Even as the summer season winds down, the ministries of our conference are just ramping up! In September and October, we have two Leadership Development events happening: LeadershipNow and the Spanish Language, Theology, Culture and Social Justice trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico. Learn more about them below. Also this fall, we're observing several special Sundays that highlight our students, our laity and our Volunteers in Mission. And be sure to check out the section on Hispanic Heritage Month, which spans Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. As always, we want to hear your stories of community engagement and ministry! Submit your stories online on the News page.
Charmaine Robledo, Director of Communications
Estes Park Friendly Stitchers craft for infants, children
Submitted by Jim Harrington
Lay Member, Estes Park United Methodist Church, Colorado
The past few months have been a busy time for the Friendly Stitchers of Estes Park United Methodist Church in Estes Park, Colorado. Over the course of the summer, the church craft group made 77 "taggies." Taggies are soft toys composed of fleece and ribbon that provide visual and tactile stimulation for infants. The toys are donated to a group that assembles gift bags for families with newborns at Estes Park Health Hospital. Read more
Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month begins September 15
Submitted by the Rev. Liana Perez-Felix
Retired Clergy, Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church
In our Hispanic-Latino countries, every day is a celebration of our respective cultural heritages. We live daily the richness of our countries and our history, our customs, the concept of unity in the family, and everything that is part of our daily lives. It is not until we migrate to the United States that we become aware of the diminishing or lack of these elements that form our being. In some places, we have access to the music, the products to prepare our typical dishes, and the opportunity to mingle with people who speak our language. However, there are some who feel somewhat isolated from all that has formed and developed their existence. Read more | Outreach resources
Protect yourself from email scams, fake social accounts, and more
The Mountain Sky Conference utilizes many means of technology to communicate with those in our area. However, it is through these same channels that criminals may attempt identity theft, phishing, and other scams. It is important to stay alert when opening emails, clicking links, and accepting follow/friend requests. Here is a helpful article from Wired with guidelines for opening emails, even if it seems to be from someone you recognize. Brazos Wellness created a list of common phishing scams in this article.
In addition, here are some helpful tips for recognizing official communications from the Mountain Sky Conference:
- Official conference emails will come from @mtnskyumc.org email addresses. If you receive an email that seems odd, email communications@mtnskyumc.org immediately.
- Do not respond/click on links from suspicious email addresses. The conference will only ask for personal information through official channels, such as registrations and surveys. If you receive an email asking for a phone number/email address, make sure it is from one of the conference email addresses, and if you are unsure, email communications@mtnskyumc.org.
- Our official social media channels are listed here. If you get a request or message from any other entity than those listed, it is not from the conference. Please email communications@mtnskyumc.org with any fraud social media page requests.
- Bishop Karen Oliveto has personal social media pages at this time, but several fake accounts have been created. Bishop Oliveto communicates officially through conference channels. Any other communication claiming to be from the bishop via social media will be from a fake account.
Leadership Development opportunities in the Mountain Sky Conference
There are three continuing education and leadership opportunities coming up in the Mountain Sky Conference. People of the Mountain Sky Conference are invited to LeadershipNow in Bozeman, Montana on Sept. 22. The morning worship and keynote session with Henry Timms is open to the public. The afternoon session will focus on envisioning the future of the Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church. The members of the five program committees — Leadership Development, Congregational Vitality, Community Engagement, Responsible Stewardship, and Communications — will discuss how to move forward in partnership with one another. The deadline to make overnight accommodations is Sept. 1.
The next event is the Spanish Language, Theology, Culture and Social Justice program will take place in Cuernavaca, Mexico Oct. 22 through Nov. 2. This program is designed for all levels of Spanish. Intensive instruction happens each morning followed by field trips, lectures, bible study, and discussions with religious and social justice activists.
Then, the Holy Land Pilgrimage takes place Jan. 28 through Feb. 6, 2019. The tour’s theme is “Jesus: His Life, His Times, His Land, His Hebrew Faith”. This trip is through Education Opportunities, and they provide many incentives for pastors, including scholarships for pastors and spouses! Additionally, if you recruit five participants, your trip is free.
For more information and registration, contact the Superintendent of Leadership Development, Rev. Youngsook Kang, at ykang@mtnskyumc.org.
Mission u events open minds, hearts
Submitted by Jim Gulley
Dean, Mission u of the Mountain Sky Conference
There are two remaining opportunities to participate in 2018 Mission u events. These will take place in Pagosa Springs, Colorado on Aug. 25 and Casper, Wyoming on Sept. 15. Two courses will be offered at each location: Embracing Wholeness: An Earth Perspective for Covenantal Living and What About Our Money? A Faith Perspective. Read more
Upcoming Special Sundays in The United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church celebrates ministries, leadership, and diversity in the connection throughout the year with Special Sundays. To see a complete list of these dates, visit the UMC.org website. There are quite a few of these days in the coming months, including Laity Sunday in October, World Communion Sunday in November, and Student Sunday in November.
Be sure to watch for stories and resources for Special Sundays in upcoming conference newsletters!
Prayer Requests
An updated prayer list with details can be found on the Prayer Requests page online.
Appointments/Assignments
Go to the Appointments/Assignments page online to see an updated list of appointments and assignments. A list of current church openings for the Mountain Sky Conference is online.
Upcoming Deadlines
Aug. 31 is the last day to submit comments to the revised draft of the Social Principles. Your responses will be collected and may influence the final draft submitted to General Conference.
What's Happening?
Featured event: 5 Things Your Visitors Are Thinking but Won't Ask Seminar
Join nationally known worship coach and author Jason Moore as he shares lessons learned from years of providing "secret worshiper consultations" in churches large and small. Jason will help your church identify what the 5 most pressing issues are for new visitors and how to address them with easy-to-implement ideas and systematic steps. Learn more
More events:
Learn more about these and other activities on the Conference Calendar.
Classifieds
- Fall Season Part-Time Positions - Buckhorn United Methodist Camp, Bellvue, Colorado
- Free Reclining Chair - Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church, Greenwood Village, Colorado
- Office Administrator - First United Methodist Church, Boulder, Colorado
- Searching for Adam Hamilton's Revival Study - Phillips United Methodist Church, Lakewood, Colorado
- Sunday Morning Nursery Attendant - Phillips United Methodist Church, Lakewood, Colorado
Go to the Classifieds page online for new job postings, items for sale, and items for free. Visit the Conference Employment Opportunities page for job postings at our conference offices. Also, submit a classified ad online!
Communications Guidelines
The Conference Communications Office strives to inform and connect clergy and laity to the missions, ministries, news, and events of the Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church. We welcome the submission of news and requests (job openings, ministry materials) that benefit the local church and serve the mission of our larger connection. Go to the Communications Guidelines page online for more information on how to submit items and to get resources for your communications needs.
Subscriptions
You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Mountain Sky Conference communications list. Clergy are required to receive these newsletters.
Newsletter Archive
Bookmark this Newsletter Archive link for past email communications from the Conference. You can also access the Yellowstone Legacy Conference email communication archive here.
We welcome your feedback! Email communications@mtnskyumc.org with newsletter questions, website issues, or general inquiries.
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