48th Rocky Mountain

Annual Conference Session

Ministry on

the Margins

June 9-12, 2016

The Westin Hotel

Westminster, CO

www.rmcumc.org/ac16

Facebook: RockyMountainConferenceUMC

Twitter: @RMCComm

#RMAC16 #mtnskyumc

Table of Contents

Welcome from Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky…………………………………………….…………2

Proposed Agenda……………………………………………………………….…………………….3-5

Preachers…………………………...…………………………………..……….………………………..6

Spotlight Presenters……………………………………………………………….………..…………...7

Spotlight Presentations and Community Café……………………….….………………….………..8

Lay Session……………………………………………………….…………………….………………...9

Conference Awards…………………………………………………………..…………………..……10

2017 Proposed Budget……………………………………………………………….………….….11-12

Financial Commentary……………………………………………………………….…….………13-15

Churches Recognized for Connectional Giving…….…………………………..…………………..16

Ordination Anniversaries……………………………………………….………….…………………17

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Mountain Sky Area of The United Methodist Church

Rocky Mountain Conference Yellowstone Conference

Elaine J. W. Stanovsky Nancy Cox

Resident Bishop Executive Assistant

June, 2016

Dear Friends in Christ,

Jesus chose, time and again, to relate to people on the margins of society. Reading

from the prophet Isaiah, Jesus declared,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to

the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the

blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

As the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference gathers in Westminster, Colorado, we

come from communities across Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. There are people on the

edges of every community, who do not easily find a place in the circles of belonging and

fellowship of our churches. How can we learn to draw the circles wider, like Jesus did, to

engage people who may not naturally fit into church as we are used to it? Over the next

few days, we will have the honor to hear from clergy and laity across the United Methodist

connection who wrestle with what it means to be in ministry on the margins.

Introduce yourself to people you don’t know and discover how the Spirit of the

Lord is moving their lives and work. Share stories of how God is leading your church to

welcome and include people who may be living “on the edge” someway.

“Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow”

Isaiah 1:17, NRSV

May Christ shine through your life,

Elaine J. W. Stanovsky

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Thursday, June 9 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Legislative Committee Training; Meadowbrook I 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Registration; Westminster Foyer 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Annual Conference Orientation; Cotton Creek I & II 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Council on Finance and Administration; Library 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Board of Ordained Ministry; Meadowbrook II 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Special Meals - Lunch - Friends of Claremont; Waverly - New Delegates; Kachina - Young Clergy; Meadowbrook I 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Child Care; Flatirons and Longs Peak 1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Opening Worship; Westminster Ballroom - Episcopal Address 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Plenary; Westminster Ballroom - Organization of the Annual Conference - Adoption of Rules - Presentation of Standing Rules and Operational Procedures - Presentation of Nominations Report - Presentation of 2017 Budget and Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan - Introduction of Nominations for Jurisdictional Pool - Mission Shaped Future Committee Report - Nominations of Episcopal Candidates 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Theme Presentation; Westminster Ballroom - Spotlight: Hispanic Ministries 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Conversations with Episcopal Candidates; Westminster Ballroom 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Special Meals - Dinner - Building Relationships and Fire Garages with the Northern Cheyenne; Meadowbrook I - Order of Deacons; Off Site 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Child Care; Flatirons and Longs Peak 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Worship: Celebrating the Saints, Holy Communion and Baptism; Westminster Ballroom 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Reception; Cotton Creek I & II Friday June 10 5:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Health Screening; Waverly 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Special Meals – Breakfast - Church and Society; Cotton Creek II - Rural Urban Network; Cotton Creek I 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Child Care; Flatirons and Longs Peak 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Theme Presentation; Westminster Ballroom - Spotlight: Soul Repair Ministries 9:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Clergy Session; Standley I 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Laity Session; Westminster Ballroom Laity Workshops - Songs of Justice; Westminster Ballroom - United for a Fair Economy; Meadowbrook I - Disability Vision – Ability Matters; Cotton Creek I - Prison Ministry; Cotton Creek II - Fresh Expressions; Standley II - Ministry on the Margins: Interrupting Indifference; Meadowbrook II 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Special Meals - Lunch - COSROW/Religion & Race Lunch; Cotton Creek II - Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members; Cotton Creek I

2016 Annual Conference Session

Proposed Agenda

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- Iliff Lunch; Lake House - Provisional Members Lunch - by invitation only; Bender Bar and Grill - Wyoming Sub-District; Rock Bottom 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Plenary; Westminster Ballroom - Ballot: Nominations of Episcopal Candidates (continuing as needed) - Telling the Story - Instructions for Christian Conferencing and Legislative Committees 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Special Meal - Missions: A Displaced Dinner; Lake House 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Child Care; Flatirons and Longs Peak 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Christian Conferencing - Group A; Westminster Ballroom - Group B; Standley I - Group C; Standley II 8:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Legislative Committees - Group A; Westminster Ballroom - Group B; Standley I - Group C; Standley II 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Certified Lay Ministers; Meadowbrook II 9:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Weld County Ramblers Bluegrass Band; Lake House Saturday, June 11 5:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Health Screening; Waverly 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Special Meals - Breakfast - Extension Ministers & Deacons Appointed Beyond Local Church; Meadowbrook II - United Methodist Women and Men; Standley I 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Child Care; Flatirons and Longs Peak 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Bridge of Love Offering; Westminster Foyer 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Theme Presentation; Westminster Ballroom - Spotlight: Clean Water Ministries - Spotlight: Ministries with Young People of Color 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Plenary; Westminster Ballroom - Balloting for Nominations of Episcopal Candidates (as needed) - Adoption of Consent Calendar - Adoption of Standing Rules and Operational Procedures - General Conference Report -Jurisdictional Pool Nominations from the Floor - Ballot: Mission Shaped Future Petition - Ballot: Babb Resolution - Trustees Report: Wind and Hail Deductibles - Legislation 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Worship: Passing the Mantle; Westminster Ballroom 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Book Signing Last Call by Jerry Herships; Standley Foyer 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Special Meals - Lunch - Laity Luncheon; Standley I - Retiree/Retirement; Cotton Creek I & II - Young People's Ministry; Waterfall Gardens 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Community Café - Hispanic/Latino Ministries; Westminster Ballroom - Soul Repair Ministries; Standley I - Clean Water Ministries; Meadowbrook I - Ministries with Young People of Color; Meadowbrook II - Open Topic; Waverly 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Special Meals - Dinner - Hispanic/Latino Ministry; Standley II

Proposed Agenda

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6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Child Care; Flatirons and Longs Peak 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Plenary; Westminster Ballroom - Adoption of 2017 Budget and Nominations Report - Adoption of Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan - Colorado Flood Recovery Project Report - Awards - Celebration of Bishop Elaine's Ministry - Sand Creek Report - Community Fire Protection Partnership 9:00 - 9:30 p.m. Reception - Celebration of Bishop Elaine's Ministry; Standley II Sunday, June 12 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Child Care; Flatirons and Longs Peak 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Worship: Celebrating and Ordering Ministry; Westminster Ballroom - Ordination and Commissioning - Reading of Appointments 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Reception; North Courtyard

Proposed Agenda

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Rev. Dr. Hugo Magallanes

Associate Professor of Christianity and Cultures at Perkins School of

Theology, Southern Methodist University; Director of the Center for the

Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions

The Rev. Dr. Hugo Magallanes is a United Methodist minister,

theologian, and educator who currently holds membership in the

South Georgia Annual Conference. Throughout his time in

ordained ministry, he has served as a pastor with Hispanic

communities in his native Mexico, Georgia, Kentucky, and New

Jersey.

In addition to his pastoral work, Rev. Dr. Magallanes has served as an associate professor of Church and

Society and the assistant provost at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, President of The

Executive Board of the Hispanic Summer Program, and editor of Apuntes: Reflexiones Teológicas desde el

Contexto Hispano-Latino. Rev. Dr. Magallanes is the author of two books, Introducción a la Teología y Vida de

Juan Wesley and Acción Social: El Pueblo Cristiano Testifica del Amor de Dios, and has contributed sections to

many others.

Rev. Deb Olenyik

Transitional Ministry Developer, Mountain Sky Area

The Rev. Deb Olenyik currently works on Bishop Elaine Stanovsky’s

staff as the area-wide Transitional Ministry Developer with Small

Churches in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. These 180

churches have up to 50 in worship, and represent 45 percent of the

United Methodist Churches in these states. From 2008-2015, Deb

was the Wyoming District Superintendent, serving across

conference lines for both the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone

conferences.

She has been in United Methodist pastoral ministry since 1980. She transferred into the Rocky Mountain

Conference from North Indiana in 1987. In the RMC, she has served as pastor in Newcastle, Montrose,

Olathe, Paonia, Wilson Colorado Springs, Torrington and Estes Park. She is a graduate of the Iliff School of

Theology and Valparaiso University. She has two grown children. Her son, Chris, is an architect, married and

lives in Portland, Oregon, and her daughter, Kelly, is a mineral standards manager, served in the Peace Corps

in Malawi, and currently lives in Casper, Wyoming.

2016 Annual Conference Session

Preachers

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2016 Annual Conference Session

Spotlight Presenters

Karen Reyes

Hispanic/Latino Ministries

Karen Reyes was born in

Mexico and brought to the

United States at the age of

five. Karen, the oldest of

three children, is the

daughter of Guillermo

Reyes, the Hispanic pastor

at Gracia Divina, and

Sanjuana Reyes, who works beside him. Karen has

been involved with United Methodist Women’s

young women program since 2012 and has recently

become a part of RMC Hispanic/Latino Ministry

Committee as the youth representative for the

Leadership Development Team. As a youth leader in

her church, she works with children and youth from

the community, putting on Vacation Bible School

and other outreach programs.

Doug Lyons

Soul Repair Ministries

Doug is an ordained

chaplain with United

Association of Christian

Chaplains and Counselors

International. He is a

Vietnam veteran who

served four years in the

Navy and two years in the

reserves. Doug attended the University of Texas in

Arlington where he majored in architecture before

moving to Colorado in 1973 to receive discipleship

training through the Navigators. He joined the

Colorado Springs Fire Department in 1975 and

retired as a Battalion Chief after 32 years of service.

Doug is currently the chaplain for a nonprofit

organization serving veterans with disabilities,

where he now spends time mentoring veterans with

post-traumatic stress disorder.

Michael Rowley

Clean Water and WASH (Water,

Sanitation, and Hygiene)

Michael Rowley moved to the

Denver area in 1979 where

both he and his wife Debra

have enjoyed participating in

activities and organizations

with their two sons, Jordan

and Grant. Since becoming a

member of Broomfield UMC in 1995, Michael has

tried to find places to serve others both locally and

internationally. He has participated in short-term

mission trips to Arad, Romania and Haiti, and for the

last five years he has traveled to Ouanaminthe, Haiti

to focus on building and distributing household

water filtration systems.

Keyla Antunez

Ministries with Young People of

Color

Keyla Antunez was born in

Denver to Mexican and

Honduran parents. When she

was seven, her family

underwent a difficult period of

adultery and domestic abuse,

both of her mother and herself,

which led to her parents’ divorce. Living with her

mother, Keyla and her siblings went through

extreme poverty and as the oldest of four children,

Keyla had to work from a young age to help her

mother provide for the family. As a young teenager

she went through depression, trauma, and violent

outbursts. When she was 15, Keyla and her mother

sought the aid of The Epworth Foundation, funded

by Epworth UMC to focus on youth, families, and

hunger relief. Through involvement in the

Foundation, Keyla and her family joined Epworth

UMC, where she has become heavily involved as a

lay minister and youth leader.

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Each of these short 15-minute talks powerfully highlights a different aspect of engaging the community in

Ministry on the Margins throughout the Rocky Mountain Conference. The four major areas of ministry are:

Hispanic/Latino Ministries, Karen Reyes, Gracia Divina

Karen Reyes will speak about how her congregation Gracia Divina engages its neighborhood through

Vacation Bible School and other children’s and youth ministries. Gracia Divina is a Hispanic congregation

led by Rev. Guillermo Reyes that meets at Alameda Heights, UMC in Denver, CO.

Soul Repair Ministries, Doug Lyons, Tri-Lakes UMC

Doug Lyons will speak about Soul Repair, a ministry that raises awareness of the invisible wounds of war

afflicting veterans and engages faith communities in new ways of doing healing ministry for veterans of war.

Clean Water Ministries, Michael Rowley, Broomfield UMC

Michael Rowley will discuss Clean Water Ministries in his church and community, bringing water filtration

systems to Haiti. Clean Water is a crucial issue facing people on the margins and an important part of the

ministry of the Rocky Mountain Conference.

Ministries with Young People of Color, Keyla Antunez, Epworth UMC

Keyla Antunez will talk about what it means to live as a young person of color in the Rocky Mountain

Conference. She will share experiences that touch immigration, domestic violence, and finding hope in the

midst of brokenness.

All are invited to participate in Community Café. Each person will choose one of the four major areas of

ministry above or a fifth “open” topic, all taking place in different rooms. In each room, people will have an

opportunity to hear more stories from a panel of two to three people engaged in the ministry area. This will

also be a time to share any feedback and to commit to engage with ministry on the margins

Hispanic/Latino Ministries Westminster Ballroom

Soul Repair Ministries Standley Room I

Clean Water Ministries Meadowbrook Room I

Ministries with Young People of Color Meadowbrook Room II

Open Topic Waverly Room

2016 Annual Conference Session

Spotlight Presentations

2016 Annual Conference Community Café Saturday, June 11, 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.

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Opening worship: “Interrupting Indifference” by the United Methodist Women

Featured speaker: Rev. Dr. Stephen Sidorak, General Secretary, Office of Christian Unity and

Interreligious Relationships

Lay Leader Elections

Workshops 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

2016 Annual Conference Lay Session Friday, June 10, 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Songs of Justice—Westminster Ballroom

Steve and Terry Mallinson

Come and sing songs which advocate for justice.

This interactive workshop will inform participants

as to where some peace and justice music literature

is found. Music director Steve Mallinson will lead

the singing, which is designed to energize the

singers and the listeners to be motivated for causes

of justice. Sing for justice and joy!

United for a Fair Economy — Meadowbrook I

Ellie Young and Megan Wieck

Explore your personal experience of the U.S.

economy, the growing divide in income, ways

women’s work is undervalued, policies that have

increased the race and gender wealth divide,

articulate values for a just economy, and the ways

participants can take action for a more just economy.

Disability Vision-Ability Matters — Cotton Creek I

Rose Rennell and the Rocky Mountain Conference

Disability Vision—Ability Matters Committee

Come and learn some specific ways that we can

create open hearts and open doors in our churches

for persons with several kinds of disabilities. How

do we meet their spiritual needs while ensuring

universal accessibility?

Prison Ministry — Cotton Creek II

Mike Spahr

How can I follow Jesus’ command (Matthew 25:35,

36) and also make a positive impact on my

community? This workshop will highlight the

restorative effect of ministry to prisoners.

Recidivism rates can be cut more than half when

prisoners are involved with Kairos ministry.

Fresh Expressions— Standley II

Diana Huerta

This workshop is an introduction to the concept of a

new form of church for the world in which we live,

a way that local churches can “interrupt

indifference” and make a difference in their own

communities. We will talk about this new way of

building faith communities established primarily for

the benefit of people who are not yet members of

any church.

Ministry on the Margins: Interrupting Indifference

— Meadowbrook II

Glenna Brayton

Where are the Native Americans in our conference?

Where are our Native American ministries? If we

are indifferent, is it intentional? Could it be because

we don’t know what to do? How can that

indifference be interrupted with grace? How can we

partner in ministry?

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ROAD RUNNER AWARD

Rev. Sherry Ferriman, Simla and Ellicott UMC, Colorado

Sherry epitomizes the spirit of the Circuit Rider, travelling the 32 miles between her churches in Simla and Ellicott on a regular basis. She has led her churches into deep missional engagement with their communities, particularly helping the local schools serving disadvantaged students. She works full time as the Human Relations Director at the Ellicott School, is a full time student at Iiff, and is raising three children, ages 12, 14 and 18. She serves on the District Leadership Team, as well as UMW and Lay Servant Ministries. As a military veteran herself, Sherry is currently exploring ways to better serve the needs of veterans and their families. Her energetic commitment to Christian service is a true inspiration. This award recognizes a pastor who has served effectively and faithfully in a town and country setting for at least five years and is given by the Rural Urban Network.

SMALL CHURCH AWARD

Midwest Community United Methodist Church, Midwest, Wyoming

Midwest Community United Methodist Church is making a real impact on its community. Where there was once only a handful worshipping each Sunday, there is now a sense of energy, enthusiasm, and hope that can be felt throughout the whole community. As part of its outreach efforts, the congregation hosts a weekly meal for the children of the local school located next to the church and helps out each year with the annual Salt Creek Days celebration. Pastor Tracy Sutherland, a Certified Lay Minister, regularly participates in many events, including blessing of new fire trucks, consecration of memorial trees in the park, and groundbreakings of new facilities in town, all in the midst of serving his church and being employed as a contractor full-time. This is another way this congregation is leading the way, showing what a vital congregation can look like through a wholly lay leadership model. The Rocky Mountain Conference is blessed by the work of Midwest Community UMC. This award recognizes a congregation engaging in outstanding rural church ministry and is given by the Rural Urban Network.

ONE MATTERS DISCIPLESHIP AWARD

Bristol United Methodist Church, Bristol, Colorado

This year the Rocky Mountain Conference recognizes Bristol United Methodist Church. Bristol UMC has been reaching out to a soul who had fallen away from the church and its love. Bristol loved her unconditionally through prayer, visitation and gifting which brought her back to God through our church. In 2015 she celebrated the baptism she had never experienced and now leads on a regular basis at Bristol. We celebrate Bristol’s dedication and commitment to discipleship. The One Matters Discipleship Award recognizes one church that is turning zeros into positive numbers with a renewed focus on discipleship during 2015 and is given by Discipleship Ministries.

HARRY DENMAN EVANGELISM AWARD

Travis K. Walker, Springfield UMC, Colorado

Rev. Travis Walker has conducted “bicycle evangelism” through the community of Springfield, Colorado for the past four years. Riding his bicycle as his primary means of transportation in town has given Travis unique access to members of the community that he encounters on a regular basis. Always willing to stop and talk, inquire about people’s lives, offer support and encouragement, and generally be a pastoral presence to all he meets, Travis consistently communicates the love of God in Jesus Christ through his words and actions. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award is named for Dr. Harry Denman, founder of The Foundation for Evangelism and renowned lay evangelist. This award recognizes youth, lay, and clergy who are practicing evangelism in their daily lives and in ministry through the local church.

2016 Rocky Mountain Conference Awards

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Rocky Mountain Conference of The United Methodist Church

Presentation of 2017 Budget

2015

Budget 2015

Actual 2016

Budget 2017

Budget

REVENUE

Church Tithe Plus Mission Giving 5,600,000 5,562,681 5,600,000 5,630,000

Other Income - 9,604 - -

TOTAL REVENUE 5,600,000 5,572,285 5,600,000 5,630,000

EXPENDITURES

Black College Fund 121,709 126,780 122,896 124,683

Interdenominational Cooperation Fund 23,874 24,868 24,106 24,446

World Service Fund 888,709 925,738 897,357 910,456

Africa University Fund 27,234 28,368 27,511 27,904

Ministerial Education Fund 305,104 317,816 308,081 312,574

Episcopal Fund 266,543 277,649 289,273 274,063

General Administration Fund 107,272 111,741 108,342 109,890

Western Jurisdiction Program & Administration 48,439 50,457 50,457 50,457

TOTAL General and Jurisdictional Apportionments 1,788,884 1,863,417 1,828,023 1,834,473

Board of Stewards 2,825 2,867 2,825 2,825

Justice Ministries 17,880 12,684 16,500 12,000

Acts of Repentance (Sand Creek) 10,000 9,105 5,000 5,000

Racial-Ethnic Ministries 21,000 21,929 18,000 18,000

Ecumenical Ministries 14,000 14,000 12,000 12,000

Disability Connections Committee 250 237 250 250

Status and Role of Women 500 - 500 300

Religion and Race 3,400 1,158 3,500 3,500

Intercultural Ministry 1,500 1,051 1,500 1,000

Board of Discipleship 1,400 40 500 250

Young People's Ministry 23,175 16,183 11,000 23,000

Board of Higher Education & Campus Ministry 97,685 95,668 95,000 96,000

New Church Development 300,000 304,001 317,500 310,000

Turn Around Churches 30,550 30,550 27,245 30,000

Congregational Vitality 15,000 16,430 27,500 22,000

Leadership Development 31,000 30,112 20,000 22,000

Visioning - 8,229 2,000 15,000

Camp & Retreat Ministries 29,500 29,560 27,000 17,000

Compassion Ministries 25,055 22,905 24,500 22,000

Communications 14,600 12,374 11,000 11,000

Conference Programming Staff 627,465 545,144 675,462 690,110

TOTAL Benevolence & Program Ministry 1,266,785 1,174,227 1,298,782 1,313,235

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2015

Budget 2015

Actual 2016

Budget 2017

Budget

Nominations Committee 900 228 650 500

Board of Lay Ministry AC 8,440 4,481 7,870 7,020

Board of Lay Ministry 6,150 4,554 7,880 8,380

Lay Leader Support 4,320 1,947 5,000 4,600

Lay Servant 4,450 1,562 4,600 4,600

Board of Ordained Ministry 24,300 31,816 27,700 28,300

District Superintendent 970,795 911,650 939,415 903,795

District Superintendent Staff 126,040 122,427 127,690 134,248

Cabinet Fund 35,000 41,319 35,000 40,000

Interim Clergy Support 5,000 - 5,000 2,500

District Meetings 5,000 3,775 1,800 3,000

Clergy Moving Expense 100,000 114,687 138,000 127,500

Clergy Maternity/Paternity Leave 1,000 - 1,000 1,000

Equitable/Minimum Compensation 35,970 24,696 20,000 20,000

Sustentation Fund 5,000 3,500 5,000 4,000

Clergy Introduction Fund 6,000 15,124 10,000 10,000

Response Team 3,200 2,617 2,650 3,200

Episcopal Office Support 21,000 21,000 21,000 21,000

Episcopacy Committee 2,700 9 500 250

TOTAL Spiritual Leadership Ministry 1,365,265 1,305,392 1,360,755 1,323,893

Council on Finance & Administration 5,000 3,661 3,000 3,000

Conference Office 488,071 470,013 502,611 540,526

Retiree Health Subsidy 450,000 449,027 405,000 390,000

Computer Expense 66,340 47,709 57,220 50,000

Board of Trustees 5,000 2,712 2,500 2,500

Property Administration 50,000 63,711 58,200 67,000

Camping Administration 20,000 20,000 5,000 -

Archives and History 3,905 3,807 1,909 1,885

Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits - 6,068 10,000 8,000

Personnel Committee 2,000 643 1,000 1,000

Rocky Mountain United Methodist Foundation 10,000 10,000 - -

Legal 30,000 28,264 25,000 25,000

Audit 32,000 33,500 24,000 50,500

General and Jurisdictional Training 16,750 16,750 17,000 15,000

TOTAL Financial & Administrative Ministry 1,179,066 1,155,865 1,112,440 1,154,411

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 5,600,000 5,498,901 5,600,000 5,626,012

TOTAL REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURES BEFORE ALLOCATIONS - 73,384 - 3,988

Allocation for Transitional Ministry Developer 45,000

Allocation for Young People's Ministry 5,000

Allocation for Hispanic/Latino Ministry Missionary 8,384

Allocation to Operating Fund Reserve 15,000

TOTAL REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURES AFTER ALLOCATIONS - - - 3,988

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Rocky Mountain Conference

The United Methodist Church Financial Commentary to the 2016 Annual Conference

What were financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2015?

We are pleased to report that the Rocky Mountain Conference paid its 2015 General Church and

Jurisdictional Apportionments at 100%. This is the second consecutive year we have met this important

commitment, and we will continue to do so.

The 2015 operating budget for revenue and expenses was $5.6 million. Actual revenue was approximately

$5.57 million and expenses were approximately $5.5 million. This resulted in a surplus for the year of $73,384.

The operating surplus was invested in these amounts to support future ministry:

Temporary position of Transitional Ministry Developer ($45,000)

Young People’s Ministry ($5,000)

Hispanic/Latino Ministry Missionary ($8,384)

Rocky Mountain Conference Operating Fund Reserve ($15,000)

Surpluses generate funds to maintain and grow ministry in years when there is a shortfall. The Conference

Council on Finance and Administration encourages the use of restricted and designated funds in conjunction

with annual budget funds to maximize our ability to do ministry.

What were the most significant expense items that varied from the budget in 2015?

General and Jurisdictional Apportionments – These were budgeted to be paid at 96% in 2015. The Council

on Finance and Administration made the decision to pay them at 100%, so this expense was $74,533 over

budget.

Benevolence & Program Ministry – Expenses for Justice Ministries and Young People’s Ministry were

each more than $5,000 below budget. New Church Development was $4,000 over budget. We did not

budget for Visioning and spent $8,229 on these activities. Conference Programming Staff was

approximately $82,000 below budget, because staffing and staff-related expenses that were budgeted for a

full year were incurred for only part of the year.

Spiritual Leadership Ministry – Lay Ministry expenses were $10,800 below budget, and the Board of

Ordained Ministry was $7,500 over budget. District Superintendent and Cabinet operations and travel

expenses were $56,400 below budget. Clergy Support expenses are incurred each year based on need and

circumstances. Overages in Moving Expense and Clergy Introduction Fund were offset by items that were

under budget, including Interim Clergy Support and Equitable/Minimum Compensation.

Financial & Administrative Ministry - Conference Office and Computer Expense were each $18,300 below

budget, because actual expenses for utilities, building maintenance and repairs, staff travel, and computer

consultants were lower than expected. Property Administration, including expenses for insurance and

property management, were higher than budgeted. Since CF&A moved expenses of the Conference Board

of Pension & Health Benefits into the operating fund in 2015, there was no budget for these expenses. The

actual expense was $6,068.

14

The past due amount owed to the Rocky Mountain Conference for property and liability insurance, clergy

pension, and health insurance was $296,870 as of December 31, 2015, which was $23,170 higher than year-end

2014. The Council on Finance and Administration and the Cabinet continue to follow up with individual

churches to address these past due commitments. A current report of past due amounts is online at

www.rmcumc.org. The conference has no debt, and restricted and designated funds are fully funded.

What is our revenue projection for the year 2016?

The 2016 budgeted revenue approved by the annual conference remained at $5.6 million and through March

31, 2016 we had received approximately 29% of that in Tithe Plus Mission Giving. The Council on Finance

and Administration is projecting that we will achieve our revenue budget of $5.6 million for 2016.

What are key assumptions for the budget year 2017?

Revenue

The Council on Finance and Administration has approved a Tithe Plus Mission Giving budget of $5.63

million in 2017. This is an increase of $30,000 from the 2016 budget.

Expenses

The budget is based on the Rocky Mountain Conference paying its General and Jurisdictional

apportionments at 100% in 2017. We will maintain our commitment to connectional giving while nurturing

the roots of our faith and growing our vital ministries.

The number of conference staff and compensation levels are budgeted per the Personnel Policies and

Practices Committee to meet the ministry and administrative needs of the conference and its members.

Conference personnel costs in 2017 will be covered through a combination of the general operating budget

and designated funds. The Director of Communications, Transitional Ministry Developer, Vital

Congregations Developer, and Wyoming District Superintendent are shared Mountain Sky Area positions; a

portion of these positions is funded by the Rocky Mountain Conference and a portion by the Yellowstone

Conference.

Benevolence and Program Ministry

The Benevolence and Program Ministry budget has been established by the Board of Stewards. The Board of

Stewards kept the 2017 budget for program ministries at the same level as the 2016 budget. The increase in

Benevolence and Program Ministry in 2017 is reflected in Conference Programming Staff, which includes

annual compensation increases for staff.

Spiritual Leadership Ministry

The 2017 budget for District Superintendents includes anticipated expenses for compensation plus benefits,

district operations, and other expenses. Clergy moving expense is budgeted based on the average number of

moves during the past quadrennium and the current policy regarding payment of moving expenses. Other

Clergy Support expenses are budgeted based on the average expenditures for the past several years.

Financial and Administrative Ministry

The Conference Office budget includes expenses for technology upgrades, budgeted increases for building

maintenance and utilities, and annual compensation increases for staff. The amount needed for the Retiree

Health Subsidy is lower in 2017 than in prior years, and funds will be drawn from our account at Wespath

Investment Management if an additional subsidy is needed.

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Computer Expense includes software maintenance agreements, equipment upgrades, and information

technology consulting services. We have budgeted to use less consulting services, since we have added this

expertise in-house. The Audit includes both our independent financial audit and the valuation of the post-

retirement medical commitment. The financial audit is projected to increase in cost with the move to

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We have a full valuation done of the post-retirement medical

commitment every other year, which is more expensive than the partial valuation. The full valuation is

scheduled to be done in 2017.

Summary

Revenue from Tithe Plus Mission Giving is budgeted at $5,630,000 and expenses are budgeted to be

$5,626,012. This 2017 budget is recommended by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration for

approval by the Annual Conference.

Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan

Our 2017 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan outlines the benefits provided to the clergy and laity of the

Rocky Mountain Conference, and our resources and plans to fund these benefits. The Plan addresses pension

and retirement benefits, health benefits, long-term disability, life insurance, and other benefits as applicable

for eligible clergy and lay staff.

The 2017 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan Summary document can be found online at

www.rmcumc.org/ac16.

The Rocky Mountain Conference Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan received a favorable written opinion

from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. It was signed and submitted by Kimal James,

Chairperson, Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits; Kirsten Barlow, President, Conference

Council on Finance and Administration; and Noreen Keleshian, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer;

and is recommended for approval by the Annual Conference.

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Churches Recognized for Connectional Giving in 2015

Thank you to these 124 churches for reporting their income for all 12 months of

2015 and remitting 13% in Tithe Plus Mission Giving. They have each been

honored with a Connectional Giving Certificate.

AfterHours Denver Akron UMC Alameda Heights UMC Alger Memorial UMC Applewood Valley UMC Aspen Community UMC Aurora First UMC Avondale UMC Basalt Community UMC Bethany UMC Beulah UMC Blue Cliff UMC Bowen Community UMC Brighton UMC Bristol UMC Broomfield UMC Burlington UMC Burns Memorial UMC Calvary UMC Carbondale UMC Carpenter UMC Centenary UMC Center UMC Cheyenne Wells UMC Christ UMC, Casper Christ UMC, Denver Christ UMC, Fort Collins Christ UMC, Salt Lake City Community UMC, Keenesburg Community UMC, Pagosa Springs Crossroads UMC, Grand Junction Elizabeth UMC Erie UMC Estes Park UMC Eureka Community UMC Evans UMC Evergreen UMC Faith UMC, Cheyenne Father Dyer UMC First UMC, Boulder First UMC, Casper First UMC, Castle Rock

First UMC, Colorado Springs First UMC, Cortez First UMC, Douglas First UMC, Dove Creek First UMC, Florence First UMC, Fountain First UMC, Grand Junction First UMC, Laramie First UMC, Limon First UMC, Longmont First UMC, Loveland First UMC, Montrose First UMC, Newcastle First UMC, Pierce First UMC, Platteville First UMC, Rawlins First UMC, Rock Springs First UMC, Salida First UMC, Springfield Fort Morgan UMC Fowler UMC Frontier UMC Fruita UMC Genoa UMC Good Shepherd UMC, Thornton Goode Centennial UMC Grace UMC, Cheyenne Grace UMC, Denver Grace UM Faith Community,

Buena Vista Granada UMC Grand Valley UMC Grant Avenue UMC Hillsdale UMC Howard UMC, Woodrow Hugo UMC James Memorial UMC Kirk UMC Korean American UMC Las Animas UMC Longs Peak UMC Lyons Community Church

Manzanola UMC Mead UMC Monte Vista UMC Mountain View UMC, Boulder Niwot UMC North Park Community Church Olney Springs Community UMC Ovid UMC Paonia UMC Park City Community UMC Parker UMC Phillips UMC Pleasant Valley UMC Saguache UMC Scott UMC Shepherd of the Hills UMC Spirit of Hope UMC St. James UMC, Central City St. Paul UMC, Copperton Sundance UMC Sunrise UMC Swink UMC To Ae Ofa UMC Torrington UMC Tri-Lakes UMC Trinidad UMC Trinity UMC, Denver Two Buttes UMC Upton UMC UMC of Hygiene UMC of La Junta UMC of Meeker UMC of Steamboat Springs Vineland UMC Walsh UMC Washington Park UMC Wesley UMC, Pueblo Wheatland UMC Wiley UMC Wilson UMC Yuma UMC

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The Rocky Mountain Conference Historical Society

and Commission on Archives & History Honors

The anniversaries of those Ordained Elder/Deacon/Consecration

and admitted into full conference membership

SIXTY YEARS (1956)

Robert Craig Coburn

Glenn Wilber Lawrence

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS (1991)

Teresa Benedett-Farmer

Edwina Ward Burton

Jean H. Foreman

Jane L. Keener-Quiat

Brenda Carol Lear

David T. Margiotta

David Morris Moorman

FIFTY YEARS (1966)

Ronald Ray Hodges

Louis McDonald Pratt

Fletcher Draper Wideman

TWENTY YEARS (1996)

Patricia Lee Agnew

Scott Lawrence Daniels

Alane Currier Griggs

Robert Khan McClellan

Ramon V. Robledo

For more information about the 2016 Rocky Mountain Annual Conference,

go to www.rmcumc.org/ac16

Reports posted online:

The Legacy Fund Annual Report

The Statistician’s Report

The 2017 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan Summary

Welcome letter from Conference Co-Lay Leaders

Annual Conference Special Offerings

2017 Annual

Conference

Session

June 15-18, 2017

Where: Denver Marriott Tech Center, Denver, CO

Visit the Rocky Mountain Conference website for more

information: www.rmcumc.org