship (on Highway 7) on May 16th and 17th. Friday hours are 9:00-6:00
p.m., and Saturday hours are 9:00-1:00 p.m.
Crossroads Ministry exhibits Christian love by providing basic human services
to needy residents in the Estes Valley. The Spring Sale is an effective fund
raiser.
Annie Meulener, program director, is asking all churches to provide 4
volunteers to help setting up - Monday through Thursday (12th - 15th). If you
can donate several hours on one of those days please contact Donna Newendorp -
586-6620 (Crossroads UMC representative).
Conference Mission Happenings Short
Takes
1) KENYA Mission Trip - July 2-18, 2008 - There is room for 4 more people! We will be working at a children's school for a week, followed by a Safari. Contact Ann Fort, annfort8269@comcast.net, 303-220-0840.
2) MISSIONS Dinner - Friday, June 20, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Hope UMC, Englewood, CO. You are invited! Guest speaker will be Elizabeth McKee Gore, Executive Director of Global Alliances for the United Nations Foundation and the Nothing But Nets (malaria prevention) Program. Cost is $20. Please register with Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net or Ann Fort. If you are attending Annual Conference, you should still register with Betsy or Ann.
3) VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS
need mission teams! The following churches are requesting mission teams:
*Upton, WY UMC. Near Mount Rushmore.
*Springfield, CO UMC.
*Cheraw, CO UMC, May 27-30, followed by mission work May 31 to June 3 or 4.
Please contact Ann Fort to get connected.
4) KEEP THOSE PICTURES COMING for the Missions Parade slide show at Annual Conference! We are looking for pictures from your church in service to your local community; on mission trips; in relationship with United Methodist Missionaries - any mission involvement! Please send photos to Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net or 10317 S. Charissglen Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126.
5) MISSION SCHOLARSHIPS are available for people who want to go on a mission trip but would like some financial help. They are usually in the amount of $500 - $1500. Please contact Betsy or Ann to apply.
6) VIMSHARE - the next issue of our newsletter will be out by June 1. You are invited to send Betsy Keyack mission trip stories and 2008/2009 mission trips that you would like advertised!
7) MISSIONS FUNDRAISER - You are invited to the Burrito Bash and Silent Auction at Wheat Ridge UMC on May 31 from 4-8 p.m. Please contact Bev Marter, bkmarler@qwest.net for more info.
Blessings to you in all your mission work,
Betsy Keyack and Ann Fort, Co-coordinators, UM Volunteers in Mission, Rocky
Mountain Conference
UNITED
METHODIST WOMEN
Ladies, join us on Wednesday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m. for fellowship and a program presented by the Executive Director of Victim Advocates, Mary Mesropian. She will share information about the Estes Valley Victim Advocate’s new Safehouse for Women, and ways they provide victim services here in Estes Park, through advocacy, counseling, information and referrals, education and safe housing.
TOP FIVE….. Easy things you can do to end DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
1) Purchase “Stop Family Violence” postage stamps.
2) Donate your old cell phones to Estes Valley Victim Advocates.
3) Volunteer at Estes Valley Victim Advocates (become an advocate, board member, safehouse volunteer).
4) Write letters to your state legislators, congressional delegation and governor regarding issues of domestic violence and its impact on women and children.
5) Remember to checkoff Domestic Abuse Fund on your Colorado state tax return
Announcing New
Books in Our Library 
From Connie Dedon, Church
Librarian
Our church library has new books ready for you to check out. Two of the
books are by Khaled Hosseini who was born in Kabol and moved to the U. S. in
the 80’s. His talent to describe life in Afghanistan is amazing. The Kite
Runner focuses on fathers, sons, and the friendship between men in
Afghanistan. His recent novel A Thousand Splendid Suns focuses on
mothers, daughters, and friendships between women. Both of the books show the
fallout that Afghanistan’s violent history has had on individuals.
Another book called Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza reveals
what happened in Rwanda during a bloody genocide that claimed the lives of
nearly a million Rwandans. Miraculously the main character survived 91 days
huddled with seven other women in a small bathroom of a local pastor’s home.
All three of these books describe personal religious faiths, and how
individuals rely on that faith to deal with troubled situations.
On a side note, if there is anyone that might have the Ad Council study
book from a few months back called Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
by Robert Schnase, I would like a copy for the library. If you are willing to
donate your copy, I would like to make that book available to other members of
the church.
As a reminder, you may check any book out of the library for a month or
more by just listing your phone number on the book card. Seasonal members and
visitors are all welcome to check out books as well as our year around
residents. Consider taking home a recent arrival book as well as the others in
your church library.
Special Offerings through April 15:
Human Relations Day $265.00
Native American Ministries $324.00
One Great Hour of Sharing $355.00
Easter $807.00
Heifer Project/Noisy Offering $305.23
Thank you for your support.
New E-mail is Here! 
Still trying to work out some bugs but our new addresses are:
For Beth at the church office: epumc@qwestoffice.net
For our treasurer, Lynn Myers: epumcfinance@qwestoffice.net
For Pastor Deb: dolenyik@qwestoffice.net
Our beyondbb addresses will still work for a short time. Please start using the new addresses.
A special thank you to Mike Campbell and John Davis for getting this set up for us.
***********************************************************************
From the Endowment Committee 
Five
Questions About Your Will
Periodically, it’s a good idea to run through a checklist to make sure your last will and testament is ready to go. Here are some questions to ask.
1. Is my will up-to-date? This is an important question because many people have a will tucked away someplace, a will that is so outdated as to be practically useless. In fact, an out-of-date will can actually cause more problems for your loved ones than not having a will at all. Tax laws change and the size and extent of your assets may have changed as well.
2. Does my will represent my wishes? Your family situation may have changed over the years so that you no longer have dependents at home. Perhaps your estate has grown beyond your earlier estimates. Maybe you’ve changed your mind about some of your bequests. The more time that passes and the more changes that occur in your life, the more you should consider bringing your will “up to speed.”
3. Is my will valid? Have you moved to a different state since creating your last will? The laws may differ and your old will may be invalid. Or maybe you prepared your own will and missed something of vital importance, like proper signatures. Considering the importance of your last will and testament, it makes good sense to have a reputable estate-planning attorney review your current will or even draft a new one for you.
4. Is my will safely stored? Where do you keep the original copy of your will? This is a precious document and should be either in a bank safety deposit box or some other place where it is protected from fire and thievery.
5. Does my representative know? After selecting a safe place to store your will, be sure to tell your personal representative where to find it.
There is a sixth question you might also consider: “Have I included the United Methodist Church of Estes Park in my estate plans?”
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Birthday List May
1st – David Raymond, 2nd – Charlotte Raymond, 8th – Dorothy Gibbs, 9th – David Lee, Karen Ericson, 12th – Don Wright, Rachel Diggs, 13th – Mike Davis, 14th –Michael Campbell, 15th – Roger Jones, Don Boling, 16th – Michelle