2008 was a year of “watching for road signs” at Wild Rose Congregational Church. Late in 2007 we really wrestled with a message we had received that our rented space was not child-friendly. We also wanted opportunities to move our music program to the next level with better instruments that a new space might provide. We were also, very frankly, tired of having to move furniture on a weekly basis to create worship space.
One of the benefits of conflict is better self-definition. During our impassioned conversations late in 2007 we discovered that we are deeply committed to our three publicly professed identities: Open and Affirming, Eco-Justice, and Just Peace.
A “Shared Space” committee was formed to begin looking seriously at other local churches as places where we might worship when their sanctuaries were free. We began looking seriously at “breaking camp.” Wild Rose took the bold step of beginning worship at 9 am, “to see if we could do it,” as we began entertaining the notion of sharing space. We knew we would have to take a less preferable worship hour. One congregation was more than hospitable, but later in our negotiations, we discovered we would have to worship at 8:30 am in order to utilize their space. Our congregation voted this down.
Another church, initially interested, had to decline our courtship due to changes in their own worship scheduling and in their financial picture. Through all of this, we remained patient and faithful to our own fellowship. Despite our “expeditions” to “other lands,” much remained the same “at home” while we searched elsewhere. By this I mean that we maintained our dedication to exploring God’s word, in particular, the Gospel or “good news of free grace.” We maintained our togetherness through many previously known rituals and a few new ones.
The choir continued to sing on third Sundays during the school year. We were blessed with fine leadership from Elsa, Joya, and then Jeri. The choir maintained their retreats, their hard working practices and their beautiful results.
Ash Wednesday came early in 2008 and we recognized it in a simple service of “lectio divina” (sacred reading and deep listening), Holy Communion and Taize music. We participated in a joint Good Friday service with Church of the Hills, written by Elsa and Ann. Many Wild Roses participated. Sandy organized our annual Easter Brunch.
In March we had a spontaneous sewing circle of 8 ladies who helped Charlotte mend many clothes for the homeless. A number of Wild Roses participated in a Peace Rally on March 19, the 5th Anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. On March 29, Ann christened Sage Emanuel Bell at the Hiwan Homestead Museum chapel.
The April 19 Earth Day Fair at the Lake House found Wild Roses disseminating information about electronic waste recycling, which we then hosted at Church of the Hills parking lot on May 3. Earth Day worship included the music of local musician John Erlandson and focused on saving the Baca National Wildlife Refuge. On April 27, we were delighted to welcome into membership the Irwin family.
In May, many of us dined together at Beau Jo’s in order to give a quarter of our bill to Project Angel Heart. On Pentecost Sunday, which coincided with Mother’s Day, we were served a lovely brunch by the men of Wild Rose.
June saw our pastor and past moderator Jan Switzer headed off to Rock Springs, WY, where Jan presented at the annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Church of Christ. Ann attended boundary training which has been made mandatory for all pastors in the Metro Denver Association.
On June 29, our Confluence Worship topic was “Transition,” for that, indeed was and is what we are in! In addition to the good funds accrued at the e.waste recycling, a large sum was brought in by Wild Roses who helped with a famous bicycle race, “The Triple Bypass.” Karen, Jackie, Sandy, Tim, Bud, Juanita, Jan, Dale and Nial all helped and were there to cheer Cindi and David across the finish line.
On August 9, many of us attended a special birthday party for Marlene and Dwaine and then off to the Rockies game we went for our annual outing. On August 17 we had our “Blessing of the Backpacks,” and French toast breakfast. We returned to 10 am worship on September 17. On October 5 we enjoyed Linda’s art display honoring St. Francis, and our annual “Blessing of the Animals.”
Our Stewardship Campaign began October 26 just as news of the world financial crisis was deeply setting in. Norm, Dale, Steve, Cindi and Mary Jean persevered right through to the Harvest potluck. The Steering Committee has met often since then to find ways to make ends meet in 2009. A big blessing on October 26 was the outdoor baptism of Nial at Brother Outlook at Alderfer Three Sisters Open Space. Many Wild Roses trekked to the site, and all congratulated Nial the following Sunday to the merry music of Jim and Bev. Also on November 2, many hauled, cut and split wood for Jan and Dale following Dale’s medical treatments.
We once again participated in the Alternative Christmas Fair in early November, selling our trademark organic and fair trade coffee and chocolate. We gathered ‘round a Salvation Army bucket on December 7 to help raise funds for Evergreen Christian Outreach. After two hours of caroling, we adjourned to Michelle and Ken’s for fabulous Cajun gumbo and assorted goodies. The Steering Committee met yet again to review our work and the fine efforts of Michelle with spreadsheets and suggestions.
We had four fine Adult Forums, set up by Sharon this year. The Van Haverens told us about Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity and we fed 40 workers at a Habitat for Humanity “building blitz” in the fall. We heard Kerry Kurt of Unbound Grace describe her women’s prison ministry. WRC took an unannounced offering to provide a large sum of toys, games and books for the children of mothers in the prison. This was used on Mother’s Day. The Haskins’ came up from Denver to tell us about Global Partners, a RMC mission to Venezuela. Before the big election our own Adrienne Andrews Glenn gave us an excellent presentation on the issues we found on our Colorado ballots this fall.
We supported well over a dozen charities over the year. And we continued our monthly contributions of food and other needed items to Evergreen Christian Outreach.
In anticipation of our pastor’s 3 month sabbatical, coming up in 2009, the Steering Committee took a hard look at “covering the bases” while she is gone. A Sabbatical committee will be forming soon. We began a “buddy system” whereby individuals with church responsibilities will cultivate a “buddy” to cover for them should they need to be gone. Examples are Stephanie’s covering of the newsletter production for Adrienne on several occasions and the Milfords locking up the building for Karen.
Yes, we have been “watching the road signs” in 2008, and thus far they have not led us away from the Seniors Resource Center. The enduring road sign has been the sign of the cross, pointing us toward growth in God and reliance upon one another. It is good to walk this road with you.
With Joy,Rev. Dr. Ann Bolson
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