The Denver United Chronicles

A Christmas to Remember: December 2011

On December 12th, more than 420 people packed Delgado's Gym for the first ever Christmas to Remember event.  Seventy men from the CMI halfway house invited their families for an evening of Christmas festivities.  They were able to pick out and wrap Christmas presents, decorate cookies, get family photos taken, enjoy a delicious dinner provided by the Macaroni Grill, and enjoy music by Dave LeMieux and House of Soul.  For many of the men, this was the first time they'd been able to be with their families in years, and for one grandfather in particular it was the first time meeting his 3-month old grandson.  More than 100 volunteers from Denver United helped make this event a success.  Take a look at some of the photos from that night.

Special thanks to Megan Ahern and Neysa Lettin for helping capture photos of this event.

Elder Transition: December 2011

On December 11th, Denver United marked a transition in its Board of Elders.  Daron Ball and Keith Mondy, who had been part of the church since the basement days, stepped down from the Board after feeling the Lord's call for their families to return to attending church in Colorado Springs. Denver United thanked them for their service and prayed for them.  In their place, the church installed two new elders, David Bendinelli and Pat Ahern.  The elders and congregation prayed over both men, as well as their wives Sheila Bendinelli and Melodie Ahern.

Go Day: Thanksgiving Outreach 2011

On November 19th, Denver United partnered with Restoration Outreach Programs for our fourth annual Thanksgiving Outreach. More than 80 volunteers helped distribute supplies for turkey dinner and all the fixings to a few hundred residents from the East Colfax neighborhood.  They also were on hand to serve refreshments to those waiting in line, as well as offer a word of prayer.  Take a look at some of photos from this Go Day.

Our next Go Day is a Christmas Outreach on December 12th.  There will be opportunities to volunteer, donate a $25 gift, or buy two dozen Christmas cookies in order to help minister to the children of incarcerated parents.  Keep an eye on DenverUnited.com or contact Pastor Bryan Sederwall for more information. 

DU Student Move-In Outreach 2011

On September 4th, volunteers from Denver United participated in our third annual DU Student Move-In outreach. Donating part of their Sunday morning to the cause, they helped move the University of Denver's newly arriving freshmen into their dorm rooms at Centennial Halls. The church handed out nearly 1300 bottles of water with custom-printed Denver United labels to the students and families to help quench their thirst. They also carried students' belongings up to rooms and provided warm welcomes to those trying to find their way in a new environment. Take a look at some of the photos from that day.

If you're a college student - undergrad or graduate-level - looking to get plugged in, be sure to check out Passage. They meet each week from 10-11 am in Sturm Hall to dig in on a variety of Biblical topics. Contact Daniel Maxwell at daniel.maxwell@denverunited.com, find them on Facebook or visit their webpage for more information. Also, they'll be hosting a welcome picnic at Observatory Park on September 11th at 1:30 pm.  Click here for more details.

Service in the Park 2011

 
On August 21st, Denver United met for its third annual service at Confluence Park. The weather was warm and sunny, providing for a wonderful day to worship God in the heart of the city. After service, 42 people were baptized in the river. Take a look at some of the wonderful memories from that day.

If you or a family member were baptized that day, we may have photos of your special moment, which we would love to share with you.  You can email Christine Beebe at denverunitedchronicles@live.com for more information.

Special thanks to Mark Deesparza, Christopher Frierson and Gaby Spicer for their help with photos of this event.

A Night of Baseball and Fellowship

 
On August 19th, members of Denver United converged on Coors Field for our third annual night at the Rockies.  Excitement was in the air as the hometown boys of summer took on the LA Dodgers.  Take a look at some of the fun memories from that night.

Special thanks to Pastor Justin Spicer for providing photos of this event.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Denver United!

 
On August 7th, Denver United turned 3 years old.  Since no birthday celebration is complete without cake, the church hosted a cupcake bake-off.  Take a look at some of the delicious treats baked by members of the congregation!

A Great Day for a Picnic!

On Sunday, July 31st, Denver United hosted its third annual all-church picnic.  With the congregation having grown to about a thousand, the event was moved to City Park in order to accomodate everyone.  It was a great opportunity to fellowship with friends and meet some new folks as well.  Some played volleyball, football and baseball, while others enjoy resting in the shade.  Many of the kids were thrilled to play in the nearby fountains behind the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. 

In the weeks leading up the picnic, everyone was asked to bring either a side dish or a dessert depending on their last name.  Pastor Rob Brendle often joked in those weeks about the importance of not bringing tuna-based dishes to the picnic, especially tuna noodle casserole.  It was in this light that the self-proclaimed Society for Casserole Equality stealthily placed the fixings for a tuna noodle casserole on the potluck table accompanied by a creatively worded petition.

See the now infamous casserole and petition, as well as a few other pictures from the picnic, here.

India Missions: July 2011

 
From July 16 to July 30, Denver United sent a team of 13 people on the church's first missions trip to India.  They had the opportunity to encourage one of our global missions partners, as well as impact the lives of some of India's most precious children. The team included Amanda Foltz, Vibeke Brant and Jason Senn, Steve and Kristen LePeau, Sandra Hartshorn, Lieanna Baker Dull, Lauren King, Katie Bond, Josh Wehe and Jake Olsgaard, led by Denver United's Global Missions Coordinators Benj and Gabi Kelley.

During the first half of their trip, the team visited the Comforter Children's Home near the city of Chennai.  This ministry is home to nearly 200 children who have been rescued from such dire circumstances as life on the streets, in slums or even brothels.  The team completed hours of much needed clean up work around the 10-acre campus, including cutting down trees, moving rocks, and building a pathway.  Each morning they had the opportunity to lead the home's children in worship and devotions, and the afternoons were spent playing with the kids and doing crafts. 

During the second half of the trip, the team visited the Kathleen Home in Narsapur.  This ministry, founded by Pastor Yesupadam, is home to nearly 90 children who have come from impoverished villages.  While here, the team had the honor of laying the foundation for the new Denver United Dining Hall and School.  They also went to nearby villages where they preached the Word and prayed for all those in attendance.  Perhaps most memorable though was taking the children of Kathleen Home to the beach for some fun in the sand and surf.  

Take a look at some of the photos from their trip, and keep up to date on Denver United Missions by liking them on Facebook or following them on Twitter (@DUMissions).  You can also view additional photos and read stories from the trip on the Facebook page.

Special thanks to Benj and Gabi photos for providing photos of the trip.

Pastor Sean Hatch Licensed

 
On July 17th, the Elders of Denver United licensed Sean Hatch, who has served faithfully as Denver United's youth pastor since launching The HUB in February of this year. The congregation, led by members of the Elder Board, prayed for him in both morning services.