Beloved Community,

It’s hard to believe my time here is almost gone.  My gratitude for all you have given to me and my family over the years is endless. I came here seven years ago with a hope and a prayer that I could stay here at least long enough for Jake to graduate from college.  And my prayer was answered.  You have grounded me when I needed to be grounded. You have challenged me when I needed to be challenged. You have encouraged me when I needed to be encouraged. But most of all, you have held me when I needed to be held.  You have been my rock, my constant, my ‘home’ when life threw me curve balls and chaos.  I will never forget the home you gave me here.

Remember the Alamo! Is a phrase often associated with the city I am headed to next, but for me, it’s Remember the love at Niwot UMC.  I will never forget all the ways you have lived out what it means to ‘be the church.’ The ways you give in mission and outreach are truly outstanding. And the dedication with which our Sunday School teachers teach year after year without a break is amazing. The work of the trustees, the hospitality crew and others… Honestly, all of you live into what it means to be the church. So thank you for being that for me, too.

In the United Methodist Church, this is normal. We stay for a while and then allow God to call us elsewhere.  God is now sending Todd and me to San Antonio.  His training as a VA Chaplain is something he has wanted to do for a long time and he is so excited to begin. And we will get to attend church together again for the first time in over 11 years! We are so happy about that.  And it will be fun to see how he adapts to being a ‘preacher’s wife.’

So, we say so long for now.  But please know my door is always open to all of you, no matter what.  I love you and carry you with me always.

Peace,
Pam

June 4   Pentecost
“The Gift of Understanding”June 11
“Taking the First Step”

June 18
“Welcome Mats in Every Direction”

June 25
Guest Preacher: Rev. Susan Warren

OUTREACH MISSION – Supporting First Responders We will be collecting new or gently used teddy bears to be donated to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department. The teddy bears will be distributed among the sheriff squad cars, so that the sheriffs may give them to traumatized children found in crisis situations. We will be collecting the teddy bears through Sunday June 11th .  CAN WE COLLECT A 100 OR MORE?

Sixty-one pounds of food were delivered to the OUR Center in Longmont from the monthly communion collection.

Re-crediting of Kiva micro-loan repayments resulted in 4 individuals and/or groups receiving a total of $275.00 in loans.  The Muagdonemoun Group, in Laos, wished to purchase TerraClear water filter so their families can have access to safe drinking water.  Hanan, in Lebanon, receive assistance for necessary dental surgery. John, in the United States, is able to build a washing and packing station, walk in cooler, and greenhouse.  This will help grow a family farm and provide more healthy produce to the community.  Dritan, in Albania, will be able to repair the roof on his house that is in very poor condition and provide a safer place for his family.

UMW Potluck Luncheon – Thursday, June 8^th, 11:00 am at Elinor’s house. Bring a salad or a dessert (emphasis on salads!). This will be a chance for us to say goodbye to Rev. Pam and Alice Vincent, our UMW treasurer for many years. Please sign-up sheet on the bulletin board by the pastor’s office. Let someone know if you need to carpool. Thanks!

Rev. Pam’s last Sunday is June 18^th. We will be having a reception after the worship service that day to give her a proper send-off. Jake should be here also. We will be giving Pam a gift and ask that the congregation contribute money for that gift. Mark checks with Pam’s gift in the memo line. Details to follow.

Beas’ Lunch Group – Sunday, June 25^th at noon at Colterras, Niwot. Sign up sheet on the bulletin board. All are welcome to attend.

If anyone is interested in line dancing, email Ruth Graeter at ragraeter@yahoo.com.At this point I am thinking of starting Thursday, June 8th 12:30-1:30.  If there is a better time, I can be flexible.  No age limit, no cost, and I can teach anyone!

NUMC Mission Trip for all ages for Summer 2017! We have reserved a space for a mission team from this church to go to the UMCOR West Depot in Salt Lake City the week of July 17. If you are interested in possibly being a part of this mission team, please let Sheryl Wisecup know. We need to let UMCOR know how many we will be bringing.

Growing Gardens of Boulder and Niwot UMC are collaborating to organize a community garden. Plots would range in size, with smaller plots for children and raised sections for handicap access. If you might be interested in having a plot we need a show of interest (you do NOT need to commit) please text your name, address and phone # to 303-588-2482 by June 30.

Alzheimer’s Support Group: In conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association, we will be hosting an Alzheimer’s Support Group here at the church. Meetings will be on the first Wednesday of the month, beginning June 7, from 5:30-7 pm in the library.  If you have questions, contact Gerri Davis at (207) 695-9688.

On Sunday, July 2nd, we will welcome Laura Hehner to our congregation. Each church committee is asked to go to the front of the church and perform a very short skit that introduces the members and explains what they do in the church.  Costumes, humor, overacting, etc. are encouraged.

NUMC will again walk in the Niwot 4th of July parade.  Please sign up at the back of church.  If you would like to ride, instead of walk, we have a 1974 Cadillac convertible at our disposal to drive you in style.  Please wear red, white, and blue!

King Soopers Gift Cards – King Soopers gives 5% cash back to the church each month from all grocery & gas purchases made on reloadable gift cards. Best of all, YOU still get ALL the regular benefits such as Gas Credit, product discounts, etc… Also, you can reload your gift card with your own credit card so you still get your credit card points as well. Please see Sheryl Wisecup to get a reloadable card and help us start earning money right away.

Un-Employed? Or Under-Employed? Look into the free resources at
http://www.CollectiveNet.org/

Dominoes Group: Thursdays, 1:30 pm at church. Questions call Kay at 303-772-6360.

Conference News

Western Jurisdiction Bishops Offer Pastoral Response to UMC Related to Judicial Council Decision Regarding Bishop Karen Oliveto’s Election
DALLAS, MAY 4 – The members of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church today presented a pastoral message to the church during the meeting of the denomination’s Council of Bishops in Dallas, Texas. See their response at this video LINK

Bishop to lead Spanish-Language Culture and Social Justice Immersion 
Submitted by the Rev. Youngsook Kang
Director of Mission and Ministry
Join Bishop Karen Oliveto for a complete language, cultural, and social justice immersion experience in Cuernavca, Mexico. Click here for online registration. Download the brochure for details.The total cost for this immersion experience is $1,450 for shared accommodations and a $200 deposit is due upon registering by July 1, 2017. Participants will be departing for Mexico on Aug. 27 and returning Sept. 8. Spanish Language resources are available and recommended for this trip.
Through this trip participants will:

• Gain a better understanding and knowledge of the Spanish Language.
• Gain a clearer understanding of the complex cultural issues of Mexico.
• Be challenged and empowered to experience the world from the perspective of the marginalized and return home inspired to become active agents in promoting God’s Beloved Community through solidarity with the poor engaged in this struggle.
• Gain a better understanding of gender roles in contemporary Mexican society. Be challenged and empowered to experience the world from the perspective of the LGBTQ community.

This trip is hosted through CETLALIC, a small community of teachers, students and activists with the goal of promoting dialogue between Mexico and people of other cultures. It will consist of daily Spanish language instruction, Mexican cultural activities, social justice programming, a homestay with a local Mexican family, and visits to cultural, historic, and archeological landmarks in the region.

Rocky Mountain Annual Conference 2017 
The 2017 Annual Conference “Living into Beloved Community” will be held June 15-18 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. This year’s lay leader to annual conference from Niwot UMC is Alice Haverstock. Niwot’s new pastor Rev. Laura Hehner will be officially appointed by the bishop to serve this church at this session of the annual conference.

Peace with Justice Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday will be observed on June 11 this year. When you give on Peace with Justice Sunday, your gift makes possible our critical kingdom work in the world. Because you give:

• Methodists spearhead a peace ministry uniting Arizona border communities
• United Methodists in Liberia are being equipped to implement the denomination’s Social Principles to address social-justice issues
• Pennsylvania students are educating their community about sex-trafficking at home and abroad

These initiatives, and hundreds of other ones, are possible because you give. Learn more | Get resources | Donate online
For more conference news, please see the conference website at this LINK