Would you like to help sponsor this webinar series?
Thank you for supporting this webinar and the mission of the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy and Friends
Bishop Melvin Wheatley Legacy - $1,000 +
Bishop Roy Sano Legacy - $500 +
Miles, Rebekah
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson Legacy - $250 +
Miller, Joe & Kathryn
Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell Legacy - $150 +
Rev. Julian Rush Legacy - $100 +
Benedett-Farmer, Larry & Terry
Center for Pastoral Effectiveness
Eakle, Lonnie & Terry
Howard, John & Constance
Martz, Harvey & Judy
Mercer UMC, Mercer, WI
Messer, Don & Bonnie
Responsible Stewardship (Mountain Sky)
Richards, Sheila & Caryle
Robledo, Liwliwa & Ramon
Tanquist, Mardel & Roger
Twidwell, Susan
Rev. Mary Ann Downs Legacy - $50 +
Butler, Tom & Pat
Gilbert, Richard & Jane
Guyette, Laraine
McCormick, Sharon & Thomas
Rice, Mabel
Write check designated to "Mountain Sky Conference" and send to Dr. Don Messer, UMARC Co- Chair: 7185 S Niagara Cir, Centennial, CO 80112.
Notify Don in advance at dmesser@iliff.edu
Threatened by the vision of an inclusive United Methodism as presented by various speakers, including Bishops Karen Oliveto, Harald Rückert, and Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, the conservative Institute for Religion and Democracy published an attack on Bishop Oliveto and the Inclusiveness V Webinar sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy & Friends in late November 2021.
RESPONDING TO AN ATTACK ON A VISION OF AN INCLUSIVE
UNITED METHODISM
And while we are tempted to ignore such mean-spiritedness and misinterpretation, we yet know it is important to respond lest others be misled.
The Vice Chair of UMARC, Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz, distinguished former senior pastor of St. Andrew UMC in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, speaks for all of us on the Steering Committee, when he writes in “Gone MIA from the IRD - Jesus:"
“So, it seems, when we want to demonize persons who are not 'like us,' I believe that Lord Jesus the Prophet will draw us up short and cause us to look inside.
Luckily, in Mr. Bastian’s essay, he does manage to quote our 'Lesbian Bishop' and give a new direction for all of us: 'We are called to a response as followers of Jesus.’
In most of his vitriolic essay, Mr. Bastian gets it wrong. And Bishop Karen Oliveto gets it right.”
YES, Bishop Oliveto does get it right - a loving Jesus that includes everyone, not just the heterosexual community.
Warm Regards,
Donald E. Messer
Chair, UMARC & Friends
Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz
Bishop Karen Oliveto
LIVING LEGEND: REV. JULIAN RUSH HONORED
A living legend since the 1980’s, Rev. Julian Rush has been elevated to Honorary Member of UMARC’s Steering Committee. As a pioneering openly gay pastor (now retired) in the Mountain Sky Conference, he gave distinguished leadership in the church and as founder of the Colorado AIDS Project.
See his biography “Julian Rush—Facing the Music; A Gay Methodist Minister’s Story” .
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FORMER AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN REV. JOHN L. THOMPSON APPOINTED
Rev. John L. Thompson, former Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, as well as a United Methodist District Superintendent and retired senior pastor of Park Hill UMC, Denver, has been newly appointed to the UMARC Steering Committee. He held the rank of full Colonel and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
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United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy & Friends
Inclusiveness V Webinar, November 20, 2021
“Experiencing An Inclusive United Methodist Church:
Celebrating First Five Years of Bishop Karen Oliveto’s Episcopacy”
Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran Rev. Cimpaye Valentine Rev. Dr. Mark Holland
Pat Luna Jay Williams Kent Ingram
Bishop Harald Rückert Germany
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
Western Pennsylvania
Bishop Karen Oliveto Mountain Sky
Rev. Dr. Kay Palmer Marsh Rev. Dr. Don Messer Keegan Osinski Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz
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UMARC joined Bishop Karen Oliveto Jan. 13, 2022, in celebrating the retirement of Nancy Cox, long time Executive Assistant to the Mountain Sky bishop.
An expression of gratitude for excellent service and a cash gift from members was provided by Dr. Don Messer, UMARC chair.
To contribute to a retirement gift for Nancy, write a check to the Mountain Sky Conference earmarked "UMARC/Nancy" & send to treasurer John Blinn, 11 Monroe #102, Denver, CO 80206. Thank you!
BIshop Oliveto with Nancy Cox
In Case You Missed It!
Free Webinar: Baseball, Racism and Religion
Webinar on "Clobber" Passages
in the Bible
UMARC Celebrated Five years of Bishop Karen Oliveto’s Episcopacy
At a COVID post-vaccination picnic, members of the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy and Friends celebrated five years of dynamic spiritual leadership by Bishop Karen Oliveto. Tributes from retirees saluted her and her wife Robin Ridenour for their courage, compassion, care, leadership, vision, and living out a theology of love. UMARC Chair, Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, thanked “the Holy Spirit for her unanimous election and the impact she has made for inclusion in both the church and world.”
This Three-Part Webinar Series is Available to View
in Part Below. What an amazing time of education and connection.
A special thanks to our speakers, sponsors and participants!
Retired Clergy Urged to Perform Same - Sex Weddings
"Let's Talk: LGBTQ+ Weddings" webinar from July 15th, 2020
Laity and clergy participated in an online forum to explore how pastors and local church members might prepare for same-gender weddings in their sanctuary. Questions of liturgy, pre-marital counseling, use of language, communication, etc., were discussed. This webinar was sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy & Friends and the Mountain Sky Queer Clergy Caucus.
Speakers for this Webinar included two leading Mountain Sky Area United Methodist clergy, Rev. Sharon Langfeldt and Rev. Angie Kotzmoyer. Our speakers were also joined by Rev. Dr. Donald E Messer, Moderator, and a panel of key leaders.
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UMARC members are joining retired clergy across the denomination in offering their services to perform same-sex weddings. Click HERE to add your name to the growing movement to reduce harm and move the church to inclusiveness.
UMARC Chair, Dr. Donald E. Messer, is a member of the national Resist Harm committee encouraging prophetic witness and pastoral service, in contrast to the traditionalist polity. Retired pastors risk complaints and trials, but severe penalties can be administered to active faithful pastors living in areas where bishops are intent on enforcing the Discipline no matter how punitive and exclusive.
UMARC Partners with Resist Harm
**Click on the image below to learn more.
Until legislation is passed removing the harmful restrictions currently embodied in the UM Discipline, active efforts must continue to resist, reduce, and mitigate the harm imposed by the Traditionalist agenda.
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Steering Committee Members (Photos Left to Right):
Don Messer - Chair, Harvey Martz - Vice Chair, John Blinn - Treasurer,
Dave Ferguson, Chris Ferguson,
Marla Kauerz, Kay Palmer-Marsh, Liwliwa Robledo, Ben Roe, Rev. John L. Thompson
Julian Rush - Honorary, Annie Arnoldy - Advisor